It's easy to get caught up in the planning of the "next" ride, and never revisit the rides of the past. The other day a customer and I were talking, and the conversation turned to past rides. I discovered that many of the places I've visited, he had never seen from the seat of a bike, and viscera. It got me thinking. If I had to pick one past ride that stood out against all the others, which one would it be...?
While all of may travels have stories, one trip really rang true.
This was years ago. I hadn't started this business, and was working in a profession that simply paid the bills. The passion had been lost long ago, and I truly found myself waking up each morning knowing how the day would go before my feet hit the carpet. I was simply going through the paces of "life" and sadly I knew it.
One day I was returning home from work and pasted by my motorcycle sitting in the garage. I've done it each day, but today was different. Something was different. I walked in, called my work, took 2 weeks off (had a TON of vacation since I never used it), broke the news to my wife that I was leaving on a trip, packed a few things (took a whole 5 minutes), and just simply..........left.
I had no idea where I was going. I didn't even take the time to grab a map. I knew the roads that would get me out of Arizona, which was enough. I wasn't in a rush, and decided to just ride. When the sun was about to set, I would find a place to sleep. I would eat when hungry, stop when needed, and be open to anything that happened during the day. The purest form of "unscripted".
One night stands out more than the others during the trip. I had made my way to Montana at this point, and had been on the road about 5 days. The sun was setting, and for some reason I told myself I was going to find a camping location near a river. I could have cared less where, but the river wasn't optional. The last map I had purchased was for the State I'd left 6 hours before, and didn't have a clue if the road I was on even came close to this river I envisioned.
Just as my mind began filling with cluttered thought (worry) I rounded a bend in the road, popped out of the tree's, and came upon a river. Not just a small river, but a raging river. There was a wood bridge that look "close" to supporting the bike, so I crossed. I found an incredible place to toss the tent, and before I new it, I was sitting on a rock overlooking the water rushing by.
This is where everything came together for me. Alone, sitting on a rock, river rushing by, fire behind me, with very little "thought" taking place. Nothing else really mattered. The pressures of life simply melted away. Things I took as Gospel, began to take on a different form. The TRULY important aspects of my life resurfaced, the clutter rushed away with the 1000 of gallons of water whipping by in front of me. That night, I never slept better.
The rest of trip also had moments. Camping at Glacier Nation Park, and meeting people who just "made sense" to me. Sleeping under the stars in Idaho. Even buying new spark plugs in South Dakota from a 300 square foot "shop" took on a different meaning. Each mile, took me further away from home, which is exactly what I needed.
I STRONGLY feel that we have "reset" buttons, and at times forget where it's located. I can't speak for others, but I know for myself that it's my nature to overwhelm myself each and every day. Whether it be about work, family, or just personal baggage. Every now and then you have to hit the "reset" button to get back to a solid base. I'm not myself unless I hit this button every now and then.
The end came one morning as I woke up and understood it was time to turn around. I didn't dread it like I thought I would at the beginning of the trip. I just packed up, sat on the bike and headed South.
I've done many trips since, and I've stopped comparing each trip to others. I don't describe motorcycling as a passion, but rather a tool. Everyone has their own, mine simply has two tires and an engine. These tools are there to help use clear away the self imposed weight of living, and find our "reset" button. I suggest you find yours.
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