Friends in New Places

My trip to beautiful Colorado has been everything I hoped for and more. I have managed scenic 25 plus mile bike rides every day since arriving...evening being able to ride from the park at which we are staying all the way to Denver. Along the way I have made new friends in new places.

Take Joe here for instance. I walked into the a local bike shop near Littleton, CO and struck up a conversation with Joe like we were old buddies reminiscing over times past. We talked about bikes, memories of racing, the wonders of riding across the Western plains with a backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, and good places to eat.

As I left the shop and hopped on my bike for the return trip to the park I thought about how important it is to remember friends and make new friends every chance you get. Some will argue that our life path is predetermined and no matter what we do we only encounter that which is in our path.

Maybe so...but I think we are more like the water that flows through the Rocky Mountain rivers. Our path has been set. Our water stays within the boundaries of the banks, but we can move freely within those banks and by doing so we cross paths with those who can make our day a bit brighter, life a bit better, or help us see something a bit clearer which might have been a little foggy at first.

The next time you are traveling down your own river and you get a chance to call an old friend or make a new one, don't hesitate...don't put it off to think that you will do it later. If you are presented with the moment, make the most of it. Because I can tell you that my life is richer because of Joe. One look at our pic provides solid evidence that if only for a moment our connection was a high point in our lives...and the memories of that moment will be with Joe and I forever. Plus you never know when the water of our rivers will cross paths again.