a full moon through the clouds, i took the long way in today, i had the time, 4.30 out of bed, quick breakfast of scones and i was out by 5. the ride was made more interesting by the new snow and the clouds, colder than normal, probably a bit below zero. riding in on trails and roads makes me appreciate why i get up extra early and walk to the shed to get the bike out passing on the car. not that it's any great sacrifice, it's just what i do, my little place in this world. riding makes me happier than just about anything, seeing the peaks backlit by the moon through the clouds warms me beyond the minus whatever temperature. almost in this morning and i saw him, couldn't hear him though he was only ten feet away and there he was running but not with too much hurry, cruising over the snow and sidewalk to a safe place, fleeing the creature moving as fast as he was now running nearly as quiet too. i veered to the opposite side of the road to give him room and he went the other direction, away from me, to safety. i hope i didn't ruin his breakfast! it reminded me of the beaver i see in the pond out front on the way in the summertime. quietly doing their thing before dawn when i would quietly roll past and scare them into hiding underwater or perhaps in the lodge hidden in the bank of the pond.