The Rockies are beautiful anytime of year, but in the fall when the colors
change, they will even outdo Vermont for beauty. So I invited Dick along to
ride, and we did a casual 2200 miles in six days. almost what most people do
commuting, but we rode it in four states instead. At 108 across the desert, it
seemed summer was still alive in Arizona, but riding up through Show Low, and
then into Albuquerque, the pre-balloon festival skies were beautiful. Perfect
weather, in the 80’s, slight wind and low humidity. Then off to Santa Fe via
Chama and Santa Fe the back way, trying to remember Madrid before Wild Hogs, and
it became a biker tourist trap. But after riding all day into Durango in
t-shirts and sun, the weather report called for rain, and a high in the forties
in Silverton. The same day we would ride the Million Dollar Highway, and all
the colors would be at their fullest. Cool, jacket weather took us into
Silverton at 9310 feet, even the Harley store selling shirts as the highest
Harley dealer in the US was closed. No rain yet, and leaving and going over Red
Mountain Pass we still were only in winter jackets. A few drips, but no rain.
Even cruising through Ouray was dry, surely the lower elevations would be kind
to us. No rain at Ridgeway, but when stopping for a Hershey break, we put on
the rain suits, and just in time. It began to pour, then stop, but riding
behind big SUV’s in no passing zones on slick roads kept us in the rain coming
off the road and cars. Rolling into Telluride, pretty but too yuppie for me, we
saw dozens of adventure bikes, seems the weather won’t stop them, but even more
surprising was the amount of riders in groups on Harleys and Gold Wings riding
in the rain, groups large enough to be seen in So Cal on nice days. These guys
obviously ride....
But the rain continued to pour, and the temp dropped as the rain dropped.
My meat thermometer on my handlebars read 43, cold is one thing, cold and wet in
another. But you ride on, and with no place to stop, we continued down from
Rico, cold, hungry, wet, but safe inside our rain suits. Hoping and praying we
would be OK. And then it happened...a huge buck ran down the hill and into my
path, with no where to go and I knew it was impact time. But as suddenly as he
appeared, he stopped mid hill, turned and ran back up! All in a few feet and a
millisecond. Even Dick riding behind thought I was a goner. It was another 45
minutes into Dolores,and stopping for gas until it all hit me, or the fact it
didn’t hit me. I was thanking God, and later he would give me insight into the
miracle.
In his own loving way he explained how he allowed the near accident and
miracle prevention to show how he had everything under control. How he was with
us, and not to worry. In the midst of the storm, he was present, controlling
not only the rain but his animal creations too. So often in prayer we get
overwhelmed with asking we fail to see the one we are calling out to, in this
case he gave us a visual to remind us. We all know the story of Jesus walking
on the water in the midst of the storm, to me God made it personal, stopping a
1000 pound buck on a slick downhill, and abruptly turning him around. Just in
time.....as always.
Sometimes we get hung up on Jesus on the water, we forget his promise to
the disciples before they left. “I’ll see you on the other side,” and they took
off, him behind. Them struggling in the storm, him walking on it, through it,
not around it. But just as they let him into the boat, we find they are on the
shore on the other side, just as he promised. God very rarely tells us how, so
we cannot argue, but his promises are always true. And even more important,
when we leave this earth, when we cross over to the other side he promises us
eternal life. After going through the storms of life, much different than our
prayers of stopping the storm. Many times no storm means we miss God, we went
for the colors, God showed how he created the colors, but had control over all
of nature. All for us, and to give him our praise. When he gets the glory, we
get the blessings, and he blesses many times first, as he did that day. And on
that Wednesday it rained, the next day sunshine and warm never felt so good. An
easy ride across New Mexico without touching I-40, missing it in Arizona too,
and then the ride from Prescott and home. Cool and hot, dry and wet. 2200
miles of fun and fellowship. And Jesus rode along. Remember him next time you
pack, and never leave home without him. See you on the other side.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com