Could it be?

Hard as it may be to believe, but we're having a white Christmas in central Virginia!

OK, it was actually Christmas Eve, and it was more like a little white on a mostly green and brown landscape, but I'll take it. We managed to have some heavy flurries that, for an hour or so, stuck to the grassy areas of my property until the rains came and washed it away. Unlike the midwest, we're not getting covered with a cloak of white this holiday season.

That's not all bad, though. With highs in the 40s today, it was another decent opportunity to ride. I headed west along familiar roads through Culpeper and Orange counties.

Historic Orange, Virginia, railroad station on Christmas day 2012.

Spot 2 GPS Messenger

I used the opportunity to conduct a shakedown test of my new Spot 2 GPS Messenger, a tracking device that sends out signals at regular intervals so friends can see where you're going and rescue personnel can locate you in case of an emergency.

Most long distance motorcyclists use a Spot to reassure friends and family while they're on the road, and many competitive endurance rallies require it. I've never used one before, but thought it was time to try it. Besides, there was a rebate program, so the financial risk was pretty small.

The signals sent out by the device are plotted on a Google maps page, so people can see in near-real time where you are. The rider can either share the page openly, share it with select friends, or keep it completely private.

It's not a perfect system, and my results for today's ride were incomplete, perhaps somewhat due to my unfamiliarity with the Spot. I'm planning a multi-day trip that should show off its functions a bit better, once I get the hang of it.

A Spot page showing part of my Christmas day ride.

But I digress. For today was one for enjoying another couple of hours in the saddle, nestled as it was between two days of nasty weather. Yesterday was cold and wet. Tomorrow's forecast calls for ice pellets and freezing rain, perhaps a bit of snow after dark. We must take opportunities as they come and make the best of them. I'm now warm in my house, my GS is parked safely in my garage, and dinner is cooking. Not a bad day so far.