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Author Topic: All In A Day's Work...  (Read 560 times)
DDT (12)
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*****
Posts: 4113


Sometimes ya just gotta go...

Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...


« on: June 09, 2020, 06:09:50 PM »

 
What a difference a day can make, huh…?! One day heat and hard work in making our way west, then rain as a cold front plowed through, followed by cool, really nice temps and clear skies… a bit breezy, of course, but hey, it’s never absolutely perfect, right? Anyway, we’ll take it!!!
 
We had made our way to Platte, SD, then got a room for two nights… Yep, we had good reason this time to believe the all-day-rain weather forecast, so… We took an extra day to rest-up and recover from the ride so far, and to do some much-needed laundry. Beyond that, our time would be spent watching the rain from inside our room and pursuing the mastery of laziness… We were already doing quite well at that, but a little more practice couldn’t hurt, we reasoned…
 
As we had approached Platte, the sun was high in the heavens and nibling incessantly at our exposed flesh. Soon enough it would be chewing ravenously, but our prudent plan had allowed for this stop in time to save us from the worst of that. Leaving our last motel at 4:30am, just as we’d done on previous occasions, had enabled us to cover most of our distance-target for the day well before the heat had fully set-in and gotten really serious! We could get used to this!
 
And now the ‘work’ was done… The hard part was behind us until we would make the turn and head for the barn… Tomorrow and thereafter for the next week or so, we’ll be facing high daily temps in the mid-to-high 70*’s, and it appears we should be able to successfully dodge, through cautious route selection, what rain is predicted in the long range forecast. Dang, this is what we’d been earnestly longing for, so expectations about the near-term were high indeed!
 
Long distance riding is not for the faint of heart, the weak or easily intimidated, nor any pansy-assed pleasure-only seekers. ‘Realists’ and ‘pragmatists’ seem to fair better over the long haul than do ‘idealists’. Nope, there is always some form or degree of hardship to overcome, adversity to endure, plus the ‘unexpected’ is without fail lurking out there somewhere ready to pounce when we least expect it.
 
Personally, in a weird sort of way I find those unpleasantries to be part of the joy of serious trekking. I know it sounds strange, but in coping with all of those things, a sense of pride and feelings of accomplishment also accompany those situations, and there is surprising personal reward in that… Of course, those boo-boos always look better in the rearview mirror, especially during the re-telling of the stories to buds in the presence of ubiquitous libation, than they do in front of us!
 
Not unlike life itself, major trekking has its ups and downs, good and not-so-good aspects. Indeed, long distance riding is itself a suitable metaphor for life’s journey generally. In learning to take things as they come, to deal with setbacks and tragedy, and to overcome obstacles, we find our way to learn and to grow… and eventually to flourish and prosper. By minimizing our exposure to challenge, we deny ourselves the opportunity to more fully appreciate our blessings, because real contrast will be missing from our perspective… right along with the sense of accomplishment not felt.
 
Trekking, at least for this ardent practitioner, also allows vast quantities of opportunity for thought. One such opportunity presented itself recently, and… I pondered upon its subject for quite a spell… “Were Adam and Eve strict vegetarians?” Were animals actually allowed to be ‘harvested’ by the ‘first’ couple?  And if not, could ‘The Garden of Eden’ truly be considered paradise if no bacon was available?
 
And another thing… Following the ‘first’ couple’s yielding to temptation and subsequent banishment from the Garden, were government, taxes, and debt part of the punishment to be visited upon all of their progeny forever more? If so, then their sin was truly great indeed! More imponderables on a long list of unanswered questions that will haunt me to the grave, I reckon…
 
So, the laundry is done, my story update is written, and… I think I’ll take a nap now… I am just so proud to be here!!!
 
DDT

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Don't just dream it... LIVE IT!

See ya down the road...
Bigwolf
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Posts: 1502


Cookeville, TN


« Reply #1 on: June 09, 2020, 06:34:34 PM »

Great story Bruce!
You got some serious questions there.  Bacon in the Garden of Eden?   Hmmm, now I am gonna have to wonder about that “paradise”!  As for the punishment, now you got me to thinkin, I just might need to be really angry with those two!

As always, fun to read what you write.


Bigwolf
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ridingron
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Posts: 1187


Orlando


« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2020, 06:59:32 PM »

Quote
...  And if not, could ‘The Garden of Eden’ truly be considered paradise if no bacon was available?    

For me, if it was Paradise, bacon would be readily available. Unlimited amounts of delicious bacon. Of course everyone's ideal beacon would be there. Thin, thick, crispy, floppy, greasy or whatever. None of those pesky medical issues either. Beacon with any way, shape, or form of turkey is not an option. Turkey is for Thanksgiving.
« Last Edit: June 09, 2020, 07:02:56 PM by ridingron » Logged

Rams
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Posts: 16271


So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out

Covington, TN


« Reply #3 on: June 09, 2020, 07:14:28 PM »

Bruce,
While I always enjoy reading of your adventures, I have to suggest that you omit certain pornographic terms from you vocabulary when you post.   I really do respect you and the adventures you have posted about but golly gee whiz, do you have to use such language?

