Wandering Retirees

Our trip countdown has been in progress for almost a year, and we’ll set off tomorrow morning on an adventure lasting 60 days and will cover 12-13,000 miles to the west coast, with ups and downs and fun twisties in the Rockies, both American and Canadian. We are so excited we can hardly wait one more day. Though we have to because we’re tired and need a nap first. Go ahead, laugh. Ha!

After many moons our preparations are finished! The house is ready for the sitters who will reside in our absence, the neighbors kindly allowed themselves to be conscripted to help out, the bike has been serviced and prepped, the rider has done his practice hours in slow and tight quarters, needed equipment has been laid in, reservations have been made for lodging and ferries and parks, willing friends and family contacted for visits on the fly (and the occasional home cooked meal!), scenic roads and attractions have been researched for each area along the way, so forth. Of course, Connie has organized and completed that work using many spreadsheets. She’s justifiably proud of her work; I’m exhausted just watching.

Something we don’t talk about much is the state of our nerves. I mean, travelogues aren’t supposed to talk about nerves and apprehensions. Forget that we’ve already done this once. “What if’s” kind of pop up out of nowhere to make us wonder sometimes why we set out to do something like this. I mean, it’s risky riding a motorcycle and we’re grand parents, for pity sake! We might forget something essential, like deodorant or fleece or extra skivvies. (That last is serious, you know.)

Point taken. Yet, we also have a love of travel, particularly this beautiful North American land. And the people we meet on the road have been overwhelmingly fascinating, kind and welcoming. We’ve made friends on the road that we stay in contact with. Seriously, this is the kind of adventure we love very much. If something unfortunate were to happen, it makes little difference if we’re on the Olympic Peninsula or at the local grocery store. We will just do our best to manage the risks and see what’s around the next bend. So, nervous? Sometimes. Intimidated for a big project so far from home? Some. But the rewards are substantial. Skivvies and deodorant are sold everywhere we’ll roam. And won’t our grandkids be amazed what their old folks can do.

Tomorrow, we’re off to Colorado (with few overnights on Interstate 70 before we get there).