Deja Vu? The Pumpkinvine Revisited

Elkhart, IN    High:  67   Low:  49

Oh, boy, these fall days are great! Beautiful, sunshiny, cool day today...We actually didn't do the Pumpkinvine Trail two days in a row, there was a day in between..This time Eldy's daughter, Kristi and her son, Connor, seven years old, came with his mom to ride with us once again on the Pumpkinvine Trail. We started at the same spot at the DQ on State Road 13 in Middlebury and rode the same 12 mile loop we did two days ago. Yep, Connor and his grandpa, Sparky and Kristi. Sparky is bringing up the rear and holding the camera in one hand, snapping the photo, and trying to keep it in focus!

We had some reservations about whether Connor could maintain a pace and keep going without wearing himself out. Not a problem! Connor was bent on staying up with his Papa on the trail. Here he is giving it renewed effort to catch up with Papa.

No gears on that little bike of his, but he went on and on like the Energizer Bunny without any complaints..He had done this trail before with his mom, all TWELVE MILES of it, we were pretty sure he would not have any trouble completing it today....Until on the way back..."Are we there yet?  Are we getting close?" Lots of rest breaks and water on the way back, bless his little heart.

What did we see today that we didn't see the day before yesterday?  Llamas, anyone? At least we think they were llamas....or alpacas....

This chicken was beside the road, waiting to cross, hehehehe...no chicken jokes, please!

Beautiful farms once again...today the draft horses were out......

Beautiful flower gardens....The Amish and Mennonites have large, gorgeous flower gardens......

And on Connor rode.....

Stop, look, and listen, Connor.....

Stopped to check out the buggies....Must have been a Sunday gathering.....

And, we made it! Twelve miles....Connor felt very good about that...As well he should...Kristi is setting a wonderful example for him by losing weight, getting in shape, and exercising...We are proud of Krisit and we are proud of Connor, too!

We love this trail...it's so level, nice and shady, and wonderful things to see along the way...Sparky would be on it every day if it didn't take 30 minutes to get there from the Elkhart Campground, but it's worth a little drive for such a wonderful trail!