Home again....for a while!

This post isn't technically about riding. Which is rare for me, I know. Seems like I live, eat, and breathe motorcycles. Naturally, then, this blog has been about promoting bikes for regular transportation. Since we're going to be on them so much, we need to learn to be the best we can be. Sounds like an affirmation from the military, doesn't it? Be the best you can be!

In a small deviation from riding and training, I'm putting a small update here about the weekend's wedding. Although I did manage to work a motorcycle into this post. Big suprise, huh?

We arrived home last night. Except for a couple of quick pit stops, we made it in a little over five hours. That's a lot of sitting. One thing that often gets overlooked as part of rider training is the physical aspect. More specifically, staying in as good physical shape as possible. It helps greatly with bike control and concentration. The longer the trip, the more important endurance becomes. Not just enduring in the common sense of the word. I'm speaking of still being able to concentrate on riding, managing risk, and maintaining fine motor skills. If all we can think about is our sore knees and aching back, well, you can see the confict.

The reason I mention this is that I'm finding myself getting a little distracted, so to speak, after five or so hours in the saddle these days. It's time to revive the long cold gym membership. There's a chiropractor in my neighborhood. Not that I'm using his services. It's just that I took this picture. Seems to describe what I'm talking about.

I'm hoping the bike isn't the cause of the trip to the chiropractor! Nice bike, though. Here's a closer look at the bike.

For the most part, the weather was warm and muggy in the Tri-Cities, Washington area. It didn't rain except for one notable exception.

The wedding reception was held out of doors. Some tents were set up but most of the table and chairs were distributed out in the open. The Weather Guessers had told us the evening before that there would be a ten percent chance of showers late Saturday night. These photos are from about 5 PM. The rain was not only early, but more plentiful than anyone might have guessed.

A hearty thunder and lightning storm blew through. Katie and I were already under the tent when things started. We were soon joined by almost all the other guests in short order!

These gals were holding the vases of flowers that had been put on all the tables. Making a mad dash for the house must have seemed the thing to do at the time.

Here you can see the water pouring off the top of the tent. I have to say it was kind of neat to just sit back and watch things swirl around me. The storm put a literal damper on some of the dancing plans, etc., but I met some really interesting people during the ensuing conversations under the tent!

The schedule's sort of light this week so I'm planning to catch up on some blog posts that have been floating around in my head. Friday will see me heading back to Medford for another weekend of teaching. I'm riding down there to help out a budding new instructor. She's on the verge of bursting into greatness. The plan is for me to guide her over a couple of little bumps she's encountered on the journey. Another five hundred miles or so of riding. Life's tough, eh?

I have to say I'm pleased to see Steve Williams ( yeah, I'm talking about you, Bud! ) comment on a recent post of mine. No pressure, but I'm hoping to see a few more posts on Scooter in the Sticks besides the new one Steve just put up. Steve's always been the genteel counterpoint to my rough warrior personality! You can go play with tractors, agricultural implements, or whatever, as much as you like, but two wheels gets into your blood, doesn't it? I just happen to be more shameless than most about my addiction!

Thanks, again, to everyone who's reading and / or commenting. Knowing you're out there keeps me inspired to continue. This blog's been around for longer than I thought it would. After all, how much is there to talk about? Yet, new things continually keep unfolding during this journey. Guess I'll just keep writing as long as I feel there's something meaningful to say. I always hope people find some small thing of personal value when they rummage around here. I'm especially pleased to find that guests continue to trickle in for the Sharin' the Road segment. You all add so much more depth to this site. You also reinforce the fact that we are, in fact, a community. Successfully blending our diversity makes us so much richer. I hope folks keep sharing their personal treasures with us here.

Stay tuned for my experience with the "Dark Side"!

Miles and smiles,

Dan