There Is No Place Like Home...

[DDT (12)]

There Is No Place Like Home…

Boy oh boy oh boy oh boy... Our friend Josh (Darksider) sure captured the feeling, didn't he? Man, we've just been riding along doing what we do, killing bugs and such, and... Oh man, I've missed this far more than I'd realized!  One of the main features, as is always the case, has been encountering some characters, and interacting with some mighty nice folks...

Amazing how we check the news so we can stay informed, then... Because they are in the numbers game up to their eyebrows seeking high ratings scores, our trusted media mavens sensationalize, exaggerate, and distort facts beyond recognition, following a script with their own twist of propaganda according to the perceived interests of whatever 'audience' they've targeted, and... They masquerade as 'journalists' simply conveying truthful, accurate, in-context information folks need in order to make informed decisions... Bunkum!!!

I can't watch that stuff without feeling all gloomy afterward and a little down on my fellow citizens. What a bunch of selfish, spoiled brats some of those folks are, unlike those who see things my way... What's wrong with our country?! What's wrong with me? Am I allowing others to have undue influence over my thinking? Is there anything I can do to combat and resist the external influences constantly bombarding me with flagrant misinformation? Well, yes, as a matter of fact, there most certainly is...!

Whenever I get fed-up with all the BS, I just tune it out and go 'home'. Yep, I throw my leg over our girl’s ample and quite comfortable Russell Daylong, and we head out together to ‘go amongst ‘em’… Funny, listening to the tube and watching the shenanigans some folks find instructive and helpful, I sometimes forget those are only a tiny minority of our population… folks who inhabit the ‘skew’ of the Bell Curve. The vast majority of folks, the other 97%, while they may disagree on any number of things are actually reasonable, responsible people who want to do the right thing. Getting out amongst ‘em verifies and validates that opinion without fail!

And so it has been this time out! Be they store or motel clerks, wait staff, folks in a room next door… a stranger just standing around or passing by every single person I’ve come across so far has been friendly and nice… Easy and respectful, I’ve had countless enjoyable conversations already… and I’ve had my faith in my fellow inhabitants of this great land of ours fully restored.

It’s good to be in such great company instead of getting caught-up in all the crap and participating in all the angst and acrimony going on in the evening news! Nope, no summer of love or violent insurrections anywhere we’ve been… Peaceable down-to-earth folks trying to carve out a bit of happiness for themselves, not fire-breathers trying to change the world to their own way of thinking… I just love this life!!!

No breathtaking vistas have been viewed, no Rodney Dangerfield or George Burns type characters have been encountered, and nothing note-worthy or of any entertainment value for presenting here has occurred… Just lots of miles through serene, lovely to this fan of North American landscapes and ever-changing topography, and many different but most gratifying encounters with fellow ordinary people… I do love it so…

Normally a big breakfast is a non-ride-day only extravagance for this drowsiness-prone rider, but I do take advantage when opportunity knocks… like I did in Mount Pleasant, Texas… At an I-Hop I sampled some of their extra-extra-thick-cut bacon… Fairly good, even a bit better than what Big Wolf and I tried in Colorado a couple of years ago, but not as good as what I find at my friend’s house… Jerry and Mural have clearly found my weakness!

screenshot app

It was overcast with on-and-off light drizzle when we departed the Panhandle of Texas early that morning… a little earlier and we might have missed that moisture entirely, but… oh well… we didn’t… It still wasn’t enough to require rain gear…



Beyond Clovis, NM, we cleared the cloud cover and began to notice significant changes in topography. Oh yeah! Now we’re talking! Even some elevation changes to perk-up our spirits even more…



Some random shots taken just because I was in the mood… At one such stop where I’d hoped to capture at a distance the Very Large Array (VLA) of telescopes in New Mexico, I pulled over and fumbled around trying to retrieve my camera from the Talisman tank bib pouch, given to us by t-man403, when an SUV stopped beside us and a genuinely nice young family inquired if we were OK… Dang nice of them to stop and check!!! See what I mean?









The VLA way off in the distance...



Another VLA shot a bit closer to us...





We’re in Arizona now… with a destination in mind for tomorrow or the next day… I’ll let y’all know how that goes… In the meantime, we’re just cruising along doing what comes so natural for both of us… Heck, I’ve even found myself singing again, occasionally chanting in tongues too once in a while…

Nope, there just isn’t anyplace that compares with home… and it sure is good to be back there again… I haven’t consumed one bit news since venturing out, so there’s been nothing at all to impede my non-stop euphoria!!!

