I always enjoy getting out and riding my bike, but with all the sitting I've been doing trying to take care of stuff in New Orleans, I haven't gone as often or as far as I like.
If I ride at all, it's a quickie up and back.
This morning, I treated myself to a ride "somewhere" to journal, enjoy some coffee and cookies, and watch the morning come.
I was out and on my bike easily before 8.
I decided to stop and sit by one of the many stone staircases that take you down beside the road wall to the Lot River.
In fact, one of the sets of church bells hand just chimed 8 as I pulled up to my spot.
I'd headed out in the direction of Montbrun thinking I'd go there, but then I remembered that the staircases looked much clearer than my usual favorite between home and Cajarc.
I passed up the first one and stopped at the second.
It wasn't as clear as the first, but I decided to stop anyway and maybe get some photos of the first one on the way home.
I got myself situated with my coffee thermos, cookies, journal and pen. I'd used my birthday bag from Mike and John to hold it all and keep it safe in my bike basket.
It wasn't as easy to balance it all on the stone and writing neatly was a bit of a challenge, but all the rest made it worth it.
I have always enjoyed watching the morning come no matter where I am in the world. It's a time when I feel like it all really belongs just to me.
It makes no difference if I'm out early on my bike through City Park in New Orleans, or walking to catch the metro in Paris when the sun is kissing the tops of the buildings and the shop keepers and bistro owners are out cleaning and readying for another day.
Here though, it is even more special for me. There is the silence and the stillness. Of course, there is the sound of the Lot, birds, fisherman, and passing bikers. This morning, a red squirrel hopped up on the road wall, eyes locked for that moment, and he scampered a bit away and then straight down the wall.
What a treat.
I always have epiphanies in these early mornings. I know if I would get up and get out like this every day, I would have much more energy and would get so much more done. It's really about the exercise and the activity. These days, it has been too easy to just be in and around the house.
I think I have a plan.
Each morning, out with coffee, cookies, pen and journal, to scoop a spot somewhere along my road!
Of course, I'll let you now how it goes!
Happy Sunday!
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