Because I came from a broken home I have always had to work for my own money. It wasn't easy to live a life without a loving family and without siblings. Even during the time I went to elementary school I had to maintain an after school job and work during my summer vacations. Except when I was very young, I could not remember a time when I had a carefree summer with nothing to do. Then came work and a family of my own which left me with limited vacation time. I have always envied those who have had a happy childhood without the worry of knowing where your next dollar is coming from
Lately I have been feeling the effects of ageing more than before. You never know what the future may bring, nor if your health will wait for the time you are able to fulfill your dreams and ambitions on your terms. Time waits for no one. I passed retirement age a couple of years ago and I keep wondering when I am going to be able to ride my bike to a far away land.
About 6 years ago I started to take long weekends away on my bike. These were mainly to rallies in Victoria and Kelowna and then a longer trip to the Oregon gorge. I was always careful to limit my solo travels, at first to one weekend a year. Then it expanded to two weekends and over the years it reached 10 days when I went to Hell's Canyon last year. While I like to ride I am not obsessed with riding. I respect that I cannot dedicate all of my vacation time for riding and as Mrs Skoot cannot ride I make sure that we plan vacation time where we can be together and we go on a road trip in our car. This is also the reason that I don't generally ride my bike on Sundays. I call it our Family Day and we go in our car, have brunch somewhere and go for a drive.
Whenever I go somewhere where Mrs Skoot has not been it is my duty to go back again in our car so she can see where I went. So a solo ride will turn into a together ride where I must duplicate the trip so she will not feel left out. Those of you who have partners that ride do not know how lucky you are to be sharing the riding experience to see new vistas together.
Whether by car, Maxi-scooter or Motorcycle I have traveled extensively within the PNW: Pacific NorthWest which includes; BC, WA, OR. It will also be my longest solo trip to places I had never been before. While the destination was only decided upon last year, the allocation for the amount of time I could take has been in the "works" for nearly 3 years. Remember that without spousal support I could not horde all of my time for myself, I would feel guilty . . .
When I first started my present job back in 1998 I decided that my company needed me so I didn't take many vacations and Mrs Skoot went on a few vacations without me. She went with her Mother. They went to Mexico, took an Alaskan Cruise then a cruise to the Orient. She was on a waiting list for her pending surgery so a couple of years ago (before surgery) she wanted to travel to China and Hawai'i, as she knew that she would be in healing mode for half a year and not be able to take a normal vacation this year, so I was free to take my own vacation while she stayed home to recover.
Mrs Skoot's surgery was nearly 2 months ago and I think things are progressing nicely but she still cannot drive and I am still performing the domestic duties. This worries me a bit as I want to make sure she will be okay if I am not home. Her surgery had been rescheduled a few times and it was originally planned to be during March or April, which would have been better.
Since I am going a great distance I also decided to take a few more weeks of unpaid vacation. I have planned to be away for 6 weeks
More trip details on a future post . . .
I met Rob for breakfast on Saturday as he wanted to show me his Can Am. The plan was to go for a short ride but we both had errands to do. I still have some loose ends which have to be done before I leave. This day I bought my Travel Insurance and he wanted to tag along to meet my insurance agent. I also had to buy more Rok Straps so I told him I could meet him at the Dealership where they were having a BBQ. While we were there I saw Jack who happened to be the previous owner of my R1200R
Here Jack is admiring Rob's "new to him" Spyder
after I had my beverage, I skipped on the hot dog, I took the scenic way home via: River Road
There was a car behind me approaching very fast so I pulled over for a photo. I dislike tailgating drivers who follow too closely
It was another nice day on the Wet Coast. Not too hot, nor too cool. Just perfect
Family time is important, and while Roland was working in Calgary and only home for the weekends we wanted to spend as much time together as possible (this is likely why he started riding scooter...). Having quality time together is more important than satisfying an ego trip. On the other side, there are things in life that have to be done before getting too old, too sick or financially restrained.
ReplyDeleteI am very happy that you do this trip, and wish you good luck, good weather, good company on the road and many good memories.
Sonja:
DeleteAs you say, we are building memories and not wish later that we had not followed our dreams, when it is too late due to health or resources. I think I have been respectful of my vacation time over the years and not selfishly taken all of them for myself.
This trip, of which I will discuss soon, is not a trip of a lifetime. It may only be the first of a few as I have a few things to prove to myself
I love those last two photos. They're making me homesick for somewhere I've never lived.
ReplyDeleteIt never occurred to me that the Can Am Spyder would have a trunk in front. I always thought they were just wheeled snowmobiles. :)
I'm looking forward to hearing more about your trip.
