Travelin'

Posted Wed Aug 11, 2010 in

In deference to Jim, I decided to abscond with the words I parked there and put them here, with maybe a bit of elaboration. First go read what Jim had to say. It’s good.

Now that you’re back, I posted a comment there that you’ve probably seen.

It’s been awhile since I parked any words here. Hmm…

I also am a traveler. I want to see stuff, but I want to experience it my way. I prefer to travel by motorcycle. There’s no way you can travel by motorcycle and not be part of the landscape. At the end of the day, you’ll smell like you’ve been there.

When I get home, the cats take 10-15 minutes to sniff my jeans. I can tell they’re thinking “where you been???”

I carry my sidearm with me wherever I go. I pray I never need it; it’ll be there if I do. I also carry a blade or two, just in case. Steel never runs out of ammunition.

A wise old man, when I told him I was travel by motorcycle alone, said to me “I hope you’re carrying a piece. Them damned ***!#$%% will roll your ass and heave you over the edge of the embankment.”

I thought about it for awhile, then decided he was right. It was irresponsible for me to go totally unprotected. So, I don’t.

I did an Iron Butt ride twice. The first time with a friend. He’s still my friend but he no longer rides with me. The second time I did it just because. I think it’s time for a Bun Burner (1500m in 36h). Why? Just because I want to. I saw a lot of stuff both times, but I think the second solo ride was better.

I figure if it’s something I want to do, I better get it done. I ain’t getting no younger and there are fewer years in front of me than behind me.

That’s motivation for you…

In thinking about this a bit more (and correcting a few typographical errors — it was late when I wrote it), I like to travel but I don’t like touristy stuff. If it’s a tourist-trap, I’ll avoid it. I’d rather go see other stuff and I really enjoy finding places the locals go.

I’d rather travel the U.S. Highway system than the Interstate, unless I gotta get there fast. The U.S. Highways (sometimes called the blue-line highways) pass through America. They do it in such a fashion that you can’t help but see what’s there, good or bad. The Interstates channel you through without showing you much.

I like the secondary system too. We called them Farm-Market roads in Texas, but they’re really state highways. They have a lot of interesting stuff along them.

I’d much rather sit with a bunch of blue-collar folks than with the social elite. They speak my language and I understand them. I might not be into sports, but I still love talking about hunting and fishing, even if I don’t do much of either anymore.

It’s interesting where a few words can take you. I’m going to go crawl into my memories now.