Directions Reflections

When you are assessing directions
Remember to "damp down" corrections.
The names that you know,
May only be so,
If matching the speaker’s connections.

Faribault, MN  -> Northfield, MN 16 mile ride for all
Day 2, Mankato to Madison Ride

Beautiful ... one of those "pedal and glide" days.  
A day that makes me think
I could cross continents pedaling, and stay smiling.  
Nice picture, don't you agree?

Something I learned today:
I hear & read directions out of
What I know, or think I know.

Ride today was territory I often
Travel on a bike ride.
To Faribault for haircut, or food from First-of-Thai,
Or a training ride to put in strengthening miles.

I ride, see turns, road signs
And know where I will arrive—
Because I always do.
I am traveling by rote.

A road I know from
Its North end name,
May have different name on South end.
How that same road is identified on computer map
Is yet another name.

It's why when traveling in an
Unfamiliar area and asking directions,
The "Local" may have no idea of any road by that name.

Directions can be something like,
"Go up that hill with the crooked tree,
Turn by Grampa's barn, it's big and needs paint.
Then head down to that white house where Aunt Jane lives.
Go ... maybe two more miles, give or take,
And you are there!"

Important to remember
Different possibilities in how things
Can be named.

Tonight I'm staying at Northfield's AmericInn,
Where bike group is housed.
Bob has bad cold and suggests this option.
Makes sense.

Happy to be on this trip!
Happy to be pedaling.

Hugs, Lin