February 7: Rippling River Restores

Hugging the curves of the Clackamas as I wound my way south from Estacada to Ripplebrook in the rain, I breathed in the wet, cold morning air, savored the sight of fresh forest growth on the previously fire-ravaged hillsides, and reflected on how restorative it was to ride alongside the rippling, silvery steel blue waters.

After a particularly trying day yesterday, my soul longed for time alone on the bike to pray, think thoughts of gratitude, and take in the beauty of God’s creation around me. So, when I woke up to cold and wet conditions with no letup in sight, I added the rain layers to my gear and barreled up the driveway grateful to be getting some much-needed wind therapy.

Heading southeast on Redmond Road I wound my way up and over the countryside hills past Christmas tree farms and nurseries, delightful rustic red barns, and little farmhouses with chimneys spewing the comforting scent of wood burning fires.

Crossing over the Clackamas River at Estacada, I pulled over at the North Fork Reservoir Viewpoint to admire the glittering river waters carved between the clefts of the hills below, the old growth evergreens and stark, ash-colored burnt trees lining the banks still visible in the thick morning mist.

With the valley walls rising on both sides of me I continued east, traversing brooks and eddies on several green steel truss bridges and passing many campgrounds closed for winter. With almost no cars in sight, I reveled in the peaceful sight of the velvety smooth gray waters punctuated with sections of frothy white rapids. What a great day to be on the bike.