Some Days it Feels So Good to be Alive
One trait that I inherited from my father is the love of getting up early in the morning.
Today was one of those special mornings. I was out the door for my 13 mile bike ride to work at about 5:10 AM. It was still dark but just starting to get light. There was very little wind. The temperature was in the high forties. Cold enough to feel slightly uncomfortable but just perfect when you are warmed up ten minutes into the ride.
It was so peaceful and quiet as I pedaled through Dyke Marsh. In Old Town, a couple jogged together and a woman was walking her dog. There were a few delivery trucks. It was a quiet city starting to wake up with small yawns and stretches anticipating the commuters and tourists that would be coming later.
At Gravelly Point, I could look across the Potomac to DC. There wasn’t a single ripple in the river. It was like looking across a giant mirror as the sun was rising in a huge orange ball behind the DC skyline.
The endorphins were flowing and I had the feeling that mornings just don’t come any more beautiful.
If felt so good to be alive and able to start my day on such a high. I felt sorry for anyone sleeping or driving in a car to work.
May 29th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Sure does sound like a beautiful morning. It is pouring rain out here in the Desert right now. May your ride home be just as wonderful XO
May 29th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day, I’ve got a wonderful feelin, everything’s goin my way.
That’s how your post made me feel.
May 29th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I enjoyed the pics of your 13 mile bike ride. That last picture always gets to me.
May 29th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
An excellent post and loved the pictures unfortunately the body clock is too programmed as a night owl to be able to enjoy the dawn, so it is nice to be able to enjoy the beauty of the early morning vicariously through someone else’s eyes…
May 29th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
I think I was singing oh what a beautiful morning while riding.
May 29th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
I have really got to get out on my bike again, you make it sound so peaceful
May 29th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Ok you motivated me. I’m riding tomorrow
May 29th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
I used to be a morning person, your post really brought back the feeling of why I loved to be awake early in the morning. However, four years of early morning seminary pretty much kiilled that instinct, and now any extra moment James lets me sleep in is treasured.
May 30th, 2008 at 5:25 am
Go for it!
May 30th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
You painted a beautiful picture, your choice of words brought me right with you! I too am a morning person, I used to get up at 4:30 and row. I do miss those mornings.
Thank you for this post. Great job!
May 31st, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Oh man! I wish I could do that. It sounds so nice, and when I actually am able to pull myself out of bed that early I really do enjoy getting my work out out of the way and feeling like I’ve already got a lot accomplished…what’s the secret? How do you get yourself out the door so early!?!
May 31st, 2008 at 2:09 pm
It’s not unusual to see a crew team out rowing early when I am riding. I have often thought that it must be very nice to do that early in the morning when the river is so calm.
May 31st, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Getting up and out the door early is a result of growing up on a dairy farm.
At least that is what I attribute it to.
July 21st, 2008 at 3:06 am
[...] If you want a reason to get on your bike check out this post. [...]
July 21st, 2008 at 7:05 am
My husband grew up on a dairy farm, too. He is usually out the door by 5:00 a.m. (although not on a bike). Even if he wakes up a 3:30 a.m., he figures he’s had enough sleep and goes to the shop to “build something.”
The ride sounded beautiful. Great description! Relaxing listening to you do the biking
July 21st, 2008 at 3:44 pm
I used to 4 miles to work everyday. After the insanity at the office that hour long walk was just what I needed to get the poison out of my system before I got to the house