It's all about the wind: a day of metaphors (and maybe some similes)

1. Anyone who has had classical voice training as I have knows the word "spiro," It's Italian for breath. And of course we have many words from it in English. "In-spire," to breathe in; "Ex-spire," to breathe out (for the last time); "Con-spire," to breathe with -- I love that one, because I can just picture the conspirators breathing the same air together as they whisper their plans. I couldn't stop thinking about air, wind, and breath today.

Just as riding from Waukesha to Madison, and from Madison to Baraboo were challenging because of the headwind, riding from Alexandria to Fergus Falls today was a piece of cake because of the tailwind. In the first situation, I rode between 4 and 7 mph. Today I rode between 11 and 17 mph. The only time I got below that was when I made a wrong turn and rode into the wind for a while till I figured it out. Then I flew back to the place where I'd gotten off, once more with the wind at my back.

As I continue on my journey, more often than not the wind will be in my face or from the side.

I used to go into the backyard to let the dogs out in the winter, dressed in a T-shirt or tank top, back when I was doing Tai Chi regularly, and I would not be cold. When the wind blew, I imagined it blowing through me, not at me or around me. I imagined myself a part of the wind. Of course, at this time, my chi was very strong, so I was warmed by that, as well. But picturing myself as not solid, as part of the wind, changed my experience of it.

So, tomorrow, or whenever I get back on the trail -- might be Thursday -- it's a new thing to try in these circumstances. Breathe with the wind -- conspire with the wind as I travel. Be "inspired" by the wind as it blows through me.

2. I saw a young tree uprooted and lying with it's top partly on the trail today. My first reaction was the one culturally programmed into us: a feeling of mild sadness and regret. But as I rode on, I pictured the other trees around it, varying in size, type, and age, still standing. I did not ask, "Why this tree? Why now?" Instead, I saw it as a part of the marvelous creation and destruction that we experience as humans in this world. Instead of judging its goodness or badness, I let it be. Just be.

3. The beautiful lakeland of central Minnesota could be developed into something like the Wisconsin Dells, an area of peace and relief and rest, and also of vacation activity and food and lodging. Or not. I'm not recommending one or another. But the thought reminded me of the film industry trying to make its way in Michigan. There is great potential, but no infrastructure. The location is far from the centers of population accustomed to these things. The weather would mean boom times and fallow times. It is difficult to begin a change or attract the necessary population because there is no infrastructure to support it. But it's difficult to build the infrastructure if you don't know that people are going to come to support it.

4. I rode for about 5 1/2 hours today, including stops. I think everyone has had flying dreams at some point, and if not, try to imagine: you stop pedaling, and the bike doesn't even slow down; you see a hill coming, and you don't have to downshift because the wind is a gentle hand giving you a push up the incline; when it mosies around to the side, it is a shock to realize that it's even windy because the gentle hand from the rear feels like nothing except effortless speed.

PS: Remy's butt seems to be bothering him more than mine is me. Every time we went over even a subtle bump today, I could see him adjusting himself. The cart awaits in Fargo. We may drive there tomorrow, just to spare him another day of sitting in the same position in the carrier. We'll see. But I'm beginning to understand why, every time I approach him to go back in the basket, he flips over on his back, uncooperative about being picked up and buckled in. Remy is the loose cannon of this journey. He can't be reasoned with or explained to. Like a small child, he trusts that I will consider his needs, and I can't let him down. This is another puzzle to work out. I'll keep you posted.