Sunday, we went to Damascus, Virginia. I truly love it there. Maybe I love it because it is such an outdoor town. Maybe I love it because it reminds me of where my parents live in Vermont. We rode our bikes on the Creeper Trail. We rode over bridges, through the town, through the woods, along the river, and along blooming rhododendrons passing humans of all ages peddling just like us. We stopped often so I could capture the moments. I’m used to running on my own two feet, so getting back on two wheels certainly had me gripped in fear. See, they say you never really forget how to ride a bike. Well, I learned to ride a bike as most kids do, however, I didn't do it often because we lived on a hill. I really only began riding after I got married. And, I can tell you I have never been great at it. What I learned yesterday after not riding for about three years is that riding a bike uses different muscles and requires coordination I feared I had lost, and that I really beat myself up when I don’t do a great job at something others seem to do so well. I eventually got the hang of it and had a great day. Anything to be able to do something that my husband loves with him. He goes biking often while I go running on the same trails. It was fun to bike together. Damascus is the type of town that reminds me that there are people who love the outdoors and nature as much as I do. If you are reading this and you live in a place that makes you think that the world wants more technology, faster pacing, high rises and Range Rovers, this town will tell you something different. People bike in large groups and with all ages. And people hike the woods on their own two feet for days on end and love every minute of it. The people we encountered know that nature refuels and clean air is good for the soul. They would tell you we need trees and water and wildflowers and deep conversations and not more concrete and neighborhoods and things.