My 'Favorite' Place

[DDT (12)]

 
I’m often asked, “What’s your favorite place of all the places you’ve been?” You’ve probably been asked that yourself… Man, that’s a tough one for this trekker, because I’ve been to so many amazing locales, seen some of the most awesome sights, learned so much that could never be adequately described in words by actually being at an historic site and ‘feeling’ the imponderable energy. While it’s true that I do hold a special fondness for mountains, even that doesn’t narrow the choice down all that much!
 
MSB posted a reply the other day, and he got me to thinking again about that challenging question. Just where would I select for that designation? Well, I’d already come to the conclusion I’d never be able to reduce it down to just one specific place or even one particular type of place… well, in a physical sense, that is… And, I have tried…
 
In 1980, I told my wife that I’d always wanted to ride a bike in the mountains (we lived in central Florida), so I was thinking of taking a week off and going to the Smoky Mountains ‘to get it out of my system’… I made that ride… And, I haven’t missed a year up there since! The self-discovery alone on that major foray into the ‘unknown’ had hooked me for life… Everything was so different… meaningful… deep! Of course, you know how that is, and… well, that’s when that special magic we’ve all discovered really began to sink-in for this hopeless addict-in-the-making…
 
It has slowly been coming to me where that ‘special place’ might be… It hit me these last few days, though, and I think I’m able to at long last offer an answer… of sorts… My favorite of all places is wherever I find the strong bonds of friendship… Where connectedness with good people seems palpably present, and the wonders of just being around really nice folks are obvious… where we immerse ourselves in the joyous sensation of being respected by people themselves worthy of much respect… That special place and time where and when we feel ‘we belong’… Naturally, that doesn’t reduce my answer down to one solitary location either, but… it’s about as close as I can come…

On the other hand... After having that epiphany, I departed the fellowship of my good friends in Hattiesburg, MS, and rode off alone... And, in no time at all, I was trying to cope with the contradictions with what I was feeling already and the thoughts and conclusions I'd just described above! Heck, I was reveling in the ride, the sights around me, and I was truly enjoying the solitude and 'space' I was immersed in once again... How can this be?

Well, it is rather bewildering, I'll admit, and it did give me pause for... ummmm... the better part of an hour. That's when yet another revelation struck me... I love it all! What's more, I love everywhere and everything! After a bit more thought and soul-searching, I finally concluded my favorite place is wherever I happen to be at any given moment in time... Have I ever mentioned that I just love my life…?

DDT

[Beardo]

I’ve been asked how I could ride across the country all by myself.  That must be so boring, they say. They don’t understand and they never will, no matter what words I use. But I don’t usually try, you just smile to yourself, knowing that you have a “secret to happiness” that might just work for a select few...and we’re lucky enough to have found it.

Ride on, Bruce. 

[Valkorado]

Having witnessed your exuberant gusto for life and your way of finding silver linings in just about every situation, I think your favorite place is always enjoyed with great company -- even in your solitude!   

Carry on, Bruce!

[..]

I’ve been asked how I could ride across the country all by myself.  That must be so boring, they say. They don’t understand and they never will, no matter what words I use. But I don’t usually try.

 

[Oss]

glad I could share a couple of those moments with y'all as well as our other Valkyrie brothers and sisters

We are all blessed to be free people riding around this great country.

Great read again DDT   You are surely makin me look forward to when I can take more extended time to experience those moments

Guess I will just have to wait for Inzane to do some more of that

[msb]

I agree with all the phylisophical analogies about our "favorite place" we've been that you mention Bruce, particularly the one about being in the company of good friends...and also the one about being happy enough with your life that anywhere can be a "favorite place" at a given time. I also agree with you Jason, that anytime  you find yourself in the saddle on the road to who knows where, that it too can be a "favorite place" at that particular time.

For me though, if I ask myself that question with an actual, singular place in mind it's pretty easy for me to  come up with simpler, more direct asnwer.  In my 46 years of riding, road tripping, and 30+  years of travelling mostly North America for work, I've been to a lot of places....a lot of great places. However, the one that always stands out, no matter how often I find my way through there and that will always be my singular  "favorite place", is Kootenay Lake in SE BC. It's my boyhood home...will always be my "home " even though I may likely never live there again. It's always remained a part of me, as it offered up such an idealic and memorable childhood and shaped me into the type of person I've been all these years, and it will always hold that spot just above all others that I have been to, or have yet to experience.
If I were to offer up a more phylisophical type of "favorite place" response, it too would be a no-brainer for me...anywhere that I can be in the company of my gals...my bride, my daughters (I'll throw in my son in laws as well, 'cause they're pretty great), and my granddaughter

[..]

I agree with all the phylisophical analogies about our "favorite place" we've been that you mention Bruce, particularly the one about being in the company of good friends...and also the one about being happy enough with your life that anywhere can be a "favorite place" at a given time. I also agree with you Jason, that anytime  you find yourself in the saddle on the road to who knows where, that it too can be a "favorite place" at that particular time.

For me though, if I ask myself that question with an actual, singular place in mind it's pretty easy for me to  come up with simpler, more direct asnwer.  In my 46 years of riding, road tripping, and 30+  years of travelling mostly North America for work, I've been to a lot of places....a lot of great places. However, the one that always stands out, no matter how often I find my way through there and that will always be my singular  "favorite place", is Kootenay Lake in SW BC. It's my boyhood home...will always be my "home " even though I may likely never live there again. It's always remained a part of me, as it offered up such an idealic and memorable childhood and shaped me into the type of person I've been all these years, that it will always hold that spot just above all others that I have been, or have yet to experience.
If I were to offer up a more phylisophical type of "favorite place" response, it too would be a no-brainer for me...anywhere that I can be in the company of my gals...my bride, my daughters (I'll throw in my son in laws as well, 'cause they're pretty great), and my granddaughter

One of the highlights of my north of the border ride was the ferries across the lakes.

Naksup to Revelstoke with the clouds pressing down on the mountains. Beautiful.

[Valker]

My one favorite spot is the seat of my main Valkyrie, but at 184,000 miles I have a VERY long run to catch you.

[Rams]

There are places that I really like (probably because of who I know there) and other places I really prefer the Lone Wolf feeling I get (just because) I'm riding solo and need the peace and quiet of my own mind.   Some folks can't ride with out a radio or music, I'm just the opposite, don't want anything to distract me from what I want to concentrate on.   

I really enjoyed our adventure this past weekend, riding to the coast with Bruce and some of Hattiesburg's sexy seniors.    They are a fun bunch to be around.    Just be careful, they like taking pictures when you least expect it. 

Rams

[DIGGER]

When I'm asked about my favorite place to see and experience has got to be the Grand Canyon.  Been a lot of places....seen a lot of places....experienced a lot of places....but the Grand Canyon is tops.  Especially in a chopper that goes out in the middle and along the rims....done it 3 times in my life.

[Ice]

Bruce, love the way you summed up your favorite place. 
For me it is wherever the wind takes us on our ride and the friends that are with us or we meet along the road.
Agreed that the mountains have a certain draw, always. However I have very fond memories of places that in reality were not that interesting asides from the fact that the people we associated it with made it special.
Thanks as always for sharing.
See you in the wind my Friend

[Bigwolf]

Thanks Bruce, for another thought provoking read.  I think your last paragraph sums it up well.

For this travel impaired old Tennessee transplant from WV, anyplace outside of the house is awesome.  Not all awesome in the same way, but awesome in their own right.  I am certainly looking forward to spending a lot more time out and about with my favorite motorcycle transporting me.  Hoping to spend some time with good friends along the way too.

[shadowsoftime]

DisneyWorld with Grandkids.