Sunday, April 27, 2014

I Don't Like Why?

Why? except for those few exceptions when it converts to an invitation, is a term of criticism. Why, did you do that?…. Why are you going?…Why did (or did you not) do that?

I Don't like Why?

However… What I like, and what answers the question is...

Existence.

Observation.

Inhalation. Exhalation.

Sun. Rain. Wind.

Life.

Am I getting through?

Visiting with the oldest sister (still younger than I), and my Godchild, who in turn now has children, who themselves have children whom I have never seen, and having Easter Sunday dinner, "Grand Ma's way Uncle Mike, (my mother's) just like Grand Ma used to make."

The State Trooper I asked directions of…. "I'm totally lost, officer…"  "Okay, sir, but tell me, how much have you been drinking?"  "Drinking? I've not been drinking."  "Well then, are you diabetic?"  "No, not to my knowledge.  Why?"  "Where you coming from?"  "Uh, Maine. Portland, Maine."  "Maine?  That's about 16-hours north."  "Indeed, officer, indeed."  "So, that's why your pupils are like saucers."

Well, what do you know?

Easter Dinner, Italian style.  All home made….




So what if it took me 14-hours, and got me saucer-eyes.

The air begins to warm somewhere in Pennsylvania, and by the time you reach Maryland, there's not only a different feel to the air, there's a different smell, something you can't experience while encased in a car.  The air rushing by the open window is too intrusive - too noisy; the earth's smell doesn't make it passed the air conditioner… With visor up and helmet vents open, the freshness, the newness, the very essence of new life pours in, surrounds and permeates your very being.  Then



Mineral, VA, population 452, but home of great food and beautiful surroundings… And friends you haven't seen in 20-years, but who act as if you had stopped by yesterday.









As you travel through life, you meet many people.  Some of them have the correct polarity and you and they stick together and, distances and time-passed notwithstanding, when you next meet it's as if you had only separated to go to lunch.  My friends, (and you should be so lucky as to have friends like these) Lori and Chris….

Helped me unload,

Got my machine to the repair shop for a check,

And, got me to the local church's BBQ.  Can you beat that?


Yep.  The next day they rode with me half way down the state of Georgia, finally stopping at a Subway to get and stuff a foot-long into my bag, open up the maps and made sure that my addled brain could repeat the route I was to continue upon.  Can't beat that with a stick.

2,005.8 miles….. My youngest sister's house: my brother-in-law and my only surviving brother.  Tired, saddle sore, right wrist sore, just plain everything-hurts-sore – except for my mind.  That's vibrant and alive with

Existence.

Observation.

Inhalation. Exhalation.

Sun. Rain. Wind.

Life.

Am I getting through?

Well, stand by….. There remains the trip home.





16 comments:

  1. What an adventure. Now time to head west to take the long way home...

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    1. Ah, but that I didn't have to do the thing called work. Even we retired folks like a little extra cash.

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  2. Mike:

    I wished that I were having as much fun as you, and enjoying good company along the way. Esp the BBQ. Did you have a bike problem where you couldn't ride to the dealer ?

    I thought you were retired ? and that work thing was just for fun, of course a bit of extra cash would come in handy too. or perhaps your audience is missing you

    looks like you're having good weather. Nice sunset too

    bob
    A weekend photographer or Riding the Wet Coast

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    1. Bob… I wish you were here too. The more friends the merrier the day. I am retired, but, you know, $400 for a set of scooter tires can put a dent in one's pension. The weather has been perfect the entire trip…. warm, sunny and dry. Can't ask for more.

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  3. HHmmm....home with BRW, or bring BRW to sit and soak up those gorgeous sunsets in FL?? Miss you, glad you made it down there ok. I do see you deviated from the memorized route. :) All's fair at the end of the day when you are facing another couple hours on the road. And remember...EAT!!!

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    1. Wish I was home with my BRW. Or, better still, that she was down here. But duty calls when one is in the healthcare profession, and being a CDE uses up a great deal of time.
      I deviated because by the time I reached Florida, a friendly guy said, "Don't continue on 19, you'll be on there for hours and it's getting dark. Do I-75…. about two hours and you're there.
      Well, the two hour part was correct because the Semi's never go below 78 mph and will, I truly believe, have run right over me. Long and short of it is, it was two hours of hard work, weaving in and out of semi's while never, ever dropping below 78 mph.

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  4. Chris and Lori and good people. So glad you could stop there and they could take care of you for a bit.

    Remembering to eat is good as is remembering to breathe. Deep breathe in, deep breathe out.

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    1. Brandy, they are better than gold people. Gracious, kind and caring. Stopping there was the best part of the trip. Oh, and Bob asked about why my scooter was on the trailer…. it had started stalling every time I stopped, so we thought it would be easier to trailer it. And…. I know it's probably just the run of the game, but my brake light burned out and we've spent a good bit of time dismantling half the bike to get at the bulb and half the morning finding a replacement. Tell me this is normal for a trip….. Uggh.
      Eating and breathing are important indeed, and I endeavor to do both often. The bad news is that one of the residuals of Cancer is that it takes me forever to eat, so I most of the time eat what I can then package it and stuff some down at every gas stop. So, it takes about 3-hours to finish a foot-long Subway. Ah, well.

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  5. Mike, what a trip! So glad it's working out so well. When you get a chance, please post your route. I'm guessing you didn't cruise down the I-95 all the way.

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    1. Dave: So sorry to take so long to reply, but it's been one hell of a ride. I will indeed post my route which I assure you is serpentine, serpentine.

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  6. Mike:

    See, you learned something new on this trip about bring stuff you can't find on the road, like a new rear brake light bulb, how about the bulb for the high beam ? You eat a foot long subway faster than me. I buy the 12" one (see size matters) and then have half for lunch and save the other half for tomorrow's lunch. You couldn't wait so you ate it all in 3 hours.

    so lucky they had the trailer, BUT what happened to their pick up truck. That white car isn't a truck

    I wished that I was with you but perhaps next year . . .

    bob
    A weekend photographer or Riding the Wet Coast



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    1. Bob... Sorry to take so long to respond but life has been rather interesting. Who ever heard of a brake light bulb? When was the last time you changed one in your car? L & C have all sorts of toys... in fact they are awaiting their new BMW's.

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  7. Mike what a fabulous reunion ... take care, the weather is showing us nasty systems all through the area on the way north. One day I hope to meet Lori and Chris. Glad they were there for you.

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    1. They were indeed, and my wish for you is that you get to meet them sooner rather than later. They are wonderful people.

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  8. Mike,

    Ray and I talked a lot about you on the program Monday - we agreed that you are nuts, but we are supremely inspired by your adventurous nature, proud to be your friends, and expecting a full report on Speak Freely, whenever you return.

    Ride safe, old man.

    Tom

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    1. Can old men ride safe? Thanks for the kudos. It is deeply appreciated.

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