Lucky:
DeleteI keep thinking of Astoria and having a Pizza . . . We have water all around us so we are immune to the views which may appear exotic to those who live in the middle of the country. Perhaps as I transverse this great land; through deserts, farmland, mountains I will come to miss the ocean too. My next trip should take me down to UT, AZ & CO for starters and I will see what you see.
Bob: That's a part of the country I love to ride in. I did many trips down there on my 1400 Intruder with the Memphis Shades screen and it was great. One trip on my 02 Vee was so unpleasant with horrendous buffeting that I was never tempted again.
DeleteDue to some serious brain fade and misplaced bike lust; the trusty 1400 is gone. I think I have finally found a way to make my early 1000 Strom into a usable Interstate weapon. The Windtrrom is a very wide shield and it's available by custom order for my bike. You are lucky, there are endless choices available for your newer bike but very few for mine.
This shield gets good reviews and I can tell just by looking at it based on past experience it should be a vast improvement. The idea of being able to let the Vee stretch it's long legs in comfort with no buffeting and less noise through that amazing country has me excited.
This year will be great; with a little luck next year should be even better!!!!!
Bob; I think our back stories may be similar, But as is often the case, our decisions based on that somewhat different.
ReplyDeleteThe lesson I learned is, if we don't take care of ourselves, and our own inner dreams, we soon run out of the spiritual energy to care for those around us... It's a delicate, difficult balance.
AND... tomorrow often doesn't come... wait too long and we waited too long. Opportunity is fleeting so grab it when it's in front of you! or regret its loss when it has raced past.
I try to have joy and present support for the people I care about when they find and pursue their dreams, and ask only the same respect in return.
"Trips of a lifetime" - I've thought about them... I wonder if Ol' Gus McCrae's admonition from Lonesome Dove doesn't fit well; That if you want one thing to much it's a hurtful thing when you fail to get it. That it's better to treasure all the small things along the way... all the "Small" rides that combine into a wonderful, joyous life. ;)
Ride far and Ride free with the wind at your back
Brian:
DeleteI think you are living the good life, moving around in the slow lane. I like Oregon and it's great that you managed to find a nice spot near the beach, if only for 10 days at a time. I have to explore Bandon, next time. I generally only travel north of Florence.
I'm just thankful for the pics and stories that you've posted from the trips that you can take. Looking forward to this year's.
ReplyDeleteI've been living like a hermit with this appellate brief. Haven't even gotten around to the passport. I'm just grateful to be living here in the PNW.
Your riverside shots are great, as usual.
John:
DeleteIf it weren't for having to stay home on the domestic front, I would have gone down to Coupeville for lunch one day and hope to spot you wandering around. You should get your passport so you can cross that imaginary line. I think you can get the "enhanced WA state" license, faster to obtain and cheaper too.
By the way, if you're heading for Utah, you might like Moab.
ReplyDeleteJohn:
DeleteYou don't have to convince me. I've been to Moab, Canyonlands, Arches, Bryce, Zion, Capital Reef, Monument Valley but I want to go back on my motorcycle. I keep thinking about that road from Durango to Ouray . . .
Bob
ReplyDeleteI am understand your feelings about the tomorrow's and doing things now. I have a few regrets about nt doing things sooner and experiencing things more fully. I feel a keen pull to the open road, but know it will have to wait another year or two until my daughter is finished high school and a little more independent. It looks like there will be no road trip this summer because of my hub's work accident :(
The other night when I was out I bumped into a couple who had a spider, it was pretty awesome looking, I am not sure if I would want one or not. I think I would rather have a sidecar rig, but I am not there yet. Great pics!
Dar:
DeleteIt is not so much about regrets as doing something before I am unable to do it. I have always ridden in an urban environment, just like you but once you ride on the "open road", it gives you a different freedom. We all have responsibilities so sometimes we have to wait
Bob, coming to riding was a very long road for me. Responsibilities and duties kept me from it until my late 50's. I have no regrets, but man, do I love to ride.
ReplyDeleteHow many more sleeps?
David:
DeleteIn financial terms, I have run out of paydays . . .
I keep hearing this thread of regret, but you can only move forward. Stuff holds you back and you love hoarding stuff so enjoy it. Regretting this or that isn't going to give you the fulfilment you think you need. If you want to cast off you have to cast off but casting off and then regretting that is far worse than staying put.
ReplyDeleteEasy for me to say - I lived my life backwards and i'm enjoying being stationary for once. My driver's license and my actual address have matched for almost a decade now which is unusual for me. I enjoyed traveling when i was young, remaining child-free and not seeking a debt inducing career with massive responsibilities. Not for everyone but the older I get the less i regret.
