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The Kindness of Strangers

November 9, 2016 by Katie Kelley 2 Comments

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img_5487One surprise I continue to experience on this trip is the kindness of strangers. This trip has been such a gift in so many ways, and amidst the ugliness of our presidential election, it has really restored my belief that most people are good.

While biking a 17 mile section of the Virginia Creeper Trail in Damascus, Virginia, I ran into a bit of bike trouble. I’m still not sure if I ran over a nail or if my tube just decided it was time to blow, but ten miles into the ride my back . Ten miles in my back tire burst.

Jane was in the bike seat on the back of my bike, and we both heard the pop and saw a cloud of dust. The loud pop scared us both. I quickly realized what had happened and called for Mark ahead on the trail.

We were lucky that my tire blew within a few hundred yards of one of the road crossing on the trail, where it just so happened there was a tiny restaurant. We walked back to the restaurant, and we planned to have Mark and Wilson bike down the mountain to Damascus for the car while Jane and I waited at the restaurant together for them to return with the car and the bike rack.

The man working the grill at the restaurant saw us, heard our situation, and offered to help. We doubted he’d have a tube that would fit my bike, but he did! He also had a patch for my tire which had a hole in it. Within minutes of our arrival, he got to work fixing my bike, removing the wheel, patching the tire, and replacing the tube.

Mark of course offered to pay the man for the tube and services, but he happily insisted that it was free of charge!

We rode the last 7 miles back to Damascus. With each pedal, I was grateful for the kindness that man showed us, knowing I’d be looking for ways to pay it forward when I can.

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Comments

  1. Drew Heard says

    March 17, 2017 at 3:20 am

    Thank you , me and my brother Josh, of no blood kin, have decide we are going to start here in Louisiana drive to where the Mississippi River, divides the land. Then swim across ,then walk the tripple crown starting the AT in Tennessee ,would like to go pro the quest of perspectives, being aware of the word of God and living as intended, as the earth was presented. Won’t to stop by nursing homes and talk to everyone there abt life.telling them we are going to try to do all the things that are considered great, as in walking the tripple crown , hang gliding, etc. sword fighting in Rome as a gladiator, these is what were doing don’t know exactly all hills to top but that’s not the issues where not doing it for gain but to show LOVE ,so we have no differences of one accord . Actively looking for someone to help the AT is the first task,after we swim the divide, wisdom of the spirit will set us free ,I’m ready to start walking back home , called by my true name that I haven’t heard, in what feels like 300 years, We walk the crown for you. I’m aware we need funding, but I have quite working and am getting forclosed land and house. And all my labors where necessary for me to lose all this i got ,this home I built was a very important path that brings me here , to where I know I must be striped of everything I homesteaded,for the inheritance of the world so I can raise my son right. So he can walk upright in his ways. Any help would be greatly appreciated, and a investment to the growth of wisdom from perspectives so we can be come one accord.LOVE can be used for the answers to problems amongst, different points of view.we all grow I’m not going to stop doing one after another,plotting with patience so that I’m sure in the next step. Live well thank you.

    Reply
    • Mark Kelley says

      June 15, 2017 at 8:30 pm

      Thanks for the note, Drew. That sounds like a special experience. I hope you will apply for the Adventure Sponsorships we have.

      Reply

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