Escape Route

Gravel Goodness

A foundational figure in gravel biking, a gravel event director, an acquaintance, Mark Stevenson (aka Guitar Ted), and a blogger hailing from Waterloo, Iowa, describes the way he leaves pavement to get onto gravel roads as: "escape routes."

On Thursday afternoon I escaped from the confines of the Fargo ND-Moorhead MN metro area. It was a short escape but long overdue. The opportunity arose to get part of a day and a night away. My one person, MSR Carbon Reflex tent had not been set up for well over a year, maybe closer to two. The same applies to my sleep system. There was no need for a camp stove or meals. This was a short trip. Minimal packing was required.

Minnesota State Parks are popular and campsites are reserved quickly. Unless a person reserves a spot online weeks in advance, options are limited. Also most sites are for drive through trailers or RVs, not tents. During a conversation with one of my daughters, she suggested a park a bit further away than I had considered. Time, as well as the price of fuel played into my thinking. However, when I checked availability for a tent site, I was pleasantly surprised and booked it immediately. Time and cost of fuel were set aside for an adventurous escape!

Entrance Kiosk

Glendalough State Park, near Battle Lake MN is a quiet, modestly developed park on the transition line between hardwood forest and prairie. Its origins are a hunting refuge. The owners had ties to a major newspaper in Minneapolis MN. Lakes, wildlife, and hiking/biking trails abound. Due to its modestly developed almost primitive nature, wooded tents sites are abundant. Actually this type of camping is emphasized. It is called "cart-in" camping as carts are provided for each of the more than 20 sites and rustic camper cabins. A well maintained bathroom and shower building is near-by. Yup, hot water showers! A short hike from this area gets you to the vendor which rents watercraft and various types of bikes. No motorized watercraft are allowed on the lakes. Thus the quiet of a canoe, stand-up paddle board, or kayak graces the clear waters which can be fished. 

My place of repose

I was mildly surprised by my memory of tent set-up. More astonishing was having all the necessary stakes and equipment. I needed the help of a sizable rock to drive some stakes into the ground, as I failed to bring my mallet. Part of the enjoyment is improvising! Exploring trails, admiring flowering plants, chatting with the campground host, and a comfortable camp shower made the escape exquisite. As dusk transitioned into darkness the symphony of nature began. Frogs, crickets, waterfowl, and owls joined in a pleasantly diverse lullaby. Minimal human sounds emanated from the other campsites. The rhythm of rain drops dropped from a couple passing showers graced the deep night. As the sky lightened around 5am the soundscape of numerous birds brought me out of a restful sleep.                                                                                                                      

One of many deer

Maybe the escape route was longer than I had desired. However, the benefits even for a brief period of time were monumental. It was back into the fray on Friday morning. More escape routes are in my future!

One of the flowering plants

Facets of the Forest

Paris traffic

I am intrigued by drones, The ability to display an expansive perspective captures my attention. Add to this my fear of heights and drones become tools which do not increase my heart rate.The current mini-drones at their reasonable price could move me from intrigue to ownership.

The adage, "you cannot see the forest for the trees" carries great wisdom. Sometimes going down the rabbit hole of details distracts from envisioning a broader perspective. Setting a course and plotting directions for the future are difficult without a bird's eye view. Or as the late educator and author, Stephen R Covey, warned, "Do not get caught in the thick of thin things."

All of this is intriguing and valid. I have been asking myself for some time if I am where I

Looking at the trail

want to be. Has my career, have the decades of my life, have my interests directed my initial strategy to the desired destination? Have I been making significant and at times rapid progress, but discovered I am not where I wanted to go?

Gravel road bed

Surprising to me (or maybe not), I have become enchanted with that which is smaller. The blossoms on flowers, the structure of the shell on bugs, the cracks in the road bed, and the flow of rivulets of water capture my attention. Not only is there beauty, but there is a complexity and an awesomeness in the details of these oft overlooked aspects of life. Yet my interest should not surprise me as I have cherished hearing about the lives of people. Getting beyond the broad generalities of occupation, place of birth, and current residence are the pivotal differentiations of joy, surprise, struggle, and death which hold profound meaning. There are deep and complex definitions within the daily experiences of people that are often overlooked for speed and convenience. In so doing, I believe stereotypes and diagnoses are reinforced in ways that are not beneficial. 

