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Archive for the ‘Thoughts on moving forward’ Category

Scars

Posted in Somber thoughts, Thoughts on moving forward on May 8, 2011| 3 Comments »

As we ride our way into managed timber country, and we slowly climb the hillsides with our burdened bicycles, looking into the green valleys and slopes, we see quite a few clear cut areas that have been harvested of their abundant trees. These cuts leave scars upon the land. Precious topsoil can be lost, exposing base clay layers that will not grow plants. Properly managed they will heal. The trees will return and reign once again. With good management, careful work to establish growth, the land will one day regain a balance it once had. The land will never be the same, however it will survive.

Laboring to gain elevation, we are rewarded with a vantage point where the vistas reveal many cut areas visible because of the started undergrowth – the small plants and vines that will compete with the trees, but ultimately lose the battle for the sun. The process is agonizingly slow, but it happens because it must – if the land is to survive.

We have scars. Many of us have scars that can be seen, showing the ravages of an unfair moment in time when we were subjected to horror. Many of us have not been physically rendered by the twisted metal, but have lost those who were. This leaves scars too.

We will never be the same.

We can grow.

It is agonizingly slow.

We can survive.

We are moving forward.

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Tomorrow’s ride is dedicated to Brandi, Taylor, and Sarah Wiggins

We were on Alabama State Route 84 on our way to Grove Hill today when we encountered the following sign on a bridge…

A little research turns up this from the Alabama State Legislature:

WHEREAS, in October 1997, three children, Brandi, Taylor, and Sarah Frances Wiggins were killed in a tragic automobile accident caused by a drunk driver; and

WHEREAS, we wish to provide for a permanent memorial for those children, and to educate others on the dangers and consequences of driving while drinking.

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I Commit a Parking Violation

Posted in Thoughts on moving forward on May 1, 2011| 5 Comments »

South of Monticello, FL to Quincy, FL

Friendly horn taps: 3

Rude self-important people 1

Miles: 65

Total so far: 390

We charge out this morning looking to put some miles down before the heat of the day, finding early morning riding our distinct preference.  The air is cool and moisture hangs giving a distinctive light to the emerald landscape as we roll out on a seldom used two lane county road.  It’s Sunday and we have the countryside to ourselves with nothing but bird songs to break the silence.

We skim along for about five miles on the smooth pavement, and at an approaching junction empty of traffic, Sallie pulls over for a look at the map and a discussion about loading our Camel Bak hydration rigs with ice for the morning.  I came along side of her so we could share the map, and talk it over.  We are standing next to our bikes like that when a dark blue Ford extended cab deisels up next to me approaching the stop sign.

The driver begins hollering something at me and I look over through the open passenger side window getting a whiff of the foul smelling interior of the truck.  The driver is leaning toward the passenger window wearing a sweat stained straw cowboy hat, has a large bushy handlebar mustache mixed in grey to match his too long untended hair, and he gives the appearance of Sam Elliott if he were to have an out of control methamphetamine habit.

“Get that bicycle off the damn road son, you can’t be that stupid just to be standing there in the traffic lane!  Put that thing off the road into a driveway or something!”

Thinking he was kidding around, I lean toward him to get a good look and see he is as serious as can be.  In the crowded cab of his truck I see the stained and weathered walnut stock of a well used Winchester .30 .30 lever action carbine, barrel down, buttstock up on the middle of the bench seat.

I turn and look down at my bicycle and my feet, and sure enough, I am in the traffic lane to the left of the white line about 2 feet.

Now Sam Elliott’s not-so-handsome twin’s truck is about 6 1/2 feet wide, and the traffic lane there at the stop sign is about 13 feet wide, so I guess it’s a miracle that he even got by.

Knowing I was in the lane, all I could say is “yes sir” to his commands.  On down the road he went…probably off to church, because after all, it is Sunday.

This takes place five miles into our ride.  We have about sixty more to go today, and more than a few thousand overall.  I am not about to let this person or anyone else interfere with what I’ve got going on.   How could I?  This is a journey forward.

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Tomorrow’s ride is dedicated to Donald N. Savage

Donald was only 14 when he was killed by a drunk driver. He was my only son and I miss him so very much. He was a really sweet boy and never met a stranger. He was also a fantastic artist and writer. He won many contests and even wrote a play when he was in the 8th grade and then the seniors performed in the play. His writing earned him the right to meet an author of children’s books. He brought so much happiness to us and all his friends. He will always live in our hearts.

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A simple curve in the road

Posted in Somber thoughts, Thoughts on moving forward, tagged on April 29, 2011|

Ichetucknee, FL to Suwanee State Park, FL

Friendly horn taps: 1

Miles: 54

Total so far: 271

After the rain subsided last night, some northern winds brought in cooler temperatures and drier air.  This brought out the jackets in the morning, and an extremely comfortable ride.

Sallie in the ethereal light of moring in the timber

We approached a right hand curve in the road on County Road 137 some distance south of Wellborn.  As we got closer I could see skid marks that went straight on the curve into the trees, and I commented to Sallie, “That doesn’t look good.”  A little closer and I could see investigator’s paint on the asphalt, and then a pick-up parked off to the right around the bend.  The trees parted some as we neared and there was a family looking forlornly at the churned up soil and fresh injury to a tree.  I know that look.

I would have stopped if I thought for one second that I could help explain the unexplainable.

Before my mother’s death, she was in an independent living center.  I used to look into the ancient sunken eyes of others who lived there; those who might know those answers, hoping that in their years and wisdom someone could explain to me what we can never know.  Not in this life.  I have some very big questions for the next life.

Just a little way down the road, where we would not intrude, I took some pictures of the wildflowers as a reminder to myself to seek the beauty in this world while we can.

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Tomorrow’s ride will be dedicated to Charles Jackson Redic Jr.

On Febraury 16, 2008 I received a phone call that has change my life forever. My 26 year old college graduate, soon to be married, just made supervisor at Delta Airlines, preacher of the gospel, loving, compassionate, sweet memorable son was snatched in the middle of the night. He was wonderful, loving, charming and we will never forget you. A drunk driver who got on the wrong side of the freeway ended your life.

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Ichetucknee

Posted in Friends made on the road, Messages, Thoughts on moving forward, tagged , on April 28, 2011|

Gainesville, FL to Ichetucknee Springs

Miles: 46

Total so far: 217

One never knows what awaits just down the road. We had an experience yesterday that was one of those precious times in life when you meet people and there is a connection, an immediate fondness, and as we parted company this morning, we know our lives are richer because of the encounter. The Browards hosted us in their home and in doing so, gave us a lift to our spirits that will carry us a long time. This day was so much better because of their kindness. We thank you.

I remain in awe of what the next turn brings, knowing that without moving forward, it would be such a loss.

A canopy of trees - the only way to ride

Riding was easy today.  There were threatening skies all around us all day, but regardless of the direction we pedaled we had a tailwind. Several people warned us of severe thunderstorm warnings that were up in the area, but we had no problems. We stopped at Ichetcknee State Park and camped, showered and arranged all our gear before the skies finally got down to business. What a great day!

As I write this the thunder continues to roll, the rain is dropping steadily, and there is a lack of wind and ferocity in this weather. That is a blessing. Others have not been so fortunate. We received word today about the terrible storms and loss of life in Alabama, and other areas of the south.

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Tomorrow’s ride is dedicated to Samantha Beaudette.

Sammy

Samantha Beaudette died on January 1st, 2006 due to the actions of a drunk driver.  The crash took place in Rhode Island on December 30.  She lost her fight at 2:19am on New year’s Day.

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