July 14, 2022 – AmazingRide, IL – “What happened to the trail,” I asked, as a beautiful B&O converted rail line suddenly stopped.
The paved trail, which ran straight east-west, was an awesome find and a good way out of dicey Indianapolis, which was heavy with traffic and had no decent shoulder on the road.
“The end,” said Sandy in blunt fashion. “This is it, girl… trail over.” Sandy slapped me with a hard reality and I laughed out loud at the situation.
Yolanda and her sister, Sandy, were also stopped at the end of the trail, but their bike ride was half done for the day.
“You’re lean like a jellybean,” said Sandy. “How much protein do you eat?”
The sisters were inquisitive and fun. “We like to ride, but not like that,” said Yolanda, pointing to my hobo house on wheels.
The B&O Trail was going to be my lifesaver as the sign at the start on Speedway Drive read ’Springfield, IL 193 miles’ and then an arrow pointing west.
The B&O trail is a rails-to-trails project along the historic Baltimore and Ohio railroad corridor.
The first US public railroad was chartered in 1827 by Baltimore businessmen to compete against the newly open Erie Canal.
Construction began in 1828 and by May 1830 the train was operating between Baltimore and Ellicott’s Mills Maryland.
Originally horse-drawn, the successful trial run of Peter Cooper’s Tom Thumb in August 1830 inaugurated the steam locomotive era.
After a brief break and some conversation with the ladies, it was back on the road. ”Not so fast, sister,” said Sandy. “We got to lay some Jesus on you.”
With that Sandy and Yolanda took my hands in theirs and we formed a small tight circle of newfound friends and the sisters prayed that I have a safe journey home.
Indianapolis to Waynestown, IN, and I had clocked about 71 miles. I struck up a conversation with John Olson in the parking lot at Dollar General.
A quick chat about mapping and distance soon turned into, ”You can come home with me … we have a trailer for camping and you can stay there.”
John lived up the road another 10 miles in Newtown, IN.
His family was awesome. A lot of girl power.
“How many times does your dad go to the store and come home with a lady in spandex on a bike?”
“Never,” said the girls in unison as we sat around the dining room table.
John’s wife, Paula, was beautiful as well as a generous and easy-going hostess. ”You actually saved us tonight because our daughter Hope brought her boyfriend home for the first time…”
I felt like an added distraction but apparently a bit of a saving grace for a young teenager who was meeting his girlfriend’s muscley father.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE STORY ABOUT THE OLSON FAMILY.
If the way that somebody lives pleases the Lord, the Lord will lead him into good things. Psalm 37:23 Easy English Bible
The 2022 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community, a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible. Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community. Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2022.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation. Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095 Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432 You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE. Cedar Community is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible.
