We have time. This is something that all three of us remind ourselves as we pass through a wonderful city, need a rest, or see a detour. It is not a race nor a rush to the Pacific.
A few day ago, Joey, Lily, and I found ourselves biking in queue as usual, pointing out the gravel, potholes, and glass on the side of the road, shouting various observations back and forth to one another. It was a particularly hot and humid day and as we pedaled along, we found ourselves crossing a major highway and thus, passing by a potentially shorter route to our next destination. The highway was not a part of our Northern Tier maps, but it appeared that it would bring us to our next stop while cutting off a significant amount of miles (certainly more direct, but much less scenic and rewarding). We all skidded to a stop at the sign:
"Should we do it?"
"It would mean flatter and less miles"
"Would we even have place to stay if we got there tonight?"
"We could figure it out..."
And as we stood there contemplating for a moment between our longer route ahead or the highway turn..Lily yelled:
"Guys, we have time."
A simple statement you might imagine, yet one which helped me do a little shake in the noggin and come up clear again. This is not a race. The biking IS the journey. And with that reminder and a push from the pavement, we continued on our path. I was glad we were given that little "kick" from the heavens.
Well reader, I am now going to share with you a few different stories that stand out in my mind as we have entered week 3 of Inventure:
Something In The Mind
Not too long ago, we pulled off to a gas station to eat our daily power bar snack:
"What do you guys want today?" Joey inquired as she opened her rear pannier. "We've got Peanut Butter Crunch or our favorite White Chocolate Macadamia."
(side note...Probars are probably the most AMAZING bar we've had thus far)
"Let's go with White Chocolate...why not"
As we sat there enjoying each Cliff bar bite and finishing up the last of the freshly-picked strawberries one of our hosts had kindly donated to our trip, an older couple from North Carolina began telling us of their biking escapades around the country. Despite being impressed by their traveling experiences (and the fact that they had driven to NY from NC to bike!!) what struck me most was a comment made by the gentleman:
Gentleman: "Long distance biking does something to your brain doesn't it?"
Bekah: "What do you mean by that?"
Gentleman: "Well, you start to begin to think only about the necessities and real basics like food, shelter, and water. All that extra stuff no longer becomes important."
And he's right. Along with this change regarding what one focuses on in a given day, there comes a shift regarding what one values and cherishes as well. The seemingly simplest of gestures, comments, or occurrances, become significant. i.e.:
- A wave from a passing car
- A smile from someone sitting out on their porch
- A cooling forest breeze (would I even have felt it if I weren't sweaty and hot?)
- Momentary feelings of the warm, drying sun or the cooling rain
- The simple pleasure of a steep hill climb only to recognize the feeling of leveling out again with gravity and the solid understanding that there is always a downhill
(and while I bet many people would understand all of those examples, these two may be specific to me:
- Biking past any body of water and the immediate sense of peace and awe I feel
- Seeing family and friends gathered together while pedaling by
Now here I have no good segway other than "this is where my brain is flowing to next":
A short poem I wrote about "opposites"
Opposite
"Inventure is about opposites. Life is about opposites.
Yin and Yang. Black and White.
If you just wait a bit
If you just trust a bit
What you hope for will come...the Opposite.
If it is hot, trust that the evening will bring cooler breezes...it usually does.
If you are hungry, trust that soon you will be full.
If the hill is long, trust the sweet fun provided for you in the downhill on the other side.
If you are in pain or discomfort (cough* bike seat *cough) know that you will be comfortable again soon.
So no need to rush.
The opposite will always come.
It always does. "
The Incident of The Three Riders and The Motorized VehicleRaise your hand if you recently saw a photo of us in a car and felt confused, perhaps even outraged. Okay, put your hand down, you look silly. Sit back, I'll explain.
Inventure has been full of blessings. Yes, I know, there is quite a ways to go yet on our journey and we have had and will continue to have our fair share of struggle. But those struggles are far outweighed by the things for which we are grateful.
