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By: Jim Fitzpatrick |
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Email: jim@nunica.com |
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Local Farmer in Polkton Township writes for the Coopersville Observer. |
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Along Brandy Creek By Jim Fitzpatrick
The Coopersville Observer May 19, 2014 - - No. 130 |
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Late Sunday afternoon the farmer and his boy loaded their bicycles on to the pick-up truck and headed for Conklin. They planned to make a round trip ride on the Musketawa Trail, to Ravenna and back to Conklin.
As they peddled out of the parking lot in Conklin, the warm sunny afternoon turned grey, overcast, and cool; they rode west northwest along the old rail line now stripped of its ancient rails. Spring flowers were in bloom, song birds numerous, a rabbit crossed the trail as Will and his dad moved along. Deer were seen milling about in the thickets just outside of town. A chipmunk darted dangerously under their wheels.
They passed a mom and dad out walking with their two children, a boy on a skate board a bit latter, other cyclists wearing helmets and the latest in bicycle riding outfits. There are benches for rest stops, a trash can or two as you go so there is no excuse for leaving litter behind. The gentle ups and downs and curves in the trail make for an easy and pleasing passage. The two cyclists spotted antiquated farm equipment here and there in the distance, with trees growing up through their parts. Black and yellow markers indicate the crossings of farm roads that open into fields not yet tilled or planted.
As they arrived in Ravenna town the dad seemed to be lagging behind some; said he "forgot to oil his chain" before they left. "Oh", said Will; and he let it go at that. They were still on schedule and would make it back to Conklin before the small store on main street closed. Will had candy in mind and Jim a bottle of chocolate milk, at the end of the 10 mile ride. They looked for the old broken down, overgrown, rusting, yellow school bus in the trees; being the halfway mark back to the isolated little farm town.
With sweets in their pockets and a jug of milk to share, they loaded their bikes into the rack on the truck for the trip back to the farm. The two of them discussed what it might have been like to ride the steam powered train over the rails, now long gone, on the bike path they had left behind. The weatherman predicted rain later in the evening. |
