The Light at the End of the Tunnel

This Labor Day Weekend my family said farewell to summer with a trip to the Route of the Hiawatha This portion of the Olympian Hiawatha route has been called one of the most breathtaking scenic stretches of railroad in the country.  It is no longer used by the railroad and has been converted to a 15 mile bike path.  There are many ways to bike the trail.  We took the most common, starting at the top and biked downhill, then had a shuttle bring us back to to the other end of the tunnel and we road back through the tunnel to our car. The St. Paul Pass, or Taft Tunnel (pictured above) is an 8,771 foot tunnel.  Yes, that's about 1.7 miles! Biking through this tunnel gave new meaning to the phrase "the light at the end of the tunnel" to me.  It is a feeling that is hard to describe, traveling through a dark tunnel, with only the light from my small headlamp. 

The sound of water running past and dripping down on you sporadically from the ceiling can leave one with an uneasy feeling.  1.7 miles seems like it could take forever, like my pedals were turning ever so slowly, yet my confidence in my bicycling skills would not allow me to pedal faster.  I was never so relieved to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  When we finally made it through only to have the sun shine down on us and be greeted by a beautiful waterfall.  And this was just the beginning of our day! 

We went through a total of ten different tunnels, and the 1.7 mile Taft Tunnel twice.  The trail took us over seven high steel trestles.  The views were absolutely stunning!  The trail offered several places to stop and take in the views while learning some history of the railroad and the fires of 1910.  There are stories that when people were evacuating on the train, the trestles (then made of wood) were burning as the train went over them!  All in all the day was incredible! It was a  great outing that the whole family could enjoy! My seven year old did the entire trail with no complaints.

The Rails To Trails Conservancy is working to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people.  Stop by their page to find a trail near you! I highly recommend  looking for a trail near you! Take the whole family and a picnic lunch! Spend the day and breathe in the fresh air.  The day inspired me to make a new version of my reusable sandwich bags.  They will be perfect for a ride on the trail or add some personality to school lunches!

The Wedding of Her Dreams

My little sister just got married.  It was her dream wedding.  Growing up on a farm in southwest Kansas, our family did not give much thought to the ocean or the beach.  While we often thought it would be a wonderful place to visit, there was no urgency to get there. Our family vacations led us to the mountains and what this rich land had to offer. My sister, however, developed a passion for the ocean.  Once she got older, her trips drew her to the coast.  When she met a fell in love with the man of her dreams (a fellow Kansan), the wedding planning began.  She surprised us all when she told us she was getting married on Coronado Island.  I am a traditionalist.  Why not get married in the church in our home town? Why are we all traveling across the country to a beach? Let me tell you why - it was her dream.  And if there is one thing my family has always done, it has supported dreams.  My parents may not have always understood or agreed with our choices about the directions we have taken in life, but they have always supported them.  So we all bought our plane tickets and began planning a wedding hundreds of miles away.

After much preparation, planning and phone calls, the day finally came.  I knew this day would be special - my sister was getting married afterall.  What I did not know, is just how perfect it would be.  There was a small attendance - only the bride and groom's immediate family and closest friends were there - over half of which had a part in the wedding. The setting was simply stunning.  The crashing of the ocean waves, the cool breeze in the air, the sun warming the sand beneath our feet.  While we were not in a church, I believe we could not have gotten much closer to God. His presence was everywhere. As my Dad walked the bride down the steps, many beach goers stopped to observe this moment. It was a perfect day - a day of hopes and dreams - and I could not be happier for my sister and her new husband.  I wish them the very best life has to offer.  May their journey together be blessed with good health, happiness, and a lifetime of love.