The Writer & I went out to OP Schnabel this morning.  We left the house just before sunrise to get to the park by 7:30.  I love being outside before the sun comes up.  Today was no different.  It was cold, about 43* if you believe the Weather Bug, 33* if you believe the church marquee.  Either way, it was a great morning to be outside.  In a park.  Doing what I enjoy.  I wish I had more days like this morning.

While I’d love to say it was a completely idyllic morning, it did have it’s incident.  You can read about it on her blog.   It’s her story to share but I can’t help thinking it’s my fault.  My fault for suggesting we head out to OP, my fault for opting to walk instead of cycling along side her.  My fault for not turning around at what I knew was at the halfway mark because I wanted to be sure she was still on the right path heading up to her turn around point and if she was on the right path, or even if she was on the wrong path at some point I could point her back in the right direction and there shouldn’t be any problem with the return trip.  Right?  Right?

I still feel very badly that it happened, but am glad it’s over and she’s safe.

Despite what I didn’t know was happening up ahead, I had a GREAT time!  I went sans Garmin or iPod and simply enjoyed my surroundings.  It was glorious.  I felt like I was flying down the path and I know I must have had some weird look of ecstasy on my face because of the strange stares I was receiving as I passed people coming in the opposite direction.

I took this picture this morning just before I rounded one of the last big bends.   It represents my journey into the new year.  And let me tell you, I’m really excited about what the new year has in store!