As the sun sets on a decade, closing out a year of reflection for events that shaped not only Virginia but a budding nation, I am reminded of the themes that pepper our BASKET & BIKE excursions from the 2007 book, The River Where America Began: A Journey Along the James by Richmond native Bob Deans, in which he eloquently speaks about the power of a river to echo with promise and renewal.

Bearing witness to humans for thousands of years, the James River pulses with a heartbeat that should capture our consciousness, not just for its past but for our very present, and for future generations. If 2019 was a year of reflection, 2020 is a year of transformation, of seeing the way forward, for the health of our land, our rivers, and all our people. True transformative health that begins when we drop our labels, hold hands and look to protecting our natural world together, the place our hearts were made to soar with joy.

Today a friend stopped by to purchase a BASKET & BIKE trucker hat with our precious bike emblem. She remarked on the awareness BASKET & BIKE is bringing to our natural world, and our role as stewards of the environment, as important to her. She added, that, like me, she is trying to replace short car trips with a walk or a bike ride. Then one of the boosts I didn't even know I needed came, almost off the cuff, as she left and said, "I just wanted to wear a new hat that supports an organization that needs the focus." WOW. I was instantly cheered. Like most small business owners with a not-for-profit angle, I sometimes wonder if my message is getting through; if what I (with the help of some pretty amazing volunteers and my new administrative assistant, Lynne) have invested countless hours of resources; financial, physical, and spiritual working on, is resonating. That we can connect with each other, with ourselves, and with our community, by connecting and being joyful in nature. The simple sharing of a bike ride or a quiet walk, listening to a few stories, followed by a picnic or meal, all in the beautiful out-of-doors, preferably by the river(!) is more than just a bike tour. It's becoming a way of life, or as a hometown friend told me after she traveled to Virginia to experience our Signature Ride, "BASKET & BIKE, it's becoming a verb"! And we are making an impact. We are ranked #5 out of 28 outdoor activities in Richmond, VA on Trip Advisor. We even shipped a "Made in Virginia" bike basket liner all the way to the west coast of France, via our ETSY shop last month.

For the calendar year 2019, BASKET & BIKE has donated more $4700 in excursions to charities and over $1500 to our conservation and community concerns that are making a difference locally. That's more than $6000 in donations.

JAMES RIVER ASSOCIATION
CAPITAL TREES
VCU RICE RIVERS CENTER
VIRGINIA CAPITAL TRAIL FOUNDATION
BRIDGEPARK RVA

In closing, as the sun recedes from this last December day I want to share a song. Alongside my favorite Christmas choir music, the poet in me adores, Listen to the River by Luka Bloom every winter. These lyrics are both haunting and beautiful.

The fisherman used to dive into running water
And take a shining sixpence from the floor
Now he's waiting for the Salmon of Knowledge
To help him wade out from the shore
He looks down on the lake on a sunlit morning
Loves the ancient world that is within
The surface shadow is his simple warning
Transformation must begin
Close your eyes
Open your heart now
Close your eyes
The rain pours down on Barley Harbour
As expectation fills the pier
The fisherman looks out on the horizon
The Salmon of Knowledge is coming here
Let the bells ring out in the heartland
Let all the poets come to pen
May they write in praise of celebration
The salmon goes upstream once again
Close your eyes
Open your heart now
Close your eyes
Listen to the river...

Could we in Virginia say the sturgeon goes upstream once again? The health of our rivers, and thus the health of us all says yes. We are looking forward to stepping and pedaling into a new day, a new year, and a new decade, and making a difference with you come spring. For now, as you wait in winter, close your eyes, open your heart, and listen to the river. . .

The James River at sunset at Upper Shirley Vineyards