In my previous post, I talked about seeing the ghosts of my past while cleaning out my grandmother's house - this one is somewhat related, although definitely happier.
Today's post is about a bike ride (an actual one - no metaphors today) that I took 2 evenings ago. I had finished cleaning up dinner and rather than just finding my way to the couch and TV, I called up one of my oldest friends and had him meet me at the bike path a few towns away.
This particular path, much like the house, is like an old friend. I guess that's one of the advantages of living in the area in which I grew up - lots of familiarity and lots of memories. My parents house backed up roughly to the path and so I spent countless hours on it - whether it was actually taking a bike ride or being up to no good with friends. Whichever the case, it provided the backdrop for many a childhood memory - all of which came flooding back to me as I rode along, especially since it was with the same friend that had usually accompanied me.
As we rode along, we made a detour off the main path onto a small dirt one that led through the woods to the back of my father's former office building. Growing up, we'd pedal up there to "visit", which translated to playing with office equipment (It's strange how much fun we had with a laminator).
After that, we made our way to the Allenwood General Store - which looks exactly the same now as it did 20 years ago. I still visit here somewhat frequently as no one can make a
porkroll, egg, and cheese on a roll quite like them. As we stood in front to take a quick picture, we recalled how we'd ride up here all the time with another friend and we'd all order the same thing, time and time again (California cheese burger for me, 2 grilled cheese sandwiches for Paul, and turkey on a plate - with salt - for Rob).
We then continued our journey which led us over the Garden State Parkway and remembered the fort we attempted to build at the small pond just before the parkway bridges. The pond is still there, although it's hard to even see the water through all the lily pads.
Eventually, we ended up in Allaire State Park to watch the herds of deer that had gathered in the railroad field just as the final light in the sky was starting to fade. At this point, we decided it was about time to turn around. The mosquitoes were hungry and we knew that most of the ride back would be in the dark.
I needed that trip. Several days before, I had turned to John and said, 'Do you ever wish we lived in the city - closer to friends and with seemingly more things to do' He said no, and I agreed - but perhaps halfheartedly. It was a trip like this though that reminds me why I love where I live - a simple bike ride can be so much more.