December 21: A Delightful Surprise

Woohoo! What a gift! Today’s ride was a delightful surprise as the forecast had been for both cloudy and cold. However, when I woke up to blue skies, I decided cold alone wasn’t enough to keep me off the bike. I chucked my rather lengthy to do list out the window and ventured south to my favorite bakery, grateful for my electric gear and the beautiful views.

As temperatures were still in the thirties when I left West Linn, I opted to avoid back roads heading down to Creswell. Frost was still visible on the ground, and I wasn’t sure if smaller country roads would be clear of ice, especially since a cold front was on the way.

Heading down and back on interstate 5 I savored the rumble of the bike, the texture of the road, and the beautiful views of fields and farmlands along the way. Off in the distance I could see the hills and valleys of Silverton, Stayton, Lebanon, and Brownsville. Cows, horses, and sheep grazed in the pastures while the clouds rolled in from the east.

Arriving at the bakery I ordered the bacon Ciabatta breakfast sandwich with a runny egg, Tillamook Cheese, house cured bacon, and fresh bread. I slathered it with butter and savored every bite, nursing a piping hot cup of water while I ate.

Riding down and back to Eugene I felt my spirits being lifted and my mind cleared. I was grateful to have the time to ponder some of the important aspects of the inspirational message I hope to be sharing with a variety of churches and community groups in the new year. What a great day!