Ahoy, Matey...

[DDT (12)]

Ahoy, Matey...

No doubt about it, there is nothing else quite like a little ocean voyage to provide a complete change of pace... A radical departure from usual activities to refocus our thoughts, to refresh muscle memory, and to ponder ideas not normally engaged; and for simply shaking up the typical monotonous routine of daily life! I recently had a wee reminder...

Ah, the smell of salt in the air, the unmelodious screeching of sea gulls, the sensations of subtle vaguely familiar counter-movements generated by involuntary 'adjustments' to the structures around us testing our balance and alertness to the undulations of the ever-changing surface. Recreation can indeed be re-creation by shaking us out of our doldrums, routines... ruts...

Okay, it obviously wasn't a true ocean voyage... and it wasn't even part of some grand passage of any note. It was a half hour or so ride on the ferry across Galveston Bay. One of my more common choices is to give Houston or any large city a wide berth. I only very rarely attempt to slip through such a mega metropolis, as the heavy traffic and its frenetic pace are downright spooky to even contemplate for this easy rider!

I did enjoy all the thinking that little diversion triggered, though. It had been quite foggy that morning, so everything moved a bit slower than normal. The wait for the ferry was more than half an hour, then the ride to the opposite shore took another half hour or so. Nothing much to see, however, as we were floating inside a cloud with all the familiar smells, sounds and sensations, but none of the usual sights to stimulate my wonder muscle. Nothing there an active imagination couldn't handle, though!

I know it may not seem like anything worth noticing, but to this student of everything, it struck me as an interesting subject to ponder... With no deadlines, commitments, appointments, or any time pressure at all... Heck, I don't normally even make motel reservations to ensure the flexibility of where to stay is even maintained to the very last moment.

Each day is spent discovering whatever crosses our path, then considering the significance of even seemingly unimportant things, and finally celebrating the wonderous life of discovery this produces. Considering the value of radical change in expected activities... The reality of pure joy diversion from the anticipated can bring in its place...

Much of the above is the result of an unhurried, unplanned, unscripted lifestyle, of course. However, much of it is also the product of deliberate mindset experimentation... Is that surprise that just popped up a nuisance or a blessing? Is it a pain-in-the-neck or a sheer delight? Is it adding to the weighty stress blob that is contributing to my further descent into unhappiness, or is it an interesting learning opportunity to stimulate me and point me towards personal growth in some new direction...? Is my very first thought… ‘Hmmm…?’ or ‘Ah shucks!’

For most of my life before discovering the miracle of the coddiewomple, much of my conscious thought energy was being consumed by planning, anticipating, adjusting, and overcoming. I vividly recall thinking to myself how wonderful it might be to free myself from those burdens and to redirect my mental processes and focus towards previously unconsidered areas… Thoughts of how shallow my existence really was but of the contrast an unfettered level of intellectual freedom might produce…

More than simply maintaining balance when standing on a subtly moving deck, muscle memory can also describe many of our automatic emotional responses to various triggers. Does the acid immediately begin to dump into our tummies when surprises spring up, or when we first detect ourselves even slightly wandering off course…? When a silver lining at last may become visible with the passage of a dismal storm cloud, do we realize how inappropriate and futile our initial reaction (likely over-reaction) truly might have been? Do we ever reflect upon such things…?

And that, boys and girls, is what was on my mind as I mostly remained seated upon our girl during our 'voyage' across the Bay... I know, I could have thought about all of that just as easily while relaxing comfortably in a sumptuous Lazy Boy someplace, however... Getting out there and actually living all of those things just struck me as a better idea... A ‘sea voyage’ combined with an open-ended road trip to a currently unknown somewhere instead of... Yep, a '12' kind of day for sure...

DDT (12)

[Valker]

Glad you're experiencing.   

[Hook#3287]

And that, boys and girls, is what was on my mind as I mostly remained seated upon our girl during our 'voyage' across the Bay..

That reminds me of a weekend road trip I made with 2 HD riding buds.

We were heading home from upstate NY, crossing over to VT, when we came upon a ferry crossing Lake Champlain, so we got on it.

We pulled up next to a mini-van with 2 or 3 little dudes in it, with Mom, and their all wide eyed looking at the bikers.

As the boat pulled off and hits speed, one of my buddies, the gruffest looking one of us, ran back and jumped on his bike, all white faced.

We're like "what's up" and he goes "these things sink all the time, ya know!"

The little dudes start laughing and one go's  "Mom, that guys scared too!"

My other buddy and I laugh and head up to the front deck.

[3fan4life]

I thoroughly enjoyed my ride on that ferry!

The ride along the the Gulf Coast on the Bolivar Peninsula and into Louisiana was very enjoyable as well.


 

[Thunderbolt]

Bruce glad you haven't run out of words yet.  As always a good job on describing such an adventure that to some would seem mundane.
Reminds me of the time when we were at the first Inzane in Paducah if my recollector is correct.  I decided to ride over to Missouri since I spent about 10 years of my childhood in the bootheel.  We rode the 99 Interstate over to the mighty Mississippi and found a ferry to take us across.  Iris declined to ride down the hill and onto the ferry with me.  Instead she walked down the hill and boarded.  Same on the departure of said conveyance.  We found a bridge to get is back across, I think it was Caruthersville Mo.