I imagine that there is a spectrum. One end is called "receiving" and one end is called "giving", or perhaps, "paying it forward."Currently, this ride has placed us often on the "receiving" end of the line and has already taught me more than I could have known about hospitality, open-heartedness, and care. It has illustrated to me, for example, what it feels like to really REALLY feel welcomed to a home, helping me develop into exactly the kind of "pay it forward" person that I hope to be throughout my life. Okay right, the car story.
After a particularly long and hot day last week, Inventure found themselves in a very small NY town looking to settle in for the evening. Upon arrival, the three bikers pedaled around slowing down to begin the search for "home". Passing over what they learned was the Salmon River Reservoir, the sun was on its way down and the bikers were calmed by the sight of what looked like a wedding ceremony about to take place.
"Now there's a promising place to ask about potential hosts," they thought in their heads as the cycled by. Not long after passing some lovely fishing piers, a Cottage and Cabins Inn, a man walking his dog, and a small post office, they stopped. Sleepily pondering their predicament and potential evening options, they noticed a friendly woman sitting out on her veranda...A RESOURCE!
Pulling over onto her lawn, the bikers noticed that her home was buzzing with more hummingbirds than they had even seen. But, despite the hummingbirds and though she was quite friendly, her advice proved to be not quite what they were looking for/could afford. And so, the three turned 'round and cycled back the way they came...hoping a good idea would blossom. Waving hello a second time to the man and his dog, they paused at the nearest eatery. Despite their best efforts, it was a no good either. Too expensive and not too friendly.
As if hoping something new would have changed since the last two times they biked up and down the street, they decided to cycle a third time past the wedding, the fishing piers, and the man with his dog (who was, by now I'm convinced, thoroughly confused...truly a Groundhog Day scenario).
But though you may be chuckling to yourself at this back and forth display of the worn out bikers, something WAS different this third time around. Courage surged through the young travelers and they turned into the Cabin and Cottages Inn. There, outside the beautifully manicured lawn and well-kept buildings, stood Tanya and Mitch."You guys looking for a place to camp?" Tanya asked.
The angels were watching.
"We get bikers coming through here often. Mitch, do you mind if they camp under the cherry tree? The cottages are full, but you're welcome to pitch your tents back here. I'd stay away from pitching camp by the water, the geese make a mess. You can swim in the Reservoir if you'd like, we do all the time. And if you want I'll show you where the showers are in case..."
And with that, like it had been for the three bikers in the two weeks leading up to this moment, the offer became exponentially more amazing.
(Side Note: There seems to be a trend that hosts and guests (us) on this bike trip follow:
1. Host meets bikers.
2. Bikers meet host.
3. Energetic exchange happens.
4. If exchange is negative, bikers an host part ways.
5. If exchange is positive, both linger and engage in a quick chat.
6. Initially hesitant host becomes increasingly open. Both guests and host grow fonder of one another.
7. Bikers are welcomed in and soon, both host and bikers have found new lifelong friends.)
So, after setting up their tents under the cherry tree and going for their first swim since the journey's beginning, the bikers were overjoyed. As if all of that weren't enough, Tanya nearly gave the bikers conniptions when she told them that she would lend them her car to go into town for dinner. The next thing they knew, the dirty, tired, and semi-delirious travelers were refreshed, clean, and sitting in A CAR (now you know) on their way to dinner.
Hang on here, it gets even better. After driving back to the Inn under a nearly full moon and moving faster than they had in days, the bikers began to walk to their tents underneath the cherry tree to turn in for the night. Encountering Tanya and her daughter en route to bed, another gift was bestowed:
"You know, I feel badly making you camp out. I've got two free bedrooms upstairs with the best beds you'll ever sleep in if you would like."
......
and so now you know. You know how it is that we found ourselves in a car one day and how it is that we find ourselves feeling so incredibly fortunate and grateful on this journey of endless surprises. Let it be known that we have encountered so many people like Tanya and Mitch. Kind, warm, open, and caring souls.
There is so much more to describe, reflect upon, and share with you, but I shall save it for another day. For now, I will close out by sending blessings and light to all of our loved ones...you are with us every step of this journey. And to those of you whom we have met while Inventuring (whether in conversation, in your home, or passing by) ,our most recent lifelong friends, thank you.
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