TODAY FINDS me saddled up and hunting for a not-godawful weather route between the Atlantic and the Pacific. Would I rather ride through tornadoes in Kansas or… ? Hmm, freezing rain in the Dakotas sounds all right.
I’m on my way to the Arctic again. Will stop to see Bob and Janey in British Columbia. Bob says he might want to ride north, too, if a couple of work-related fractures are fully cooperating by the time I get there. I’ll be on the piglet bike, good for ripping around on Arctic gravel. If you recall, it was just last summer that the big iron piggy went to British Columbia and much of the American West.
Between here and wherever I end up, it’ll be the usual drill: living out of the saddlebags, snoozing in the weeds, on roadside shoulders, turnouts and ditches, on truck-stop tarmacs, in town parks and hobo woods, drifting off to crickets and tree frogs some nights, tire whine and diesel clatter on others, gas dryers on grain elevators, dead silence in the middle of nowhere.
Will hobnob with all the usual suspects that are ever bouncing around America, from Good-Sam types to semi-dangerous drifters. For true, Boudreaux, there are crazy people out there, and not just in the Congress. Go sleep on the ground by a motorcycle and find out.
This pic could be upside down for all we know. Which would make Alaska southeast of Rhode Island. Jeez but a motorman could kindly lose his bearings.
I’m not sure how much I’ll post here about my journey to the west (allegedly) and north (some say). I’m supposed to use the next couple of months to do nothing but decide whether I can write the Great Not-Awful American Novel. Or X chapters of it. I won’t get the whole tale told but will make an effort. Otherwise I’m just goofing off, which is not at all like me.
I’ll miss everyone here at the humble manse, probably the little girl most of all, our D1D1. The bride, too, naturally, given that I’d have nothing without her. Wouldn’t have gone back to college. Wouldn’t have felt a need to settle into any kind of regular job long-term, or a community. Almost certainly wouldn’t have a family. I was not at all about that, at one time. She, on the other hand, knew how it worked. Not that her situation coming up was all sunshine and rainbows, but the fundamentals were good.
I say little girl, actually we have two here now. It makes for life overflowing, happy sounds around the clock; even the wailing of a little one who can’t tell you what she wants. Bright-eyed little D1D2 was nine weeks old last Saturday. She’ll probably be crawling by the time I see her again.
The 4-year-old isn’t so much into the man in the ball anymore, but she digs Sergio Mendes, the lucky rat seen here in the company of groovy Sixties chicks. D1D1 looked for chickens in the video until I explained the idiom to her.
I’ve packed on some fat over the winter. By the time I get home I’ll be that beef-jerky version of myself, swimming in my clothes. The bride will say, as she always does, OMG what happened to you? Well, rode about halfway around the world, babe, what have you been up to?
As time goes on, I’m increasingly struck by this awesome, modern-day privilege we all enjoy: a reasonable chance of living longer than any two Neanderthal graybeards and still going strong. So improbable.
In the beginning, you were the crafty old hand at 30, the go-to cave-bear slayer. I’ve clocked that twice and then some. It’s all gravy now, Moe. I’m enjoying every minute and getting while the getting’s good. It pays to be aware of that Simon son of John deal, where you used to fasten your own belt around you and go where you would, and then son of a bitch if somebody doesn’t turn up and carry you where you’d rather not go.
The other thing about getting out of Dodge, blowing this popsicle stand, lighting out for the territories, however you want to say it: The road will make for a 900-percent increase in the number of times you appreciate the people and all the little daily routines you love about home.
You’ll be humbled at how everything runs just fine. We think we’re holding the whole enterprise together, and then there it goes humming along ever so nicely without you. Hopefully not better than when you’re around, but… yeah yeah, you know what? Get over yer own badself, Mr. Indispensable. Hit the road.
