I, like a lot of people, would love to go on an adventure. When I think of that idea "adventure" I think of a sweeping story with an epic journey. It has unlikely heroes, villains that at first come across as friends and a cast of hundreds in an battle of good versus evil. Perhaps, what I just described is really more of a quest, in keeping with Lord of the Rings. Maybe a better way to picture the adventure is to set off on a journey that is known in advance to be out of the ordinary. Its a trip that is expected to bring vistas into view that you have never seen. It promises places of intrigue, like that corner deli in a far away little town that has the best food you could ever hope to find. It will place you in the path of strangers in a special moment, or maybe strangers that become friends. Who doesn't want that kind of adventure?
Here's the problem though. The big adventure is often out of reach. I have watched YouTube clips of motorcyclists travails on the trip of a lifetime up to Alaska's Prudhoe Bay. These videos are amazing. They often have me sitting on the edge of my chair and thinking: "Wow, I wonder if I could do that?" You have to realize that this is a trip that spends hundreds of miles on slick dirt roads, far, far, far from any civilization. Many bring extra fuel tanks strapped to their panniers just so they can make it from one small town to the next. That's an adventure! The reality for most of us is that we have neither the time nor resources for such an extended trek. We don't though have to go without, we might just have to settle for the smaller adventure.
That's what I did today. I rode my BMW F650CS motorcycle from Lexington Park, MD to Richmond, VA. Now, a trip of about 113 miles in each direction would hardly classify as an adventure to most people. I would have to agree as well - under the typical circumstances. In other words, I have driven a car much further than that, and a drive in our Civic to Richmond is rather routine. The same roads, the same highways. You take the quickest route and put the hammer down. Today was different. I took some of the same roads and bridge, but avoided most of the highways. The exceptions were two short sections of Rt 295 S on the beltway around Richmond and Rt 64 W into Richmond. So, the tree lined byways of Rt 234, 301 and 360 were the routes of choice today.
Now to add to the adventure, besides this being probably the longest ride I've ever taken, it was rather cold. The 35F temperature this morning was rather uncomfortable. My body was not too bad as I had three layers including a sweater under my riding jacket, and I had the quilted liner and Gortex liner on my over pants with Lee Wranglers being the base. My neck was fine wrapped by the tube gaiter that I would wear skiing. The trouble spots were fingers and toes. I have decent warm gloves, but the fingers just get cold, even with heated grips. Even with the grips on high, while my palms felt okay, the fingers were pretty cold after an hour. My toes were giving up at about the same time. I was incredibly grateful that the EZ Pass I put in my tank bag worked as advertised and I didn't need to stop at the Toll and potentially take off my gloves!
The better part of valor; stopping. I topped off the gas tank, and warmed up with a hot tea inside the quick market at a Shell station. The station serves some local truckers with a diesel stop and I was entertained by the conversation around me. I also had to put the visor back on my helmet as it had unlocked from the left side for some unexplained reason. The Earl Grey was just the ticket, and after 15 minutes or so it was time to leave and finish the trip south.
Everything was going well, though still cold. I meandered down 301 without incident, got on Rt. 295 okay and kept up with the 75 MPH traffic. A short distance and two exits later I hopped off to Rt 360 W. Again, no problems..until. As I neared Rt. 64W the traffic was at a near standstill. I though it was just bad timing of the traffic light, but found that not to be the case as I finnally got on Rt. 64. I was at last a little warmer, probably due to the fact that the road was more parking lot than expressway. It was like that for at least a couple miles. It got better just before hitting the city limits. The ride in the city was thankfully short as well, without much traffic to contend. I entered the parking lot and found the section for the motorcycles and backed in. Just as I was dismounting the Parking Attendant said I needed to move as I was in the Valet section. It appeared to me that there was no more room in the inn. I asked where he wanted me to park..."right there." He motioned with his arms to show he wanted me to park parallel to the little island on which the parking gate was stationed. This is PERPENICULAR to all the other motorcycles and doesn't leave them much room to get out. I didn't really like the idea, but I complied. When I came back several hours later, after my appointments, all was well. There hadn't been any other bikes leaving as best I could tell, and there was a big Gold Wing lined up directly in back of me!
The ride home was better. It had warmed up into the 40s and I had bought a T Shirt at VCU to add to my layers. I was quite comfortable with the heaters on. I made one stop on the way to top off and rest/stretch and then a last run for home.
All of what I have described, was and adventure! I battled.. the elements and traffic. I overcame the discomfort and sought the refuge of a hot cup of tea and warm building. I expanded the distance I have riden in one day. You could safely say it was new Personal Record for me. It wasn't an epic saga, though there were some very nice views and scenery. It would not turn any heads for its duration or inherent trechery, except for my own. I suggest that you can have you adventure too.
What is it that you can do to extend one of your passions? If you don't have time to hike the whole Appalachian Trail, can you do a section? Even if it's a day hike.. go for it. Maybe you can't take off and sail the entire eastern seaboard, but how about just an overnight, or even a day sail? Maybe that trout stream in Alaska is not in the cards right now, but how about the Gun Powder outside of Baltimore? Maybe just a few perch from the Potomac could do for now? Here's my point. You can have an adventure right near home. It doesn't have to be epic. It just needs to be something to expand your horizons.
My prayer for each of us, is that we find our short local adventures and GO FOR IT!
Blessings,
Brian
Our hotel: the Jewel on 51st. We had a limited view of Rockefeller Center. Radio City was just down the street. As many might know, it was NFL Draft Week and it was hosted in Radio City. There must have been five tractor trailer rigs and two generator rigs parked along the street.
