Remembering...

[DDT (12)]

I kept thinking about my dad yesterday… Specifically, I was recalling how he would employ that special ‘look’ he used on occasion, when he had a not-so-good feeling about the trajectory my life seemed to be on. It was a cross between befuddled disbelief and outright disdain, and it involved his head shaking from side to side a little, and a look in his eyes that could cut steel. I think the most positive things my dad would have said about me back then were that I’d managed to stay out of prison and not gotten involved in politics.
 
I wasn’t rehashing old sores or issues in my thoughts as we rode along yesterday. Mostly I was seeing his face before my minds eye, and thinking how this day I would absolutely agree with his assessment! Indeed, I probably had a similar look on my own face, as I pondered the self-inflicted wound I had subjected myself to… ALI, mercifully, was oblivious to all of that and suffered no ill effects.
 
It was danged cold! Yeah, I know: It’s winter, and that is to be expected. Most of my winter campaign this year has been carefully restricted to the very southern tier of our nation… It has stretched from central Florida to the eastern part of southern California (I've seen fires and mud already). Much of the time I’ve spent in Arizona, and I’ve had a wonderful time just wandering around doing what I do. Yes, it's been cold there, too, but it has at least been manageable.
 
There have been a couple of notable exceptions to that, however, and the previous few days... well, I was industriously working to correct the latest boo-boo… I had even resorted to riding Interstates most of the day in an effort to work our way farther south and hopefully into somewhat warmer temps…!
 
According to the numbers provided by The Weather Channel app on my smart phone, I had been only modestly successful. According to my toes and face… not even that much… I finally gave up and got a room… and turned the heat up to an ‘Equatorial’ setting! By the way: No pictures were taken this day, and my only stops were for warm-ups, to get gas, and to take potty breaks… No apologies for that, either.
 
That’s not to say I haven’t taken pictures on this outing. I’m still working on my photo skills, but I have managed to capture glimpses of some the mind-blowing scenery out here. ALI and I have travelled some roads previously not taken by us before; however… since we have been out here many times, most of the roads were not new to us. Still, the direction of travel, the season, the frame of mind, and the length of time passed since our last trek, all have combined to keep this ride seeming new and exhilarating. I’m mighty glad we came.
 
I haven’t been inspired lately to write about our travels… I’m still not at the moment, but perhaps there will be more in a while… just not today…
 
DDT

[Wizzard]

I kept thinking about my dad yesterday… Specifically, I was recalling how he would employ that special ‘look’ he used on occasion, when he had a not-so-good feeling about the trajectory my life seemed to be on. It was a cross between befuddled disbelief and outright disdain, and it involved his head shaking from side to side a little, and a look in his eyes that could cut steel. I think the most positive things my dad would have said about me back then were that I’d managed to stay out of prison and not get involved in politics.
 
I wasn’t rehashing old sores or issues in my thoughts as we rode along yesterday. Mostly I was seeing his face before my minds eye, and how this day I would absolutely agree with his assessment! Indeed, I probably had a similar look on my own face, as I pondered the self-inflicted wound I had subjected myself to… ALI, mercifully, was oblivious to all of that and suffered no ill effects.
 
It was danged cold! Yeah, I know: It’s winter, and that is to be expected. Most of my winter campaign this year has been carefully restricted to the very southern tier of our nation… It has stretched from central Florida to the eastern part of southern California (I've seen fires and mud already). Much of the time I’ve spent in Arizona, and I’ve had a wonderful time just wandering around doing what I do. Yes, it's been cold there, too, but it has at least been manageable.
 
There have been a couple of notable exceptions to that, however, and the previous few days... well, I was industriously working to correct the latest boo-boo… I had even resorted to riding Interstates most of the day in an effort to work our way farther south and hopefully into somewhat warmer temps…!
 
According to the numbers provided by The Weather Channel app on my smart phone, I had been only modestly successful. According to my toes and face… not even that much… I finally gave up and got a room… and turned the heat up to an ‘Equatorial’ setting! By the way: No pictures were taken this day, and my only stops were for warm-ups, to get gas, and to take potty breaks… No apologies for that, either.
 
That’s not to say I haven’t taken pictures on this outing. I’m still working on my photo skills, but I have managed to capture glimpses of some the mind-blowing scenery out here. ALI and I have travelled some roads previously not taken by us before; however… since we have been out here many times, most of the roads were not new to us. Still, the direction of travel, the season, the frame of mind, and the length of time passed since our last trek, all have combined to keep this ride seeming new and exhilarating. I’m mighty glad we came.
 
I haven’t been inspired lately to write about our travels… I’m still not at the moment, but perhaps there will be more in a while… just not today…
 
DDT

Yep,, when you thaw out in your own time. 