The title almost had me reporting to admin...……………  I try to not use such terms any longer although, I used to participate in such endeavors.   I mean really, that "W" word is a four letter word that should never be uttered IMHO.   Wink  

Rams   2funny
« Last Edit: June 09, 2020, 07:16:29 PM by Rams » Logged

VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.

Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
Oss
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Posts: 12613


The lower Hudson Valley

Ossining NY Chapter Rep VRCCDS0141


WWW
« Reply #4 on: June 09, 2020, 07:15:00 PM »

What's bacon ?   Grin

Great story Bruce

Now if there was no Corned Beef or Pastrami...........
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If you don't know where your going any road will take you there
George Harrison

When you come to the fork in the road, take it
Yogi Berra   (Don't send it to me C.O.D.)
Bigwolf
Member
*****
Posts: 1502


Cookeville, TN


« Reply #5 on: June 09, 2020, 07:57:23 PM »


Long distance riding is not for the faint of heart, the weak or easily intimidated, nor any pansy-assed pleasure-only seekers. ‘Realists’ and ‘pragmatists’ seem to fair better over the long haul than do ‘idealists’. Nope, there is always some form or degree of hardship to overcome, adversity to endure, plus the ‘unexpected’ is without fail lurking out there somewhere ready to pounce when we least expect it.
 
Personally, in a weird sort of way I find those unpleasantries to be part of the joy of serious trekking. I know it sounds strange, but in coping with all of those things, a sense of pride and feelings of accomplishment also accompany those situations, and there is surprising personal reward in that… Of course, those boo-boos always look better in the rearview mirror, especially during the re-telling of the stories to buds in the presence of ubiquitous libation, than they do in front of us!
 
Not unlike life itself, major trekking has its ups and downs, good and not-so-good aspects. Indeed, long distance riding is itself a suitable metaphor for life’s journey generally. In learning to take things as they come, to deal with setbacks and tragedy, and to overcome obstacles, we find our way to learn and to grow… and eventually to flourish and prosper. By minimizing our exposure to challenge, we deny ourselves the opportunity to more fully appreciate our blessings, because real contrast will be missing from our perspective… right along with the sense of accomplishment not felt.
DDT



Good wisdom in those three paragraphs, I think!  I certainly wholeheartedly concur.


Bigwolf
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cookiedough
Member
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Posts: 11689

southern WI


« Reply #6 on: June 10, 2020, 05:36:59 AM »

What's bacon ?   Grin

Great story Bruce

Now if there was no Corned Beef or Pastrami...........

or brats and cheese (yah, from WI) 

yah,  long distance riding for weeks on end more than say 2 days never have done on a cycle.  Takes a lot more planning than am sure one thinks on what you need to pack.  Anytime we go somewhere for a week long vacation (once a year if that tops)  the wife thinks we need all except kitchen sink and end up using 1/2 of what we bring usually.  One main reason I got rid of my former chevy truck crew cab it had a 5'8" bed and on that ONE family vacation I needed 6'6" bed length to cram it all inside the bed of the truck did not fit having to stack stuff higher and higher
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Thunderbolt
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Posts: 3725


Worthington Springs FL.


« Reply #7 on: June 10, 2020, 05:54:50 AM »

Keep up the good work Bruce.  I suppose the "we" you refer to is you and Ali?  You seem to do your best research when trekking alone.
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msb
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Posts: 2284


Agassiz, BC Canada


« Reply #8 on: June 10, 2020, 06:12:19 AM »

Great story as usual Bruce. I especially agree with the part about facing challenges on the road...in particular on long distance rides. Whether it be foul weather, a panic to find accomodations or a gas station at the last minute,  or just pushing through minor physical or other issues,  these challenges usually wind up adding an extra element to the ride...as you say,  a sense of accomplishment beyond what could be felt if only perfect conditions were in play. Those instances also make the best stories (and seem to grow over the years in terms of the description of the  level of difficulties endured Wink ).

Ps....I like Turkey Bacon Grin
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Mike

'99 Red  & Black IS
Ice
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Posts: 1223


Whatever it is, it's better in the wind.

On a road less traveled.


WWW
« Reply #9 on: June 10, 2020, 07:10:05 AM »

Bruce, as always its a joy to read your adventures and pondering s, thanks for sharing.
The adventure is always best after the trek is done and the stories are told sharing a beverage and reliving the misery that sometimes accompanies us on those long rides.
However no matter what a ride has brought me, I cherish every mile that I rode even when it was tough, cold, wet, snow, heat. At the end of the ride I always feel like I should go back and do it again.
Ride safe my friend, see you in the wind.
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Wizzard
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Posts: 4043


Bald River Falls

Valparaiso IN


« Reply #10 on: June 10, 2020, 07:16:45 AM »

Great read. Thanks for taking the time to update us on your latest adventure.  cooldude
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