“The manifold agility of the soul, which enables it to take a survey of heaven and earth; to join the past and the present; to retain the things of long ago.” – J. Calvin
Right now I am at peace with myself, sitting on a couch, in the home of my middle son in Tacoma, Washington, taking it all in and reflecting on the first week of riding America. The family dog (zena) a two year old female German Shepherd is fast asleep nearby, both online working parents are hard at work, still working from home. My grandson (3) and (1) year old granddaughter are at Montessori daycare school nearby.
Before Tacoma I traveled to Portland to stay with a retired friend who is still fighting retirement. Before Portland I rode to Boise and stayed with a former Californian couple on their 40 acre ranch. If you’re as old as me then you might recall a 60’s television show by the name of Green Acres.
My friends resemble the lifestyle and theme of the show. Seeking a simpler way of life, the couple buys a farm, and move there to live, much to the chagrin of his socialite wife. The collision of small-town life (Boise?) and (Lisa’s) (played by Eva Gabor) sophisticated ways — provide much of the humor in the show. Only in our case it’s an adorable nine month old Great Dane named Indy and a horse named Tonto.
Prior to this visit I was at Crane Hot Springs in Crane Oregon for the Giant Loop Ride. From our home in SoCal I traveled to Reno, first visiting-my mother in law and then staying nearby with her ex-husband. Much can still be learned from older people. And yes, if you ride a motorcycle you are an instant celebrity.
Where to from here: Visit another son and family in Seattle. Then perhaps Vancouver Canada, if the Canadian border is open.
The working man of the 1950’s and 60’s, went to college, got a job at some great iconic corporation or went in the direction of the military or government service, and along the way he got married to a sweetheart, had children and raised a family. My hopes for the future is that also along the way, they manage to pass on to the kids, all the great tools they would ever need to succeed in life. I think they will.
I’ve been retired going on eleven years so I understand more of that past way of life than you may think and also see the new changes brought in by this Covid-19 year.
Let me now contrast (before Covid-19) to where we were headed with some eloquent words written by comedian George Carlin sometime ago, after the passing of his loving wife.
“The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour. We conquered outer space but not inner space.
We’ve done larger things, but not better things. We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.
A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.
Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.
Remember, to say, “I love you” to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. – George Carlin
I now think that if I didn’t have my motorcycle right at this point in my life that I could easily feel old.
And, when that time comes when I don’t enjoy riding it anymore, I’ll know, that I am now old.
Advantages of Solo Travel on a Motorcycle
Travel on your own terms. Stop, take pictures, visit historic markers, ride as fast as you like, get up, or eat whenever you want, wherever you want. …
Test your personal limits…
Approachability. …
Time for reflection.
Disadvantages of Solo Travel on a Motorcycle
Cannot think of any right now.
Trawlercat 6/8/2021
Trawlercat Personal Blog Chronicles 