A Summer Bike Ride:

The weather was cooler today, so we went for a long bike ride:

On the way home, I smashed the pedal into the back of my leg and spent the rest of the evening R.I.C.E.(ing): rest, ice, compression, elevation (thank you, college education!)

P.S. Happy First Official Day of Summer, though it has felt like summer here since April. I have big plans for this summer, plans that include:

• long bike rides
• popsicles
• picnics
• floppy hats and sunglasses
• eating outside
• napping in hammocks
• swimming
• doing absolutely nothing
• documenting this, the best summer ever, on video

They're here:

I've been in Hot Springs the last few days for work but I got home this afternoon and we went to pick up our bikes! Finally! Aren't they beautiful?

We rode them around the neighborhood with my nephew and then rode over the visit Kat and Gary. They have front and back lights, so riding in the dark is no problem. It was amazing. I plan on adding a wicker basket to the front of mine and going for picnics on the River Trail.

I'm wearing my newest JewelMint piece, the Encore Necklaces:

So cute -- I'm only allowing myself one piece a month but there are so many great ones available right now, I'm not sure I'll be able to resist. Check them out here.

Bike Shopping: The Results

We've finally found the bikes that we'll be purchasing: the Trek Belleville(s).

Talked to the guys over at Chainwheel in LR and decided that this is the bike we are going with. We wanted a city bike from a really nice brand with a nod to the retro bikes that we love so much. And we've heard nothing but great things about Trek bikes so we're feeling pretty good about this decision.

We should be making the purchase sometime next week. I'm not looking forward to shelling out so much money for these bikes, but we're looking at them as investments -- ones that we plan on taking care of so they will be used for many years to come. And who knows, as gas prices continue to rise, we may just quit using our cars and bike everywhere. So then from that perspective, we're actually saving money. It's all in how you look at it I guess.

Anyway, look for pictures in the next few weeks. Because with such cool toys around, you know we're not going to be able to resist taking loads of pictures.