Move along

Horse farms dot the way (left)



I have to deal with some traffic (below)

Downtown Huntersville (left)

Another kind of road (below)

Horses, goats, corn, wheat all within
1 mile of this spot. One of my
favorite stretches of road (left)

I like to camp. Not the car-camping type mind you, although I will do it if it is the only kind available. I like to follow a trail leading somewhere I have never been and enjoy the views along the way. When I find a spot with water and a beautiful view I will sometimes decide to stay for the night. I am one of these people who is easily overtaken by the beauty of creation so when an opportunity comes along that affords me the option of staying and drinking in the beauty, I will take it.

As much as I like to camp, it is important for me to remember that it is not the end-state. I find much truth in the cliche, 'life is about the journey and not the destination.' As I look back over some of the biggest disappointments in life and some of the most challenging times it is typically because I became so absorbed in the beauty of what was around me I wanted to camp out longer than I was supposed to. I easily forget the concept of pilgrimage.

Whether literally or metaphorically, my life is about following roads. On two wheels or on four, in darkness or in light, by myself or surrounded by a group of people journeying the same direction, I follow roads and pay special attention to the landscape I am passing through as it has much to teach me about life and myself. These pictures are a few of my favorite spots on some roads that I ride several times a week.

This week my road leads me to the NC state road race championships. I have a race on Saturday, 80 miles that I hope to simply finish with the main group, and a race on Sunday, 41 miles that I pray I will have not worn myself out for during the race on Saturday. I am simply passing through these spots and am not sure what to expect. I know the next big camp site is just beyond. I hope to move from Cat 5 to Cat 4 by the end of the month. I will camp there for a while and then go in search of what is next.