Ships Passing...

[DDT (12)]

This life is sort of like a busy harbor in a way, with 'ships' sailing in and out all the time. Saying farewell is an inescapable routine feature of life for a committed gypsy. Nothing and no one are permanent or at least constant. To be sure, the vast majority of important relationships are maintained and renewed in person on occasion and electronically as needed, but there simply is no such thing as constancy. Even the best of friends and closest of family 'sail' in and out of port regularly...

Sometimes it seems as though it's more of a barren island than a bustling seaport... No bitterness or even remorse here, though! Saying goodbye is nothing more than a necessary prelude to meeting up with and greeting folks important to us the next time! It is an ideal situation for one who values personal space and cherishes large doses of solitude.

There is so much out there to discover, and being unaccompanied frequently opens doors that otherwise might not be shown to us. There are also virtually limitless amounts of time for serious reflection and contemplation... How much time is up to the solo gypsy. They are only alone when they choose to be.

Another 'ship' sailed this morning... Following sixteen days of traveling together celebrating life and soaking up all the wonderful things we could of our beloved continent, the time for an end to that road trip arrived. No bands played and no cheering throngs of onlookers marked the occasion. Just two solitary riding partners shaking hands on a motel parking lot in the quiet predawn semi-darkness, as one then mounted his scooter and rode away, while the other returned to his chair to ponder the enormity of it all...

No speeches were made, and no eloquent benediction was spoken. Just grateful smiles and that knowing look exchanged between friends who have said their piece over the preceding days through deeds, gestures, and ordinary dialog that told of the joy experienced and shared. Bonds had been formed that can never be erased. Memories had been made that will be with us until our final departure… The unceremonious closing of one chapter of life and the beginning of the next…

Who knew? Riding with a teenager on a major road trip at first glance might seem like… ummmm, not a great plan! However, this was no ordinary or typical teenager at all… Remarkable in every way, mature far beyond his years, stoic and thoughtful, considerate and never intrusive… If his youth was not visually apparent to us, he might understandably be thought to be a man of twice or more his actual age.

It would also naturally be assumed that showing the ropes to a newbie would occupy a huge chunk of the time together. Nope. This person has more savvy and experiential know-how than a high percentage of riders with whom I’ve ever shared the road. Truth be told, he taught this ‘veteran rider’ more than a few things along the way, and he impressed at every turn with his technical knowledge of bikes in general and big Hondas in particular. I was simply amazed… and more than a little humbled!

A few lessons learned:

These things really work!



Inquire about portions before ordering a seemingly ordinary breakfast in Roundup, MT…



A surprise gift when my friend learned of a favorite snack of mine… Three boxes!



My goal of avoiding summer heat was gratifyingly achieved. We did encounter early morning temps in the mid-40s several times, but mostly in the low to mid 50s. Daytime heat rose to the mid-70s most days, but now and then only the high 60s. Only rarely did it creep above the 80* mark. Just when I’d begun to think a ride out west wasn’t going to happen this year… a most pleasant surprise!

On the negative side of the ledger… My tenuous excuse for not deciding a new direction before has now been fully exhausted. It’s time now to at last come up with a new ‘plan’ for what comes next; and so, the endless struggle continues… I’m thinking I might retreat for a little while to the UP where it’s still cool, so I can ponder this perennial, perpetual conundrum some more…

DDT (12)

[Serk]

As I sit here high as a kite with throbbing pain in my jaw (It seems I'm still paying the price for last year's medical adventures, my teeth are the latest casualties, had a nasty "Root around to dig out all the pieces" extraction this morning) for a brief moment, your writeup took me away from here and put me where I long to be, out on the road.

Thank you.

[carolinarider09]

Excellent commentary and gives me a feeling of pride and joy and praise for an experience most of us would love to have.  

I was thinking back to the times I have spent on the road alone.  There were so many things, surprises, places on the way, that I had not even considered.  So many places I might have heard about but never seen.  

Some four years later, I became part of a group of four riders.  Two were much more experienced than I but I got to lead and plan the trips.  

There were so many surprises on these trips but the first one that always comes to mind was our 15 day journey west to places I might have been near but never ever visited.  It was 5,400 miles.  

Each day was inspiring. Each day was a learning experience.  And each day brought us closer together.  

We ended our group travels some 10 years later.  One rider now rides in heaven.  I, and the other two are still here.  We still communcate.  We still share those memories.  But I am the only one who rides and my times on the road have diminished due to personal issues.  

I miss those journeys.  I miss the camaraderie.  I miss traveling this great nation.  

So, DDT(12) I do envy you.  

