This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Amblin' Alameda

An early morning walk along the Bay is a time for reflection and observation.

The other day I walked east along Shoreline and continued down the earthen path that skirts the edge of the Bay there. “Property of the City of Alameda,” says the sign, though “Property of the Shorebirds” is probably more accurate.

The path ends in a walkway along a sea wall and leads to the pedestrian/bicycle bridge that connects to Bay Farm Island.

At that time of day the kids are going to school, and on my walk across the bridge I seemed to be swimming upstream against a flow of elementary age children riding their bikes. Helmets, backpacks and earnest expressions. Young bodies working hard on the upslope and concentrating hard on the way down.

Find out what's happening in Alamedawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The third and fourth graders, still early in their biking careers, are concentrated on the basics; staying balanced and upright, negotiating obstacles like people sharing the roadway, and working hard to get anywhere.

The older kids are insouciant, their faces and body language signify “I’ve got this activity down,” with a touch of undisguised superiority toward the wobbly youngsters they pass. How soon they forget. Only a year ago their own tongues were clenched firmly between their teeth while they concentrated on getting over the bridge.

Find out what's happening in Alamedawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

That stream of youngsters, their earnest open faces, the promise of the future they hold, made my morning walk a time of renewal of my spirit. Thanks, kids.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?