Turkey induced Thanksgiving Musing  | | @ Clipart.com |
My wife and I spent this Thanksgiving with friends about 60 miles from our house. As I drove my 5 year old Toyota van carrying myself and my wife, I reflected that In Germany and probably most of Europe, I could have gone there and back via train. Not so here in Texas and most of the US of A. I enjoyed travelling in Germany where I could go anywhere I wanted by train or bus and it was affordable.
We drove from Austin to Lake Buchanan. I only spent about 15 minutes at the lake's edge listening and watching the waves as they reached out and touched the shore. Over and over, peaceful and tranquil. I could shut my eyes and imagine that I was far from civilization or in a time gone by. Only once did I hear the sound of a passing motorboat. Lake Buchanan was strangely empty of boats. One lone sailboat anchored about 120 yards off shore and 2 motor boats were reminders that the boats could indeed float on the waters. I thought how strange, yet fortunate, that more people were not out on the water.
On the way there and back I saw a train track running along side of the road. I remembered the trains in Europe. But this track doesn't carry people only freight. I guess. I didn't see any trains.
Later, when I got home I watch a documentary on KLRU entitled, "BIKE LIKE U MEAN". The documentary discussed the politics and bicyles. Some of the footage was from the early 90's showing bicyclists and the police at odds with each other. Some folks seemed to compared riding a bicycle as somehow related to Gandhi's struggle. One review in the Austin Chronicle commented that "..the short film will likely succeed in making viewers question their transportation choices." Read Review March 8, 2002.
I'm not so sure.
I've been riding my bike to work since the End of August. When I first started, I had a choice because I still had a car. Now I don't. I'm saving money on gasoline, insurance, repairs and hopefully future health bills. At the same time I'm helping to protect the environment. I'll have to film myself and make my own documentary. Hee hee hee!
Although I've seen reports that bicycle sales hit an all time high recently, I've not seen people in my part of town taking to the streets to ride to work. Nor do I see more people flocking to the buses. I suppose that must be happening in some other part of town or the country. I have seen a few men and fewer women riding to work. I suppose I need to start counting. One report said that more bicycles were sold this year than cars. Wow. Where are they? I suspect the bicycles are in people's storage sheds and in their garages. Let's face it we like to buy on credit but when it comes to doing - that's a lot harder. I know this first hand. It took me almost 9 years to resume riding my bicycle as a means of health and transportation.
Since I've been riding we've had very hot 110F and temperatures down to 35F. I don't know what I'll do when it rains. Cold won't be a problem I can buy warmer clothing. Rain is my next challenge. COLD WINTER RAIN. I may just have to work from home those days. Or perhaps I can car pool with my wife. She goes to work about 5AM each morning. What's next going to bed when the sun goes down. Who said "Early to Bed, Early To Ride...."? RS Riddick?
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