Mr Conch:
DeleteI guess no one reads my words, or perhaps I didn't phrase it right. I don't have any regrets but rather I have accepted my responsibilites to be there when family needed me. Now I have come to a crossroads where I am finally free to do something that I had been thinking about for a few years. I have also come to accept that less is more
We are not nomads as you were in your previous life. We have been at our same address for 33 years with no plans of moving anytime soon
Maybe you need to find another hobby, one that doesn't intrude to much into your life as much as long distance motorcycle touring.
ReplyDeleteRichard:
DeleteMy hobby has always been photography and driving. Nothing has changed but I also know my responsibilites so until now I have not ventured farther than 10 days and I don't use all of my limited vacation time for my own selfish purposes. I thought that I explained that this year, my time was allocated a few years ago when I was given the approval to plan a solo motorcycle vacation while Mrs Skoot is in recovery mode.
It is no different than you where you took a long vacation by yourself last year BUT not allowed to take a sole ride this year. I already know that next year I have to duplicate some of my ride, in our car, so Mrs Skoot can see where I had been
Bob: Getting to enjoy your trips twice over sounds like a good deal to me, especially since there is always more to see and experience wherever we travel. Lucky you.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see if long distance solo bike travel will be an experience you will want to repeat. I love the intensity of the connection to the land in the wide open spaces by myself. I found a riding partner somewhat of a distraction, the responsibility somewhat like being back at work but maybe I'm weird.
Others wouldn't dream of doing it alone. They are very different experiences.
David:
DeleteI am no stranger to long distance travel. Not necessarily on a bike but in a car. I drove across Canada by myself and drove 18 hour days and got to Toronto in 3+ days. I have been known to hop in my car in the morning and step out in SFO just after dark. As we get older we realize that this is foolish and I don't do it anymore.
I think it's nice to have someone to talk to and later when you return home, another person to recall the memories. Plus you have a security blanket if you should need help.
I am hoping to meet up with people along the way so I don't have to listen to myself all day
Good luck with the rest of your planning. Hopefully, all the little details will be complete soon and you can begin your trip without any worries.
ReplyDeleteYou and Mrs. Skoot sound like a caring, supportive couple. You are both very lucky to have found love and a partner in life you like spending time with. Take lots of pictures so you can share your trip with her (and us) when you get home.
David:
Deleteas I mentioned, it has never been a regret but merely just my responsibility to be around when I am needed thus my staying close to home on previous solo rides. In the past I had limited my motorcycle trips to max 10 days and only go once a year, plus perhaps a couple of extended weekends. I have never felt that my time was for me alone to use for myself. I am trying to spread myself around and if I have to take a vacation without a bike, then that's what it is. There are also other family responsibilities, weddings and special occasions which creep into one's life and often I have to postpone a weekend of pleasure to attend these functions which happen at the most inopportune time
There are other reasons which I won't dwell on now but may be mentioned on future posts. I am sorry that you will be gone on your own adventure when I get near you. Not sorry about your trip, but sorry that we won't be able to meet. Next year will most likely take me south to CA, UT and CO so you'll have to ride West . . .
David:
DeleteIt is my plan to post "live" reports each day as long as I can find WiFi. I am trying hard not to plan too much. Other than a couple of places I have to be on certain days, the rest will be decided "on the fly". I don't even know my route as I will plan each night for the next day. This is very unusual for me and it may start a trend.
Bob
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like quite a trip - when are you arriving in England?
Nikos:
DeleteI ordered a periscope air pickup kit from Wunderlich and it is on backorder. It may not arrive on time
ah yes the schnorkel mod!
DeleteBob,
ReplyDeleteFrom experience, it has always taken me a bit of time once I start a big trip to get (and stay) in Travel Mode. I hope that you make the transition quickly and that all of these other things that could be on your mind find a nice quiet corner in there while you're away.
Coop:
DeleteI think I can handle 350-400 miles a day. This was our pace a couple of years ago when I went to Montana. I know it will take a few days to get into a rhythm. I have to rely on you to check my Spot (Link on my sidebar) and figure out a place along my route where we could perhaps stop for the night.
We are counting down with you. Looking forward to your letting that throttle twisting begin....
ReplyDeleteChris:
DeleteI don't think I can ride as far south as Lawton, this time. See you both when you return to Squamton
Not long now ... Enjoy the journey.
ReplyDeleteKaren:
DeleteNot long now. No more paycheques and only one more weekend. We are down to counting fingers and toes. Only 10 more sleeps . . .