Today is the day. This is the day we will find the bicycle that Nolan is needing. He is on the edge of out-growing the standard consumer bikes. This has become a tradition with all of the G-men. While Krista went to work, we went looking. We found a small bike shop in West Eugene. Liked what we saw - liked it even better when they discounted it 10%. Still went looking more. We went to some other places in the midst of all of this looking. Looked at Big 5 - just consumer bikes and they had none on display - only one or two in boxes in the back; no incentive to pursue that any further.
Went to Sports Authority. They had some bikes that could have been good, but the sales guy was much more interested in stocking bike helmets than talking to actual customers. We walked out of there with not a hint of regret. No customer service before the sale - most likely no customer service after the sale.
Breanne and Izaak met us at Olive Garden for lunch. That was a nice way to break up the day. Jamin recommended the Lasagna Fritta amongst other things. It was very good.
Afterwards Nolan and I ducked out to do some more looking. We found a place downtown - hard decision because it, too, was a good bike. In the end, the variables between the bikes were even so it came down to something as mundane as the color. Nolan liked the blue color. We went back to the first store and the rest, as they say, is history.
Went for a run when we got back to the house. Krista called as we were on our way back. We did take a side trip down Dondea Street. De'Etta's old home from many years ago just before we got married. The street is different than I remember it.
Met Krista at the house and decided to go for a walk - it turned into a long walk - about four miles. Good exercise and good photos. The trail is well-developed - meaning it is paved. Many were out walking, roller skating (not roller blading), and biking. The trail runs for a good 4 miles at least. We only went 2 miles of it (RT 4 miles). You could tell the trees were thinking about blooming, but they were not quite ready in this particular area. There were scatterings of trees in the midst of blooms, but it does not feel like old man Winter is completely ready to give it up for the year.
We caught the sun setting over the McKenzie River. The river was definitely much higher than normal, but Krista said it had gone down quite a bit and was much slower than a couple of days ago.
A bit of the green that is so much part of the Oregon experience.
Afterward, De'Etta's parents and cousin came by. We shared dinner together. It was a fun conversation - though no photos, I forgot...
Ended the evening talking with Krista and Nolan for a time and then called it quits. Good times.
By Grace
Michael
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...