Our recent motorcycle trip refreshed and energized me.
Yet, it also left me longing for more. 3000 miles and I wasn’t ready for it to be over. I’ve had a hard time re-adjusting to the chaos of life and miss the freedom of the road.
The ride allowed my mind to settle long enough to reflect on several issues I’ve been wrestling with. It also brought me the gift of self-awareness in a couple of unexpected areas.
Feeling Alive
Travel by motorcycle is unique in many ways. The view isn’t really any different than by car; but I feel part of the landscape, not just an observer. The smells are also a big part of riding. Sometimes they’re pleasant; like fresh cut hay. Other times they are downright foul; odiferous evidence of rotting road kill. Nature is in charge of the temperature; chilly or scorching, there is no dial to adjust.
Though some people wrinkle their eyebrows and shake their heads at me, I realize what I like best about it is how Real the world feels when I’m riding. I feel so alive!
My husband and I planned our trip very thoroughly, including a list of must-see places. As we all know, though, the best laid plans are subject to life’s unexpected turns.
The first few days went as planned; we rode beautiful Lolo Pass, had a wonderful visit with my 2nd grade teacher (whom I’ve stayed in touch with all these years), were awestruck at Devil’s Tower, experienced wild-n-crazy Sturgis, and enjoyed Mt. Rushmore. Then nature threw a curve ball.
We found out the Jackson Hole area was expecting heavy rain and thunderstorms. Grudgingly, we decided to head home via a sunnier Utah instead. Unfortunately, this decision wasn’t fool proof.
Nature’s Fury
About 10 miles out of Douglas, Wyoming, the looming clouds began unleashing their fury. The winds tossed us around carelessly, lightning bolts struck far too close, and the hail pierced my gloved hands like nails. We were instantly soaked to the bone from the heavy rain; leather is not water-proof! There was nowhere to pull over until we reached town so we had to keep riding with several inches of water on the freeway. It was terrifying.
By the time we stopped I was shaking; both from cold and fear. The best hotel was a decrepit building that should have been condemned long ago, but it had a roof and hot water.
This was one of very few times I’ve let my husband take care of me. All my life I’ve instinctively fought dependency of any type and it’s extended into our marriage. That evening I experienced a healthy and good dependency. It was a growing experience and I was reminded how my fear of dependency has been based on my childhood.
I’m looking forward to exploring more about letting go of my dysfunctional perception of dependency and continuing to learn how healthy dependency helps relationships thrive.
It was a terrifying event in an otherwise fabulous trip. But more significantly, it was an important milestone in self-awareness.
Sep 30, 2013 @ 10:06:25
Saw your comment on Bye Bye Beer’s blog and noticed your motorcycle gear commentor photo. I ride too so you had me at hello. Trip sounds great. Glad you made it through the wet OK. Scary cold stuff that. Ride safe, watch your six.
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Sep 30, 2013 @ 17:51:28
Thanks, Whistler! Safe riding to you, too!!
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Sep 23, 2013 @ 17:21:15
The fact that you rode a bike for 3,000 miles is impressive. I can’t imagine how sore you were in the beginning. Just back from Florida where the love bugs were all over the place. I watched some bikers and saw them being bombarded by the bugs. I have no idea how they put up with it.
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Sep 24, 2013 @ 12:36:30
Surprisingly, I wasn’t really sore at all. We stopped about every 90 minutes to stretch and drink some water. I think that helped a lot. We ran into a terrible stretch of bugs -our gear and bikes were coated in dead bugs. It was awful! Luckily, it was only about 20 minutes.
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Sep 18, 2013 @ 11:55:04
Driving a motorcycle in an urban area has never appealed to me, but I get why people love taking trips like you did on a motorcycle – that’s a real adventure!
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Sep 18, 2013 @ 18:35:08
I agree -urban riding isn’t my deal, either.
But out on the open road…ah…freedom and adventure like nothing else!
Thanks for stopping by!
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Sep 18, 2013 @ 01:28:15
Ah, yes. The days of freedom on the open road with just the wind blowing through one’s hair (this was back in the days when helmets were not required attire!). Sadly, those days are now behind me, but the memories live on.
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Sep 18, 2013 @ 05:40:28
Hi Russel, it was interesting…5 of the 7 states we went through still don’t require helmets. We kept ours on, but I know what you mean about the wind in the hair!
Glad you have some fun memories of riding!!
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Sep 15, 2013 @ 04:37:52
Oh Denise, envy I do the trip, but that feeling when you hit the ground again – I know, I do know, ‘the chaos of life’. Crazy, isn’t it.
Your ‘dysfunctional perception of dependency’, I am curious at!
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Sep 15, 2013 @ 12:50:45
Being a single mom, I’m sure you know all too well about the chaos of life. My ‘dysfunctional perception of dependency’ has been on my mind a lot lately and I plan to revist that topic soon. Stay tuned 🙂
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Sep 13, 2013 @ 21:45:35
Letting go is the greatest gift I ever gave myself. By letting go I no longer had to worry about being on first. Letting go allowed me to give up control.
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Sep 14, 2013 @ 08:26:00
I’m trying to pry my iron-fisted fingers off ‘control’ but it’s not an easy task! Thanks for your encouragement, Sheri!
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Sep 12, 2013 @ 19:01:33
Ha! I’ve been to Douglas, WY! Not many choices there….. Hope you found a dry place.
