Looking thru the Turn, Teenage Goats, and Construction Barrels

Riding is simply a unique experience. At least one of my friends and my sister tried to persuade me to rent a converitble for the trip instead...it's just not the same. Everthing is more personal on a motorcycle. It requires you to be more present in what you are doing and experiencing. I've described it to others as the difference between hurdling through time and space versus being part of time and space (i.e. taking the interstates for the purpose of getting from point A to point B or taking the backroads and stopping when something catches your attention).

Of particular importance is looking through any curve or corner before you get there. This is so important because the bike will go in the direction you are looking. The same principle applies to moutain biking. If you stare at a tree, ditch, hole in the road or another car...guess where you're going? Several times during the ride I've caught myself looking to the middle of the turn and not all the way through it. Now, it's a fine balance to watch for road obstructions (potentially more hazardous on two wheels than four), off road threats, and the ultimate direction of where you want to go. During one of these moments it occured to me that maybe we sometimes do the same thing in life...We think we're looking towards the horizon, but really we're too afraid or mired down in what's happening or about to happen to truly look forward to what could be. Or is it that the possibilites themselves are so unknown or worrisome to us (maybe because they're unknown) that we simply don't want to risk looking that far?

Now the trick here is to not miss the moment; don't get so concerned with what's next that we miss the beauty or experience of the present. A very fine balance, my friend. An example...

I crossed into Kentucky on Route 99 which curved quickly and sharply to the right as another road approached from the left. It happened so fast I missed it and traveled another mile or two before finding a place to turn around...gotta get a picture of every stateline, right? So after missing the sign I am approaching what I initially thought was a pack of dogs on the side of the road and began to slow down to evaluate (dogs tend to chase motorcycles). I realized they were goats. Apparently they snuck out of their barbed wire fence to eat the grass beside the road instead of the grass that was inside their "approved space" - I'll leave you to ponder the obvious for yourself on that one.

When one of them saw me, it looked at the others and they all scampered back inside the barbed wire which was only about six feet from the road. It was almost as if he said, "Someone's coming...back, back, back!" Now after that I eventually found a place to turn around and get my stateline shot. This meant that I pased those goats three times and each time they did the same thing. For some reason this was absolutley hilarious to me and I began to wonder if they were teenage goats. Afterall, during those formative years it's basically our primary job description to test the boundaries and push the limits. So I missed the intial stateline, but had the delightful experience of chuckling at those goats three times!

At another point, I veered off 52 when I saw a sign for Clymos Motorcycle Museum in Red Boiling Springs. A small little venue but really cute town, and they had a mannequin wearing one rendition of a Motor Maid uniform! Go Motor Maids - the longest running women's motorcycling organization in the country...we're also in Canada!

And finally, a word to anyone planning to travel this summer, looking for an investment opportunity or grumbnling about taxes. Apparently it's contruction season on the roads and the stimulous money is being used. I only wish I had stock in the company that makes those ornage and white construction barrels.

This post kindly brought to you by the Edmondson Couthy Library in Brownsville KY - they were kind enough to post a blue directional sign off 70 West which I saw as I looked up from having pulled over at a gas station to jot some notes that I want to include in the blog...perferct timing!

Journey On!

To See...and the Kindness of the Three Stooges

I think over again my small adventures
my fears
those small one that seemed so big

For all the vital things
I had to get and to reach

And yet there is only one great thing
the only thing

To live to see the great day that dawns
and the light that fills the world.

-Old Inuit Song


So one of my dad's objections to this journey was that "people are mean," and I will concede that unfortunately, there are folks in this world with less than beneficent intentions. But today as I rolled into the Little Swtizerland Cafe just off the Blue Ridge Parkway...and a wonderfully curvy 226A...I encountered the kindness of strangers.

The Cafe is a popular spot for bikers and a couple of groups were there, including Paul, Larry and Bob...or as they referred to themselves...Moe, Larry and Curly. They were on jaunt from Alabama to Virgina. As is the point with motorcyclists, they were enjoying the experience, their friendship and the happenings along the way. I shared a little of my journey plans and they were thrilled for me while adding the caveat to be careful, suggesting things to see, routes to ride, and asking if I had certain pieces of repair gear. Finding I had a tire puncture repair kit, but no can of compressed air, Paul said, I'll give you something before you leave.

