Happy Birthday

I started this blog entry a couple of weeks ago, but never finished or published it. Today, it gets both finished and posted. It was one of my best good friend's birthdays so we had a party...a motorcycle party. I've done a little math and figured out I rode about 450 (170+65+215) miles between Saturday & Monday. Yes, it was a work day. I was at the office by 6:30 and got in 3 solid hours before I took off. I came back and added another hour to hour and a half at the end of the day. I think I have about 2 and 1/3 of a sunburn(s) on my head, hands, & arms. I figure my face always gets it, so that's 3. My hands only got it twice because I was wearing gloves. and my arms, they only got it once because I was wearing short sleeves for the short 65 ride.

 

We met at one of our old study buddy hang-outs. We both took a class back when I first moved to town. It was technical and required quite a bit of thinking, so we collaborated. We had breakfast at a nearby restaurant I've seen, but never visited. They had breakfast potatoes, diced, cooked, and seasoned with a ranch flavor. It was delicious. Then we hit the road. Our trip took us generally south, but also a little west so we were in the mountains. We actually rode about 9 miles on a back country dirt/gravel road. It's not something we normally do, but it was worth it.

 

At one of the first stops we tried to find some pie and coffee without any luck. You wouldn't think it would be that difficult to find a place to have a slice of pie and a cup of coffee. We couldn't seem to locate this special homemade pie place, so we ended up down the road finding our way through one of Colorado's most beautiful mountain valleys. The road we decided to take was just outside a small town called Lake George. Later I found out the several towns along that part of the trip were actually considered ghost towns.

 

The road wasn't as much of road as it was a tightly packed series of potholes. We never really got over about 40 mph most of the 35 mile stretch. We stopped a couple of times to take in the amazing scenery, fresh air, and solitude. It happened to be where the Ute Indian Tribe spent some time. It was very out there wilderness, but settled by some sparsely populated descendants of a gold/silver rush back in the late 1800's. There were a couple of turn offs and back roads that went even further into the mountains. I think I've probably found a place I'll go camping...away from EVERYTHING. No nothing...especially people. I've already scoped the area out on a couple maps...

 

Once we were back on the U.S. Highway, we stopped at a fish shack for gas. While my buddy was doing the fill up on the bikes, I went in and chatted with the guy behind the counter. He shared a couple of fishing "hot spots" and filled me in on a fly fishing technique that would keep my fly on the line and not snap off anymore. We actually drove right past one of these "hot spots" earlier in the trip. After we filled up, we pretty much boogied back in to town. The pothole road took us a bit longer than expected.

 

I've ridden with several different people since I've lived out here. Ironically, that was one of the first rides I've been able to do with my best good friend in a long time. Back in KS we would spend 3 or even 4 weekends out of each of the summer months riding around exploring the countryside. I don't ride fast, I don't get in a hurry. I take my time and take it all in. Riding a motorcycle gives me a feeling of independence, freedom, and its my own personal sanity time. I enjoy spending time by myself just as much as in the presence of people. I'm perfectly comfortable alone with my thoughts, even in the company of others.

 

When I ride this is exactly the situation. Alone, but together. It's not impossible to communicate, but it is a little more difficult than trying to have a conversation in a loud club. It's almost not worth the effort. There are always plenty of stops along the way to exchange a few thoughts, ideas, experiences...and even a special sight along the ride. It's about the experience...the journey...no destination, but an idea.

 

One of the interesting experiences on a bike is the huge variety of smells on the ride. If it's out in the country, you can smell the weather change, fresh plowed dirt, an alfalfa field, the lilacs in bloom. In town it might be a backyard BBQ, a newly mowed lawn, a pool, or even clean laundry. Smells have been known to evoke some of the most vivid memories. The views are always incredible, 360 degrees of unobstructed beauty.

 

To a lot of people this kind of activity sounds boring beyond belief. To others, scared to death of the idea of even being on a motorcycle...let alone for a trip out into the willies. This is part of what makes it so attractive. No iPods, no cell phones, no email...life is good. Away from the mainstream, off the beaten path, the road not taken...

 

The view from the edge is so much better than from the center.