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Sep 13, 2013 @ 08:10:31
That’s for sure! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
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Sep 12, 2013 @ 06:54:44
I know how it feels to be back from such a trip, and long for the freedom of the road again. I think we long for that solitude where we are only in the spirit, instead of wrapped up in the world. But a great sage said that when we realize that the solitude and the noisy chaos is one and the same thing, then we’d stop longing. There’s love and lessons in everything if we look. I’d still like to be on the camino, though! Muuuuch better! I’m not evolved yet! Thanks for a lovely post Denise.
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Sep 13, 2013 @ 08:09:38
Your trip on the Camino must have made an incredible impact on you, Yaz.
I’ve never heard the saying about the solitude and the chaos being the same… hmm I will have to ponder that one. Thanks for making me think outside the box…as always! 🙂
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Sep 12, 2013 @ 04:16:44
Devil’s Tower?! You are one brave lass. I’m not keen on motorcycles, but then again I scream my guts out when I go tubing on the lake. Speed is not my thing. 🙂 I’m glad you had a fab time!
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Sep 12, 2013 @ 04:58:14
Hi Kate! Well, I squeal at spiders, so my bravery ends right there! 😉
Speed over spiders any day! LOL
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Sep 11, 2013 @ 21:01:03
I love your telling of the tale, and even more your invitation for us to consider how we experience and understand dependency. Such an important piece of internal work!
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Sep 11, 2013 @ 22:37:51
Thank you, Allen! I appreciate knowing my words invite consideration of new ideas. (or revisiting old ones!) 😉
Always great to hear from you!
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Sep 11, 2013 @ 19:49:48
I’ve only been on one biking vacation, the back of a Suzuki, and remember vividly the sense of freedom, the exhilaration of being on the road and feeling the wind hitting my face. I can well imagine how incredible your vacation must have been. It’s such a good feeling to not have to deal with all the daily activities, that sometimes seem weighty and stale, when away. I love that feeling. If I could figure out how to live that way daily… xoxo Paulette
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Sep 11, 2013 @ 22:35:07
Ah, you’ve described it so well, Paulette!
Riding is like nothing else…it’s simply marvelous!!
When you figure a way to live it daily, bottle it and share with the world! 🙂
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Sep 11, 2013 @ 18:15:06
Denise, I applaud your courage and trust in God to forsake your self-protective strategies. Good for you! May the Lord continue to bless you as you trust more and more. We all can relate in one way or another. I know I can.
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Sep 11, 2013 @ 22:33:57
Thank you so much, Kathy! God has surely blessed me in so many ways…some I’m sure I don’t even realize yet.
Trust. It remains an area of growth for me. Thanks for your support and encouragement!
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Sep 11, 2013 @ 18:02:07
That sounds incredibly scary!!! Glad your hubby was there for you and you are able to have a positive takeaway from the experience. I hope you will be sharing more about the trip. It sounds wonderful — the pics are too.
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Sep 11, 2013 @ 22:30:41
Thanks, Arlene. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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Sep 11, 2013 @ 17:23:08
On a similar note, Denise, I’m not very good about asking for help. I think it stems from early-on, when to ask meant that a) I wasn’t good enough to finish something myself and b) I was protruding on someone else when they had things to do too.
I’m getting better at it. Most people like to help others. We like to feel needed and useful.
Enjoyed the post and pix. Looking forward to more!
Christy
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Sep 11, 2013 @ 22:29:52
You make such good points…Feeling needed and useful are very important in a relationship. I’m becoming more and more aware of how one-sided I am with that and how much room I have to grow. Thanks for sharing your insight!
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Sep 11, 2013 @ 16:48:11
I wasn’t ready for this post to be over! I hope you’re going to tell us more. Please
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Sep 11, 2013 @ 22:27:30
Thanks, Diane… It’s hard getting back in the groove.
I do so appreciate your encouragement.
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Sep 11, 2013 @ 15:43:44
Keep feeding your soul! I love that you are taking care of you ~ and I love the smell of fresh hay! Cool breeze rushing through my hair, wind at my back ~ lovely! ♥
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Sep 11, 2013 @ 15:56:14
Thanks!! Your support is very encouraging 🙂
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Sep 11, 2013 @ 15:30:56
Lovely pic. Do let yourself get taken care of, I’m not very good at it either, cos I’m always the caregiver, and a control freak, but it makes hub feel good to care for me and I like to make him feel good, so it’s a win-win! I’m having a hard time writing about our trip cos it was so amazing.
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Sep 11, 2013 @ 15:55:41
Yep, that’s it alright! Control Freak 🙂
Thanks for the encouragement on that… I understand about it being hard to write about the trip. Sometimes the best things are the hardest to write about.
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Sep 11, 2013 @ 14:34:34
I really enjoy posts like this. May you have many more days of feeding your soul.
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Sep 11, 2013 @ 14:54:07
Thank you, Judy. My soul gets pretty hungry sometimes! 🙂
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Sep 11, 2013 @ 14:00:44
It’s nice to be supported!
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Sep 11, 2013 @ 14:56:00
Hey Brad! Yes, it is nice being supported! I’m becoming more and more aware of where my red line is where I’m comfortable and where I get scared. A work in progress…that’s me!
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Sep 12, 2013 @ 10:51:52
Me too, I feel more liberated to be myself, warts, wisdom and all with my readers. Thanks.
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