[Bigwolf]

If you can find a warm spot, I certainly would not blame you for holing up there for a while.  Hope to share some road with you again sometime.  Hopefully in mildly warm weather.

Bigwolf

[Robert]

When you get comfortable again and not have to fight to keep warm then Im sure the stimulation to write will come back. Its pretty hard to be chatty when your covering your nut.  I can also imagine the fact that the weather is limiting your exploratory nature is crimping your style also. Stay safe, and warm my friend in your travels, will look forward to hearing from the explorations at a later date.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I kept thinking about my dad yesterday… Specifically, I was recalling how he would employ that special ‘look’ he used on occasion, when he had a not-so-good feeling about the trajectory my life seemed to be on. It was a cross between befuddled disbelief and outright disdain, and it involved his head shaking from side to side a little, and a look in his eyes that could cut steel. I think the most positive things my dad would have said about me back then were that I’d managed to stay out of prison and not get involved in politics.
 
I wasn’t rehashing old sores or issues in my thoughts as we rode along yesterday. Mostly I was seeing his face before my minds eye, and how this day I would absolutely agree with his assessment! Indeed, I probably had a similar look on my own face, as I pondered the self-inflicted wound I had subjected myself to… ALI, mercifully, was oblivious to all of that and suffered no ill effects.
 
It was danged cold! Yeah, I know: It’s winter, and that is to be expected. Most of my winter campaign this year has been carefully restricted to the very southern tier of our nation… It has stretched from central Florida to the eastern part of southern California (I've seen fires and mud already). Much of the time I’ve spent in Arizona, and I’ve had a wonderful time just wandering around doing what I do. Yes, it's been cold there, too, but it has at least been manageable.
 
There have been a couple of notable exceptions to that, however, and the previous few days... well, I was industriously working to correct the latest boo-boo… I had even resorted to riding Interstates most of the day in an effort to work our way farther south and hopefully into somewhat warmer temps…!
 
According to the numbers provided by The Weather Channel app on my smart phone, I had been only modestly successful. According to my toes and face… not even that much… I finally gave up and got a room… and turned the heat up to an ‘Equatorial’ setting! By the way: No pictures were taken this day, and my only stops were for warm-ups, to get gas, and to take potty breaks… No apologies for that, either.
 
That’s not to say I haven’t taken pictures on this outing. I’m still working on my photo skills, but I have managed to capture glimpses of some the mind-blowing scenery out here. ALI and I have travelled some roads previously not taken by us before; however… since we have been out here many times, most of the roads were not new to us. Still, the direction of travel, the season, the frame of mind, and the length of time passed since our last trek, all have combined to keep this ride seeming new and exhilarating. I’m mighty glad we came.
 
I haven’t been inspired lately to write about our travels… I’m still not at the moment, but perhaps there will be more in a while… just not today…
 
DDT

Bruce, I'm heartened to know you are still out on the road. I'm saddened to know the cold weather is cramping your style. Take care my friend. Brenda is finally getting over this flu, but now it looks like she has passed it on to me.  I'm feeling kind of selfish when it comes to your stories. I need a respite from the political shenanigans of our leaders. Be safe. 

[f6john]

Have you ever gone “south of the border”?

[Misfit]

Keep on keeping on. 

[baldo]

One of my goals is to ride a mere fraction of your time on the road...

[LandElephant]

DDT,

I know what my father would say to me "well done my son."  He inspired me back many years ago to be the traveler that I am today. I believe I have accomplished everything that I set for myself back when I was 20 years old. Everyday is an opportunity.

As I have gone through this last trial of cancer my riding journals have been my riding buddy's.  I am not as seasoned a writer as you but the memories seem just as fresh now as they were then.  I did ride Saturday for the first time in almost a month with a small group of Ural riders here in Houston.  Three hundred kilometers (186 miles). Good company and although the weather was cold but fabulous for the day. Will ride again this Saturday before heading home.  Temps are suppose to be close to 70 degrees.

Stay safe out there my friend and hopefully some day we will cross paths again.

Charlie Morse
Landelephant

[DDT (12)]

Thanks again, everybody, for your comments. I did thaw-out, and life got much better! I laid over a second night to accomplish that!

Have you ever gone “south of the border”?

John,

No, I haven't. I've almost gone several times, but I always back out. I'd really like to, but... Stories of the drug violence, murders, and corruption of government folks (particularly LEOs), along with rough roads have caused me to figure it just isn't worth the risks. Those who have gone have given some good reports... friendly people, beautiful scenery, etc. Still, I'm not a groupie, and it just seems to me this would be a ride better taken with others... especially with those who spoke the language and had some knowledge of where to go... and where not to!

