I went for a ride on local back roads for 80 miles or so this afternoon, which I do most every day. I have a lot of roads that wind up and down hills with plentiful curves and little traffic in late afternoon. The plan was a big loop from my house with the first half headed west so on that on the east return, I wouldn't have the sun in my face. I had the road almost all to myself until the last 20 miles returning. I was cruising the empty road at 55-60 (speed limit 55) when a pick up caught up to me and glued itself to my rear fender even though the road was clear and he had unlimited opportunities to pass.
At first, I was getting annoyed, but then I thought about it. I had the wind in my face, was able to smell the scents of the trees brought by the wind and I could hear the birds and sounds carried by the wind. In the ponds and crossing small bridges, I could see the lilies and note if they were blooming, see the ripples in the water from the fish and frogs and watch the herons searching for tid bits of food. I see the squirrels and the gators, the opossums, raccoons and deer.
I'm in the world and enjoying everything around me. I'm relaxed and at peace. The tail gator behind me is trapped in his tin can, unable to see, hear or smell anything while he punches out messages with his fingers on his small talking machine and breathes plastic air made by his driving can, only intent on getting where he is going as soon as possible so he can escape his machine.
I left the house a few hours ago and I was 74. Now I'm 30. heh
And yet, they can't figure out why we ride. Strange, isn't it.
At first, I was getting annoyed, but then I thought about it. I had the wind in my face, was able to smell the scents of the trees brought by the wind and I could hear the birds and sounds carried by the wind. In the ponds and crossing small bridges, I could see the lilies and note if they were blooming, see the ripples in the water from the fish and frogs and watch the herons searching for tid bits of food. I see the squirrels and the gators, the opossums, raccoons and deer.
I'm in the world and enjoying everything around me. I'm relaxed and at peace. The tail gator behind me is trapped in his tin can, unable to see, hear or smell anything while he punches out messages with his fingers on his small talking machine and breathes plastic air made by his driving can, only intent on getting where he is going as soon as possible so he can escape his machine.
I left the house a few hours ago and I was 74. Now I'm 30. heh
And yet, they can't figure out why we ride. Strange, isn't it.
