Today's Bike Adventure

Once again... I loaded my biking gear into the truck and headed up to Callaway Gardens for what I had hoped would be another beautiful morning of quiet time, biking and photography!

I took this photo of the golf course and lake, out of my truck window.

I parked my truck where I always do... at the Discovery Center. I decided that today I would go to the Vegetable Garden to look for some possible photo opportunities. I hadn't been there since Spring.

As I was riding the 3.5 miles to get there.... I came across two twenty dollar bills laying half-way folded up on the bike path in front of me. I admit that I got excited at first. "MONEY!!", I thought. But, then my mind quickly went to... "I'll pick it up and wait for a few minutes and see if anyone comes looking for it." Then, I realized that I hadn't passed anyone on the bike path yet that could have dropped it. So.... I decided that maybe the person was going the same way that I was going and maybe I would pass them coming back to look for the lost money.

So, I got back on my bike and started riding again. As I rode, I was thinking to myself... "I may never know who dropped this money." I decided that unless I ran into someone while I was at Callaway that was looking for the lost money, I would hang onto it and take it to church with me on Sunday and donate it to the church.

I also thought about turning it in to the Discovery Center Help Desk when I returned there, but decided that whoever I gave it to, might just "pocket" the money for themselves and it still wouldn't get to the rightful owner.

As I rode the rest of the way to the vegetable garden, I continued to look for someone that might have dropped the money. No such luck. I didn't pass a single person until I nearly got to my destination, and that was nowhere near where I found the money! I feel really bad for the person that lost the money, but I will make sure that the money goes to good cause. I will put it in the collection plate at church and mark it to go to our "Pastor's Discretionary Fund" that helps people in need. That way, I KNOW that the money is going to someone who really needs it!

Here's my friend "Bike" -- Yes! I named him! Don't laugh!-- , as he rests and waits for me to return from visiting the vegetable garden.

Here are some photos that I took inside the vegetable garden ---



I guess I missed out on getting photos of the corn. Oh well!





Habanero Peppers -- One of the HOTTEST!



I enjoyed my time in the vegetable garden. I found a shady place to sit, and enjoyed a nice gentle, COOL, breeze!

On my way out of the vegetable garden.... I took this photo of Bike, waiting for me --

These next two photo's were taken back at the Discovery Center. I know it as a "Beauty Bush". But, I believe it's technical name is the... "Callicarpa Beauty Berry Shrub". I also saw that it is called an... "American Beauty Bush". Either way, the berries are such a beautiful color!! We have one that grows wild in our yard, but it is nowhere near this pretty!

Here are some bonus photo's that I turned into black & white images. Let me know what you think! I have been messing around with the photo-editing software that came with my computer.

I'm no expert, but I'm having fun!!

A to Z Blog Challenge ~ Q

The word for today is QUIET, as in quiet time. I try to have at least a little bit of quiet time each day. It is something that I enjoy very much!

I get up early each day just to have an hour or two all to myself. I read my devotions, pray, check my email, check Facebook, update my blog and enjoy my coffee.

I also enjoy escaping to other places where I can be by myself and have my quiet time. Callaway Gardens is one of my favorite places. I'm sure that you have seen some of my blog posts that I have written after taking my bike and my camera up there. It is such a beautiful and peaceful place to escape to and I am thankful to have it be fairly close to my house. --- Less that 30 minutes!

Another place that I enjoy "escaping" to is F. D. Roosevelt State Park where we go camping quite often. It is near Callaway Gardens, so it is also close by. It isn't always "quiet" while we are there. But, it does feel like an "escape", which is still very nice!

Happy to be Biking Again

Today was the first day that I have rode my bike since back in the Spring. It felt soooooo good to be riding again! Yes, I could have ridden it throughout the Summer, but I'm a wimp when it comes to the heat! The temperature has to be right and the humidity has to be below 70%!

I went back to my favorite place to ride .... Callaway Gardens. I am so thankful to have it be less than a 30 minute drive from my house. It is my very favorite place to go to be by myself. It is so very peaceful!

I arrived at the park when they opened at 9:00am. I wanted to get there early to take advantage of the cool morning temperature of 68 degrees (That's cool compared to the 90+ temps that we've had!). I couldn't wait to get on my bike and RIDE! It had been way too long!

I was doing fine until I hit the first HILL! I struggled to get up it, but I never got OFF my bike! That is one of my rules. I will NOT get off my bike and PUSH IT! I made it up the hill and it felt great! I did stop at the top of the hill for a water break... but, I still did not get off my bike!

I continued until I got to the Chapel in the woods. I parked my bike, grabbed my camera and my cell phone and walked down to the lake and sat where I was facing the Chapel. It was very peaceful.

I decided to look out over the lake to see what kind of wildlife that I could see.

I noticed this Blue Herring (at least, I "think" that's what he was!) standing not too far away.

I walked a little closer to get a better view of him. ~ I love my 10x Zoom on my camera!

Back on my bike, I took this picture of one of my favorite parts of the bike trail. I like it because it is FLAT! It is also very beautiful!

As I cruise around the many lakes, I like to look for the turtles sunning themselves on the logs. Today, this one was the ony one that I saw. Wonder where his friends were?

Here's one of the many beautiful views of the golf course and lakes.

I love COLOR, and back in the Spring, when I was biking at Callaway... I would always see lots of flowers and blooming plants along the trail. Today, I didn't see any color until I came across this holly bush (or tree. I'm not sure which!) with it's bright reddish-orange berries. This "bush" brought back some childhood memories of mine. These type of bushes grew near the apartment building that I grew up in. My friends and I would always pick them and either use them as weapons to throw at each other or use them as food to feed our dolls!

Next, as I rode along... I came across the Garden Restaurant. I couldn't help but be inspired to take these next few photographs. I think these are my favorite!

As I came around the next lake, I stopped to take this photo of the boat house. I wanted to take more, but I couldn't get a clear shot of it through the trees. But, I am happy with this one that I DID get!

My next stop was at my favorite bench swing that is secluded off to itself next to one of the lakes. Every time that I go biking at Callaway, I pray that this swing is available. Today.... it was! Thank you, Lord! Words can not describe the peacefulness of sitting on this swing, listening to the birds chirp and the rustling of the leaves on the trees as the slight breeze blows. The only interruption that I had was a big fish that kept jumping in the water! He made me laugh every time! My Lord knew that I needed this quiet time with Him so that I could work through some things and talk (and listen!) to Him.

Thank you, bike, for the wonderful ride today. I'm so glad that we're back together again! I missed you!