DDT

[The emperor has no clothes]

“We’re in Arizona now” ?  I would understand if you don’t head this way, we have been hitting 100* here for a while. But if you have an idea of where you are heading, I’d ride over for dinner and a beer. 

[Valker]

So sorry we couldn't meet up. If I'm here, you always have a place to stay.

[Rams]

Some things are meant to be and some things are simply not going to happen.
Enjoy the ride while you can.   I envy your adventurer spirit.

Rams

[Bigwolf]

Bruce,
As I was reading this, I felt a strong tug at my soul and found a broad smile take over my face.

You gave a perfect description of what I think about the “so called” news media and other TV programming!  Also, you described the same experience I have when I am out and randomly meeting folks in this great country.  They all seem so nice and genuinely helpful. 

The tug at my soul came from my desire to be out and about right now doing exactly what you are doing.  I have made a few long solo rides with no particular destination in mind and have felt that very strong heady feeling that comes with that kind of ride.  Oh my desire for that kind of ride is strong!

The smile on my face is from knowing that my friend is back “home” and feeling that experience once again. ............ especially since that friend has been unable to get much saddle time for several months.  I am happy for you!


Bigwolf

[Bret SD]

Bruce,
As I was reading this, I felt a strong tug at my soul and found a broad smile take over my face.

You gave a perfect description of what I think about the “so called” news media and other TV programming!  Also, you described the same experience I have when I am out and randomly meeting folks in this great country.  They all seem so nice and genuinely helpful. 

The tug at my soul came from my desire to be out and about right now doing exactly what you are doing.  I have made a few long solo rides with no particular destination in mind and have felt that very strong heady feeling that comes with that kind of ride.  Oh my desire for that kind of ride is strong!

The smile on my face is from knowing that my friend is back “home” and feeling that experience once again. ............ especially since that friend has been unable to get much saddle time for several months.  I am happy for you!


Bigwolf

Well said 

[Bret SD]

Bruce,

Your post for me was both uplifting and heartbreaking at the same time. I get the same impression of people in this country, they(we) are without a doubt one of the most genuine, generous and caring people on the planet.
Even living here in the belly of the beast most people I meet are very cool and kind people, I'd say the vast majority fit into what you described. Of course there are some snobby, miserable people too, but that's on them.

What breaks my heart is the fact most people in this country want to be left in peace to work and raise families, or just live in a place where constant turmoil isn't part of everyday life. Now the very nice people are being villainized and or shamed constantly by a 24/7 media blitz designed to demoralize them. Worse still we have a current government working to wipe out their way of life.

Currently I'm in a work blitz. When it's over later this summer I plan to do some kind of solo trip, it's badly needed. I want to get out on the road and away from all the BS to reboot my soul.

Thanks for leading the way, you've earned your road time this season after a long and grim winter dealing with a major problem. Your spirit is what helped you prevail I'd say, as well as faith and inner fortitude. I admire your strength of will and undying spirit. 

[DDT (12)]

quote author=meathead link=topic=117075.msg1184967#msg1184967 date=1620264635]
“We’re in Arizona now” ?  I would understand if you don’t head this way, we have been hitting 100* here for a while. But if you have an idea of where you are heading, I’d ride over for dinner and a beer. 
[/quote]
 
 
 
 
Rob,
 
Yeah, that century mark temperature-wise has been on my mind! Been a cool ride for us so far, though, I’ve even had my Gerbings on for an extra layer most days, plugged-in and cranked up two of those days, too! I'm headed to Kingman to visit Dirty Dan...
 
I figure to be there Thursday afternoon but possibly the following day... No reason really, I just don't like to nail things down too tightly... most likely Thursday, though. Could you come up there? If you'd be willing to split a room and make it an overnighter, I'll get a room with two beds... and let you know where that is...
 
It'd be fantastic to have ya there, too...! Be advised, though, the chatter will be almost entirely remembrances of past glories and tales of former daring-do... OK, probably a  bit of big-dogging too... Dan tells me he is now bed-ridden for the most part, so a meal and few brews would have to follow the visit to his house... I have the directions.
 
DDT
 
 

 

So sorry we couldn't meet up. If I'm here, you always have a place to stay.

Eric,
 
Thanks, my friend! I was looking forward to jawing with you some more, but... Oh well, my lifestyle doesn't always take into account other folks have things of their own to do also! Next time perhaps we can make it happen.. In the meantime, jot down your adventures so we can swap some yarns on my next time through...
 
