"Take from vandals all you want to
But please don't trade it in for life.
Replace the feeble with the fable
Wake on up from your slumber
And open up your eyes"
~Bo Rinehart~
Last night was chilly, but I slept well. I woke groggy at 8am and slowly started getting ready for a bike ride. I thought of making coffee first, but decided to head out in case it turned out to be a hot day. I set out on the trails again, this time looping back on a different trail than yesterday. Something feels different today, and I notice I'm not feeling so confident on the rocks. I was definitely not on my "A" game today. I hit 2 trees. The first one I smashed into on my right side. The second time my reflexes were quicker and I reached out and hugged the tree in time to break my fall. I crashed so many times on these trails that I couldn't even begin to keep count. One time I almost took a nose dive off a ridge and down a steep hill. The trail felt more treacherous today than it did yesterday. Then I took a huge spill, went over my handlebars, and face-planted on a very large rock. I got my hands up just in time to break my fall, but my legs were pretty banged up and my ankle was throbbing. So I'm lying there wondering what kind of mess I've gotten myself into this time. After a few minutes I decided my ankle was feeling better so I started to get up and walk the bike back down the trail. When I arrived at flatter ground I started riding again, but my leg was aching and my confidence was even more shaken than before. After 3 more solid wipe-outs I decided this wasn't bravery, it was stupidity, as I have yet to buy a helmet. These trails are definitely not safe without one. I'm truly disappointed and even mad as I'm walking my bike back out of the trails again. I realize that I've lost my way again just as my new biking friend winds around the corner on his bike. We chat for a few minutes and I show off the bloody scrapes on my legs. I'm wearing them like badges now, even though I was feeling less than confident just before I ran into my friend.
He says we're about 3/4 of a mile from the trail head, and we walk to it together. All the while he's talking to me about bikes and trails. We share stories, and he gives me plenty of valuable tips to consider for my future adventures. His bike rocks. It's definitely made for trails like this.
I told him about how I felt out on the trails today, and I felt so much better to hear him say he has days like that too. I tried to explain to him how I'd felt a bit uneasy and unconfident today and I was getting pissed at myself out there for not feeling more courageous. I kept thinking, "You just spent the last week tackling so many obstacles and fears! What the hell is your problem today? Where is your mojo?" He smiled and shared some of his own experiences with days like that. My anger dissipated when I realized I was not alone. I also felt pretty damn good when he told me I must hold my own pretty well, because these trails are not for beginners. My head feels bigger just saying that. :) Oh yeah! I can rock the bike ride!
At noon I'm still sitting at my campsite adding the details of the morning to my blog. This is the first day I have hung around a campsite, made coffee, and just relaxed instead of rushing back to the road. I listened to NeedToBreathe's "The Reckoning" album and felt like I could have stayed another week right here in this little spot.
My friend stopped by and we chatted a while before he left to go explore his next camp site and trails. I couldn't get my percolator to percolate, and he helped me figure it out, thank goodness! Soon he gets back in this car with his sweet dog, Katie, and heads out on the road for adventures of his own.
I stuck around writing for a while before I decided to shower and head back out on the road towards my college friend in Springdale, AR.
Then I changed my mind and decided to go back to the historic district in Eureka Springs and hang out for the day. 2 curb checks later and I finally found a parking spot. I headed out for a coffee shop the family at the Razorback gift shop told me about. I found it fairly easily. It's the Eureka Daily Roast. A nice couple were running the show, and they informed me of some trails and races that are held here in Eureka Springs. They sound out of my league, as I have resigned to the fact that I need to get some practice on simpler trails before I attempt anything quite like I did this morning. They had toasted marshmallow syrup! I was so excited; not many places carry that flavor and I love it in a breve. They had an amazing pineapple carrot pecan bread, among other deserts. Today's my last free day....so I bought a big cookie for the road too! The owner said they have 2 amazing ladies in town who do all the baked goods for them. I could have bought one of each.
There were tiny flecks of dirt all over my ankles when I finished my bike ride and shower today. I tried to wipe them all off, but couldn't get them all. Sitting in the coffee shop I saw one of them crawling and realized they must be some kind of little tick. Shit. My leg are covered in scratches, and my right calf already has a bruise appearing that looks about the size of a softball. I love it!
I stop at the pavilion to listen to some bluegrass, and surprise, surprise! I make another new friend. We visit, and he shows me a few places downtown and gives me some of the history of the springs here in Eureka Springs.
Before too long I venture back out on the road to see my old college roommate and her family again. I arrive around 9pm, and once again we are up until 4am visiting. Just before my friend goes to bed I am once again admiring my legs, and she says, "Yes, Betty. They are beautiful." I do a happy dance and tell her, "I know!"
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