Woke up after a good night's sleep, and feeling remarkably well after biking 88 miles yesterday. Still kind of shaking my head at the various unanticipated interactions with people yesterday, culminating with the loving warmth and hospitality with which I was received by Becky and Lewis.
Becky biked off to work early, and Lewis and I headed out for breakfast at his favorite place - the Oak Table Cafe. Lewis has taken a unique approach to office hours in his position as pastor. Rather than meet at the church, he conducts office hours each day at a different coffee shop where people know they can find him. A fabulous idea, and seems to have worked well. We agreed that building relationships is primary and vital to the church and our growth. And in line with the greatest commandment to love God first, then your neighbor. As I indulged in my buckwheat pancakes, Lewis and I continued our discussion regarding our life experiences and how they affected our beliefs and spiritual practices. I shared my admiration for Rohr, and the contemplative prayer process as a means of centering in my daily life. I think Lewis would concur that what is most important is not insistence on a particular theology or creed (although these may have their proper role), but developing an ability to hear, discern and follow what God is telling us. If we do that, everything else will fall into its proper place. Which generally means we will learn how to accept, support and love one another. And isn't that what it is all about?
After breakfast, Lewis took me on a tour of Sequim that left me wanting to relocate there. Just the right size town located near the Olympic National Forest on one side, and the beautiful bay on the other side. Interesting shops. No interstates and none of the big city traffic. Bike routes everywhere. Built on and surrounded by picturesque farmland, and just a wonderful healthy feel. Great climate. Located conveniently to Seattle and Port Angeles. I kept thinking Sequim fit the bill for everything I would want in a place to retire, except for maybe being too far from my family.
Lewis left for a meeting, and I packed up and headed to the bike shop down the road for minor adjustments. Jon was wonderful and took good care of me. Assured that everything was in good working order, I headed for the 20 mile Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) that runs all the way to Port Angeles, thereby avoiding on road traffic for the most part.
I took my time on the ODT, stopping frequently to take pictures. Loved the old barns, farms, bridges and streams. Loved the wildflowers and trees. Just took it all in.
At one point where a construction crew was working, I was held up by a young woman named Maya. We chatted about my upcoming plans to visit Victoria and Vancouver Island. In the course of the conversation, she mentioned how much she had enjoyed Sidney - I had been contemplating a day trip to Sidney on Sunday, and I took this as confirmation that I was on the right track! Thanks to Maya.
I also came across this interesting offer to camp free. It mentions affiliations with Warmshowers and Couchsurf. These are organizations that provide volunteer contacts for places where bikers can stay for free.
I also came upon another "sign" - a beautiful feather on the path. Looks like some sort of hawk feather to me. My special feather.
The final couple of miles on the ODT into Port Angeles were along the coast. I watched as the ferry I am taking tomorrow began its journey to Victoria. Snapped a picture of a majestic blue heron for my mother.
Reached my motel at approximately 1:30 pm, and spent the rest of the afternoon taking care of business before leaving the country tomorrow. Biked to an Italian restaurant down the road and had lasagna for dinner. Then spent the remainder of the evening catching up on the blog and watching the sad news regarding recent shootings in Minneapolis and Baton Rouge, and today's shootings in Dallas. Very sobering. And I started asking myself - what can I do in my own way to help with the healing process?
A whole new phase in this unpredictable journey begins tomorrow as I head to Canada. Looking forward to the adventures to come. However, before I end, I want to again thank all of you that reached out and offered your encouragement and support in the last week. It came at a time that I really needed it, and meant more than you could know.
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