[Rams]

Another excellent read from the Life and Times of a True Adventurer.
Thanks for taking us along.

Rams   

[Jess from VA]

As I sit here high as a kite with throbbing pain in my jaw (It seems I'm still paying the price for last year's medical adventures, my teeth are the latest casualties, had a nasty "Root around to dig out all the pieces" extraction this morning) for a brief moment, your writeup took me away from here and put me where I long to be, out on the road.

Thank you.

A terrible digging, hammering, twisting, yanking tooth extraction resulted in permanent (24 X 7) electronic noise tinnitus that never ever quits.  It just goes up and down a little mostly based on stimulants like coffee or loud noise exposure.  I thought I would lose my mind for months, but like anything else, you just learn to live with (and ignore) it.  I use a noise machine to sleep; you listen to the fan noise and not the head noise. 

I have a good decades long dentist, but I'm kind of afraid to visit him again (and take immaculate care of my remaining teeth).

(sorry for the drift Bruce)

[Mooskee]

Once again Bruce, I have enjoyed your pondering. I wish Josh and you safe and timely travels as you part ways and ride off over the next rise. You never know what the next horizon will reveal. One of my sons, a Valkyrie rider, wrote a song that has these words in it:
"And the miles will add up as the skyline with answers outruns me again.
And I'll reel in that perfect horizon.
Last of my lifetime, I'll find the last mile as good as the next, but not a thing to forget.
Cowboys aren't something life can elude.
I've got a couple runs left to outride regret,
and find my home avenue." Copyright Daniel Morgan.

[DDT (12)]

Serk,

Sorry to read of your ongoing maladies! I am happy, however, that this continuing story might be of some help to you. Yes, the open road is a tonic like no other... In person is best, of course, but imaginary treks can certainly help, too. My best regards to you, and my sincere hope that soon you will be able to take that 'better path' yourself...

DDT (12)



Jim,

I do understand your thoughts on this, and your story indeed does resonate with this confused gypsy! Like you, I have memories stored in my 'treasure trove', and I resurrect them from time to time and re-enjoy them all over again! This is but one of the many reasons taking the time to smell the roses along the way is so important! We may forego the adrenaline rushes many crave, but we will also store up memorable mental monuments to time well spent that we will hold dear for the remainder of our lives... All of us 'spiritual riders' hear you loud and clear!

DDT (12)



Ron,

You are welcome, my friend! It's no secret that I do love this life, and that the 'search for home' is far more rewarding than actually finding someplace to call home... No place, no plan, no one... Just right!!! I thought I'd found a place several times along the way... Only to discover I don't really want to 'live' anywhere; that I long to live everywhere!!! A constantly changing horizon keeps me vital and animated... A sedentary lifestyle is poison...

DDT (12)



Jess,

No problem with a seeming drift, my friend. It somehow seems in keeping, though, with my random life anyway! Mine is a story of a life's experience outside the boundaries of convention, but it is still the story of a human life. Pain and hurtful experiences are part of that as much as joy and exaltation, so there really is no true drift when taken in that context. I'm just happy that you find my stories worth following...

DDT (12)



Dave,

Thanks for your usual thought-provoking insights! Both of your sons have impressed and inspired me with their words, and the ones you included in your reply are no exception... I do admit to attempting to outrun regret, and to seeking to find my 'home avenue'... I quickly add that I have no illusions about actually losing those regrets, I only strive to come to terms with them. Likewise, I am also most certainly in no hurry to find my home avenue! I'm looking forward to our next 'skull session'; the stimulation is always welcome!

DDT (12)

[old2soon]

      All the times I've ridden M/Cs the few times I've had to by circumstances ride b tch were Not good for another RIDER. Though it is imaginary the exeception I Choose BTW is riding b tch with you. Maybe the Riding is in trail or side by each with you on my own scooter. How ever this goes keep on relating these amazing RIDES you find yerself on! I've mentioned this before as have others But you DO have a way of stitching words together that Anybody that RIDES can and Do relate to and  also feel the Wins in ones face the bugs on the teeth and smel of fields either freshly sown or freshly harvested or on occasion that dead skunk. But lets face it RIDING has indeed and Fact cast it's spell over most of us here. You more than others just so happen git to RIDE More than most of us! The very WHY of immersing ourselves in your Stories!  Keep on keepin on Bruce-AKA DDT (12) ! RIDE SAFE.

[Avanti]

I am sitting in Powell Campground just off of Lolo Pass as I read of “Ships Passing” and have to “Wonder as I Wander” where we all are crisscrossing this fair land.

It is great to hear that another adventure is on the bookshelf and one to look upon as time passes as memorable.

Ride Far Ride Safe.

