The View...

The view is… rather limited this morning… Barely a mile at most in any direction, with no mountains visible at all; everything that can be seen is grey and depressingly dismal. Sort of like watching an old movie set on some waterfront made before the introduction of Technicolor.

It happens… Less so out west, but even here rain days are still all part of the drill. Not my favorite circumstance, of course, but then again, what rider does enjoy scooterizing on cold, grey, dreary, wet days? There are worse situations, of course, but… here we are and this is what we have…

It’s better when we don’t have to ride in these unpleasant conditions, naturally, and that is happily my situation this day. Tomorrow, however, I have an inflexible departure date; so, come rain or shine, we’ll be mobile again. Mercifully, there appears to be a window likely to develop for us long enough to make the dash to a motel… however, with forecasts, there are never any guarantees.

We’ll only have a couple of miles to endure at worst, though, before settling in for probably two nights at the next motel. I have a dentist appointment the following day, and the forecast for then is also rather discouraging, but… it just may work out… I wish I knew the native American chant for perfect weather!

I spotted something very interesting on the map the other day. It is a location and historical site I’ve been aware of for a long time, and a place I’d always figured to visit ‘one of these days’… but so far we haven’t managed to have a look-see. ‘Madison Buffalo Jump State Park’ is less than a hundred miles from here, and… this just may be the time!

The thing about always having to prioritize and reluctantly choose to skip over many places is we are forced into that due to schedules, limited available time, inflexible overall travel plans, and so many competing locales calling to us at the same time. This place was never high enough on any list of mine to receive a visit… When time was available, thought of it never occurred at a convenient time…

There is a silver lining to having bypassed so many interesting places… We have unfinished business and a good reason to return. Filling in the blanks and seeing the finer points previously over-looked or deliberately missed is a great way to raise interest and motivation levels to spur us on to go ramble around without end… I’m employing that technique right now… as SmokinJoe would say… “Weather pending, of course!” I must confess, though, I am much more prone to ‘vagina-itis’ than he… and that most certainly effects my choices!

Ideally… the weather will ease later today and continue tomorrow with improvement. My dentist appointment is for 7am the day after tomorrow, so the rest of that day could be available to go visit this lesser known historical site… as Meathead might say, “To continue on with my vision quest…”

I like that observation of his, by the way… mostly because it is a fairly accurate description of my mission these days… I hadn’t thought of it that way before, but since he’s mentioned it, I do see the connection… and I do agree with it! If things don’t work out as hoped, then we’ll simply adjust and delay our plans a day or two… or three…

I have come up with a broad general loop ride that we will embark upon for the next week or two… No telling if we’ll actually complete that circuitous jaunt or head off in another direction, but… Curious how easily we can ease into ruts and allow lethargy to sneak-up on us and set it… Sitting too long in one spot can certainly lead to that, and it is, in my own opinion, eventually fatal!

Maintaining curiosity and interest in exploration, on the other hand, can stimulate us in so many ways, and it can be counted upon to put some energy in our movements and a joyous bounce in our step! I’m feeling that right now, as I contemplate all the glorious wonders just down the road and within our crosshairs!!! I think I’ll go have another cup of Joe out on the porch now and watch the drizzle… And, savor some exciting, warming thoughts of all the amazing coming attractions!

DDT