Even though it is not yet Labor Day, & is still relatively early in the full-on cycling season, I thought I would try our annual ride, w/ the addition of the WV side of East River Mountain, so I wouldn't have to drive my truck tires, that are being replaced shortly, all the way up & down those steep curves. Saw Henry zipping down as I went up, not realizing till halfway up that I was in big ring. Saw a large (~4') black snake, 3 deer flushed from resti g near the road, a scurrying woodchuck, & an enormous squirrel coming down Big Walker Mtn, a group of a dozen+ calves all running full tilt on a sloped pasture, but I can never get my camera ready in time. Less dead butterflies this trip, but lots of smashed cicadas & millipedes. Didn't hear as many cicadas, maybe they are finishing up there life cycle tasks. Not seeing many fireflies yet in the evenings. WV DNR is asking to be notified over seeing dead or alive box turtles, & where, as well as signing up to count fireflies, b/c of declining #'s. Due to frequent photo ops, several rest stops on the steep 1st half of the climb back up East River Mtn, & stopping to talk w/ a client on his Harley, got back way too late, & screwed up family dinner royally. With a sore rear, may have to limit rides especially next weekend for Father's Day to try to atone for my mistakes. Was a great ride though. Broke a climbing PR & hit 5000' by getting back to the truck & riding back up past it twice to get the last 80'. Would have thought my time felt faster overall, but oh well.