Last weekend my wife and I were spending our 35th wedding anniversary along the north shore of Lake Superior.
If you’ve never been there I highly encourage you to visit. It is a beautiful area.
It is an area with plenty to do if you’re into hiking, rock climbing, bicycling and many other outdoor activities.
As we were driving south on Highway 61 on our last day we continued to be amazed by the breathtaking scenery.
On our right were sometimes stone walls that I’m sure some geologist could better describe for you.
Other times on our right are stand of birch and pine trees.
To our left, at various distances depending on where we are along the route, is Lake Superior. Sometimes the lake is close and others just a bit further away.
Throughout most of the stretch on our final day, between us and the lake, is the Gitchi-Gami bicycle trail. This trail is paved and wide as it ribbons along Lake Superior parallel to Highway 61.
The path is there to provide bikers a safe place to ride so they don’t have to encounter the often very busy traffic of two-lane Hwy. 61.
As we continued on our journey we came upon a biker riding on the highway. I immediately looked to my left and saw the path thinking it may not be there because why would this guy be riding his bike on the highway!?
The shoulder is VERY narrow, maybe 18 inches where we are at this point because of the stone wall on our right.
Now I notice the biker has no helmet. Now, I’m not a mandatory helmet guy for adults of either bicycles or motorcycles. I am for kids but not adults.
However, I am a common sense guy and am aware of too many instances where people have lost their lives or been seriously injured because they didn’t want to wear a helmet. Stupid.
This guy was simply stupid. He appeared to be a seasoned biker by the way he was dressed and the bike he rode. I got a good look at him as we had to slow way down because of oncoming traffic.
He had a beautiful path to be riding his bike but was putting others driving vehicles at risk because of his stupidity.
On this 4th of July I am reminded of the stupidity of New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul who one year ago today blew up his hand in a fireworks accident.
Paul lit a firecracker in his hand with the intention of throwing it away but it went off before he was able to do so. You can see him tell the story here.
Stupid. That’s not how you’re supposed to use fireworks. I’m often intrigued that they describe these events as accidents when what happens is predictable.
Now, in being fully transparent, I did these things as well in my youth. Stupid. I’m fortunate nothing ever happened to me.
I remember those as times being egged on by friends to do it. Everyone would take their turn. If you didn’t you were ridiculed and laughed at. “Chicken,” was often the moniker applied to you. Stupid.
I remember the fear as the fuse seemed to go down as fast as a lightening bolt before I could throw it. I thought it was brave and courageous. It was stupid.
Often courage is about not following the crowd. Stupid is about following the crowd. Courage is about being wise and not being stupid.
Yes, wisdom often comes with age, but not always. The biker looked to be a guy about my age. I don’t see him as being very wise, at least when it comes to biking on Hwy. 61.
Remember the words of Forrest Gump, “Stupid is as stupid does.”
On this 4th of July, and in the future, have the courage to not be stupid!
Proverbs 10:23
Have a STRONG and COURAGEOUS day!
One of my most favorite sayings is “you can’t fix stupid! I now believe that God was surely looking over my young shoulder as there were Many times that I attempted “stupid” things. Of course, lots of lessons were learned the hard way and even these days some lessons come around to prove you are never too old to learn.
I often went my own way, and not follow the crowd, and now, the crowd has thinned, lol, so it is much easier to go my own way! My guess is my angels are also getting worn out protecting me!
Blessings and keep up your incredible efforts and work!!