Tuesday, September 28, 2010

big decisions

as one small feature of a one hundred and twenty kilometre bicycle ride,
a decision had to be made by five riders - do we take the easier way that we had already taken to get to our midpoint, or take a route that has a hard climb with a really incredible view at the top and a steep descent with a very sharp stop at the bottom because of the very sketchy railway crossing?
then a really steep, thigh burning climb out of the valley.

oh, and there's a beautiful swimming hole - too cool at this time of year for swimming but still beautiful.....

my answer?

"i'm happy no matter what we choose because i'm right here right now."

top of the hill . . .


bottom of the hill . . .



sometimes grace just shines on a place, on a moment.

14 comments:

Golden West said...

Autumn is coming quickly to your neck of the woods! We've had a scorching couple of days - temps 25-30 degrees above normal - makes that swimming hole looks very inviting!

ellen abbott said...

so beautiful.

Linda Sue said...

A no brainer- take the easy way on a bike difficult way in the car...You did find a beautiful spot- paid off big time!If I had your stamina and legs I might choose the more rewarding difficulty of the uphill downhill path.. well aware of my limitations- I would be a corpse on the way down.

Meri said...

And what could be better than that?

steven said...

golden west it moves so quickly - temps are in the single digits to teens at night (in celsius of course) and then to the mid to high teens during the day. lotsa rain!! steven

steven said...

ellen yes it really was / is. steven

steven said...

linda sue - it was a long ride - 120 km - but through amazing beautiful autumnal countryside with lots o hills and lots of views and the colours. one of the riders said she loved this time of year because the trees get to be flowers. steven

steven said...

not much meri!!! steven

hope said...

What beautiful colors and countryside! {Who me? Jealous because it's still HOT here?}

I don't think of you as a guy who ever takes the easy route...just the more intriguing way. :)

Tess Kincaid said...

Oh, the leaves are starting to change up there! Gives me goosebumps.

Anonymous said...

we chose well. it was such a great day - all aspects of it. (bruuks)

steven said...

hope yes we're truly blessed and fortunate to live in country that looks like this. we talked about our fortune on the ride. there've not been many easy rides hope that's entirely true. but i feel richer for it all regardless. steven

steven said...

willow i was out today riding by the river and the colours are - well breathtaking! steven

steven said...

bruuks - i agree and you know it's one of those things that comes out of a moment's inspiration. yours in this instance! hundreds of beautiful moments came out of that decision of yours. thankyou so much! steven