Tony DePaul, May 20, 2019, Cranston, Rhode Island, USA
I have been thinking of you the past few days my old friend whom I’ve never met. Imagine my surprise and delight when I returned home today from my latest camping excursion on the big GS. I slept last night in the George Washington National Forest in a little park that wasn’t listed. Perfect place with no one there but us chickens. My usual riding buddy on his DR650 and a dude that asked if he could tag along on our little jaunt up the MABDR (Mid-Atlantic backcountry discovery route). It runs from Damascus VA to the New York Line just outside of Corning NY. The sleep was amazing. Nothing but the trees rustling, a couple of owls and some deer picking and snorting. Best sleep I’ve had in a long time. I wish I had the time to travel like you Tony and the chutzpah. I can’t imagine just crashing anywhere you get tired. Scares me thinking what may come at me.
I completely get the age thing. My son turned 36 yesterday. When I was 36 I was dreading the thought of 40 flying toward me and now I’ll reach SS age in July. Where did it go? Arguably it’s one of the best times of my life. Financially secure, kids and grandkids doing well and still in good health (relatively). I do find myself thinking of death more often that I ever have. Not in a morbid self absorbed way but I know I can’t double my age and expect to be alive so I’m on the downhill slide to the end. Just plain weird sometimes.
Enjoy the ride old buddy and I am glad to see you’re taking the piglet this time. It will probably make the adventure a whole new experience for you. Remember the door in Charlotte is always open for you should you come this way. Keep the blog coming so I know where to go when I say adios to the job and come find you!
Jeff
Hey! Great to hear from you, Jeff.
I expected to be in Ohio by now but started coming down with a bug that went through the whole house a few weeks ago. I was the only one who didn’t get it, until now.
Felt lousy yesterday but kept moving. Lots to do, mowed the lawn, etc. Feeling somewhat better today. Can’t face food yet.
I expect to head out in the morning. The piglet’s loaded, fueled, and sitting out on the front walk. I just have to throw my Mac Air and pocket camera aboard.
We will ride the wilderness together one of these years, amigo!
Good luck Tony,
I am sorry I will not make the trip with you, in whole or part. Life has been throwing a few curve-balls and I haven’t been doing enough riding to be in shape for the one you’re about to embark on. Nonetheless, I am happy for you and a little envious. I hope the Suzuki treats you well and hope to hear more about your westward adventures.
Kind regards,
Will Stenger
I’ll probably be going next year, too, Will… 🙂 Man, get ya moda runnin!… head out on the high-way…
Safe travels
Thanks, Bullet Bob! Keep John out of trouble while I’m gone…
Ride on, sir!
Been looking all over, can’t find that vintage Ford pocketknife you honed to a razor’s edge… my favorite knife…
Hi Tony
Wondering when I would hear of your plans to head somewhere. Keep sending the blog up dates. I am getting anxious also to get my bike out ,did the maintenance that needed to be done for another season of riding. Heading east toThunder Bay to see my eldest son in school. This USA heads up for here out west that fire season is already here. Alberta and BC both have wild fires in various areas so check your route to make sure the road is open. Ride safe and if ever near Kimberly BC you always have a place to hang your Hat.
Hey, Craig. Yeah, Bob in BC tells me it’s dry out there. Let me know more about your Thunder Bay plans. I’ll probably be crossing the border south of Winnipeg at some point. Who knows, maybe you’ll be headed west around the same time I am.
Looking forward to living vicariously through your road reports and great images, oh-plenty, Amigo.
The twisters abound recently in these parts and you’d be wise to avoid winds like we’re getting today. Just a tad gusty at around 50 mph. Keep the neck lubricated and limber if you’re traveling in ‘killa tomadas’ territory. Eyes peeled.
Be safe, Brutha.
Matt
Formerly from Bettendorf, IA.
Now, just off of US Hwy 6 in Adel, IA
Hey Matt. I’ll be checking out the evening forecast with much interest. No deadline to get anywhere so I can easily hold up east of the weather and wait it out.
Did that in Georgia once… spent three days in my tent in a pouring rain because tornadoes were raging on my planned route through Tennessee.
Ride safe out there.
Came through West Warwick on I95 at about 11:15. Eyes peeled for a loaded down scooter with a chubby rider. No luck. :))
Heh… The piglet departs early in the a.m., I think. Just a few chores left to do… pick up a few things at NAPA, mow the lawn…
Safe travels, Tony. If you go through New Jersey our bathroom is always open.
