Monday, March 1, 2010

Drive-thru, Bike-Thru?

Today I had a few errands to run enroute to work.  It was balmy, at least 41 deg. F, so I wasn't in a hurry.  Blue sky peeked through here and there, a teaser of spring weather just around the corner. 


First, I lashed my plastic jugs for recycling to the snapdeck and coasted downhill to the dropoff center, about a mile away.  Tossed them in the dumpster.  Curious glances from the other SUV wielding recyclers in the facility. 


Off to my next errand, the pharmacy for some Rx my kids needed.  Rite Aid has a drive thru, which is convenient when unleashing toddlers from carseats is intimidating.  Today I was curious to see if it could work.  I pulled in behind two cars and waited my turn.  The nice old lady that pulled in behind me gav eme a nice wave, but I could see the puzzlement on her face regarding the weird dude in a fluorescent yellow jacket on a strange bike in a drive thru in front of her.  Love it.  I pulled up to the window, and the pharmacist looks up from her paperwork and her eyes grew wide in surprise.  She laughed and said "you're the first bicyclist I've ever had in 12 years working here."  Someone had to break the mold, eh? 

Funny thing was my Rx weren't ready, so I said I'd come in to wait.  Not happening, there weren't any places, I mean NO OPTIONS for locking up the bike at this location.  So, I just got back into line and waited my turn.  Eventually they passed me my things, I stuffed them in the freeloader, and away I went.

Riding along the river today I noticed that the true signs of spring were unmistakably underway.  The first hatch of spring aquatic bugs was in full force by the river.  Millions of stoneflies were lining the wooden guardrail, soaking in the patchy, pale March sun and flexing their newly inflated wings.  What a positive boost that was for me, seeing the mechanisms of life and Nature building momentum for the explosion of life in springtime.

One would never see this hatch in a car, save for the bug that splatted on the windshield, and then smeared with the wipers.



Nice day.  The added bonus was the faint glimmer of twilight that remained as I commenced my return trip home tonight at 635PM. Spring will be here soon indeed.