Box turtles are interesting creatures, and I would love to get to know then personally, but they don’t live in this part of the world. They are common in the southeast, however, and like turtles everywhere they sometimes walk into danger as they cross roads to go about their business. Sometimes an angel comes by to save them. In this case, the good samaritan was Bob Angel, who was taking a walk himself along Vesuvius Furnace Road in eastern North Carolina. Here’s what Bob has to say:

 
Not ten minutes down the road I espied this little fellow just beginning his trip across the blacktop. Normally I wouldn’t think of disturbing a wild creature. But his, or her, chances of making it across the road without being hit by a car were very bad. So, I picked him/her up and placed him/her on the other side of the road, in the direction in which s/he had been heading.

 

 
Funny thing is, the turtle was still there when I walked back up the road fifteen minutes later. All hunkered down in the shell.

 

Photos reprinted with kind permission from Bob Angel

 
Thanks, Bob, for being a turtle taxi! The box turtle was probably getting his or her bearings before heading out again. Box turtles are largely terrestrial, living in fields, woods, and around river bottoms. They won’t turn down a chance to soak in the water, though, and are capable of swimming. Their high domed carapace&mdsh;the upper shell—is characteristic and beautifully patterned, while their plastron—the bottom shell—tells the box turtles gender. Males have a concave plastron, while females have a convex plastron. When alarmed, box turtles retract their legs and heads into their protective shells, but unlike many other species of turtle, they can tightly clamp the carapace and plastron together to form a tight seal so no fleshy parts are left vulnerable. But this invulnerability doesn’t extend to fending off tons of metal, glass, and rubber hurtling down the road. That’s why it’s always heartening when someone comes along and compassionately and safely helps a turtle cross the road.

 
Have you saved a turtle from being hit by cars? Do you have a story or pictures to share? Just send us an email and we’ll publish your comments and turtle pictures in our “Turtle Portrait Gallery.”

 
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A Note to the Reader Last time, Ed and Brenna went “Looking for a Boat.” They found one, too, and now they’re itching to try their new canoe out. Things don’t exactly go according to plan, however.

 
Our story continues…

 
Chapter Fourteen

 
The roar of crashing water drowned out all other sounds. Jagged pinnacles of black rock towered above the mist. The gorge was getting narrower. Brenna looked on helplessly as her canoe climbed the face of one mountainous emerald wave after another, hesitating momentarily at each crest before plunging in a stomach-knotting dive into the chaos of the trough below.

All at once, just ahead, the mist parted. The river was now a straight, unbroken line from bank to bank. Nothing could be seen beyond that line. The roar of the water grew even louder.

“My God,” yelled Brenna, her screams all but lost in the torrent of sound. “It’s the falls!” She backpaddled furiously, but her paddle seemed made of lead and the rushing water offered no resistance to the blade. Her canoe moved inexorably toward the brink. And then she was there. The drop was terrifying, its foot lost in a cauldron of boiling vapor. Brenna’s canoe hung on the lip. In an instant, it tilted forward and plummeted. Brenna screamed again, but only a hoarse gasp escaped. In seconds she was fighting for breath in a maelstrom of crashing water… Read more…

 

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Hooked? A new chapter in our serial adventure novel, Trip of a Lifetime, will appear every Sunday. If you’ve missed a chapter, or if you’re coming aboard for the first time and want to catch up, just use the hot-linked title to go to the archives.

 
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A REMINDER This is a work of fiction. All the characters are figments of the imaginations. It’s NOT a paddling guide. If you’re planning a trip on the Albany River—or any other body of water, come to that—consult the most recent edition of a good guidebook and be sure you’re thoroughly familiar with all applicable regulations. While maps of Ontario show some of the waterways mentioned here, the places depicted in our story exist only in our minds—and in yours.

 
Almost a week ago, the rural community of Cambridge overflowed with bike racers and spectators bracing to ride and watch the Pro Invitational of the fifth annual Tour of the Battenkill 2009. The route covered a 62-mile circuit with over 4,000 feet of climbing and some rough dirt and gravel roads. Outside Up North is pleased to have had a photographer on site to cover the race. Tony Jancek and his crew have done us proud, and we’re delighted to feature a sample of his pictures here.

Sunday couldn’t have been more different than the previous day. Temperatures were still chilly, but clouds had parted and the sun promised to warm the air to comfortable levels for working up a sweat on a bike. With dry conditions came dust, lots of it. But these racers are pros and took it all in their stride. But before the race there are plenty of preparations. Let’s see what it looks like before the race begins…

 
Getting Ready  Racers unlimbered their bikes, pulled on their team kit, and rode in colorful splendor to the starting line. They’re used to the routine, but however many times they’ve done this, there’s always something to set this race apart. Something memorable. Something to look back on and say, “Yes, that’s the race where…” Every racer will have his own memories, but here are some of ours:

 

The Rice Mansion Inn

 

Aligning the ‘bars

 

Hot Argon 18 carbon bikes

 

Locking in the rear wheel

 

Adjusting his helmet

 

Eager to participate

 

He’s a winner!

 

Team BikeReg.com

 

It starts over there

 

Bobby Lea of Team OUCH Presented by Maxxis

 

Tim Johnson and John Murphy of Team OUCH Presented by Maxxis

 

Heading for the starting line

 

Team Champion System

 

Empire Cycling Team

 

Which way to the start?

 

He’s ready to race

 
Let’s Race!  Racers take their places on Broad Street, and then they’re off, turning onto Main before rolling out of town:

 

 

 

 
Seems like only seconds and they’re out of the village, but there are many miles to go, and many hills to climb:

 

 

 

 

 
Dry conditions make for dry throats—and a dust cloud that riders must endure:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Hard riding requires rehydration and refueling:

 

 

 
Racing is serious business, but not for everyone all of the time:

 

 
The face of the race:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Five hours and a bit more than 16 minutes later, the first cyclist crosses the finish line. It’s Scott Nydam of Team BMC. He’s followed by Karl Menzies of Team OUCH in 2nd place at 5:18:49, and then Francois Parisien of Team Planet Energy in 3rd place at 5.18.53.

 

 
But let’s not forget that there are others who worked hard, too. Here are but a few of them:

 

 

 

 

 
We’ve received many requests from racers who participated in Saturday’s or Sunday’s race asking if we got shots of them. If you see yourself or friends in any of the photos here, please let us know. Official results aren’t available at press time, unfortunately, but one thing can be said for certain: The competitors, organizers, volunteers, and spectators all gave a wonderful showing. You don’t need to be a bicycle racer to enjoy seeing such a display of dedication, endurance, and will-power. Thanks to all. And an especial thanks to Tony and his able assistants, Venus and Nic, for giving Outside Up North the opportunity to cover the Tour of the Battenkill. If you like these photos as much as we do, send Tony an email and tell him so.

 

 
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