In the recent spate of death and destruction attributed to violence using firearms, some are eager to look at the bigger picture. The vast concepts of mental health, gun control, law enforcement, and armed guards get tossed about as solutions to our country's epidemic. While finding a solution is admirable it is not so easy. Every victim, every perpetrator, every family member, and every community should not and cannot be 

neglected for the bigger picture. Big picture perspectives are quick, clean, and painless. However, each individual is unique. Each individual has deep and weeping wounds. Healing comes at a variety of paces. In many instances focusing on the bigger picture perpetuates the seething and turmoil which seem to be a common factor in these all too frequent acts of violence. The trees cannot be neglected nor categorized in order to make general, sweeping statements about the forest. 

I will continue to be fascinated by drones. Yet at this time, I want to give my attention to the smaller and equally beautiful aspects of what is at eye level. Those people and situations which make up the beauty, complexity, and diversity of life are easy to neglect from thousands of feet above. Also, without the need to understand and place into practice new technology my heart rate and blood pressure will remain stable, I do not need the added frustration of learning to use a drone. There are plenty of facets of life which will keep me enraptured for years to come. 

Forest diversity at eye level

Much More Than a Name

Trinity Lutheran Seminary
Columbus OH

I was in a non-traditional situation. Most students spent their third of four years at an internship site. Due to personal decisions, employment, and summer classes my final year of seminary education was my internship year. To my benefit these unique circumstances provided me with an exceptional supervisor. My year exploring the daily practice of pastoral ministry was mentored by Rev. Vernon D. Bigalk. Individuals whom positively impacted my adult life and vocational options can be counted on one hand. Vern and his spouse (Karen) inhabit a significant portion of that space. Vern's hospitality and willingness to listen instantaneously etched my initial impressions of our year together. 

Shortly after arriving in Richmond IN, I was invited to the Bigalk residence to meet the family and share a meal. It was verbally stated and non-verbally conveyed that I was not only welcomed, but expected to be a part of their home and family. It was not a restrictive demand. Instead it was a gracious invitation. During my first week settling into the eastern Indiana city, Karen arranged a date with their recent house guest. Brenda, beginning an internship at a Holistic Health Retreat Center near Earlham College, needed a room for the weekend. Brenda's supervisor knew the Bigalk family well. Open doors and open arms were a Bigalk hallmark. One date led me on an unknown path. Karen's desire to have Brenda enjoy a night out of the house developed into a marriage relationship which continues today. 

Vern's ability and desire to listen was well known in the area. He provided pastoral care to anyone, at 

Rev. Bigalk

anyplace, at anytime. While being a tremendous asset, it also demanded great energy emotionally and spiritually.  Vern's body and spirit were strained under this burden of pastoral care. After time away from congregational leadership, along with the support and care of his family, Vern returned to pastoral ministry. These wounds were deep, but not debilitating. His skills for listening and understanding were enhanced by his lived reality. His broad smile and deep laugh were more readily displayed than in previous years. 

Over the decades our relationship deepened, as well. Sharing brokenness and grace, strength and turmoil, good laughter and copious tears, and an overall grace-filled outlook on life became foundational. Vern and Karen marvelously handled the request of Brenda and I to provide a renewal of vows marking our 10th Anniversary of marriage. Seeing that they started our relationship we wanted their boost to continue the complex, challenging, and satisfying relationship of marriage. 

One thing I did not understand initially was Vern's decision to no longer be an active pastor. His gifts and skills in pastoral care and preaching were shared on a part-time or as needed basis even though he was "officially"

Signature smile

retired. This abrupt decision baffled me. A person with so much insight, grace, hospitality, and humility said, "No more." During the past months I have come to not only gain more understanding, but more appreciation for his decision. There is a time to "lay down the mantle", to allow others to lead as they see fit. What was important and significant in the past does not necessarily apply to the present. It is also an act of grace and respect to allow others to respond with their gifts and skills to address the current setting. Vern had a keen sense of his value and his gifts, but he knew it was appropriate to step aside and embrace a calmer, grace-filled life.

