My friend Angel emailed me that some work was ready to be picked up. I replied, and as an afterthought said I was going walking.
She replied back that Wilson had a new trail, and did I want her and her daughter (on bike) to come along. Sure! This would be fun.
I got to her house and everyone was ready to go. The little one was confused because we were walking to the trail head. Daddy usually drives them. We told her all about the new one six blocks from her house. Coolest part is is connects to the old one.
So we were off. Since it was the first ride for her of the season, she was wobbly and her steering off. Angel reviewed the safety rules many times. We arrived at the trail, go about two blocks in and it was covered with snow. It go worse the deeper we went. At five her daughter couldn't ride in it, so we turned around and went back toward the old trail.
Because this is an urban trail for a couple of miles there are streets to cross. Busy streets. We patiently waited for the "little white man to scratch his butt" before crossing. Once I tried to cross early and the wee one said "The red hand means stop!". Scolded by a five-year old.
We had fun, we walked for nearly two hours. Part of what we discussed was names for the walking club.
Coming back we decided to get off the trail and walk on the sidewalks. It was a quicker route home and the child was running out of steam. I think I even heard a suggestion of let's call daddy for a ride. We should have.
As I said earlier, her steering was off from the long winter break. With all the riding, she had gotten better, but was still going kind of curvy. We had crossed 25th street (a super busy intersection) safely and started out Butler toward the school. The sidewalk was uneven and had curb cuts for driveways. She was no more than twenty feet in front of us. (I of course was looking down most of the time. Like I always do.)
As I looked up I heared the childs name as part of a blood curdling scream.
She was stopped on her bike, out on Butler street, looking very puzzled. Then as the cars zoomed by with both her mother and I screaming, she was scared and crying.
Angel saw the whole thing, but the words were stuck in her throat. Apparently she steered crooked, and got caught on a steep curb cut and flew out in the street. She threw on her brakes. Thank goodness traffic was light and she didn't get into traffic. Although the green mini van slammed on his brakes anyway.
After Angel calmed her down we continued. She didn't want to ride her bike until we got to the school where there was no corner cuts and a smooth side walk.
As we approached Angels street, Angel fell. (hey that's my M.O.!) The child kept going. I had to scream for her to stop.
Boy was I glad when we reached her house.
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