Commentary by Wayne Lee
Edited to correct typos 10:00 a.m. Feb. 12, 2026
Well, Da Beast and I have reached another milestone. Last week saw a brief glimpse of Springlike weather with sunny skies and temperatures in the low 60s. It was time to layer up and go for a ride. So off I went to ride the Bear Creek Greenway because I always enjoy an adventure, especially one outdoors.
I had attempted such a ride back in January when the forecast was for an afternoon of sunshine. That afternoon sunshine lasted 90 minutes and it was time to go home. January sunshine isn’t all that warm. A sunless January is downright cold on a bicycle. But once again, I digress.
It just so happens that my eye doctor’s office is just half a block away from the bike trail. It also just so happens I had received a post card informing me that my long-scheduled appointment for Feb. 27 had been cancelled due to “staffing changes” and needed to be rescheduled. So, I figured since I was in the neighborhood…
I walked up to the reception desk and was asked if I had an appointment. When I said no, that seemed to totally derail the receptionist’s normal routine. I explained the post card, and she immediately was on the defensive, explaining their policy of sending a notice after three failed phone calls, blah, blah, blah. Regular readers of this space know I had lost my cell phone to kick off 2026 and just recently reactivated an old cell phone with my original number and I’m back in business again, just without all my contacts, pictures, games and apps.
In any event, I managed to schedule a new appointment and continue my journey with no particular destination in mind. It was then that I noticed some major construction going on at the nearby Bear Creek Park. At first glance it appeared they were tearing out the skate park but as I got closer, I saw they were constructing a new bicycle motocross track. Heads up NEC. This may be coming up on a future to-do list here in Eagle Point.
I continued on my cycling adventure, heading back in the general direction of home but taking the scenic route. And I have to say the view of Lower Table Rock at sunset is spectacular. However, my battery level was beginning to drop, and it was time to focus on getting back, which I did with almost no juice left in the battery.
The following Tuesday was just as sunny and I set out again. It was the first Tuesday this year where there was nothing on my calendar and I wasn’t about to waste a sunny day. This time I stayed closer to home and by the time I was done, I had topped 3,100 miles on the odometer. Better yet, I hesitate to say it for fear of jinxing myself, no flat tires thus far.
Now the rain is back which is much needed but no fun to ride in. I’m typing this while watching the Super Bowl, mostly for the commercials since I have no investment in either team and don’t care who wins.
And on that note, I leave you with a shameless plug. The Eagle Point Senior Center is hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser Feb. 14 at noon. The cost is $10 per person as the center attempts to raise money to replace the old chairs in the building.
