Finding myself at a crossroads

Friday's ride definitively convinced me that I need to keep taking daily joyrides - for both my physical health and my mental well-being - well, actually let's just say for my SANITY in these extraordinary, crazy times - and most of all JUST FOR FUN. After all, don't we all need a little fun in our lives right now, along with an excuse to take a break from checking the news?

After scrolling around on GoogleMaps, I settled on setting out to find a nature preserve by the name of North Abbey Creek Natural Area. The route would be simple enough, following Kaiser Road beyond the city setting into the greener countryside. With businesses closed and more people staying at home, now is a less terrifying time to travel rural roads that tend to be narrow, without bike lanes and with fast cars, including at least one impatient, irate driver in a big truck. 

I was not disappointed! There was hardly any traffic at all, and the din of civilization melted away into a sweet silence, broken only by the sounds of birds chirping, squirrels chattering, and horses whinnying. It was the type of quiet that invited me to exhale deeply and allow a feeling of peace to enter my heart. The type of quiet that compelled me to imagine that peace could be possible elsewhere in the world, if not today, then someday. The type of quiet that made me feel like part of the circle of life, like family with the animals and plants, at one with the universe.

The route's steep uphills were balanced out with coast-able downhills, though I must have cruised right past the nature preserve not recognizing the turnoff. I did find quaint old farmhouses, relics of the past, neighbors to gleaming mansions at the end of gated, long, winding driveways. I soaked in the beauty of fields and forests, the majesty of sprawling oaks and towering pines. There were no humans in sight, aside from a few in passing cars, though there were signs - literally, wooden roadside signs - to indicate their presence. One grouping proclaimed: "Trash abounds - near and far - please keep yours - in the car." Another set that made me chuckle read:  "Vodka's great - so is beer - neither one - is welcome here."

Ultimately I turned around at the intersection of Kaiser and Brooks, which got me thinking about the symbolism of these times being a crossroads in my life. Just a couple weeks ago I was pedaling up to 40 miles a day in between dog walks, getting around 6-8 hours of physical activity daily. I love my work and my commutes, but the schedule left me with little time or energy to just explore. Now here I am with not much else to do (not counting my to-do list) besides explore - both biking routes and alternative sources of income. In both cases, who knows where I'll be heading next. Wherever it is, I intend to embrace the ride with a positive attitude in spite of whatever challenges it presents.