September 5, 2013 Burlington --> Basin Harbor, VT - 30 miles
I planned to try and get on the road fairly close to 7:00 a.m. I hoped to arrive at Basin Harbor Club early enough to spend most of the day with my friend, Diane Henson, whom I just happened to run into on the street in Burlington yesterday.
Ron got up early and fixed coffee and a buckwheat waffle to get me started. We sat at the dining table and gazed at the beautiful view of Lake Champlain. I asked if he sat outside much in the area under the Concord grapes, and he replied, "Not really - I don't sit anywhere much for very long." That cracked me up as it was such an honest answer - the man appears to be in perpetual motion exuding such positive energy. I asked again what he had done before retiring, and he told me about his job with Burlington Electric, and how he had been fortunate that they allowed him to pursue various projects on company time with a vision towards improving the environment. In particular, Ron is interested (among other areas of interest) in the development of energy efficient cars, electric cars and other vehicles. Burlington benefitted from the positive image as a environmental visionary, and Ron was able to pursue his passion. In addition to Burlington, Ron helped found a little computer company..developed a property management business ...and...on and on...you get the picture. What suddenly occurred to me was the fact that Ron's most outstanding characteristic is that he is constantly thinking outside of the box. Coming up with creative ideas to better the environment and people's lives, and the energy and daring to make them happen. And it appears almost effortless because it is such a part of his make up and what obviously gives him joy. I noted this, and he said something very profound - he told me that most people are more creative and capable of thinking outside the box than they give themselves credit for, but the key is to be "planted" in fertile soil which will provide the encouragement and opportunity to grow and flourish. If you are "planted" in rocky soil, your ability to think and act outside the box will be limited. Hmm..sounds like a biblical parable.
I left shortly after 7:00 a.m. and headed for Basin Harbor via the Champlain Byway on a road that Ron recommended to avoid the traffic on Hwy 7. The road wove up and down through rolling hills and lush green farmland, often with views of Lake Champlain in the distance. Perfect temperature and riding conditions.
Diane is at a resort called Bar Harbor Club on Lake Champlain. Right across the lake is the town of Westport, NY, where I almost spent the night on Tuesday before deciding to go on to Shelburne. She is on a 3 day bike riding adventure put on by Sojourn Adventures, which officially started late this afternoon with a bike fitting and 9 mile warmup ride. Diane came a couple of days early to play golf and see the area.
Diane and I had most of the late morning and early afternoon to spend together. I "caddied" for her on the back nine of golf; we drove into town to explore and for a fabulous lunch at a local cafe; then I did laundry for the both of us while Diane attended the bike fitting and took her first introductory ride. We had a lot of fun and constantly marveled at our chance meeting. Laughed a lot.
Before Diane had to leave for dinner, we called Del to see if he had read yesterday's blog about our chance meeting. Del and Diane have been friends for years, having tried lawsuits together as co-counsel. Diane has a very vivacious and outgoing personality, and Del always got a big kick out of working with her - she definitely has a talent and knack for thinking "out of the box" when it comes to presenting her case before a jury. Del enthusiastically answered the phone and the three of us had a nice visit.
Tomorrow, I head east across Vermont and the mountains. My goal (at least at this moment) is Bethel, VT, some 55-60 miles away. The forecast is for sunny skies and a high in the 60's. The low for tonight is expected to reach around 40 degrees. Looks like fall may be starting to arrive.
