You Don't Miss Your Skin Until

I went back and forth about whether to swim or bike on Sunday and the sun finally won out because I couldn't imagine staying inside on such a gorgeous day.


I hit (more on that later) the St. Louis Riverfront Trail, was pleased with my post-tune up bike and my energy level.

On the way back, these bicyclists that I had climbed an incline with had stopped and that's when I noticed the huge bird in the tree. It was a Bald Eagle. There was a friend of the BE too.



We got pictures. I tried to get closer but the Bald Eagle would just go to another tree. It was totally worth it because I got to see that spectacular wingspan.



(The BE is sitting in the tree -- to the right -- then takes off.)

As I got further down the road, I took my hands off the handle bars. Now, there are some places along the trail that are better for no-hands bicycling than others. I chose the wrong spot. Before I knew it, I was headed into the levee wall at a nice rate of speed. I put my arm out to prevent a spectacular crash and instantly felt my hand give. I noticed that my arm was ashy and saw that I had left even more skin on the wall.





What I've noticed in the last couple of days is that my left hand is much stronger than it used to be, sleeping is an interesting proposition, drying off with your non-dominant hand takes much longer and people who don't normally grab your arm, will grab it.

Just another lesson in how nice it is when the body is running smoothly. Today's a swimming day but I won't be going. I'm grateful, though, that I seldom get injured.


After Photos