A Plan To Plan... It's A Circular Thing...

[DDT (12)]

A Plan To Plan… It’s A Circular Thing…
 
So, what do I write about when I have nothing in particular to say? ‘Freefall’ comes immediately to mind… I just put my mind in neutral and let my dainty digits dance across the keyboard and do the walking… or thinking… for me until an idea germinates.  Not much is percolating up just yet, so… Let’s not give up quite yet, though… Hmmm… I suppose there is that one continual question always lurking around in the background of my vacuous cranial space…
 
As usual, I have lately been earnestly pondering my usual dilemma, and that is ‘where to next’. I’m starting to wonder if the answer has been staring me in the face all along… hiding in plain sight. There is no elusive plan to pursue because there simply is no overall plan, no schematic of life, in the first place. Funny, I’ve spent untold hours looking for a spot on the horizon to draw me onward, to provide purpose, to offer some semblance of… whatever…
 
The most stimulating events on this entire ‘Vison Quest’ journey, ironically, have been those that have popped up out of nowhere. When I’ve least expected them, surprises have arisen and amazed, delighted, dazzled, and confused this ponderer of things imponderable. I had no clue when we recently rode towards the Quad State Ride, for example, what we might do afterward.
 
Partly I was just using that gathering as an excuse to postpone making a decision on a direction or plan, because I seemed to be tapped out of fresh ideas or unmet desires to pursue… My bucket list has long been satisfied… The idea of a ride out west with Josh spontaneously sprang from an idle chat while standing around at the QSR, so the next couple of weeks suddenly became filled by a very nice road trip with an amazing young friend.
 
A day or two following our parting in Brookings, SD, I meandered east to Austin, MN, where I’d spent a few days previously to facilitate a cheap layover, while I impatiently waited for some new inspiration. None came before nor this time… I also had a visit from a good friend (Terry Cilly) who replaced the badly degraded windshield pouches on our girl.
 
While there, I did some reading, as I sometimes do. I read some in the books I was carrying: One given to me by Mooksee, the other by Vanessa, the manager of the motel in Austin. Both interesting and worth the effort. Much can be gleaned from the pages filled with the thoughts of thoughtful writers. Now and then, one can even receive some inspiration through that medium… Mostly, however, it’s just useful information to add to the always expanding database…
 
Funny about that… I don’t have a library with me, of course, and I don’t have any sort of prescribed or regular reading regimen… I do frequently have a book or two on board that seem to just pop-up now and then… Some are gifts from thoughtful friends, others are ‘loaners’ from acquaintances, and now and then I might purchase a text that catches my eye. No plan here either, just whatever might happen to enter the picture along the way.
 
We rode on to Osceola, IA, for another cheap layover and to continue to await that vague ‘spark’ so skillful at evading me. Nothing… Then, a chance call from Barbie, and the unrelated idea of a ride to Mitch’s place for the next rearend service sprang from our conversation. However, should I go there before or after the DRU?
 
I do plan to attend that gathering, also… We could either ride over to West Virginia on a long cut to the DRU first, or we could make a more direct ride to Mitch & Laura’s hacienda before the gathering… I’d better check with them first. Funny, I think I’ve just come up with the next likely new direction alternatives, so now we simply must choose one to depend upon what might work best for Mitch… Could this be a ‘plan’ of sorts taking shape?
 
It looks like at present ‘Valker’ will be meeting us in Corydon, IN, next week at the DRU. He then is talking like he’ll just hang out with us through the FCR in October, then probably head for home… That’ll be interesting… Eric and this wayward gypsy on a random extended road trip together… I imagine there will be plenty of BBQ, catfish, and back roads involved in all our wanderings… Of course, no plan, though.
 
He professes to prefer the ‘no-plan plan’ way of bumbling along and blundering into unexpected adventure and new discoveries – a plan he admits to employing extensively himself. I just love it when a plan comes together… Heck, I love it when a plan comes into being! No, wait…!
 
Is it an actual plan I think I need, or is it possibly simply the idea of a plan due to lifelong preconditioning for which I’ve been vainly searching? Have I just been needlessly going in cycles of concentric circles all this time…? Clearly, I still have some serious ‘skull’ work to do to once and for all break this nasty ol’ imaginary ‘plan’ dependency condition… I ‘plan’ to do just that, too…
 
DDT (12)

[Valker]

Thanks-Another great read, Bruce. I look forward to our upcoming sojourn. As for my 'planning' ability...I usually raise a hand up slightly above my right ear then toss it forward and down while muttering "thataway".

[DDT (12)]

Eric,

I do like the way you think! You may have just signed up to be our leader!!! I do have a stop to make shortly after the DRU, but that will definitely prove to be a wonderful experience, as you will discover... Beyond that, North America will be our oyster... I'm looking forward to shucking it with you!!!

