Monday, July 18, 2005

Tandem


Riding tandem. Something about it that seems to be so metaphorical. Each person we passed as we rode around Mackinac Island would make the joke "she's not peddling you know." After about the 5th time someone made the joke it kinda lost its impact. I guess as we peddled up and down those small hills, I simply trusted the love of my life and partner. I knew she was peddling because I know she cares for not only for her well-being, but our collective well-being. Ater 10 years, we've pretty well decided that it's the collective that makes our bike go.

Just last month we celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. We went up to Mackinac Island, where a spur of the moment jaunt from Traverse City became a most memorable honeymoon location. We had it all planned out. Honeymoon at the Grand Traverse Resort - yeah, baby! One of the most posh places to stay in Northern Michigan. We walk in our first day - massive red wine stain on the floor (alright, it looked like blood!) right when we walk in. Welcome to your stay at the Bates Motel. Pretty quickly after we figured out that bubble bath and jacuzzis don't mix,( yeah, 3 foot high bubbles) we decided to depart the next day for a short trip up to Mackinac Island. We ended up staying at the Cloghaun Bed and Breakfast on the Island. Much more quaint, and a lot less reminiscent of the Bates Motel. All that to say that Mackinac Island has become very special to our hearts. We keep going back. This trip was our 4th back in 10 years. We highly recommend staying on the island overnight. The bands at the pubs are really talented.

And so we choose each time we go to Mackinac Island to ride the tandem bike. We certainly could ride separate bikes, it might give us more independence and better steering. But, we're tandem people. We share the load. I think that's the way God made us.

3 comments:

WElshmnky said...

"I don't know man, I'm just not a very good writer!" - Dan V.

BULL CRAP.

This is good stuff man. I'm happy for you and your wife,10yrs is a long time, and i'm glad that after that long you are both still riding tandem.


That's cool.

***** said...

I kinda wondered about that "not a good writer" thing too. Looks great to me.

There's nothing like waking up to the clop-clop of horses, is there. That was my favorite part of visiting Mackinaw.

Congrats on the 10 years!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous story Dan. I don't think there is anything cooler than a man who is as in love with God as he is in love with his wife. I admire your relationship and all the work it takes.

I think tandem bikes are super cool...I have a dismantled one in my garage waiting for someone to fix it up for me!