The First 544

For the first trip of the moto season, of any amount-able mileage at least, I went to Carolina to have dinner with my folks…
The trip down started early, with a mild hangover on Easter Sunday, and a forecast for partly sunny skies and a temperature in the mid 70s. I packed a bag, with a knife, a wrench, a leather-man, and some water, did a quick run through, and took off.
When traveling on a motorcycle, typically you prepare accordingly, but being the first trip of the season, my senses to be properly equipped weren’t all together there.
For starters, a High of 73, does not mean it will be warm at 9 am, and sneakers, jeans and a jacket might not keep you warm at speed on an interstate. In fact, I felt a a wind chilled mid 50 degree assault, up my pant legs, through my shoes, and on my face for the first hour or two of travel, where typically I would be settling into the relaxing zen moments of high speed, of long distance motorcycle transport. Over cast, windy and chilly took it’s toll.
Any rate, the temperature rose, the sun started to warm me up, and remembered another essential, for me at least, sun block. After a few hours, My red face and nose, were bright and uncomfortable. I looked like a rummy off skid row with Gin Blossoms…
A few more adjustments, though and travel went smoothly, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself, taking a nice mix of blue highways and interstate projectors…
Getting off the Interstate is awesome, seeing America rather than just Suv’s with feet propped on the dash, and people on hand held devices, passing through a homogenized roadside America of on ramps, off ramps, and franchise travel centers…
On the back roads I got to smell spring, cross rivers with a view, receive waves from people doing yard work, or kids on bikes… Even stop and have lunch in a town I would have never noticed otherwise.
My first 2 wheeled venture onto the open road this year, will hopefully open many more doors to good times, and interesting finds.
Stoked on wheels…

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