phugs.

 It all started as a joke.  We told Mitchell (a.k.a. SpringHill Boy) that we would run ten miles with him (because that's what he does everyday).  Even though we were sure we could do that no problem, we "weren't really in the mood." So we biked instead. Normal people would get on their bikes and go, but at the Mender house, the only bikes available were BMX bikes- you know...those little bikes with super low seats (making it impossible to sit while riding) and no brakes? So we took the challenge.  While we did come back in one piece, it was a close call.  Sliding off the edge of the sidewalk, Allie took a tumble in a field of weeds without Becky or Mitchell even noticing as they carried on ahead.  Her wounds were minimal in comparison to what would come for Becky.  Without a prayer for stopping or even slowing down (because of the whole brake thing) as we approached the same sidewalk entrance, Becky was forced to take the curb because of oncoming traffic on Hart Street.  Catapulting forward over the handlebars in what seemed like slow motion, her body hit the pavement with a splat. The bike followed in similar motion coming to rest on top of her with force.  Mitchell's reaction: immediately coming to her side to see if she was okay.  Allie's reaction: swiping the camera from Becky's back pocket in uncontrollable laughter making her stay in that tangled position until the moment was captured.  From that moment on, Mitchell was pretty worried about letting us get too close to the road.

We went back to visit the scenes of the accidents in the day light.  

Inspired by our late night bike ride, we decided to give it another chance using real bikes from the Vanderzee house.  Besides the bugs splattered in our hair and on our sunglasses, the ten mile ride to the Gates and back was a success.