Friday ride to Taylors Falls

Friday was a scorcher with temperatures over 100 degrees and a heat index around 110.  We weren’t planning to ride because of the holiday week but for consistency ended up going anyway.  There were very dark clouds to the ESE and forecasts for heavy thunderstorms later in the evening.  But it was clear in Brooklyn Park so six bikes with ten riders took off with a plan to go north on 169 to St Francis then turn east toward Taylors Falls, MN which is on the MN/WI border of the St Croix river near St Croix Falls. 

It was a nice hour and a half route through the countryside, farmland and lakes NE of Minneapolis to Taylors Falls.  Our plan was to stop at another well known local root beer stand/drive.  It was amazing how quickly it cooled down after just about 15 minutes north.  One of the ladies on the back of a bike said she shivered most of the way, but I was comfortable in a t-shirt. 

The Drive-In Restaurant was unique enough to be on the TV show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.  It had a big ol root beer mug on the roof, a mini-golf course out back and ponds with fountains in the outdoor dining area.  Although it seemed like a great family place, it really wasn’t too busy when we got there, which was a good thing since we all decided to get burgers, fries and root beer. 

I had a nice conversation with one of the guys about his RV trips to FL and out west.  He was nice enough to buy everyone’s dinner.  I didn’t really notice anyone to share the gospel with until after dinner when we were getting up to leave.  There were three teens, two guys and a girl with motorcycle helmets at their table and two crotch rockets (street/sport motorcycles) so I thought it was the perfect opening.  They said they were from Afton which is just downriver and near one of my favorite childhood ski hills, Afton Alps.  They had just come from jumping off a local 40 foot cliff and said there was a 100 foot cliff that they never did get to.  I had to tell them about the 60 foot cliff I jumped off.  Of course, I didn’t mention that it was probably 25 years ago on Lake Ten Killer in OK during college days.  A 100 footer sounds like a real heart pumper.  One of the guys said he was going to a military academy in the fall in MD (I think) so they must have been just out of HS. 

They were all very open and prayed a prayer of salvation but since the group was getting ready to go, I didn’t have time to talk much more after that.  Praise God for His faithfulness.  It always amazes me that I dont have to say anything eloquent, but the Holy Spirit always does the work in their heart.

The ride home was interesting because it was threatening rain the whole way with lots of lightning but in answer to our prayer before we left, we never did get wet.  It was really cool because at one point when we were going by a lake a huge orange circle of fireworks exploded above the horizon just in front of us.  It started to sprinkle right after I got home and then after that it really stormed.  It was another blessed and fun Friday night ride with the Chariots of Light.