DDT



Baldo,

It's been an amazing experience! If the chance to do some of this ever does come your way... JUMP ON IT!!! It will forever change the person you are, and it will restore some of the faith we all used to have in mankind. Politics and the reports we all see and read taint and sour our perspectives so much, that becoming cynical and discouraged is unavoidable... This is the tonic!

DDT



Charlie,

Yours is an amazing story! Proud to know you... I appreciate you keeping us posted on your 'journey', and I do look forward to riding with you again sometime...

DDT

[Bronxboy]

Hey Bruce, at what age did u start roaming the Country? Was it something u started doing slowly, or did u just decide one day u were going to make it a lifestyle.

I have been wandering a little more each year, and one day I too will live this life style that u have so eloquently mastered. I always look forward to your stories of the road, and I hope to bump into u along the way, more often. 

[JimmyG]

Hey Bruce, get thawed out and everything will be ok.  Looking forward to seeing you again soon.  Winter has to pass. We will hook up again, Lord willing,  soon and get to tell some tales

[DDT (12)]

Hey Bruce, at what age did u start roaming the Country? Was it something u started doing slowly, or did u just decide one day u were going to make it a lifestyle.

I have been wandering a little more each year, and one day I too will live this life style that u have so eloquently mastered. I always look forward to your stories of the road, and I hope to bump into u along the way, more often.  

Nick,

Don't recall what age it was, but a LONG time ago! Actually, I suppose I've always been a gypsy at heart and yearned to go to far away places... Probably around 1977 when I bought a 750cc bike capable of more than immediate area travel, that I began to extend the radius of my trips. It increased after that to ever further places, and it eventually covered all of North America. I retired in 1997, and I became single again in 2004. It was following the '04 event that I loaded-up and headed out on the ultimate road trip! Still at it...

DDT




JimmyG,

I have managed to thaw out... as evidenced by the big ol' grin that has returned to my face! Good thing it's winter, I suppose, otherwise my teeth would be hopelessly encrusted with bugs! Just arrived in Mandeville, LA, at the lair of 'super wrench'. We're gonna get ALI back in tip-top shape, then... Ummm... I just may haul-off and go for a ride! Hope to see you soon out yonder somewhere... It's OK if you let Steph follow along in her sharp looking ride, too...

DDT

[DDT (12)]

Rob,

Good to hear Brenda is on the mend... sorry to hear you are slipping down that nasty slope! Well, are we going to have to return to Alaska to hoist a cool one or two again? Funny how that has played out, isn't it?! Oh well, there is hope for IZ... BTW, I'm thinking of taking a 'long cut' to Roanoke via Washington and the northwest... Oh well, it's just a little bit out of the way...

DDT

[The emperor has no clothes]

Rob,

Good to hear Brenda is on the mend... sorry to hear you are slipping down that nasty slope! Well, are we going to have to return to Alaska to hoist a cool one or two again? Funny how that has played out, isn't it?! Oh well, there is hope for IZ... BTW, I'm thinking of taking a 'long cut' to Roanoke via Washington and the northwest... Oh well, it's just a little bit out of the way...

DDT

I would expect no less of a shortcut out of you my friend. Roanoke it is.  As to Alaska, it looks like we will be going again in July. After Roanoke turn NorthWest again  (I didn't get nearly as sick as Brenda did thankfully)

[DDT (12)]

Rob,

Good news on the flu thing! Are y'all riding to Alaska or flying? One heck of a trip if you have the time to ride!!! We are blessed to live in such an incredible place like North America, and the highway system is good enough to take us to nearly all of the worthwhile scenery and exotic places! One could easily spend an entire lifetime out here and still never see it all... Good luck and safe travels on your trek, and I'll be looking for you and Brenda in Roanoke!

DDT

[The emperor has no clothes]

Rob,

Good news on the flu thing! Are y'all riding to Alaska or flying? One heck of a trip if you have the time to ride!!! We are blessed to live in such an incredible place like North America, and the highway system is good enough to take us to nearly all of the worthwhile scenery and exotic places! One could easily spend an entire lifetime out here and still never see it all... Good luck and safe travels on your trek, and I'll be looking for you and Brenda in Roanoke!

DDT

We will be flying. Unfortunately I did well enough helping family with their commercial fishing, they invited me back. 

[DDT (12)]

We will be flying. Unfortunately I did well enough helping family with their commercial fishing, they invited me back. 



Rob,

That's the price of success, I reckon! I know you'll have a great time again... Kinda doubt I'll be there this year, however... BUT! One never, ever knows... I surely don't! lol   

DDT

[Wizzard]

i would ride my bike to Alaska again in a heartbeat. I will do it again some day.