I had a small part in the Prayer Service following his visitation. It was enough. The connection with his children and their families, the renewal of relationships, no matter how brief was deeply important.    

Vern and Karen

Vernon D. Bigalk. It is a name easy to mispronounce. However for myself, is is much more than a name!

The GOAT

It was the logo on our vehicles.

It was always a Ford. The early 1950s pickup and the 1960 station wagon carried that name plate. Subsequent vehicles though different in style and model displayed the same four letter name. Unwritten and never proclaimed, yet it was clear that Ford vehicles were the Greatest Of All Time.

The drive to be the GOAT not only remains strong, but it has taken on a 

E-Bikes with Harley-Davidson status

chest-thumping and social media bombardment which is relentless. Every aspect of life from the Keto lifestyle to NHL playoff teams are promoted with an evangelical fervor. Once reserved for religious revival meetings, evangelism has spread like the smell of cigarette smoke from the slightly open window of the vehicle passing on the street. This evangelism is not subtle. It is in-your-face, antagonistic tribalism which thrives on strong division. Just as some Christians tout being "born again" as a sign of a genuine believer, equal zeal is woven into providing greatness by blindly following the trite remarks of socially savvy and socially manipulative entities. Our society may use the language of diversity and acceptance, but its actions indicate a moral absolutism. We have dug an ever eroding chasm separating right and left, good and evil, traditionalists and wokes. The Greatest Of All Time has less to do with character and more to do with self-aggrandizement and monetary gain. 

The reason my father stayed with one brand of vehicle was based on two factors. First, but less important was the familiarity with parts and repairs. Interchangeability was an asset when parts either were not readily accessible or needed to be crafted on the farm. The primary reason was the relationship he had established with the owner of the dealership.  It was more than a business or transactional exchange. It had nothing to do with political affiliations or religious beliefs. It was based on mutual respect and a sense of community. There was no need to get ahead at the expense of someone else. The interdependence necessary for people to sense a meaningful life was more important than self-promotion. 

Who was the Gladiator
GOAT?

Estimates predict over a half million people descended upon the extravaganza surrounding the NFL Draft which concluded April 30th in Las Vegas. Getting in on the ground floor, posting a selfie on social media indicating your presence as your beloved franchise chose the next NFL GOAT may be your current claim of significance. Now the NFL and Las Vegas want to make this a permanent, annual venue. All the hype, all the promotion, all the excess because football is the greatest sport and Las Vegas is greatest destination of all time, right?  Those who disagree will vigorously take exception with blatant examples of their own. It is important to be the GOAT, no matter what it takes!

Enjoying the journey

In my current existence I lean more toward gratitude than greatness. The ability to maintain, as well as foster new 
relationships is a priority. I look forward to the time when I do not require a motorized vehicle. Loyalty to name plates, institutions, doctrines, and geography are not as important as personal expansion and understanding. I have no desire to gloat or GOAT. My goal is to find satisfaction in daily experiences.

The Bunny Egged Me On

 

Recent upgrade

Friday morning I made a visit at the local bike shop. Even with the recent winter weather and snow predicted for Sunday, it was an active shop. In conversation one of the mechanics said, "It's two days until 'Ham Day!'" This person looks forward to the feast of ham surrounded by mashed potatoes, ham gravy, and the other trappings of their traditional meal. I mentioned how ironic it was that the defining Christian holiday which changes its day of celebration yearly to remain close to the Jewish holiday of Passover, as well as the fact that Jesus of Nazareth was Jewish, has a traditional meal based on pork.                                                                                              

Tradition!

Instead of ham, my wife's favorite Easter tradition is receiving a chocolate bunny. It has to be quality milk chocolate. When she unwraps it the first part to be eaten are the ears. After the ears, there is no particular portion which comes next. Yet, like an excellent ham, it is nibbled on at various times until it is all gone. At least she does not make sandwiches from the bunny parts!

In 1890, a drug store owner named Robert L. Strohecker displayed what is said to be the first chocolate rabbit in the United States. It stood 5 feet tall. From that point forward the fascination with chocolate bunnies rose even higher. Those who research chocolate bunnies indicate that in 1939, the bunnies began to have hollow interiors. It was a product change which provided easier eating, as well as using less chocolate. Biting through chocolate with a thickness of more than a half inch is extremely difficult, a chocolatier stated. Then in 1942, chocolate bunnies were banned due to the rationing of cocoa for the military. After World War II, the production and sale of these springtime treasures grew faster than rabbits propagate!

