I hesitate to even write yet another Guardian Angel story, but this story comes with an actual photo of two, true to life, Guardian Angels. Jim and Sandy Long live on a small “farm” near Sterling, NY and they came into my life two days ago.
I knew I had to ride faster than my usual butterfly pace since a storm was predicted for the area. Well, I almost made it to Wolcott, but the storm hit when I was 15 miles from Wolcott. With the rain coming down in buckets, and the temperature falling, I decided I needed to find some shelter. I rode past many driveways in the sparsely populate area, but for some reason pulled into the Long’s driveway. I quickly put on my raincoat and found some shelter under a beautiful maple tree. (As I was leaving Pulaski, NY I mailed home a box of items I had not used since leaving Portland, including my rain pants!) I looked down at my OMJSN and said, “Well, here we go again!” Literally two minutes later Sandy walked up and said to me, “Please come up to our house and get out of this cold rain!” Sandy didn’t know who I was, where I had come from, or anything else about me! Sandy is a Giver! In her eyes I was not a stranger, and because she is a Giver, she only saw me as a friend in need of help! Did my plea to OMJSN really have anything to do with Sandy walking out in the rain to rescue with me? To me yes, but …..
I spent the next two hours engaged in conversation with Sandy and Jim, also a Giver! It was such a pleasant two hours I don’t even remember what we talked about. We probably chatted about our children, grand children, Alaska (Jim had visited his nephew in Eagle River a few years ago) and life in rural Central New York State. Sandy and Jim offered food, a place to sleep if the rain didn’t stop, and even said they would be glad to drive me to Wolcott. As the storm slowly passed by their lovely farm, I reluctantly said I should be heading west to Wolcott. We shared photos of our grandkids, exchanged addresses, gave each other heartfelt hugs, and then I sadly pedaled away from my Sterling, New York “Givers.” Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Jim and Sandy!
I made it to the Erie Canal Heritage Trail today, June 11, and have enjoyed the smooth, peaceful and flat trail. I will ride beside this gorgeous American landmark all the way to Niagara Falls.
Cheers and thanks again for all your comments, prayers and support!
Greg
I love your stories! This whole trip is just so cool! How could kind people not be drawn to you for either help or just a good conversation?!
Your HAP family has been keeping you in our thoughts and prayers…some of those thoughts are silly ones like this: The SB MEX is oversold tomorrow so we have a MEX to DEX move. Of course I thought, “Greg is so happy to be biking instead of working out the logistics for this move.” It made me smile. Think of your friends in AK tomorrow. We’ll cross our fingers for safe travels for you and you cross your fingers for pulling off this move with no issues. 🙂 Can’t wait to hear about Niagra Falls. Safe pedaling!
Ah, my AK daughter is following me! The people I have encountered has made the long climbs worth the effort! It is amazing how many times I think of my HAP family on a daily basis. Remember the movie with Chevy Chase and his family traveling to Wally World? That was my Niagara Falls visit! “Ok, there is the Falls, take a quick picture in the rain, and get back to riding.” I still had 20 miles to ride, so no time to sit and stare at a waterfall! So sad!
AK Dad
Greg, you are truly blessing all of us with your stories. What beautiful country you are riding through! Stay safe!
You are restoring my faith in humanity! Thank you for sharing these lovely antidotes to the hate we hear about every day. And thank you for the great pictures!
Jim and Sandy are truly special- lucky for me I call them family! They have hearts of gold and love all!
Enjoy your journey and glad you came upon them! A blessing for u all it sounds!
Thank you Greg for sharing your inspirational journey and stories of kindness as you ride. It’s just what i needed tonight, and what I’ll continue to need in the coming months as I recover from another surgery. Sending all my love and good vibes for strength and safety. Take care!
Another great story! So thankful for all the wonderful folks (as Rick Luthi would say) that you are meeting. Bet you will be humming “15 years on the Erie Canal” tomorrow. That song was written in 1905. Love you!