No matter where I am, if water is near by, I am in it!
Whether to swim, float, stick my feet in, walk over, or sit by.
Soothing, restoring, fulfilling, and just plan fun!
During my ride last weekend, I had the chance to walk over an old steel bridge, to play in a bubbling creek, and to get soaked in a short downpour. More bridge shots will come in a later post, but for now … enjoy the rejuvenation of water. I sure did!
9 Days ’til Vacation and the Annual Ride!!!
You ride in the heat and the cold; the sun and the rain.
But sometimes you pull over and wait out the storm.
All for the love of the ride.
Not that there aren’t roadblocks and hurdles, but those challenges allow us to appreciate the peaceful, soulful times.
I am a fortunate woman.
My friend Dave likes to tell me that it’s important to train for big summer rides. He’s joking of course (well, he’s sort of joking). Dave & Martha are heading out west this year, so they have a long and wonderful ride ahead of them. While they’ll be covering thousands of miles, I’ll be heading to Maryland and Delaware, for a total of only 1200 or so.
I’m so excited about my upcoming trip and I’ve been riding as often as time and clear skies permit. So many things about riding my motorcycle make me happy. The joy of the wind in my face, the thrill of the sweeps and curves of the road, the towns, historical sites, and people along the way, and absolutely, it’s the adventure. You just never know what gift the road will give you.
Two weeks ago, I took a short 80 mile ride through the back roads of Floyd and Montgomery Counties, and for a good 45 minutes I was worried that I’d run out of gas. By the time I came across a gas station that actually had gas to sell, I was down to my last 10th of a gallon. Phew! I have never been that close to running out of gas!
Then while outrunning the rain, I managed to end up on a road that had recently been flooded and provided some challenging riding. And all of this, my friend Michael always tells me, is part of the ride. I agree!
This past Sunday, a glorious day sans rain, found me riding through Pulaski and Montgomery Counties. I just could not keep myself from stopping to photograph the beautiful scenery.
And the reward at the end of the day (like the ride isn’t enough of a reward?) … a lovely single malt scotch on the deck over looking the river.
My new luggage rack came in the mail today and this year’s adventure begins in just 2 weeks!!
If you’ve seen my last two posts, you know that one afternoon in Deb’s backyard led to a wonderful time and some fun photos. Hopefully, you’ve seen the Calla Lilys and the Sunflowers. Please enjoy these Hollyhocks, too.
With all the rain and flooding we’ve had (photos next post!), it’s hard for me to believe we actually saw the sun a week ago!
Another fun flower from Deb’s backyard, taken during a wonderful afternoon. Don’t you just love a sunflower?
A last minute gathering in a friend’s backyard led to awesome food, “local” drink (if you get my meaning), a fire in the pit, lots of singing and laughing, and the enjoyment of beautiful flowers.
I delivered some dinner to a couple friends the other night and couldn’t help but go visit the horses on the adjacent property. When they weren’t staring me down, wondering what I was up to, or eating, they were literally kicking up their heels in play. Wish those photos had turned out … I’m still learning animal photography 🙂
I kinda liked these though.
And then there was this spider …
In just one hour after work, I was able to ride the motorcycle from the river …
to the farm …
to the woods.
Not a bad way to spend an hour!
My last post glorified the joy of being home, and I truly am excited to have the next four weeks at home without travel (other than day trips on the bike of course). It’s time however to get serious about planning the 4th Solo Bike Trip.
So many places to ride; so few vacation days!
You may remember that I rode the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Tail of the Dragon (in Tennessee) in 2010 as a way to celebrate my 5oth Birthday (photos taken with my old Canon Powershot SD1000)
2011 found me riding to the Outer Banks of North Carolina (again, with the old Canon)
Tennessee was the destination in 2012
So it seems that I have, not with purpose, alternated between the mountains and the beach.
This year then, I’m going back to the beach! I’ll ride to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Annapolis, and possibly Delaware.
The near constant rain has had me less than motivated to pull out the maps, but this weekend I WILL get to it! After all, the day of departure is just 7 weeks away!
Let the planning begin!
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 