Hollow tradition!

In the United States in 2017, 90 million chocolate bunnies were produced. Those who observe such things reported that over 70% of Americans eat the ears first. (My wife is normal after all!) According to the National Retail Federation, in 2021, the average family expenditure for Easter related food and candy was almost $180. Finally, Easter is second to Halloween in candy sales.

Not only are ham and chocolate bunnies interesting, but the Easter Hare backstory is intriguing, as well. According to research by Time, the origins are from one or both legends (English and Germanic) about the Goddess of Spring. These stories are about fertility, new life, change, etc. The Germanic version is the tale of Ostara, who transformed a bird into a hare. The hare produced colored eggs. These eggs would be left at night for the "good" children to find in the morning. Mindful children would leave carrots in a nest to help the Osterhase (Easter Hare) maintain its strength for the journey of delivering eggs. (Connection to the Santa legend with milk and cookies?)

Too sweet!

On a practical level, some scholars believe eggs were hard boiled during the six weeks of the Lenten season for preservation. Due to giving up animal products/proteins during this time, eggs needed to be preserved. Once Lent concluded with Easter, eggs were distributed freely. Some of the eggs were colorfully decorated to symbolize their being special gifts. This was especially noticeable to the peasants who received the oval produce. Wealthier people resumed eating meat and dairy while the impoverished received eggs.  

Church sponsored Easter egg hunts, hard boiled eggs for Easter breakfast, folktales of egg delivering rabbits, as well as gift filled, nest-like baskets make for a fascinating melding of traditions which have no connection to the Biblical New Testament  account of the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Is this a bad thing? I do not find it necessary to take a stand about such matters. Humans blend and incorporate traditions from cultures, families, and individuals constantly. We use stories to explain many things. Fascinating, creative, retold stories become the basis for many aspects of life we assume to be true. What is sacred to one group may be ridiculous to another. What is important for an era may be modified or forgotten in the next. What I find key to all of this is the aspect of relationship. We live in community, not isolation. We are enriched, enlivened, and expanded through the sharing of ideas and traditions. In my opinion this is much healthier than rigid, mono-cultural entrenchment. 

So, I will celebrate life today while sharing caramel rolls, glazed ham, and those little eggs filled with peanut butter brought to me by the M&M character!

Good to be Green

 

When I think of "green" the image of Kermit the Frog from the Muppets jumps into my mind. A song associated with him, "It's Not Easy Being Green" has these lyrics:

     It's not easy being green having to spend each day the color of the leaves.. it       seems to blend in with so many other ordinary things, and people tend to pass       you over 'cause you're not standing out.  

The desire to stand out, be unique, and be recognized continues as a strong human characteristic. With the plethora of social media platforms, standing out should be relatively easy. Yet, so many postings, pictures, and videos look the same. Could social media be the new "green" which Kermit sings about? With a resounding "NO" posts are ramping up, pushing the limits in risk taking, trash talk, and bizarre activities just to get likes and followers. Going viral and becoming an influencer is the goal.

I recently enjoyed the initial bike ride of 2022. I purchased a new bike in January. It has remained motionless in the garage. I rode my old bike sparingly after October 2021, as I was training for an ultra event on foot. I also did not want my old bike which had been cleaned, serviced, detailed, and polished after Thanksgiving 

The old bike in July 2018

2021 to get dirty. It was going to be posted "for sale" on a few online sites. No need for more than one bike! I enjoyed the sound of gravel crunching under the fat tires. The wind in my face and on my back at various times provided stinging and pushing sensations. Numerous aircraft sounds captured my attention. These prodded me to scan the skies testing my skills of matching the sound to the type of aircraft. My only disappointment was not meeting a friendly dog with whom I had established a relationship during previous rides. Yes, dogs chase bikes. Yes, I have been both nipped at and bitten by canines. However, this particular furry friend enjoys people, attention, being scratched and petted, and striding alongside me for a few yards when we meet. Maybe the next ride will bring our reunion?

