4.28.2011 Ride: People (and a dog) on the Trail.

It took some getting use to greeting the sun this morning.  We have been hit for over a week with thunderous weather that it was hard not seeing the sun with a suspicious eye, as if it would quickly give way to dark clouds.  The news from Alabama and other parts of the South added to that ominous feeling.  Many, many years ago we would have thought the storm had passed and that was the end of it not knowing for days, weeks or maybe even months about the destruction to our east.  Of course, many many things have changed since years past.

I had errands to run near town and I thought getting my ride in on the trail would be good.  I was interested to see what condition the trail was in, especially the tunnel.  I didn't get far before I knew that I wouldn't be able to keep my sort-of promise of not many photos for today.  I was still in our neighborhood driving out when I couldn't resist the way the light was casting shadows on the barn. 

Though the morning started on the chilly side, it was warming up quickly into the upper 50s, lower 60s.  Very quickly, I was struck by the amount of people on the trail for a Thursday morning.  People were eager to get out after the deluge of the past week and I was glad to see them.  I knew that the day would be filled with photos of people. 

Take note of the leaves on the chain-link fence which shows how high the creek rose.

As I passed through Gordon Long Park off of Gregg, a woman and a very young child were on the swing set. I would have loved to stop and ask to take a picture of them but I am very hesitant to request to take pictures of children as I'm afraid people will take it the wrong way.  As luck would have it, the woman, Stacey, called out to me and asked if I would take their picture with her cell phone.  It turned out that this was Josey's first time on a swing.  This allowed me the opportunity to ask if I could take a picture.  Turned out to be a great one.

Besides passing all the people, what struck me was the wonderful job the Parks Department had done of already getting the trail so cleared of mud and debris.  Even the tunnel, which had been blocked by logs and trees high enough to build a large dam, was more than just passable.  My hat is off to them. 

I did have a very scary episode.  I rode up to Maple Street and then turned back.  A couple of minutes later, I looked down at the small frame sack I have mounted on the crossbar of the bike that holds my phone and camera.  The camera was missing.  I looked again, thinking I must be mistaken but it definitely was not there.  I thought back to where I had just ridden remembering the uneven railroad crossing.  Quickly, I retraced my steps but thought that there was no way the camera would still be on the trail given the number of people traveling on it.  I approached the tracks and, there, lying right by the tracks in the middle of the road was my camera sitting upright.  It was a picture I would have loved to have taken. 

On my way back, as I was going through the tunnel, I saw two people at the other end coming in.  It turned out to be two friends from the many years of our daughters playing soccer together.

David & Teresa Fender

They had rented bikes at Phat Tire and were off for a short outing to Dickson Street and back.  Seeing them lifted my spirits even more and I was in a very good mood when I came across a gentleman walking toward me a bit further down the trail.  He seemed a perfect subject for today's entry and he was very happy to oblige me.

Bob Roberts

  Bob asked me if he should remove his cigar or sunglasses but I liked the way he looked just as I saw him on the trail.  Thank you, Bob.

I was approaching Phat Tire and I was in need of a restroom break.  I've appreciated their open back-door policy in the past and I certainly appreciated it today.  It gave me the opportunity to say hello to the folks in there, Scott, Colleen and Nickel and to meet their dog, Berkeley.  Be sure to stop by and say hello.

I could have easily stayed out all day on the trail going back and forth and encountering people; it really felt wonderful being out there today.  And, I should have known that there was no way I could keep my photo taking to a bare minimum; it's as if asking me not to breathe.

One last parting shot.

Even after all our days of clouds, how beautiful small, wispy white clouds still are against a big field of blue.

Today's Ride: 1hr 24mins.  15.19 miles.  59-64 degrees. 15mph wind.  Miles YTD:  2,425.20