Might take you up on that in a few months on my way back, Ryan… definitely will have to go by then…
Hello Tony,
seems that you are very well prepared for such a wonderful trip.
Thanks for your unusual and uplifting reports, and for keeping the spirits high.
If you not succeed in reaching the best inspiration for the Great American novel, I hope for a Phantom graphic novel (told both in the Sundays/dailies) with the Ghost Who Walks travelling around in the North America western territory (a follow up to Lee Falks’ five-parts Sundays from 1972-73).
This Summer there will be a Phantom Special in Norway collecting some of the latest Dailies: The Curse of Old Man Mozz and Return of The Locust (+the first part, The Locust God from 2004).
Best wishes,
Jostein
Trondheim
Thanks, Jostein. Mike Manley did terrific work on both of those Dailies.
Safe travels Tony. We enjoy reading your blogs.
Thanks Ron & Linda. I’m guessing you must be back north in PEI by now. I hope to see you there on my next ride through. Would also like to visit the farm family that adopted me the last time.
Ride safely, Dad. Wish I could say the same to all the idiots on the road with you. Love you!
Thanks, my Jen. My head’s always on a swivel out there. Not listening to tunes, talking on the phone, daydreaming… paying full attention at all times. That’s all we can do.
I’m going to forward your latest segment to my friend and former newspaper co-worker Rick De Yampert, now a freelancer and sitar player. He’s about to teach s short course in creative writing to retirees in DeLand, Florida. Perhaps one of his students will take a look at your blog and realize there’s more to being 64 than bingo games and early-bird specials at Golden Corral.
Ha! Tom, at 13 I remember being vaguely horrified by the Beatles’ “When I’m 64.” And then before you know it you get there and find out it’s not at all what your younger self imagined.
Safe travels, my friend. Blessings of great adventures and that in all the subtle visions that you meet with, they lead to a vision and a writing voice for you.
Thanks, Keith. I’ve got to read your Part II before Part III lands on my desk! The last few months have flashed by in a blur.
Be on guard of strange bikers riding up while you are bent over
your beans cooking on the fire.
Haha… sidecar pilots especially…
Over time I have realized that I am a lot like you. Your recent writings made me think of a day when I lived in Angouleme France at age 6-7. We were a military family in France in the 50’s on the outskirts of town. We were able to rent a house (just built) from Mr Tondee. He owned a vineyard and next to the house and was very educated and totally fluent in English. He allowed us to climb down into some of his wine tanks. Across the street in the circle lived a very friendly old lady. She spoke no English but somehow we communicated. One day she let me pet one of her rabbits.
She then grabbed the rabbit cut its throat and skinned, gutted it and tossed it into a pot. One of the most traumatic experiences of my life. Later I fell in love with a 18 year old French girl who took me for rides on her scooter. One day we went to the local meat market. There was no refrigeration back them. I almost threw up. The stench forced me to the street. There I was accosted by a bunch of Algerian kids who beat the crap out of me. The love of my life came to my rescue. I was eventually devastated and heart broken when she fell in love with a guy her own age. There was also a wealthy Spanish Family who lived in the circle. One of the daughters was the most beautiful and unassuming woman I have ever met. Fluent in French, English and Spanish. Her family was totally Patrician, at 7 I had a full realization that I could never be in her world.
The world is a magnificent place! And So it is!
Already in your network, wanted to share!
Wow! There are hours of storytelling material there, John! I’ve got to hear them someday.
And here I thought the highlight of your youth was living through that monster earthquake in Alaska in 1964.
Meanwhile, what’s with the Phantom?
He’s in good shape, Len. Mike Manley, the artist on the daily strip, has copy through February of next year, and Jeff Weigel on the Sundays is good through July 2020.
Safe travels Tony, we just got back from Alaska, It was warmer there than it was here. j
Hi, Jody. The Arctic’s changing rapidly, all right. Some can’t see it happening right before their eyes. Simply won’t see it.
You’re one lucky guy, Tony. Safe travels to you!
Thanks for following the scribble, Teresa. See you in Maine one of these trips, I hope.