This morning was beautiful. I set off down the trail and was greeted by friendly cyclists, inquisitive bunnies and beautiful flowers.
I walked through farms headed south on the Ohio to Erie Trail.
The trail for the most part stays far enough away from any main roads to enable you to feel alone in nature and the forests and corn fields are beautiful. Even when I saw this radar I laughingly thought, “Oh I can use that as a foreshadow if I get into a huge storm later in the day. That would be a fun literary device to heighten the drama!” Well that bit me in the ass.
I should have seen it coming. I fooled myself into complacency at the thought of rain today. It was very windy, but I never was rained on until the end of the day when it started at first to sprinkle. Then I got into a light rain, barely enough to necessitate the rain jacket, but I wore it to protect my iPod and iPhone. Then as I entered Xenia, the town I’m staying in tonight it suddenly turned from a fine light gentle rain to a fierce fine spray of hateful water.
The rain drops grew larger, the streets flooded, my mind filled with spite and hate. I couldn’t tell if the cars were purposefully pulling to the side to spray me or if it was accidental. One car seemed to come towards me and sprayed me from the inch deep river on the side of the street and I hurled expletives at it. I appeared very much like a crazy homeless person shaking his fist at the world, and in fact by definition that is really what I am.
The rain was falling so hard it stung through the jacket and then grew in size and hit me less frequently but like tiny fists.
Luckily I made it to the Faith Community United Methodist Church, chatted with some nice folks here for a Boy Scout meeting and set to editing photos and drying off!
Now I just have to decide… how much pizza is too much pizza to order?
7 Comments
We have several generations of Groundhog that live in the green strip of land next to the exit to my place. I always look for them, usually they are laying on their bellies and stuffing their faces. That is the life…
I’m happy to just see them alive instead of smushed on the road side for once!
The flower and butterfly photo is stunning, Tim. Wish I could see a picture of you walking with your gear, but that would have been a sad one today…
We really enjoy your blog.
I agree with Peggy, the flower and butterfly photo is exquisite. The other photos are wonderful. I am in awe of what you have accomplished so far. Hope you can get dry!
Glad you made Faith Community UMC a part of your journey along he way. I hope you’ll feel welcome back when you are through this way again.
I am glad you could take cover at FCUM. I love our little church, always reaching to help the community. Good luck on your future travels. Did you get any good pics of the church?
Just got introduced to this adventure & blog today by your dad (a music acquaintance), & read the posts all the way back to pre-planning stages. I dreamed of making some physical quest like this back in my teens. That dream isn’t totally gone yet, & I’ll enjoy following vicariously thru all the means you provide. Blessings on your pathway.