On the Trail

Rick and I had a poignant, interesting and fun day recently. We headed to Kalamazoo, Michigan (where he used to live) for the memorial service of a friend of Rick's. As longtime readers of this blog know, Rick is an avid cyclist, with a racing past and a present that includes a passion for lengthy bike hikes. But he considers his greatest life accomplishment as being the "Father of the Kal-Haven Trail," a cycling trail that goes from Kalamazoo to South Haven, Michigan and the first rail trail in the state.

 

His friend who passed, Mike, was one of his colleagues when working on the trail. As Rick often says, "the trail was built on the shoulders of many" and Mike was one of them.

 

Rick played his guitar during part of the reception but mostly it was a time for all to remember Mike, who was quite an amazing man. It was the kind of day where you left feeling enriched and, in my case, sorry I did not know him better.

 

After that, we drove through Rick's old neighborhood and by his  old house. He loved that house and I can see why. It was in a wonderful neighborhood.

 

When Rick lived there, there was a park across the street with a steep, wooded incline below. Now the area is a playground for the adjacent school, but Rick couldn't resist a walk in the woods.

 

But the real woods he wanted to visit this day were those of the Kal-Haven trail. It was especially fitting as we had just said "goodbye" to Mike. We took a long walk from the trail head (which has, fittingly for a rail trail, this old caboose at its start.)

The walk was about a mile in total (for us -- you could go many miles more!) We saw some beautiful wildflowers. The smell of honeysuckle brought back memories for me and was a fragrant accompaniment to the walk.

 

I especially liked the wild phlox.

 

It was a perfect day, late in the afternoon, but we saw many people using the trail. That was a good feeling -- there were cyclists, walker and joggers, all out enjoying this wonderful resource.

 

What a wonderful spot for exercise or simply for contemplation.

 

Then it was off to dinner at another "Rick Place." Now it is named Cosmos, but when he worked there are a cook in the 1980s, it was called The Exchange. It's a charming restaurant and what makes it even better, it is in a neighborhood with a pub underneath. These neighbors have a good thing going on! 

 

When we got home to a hungry Lizzie, it was good to be back, but oh, it was such a memorable day. 

 

I can see why he loves it so much.

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