... here's what it looks like... almost packed up this morning... after a soothing night of rain, falling on the tent...
But... things lightened up a bit... nigh on to lunch time! :o)
Kind of hard to keep a good attitude under such conditions... ain't it? :o) ... well, actually it can be... I'm in about the best frame of mind of the trip... everywhere I've turned the last few days the weathers just thumped me... with only so much time... it puts a pressure on a guy to Make something happen... if he lets it.
So... know what i did?... took this picture...
... and then went and got a cup of good coffee, and sat under the ramada at the lil' mercantile in Denali, watching the drizzle fall... munching on a big Ol' muffin... and talking to my Daughter on the phone.
The thing is this... something that's been brought clear to me on this trip...
Like I said; Some folks ride up here for the scenery...
Some folks ride their Motorcycles up here hoping to see Moose and Bears... Others... come to see if the sheer stunning purity of this land... might have something that could teach a man a thing or two...
Now... a lot of bikers have a Billy Bad Ass attitude... an affliction I've struggled with for a goodly while... Well, I've come to realize that such a man who rides alone... is riding with a fool.
I've been a self imposed Loner the greatest portion of my life... I've been alone... but never thought I was Lonely. Ya'll know what?... most of the guys that tell you that... and maybe gals too... are just spoutin' a bunch of Billy Bad Ass hooey... mostly just too scared to admit it...
I've heard it... and I've said it...
"I'm a Cowboy... I don't need anyone..."
"I can go it alone... I'm a tough lil' Rooster..."
"In fact... I'm happier alone..."
Yeah... and paper cuts don't hurt, Babe Ruth was a skinny lil' runt... and Marilyn Monroe was a virgin...
Alaska will teach you... if you let it... that you not only aren't better off alone... you ain't worth a rusty bucket... alone.
... and if you won't let it teach you?... It'll EAT YOU! :o) Don't believe me? just go lookin' 'round for that guy that tried to go it "alone" in an old bus up here a while back... ya'll ain't gonna find him...
I don't suppose you have to come all the way to Alaska to learn the lesson... there's plenty of country down south of here that can get through to you... if you learn to look past the trees and the rocks... the Bears and the Moose... and see what is REALLY here in this world...
The combination of Alaska and my Motorcycle, has been wonderful for me... even with the rain... maybe because of it?
Between the miles alone in my head, on the bike... riding through inspirational country... and scribbling in my journal, at night in my tent (light till well after 10pm you know!) I've come a long way... farther yet to go... but me and that Raider will get it done.
I don't know that it'll hold... but I did finally find some sun this afternoon... and set camp early enough to dry out some of my gear... I've made the turn, south and east at Fairbanks... and will be back in Tok, tomorrow evening...
I'd planned on spending a few more days at this end of my circle... but to be honest... I just don't have the gumption required to fight the rain... this much... in a tent and on a Motorcycle... Just getting Old I guess... and we all know... it ain't 'cause I'm missin' anyone! :o) yeah I know... paper cuts don't hurt...
Maybe the lessons I'm learning will help me capture some more beautiful pictures on my way back south... Unless the weather keeps pushing me... it's my intention to roll south a lil' slower than I came north...
Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian
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2 comments:
brian, loving the pics but am looking forward to yur return pics at a much slower rate. Glad to read in your answer to me that you are planning to return but with Heidi sometime in the future. Will that be with the 5er while toating your motorcycles? I guess some parts of your trip is like trying to ride with one arm(the missing arm waiting at home for you). Now, be careful heading home, take your time, you know they say that accidents happen within 25 miles of home. I think it is because we get a little anxious to see loved ones and get a little careless.
Looking forward to your pics, have a great ride home.
Isn't Alaska awesome????
Brian, it's a great trip you're having and the pictures are excellent. I'd like to suggest you add a map of your travels so us folks that read your blogs can actually see where you are.hess
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