Road Ruminations: Gratitude

One of my AP Psychology summer assignments was to ask my students to start a gratitude journal. In a funny way, "It could be worse" is a way of expressing gratitude. Being thankful for what you have. Today (Day 4) was full of gratitude... and none of it was framed with "it could be worse" (except for maybe the macaroni and cheese I overcooked in the coffee pot, because there are no restaurants open in Kirkwood!)

I'd like to shout out to Caltrans for an amazingly smooth ride and wide shoulders on the 88 in Amador County. They're some of the best roads in the country. Seriously.

Grateful for the other cyclists of the world. Literally, the world. We're an amazing group of people you may not even know that they do this kind of stuff. The post office worker who cycled Japan's islands. The guy with his boat who told us about sleeping under bridges in Oregon on the Pacific Coast ride. The women at Starbucks in Fairfield, who dreams of getting a roadbike by August so she doesn't have to get knee replacement surgery. She explained she was sidelined for a couple of years because she had to take care of her sick folks, but she's back on the bike and making time for herself. The vehicles with bikes on the roof racks and car racks that give us thumbs up and waves as we ride up hill.

Grateful for the encouragement by strangers. Well wishes of safe travels have far outweighed the one truly ugly insult we had shouted at us.

Grateful for the cold breeze coming off the snowy mountains.

Grateful for the courteous drivers, giving us plenty of room and safely passing.

Grateful for everyone making this journey happen.

Grateful for the technology to share it all with you.