it's dawn, and as i roll over in bed, i wonder just 4 a moment if i
could actually fall back asleep and get up at 9am instead.
but no, this is saturday, and i'm a rollerblader!
by the time i'm up, thru my morning routine and in the car ready 2
drive, it's 7:30am. i try 2 get up earlier, but it's just not possible.
indian wells california, my skating destination, is 1 hour away and the
drive will take me thru some of california's best and most beautiful
scenery.
i arrive at my regular reserved parking space in back of the ralph's
supermarket at 8:30am. i walk into ralph's, say "hi" 2 my friends, and
buy my ice and gatorade.
by 9am i'm ready 2 roll. it's already 95°, but that's cool compared 2
what june, july and august gave me, and so i'm feeling very comfortable. 
the legs r a little stiff, so i start out slow, in order 2 warm-up and
make sure all the joints r working properly. 2 miles later, i'm rolling
like lava downhill. i'm smooth, i'm fluid, i'm beautiful and i'm hot!
i'm wearing my usual st. maarteen bright yellow tropical outfit. oh
yes, i get noticed, but it's better than somebody hitting u and saying
afterward 2 the paramedics, "i didn't notice him!"
my 14.4 mile course is smooth as glass on indian wells and la quinta
sidewalks. there is some street skating, but i like that becuz it
trains and prepares me 4 the inline marathons i will do.
people honk as they go by and altho i've never met them, i know they c me every saturday and probably wonder, "who the heck is that guy?"
i usually pass 50 or 60 bicyclists who r out on their morning ride and i
always think 2 myself that they don't seem 2 b having as much fun as i
am.
when i arrive at my 7.2 mile turn-around point i feel so good, that i
don't turn around. i decide 2 go further. i like 2 skate n e where
from 3 to 6 hours.
and i know the longer i go, the better and healthier it will make me,
and besides, i do have a whole week 2 recover.
i usually skate alone. there just aren't that many skaters who wanna
skate in june, july and august, in the desert, in temps ranging from
95° to 115°. but i have a passion and a priority and every saturday
skating is it.
it's like flying and floating and soaring and i wouldn't give it up 4 n
e thing.
come join me. i promise u'll have fun!
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by frank landfield
founder, desert rollberblading club
pob 3391 idyllwild, ca 92549
909-659-4322
email; thebirdhouseman@webtv.net
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