DDT



Ron,

Rest assured, my friend, I am enjoying it to the max! I'm sorry our planned ride didn't work out... However, this 'consolation prize' ain't bad at all!!! Man, this is so way over the top of anything I'd imagined it might be... Yep, proud to be here!!!

DDT



Jerry,

I hear ya, my friend! Two weeks ago I felt just the way you do now! It is so soul cleansing, spirit rejuvenating, and such an emotional lift to go 'see for myself' that things ain't as they're portrayed on the tube. I love America and I love Americans. We ain't perfect and sometimes we can drive each other to distraction! We're capable of grievous errors and woeful sins... Still, we're good folks at the core, just like humans everywhere... It sure helps to go and verify that now and then... Anxiously waiting now to get back into Canada!

DDT


Bret,

I hear ya! Contradictions and incongruencies abound for sure! An example: I know many of the folks on this board. Sometimes when I read what they have to say, I recoil in utter shock! That's not the guy I know! Words and deeds often are said or done that have no relationship to the inner person committing the act. Funny how easily we can all be led and whipped into a frenzy, then nudged into doing things out of character and later regretted.

If we can just tone down the rhetoric and look for the things we have in common or can agree upon instead of attacking each other for our differences... which in the end aren't really all that far apart... It helps those who seek personal gain to stoke the fires, though, so it's on us to guard and protect ourselves.

Good luck with your own upcoming journey... You already know, even without a single detail, that it will be a worthwhile enterprise that will pay huge dividends... Please tell us about it when the time comes...

DDT

[Valkorado]

Socrates.  Tells.  Truth.  

Common.  Ground.  Valkyrie.

Yes, Kimosabe!

Run, Forrest, run!  

[Ice]

Bruce my dear friend,

What a great joy to read about you being out and about where you belong, in the wind.
Thanks as always for taking us along. I had missed your meanderings and ponderings.
Hopefully we'll see you in the very near future.
Ride on my friend ride on.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Looking forward to the meetup today  I haven’t seen Dan in some time.

[DirtyDan]

True that

Dan

[RustyValkry]

Seeing your pictures of the views on the southwestern roads makes me want to be there.  I taught public school 4 decades ago on the Navajo reservation south of Shiprock on what was then route 666. A couple decades layer I had to travel to Phoenix regularly so I have experience running those type roads.  I'd love to be along for that ride but I'll settle for your pictures.

I'm building a Skoolie.  I intend to be living in it next winter somewhere in AZ, or wherever else I feel like.  I'll have 2 bikes in my trailer and I'll be able to take own pictures on those roads, Wickenburg, Yarnell, Prescott, Jerome, yes even wacky Sedona, looking forward to it, places I visited and want to visit again.  I want to drive into the deepest, most deserted part of 'the desert' and listen to . . . nothing for as long as my water lasts.  See if I can find, "Them".

[The emperor has no clothes]

Seeing your pictures of the views on the southwestern roads makes me want to be there.  I taught public school 4 decades ago on the Navajo reservation south of Shiprock on what was then route 666. A couple decades layer I had to travel to Phoenix regularly so I have experience running those type roads.  I'd love to be along for that ride but I'll settle for your pictures.

I'm building a Skoolie.  I intend to be living in it next winter somewhere in AZ, or wherever else I feel like.  I'll have 2 bikes in my trailer and I'll be able to take own pictures on those roads, Wickenburg, Yarnell, Prescott, Jerome, yes even wacky Sedona, looking forward to it, places I visited and want to visit again.  I want to drive into the deepest, most deserted part of 'the desert' and listen to . . . nothing for as long as my water lasts.  See if I can find, "Them".

There are a lot of people that do just that down here every winter. Quartzite gets a huge amount, but even around here it keeps building and building every year. 

[msb]

Nice to see those pics Bruce, thx! I've spent my entire life, and so of course riding life as well, here in BC surrounded by mountains, hills, lakes & rivers...and twisty roads. All fantastic for sure, but  one of my favorite riding experiences is still a long day or two on the plains when we go East or SouthEast from here. There's just something about the peacefulness of leisurely cruising along for hours on end, with nothing but the horizon in view...listening to the bike hum along and letting your mind fill with thoughts that usually have not been given the time they deserve.