[DDT (12)]

Dennis,

I really appreciate those kind remarks! You do have a way of increasing my hat size by several whole numbers!!! You are smack on the money, though... All rides are not actually while we're seated in a saddle. Nope, we all take imaginary rides or revisit recollections of previous rides, but rides in our minds are all part of the riding experience, too.

Some of our rides are ones where we join-in with someone else on their ride by reading their posted stories. We fill in the blank spaces and thin spots with our own 'details', so even those rides become our own, as we ride along with our friends. You and several others have taken us on many great rides without our even standing our bikes up off their kickstands... Thanks for your contributions!

DDT (12)



Gene,

Our riding ranges do much of the time overlap in spaces and places... Usually not in the same time slots, however. Still, by traveling those same roads and gazing upon those same vistas, we do 'share' things in common, and those common experiences do tend to elevate our understanding of and respect for the other. You do still camp, however, which is something I gave up a couple of decades ago... In that regard... well, doing that nowadays is little more than a concept for this weary relic. It's you, though, my friend, so keep on keepin' on!!!

DDT (12)

I'm glad you enjoy my stories, and I'm especially glad you lavishly add your thoughts and positive reaction on them in your replies!

[Oss]

I will confess.

I re-read your latest of posts almost every time I log on to this forum.

They help me to enter, even just vicariously, that special place where you reside and ponder
that which you have just experienced.

The Karma that seems to embrace your journeys is one we can all embrace

Thank you for that Bruce, your writings help more than you know    

[h13man]

DDT, Mountain Dew Kickstart and Lance's peanut butter/honey crackers are my favorites. MDKS taste much better and works extremely well. It was my go to everyday for 3 yrs. before retirement.

[DDT (12)]

Evan,

Thank you, my friend, for that wonderful reply! You've definitely made my day... Thank you again for that, Evan, your replies mean more than you know...

DDT (12)



Floyd,

I hear ya, amigo! I drank Kickstart for a long time myself back when I was having a problem with becoming drowsy while riding. All that extra caffeine sure did help. Following my urinary issues associated with prostate cancer, however, caffeine became an 'accelerator' of incontinence, so it had to go.

I pretty much have to avoid most anything except water these days, but I do draw the line at two cups of coffee in the mornings and an occasional celebratory brewski... and of course a special Margarita with the ladies. Sometimes we just have to take a stand, ya know!

I also like PeanutButter crackers, and with honey is good too. I'm also fond of the Lemon Creme Nekot by Lance crackers. My favorite cracker, though, is the Cheddar Cheese by Munchies... Yummmmm!!!

DDT (12)

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Another great read, thanks Bruce. Sure made my morning coffee more enjoyable.

Agree 100% about those 5 hour energy drinks. A great perk up, but not enough liquid to require an extra pit stop down the road.

[DDT (12)]

Frye,

Thanks, my friend, for the compliment and comments! Yep, I've found the 'volume' aspect of that pick-me-up to be an appealing feature, as well! I now carry two spares on the bike with me... just in case... I buy new ones at stops, of course, thereby maintaining those spares for any stops at rest areas, motel rooms, or other places where they are otherwise unavailable. I'm planning on never being without them close at hand! I don't take them regularly, but now and then they can really help, so they have become an important occasional ingestible and permanent cargo item. Again, thanks for joining the conversation.

DDT (12)

[Valker]

Bruce, I buy mine in 15 pack boxes at Walmart for less than $2/ bottle. It does take me a while to use the whole box, but I carry a few on trips.

[DDT (12)]

Eric,

Ahhh, the voice of experience! Your price per bottle is considerably below the unit price in a convenience store! Oh well, the few I purchase don't result in any threat to my retirement savings, thankfully. I'm probably taking one, possibly two, bottles per week... And, then in the afternoons on hot days when I traditionally find myself 'running out of steam'. In a surprisingly short time, I experience a boost in energy level and that enables me to finish the evening chores. I've also begun eating something (principally proteins only) in the mornings or during the day to help with late day energy lag... Live and learn, I guess... Thanks for adding to the discussion!

DDT (12)

P.S. The FCR is drawing nearer... you ready?

[Valker]

P.S. The FCR is drawing nearer... you ready?

Absolutely! I was thinking about that on my ride this morning. This is the first day in quite a while that it wasn't 90° before 10:00 AM.

[DDT (12)]

Eric,

Yeah, my enthusiasm for a ride really begins to wane above 90* and continues to wane further as the temp rises from there! Like all of us, though, I've done it more times than I care to recall, but I find myself doing a lot less these days... It should be much nicer the third week of October in western NC!!! See ya there, my friend...

DDT (12)