So Sam was off to to another host in Wausau, Wisconsin and then off to Minneapolis from there. So to set him on his way, Carl offered to escort him across town to the trail. But since I was hanging around for a day or two, I said I'd come along, and Carl being the retired bike enthusiast he is, he had to whip out the tandem.
To the trail we went, but along the way, took the scenic route riding through UWGB and then a surprise stop at Bay Beach amusement park to ride the ZIPPIN PIPPIN, a rickity wooden roller coaster right on the water, that happened to be a favorite of Elvis Presley's.
As the story goes, the King entertained a group of ten guests by renting the park from 1:15am to 7am one day in August of 1977, riding the Zippin Pippin many a time in his blue jumpsuit, and black leather belt. Apparently he lost his buckle on the Pippin, but it was returned to him the day after. Too bad he passed just about a week later sittin on the jon in Gracelend...
Anyhow, the tickets were only a buck so we took a spin, and man it was a ride! Haven't been on a ride like that in some time. The feeling that it might fall apart any second certainly added to the fear factor. Got a nice view of the bay too.
Back on the bikes we made it to the trail just outside of town, in Howard, WI. Said goodbye to my new friend Sam, but it was clear out paths would cross again soon.
So Carl and I rode back to town. Turns out he had a meeting with his Buddhist Sangha group at the yoga studio, and he said I could come along, so we rode right over, still on the tandem, and walked into a dimly lit room and sat on some cushions in a circle with several other ladies. We greeted each other with bows, and then did a long sitting meditation with a singing bell, and then a walking meditation in which we all walked clockwise in a circle very slowly. Then, one of the younger ladies read aloud a passage from Thich Nat Hanh about bells, and how they tell us to "listen, listen" and remember our true selves in the moment. It was a lovely passage and we had a good duscussion about it and anything else that wad going on in our lives. I shared that I was very grateful to have met so many new friends and been the recipient of their generosity and trust. They were all pleased to have me there, and it was a good moment.
Home we rode, Carl and I, through town just in time for a passing thunderstorm, which we hid from under a parking garage. Carl entertained me with stories of when he had hitchhiked to Mexico ad a young man and spent a year there. At home, Sue whipped up a big salad and cantaloupe. After a long shower I was in bed in no time.
No comments:
Post a Comment