Kris and Kell had just finished snowshoeing the trail along Lake Superior that went above the ice caves. When they returned the snowshoes to the rental agency, they were handed an envelope that contained instructions for their next adventure.
Kell tore open the letter and read the instructions. They were to drive their rental car to Ironton Minnesota. When they got there, they were supposed to go to the office of the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, the office was in town. There would be two fat bikes waiting for them along with the safety equipment they would need. They would be going on the fat bike trails in the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area!
While they were driving from Wisconsin to Minnesota, they had time to talk about the adventures that they had already had. Kell laughed and pointed out that the name of their travel agency, ‘Misadventures…Plus’, was very appropriate. Nothing seemed to turn out the way they thought it would, they had had some misadventures, but they had also had some good adventures too!
Kris wondered what a fat bike was, and how they could possibly ride it at this time of year, there was deep snow everywhere! Kell looked up fat bikes on her phone and found that these were special bikes that had very fat tires! The tires can be anywhere between 3.7 inches wide up to 6 inches wide. The tires also had very low air pressure. These wide, low pressure, tires were designed to give as much traction as possible in packed snow and to go over rocks and other obstacles beneath the snow.
Kris asked Kell to look up information on the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area on her phone. In a minute Kell had the information. She told Kris that there used to be many iron mines in the area around Ironton. The mining companies closed the mines and abandoned the land more than 30 years ago, and the land was allowed to go back to nature. This area is now the Recreation Area they were going to.
The Area has around 45 miles of groomed snow trails that can be used for fat biking in the winter. To groom the trail, special machines that pack the snow are pulled along the trails. This leaves the trails covered with firm snow that is perfect for fat biking!
Kris and Kell arrived in Ironton and found the park office. Soon they had their fat bikes, maps, safety equipment, and were on their way to the Recreation Area. Fat biking was incredibly fun! The big soft tires gripped the snow almost perfectly and they were able to bike on the trails with no problems. The winter scenery was incredible, and they experienced a special feeling as they biked through the quiet woods that were covered with a blanket of white snow. Everything was going great and maybe this would be the time when they did not have any misadventures!
Then it happened! Kell told Kris to let her get a little way ahead of him and then she would take his picture as he rode past her. This seemed like a great idea, so they did it. The idea would have worked great except that Kris decided to show off a little bit. As he was going past Kris, he took his hands off the handlebars, looked at the camera, and shouted, “Look! No Hands!” The fat bike when off the edge of the groomed trail into the soft, deep snow beside the trail! The fat bike flipped over, and Kris flew off the bike and landed in the deep snow! Kris had a hard time getting up and getting out of that deep snow! Kell was laughing so hard that she could hardly stand up!
Kell shouted to Kris, “It looks like you had a misadventure after all!”
Kris eventually got his fat bike back onto the groomed trail. Neither the fat bike nor he were injured. They enjoyed the rest of the time biking on the groomed trails and rode for many miles. Kris did not try to show off again!
When they returned their fat bikes to the office in Ironton, they were handed an envelope that would give them directions to their next adventure!
Lesson Learned about God:
Kell told Kris, “You reminded me of a story in the Bible today. You were able to ride your fat bike with no problems until you began to show off, took your hands off the handlebars, and took your eyes off the trail. This reminds of when Jesus walked on the Sea of Galilee to go out and meet his disciples who were in a boat. When Peter saw Jesus walking on the water, he wanted to walk on water too. Jesus told Peter to go ahead, get out of the boat and come to Him. Peter was able to walk on the water until he took his eyes off Jesus. When Peter quit looking at Jesus, he saw the size of the waves, got scared, and started to sink! Peter cried out to Jesus, and Jesus reached out and saved Peter from drowning! When you took your eyes off the trail and took your hands off the handlebars, the fat bike went off the trail and you were in trouble!
This misadventure should remind us that we should always keep focused on Jesus and trust Him to bring us safely through this life on earth. If we take our eyes off Jesus, then we will be headed for trouble!”
In the Bible in Matthew 14:22-33 it says:
Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that His disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while He sent the people home. After sending them home, He went up into the hills by Himself to pray. Night fell while He was there alone. Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw Him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” He said. “Take courage. I am here!” Then Peter called to Him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped Him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
Report to the grandmother:
- At the travel agency – God has a good plan for us. Jeremiah 29:11
- Florida – God is watching over us, we do not need to be fearful. Psalms 23
- Wisconsin – Temptations. I Corinthians 10:13, Proverbs 14:12, I John 1:9
- Minnesota – Never take your eyes off Jesus. Matthew 14:22-33