I like to take a day off for my birthday and go for a long ride in the country. Today I spun the direction wheel and chose to head for Newaygo, an area I have never visited, despite its relative proximity. The cool day made it much more tolerable and able to focus on enjoying the sites, sounds and smells -- well, most of them anyway -- rather than how to keep hydrated and not overheated.
The day began heading northwest, up Walker Rd. I love roads like Stocking and Walker because they are not straight. They were here before the grid was imposed because they were old wagon routes, and perhaps before that they were Native American trails. I stopped for a look at the cemetary and found this beautiful angel.
I shifted over to the Muskatwaw trail going northwest toward Muskegon. Soon I ran into a man riding the same direction, and we struck up a conversation. The miles went quickly and soon I was in Ravenna. There I discovered I had not brought a lock, so stopped at the Hardware store and got a length of chain and a Master lock. This was adequate.
Continuing north I approached the Muskegon river and came upon an old dilapidated schoolhouse that was falling down.
Rounding the corner, and just before heading down the hill to the river, lay a very luscious and well tended blueberry farm. I stopped to pick some berries, something I've not done sinnce I was a kid. Many small children were picking, and this little girl was right across the bush from me, so I snapped her picture:
I crossed the Muskegon River, then headed east on North River drive and soon came into Newaygo's prim downtown where I got a very nice lunch, and then visited the antiquarian book shop and picked out a book on Japanese flower arranging for my wife Alice.
It was time to return home, so after passing the Croton Dam,
I headed south and wound my way back into Grand Rapids. It was a wonderful way to experience my aliveness, to be fully aware of the surroundings, and be ready for the work week to come.
