After writing all morning, I was ready for an adventure. A board member here at Thurber House kindly lent me a bike.
I hopped on it and pedaled up busy High Street toward Cover to Cover Bookstore.
Traffic lights were out. Most stores were closed. Trees were down. Last night's storms hit this area hard.
It was possible that after six miles, the indie children's bookstore would be closed.
But it wasn't.
Couldn't have been happier to walk into that dark store and meet Salli, the owner. She was a gem. We sat back in the corner where authors and illustrators have signed the walls and we talked books a good long time.
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| Salli, Cover to Cover Bookstore |
Then Salli allowed me to refill my water bottle, choose a book from her pile of ARCs and gave me directions to return to the Thurber House via a bike trail along the river. (Much prettier and safer than city streets.)
Before leaving, I bought several new books and threw them into my backpack.
No trouble finding the bike trail or maneuvering around downed trees. Was awed by the beauty of the trees and river along the trail.
While the scenery was gorgeous, I wondered why I hadn't passed the university, as Salli had said I would. I wondered why the trail marker said Downtown Columbus was ten miles away. It should have been fewer than six.
Finally, I asked someone how far to Downtown Columbus. He pointed in the opposite direction. "This is Worthington. Downtown is about ten miles that way."
I'd gone the wrong way on the trail. Four miles the wrong way! The scenery didn't look quite as sparkly on the way back. Maybe I should have paid less attention to the views and more attention to this . . .
I felt grateful I was able to refill my water bottle again at the one water fountain I saw along the trail. I felt grateful the weather was lovely. I felt grateful I packed snacks in my backpack. In fact, I stopped on this bridge to eat an apple . . .
The trail heading toward the city was not nearly as lush as the suburban section. I enjoyed riding along a detour that took me through the Ohio State University campus. When the trail veered off, I had to ask directions a few times. Such friendly people! And I had to maneuver around some of these along the way . . .
Once I made it to Downtown Columbus, it was still a couple miles to get back to the Thurber House. Those were the hardest miles!
Safe and sound now. Astounded at how far I was able to ride . . . and how many calories I consumed when I got back.
Tomorrow's adventure will be at the Columbus Zoo with Pat Shannon and her hubby.
