June 10, 2005 [LINK]
Charlottesville day trip
Jacqueline and I went to go hiking on the nearly-completed Rivanna Loop Trail that encircles Charlottesville, where we used to live. We didn't get very far, however, as the trail was overgrown with tall grass and poison ivy. One tick was all it took for us to turn back. We did see a few interesting birds during our short time there, most notably the first Pine warbler I've seen this year, as well as a Red-tailed hawk being harrassed by a crow, some Cedar waxwings, bluebirds, phoebes, all three common swallow species, and an Indigo bunting.
Afterwards, we drove around and gawked at all the new street and housing construction on the south side of town. Boy, is that town booming! Some wooded areas where we used to go hiking or biking are now fully developed residential communities, with others on the way. Finally, we stopped for a richly satisfying lunch at the famous Bodo's Bagels, one of the finest bagel establishments on the east coast. Their bagels are freshly made according to very exacting standards, and there is simply no way to describe how good they taste and how perfect their consistency is: firm on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside. Ah-h-h-h-h!