An epic day a few years back...16 hours solo through the heart of ND, MT



"news media"... never has that old adage "no news is good news" been so appropriate for me. I use it in a much different context of course, but weaning ourselves from the grip of any sort of network TV a number of years back has been one of the best decisions I've ever made.

[DDT (12)]

Seth,

Certainly on here the Valkyrie is the 'common ground' which brought us all together, and I'm mighty glad about that! I've, like you, met some truly remarkable characters and genuinely nice folks hanging around our 'clubhouse', and it too has become a home of sorts...

Ya know, Forest Gump is a rather worthy person with whom to be compared! A simple guy who means well and tries to do the right thing. He treats everyone with respect and fairness, sees the good in people, and causes no harm to a single soul... Not bad, actually...

DDT



Yuri,

Believe me, it is a real joy to be back out here sharing my experience with anyone who might be interested! Yes, I saw where you and Petra are signed up for the Yooper thing, so if I don't see y'all before, I'll likely see ya there! Looking forward to it... I miss my old friends...

DDT



Rob,

Me too! It turned out to be a good visit. We didn't overstay our welcome, I don't think, but we did get to pretty much cover what needed to be said. It was good to see our old kindred spirit hanging in there...

DDT



Dan,

It sure was good to visit with ya! You're managing to cope with your difficulty really well, it appears, and I commend you for the realistic way you approach challenges... You've pretty much done that your entire life with the myriad knocks and bruises that have found you, but your incredible will has served you well. You are the man!!!

DDT



Rusty,

Yep, it's all still there pretty much as you remember it... Well, except for all the newcomers who've moved in! Holy cow, the southwest is no longer a well kept secret!!! You'll have no problem still finding all the solitude and quality think-time you desire, though, so I encourage you to continue with your plans! Perhaps we'll run across each other out here...

DDT



Mike,

We clearly have much in common in terms of our view of riding, trekking, and enjoying what there is available to us. You seem to have struck a good balance between the meeting of our needs for companionship and comradery with our other need to find alone time to digest all we've seen and experienced so context, lessons, and meaning can be afforded. Your words always have deeper insights to them, and I do enjoy your posts and replies! Thanks for being one of us and for expressing your thoughts...

DDT

[Valkorado]

Ya know, Forest Gump is a rather worthy person to be compared with! A simple guy who means well and tries to do the right thing. He treats everyone with respect and fairness, sees the good in people, and causes no harm to a single soul... Not bad, actually...

DDT

My favorite movie and character.  Simple folk like Forrest tend to be a bit more happy go lucky, and roll with the flow better than the over analyzers and worry warts.  A good ride sure brings about that Forrest state of mind.  Or Bronson. 

I'm a bit overdue but I've got a few domestic irons in the fire right now so day jaunts will have to suffice for now, and day rides in the Rockies are much better than a stick in the eye!   It'll shine when it shines...

Keep up the good "work" out there in your great backyard. 

[Ice]

Yuri,

Believe me, it is a real joy to be back out here sharing my experience with anyone who might be interested! Yes, I saw where you and Petra are signed up for the Yooper thing, so if I don't see y'all before, I'll likely see ya there! Looking forward to it... I miss my old friends...

DDT

Bruce, you know the door is always open, the beverages cold, the grill hot.....Anytime.
Truly looking forward to seeing you in Michigan, if not sooner as you said.
Ride on my dear friend, ride on.

[DarkSideR]

If you are not sure what DDT's "Boy oh boy" reference was about..

https://youtu.be/DWAkRsb4Ol8

[DDT (12)]

Josh,

Just another of your many, many contributions! Thanks!!! BTW, while I have done very little night driving since Taos, I can nonetheless happily report that your 'Daybright' headlight is still performing flawlessly, and I'm mighty proud to have it! Even on sunlit days, I occasionally have on-coming motorists flash me to go to 'dim'... LOL! Hope to see ya this summer...

DDT

[DarkSideR]

Josh,

Just another of your many, many contributions! Thanks!!! BTW, while I have done very little night driving since Taos, I can nonetheless happily report that your 'Daybright' headlight is still performing flawlessly, and I'm mighty proud to have it! Even on sunlit days, I occasionally have on-coming motorists flash me to go to 'dim'... LOL! Hope to see ya this summer...

DDT

Bruce, that headlight has a lifetime warranty. (If) it ever goes bad just let me know and we'll get you another one.

You shouldn't be getting flashed. You may want to adjust the headlight down a skoche to avoid the flashers.