All Who Wander Are Not Lost...

[DDT (12)]

Just pondering all the possibilities and potential rides to do out here! So many wonderful options in all directions… so few I haven’t done already… No risk of not enjoying them or finding new discoveries, though, as none have been done too recently to have become overly familiar… still… It can be plum overwhelming and/or downright bewildering when just casually scanning the map. Nothing ‘speaks’ to me in situations like that, and nothing ‘new’ beckons us to come hither…

Naturally, I’ve become a frequent checker of the weather forecasts… Rain is the biggest bug-a-boo this time of year, and it is something I do try to avoid. Once in a while, though, it finds us, and… we deal with it. Heat is also a concern… No problems on that score lately, however… well, other than its absence has caught me woefully unprepared on several occasions… that being under-dressed for the coolness encountered! I’ll take that, however, as I find that situation far more preferable than coping with extreme heat!

Sometimes it pays to just stop in place and take some time to reflect and patiently allow things to unfold. I’ve never found it best to rush to judgement about anything or to attempt to ‘force things’. If the spirit ain’t moving and a ‘vision’ or hunger is not guiding us, then… chances are we’re just spinning our wheels and ‘making do’ when we actually have an important purpose and meaningful reason for being out here. Don’t get me wrong, there is much to be said for random, directionless meandering, and we’ve certainly done a great deal of that… Even then, however, there was a purpose of sorts, and new discoveries popped-up constantly…

So, I now find myself… back in a rut. Jerry and I were touring areas unfamiliar to him, so that did provide much stimulation and ‘direction’ for our travels. I poured over the maps and weather forecasts daily, and I constantly found myself planning in relative detail most aspects of our ride. That was necessary for the type of ride we were undertaking, and it did supply (force) considerable structure to everything we did and place we visited. He has now had to return to his normalcy, so that leaves me back where I usually find myself…

I know amazing and surprising new experiences will unfold, and wonderful new things will come into focus in their own time. It is time for me to just shift gears back into normal mode. I no longer need to micro-plan or to become frustrated over not having a spot on the horizon or timeframe at which to aim. I’m going to take some time off to reflect, ponder, soul-search, and rest. I’ve rented an apartment through Airbnb in Butte, MT, for eight days, so…

During that time, I will continue to pursue learning to properly grill some ribeye steaks and fry some bacon… I ain’t really bad at those, but I could surely use some more practice! During that interlude, more than anything, I’ll re-evaluate my situation and direction in life. No worries, mind you, I’m actually ecstatic about every aspect of my life! It’s just that the picture is clouded at the moment, and… I just need to readjust my frame of focus and thinking generally back to the mindset of ‘no plan, direction, or objectives’. In the meantime…

My recent partner and I said our farewell the other day in Rawlins, WY. He headed east back toward his responsibilities awaiting him there, while I… followed our girl’s front wheel somewhere. I wandered off more or less westerly and northerly, but I had no clue at all where we might be headed.

The scenery was spectacular, the temps most appealing, and the rain was nowhere to be seen. Near perfect! However, my mind is not in the right place just now, so… That’s why I’ve relied upon an old fallback option I’ve employed several times in the past… Just stop and consider, and adjust my frame of reference back to a more normal line of thought… I’m excitedly looking forward to whatever wonders the future will bring… I just don’t have a clue at the moment what those might possibly be…

DDT

[Serk]

You're my hero and inspiration in so many ways. Reading your stories gives me motivation to keep fulfilling my responsibilities and obligations so that one day I may, at least occasionally, emulate your wanderings...

The subject of this post, translated to Quenya and written in the Tengwar script (Both creations of the same author that coined the phrase, JRR Tolkien) will be carried with me until I die...

[Valkorado]

Heck, Bruce, even a perfectly rounded tumbleweed gets hung up on obstacles from time to time.  You'll be rolling along in the wind again soon!

Enjoy the respite.  

[..]

Bruce, I saw a news article with photos showing them snow plowing Going to the Sun 2 days ago.

[old2soon]

          Long time ago while wheelin big truck I could run 750 near 1000 mile days fer 4  5 days at a stretch and then I Desperately NEEDED some sack time-day or 2 and do er all over Again! Course my destinations at that time were given to me!  But along the way I duz have memories of the fantastic scenery Our Country has to offer. And the Fine  selection of weather at times! Use yer magination Boys and Girls!  You Will be back in the wind afore ya knows it. RIDE SAFE.

[trout dude]

Like I always say Bruce no need to be in a rut you don’t have to go home just go a do what you want that makes it a better
 Save travels my friend and happy Father’s Day

[Robert]

I truly believe we have one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in the world. I dont think there is anything we dont have and every destination is a journey, since even on roads we have taken there are always missed treasures or missed seasons.

Wandering, is an art unto itself, Not many know how to do it, not many take the time to enjoy it. Not many can even feel comfortable to just go and see where the path takes you. If you are caught in the daily grind you will never find it much less understand it. Its definitely not a place of being lost, but one of being found. Its a place that many seek, but its not a destination. Its a peace and enjoyment without  a formula. Its always newness in things that can be old. Its changing patterns and smells from the same places. Its mapping out new areas and seeing what each holds. It never ends, it only ends when we give up, and lose the wonder of wandering. 

When things get old, or like a grind, just get on the bike and go exploring, its the best vacation that one can have.

[msb]

Holed up in Montana for a week...mmm, things could be worse. Regardless of whether one has daily responsibilities or not, we all fall into a rut now and then looking for direction on not just what to do in terms of where we are at and  where we want to go physically... but also where we're at and want to go mentally. Riding of course, is a great way for us to get into that "space" where these things can get figured out, as it sets most of us free from our everyday tasks and thoughts. With you however Bruce, since riding is your everyday "space", you need to do the opposite and remove yourself from it for a bit in order to figure things out. Like I alluded to above , Montana would be one of my choices for taking some time off to do some pondering, as it offers me the opportunity to pursue one of my other main passions. There's two things that offer a complete escape from my normal routines and concerns and allow me to re-set my thinkin' muscle, and they are being out on the open road aboard my old Valk, and standing in the middle of a lonesome stream somewhere far away from the crowds with my fly rod in hand. Both offer the same combination of peacefulness and escape with an element of anticipation thrown in to make me want to keep at it for prolonged periods of time, which allows me to focus my mind  on what's important and where I should be heading... both physically and spritually.
Heck, if the borders were open, I might've just been tempted to run down and take you out on one of those streams that are so abundant there in MT and show you exactly what I mean  
Enjoy your break from the road, and I'm sure your mind will be dancing with all sorts of possible opportunities for new directions in no time  

[Bigwolf]

Bruce,
I am happy to hear that you are taking some time to ponder, readjust, and reset your mind to whatever direction and possibilities the future holds for you.  From what I have seen, the last couple of years have been a bit unusual for you.  Take care of yourself and follow your heart wherever that takes you.

For what it’s worth, I have always enjoyed reading of your wanderings and ponderings.  I am looking forward to reading more.

I never did think you were lost.............maybe not exactly where you had started out to be, but not lost.


Jerry