Tidal estuary of the Salmon River, W. Cook's Cove
Writing about outdoor activities is a contrived business. I usually have to have a plan (no matter how loose), adequate time, and get a significant distance from my house in order to generate material. Cycling is a great way to combine exercise with a clearing of the head but when I am required to write about what I’m doing I cannot disengage my mind and still hope to retain impressions of the ride. In other words, I don’t get to relax.
Today, I did my best to relax on a short ride but I couldn’t rid myself of the nagging voice in my head that continued to chide me for dereliction of duty. “How can you call yourself a blogger if you don’t write anything?” it said.
Ditch, W. Cook's Cove
I am separated from the village of Guysborough by 10 kilometers. When in full child-rearing mode I have covered this route as often as seven times in one day. It can’t be an exaggeration to say I’ve traveled it many thousands of times since beginning to live here full time in 1998. What is there that has not already caught my eye? I think it is especially difficult to be attentive when in an area that is completely familiar. My assumption, when I left the house, was it would be impossible to shoot anything of interest with an hour of daylight remaining. I was more or less resigned to going for a short ride just to relax, get a little fresh air and exercise, and never mention it to anyone.
Small lumber yard, W. Cook's Cove
In the end I went about 18 kilometers. I made a few stops. The only detour away from the highway was to the edge of the Salmon River via the old Dickie Field. This place is remarkable to me because I played softball here as a teen. Now it is completely overgrown with no hint that a ball field ever existed. On the way home the moon was up on my left and the afterglow from the sunset was on my right.
Sunset above Tom's Lake, W. Cook's Cove
I cannot claim that climbing a 2.5 kilometer hill is in any way relaxing but I can say it did not detract from my experience. Short, impromptu rides and walks are better than procrastination.
My bike at the old Dickie Field, W. Cook's Cove
Tidal estuary of the Salmon River, W. Cook's Cove
