Urban Journals Part 2: Bicycling
I don't recall ever thinking that the 2.5 miles I biked to the farm I worked on during the summers of my youth was ever much fun; it was simply the way it was. Starting time came early in the morning, and by quitting time in the evening, my physical stamina was drained. Riding my bike home was both a relief--as I didn't have to harvest any more iris--and yet one more physical difficulty to overcome before I could relax for the day. I never felt contempt for my co-workers who had cars to drive, but on the rare occasion my dad permitted my brothers and me to drive his truck to work, it felt like angels gently pulling us along on our own puffy clouds to the gates of heaven.
Today, I couldn't dream of a better way to commute to work than by bicycle. The most physical aspect of my position at work is walking to the restroom, so I welcome any sort of activity that gets me out of my chair. Fortunately my office has a locker room and showers and lets me store my bike inside the building, so it's difficult to find an excuse for leaving my bike at home (except on rainy days when I ride the bus).
Meg rides her bike, too--complete with trailer and two kids. She even recently rode her bike/trailer to QFC to do our weekly food shopping. Ironically, Aaron rides much less in our new neighborhood, although that probably stems from his lack of friends that he has met.
Wow. That is an awesome pic. I dont remember dad's hair ever being that long. And I am a bike ninja. Send me the jpg plz.
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