Blue Bike Blessings

Our life in Christ is very rich! Today while Sherry was working on a 2.5-hour project, I got on my shiny blue mountain bike and hit the Smith and Sandford Creek Greenways. It was 10 a.m. with a bright blue sunny sky and a nice breeze as I coasted over the little bridge across from the golf course. When I got to the big soccer field, I waved at a couple of players.

 

To my right of the trail was a couple with a little boy and they were trying to extract the “dew” from honeysuckle. We had a big honeysuckle bush in our bag yard growing up, and we would often pull the honeysuckle flower stem from the bottom and get a drop of sweet “dew” for a treat. I asked the couple if that’s what they were doing and they said “yes,” but they couldn’t get any dew out. I told them that Sherry and Florence and I had been there yesterday doing the same thing. I learned that if you pick flowers from the shade, the moisture hasn’t evaporated and you can get a dew drop. They were thankful and began to try that technique for themselves.

After passing some runners, I entered the cool and dark trail along the creek. There were many birds, especially cardinals that flitted in front of me all along the trail. Both the honeysuckle and crepe myrtle are in bloom and their sweet smell filled the air. I came upon a “dragon” which is actually one of the many marsh gas vents along the trail. They are painted with different designs. Last week, Florence stood atop this dragon.

It was nice to go under Rogers Road and see the creek singing alongside. As I passed the Heritage Elementary and Middle Schools [right off the trail], I thought that it would be nice if school ended at the beginning of May so kids could enjoy this perfect weather. Then, I heard the shouts of kids playing in the schoolyard and I felt better for them. When I got to the intersection of the two trails, I decided to run [I wore my running shoes for that purpose] along an unfinished trail there. I figured I’d hit it on the way back.

The marshlands were bright green in the sun, and ducks said their hellos. There were no students out on the Heritage High baseball or soccer fields as I passed by, but the turtle pond was not disappointing. There were more than 40 turtles [I counted them] sunning themselves on turtle rock and a duck sat in the center as if he was the leader of this shelled group. Passing under Forestville Road, I reached a green meadow with a wide sunny trail. Next, I entered what I like to call “Longley Lane” because I called friends by that name on my cell phone from their once.

This is one of the most beautiful spots I’ve seen in our wanderings around the globe. The little creek runs alongside wooden bridges and sunlight darts through the pine trees to put “spotlights” in the lush bushes and vines. When I got to the waterfall where I usually stop, I parked the bike and went for a run up the shady trail. I knew it was mostly uphill and I would rather run than bike. The trail ends at Rogers Road, and I walked up that road in the sunshine. That’s where I met David and Karen Stephenson.

This couple is about the same age as me and Sherry, they’ve been in North Carolina the same time we have, they live very near us, their son is a youth pastor, and David loves to bike. Lots of similarities. I told them that their son’s name [Greg] is from a Latin word meaning “shepherd.” They loved that and Karen had me record a short teaching on her phone about the meanings of “Greg”, “David” [beloved], and “Karen” [grace or care]. We walked back on the trail and talked about getting together soon. Karen said that God set up this encounter, and I agreed.

They went to where their car was parked and I continued back on the trail. But this time I went into the brush along the creek and followed it until I got to the waterfall. A curly white dog was happily splashing in the pool beneath the falls, and I climbed over on the rocks where I usually put in my feet above the falls. Trying something new, I climbed down the side of the falls and cooled my hands and neck there. The dog’s owner was a sweet lady whose son helps build shelters for disabled veterans. We had a nice chat.

Back on the wooden bridges, I saw a beautiful bower of red iris with a similar yellow bunch behind it. A lady was there admiring them and I took a photo. Denise said she’d photographed them earlier that day. While we talked, a trio from Iowa with the man wearing a “Hawkeye” T-shirt approached. Since I went to Mizzou, we talked about Midwest teams. I spotted a small skink on the bridge and we all took a look at it. Back in the sunny part of the trail a hawk flew by and turkey vultures floated on the thermals.

When I got to the trail intersection, I parked my bike, took off my shirt, and began to run on the unfinished trail that was a meadow between two pine forests. There was a dirt path for about 50 yards, that turned into foot-high brush and some watery areas. I saw a big red deer bounding off in the distance and ran through beautiful sunny fields and shady fells. As I approached a wooded area, a wild turkey took off in low flight. I decided to turn around after a mile, when I came to an old shack. The return trip was easier since I knew where the challenging spots were, and got back on my bike.

The rest of the trip home was refreshing and the golden sand in the shiny creek sparkled in the sun. We had recently gone into the creek on a walk with Florence. She is a brave 4-year-old and loved setting her toes in the squishy sand. As I cruised into our town home cul-de-sac, I thanked God for making life so rich and beautiful. Exciting adventures with inner peace. Our Father is good and kind. And He sent His only Son so that we can have a more abundant life.

John 10:10:
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.