The Trip That Wasn't

I think I've been time warped again. I guess that thats one of the downside of having Merlin (the master of time warps), as your guardian or guide. I've been dreaming off and on for the past six months about the ride to and from this years BMW MOA International Rally in Salem, Oregon. Riding up the California Coast on the Pacific Coast Highway then follow the 101 all the way to Otis, Oregon turning east onto 18 the Salmon River Highway through the Siuslaw National Forest and then Oregon State Highway 22 into Salem. I had big dreams of checking off at least four of the final six states in the country, I have yet to ride. I was hoping to be able to check off forty nine states in 2013, but it appears that is not in the cards this year. Last week, between writing the Story of Dax and Amanda Arach (The Original Crusade), researching blue water capable liveaboard sailboats and cooking diner for my family, I mapped out the ride and cost of attending the rally.

It was with much frustration, that I resolved myself to the fact that, seventeen months of being unemployed has drained my savings to a point, I can not make the trip to Salem. Oddly, before mapping it out I was confident that the trip would be possible since, it was on the west coast this year, where I happen to find myself. However, upon completing the map it turns out that the round trip ride would be a little over 2,500 miles not including my hope to hit Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Washington on top of Oregon. In spite of the continental proximity, the trip would require a two day ride to arrive and a minimum of two return days and a potential price tag of $700 - 1,000. In a previous time in my life, that wouldn't be a big deal, as it would have been less than half of what I made while on vacation. But these days, that would set back my solvency by a month. Not an option!

The big adventure for this summer is going to be lived vicariously through the Instagrams, Facebook posts, emails and Facetime calls from my two little sisters (Carly and Carrie) and my Mom (Colleen Sayre). I have gotten accustomed to being the adventurer in the family that everyone is living through and now I get to be a watcher. Don't get me wrong. I am happy for them to have made their dream come true. This trip has taken over two years to plan and bring to fruition. As I write this, they are high above the earth traveling from Orlando to Philadelphia in the first leg of their trip to Scotland. They will be spending the next ten days traveling the Scottish Highlands and drinking in all the Outlander sites they can behold, as well as, camping on my sister's, Lady Carrie Wood's, newly gifited land in Glencoe.

As far as the rally is concerned, I will content myself with reading about the antics at the rally, in next months issue of the BMW MOA Owners News. Oh and see if I can find an off road training class close to home and learn how to ride in the sand or just disappear onto a winding road for a few days...Shhhhh!

Live like I ride...with a smile...
...it only takes one lifetime to get it right...
...but all of them to whine if you don't!

Time Warps...some call them anchors

Well, CaveDweller you're right, our family has our own series of time warps. You personally get the benefit of extra time to visit benefit of the extra time to visit by getting there faster or spending less time in the car. For me, the stretched side of the warp is most commonly while I'm writing or traveling and on a deadline. Most of my life, I have found that when I do my best work is with my back against a wall. When there is a problem that has to be solved immediately or a deadline to meet, everything around me seems to slow down and I write a document that would take two weeks in a night. When the sun rises, I have finished a fifty page Software Strategy document complete with pictures, diagrams and meeting invitations to the key stakeholders. Then, I take a shower, ride Dragon to the office and present the paper for review without anyone the wiser, that I did it last night, let alone that I haven't slept in twenty four hours.

The time warp gives to help my life and career but the way it takes is just too hard some times. For instance, one morning, I'll stroll by Dragon and think "Why all the dust? We were just on the road... Oh Crap! We haven't been out in over two weeks! Later today! I promise!" A few more days go by and I pass her again, "Why all the dust?" I think. Once again, I make my promise.  The truth is that these are the times she takes from me. My favorite and most meditative gift to myself is riding or being on the open road in anything at all and she continues to tie up my time, keeping me anchored to the land.

She chooses her victims, I mean partners, carefully and doesn't allow everyone to experience the full glory of her gifts. The ones she chooses however, need be careful what they ask for as the price you pay could be much more than you are able to bare as it may be the loss of your only tranquility.

I would be remiss if I didn't point out that on the rare occasion the time warp mistress will be generous and allow you the opportunity to experience the stretch while you are doing that which she usually takes away. Recently, I spent an entire day riding. I started with cool crisp air along the coast, a brilliant sun filled afternoon in the heat as I stormed the mountain turns and then the return trip in the dark shadows of the late afternoon in the turns. Finally, capped with the sounds of waves crashing on the rocks as I coasted home. Again, I say a spectacular day of riding that only took me away from my family for three hours (their time) and Dragon grinned at the two hundred fifty plus miles on the trip meter. Just then, my phone beeps, "U be home for dinner?" While dismounting, I think to myself, "As a matter of fact!"

My final thought for the subject today.  If, like my family, you are able to experience these quirks or holes in the fabric of time or your not. Remember, not to bemoan the little setbacks that make them possible. Embrace the time you have and every so often maybe you'll actually give yourself a break.

By the way, time warp mistress or not. Dragon says the last ten thousand miles have been her favorite, on account of most of the miles have been headed to "No specific destination!"

Live like I ride...with a smile...

...it only takes one lifetime to get it right...

...but all of them to whine if you don't!