Photo Essay Contest
There's a first time for everything.
Yesterday, I took my grandson, Julian (4), on his first bike ride that was longer than our living room. He'd been scooting and careening all over the downstairs for a week, since we bought him a new bike. Red. His favorite color. And really shiny, with big knobby wheels.
We live in the country, but our roads are traveled by many farmers, tractors, milk trucks, and commuters. Our corner has a four-way stop sign, but folks don't always stop, and I don't trust my rambunctious little grandson out there on his bike, even on the driveway.
He just learned to turn and brake his new bike on Wednesday. Yesterday, after a family emergency the night before that had his mom a hair's breadth away from surgery, I stayed home to help watch the boys so she could recover from her ordeal and sleep a bit.
Daughter Allison and I took him to the Greenway that starts out at York Landing, in Fowerville, NY. You remember the Greenway, right? I've posted lots of pictures from this wonderful trail system in Upstate NY before. It follows the old railroad bed that was laid atop the original Genesee Valley Canal tow path. Now it's a beautiful place to ride or walk.
When we got there, Julian was so excited he could hardly wait to get started. But the soggy ground was a bit hard to get started on. He really had to push down hard on those pedals!
When we left the gravel and hit the grass and mud, he really had a problem when his training wheels were up high and his tires rode in the shallow depression. The tires spun, his face crumpled, and he became very frantic, on the verge of tears.
"Papa! It's too hard!"
I grabbed hold of his handle bars and walked beside him, guiding him and helping him stay upright.
At one point, we stopped to listen to hundreds of Canada Geese flying overhead. Their honking was an elixir to him. He stopped, watched, and listened. Then he got back on and tried again.
We found a level spot that had been graded with some new gravel, and sat for a long time, letting him ride back and forth along a nice stretch. He got better and better, and worked out all that little boy energy that had been pent up the whole cold, cloudy week.
Then the sun came out, for a brief, flash.
It was a beautiful moment. We packed up his gear, took off his knee pads and helmut, and headed home, after promises to return soon. Next year, when his brother turns four, we'll all head out together.
I usually walk the Greenway. But next year, maybe I should get a bike!
Thanks for listening. ;o)
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Comments: 28
Hi, Debbie! Thank you, I feel so blessed to have Julian (and his little brother) in my life. It is just the most wonderful time of life - amazing. ;o)
There was a path like this in New Jersey next to the Delaware River that my daughter and I used to walk. It too, followed an old railroad bed. Nice memories.
They're supposed to be developing a greenway here next to the Ohio River, but it's taking soooo long.
Thanks for taking us with you on your outing, Aaron. Beautiful.
by his presence
Barb - thank you, and I hope your Greenway gets underway, soon. It took a while around here, but my wife and I (many years ago, in the 80s) used to ride our two Morgans down the old rr bed. I never knew it was the mules' tow path from the canal until I ran across an old lock and mentioned it to my pal, a canal historian. He came out to investigate and was thrilled to find a section of of the canal all covered in brambles and gravepines! After that, many folks seemed more interested in the history of the area (probably thanks to Dave!) and by the turn of the century, it was all state land again, cleared of brush (and low-hanging grapevines we used to have to duck!), and open to the public. I am now just rediscovering it with my 21 year old daughter, Allison (we walk there all the time now) and with my grandson this week. It's such a treasure! I have posted other photos of it in winter - if you'd like me to repost them to your group, just holler. ;o)
Jennifer, thank you so much for your kind words. His mom is still feeling under the weather (they thought it was a gall bladder about to burst, but then ruled it out. Frustrating for her, she's still in a lot of pain.) You're right about the distraction - it worked wonders. After that, I took his little brother, Gordie, grocery shopping with me. Shopping with Papa is one of his favorite things! ;o)
Frances, what a nice thing to say. And you are right. Doesn't matter what the weather, this little man brings sunlight to our day 24 hours a day! ;o)
I hope his Mom is feeling better real soon, but in the meanwhile, you have a great opportunity to have some fun. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Have a great weekend Aaron!
Wonderful description of a fun day that Julian will probably remember for a long, long time!
I hope his mom starts feeling better soon.
Thank you Mariana! Nice to have you stop by. ;o)
Your son on wheels, riding up that open path says so much! It can be a poster for the Future Ahead.
A normal piece of advice: when on a photo shoot, look not only where you are going but turn around and look where you have been.
In your case, it's enough to just keep looking forward. Nobody's safe with a 'mad bomber' four year old in the lead.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Great advice, Jeff! Thanks. Yeah, I had to keep my eyes wide open, it was hard to concentrate on photos with him bombing around! ;o)
Thanks, Patrick.
Thanks, Deb! He was concentrating SO hard! Oh, Lord, the thought of my precious grandson on a motorcycle scares me! I raised three girls (one of course, is Julian's mom) and we never had to deal with vehicle issues, except teaching them to drive. (see my gray hair at the temples? Ah ha. That's from teaching them to drive!)
Thank you for sharing. I especially like the colors of the blue sky in the tree picture.
The Game "Six Weird Things About Me"
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