I ran into an old accquaintance the other day who had just moved back from Arkansas. "Northwest Arkansas," he reminded me, as the locals say, there is a difference specific to that area. Seems living in the Ozarks in Arkansas is preferable to living any place else in Arkansas. In door plumbing does have its rewards. And I see their point, as I love riding there, the second best criteria for living there after the weather. And I thought of the look on people's faces when I tell them where I like to ride. Some places to consider.
New York-the state not the city. And if you have ever ridden up by the Finger lakes, or Lake Placid you know what I mean, great roads and scenery. Just the opposite of the city, but you can't tell by their license plates, you have to ask.
Ohio-not the urban blight of the north, where Cleveland can boast of its river catching fire, but the southern part of the state, the Ohio River valley and up Highway 7 into Wheeling, West Virginia. Great roads, neat small towns, and many places not yet spoiled by 4 laners. And Bob Evans Farm is a great place for breakfast.
Indiana-same as Ohio, except has the Hoosier National Forest. I pulled over-yes, that's right, a Indiana State Trooper one time when bored of the freeway, he gave me a map and sent me on some great roads. Twenty five years later the map is still taking me to great roads in the Hoosier State. Highly recommend Madison, grab some ice cream and sit on some chairs by the river. Middle America at its best.
Colorado-Denver right? No-for those of us who lived on the Western Slope, the Front Range is just not in the same league. And Denver is not Colorado, just a mile high city that happens to live there. Spent a three day weekend once, and never left the Western Slope, yet rode over 1200 miles. Only a tornado cut that trip short. Where else can you ride over seven passes within 400 miles at over 10,000 feet?
California-ever notice no one says there are from California-it's either the Bay Area or Southern Cal, very rarely just LA. And northern California can start anywhere from the northern end of the Grapevine to just north of San Francisco-which only the ignorant call Frisco. Great roads, great mountains, and lots of them. And most can be ridden year round. Try that in Vermont this Thanksgiving!
Oklahoma-yeah, Oklahoma. For me the rolling hills as you leave Texas are just the start of losing altitude, but picking up attitude. And taking farm roads will keep you smiling all day. Plus once you are east of OK City lunch can be at Steak and Shake. Ride the Oachitas and you can venture into Arkansas. Only downer is US 69 into Kansas, past a lead mine. The tailings look like sand dunes, but don't be deceived. This is no day at the beach. Yet there is, or was a town there until a tornado took it out last year. Please explain why anyone would raise their kids there? It sure ain't for the weather.
Seems each area has its reputation. The disciples also had this problem when they first heard of Jesus. Nazareth, they asked. No one of any fame has ever come from there. Why would we even consider him. "Wasn't the savior supposed to be born in Bethlehem. Oh, he was-well my argument stands, no one ever coming from Nazareth ever amounted to any good." A town with a bad rap, but with the most famous man ever as its premier resident. A must see place, based on that alone. A good example of poor judgment, just because I haven't been there it must not be worth going. Imagine Jesus saying that in the garden. Or at the cross. "Golgotha-that's a weird name. Google it and see. Hmmm, let's go south, better roads, and hey I know this restaurant..." And such is our attitude toward the things of God.
Seems those that deny Him know more than we do. Or think they do. They tend to be prople of great faith-I mean how can you not believe when you see all the evidence of Him? How can you deny His handiwork looking at the mountains, or a sunset? Yet to those who don't believe, it is all chance. Yes, it definitely takes great faith not to believe.
But it also takes great faith to take what Jesus has done for you out of your church, to Judea, Samaria, and the outer reaches-just like He commands. You see we are only limited by our lack of faith by the places God will take us-and the blessings He will pour out.
Today God may mention something to you that you never considered before. Ask Miles, how many years ago was it that God told him he would be our pastor? Now do you get it? Or why is Shanksville so special to me? Or why you are reading this, when only 20 months ago I had a real job, and nowhere near the chances to minister? God loves to show off His creation-you. And He loves to take you places, with Him. The choice is up to you. Just a little step of faith, one step or mile at a time.
My best criteria for a ride are the roads, weather, and the food-but most importantly where God leads me. Is He leading you? Maybe your friends are saying the same about you as they did of Jesus. Can anything good come out of Escondido? Take the road of your choice this weekend, and go places you never have gone before. Step out in faith and see the beauty of what God has created. And who knows, when you get home there may be a note on the door-sorry we missed you... And after all, isn't it nice to be missed? See you on the road. Postcards optional. Memories, precious.
love with compassion,
Mike
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