The new bike

The many miles covered on foot have provided numerous benefits beyond the physical and mental. Unexpected waves from strangers, whether in vehicles or on foot have boosted my steps. Conversations with strangers on trails and paths have overshadowed the rudeness sometimes experienced from passing motorists. I have met neighbors in the area, as well as established relationships with their four legged fur balls and larger breeds. I have enjoyed the spontaneous laughter, sharing of life events, and expressions of caring during these times. Not every journey includes these happenings. Many times are undisturbed solo hikes. Yet every opportunity to get out on foot or bike is a valuable opportunity

The lyrics of Kermit's song continue:  "green's the color of spring and green can be cool and friendly-like...when green is all there is to be it could make you wonder why, but why wonder why?"

Spring is gaining momentum in the Northern Great Plains. New life, new sights, and new discoveries are part of the season. For me it is what makes this season alive. The times I begin to bemoan being in the statistically last decade or two of my life, I attempt to think green. I want to be imaginative, inquisitive, and awed like someone who is just starting. Being "seasoned" is great for cast iron cookware, but not if it means having my mind made up about life. Being green is not exclusive to recycling. I do not want to reuse past ideas and observations. I prefer to be astonished by what I can incorporate into my life. I want to expand and appreciate each day and each person with whom I have the opportunity to interact. 

It is Good to be Green!  

Fun Factor

                                                                                                   

Creativity!

Peloton instructor, Matt Wilpers concludes every workout with the phrase, "Train hard, train smart, and always have fun." Peering back on more than four decades of work life, I ponder the fun factor. To me this encompasses concepts of enjoyment, creativity, interaction, questioning, challenge, and growth. These are key to making something fun from my perspective.

2013 Start - Wes Peck photo

2013, was the inaugural END-SURE, 50k event (Extreme North Dakota-Sandhills Ultra Run Experience). The starting temperature was -10 degrees F. It did not warm too much during that bright, sunny day. After 25 miles, I dropped out. The following year I completed 100k (62 miles) in much better conditions. After that I began working into being the director of the event. Over those years of unpredictable weather, expanded distance options

2022 Event

(25k, 50k, 100k, & 100 miles), numerous participants, COVID-19, dedicated volunteers, off course runners, and hours of no sleep my stint as director has concluded. In short, the fun factor has dwindled. 

I have been involved in various aspects of pastoral care for most of my vocational life. Small and large congregations, short-term interim duties, treatment center and general hospital chaplaincy, on-call crisis response for two rural counties, and specialized consulting have provided enjoyment, challenge, creativity, interaction, questioning, and growth. For the majority of those years, the fun factor has been relatively high. Sure it went up and down, but overall it was engaging. Moving into the final portion of life (as defined by our society), I am reevaluating the fun factor. I sense it is a natural part of life. I connect this pondering to the Eriksonian Developmental Stages. I am by those parameters in, "Ego Integrity vs. Despair." I am grateful for my past. Now, I want to continue exploring life.

Hike scene in Nevada

Writing has held an interest for decades. Whether it was for a class, a presentation, or a publication I have enjoyed painting a picture with words. When I write the text can be edited, word searched, and rearranged much easier than when I speak. I have not been comfortable reading a manuscript in public when I am meant to address and engage a group of people. Thus writing is more creative than speaking, as well as forgiving.

Runners from England

Being outside in all seasons, exploring numerous locations, and using a  variety of modes of movement increases my fun factor. Sounds, landscapes, colors, and even traffic captures my attention and imagination. Opportunities to both watch people, as well as interact with them provides stimulation and insight.  I would rather participate in an event then organize and direct one. Or volunteering and leaving the decisions to another increases the fun factor. I am also comfortable and oftentimes desire being by myself for numerous hours. 

Time has become a special and even a sacred commodity in my life. The ability to set my schedule and minimize interruptions is gaining greater enjoyment. Saying, "No." to the requests which come my way is empowering and freeing. The health conditions which my wife is experiencing provide many unknowns and disruptions. Those are enough in this segment of my life.

It is another part of my journey in life. There are many aspects outside of my control which remain unpredictable. I have no illusions that I can direct the events of my life. However, I can choose how to respond. For today and into the future my response is to maximize the fun factor!