On the Wing

Great Blue Heron coasts over the Chattahoochee River

Finally, I convinced Fife to rent and ride bikes down the Chattahoochee Riverwalk* today. Truthfully, he didn't take much convincing, and he was a perfect companion for the trip: patient and agreeable. We rode all the way to Columbus Water Works' sewage treatment plant (not as bad as it sounds)...just down the street from Key School.
*Check out the interactive, panoramic media for a virtual trip down the Riverwalk.

We chose Trek Navigators from Ride on Bikes on Broadway in Downtown Columbus. Mine was perfect in every way - almost didn't even notice the dreaded muscle aches on the climb up the few hills we met. I imagined myself heron-like -- on the wing. But, unlike the graceful heron, I suppose we'll be sore tomorrow. For $10 each, we could have kept the bikes all day, instead of just the 3 hours we spent on them. What a deal! I know that we'll be back - earlier in the day - for a longer ride. Maybe we'll ride to the Infantry Museum or Oxbow Meadows.

The trail was just as beautiful this winter day as I've ever seen it; the rains from the week-end washed every plant and animal we saw to shimmering splendor. Well, except for the little guy riding ahead of me up one long hill.  My own backside was mud-splattered by the time we climbed the final hill. (No pictures of that!)

We saw a beautiful Great Blue Heron wading by the river bank and looking for a meal, geese swimming and in flight, some cormorants, a cardinal, a ruby throated hummingbird, one (!) squirrel, and lots of leashed dogs, but no gators. Maybe next time...

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It was a perfect ride on a perfect day on a perfect bike down a perfect trail with a perfect Bike Buddy.