Dirt bikes were secured to the bike rack as we maneuvered down the gravel road approaching "The Dismal Swamp" near Chesapeake, Virginia. A sunny, fall day of planned adventure and fun traversing the back roads of the "swamp"was our goal.
The Dismal Swamp is an area of thousands of acres of swampy, untillable land in Virginia and North Carolina surrounding the second largest lake in the state, Lake Drummond. Dating back to George Washinton this area, then millions of acres, provided waterways for transporting people and supplies. During the Civil War it was also a popular "station" for the Underground Railroad transporting slaves from southern states to the north.
Hunter and I began by walking a 3/4 mile boardwalk which snakes its way through a small section of the swamp giving one a taste of the cypress trees with the cypress "knees" popping through the underbrush and other vegetation. A multitude of birds, of which I am hopeless to identify, accompanied us along the well maintained walkway.
After lunch it was time to ride. We chose a four mile route over a rough, grass covered backroad which promised a lake view at the end. The goal? Rest quietly by the lake after completing the four miles. Sounds easy enough until one realizes the amount of energy needed to ride a dirt bike over tree roots, uneven overgrown grass, and thick muddy tracks pulling at tires already sufficiently dirt-caked! A 25 year old with an overload of testosterone would laugh in the face of this mild ride but a 68 year old lady struggling with balancing issues related to Parkinson's Disease didn't see it quite that way!
Encouraged by my optimistic hubby I peddled along, each 1/2 mile marker bringing a sense of accomplishment and fueling a determination to reach the "end", whatever that played out to be!
But when mile marker four was reached and NO lake was in site frustration set in as did exhaustion.
I sent Hunter ahead to locate the elusive lake. Fifteen minutes later he returned announcing there indeed is a lake view just a mile ahead. I simply then asked three questions: Is there a burger joint there? An ice cream shop? A soda fountain? When Hunter smiled but said no,I replied, from my prostrate position on the ground, then I'm not going!
Defeated with only enough energy left to mount the bike seat I began the return trip. Each 1/2 mile took untold effort! Yet I was rewarded with three beautiful deer sitings and glimpses of several turtles splashing into the water canal as I passed on the bike. Although out of breathe I began to notice the bits and pieces of God's creative genius along the road from the burnt orange of the fall leaves to multicolored butterfly wings. Eventually I rolled my tires and weary body to the car. In reflecting on the afternoon trip I was reminded of my sister's favorite saying: "find joy in the journey"!
As we each walk the path in life God has ordained for us there will be times of defeat, times of expectations not met, times of weariness but through it all we can find "joy in the journey" if we but open our eyes and recognize the blessings along the way!
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