DDT (12)

[thedon]

Great read Bruce. Be careful when talking with Barbie.

[DDT (12)]

Don,

Thanks, my friend... You know Barbie better than any of us, so... I'm paying attention!

DDT (12)

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Does the  " Valker " have a room for FCR ? Only thing available right now is a two bedroom apartment type room . If I can get someone in that the entire property will be only our group.

[DDT (12)]

Joe,

At the moment he has the couch in Skinhead's house reserved for him... If he sees this, maybe he'll join in the conversation... I'd rather not speak for him... I'll check with Hot Tub Johnny to see if he might want to ride up for this event... He's never been to an FCR. (I sent him a text right after I posted this... now waiting for a response... He just replied that he already has plans to do a ride then with some of his Harley buds... so, nope.)

DDT (12)

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Joe,

At the moment he has the couch in Skinhead's house reserved for him... If he sees this, maybe he'll join in the conversation... I'd rather not speak for him... I'll check with Hot Tub Johnny to see if he might want to ride up for this event... He's never been to an FCR. (I sent him a text right after I posted this... now waiting for a response... He just replied that he already has plans to do a ride then with some of his Harley buds... so, nope.)

DDT (12)

It's sold out now as of today the entire place is our group. I might know a rider with a room with two beds but will need to check with him first.

[Valker]

Bruce, I'm still planning on using your offered couch.

[DDT (12)]

Joe,

You are amazing, my friend! Every year you coordinate room and people match-ups, and everything always works out. Your efforts have paid off handsomely by producing one of the best events in the entire Valkyrie universe. You are very much appreciated for all your efforts, and for the always great event the rest of us get to enjoy each year... THANKS!!!

DDT (12)

[DDT (12)]

Eric,

Yup, the couch for you and a bed for me are still awaiting us. As I'm learning about you, the ability to zig and zag, adjust-on-the-fly, and roll-with-the-flow are impressive attributes you definitely possess. Those will serve us well should any surprises arise when we arrive.

Those traits are proving to be handy also in terms of the adjustments becoming necessary immediately following the DRU! I do not relish the prospect of riding down to central Florida anytime soon due to the heat/humidity still present there, but... I will have to renew my driver's license regardless...

That would work out for Mitch's needs, however, as he'd much prefer a visit from us a week or so following the DRU. So, Corydon, IN, to Winter Springs, FL, then, hopefully, the open road to cooler temps! A stop near Crossville, TN, and then... Who knows? We could very well end up following your right hand as it lurches forward from near your ear then downward...

DDT (12)

[f6john]

Eric,

Yup, the couch for you and a bed for me are still awaiting us. As I'm learning about you, the ability to zig and zag, adjust-on-the-fly, and roll-with-the-flow are impressive attributes you definitely possess. Those will serve us well should any surprises arise when we arrive.

Those traits are proving to be handy also in terms of the adjustments becoming necessary immediately following the DRU! I do not relish the prospect of riding down to central Florida anytime soon due to the heat/humidity still present there, but... I will have to renew my driver's license regardless...

That would work out for Mitch's needs, however, as he'd much prefer a visit from us a week or so following the DRU. So, Corydon, IN, to Winter Springs, FL, then, hopefully, the open road to cooler temps! A stop near Crossville, TN, and then... Who knows? We could very well end up following your right hand as it lurches forward from near your ear then downward...

DDT (12)

As so many baby boomers are selling out and hitting the road whether on two, four, six or more wheels, we should have a “free America” drivers license at least for the over 65 crowd! I’ll have to speak to my buddy Trump about that after he gets back in office!

[DDT (12)]

 John,

Thanks... Glad you have Trump's ear... Not the one that was shot, though, I hope... 

DDT (12)

[Valker]

Eric,

Yup, the couch for you and a bed for me are still awaiting us. As I'm learning about you, the ability to zig and zag, adjust-on-the-fly, and roll-with-the-flow are impressive attributes you definitely possess. Those will serve us well should any surprises arise when we arrive.

Those traits are proving to be handy also in terms of the adjustments becoming necessary immediately following the DRU! I do not relish the prospect of riding down to central Florida anytime soon due to the heat/humidity still present there, but... I will have to renew my driver's license regardless...

That would work out for Mitch's needs, however, as he'd much prefer a visit from us a week or so following the DRU. So, Corydon, IN, to Winter Springs, FL, then, hopefully, the open road to cooler temps! A stop near Crossville, TN, and then... Who knows? We could very well end up following your right hand as it lurches forward from near your ear then downward...

DDT (12)

Sounds like the perfect (lack of) planning.

[DDT (12)]

Eric,

Could this possibly become the perfect 'plan'? Circumstance will dictate some constraints upon our directional choices, but... Most everything else will be loosey-goosey, spontaneous reactions to events as they unfold... I'm getting excited!

DDT (12)