[Rams]

Much to contemplate in that posting Bruce.   No doubt, the Gypsie life offers exactly what you want and need.   Thanks for posting, an enjoyable read.   

Rams

[HayHauler]

I can't believe you came through the Houston area and didn't let any of us locals know.  A ride on the ferry sure would have been nice, even with the fog.  I bet you could have seen some dolphins if you looked hard enough.
Safe travels my friend.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[DDT (12)]

Eric,

Oh yeah, my friend! Every day is a blank canvas upon which we can paint whatever we want, and I've chosen a life you know so well to provide all the stimulation for pondering I can handle!!! There is so much to see and experience, but the highlight for this road warrior remains the characters I meet along the way. A Valk has transformed this reasonably normal rider into a fulltime m/c gypsy, and I can't seem to get enough of it! I hope your recovery is progressing to suit you...  

DDT (12)



Bill,

Funny how our own memories along with those of others can trigger recollections of similar or at least remotely related events in our past. Relived experiences are most worthwhile, so I'm glad you were able to recall a good one for yourself. I also appreciate your sharing it with the rest of us, as you've now triggered similar memories for all who read your words... I hope you have an early Spring and can get your knees in the breeze again soon!  

DDT (12)



Mark,

That is a most pleasant ride for sure! My favorite aspect is the long stretches of undeveloped beaches and nearby property that offer most enjoyable cruising tailormade for ponderation and serious fantasizing! The ferry ride is an added bonus.

Wandering around our continent on two wheels sure is worthwhile, isn't it...? Beaches and barren deserts, mountains and flat prairies, bayous and oceans... It's all out there and every bit of it worth the effort to go see... Doing so on two wheels serves to magnify the experience many times over, too... I'm only guessing here, but I do suspect you agree with all of that!  

DDT (12)



Terry,

I appreciate the kind words plus the sharing of an anecdote of your own. I had no difficulty at all visualizing Iris walking up and down the hill to and from that ferry! It reminded me of the time I parked her Valk for her on a steep parking lot at that BBQ joint in Keystone Heights long, long ago! Good memories are a true treasure, and I'm mighty glad we were able to make so many together... I miss y'all, my dear friends...  

DDT (12)



Ron,

Yes, and I appreciate you saying so. In fact, it's nearly impossible for this weary road warrior to open his eyes and not spot something worthy of consideration! Yes again, this life better than anything else I've ever tried does indeed come close to providing all I truly need or could ever want... (12)!!! for certain!  

DDT (12)



Jimmy,

I apologize, my friend! It wasn't because I didn't think of y'all, though... because I did as we rode through Alvin. I usually am lost in some sort of daze... or fog... and I typically fail to contact my friends in time to do any good... I'll try to do better next time I head in that direction! BTW, just as you figured, no dolphins were spotted on this trip across, but I have seen them on previous trips! They do seem to enjoy 'surfing' in the bow wake in particular!  

DDT (12)

[old2soon]

   Had to look it up cuz the ol recollector was a mite fogged in Even After my mornin caffeine!  I rode the Peel Ferry from Missouri-S end of Mo. 125-over to Arkansas with my Ridin friend J T he showed it to me. Dang Glad he did!  2 miles across and about 20 mins on the ferry and it's FREE!  No Dolphins But lotsa folks got outa their cages and wanted to discuss M/Cs in general. Little coolerish that day as the leathers and glove felt good as I recall!  Course I spent almost 2 years of my life on one of Uncle Sugars aircraft carriers some years back so I iz familiar with the salt water aroma!  Bruce My Friend just keep on with what yer a doin as it seems to suit you to a T!  RIDE SAFE.

[DDT (12)]

Dennis,

Yeah, amazing isn't it...? How the time-consuming inconvenience of having to cross a water obstacle on a ferry can be perceived. In our cage we're just adjusting our journey to our ultimate destination; however, the experience can be entirely different under slightly different circumstances: Simply replace the word 'cage' with 'Valkyrie'...

In a cage, our focus is on the destination and what follows the journey. On our Valks, the focus is on the journey itself. In a cage we're passive observers of the world around us as we pass through on our way somewhere. On our Valks, we become completely engaged in everything around us and become one with our steeds and our environment... We're already where we want to be!

I liken the difference to that of people at a stadium for a ball game. Cagers are the ones in the stands watching anxiously worried about the outcome. Valkers are the players down on the field enjoying the plays as they occur while seeking an outcome... Same place, same event, totally difference experiences... I suspect you see it a lot like the way I do...

DDT (12)

[Hook#3287]

We're already where we want to be!

That's a great line, gonna use that.

[DDT (12)]

Bill,

Thanks! Yes, and it also proves the point... "If I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand..."

DDT (12)