We continued our respective meals and after a bit Paul emerged from digging through his sport cruiser's bags with three items in hand: a can of compressed air (which he reminded me many times was very cold and not to shoot my fingers with it because they would freeze off), a red LED reading light that would clip to a ball cap (reading maps or such with a red light when it's dark won't give you the after burn in your vision like a white light will) and a sheet of duct tape - yes, a sheet about one foot wide. I already had a roll in my bags, but Paul said the sheet could come in very handy for larger repairs.

Every so often he would think of another piece of riding advice and pass it on. He and the other stooges loaded up and were on their way. Unfortunately, Larry's bike at the slow speed, loaded down, heading out of the inclined curved parking spot got sucked down to the ground by gravity. He quickly looked up at me and said, "Now don't do THAT." His friends circled back for him while I and some others walked over to help him pick up the loaded bike. And just like that they were off to continue their own adventure.

Several hours later I pull into my friend's house in Knoxville where the hospitality graciously continues - a refreshing shower after a long day on the road, a fabulous meal, comfy place to sleep, and engaging conversation about things past and what is yet to be.

Ah yes, the kindness of strangers and taking the time to really see the dawing of the new day and the light that fills the world.

Journey On!

I Hope

"I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope."

- Red, The Shawshank Redemption

The final day of preparation and anticipation - trying to do too much too late. My bike is washed and waxed, my bags packed (sort of), the house (nearly) clean, my mind (almost) calm. Now begins the initiation of letting go and feeling my way through it. Now begins the hope.

"Lord, it is night.

The night is for stillness.

Let us be still in the presence of God.

It is night after a long day.

What has been done has been done;

what had not been done had not been done;

let it be.

The night is dark.

Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives rest in you.

The night is quiet.

Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,

all dear to us,

and all who have no peace.

The night heralds the dawn.

Let us look expectantly to a new day,

new joys,

new possibilities.

In your name we pray.

Amen.

- excerpted from Night Prayer, as found in the A New Zealand Prayer Book.

Journey On!

Reset and Do Over

Most of us have probably had those times in our lives when we wished we could pause, rewind and undo something that just happened, or that we said or did. I don't know of anyone with such powers over time and space. However, I do find myself in the somewhat unique position having noticed a rather large Reset button in front of me.

A couple months ago, the economy finally arrived at my door and my position as a youth minister in an Episcopal parish was eliminated. Within two months of that, my spouse walked out of our 23 year relationship (not wholly unexpected, but certainly not anticipated the day it happened) and our house is now up for sale - I have no idea where I'll live if it does sell. So what's a girl to do?

Well, spend a month traveling by motorcycle, of course! I am fortunate and blessed that the three month sabbatical I'd earned through work will be honored. In that time I'll be exploring the concept of Pilgrimage by traveling 4,000 miles by motorcycle over 30 days through at least a dozen states and two countries and then spending three weeks in the Middle East (Israel/Palestine, Jordan, and Egypt) experiencing desert spirituality.

This last month in particular has not quite been filled with how I imagined my preparations to go. Instead of meticulously planning the route, packing and repacking, embarking on multiple training rides and re-instituting a workout schedule, I've been wondering what happened, photo copying documents, networking for a possible next career, second guessing if I should even go, and in general being a little pissed at everything that is happening at once.

That said, I'm actually excited about what might be on the other side. I mean, when such a "fruit basket turnover" materializes, there must be something in the works, right? My universe must be realigning itself, right? I must have been way out of balance and didn't realize it, right?

As far as being distracted from the preparation that I anticipated occurring, the first lesson of the 4,000 miles has already arrived - don't just expect the unexpected and try to be prepared as best you can, but embrace the unexpected and ask what you're being told. Really look at what's going on in your life in total and get creative with your response.

So, sit back, stayed tuned and join in the ride. I'll do my best to keep you up to date...

Journey on!