what started out as a "mileage day" turned out to be more eventful. spending the night in custer, sd. meant that i was in mountain time, even though my body (and watch, gps, cell phone and motorcycle clock) was still on central time. this meant i was able to get an early start. the benefit of an early start is that you see more animals. the danger of an early start is that you see more animals. the first animal i saw this morning was an antelope scamping up the rocks about 20 feet from where i was riding. i ended up seeing about 10 other deer/antelope in the first 30 minutes of the ride. they are beautiful to see from a distance but not up close on a moving motorcycle.
i saw diverse scenery today, from the remnants of fire devastated forests in south dakota, to actual forest fires in casper, wyoming; from the high plains of eastern wyoming to the jagged peaks of the tetons. when you can see millions of years of history layered in the rock on the side of a mountain, it can make you think that you are the smallest, least important thing as you ride by them. when you see the farmers working their fields, baling hay for their cattle, you realize that everyone plays a part in something, in some way.
after reaching my camp site, i spent the evening hanging out with don. he holds dual citizenship in the us and canada; he used to play hockey; he used to ride motorcycles; he likes dark beer; he used work for a secret government agency. ok, so we had a couple of things in common. he has done a bit of travelling and gave me some tips on routes through montana, and alberta if i had time. in return for his hospitality, i got him the of the original dark beers, spaten optimator.
i will probably be spending another night here in jackson. it feels like i have been zipping through some things, but now i want to slow down a bit. i will ponder that for a while.
1 comment:
wow, pedro. i have to admit this last post made me a little jealous. i can only imagine all that you are seeing. i am so deeply happy that you are having this experience.
don seems like a good person to have met along the way. i hope that you took a picture. these are the people that you will never forget.
while the universe is presenting you with all of this history and beauty, please know that you are very significant to honey and me. :-)
honey and i are well. um, you know how you always bug me to lift weights in addition to my cardio? well, your voice kept playing in my head last evening. my shoulders and arms were so sore from using crutches that i couldn't sleep last night. remember that time i did bicep curls and my inner elbows were killing me? it was from there to my neck. note to self: lift weights after i heal from day 1 of crutches.
whereas you felt humility when you encountered nature in its varying ways and stages, i feel it when parts of my body test me. i am being respectful of its needs, even when it slows me to a snail's pace.
one last thing - thank you so much for sharing your trip in this blog. it is the greatest gift you could give me in your absence.
much love,
the gimp
p.s. in your quiet moments, please send good vibes - in whatever form - to siren and mikey. they have a lot going on. i don't know if you have access to your .mac. k has four herniated disks in her neck. s got the shaft from the man. they both need your support.
also - mikey is having some challenges. you know mikey. he always pulls through with a shrug of his shoulders.
please keep them close to your heart.
aLe of aLedro
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