Spring Garden

Jump Scare

When my friend Andy offered to walk his street with me this morning I had no idea he was setting me up for an incredible jump scare. As we started off on the corner of Spring Garden and Detroit, the Dunkin’ Donuts drive thru was already looped around and backed up onto Spring Garden. Andy mentioned that many times it even backs up all the way to Detroit past the exit spot from Dunkin’. In the pic that I snapped you can also see the Castlewood Apartments rising on the horizon, one of the tallest buildings in all of Lakewood.

We were calmly chatting as we continued southward down the street. Then I heard a loud shout as two kids jumped out from behind some bushes and completely scared me. I was so surprised I almost let go of my tandem bike. I think they had been spying on my through the nearby fence bordering the Dunkin’ parking lot and they timed the “jump scare” perfectly. They were Andy’s two daughters (Teegan and Kendall), and they welcomed me with hand-made signs and even a cute cat sticker (Kendall said she had a feeling I was the type of person that would like a sticker). Thank you girls for the welcome reception.

I always enjoy walking a street with a resident. Andy was able to point out several interesting houses, including a tiny cottage style house that was set back from the street. He even pointed out a house that had been completely rebuilt following a fire. It is those types of details I never get walking alone.

I also have to give Andy kudos for his bravery at the end. I know he is fearless on a soccer field – as we became friends playing together on our old man soccer team (shout out to the “CHONKY BOYS”). However, he was also willing to ride on the back of the tandem on the treacherous downhill route back to our starting point. I’m thankful both of us finished the ride back without any injuries that would keep us off of the soccer pitch.