Sabbath Road

I did not sleep in. Perhaps because I went to bed at dark (9PM)?  Perhaps because The therma-rest became less than restful?  Perhaps because it was very warm and humid?  Whatever the reason I was up at 5AM making coffee, sitting in the dark waiting for the dawn... watching the changing light, listening to the river and watching a few nocturnal squirrels (at least I hope they were squirrels) scurry around. I saw there for almost an hour.  Just sitting ant watching and listening.  I can't remember the last time I have sat so still for so long - just being... it felt good.  Of course my mind was ever active but I tried to still that too - putting those things I cannot do anything about from here - out of my thoughts and instead focused on the deeper questions I've been pondering of late: the nature of God... if you thought you were in for a light read on this entry you might want to skip to the next one... I have long been struggling with the historica...

I slept in. I fell asleep last light listening to the sound of the French Broad River flow past my campsite.  It was such a soothing sound.  I could still hear it when I took my hearing aid out... I woke at 8AM and put together some coffee and then made my way to the volunteer tent to check in.  The rest of the day was mine.  Yes, I screwed up.  I had the event down as starting today.  It officially starts tomorrow.  What's a fellow to do in North Carolina with a motorcycle and whole day to himself?  Well, go ride of course. About 10AM I headed off toward Tellico Plains, TN.  My destination: Tellico Motorcycle Outfitters .  I had purchased my Olympia riding jacket from them 5 years ago and now it is just a little too big and is quite worn as well... my journey paid off.  The owner had just put a jacket the same as mine (in Grey) on the clearance rack: 50% off!  It was too good a a deal to pass up!  And, he agreed ...

Today was the latest I have been on the road so far on this trip.  I woke at 3:30AM (at the call of nature) and quickly fell back asleep until 7AM.  When I looked out the window disappointment settled in.  It was so foggy I could not see the restaurant across the street!   I slowly began to pack things up and as I putting some stuff away the chap in the next room made the remark, “Pretty socked in…”  I replied quickly, “It’ll clear!”  He shot back, “You think so do you…?”  “Yup,” was my reply, “we motorcyclist are an optimistic crowd! I started the bike and road it over to the gas station and filled it up and then had breakfast – vegetable omelette that may as well have been swimming in butter.  It was good, but the healthfulness of the vegetables (yes, I did have bacon on the side) was lost in the butter it was fried in… oh well, when in Rome (or in this case, Fancy Gap!). As I was eating I saw the most tender sight that stayed with me all d...

This is the place of which John Denver sang. "The Confluence" of the mighty Potomac River and the lazy Shenandoah River is at Harpers Ferry where the Potomac River cuts its way through "The Gap" in the Blue Ridge Mountains at the gateway to the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. I've been down this way twice before and both times I have been rushing to meet a self imposed deadline somewhere... today there as none of that! Almost heaven, West Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains Shenandoah River... So sang John Denver about this beautiful corner of the world!  Thomas Jefferson, in 1783, also had something to say about this place: The passage of the Patowmac through the Blue Ridge is perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes in Nature. ... This scene is worth a voyage across the Atlantic.   Well, it wasn't a voyage across the Atlantic, but it did take a few hours in the saddle to get here - and - it was well worth it!! I have no such eloquent words... I came....

A sign I saw at Lincoln Square in Gettysburg... somehow I think there is a theme developing to this trip!! This morning was an awesome morning of riding.  Riding west on US 202 with the rising sun on my back made for a bit of chilly start - but was it ever beautiful.  Sweeping turns, hills rising from the river banks and no traffic!! An hour or so my laziness from last night came to fruition - I needed gas and there was none to be found.  It is Sunday morning and Millie said the nearest fuel is six miles out of my way... do I risk continuing west or do I turn north?  I did what as I a male have buried in my genetic code not to do... I stopped and asked for directions. The helpful man told me to continue west and I would find one sooner than travelling the direction Millie suggested... he even offered to give me the last of his lawnmower gas... by the look of his lawn, the gas had probably been there since last spring!  I declined and continued west until ...

The day started as planned.  I slept through to 6AM and with a quick shower, and even quicker bite to eat and a final kiss good-bye I was off.  It was overcast and there was the odd drop of rain but it was looking like it was going to be fine day... and then I notice that the GPS wasn't tracking the roads - it was showing me "as the crow flies"  Darn, I guess the routes got corrupted when I loaded them last night... easy fix, just punch in a destination and let the GPS route itself...  Past Freddy... it was 9AM!  I really debated about stopping at the Farmers Market... a sausage, a samosa... no, keep the move on! Passing through McAdam I had to stop and get a picture of the train station - built when life was simpler, and the nation moved and had its being on the railway tracks!  There must be a story as to why the station is so large!  I must Google that! Another day, another border crossing... or at least so I thought! As I pulled into the...