Autumn is my favourite time of year to ride my motorcycle. There is no better feeling than taking to the open roads that are dusted with leaves from the orange maple.
Positioning Software (GPS) systems, motorcycle touring has become more about technology, and less about exploring the great outdoors. Remember the freedom of exploring? Remember what if feels like to be lost?
Life can be stressful at times – and overwhelming at others. The daily routine from waking up at 6 a.m. to going back to bed at night with all the things in between (dog walking, the school run, work, after school sports practice, homework, dinner) ?it is stressful just thinking about it.
Who has time to explore? We all should!
Rain had been forecast for Friday, so Thursday was penciled-in as my day.
With no GPS and only a simple Google map in my bag, I began my tour. My plans were simple: to find the curviest roads… with the most spectacular autumn colour within a 250 miles radius of home. I thought that I had enough map to head south and a-bit east. Should be easy – yes?
After breakfast, Mike headed to work (something about a meeting to discuss Astronaut training on the International Space Station) and I continued my ride alone.
I had no schedule, no timetable, no detailed map- just the way I wanted it.
I don?t know why but I was drawn to the roads leading west. In no time at all, I was at the edge of my printed Google map. It is difficult to express the feeling of freedom that I felt when I had gone off the edge of the map.
I continued West, with only the sun as my guide and an interstate to bound me. The journey became more interesting as the roads passed from state to country. The red glow of maple leaves; the intoxicating smell of the osmanthus shrubs .I also had 5 hours of freedom remaining.
I had no plans other than the next curve in sight. My only decision was which way to turn at each intersection: left, right, or straight ahead.
I had to return to reality by 6pm for a Lego Robotics meeting at my house. The sun told me that home was East, so I started searching for a road in that direction. I knew I-65 was the quickest way home, and I knew I-65 was East. How far? I had no idea and I did not care.
I could have asked for directions, but I didn’t want the feeling of ‘being lost’ to end. I turned East on Highway 69, and 30 miles later I found the quick-way home.
When I arrived back into my garage I was excited, exhausted yet exhilarated.
I got lost today – and I enjoyed every minute of it.
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