Lockhart, Tx. (Pop. 14,379)

As I mentioned yesterday, we had a problem with the electrical system. Sometimes the vehicle started just fine, and then it wouldn’t start the next time. The curious thing was that all the electrical components—lights, radio, etc.—were off, so I was pretty sure it wasn’t just the switch to start the PLUM. We got up and decided to head to McDonald’s for coffee before taking the vehicle to the Ford dealership. When we arrived at Mickey D’s, I turned off the engine out of habit. Dana immediately exclaimed, “What the heck?” Of course, I agreed with her sentiment. I left the ignition on and went inside to use the restroom and grab coffee. By the time I returned, the engine was running. We headed straight to the dealership, and I made sure not to turn off the engine.

We checked in and waited. Two and a half hours later, we were informed that there was a cut-off knob on the battery that was intermittently breaking the circuit. They suggested we eliminate it, and it should work fine. That sounded good to me. No parts were needed—just labor—and we spent $200 to remove the switch. We were grateful it wasn’t anything more serious and thankful that Dana hadn’t been stranded somewhere. All in all, it turned out better than it might have.

I was ready to leave by 10:45. It was a beautiful day, though I don’t like starting that late, especially when facing a 58-mile ride. We’re planning to meet Dana’s cousin tomorrow evening for dinner, so I needed to get this ride done to stay on schedule. I knew I’d have to pace myself but keep pushing forward.

Leaving La Grange, my first turn was onto Old Plum Highway. I tried to snap a picture without stopping, but it turned out blurry. The first 20 miles were on decent country roads with little traffic. The hills slowed me down considerably, but I’ve learned to tackle them slowly and use the lowest gear. It saves my legs from wearing out too quickly. I ended up on a gravel road for about three miles. The gravel was loose, so I had to slow down and search for smoother sections. With no traffic, it was manageable. The gravel lasted around four miles.

At one point, I was on a narrow, mostly paved road that was actually quite nice for riding. As I rode, I noticed a headlight in the distance. At first, I thought it couldn’t be a bicycle, but as it got closer, I saw it was a woman on a bicycle. We both stopped, and she shared her surprise at seeing another cyclist on the road. Dawn, a local, said she rode that stretch regularly and had never encountered another rider there. After chatting briefly, I continued my ride.

The rest of the day was spent on asphalt roads, except for another three-mile stretch near my destination. I was glad to finish the day. I arrived around 4:45, and the afternoon had already slipped away. I didn’t get my usual rest, but tomorrow’s ride is only about 35 miles, so it will be much shorter.

Today marks ten years since my mother passed away. I thought about her often during my ride. Butterflies always remind me of her, and I saw quite a few today. One butterfly even flew into me and brushed against my arm. I choose to believe it was a sweet kiss from my mom. When I returned to the PLUM, Dana had bought me a small pecan pie as a tribute to my mom. She made the best pecan pie, and while this one wasn’t the same, I deeply appreciated the gesture and the memories it evoked. Today was physically challenging, echoing the emotionally challenging day I faced ten years ago. I choked up when I saw the pie, and I laughed when I saw the butterflies. It was a perfect combination for a day like this.

“You cannot do kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson Czytaj więcej