Are you a hunter/gatherer?

I had some requests for hunting soap! They tell me that you can buy this baking soda dry-out-your-skin-no-smell-soap for hunters at some big box stores, but it's no good! So, hunters ask and we deliver!



And, we even made it camouflage in color too! Look at this!



I was told that hunters want to remain unsmellable, so the anise essential oil was added to erase the human scent!! Even you can blend in with the trees!

We're calling this awesome smelling soap Hunter Gatherer!



I'm loving this great smell - just like licorice!!



It turned out really pretty didn't it? Those hunters in your life should love it! And, just in time for hunting season too!!

Mountain Bike Monday - Ready, set...Martin's here we come!

Not many pics from yesterday's ride, but we did snap a couple!



We hit the Battlefield for a mostly on-road 30 miler getting ready for next Saturday's Martin's Tour of Richmond, which is an on-road 58 miler! It felt really good. The weather was great. For those of you that haven't been to the Battlefield, it's a pretty hilly out and back on the Park Tour Road. They also have some multi-use trails that we enjoy riding too! We did about 24 miles on road and 6 off.

We are all ready for next Saturday! Looking forward to a ride around the racetrack at the finish!!

Charlie's waterworld

To say that Charlie is a waterdog is an understatement. Now he likes to chase the water when you spray the hose in the air (his Grandpa taught him this). Here's some in action shots...









I get tired of holding the hose before he gets tired of catching the water!



I love his ears in this one...



Silly happy boy!

September BT Meetup

Every month there's a Boston Terrier meetup that happens in Richmond.



Charlie loves to go, but during the summer months he has market dog duty, so he has to catch up with his friends in the fall and spring! There's a lot of ball chasing...



And, chatting around the water cooler...



And, lots of happy smiles...







Sometimes the dads have to break up the playground fights...



But there is a lot of sharing and caring...



This pic was cool how both dogs took off at the same time...



And, sometimes the moms have to make the babies take a break...



At the end of the day they are some tired BTs!



Stick chasin' can do that to ya...

Mountain Bike Monday - Inch by Inch

We set out yesterday with the plan of riding a road training ride to get ready for the Martin's Tour of Richmond in two weeks. We decided to head over to Jamestown and start at mile 1 of the Virginia Capital Trail. The plan was to ride out at least 20 miles, if the trail was complete enough, and then turn around.



We were quite surprised to find that even though not fully complete, the Sherwood Forest Phase (13 miles) of the trail was totally rideable.



So, the Colonial Parkway, Greensprings, Chickahominy Riverfront, Sherwood Forest, and Charles City Courthouse Phases are all linked now!



There were lots of bridges along the Sherwood Forest phase, which are almost completed. The ribbon cutting for this phase is set for Oct. 15 officially!



It is such an amazing site to see...all of the effort to make such a massive project happen. An over 50 mile multi-use trail running from Richmond to Williamsburg, all free of vehicle traffic.



So many people, so much time, and so much money! It truly is worth it! Thank you!



There were lots of people out enjoying the trail. Runners and bikers galore!



We rode and rode...







We rode out 23 miles and then turned around. The trail continued on for a little farther past that. At that point we were closer to our house than the car back in Jamestown.





There were some opportunities along the way to re-fuel.



We saw big green bullfrogs, turtles, fish, and one snake...



What an amazing ride. We did 46 miles completely free of traffic!! Such a beautiful, often shady, ride! We can't wait until we can ride the entire length from Richmond to Williamsburg, and back! We are so grateful to have such a fantastic trail right near us! We encourage you to go and experience it! We are so blessed to have one another to experience these things together. It was a glorious day together. Life is so good!

The end of another great season!

Every year this time when the weather turns a little cooler and the flowers slow down we stop going to the Market.



We enjoy our time at the market, but all good things must come to an end. We will miss moments like these that make you squeal...



And, moments like this that just make you smile from the inside out!



We will miss seeing our buddy, Joe! There's no one that can make you smile like Joe does.



With each summer market season we continue to build our friendships that go back to our first year 8 seasons ago! Like our friend, Taco, and his mom!



And, Mrs. Moyer, our dear sweet friend who comes rain or shine to pick up her flowers for church and give us hugs...

We will miss all of you, our new friends...

And, old ones!



And, Charlie will REALLY miss his time the most we know! He's adapted quite well to his role as "Market Dog" don't you think? Any dog that will let kids put stickers all over him has to be pretty awesome! We sure do think so!  We'd like to thank each of you for loving our family and our fur-child! We thank you for your hugs, your well wishes, and your support each and every week and throughout the year! We love all of you!



As I've said many many times before...it's not about selling flowers and soap for us! It's about being with you, our friends, each and every week! Be blessed and we hope to see you before next market season!