Nothing At All...

[DDT (12)]

Nothing At All...
 
Among the many things with which to grapple on a 'Vision Quest' such as the one being pursued by this long rider is the concept of nothingness. By that I mean no plans, no schedule, or no direction in mind... nothing. It forces such a counter thought process from anything previously known, that it often inclines this novice student of life to feel confused or a bit lost... and even a little apprehensive now and then.
 
When one chapter comes to a close and the next one begins, our thoughts immediately search for definition, clarity, or at least some indication of what might follow. When there is nothing, confusion reigns and threatens to paralyze us. We soon learn to be patient, however, as things always have a way of working out, and some modicum of clarity will come to us in relatively short order.
 
Following that mournful farewell wave to my good friends in 'tater country', I pointed our girl eastward with no idea where we might actually be headed. Since Yuri had strongly recommended a visit to Craters of The Moon NP, and it was nearby, that seemed an ideal interim destination to fill the void. It had become hot by the time we’d parted, though, and the shadows were beginning to grow longer, so... Maybe we'll just ride to the next town and get a room, saving the NP visit for the next morning.
 
I took the room in Arco, ID, for two nights, mostly because I didn't know what all would be involved with the ‘Park’ visit, but also because I simply was in no hurry to go anywhere in particular. A nice grill just down the road was recommended for dinner, and that proved to be very good advice.
 
The following day the interesting, unusual Park was toured, another meal enjoyed, followed by another afternoon watching the tube while avoiding the heat... Was I falling into some sort of routine here? ‘No decision’ is actually a decision itself, so… Routines, patterns, and ruts are possible outcomes about which to be guarded!
 
Another earnest but mostly futile session with online trip planning yielded little insight. Finally, I simply chose a direction and an interim destination based mostly upon the weather forecast with a stretch objective identified in case things worked out exceptionally well. We didn't reach either...
 
We veered left at an intersection that I'd thought we would be taking to the right... and I smiled that old familiar smile I always find myself doing when I inexplicably change course for no particular reason... other than it just feels good to not be bound to any itinerary or set 'plan'. Where would that road take us? Hmmm, I dunno, let's go find out...
 
Time to refuel approached, and a coffee break did sound like an entirely good idea, so... We cruised into the next tiny hamlet, and I began to look for a suitable place to stop... That town seemed eerily familiar, though, and I wondered... Could it be...? Yes, there is that motel with the nice restaurant on site where we'd spent a few nights on a previous trip through traveling in a different direction a couple of years back! I wondered some more...
 
It was before noon, so the likelihood of a room being unavailable was very real... I stopped to inquire anyway. I explained that I'd stayed there before, and that I was hoping... YES! The nice lady/co-owner did have a vacancy! Following the very early sign-up/check-in process, I walked directly to the restaurant in hopes of being in time for some biscuits 'n gravy...
 
Nope, just missed it... Oh well, everything I'd tried there before had been great, so I ordered some lunch... Then, we went to the room to unload and settle in for a couple of days. Surely some sort of inspiration would pop up... and it did!
 
I received a text message from my good friend Punisher, and my whole ride took a turn in a decidedly different direction. He was in South Dakota, and we discussed meeting up for a couple of days. Greybull, WY, became our connection place, so now we'd be heading more eastward through Yellowstone NP instead of the previous amble north through Missoula towards HWY 2 in northern Montana.
 
I was generally wandering back towards Alabama at the time for yet another upcoming doctor's appointment; but there was plenty of time to make the trek, so anything interesting could be explored... Spending a little quality time with a dear friend is always a good option, so I began looking forward to this next interlude...
 
Funny how one simple text message can alter everything in little more than the blinking of an eye… So much for living a solitary life, huh...? Nope, no plan to speak of, no place to be for now, and no idea what to do... until... So much for nothingness, too, I reckon...
 
DDT
 
 

[Oss]

Have you ever considered a Kindle?

It takes no room in the saddlebag and you will be free from the tv

I find it just as easy to fall asleep reading a good book as it is to do so in front of the tv

and the kindle always remembers what page you were on

Now I wont pretend to know how to load books (that is Bonnie's thing) but she will load 4 or 5 at a time so I always can pick up something to read while sitting on a chair or bench in Court or a picnic table at a rest area or whatever

Have fun as always, thanks for the good read today

[RNFWP]

Please tell Allan I said, HI !
It's fun to think about the two of you wandering around out there and choosing to run into each other for a visit. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

I don’t know if I’ve ever known anybody that was able to enjoy life as much as you have. You have a unique ability of being able to absorb its punches and still see the glass filled to the brim. I am very envious of you at times. I think we could all learn much from you and your attitudes towards life. (I know I can) Carry on my friend. Enjoy your FCR. 

[John Schmidt]

Been a few years since I've seen or communicated with Allan. Give him my regards as time and memory allows. 

[Rams]

Funny how one simple text message can alter everything in little more than the blinking of an eye…
 
DDT

There should be no doubt about that!   Whether that message comes in a text, a PM, an email or a phone call.    Some surprises change everything.   This past Spring, my son and his wife delivered a message to my wife and I, about a month ago, she delivered our first grandson.    Yes, messages can change everything.

Rams

[DDT (12)]

Oss,

Yes, I have! I haven't pulled the trigger on such a device yet, but I have considered it, and I do imagine at some point I'll do that. Then, like you, I can ponder the mysteries of how to actually load books and/or otherwise use the darned thing! I do have some very techy friends, however, so I'm really not all that intimidated by the prospects...

I enjoy reading, so that would be a very useful addition to my travel load. My interest, though, ebbs and flows considerably, so much of the time it would simply be excess baggage. Oh well, having access to some good reading to 'round out' my ponderings and to add 'flesh' to the bones of history texts is most interesting and rewarding! It's coming, my friend... but the time just has not quite arrived...

DDT



Ross,

I surely will! Yes indeed, it is way cool to ride around like Allan and I do, then to hook up now and then for... whatever... He and I both are living dreams!

DDT



John,

Yep, I'll be glad to. Say, you could ride down to Robbinsville yourself and tell him... he'll be there this time! I'm looking forward to seeing you again, my friend, and to meeting your new 'pal'...

DDT



Ron,

Yep, surprises can come in an infinite variety of forms! You're in for some great discoveries with your role as a grandpa to a grandson... Relish the times you will share, as those will be among your favorites later down the road! In the meantime, please don't neglect the making of more memories that include us riding buds of yours!!!

DDT