I haven’t spent a lot of time this past summer with Pete, he has been busy working at the bike shop, hanging with his friends, and trying to figure out who he is. I have stepped way back letting him figure out who he is…what he wants to do...college is on the horizon...he is a smart kid and a social kid. So far so good, and knock on wood cause it always helps:) He parks his car at the bottom of the hill, and rides his fixy (sp) most days to work...saves on gas that way he says! We don’t give him much cash, food is always free at our house...he pays for his own gas and his own entertainment. For that I am proud. We want him to stand on his own two feet and be independent and cash wise! To many kids these days don’t have a clue how to balance cash and what things cost. I think it is a shame. Not that Peter always makes good choices with his paycheck, but at least he has one:) The financial background comes out in me when I am trying to teach my kids about being smart.
So when he wanted to take me with him to race at Schweitzer and spend the afternoon with me...I knew he needed a tank of cash and an entry fee...of course I said yes! Ok, once in a while I do give in:)
I like to watch him race, spend the car time with him...no phone, a bit of his music, he drove...and we had a great time. I luv the captured time in a vehicle together.
See, on top of the mountain is where Pete belongs, he luvs it and he is a different kid, free of pressure , just being himself...and I like that. Kind of reminds me when he was a 4 years old…
He is a senior this year and to still want to spend a bit of time with me, well it means the world to me….and he likes me to take his pics, so not sure if it was the gas, food, and pictures he wanted...or really just wanted mom time. I will pretend it is mom time:)
So the race was a time trial of sorts, they have this series up at the mountain and it is a fun time! So fun to watch Pete hang with all the people he knows from the mtb world. Talk the talk and bike the bike! I just sit back and watch in awe how much this kid of mine has grown!
He takes off, I already know where I want to watch...smiles on his face and on mine. It is a mom thing, so really my pictures tell the rest of the story…
The dust was kicking up and Pete was only racing against himself and a clock...and the mountain. He has spend a few nights up on the mountain this summer and has ridden the trails a lot, gopro on his bike, coolest video I have ever seen…not cause it is my kid, but because I like bike races:)
It was a fast hour in the woods with Pete, I can spot him a mile away...just know his style of riding and always was his mouth open..
So could I be a bike rider photographer full time? Yep I could, my favorite sport to take pics of from everyday joes to cruiser rides, to a few famous people, it’s the action shots I like the best...makes my world a happy place that Pete likes it so much and has finally found his niche. In the mountains and with me in tow...occasionally!
It was a good afternoon...not sure if I tell him enough how proud I am…cause after all he is 17 and sometimes drives me crazy:) But I luv him a bunch and I know he knows that…
Another day...another memory...I do live a charmed life and am grateful for that every single day...don’t you think?
