One more story kinda long

[solo1]

This story was written back in 2005.  I was three years into the loss of my wife.  The start of Winter, then as now, was a dismal thought.  I guess the approach of Christmas reminds us of all the memories of the past.  Now I have one more memory to add, the sale of my Valkyrie.  I miss it but it was time to give it a better home.  Here's the story.  I hope that it helps to get through the Winter, especially my Michigan friends.

Wayne

IN My Mind

I look out the window and all in  view is a bleak Indiana winter landscape.  Even though the winter is still in its infancy, it is a grownup in its intensity.   The streets are covered in ice, the wind is blowing, the thermometer hasn’t made up its mind as to whether it should go up or down. and its not a fit day to be out.
The Valkyrie is hibernating for now with a battery charger ensuring a steady stream of electrons for the day that the Valk is called upon to awaken.  For now, the Valkyrie is content to rest.

Rest is also what I should do.  However, I cannot.  My mind is restless.  I wonder, could it be possible to go back in time and relive events of my youth  but change my personal history to better suit my dreams.  Yes, it is possible. In my Mind.

It is the summer of 1956.  I am on my Valkyrie, Emanuel.  My dear wife, Phyl, her with the wonderful blue eyes, freckles, and youthful figure is on the back hugging my waist.  I am no longer Solo 1 for, you see, my wife is riding with me.  Gone are all her ills that troubled her in later years, gone are all her inhibitions about riding ,  and she is once again the youthful girl and love of my life.  As if that’s not enough,  I also have enjoyed a magic transformation.   My left knee once again does my bidding, my right wrist is pain free, and all the anxieties and depression of my later years have disappeared as I  return to the joy of being  27 again.  In my Mind.

The Valkyrie senses our mood.  The chrome adorned flat six engine rumbles contentedly as we motor east on Highway 2 along the north shore of Lake Michigan.   The weather is perfect, not a cloud in the sky with a temperature of 70 degrees and a cooling  breeze blowing onshore from the south.  We are riding past a long stretch of sand dunes between the lake and gently undulating highway 2.  There are occasional tendrils of sand intruding on the road but they present no problems to my  reacquired  youthful confidence and skill.  The deep blue waters of Lake Michigan beckons but our thirst for contentment is satisfied by the heady aroma of  pine trees ,  the wind past our bodies, and the willingness of the steed under us to do our bidding.  In my Mind.

We continue on.  Ahead is a series of curves, unusual for this highway.  However,  Emanuel is up to the task and so am I.  The rumble of the Valk approaches a snarl as we enter the curves, my wife holding me ever tighter but welcoming the rush.  We continue on enjoying the rhythm of the road with the sparkling waters of Lake Michigan to our right. Soon, too soon, we are through the curves and ‘way ahead on our right, we can see Big Mac beckoning to us.  This graceful and beautiful six mile long bridge over the straits, bridging the gap between the lower and the upper peninsula of the Wolverine state and with the Great Lake of Huron on one side and the Great Lake of Michigan on the other, has always been a welcome sight.  The ride marked by an absence of  other vehicles, has been rewarding.  The memories, newly minted, are exquisite but bittersweet.  Overall a joyful experience.   In my Mind.



So all of you out there who are suffering from the effects of this, the Winter of 2005,  take a ride, take a trip, and enjoy, for anything is possible.   In YOUR Mind.

[Thunderbolt]

just change the names and location.  Kind of "why we ride".

[Valkernaut]

Thanks, Wayne. Ieta has been gone two years and four months. You have just put us back on the bike for some of our trips....in MY mind.

Jim

[Black Dog]

Thanks for the ride Wayne... 

Black Dog

[R J]

Thanks Wayne, my youngest daughter and I came that way only the other direction.

We went up via Duluth, into Canada and back into the states, stopped at the Mackinac Island, and came on home.......   Great trip and great memories...

[wupster]

    thanks for the great story Wayne, keepem comin...........