Free as a Bird

What a great day it was to ride! I got up with the grumpies and my coffee pot decided to give me grief but once I got those 16oz. of java in me it was time to ride! It’s the first time in weeks that the temperatures were such that I wasn’t sweating when I rode so that made it even better. Almost as soon as I headed out the grumpies disappeared, as they always do on my bike!

Today as I rode I couldn’t help but simply enjoy God’s beautiful creation. The skies were a fabulous Carolina Blue, the air was crisp and clean, and nature’s beauty was everywhere. There were birds flying around, the sun was brilliantly shining without burning me up, and there were very few bugs which is always a good thing when you’re riding. I did get whacked on my pant legs by a few that felt huge, but I’m sure they really weren’t as big as they felt, most of you know that moving and speed on the bike make them feel worse than they are.

I can remember as a child wondering what it would be like to be a bird. They seem to just go where they want, when they want, and must have an amazing view while they fly. They don’t answer to anyone, they probably don’t care what others think and truly just do their own thing. I guess I’m as close to that feeling as I’ll get while on this earth when I ride.

Today was probably one of the best solo rides I’ve ever had. (Rides with my hubby are always awesome too but for a different reason.) Today’s ride lasted about 3 hours and honestly I could have just kept going, but life does require other things to be done too. Unlike the birds I do have other responsibilities like a family to feed, but those 3 hours riding were amazing.

The temperature as I said was pretty perfect, the traffic was very light, and the scenery was fantastic. As I rode along one country road, there was a large field of corn on my right. The way the wind was blowing at that very moment made the corn leaves blow in such a way that they looked as though they were waving me by. Ok so maybe I have a crazy imagination, but that’s what it made me think of.

I saw birds flying around doing their own thing, a stunning Highland cow with it’s long hair and prominent horns getting into a pond to cool off, kids playing carefree in their yards, families sitting on their porch, and some American flags majestically blowing in the breeze. How could anyone experience all that and be in a bad mood?! Even the slow poke driving along at maybe 35 mph in a 55 mph speed zone holding up a line of traffic which I was in was not going to ruin my mood. The day was too picture perfect for anger.

I was thinking again about birds when I came upon a group of vultures enjoying their dinner, a deer that had apparently been hit by a vehicle and was now a feast for them. I had passed by several different areas today where I could smell that unmistakable scent of death. To me a dead animal is not a pleasant smell, but I wonder how birds perceive that odor. Is it rotten smelling to them too or does it offer a comforting smell to them, knowing they’ll have a feast to enjoy? Have you ever really thought about that?

I know when certain foods are cooking they give me a “comfort” feeling knowing what it will taste like when it’s ready to eat, maybe birds experience that too. Hmmm

Those thoughts while riding also made me realize I hadn’t eaten anything yet today so that too was another reason I needed to go home. I had some “comfort food” waiting for me there. My mom had made some macaroni salad that she insisted I get some of and so I obliged her by getting it yesterday and hadn’t eaten any of it yet. Perfect for my return home before it was time to fix dinner. 😀 thanks mom!

I have never had such experiences as these in my car, only on the bike. In the car I feel caged in and too connected. On the bike it’s a totally free feeling like a bird, nobody can talk to me, no phones can interfere, nothing to steal that feeling of tranquility. I’ve seen many bikers who have stereos and headsets and the bluetooth hookups and if that works for them that’s awesome. For me it’s just wanting to have that simple time alone with my thoughts and my God and today it was perfect. Thank you Lord for another glorious day of life!