Miles 3217 to 3298, 81 miles (+3 bonus miles at the end when I accidently rode past the hotel), 1450 feet of climb (really 2152 ft), max speed 35 mph, avg speed 16 mph, great tail wind.
There is an idiom that says where evil abounds, good abounds even more. Last night within a block of our downtown hotel there was a bank robbery (ATM) and three shootings. Sirens and police lights all night long, but the officers explained as they were cleaning up the last mess that Monday nights are always slow. The gem of the day was met when I was playing the piano in the hotel lobby all by myself last night. The night clerk for the hotel came over and asked if he could sing – and the 6-5 giant of man that looked like a defensive lineman sang Amazing Grace like it had never been sung before. There was a lot of soul in that soul. We had a great time of fellowship together.
We crossed into New York later this morning. The crystal clear creeks of PA now turned muddy again, the vineyards seemed to double in size, and the roads remarkably improved. That is when trouble hit. Shortly after the only SAG I went into town to look for a birthday card. While in town I must have picked up glass, staples, and other tire popping jewels in my tire. Five miles down the road the rear tire and tube blew and I was forced to call for help.
The location was perfect for waiting for my rescue: a concrete driveway, grassy yard, and a great view of Lake Erie on a beautiful day. I took the wheel off the bike and started to examine the tire, picking out the shards. A man came out of the house, walked down his long driveway, and asked what I was doing and then demanded that I not sit in his grass. I told him I had a flat tire and that I was repairing it by first picking the culprits out of my tire. He was offended once again because I was leaving the micro-wires in his yard. He went and got his mail as I moved my bike as close as safety would allow to the road. I said, “Excuse me sir, but are we in New York?” He said yes, and I replied, “Thank you, I was warned this might happen to me in this state.” He didn’t understand my meaning, but he did lighten up a bit. He left in a huff saying, “If you need anything, just ask” and went back in his house. It may be genetic, but New Yorkers sometimes come off a bit combative before they warm up to you. I hope I didn’t permanently crumple the grass in his front yard.
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| You can see the fish in these PA creeks |
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| A Real Wishing Well |
Late in the ride I saw something caught my eye that really picked up my spirit. We have seen hundreds for fake Wishing Well yard ornaments, but today I saw a real one. After returning to the ride I wondered what I should wish for. Not even a mile later down the road I stopped for an elderly woman frustrated by traffic as she tried to cross the highway to get her mail. We chatted for a while and eventually she told me she was on her way to the oncologist. She seemed in fine spirits for her current lot in life. I wished that when something like that eventually happens to me I can be as positive about it as she was.
Bottom Line: My lot in life is pretty good. No… it is fantastic. I am so blessed. I will be home in one week.
Still having difficulty with that password. It took me three times to publish my comment.
ReplyDeleteI realized that New York is a RED state. RED started with Illinois, BLUE for Indiana. Then RED gusto starting with Ohio to the Atlantic.
I have a test Tuesday. Open book. Open notes. Yes to the calculator. Twenty-five easy questions. The first test to be graded only worked three problems and two of them were wrong. Joel (my supervisor) noted that we have raised two successive generations of idiots. Before long, we might all be RED.
The wishing well is neat. But what makes it "real?"
What would a man wish to exchange for his soul?