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| Map of Travels |
| 2005 - Journal 15 |
| Life sure is interesting . . . I had a swell morning PLI experience. Who’d have thought serendipity would find me outside a health food store. Earlier I was scheduled for a wide-field eye exam at first light (for me first light is 9AM) but the machine was down so I was penciled in for a return engagement first week of December. My peripheral vision will hopefully remain healthy until then. My next stop was the Stuart post office. I was within a block of our local health food store so I stopped to replenish my larder. Business concluded I returned to Sunshine, climbed aboard and was about to leave when an attractive gal approached and inquired about Sunshine. She seemed interested so I turned off the engine, removed my helmet and chatted for a few minutes (just about my most favorite thing). She introduced herself as Kathleen and told me that she and her husband are also long distance Gold Wing riders. I gave her my calling card and information about my book, as I do with folks who show an interest, and was ready to leave when she asked if I was busy. If I wasn’t, would I like to follow her home and meet her husband? Well! It isn’t often I’m invited to someone’s home after a five minute conversation, so with no plans other than reading, napping or staring off into space, I said sure and followed her home. Her husband was standing at their garage entrance when we arrived and seemed pleasantly surprised to see a large yellow hack fill his driveway (I’m sure I’d be surprised. Sunshine does that to folks, especially other Gold Wing riders. Living with Sunshine has unfortunately dulled my surprise quotient). I see astonishment and curiosity fill their eyes as they catch a first look. Then the questions. The couple, Sid and Kathleen Boren, live at Sailfish Point, a lovely waterside community of about 500 families (my friend Ed Hill, a former work mate at The Record has a friend with a condo there and I’ve had the pleasure of visiting several times. It should be noted that a former owner of a beach front home is the current governor of California). After introductions we sat outside on their patio deck chatting about motorcycles and our fixation with a two (and three) wheel lifestyles that provides in its own inimitable way the opportunity to experience America’s roads from the saddle of a motorbike, especially Honda’s touring Gold Wing. The Boren’s have been touring riders for years following the yellow line themselves. Their silver Gold Wing 1800 is the latest of many bikes, and we all agreed that the Gold Wing has no equal for long distance journey’s, save BMW’s touring bikes. As midday approached I was invited to join them for lunch. It was a tasty meal in one of the community’s waterside restaurants. A friend told me later she’d heard the restaurant chef won prizes for his desserts. Good thing I didn’t know at the time. I’ve mentioned before in these journals I’m a strong advocate of eating dessert first. We finally said our goodbyes and made plans to meet again for a Sunday morning breakfast ride after the holidays. I rode back to Jensen in a remarkably good mood. I settled in for a few hours with a favorite book and with heavy lids decided to stretch out for a nap. That was 2:30 in the afternoon. When I awoke I staggered to the bathroom, eyeing the wall clock as I passed and was more than surprised. Whatayaknow it’s 6:00. Good grief, I’ve slept through the night. At odd moments we do lose track of time. Our mornings are so busy that lunchtime can come and go and before we know it, it’s time for supper. A common experience but what about strange episodes placing us in a different time period; when we there is no telling the difference between day and night, strange as that sounds. I staggered my way to the head, splashed water on my face and just about every other surface in the bathroom, and then sat at the computer to wait for the sun. I waited until a bit after seven. I opened the door to scan the eastern sky. No sun. What the hell is going on I thought (I’m being honest here, sharing my inner thoughts, so no snickering). I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why there was no sun when in desperation I grabbed my phone for the date and time. I was flummoxed. I was so sure it was morning. It wasn’t until the 10 o’clock news I finally emerged from the twilight zone. Time really did a flip for me. Well time didn’t, but my perception of it sure did. I’d have sworn in a bloody court room, that yes, it was a morning and the sun did not rise. Could I be a reliable witness? Only if I knew what time it was! * * * * My trip to North Idaho was memorable. Not only did I spend almost two weeks with my friend Joanie and her exceptional family but I had the pleasure to meet new people and as a bonus give three author’s presentations and even sold some books. Snow finally arrived just before I left for home. I actually shoveled snow. Yes! I’m almost embarrassed to mention it. I shoveled snow. I’d forgotten how wet, cold and heavy snow could be. It certainly solidified my resolve to spend winter months in a warmer climate. Pretty as snow is when viewed from the window of a warm room, I’d much rather be in shorts and a “T” sitting in a movie theater watching the protagonists cope with ice, snow and bitter cold winds sweeping across a frozen lake (this would be a good time to visit the concession stand for more popcorn). Fortunately I did get to be part of a huge crowd watching the Christmas parade (dressed in long johns, hat gloves, down jacket and athletic shoes) and awed by the phenomenal lighting display and fire works staged by The Resort, a large hotel complex nestled on the north shore of Lake Coeur d’Alene, at the foot of Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene’ s main drag. The return to Orlando was uneventful. I landed after 11pm and by the time I picked up a rental car for the two and a half hour drive to Stuart I was punchy, and almost grumpy from hunger. I hadn’t eaten since breakfast (cookies and peanuts don’t qualify as food) so I broke all my healthy eating habits and indulged in a Waffle House waffle. It provided enough false energy to get me home safely. It was the first time I’d driven a car any distance in more than three years. It felt decidedly strange to be out of the wind, warm and groggy from the heater. I missed Sunshine, tucked away as she was in friend Jan’s garage. I could almost hear her calling, a gentle voice filling my head with visions of following the yellow line . . . even to the grocery store. * * * * The Christmas season is the time we remember past holidays and remember with inordinate fondness those Christmas mornings we experienced as a child and as we grew to be married and have children of our own we honor those memories by sharing them with our children. One memory stands tall during a Christmas season when my children were little people. Bruce Pomerantz, a young 22 year old, arrived at our home just before Christmas, dressed as Santa much to the joy and unabashed excitement of my three daughters. Bruce, a friend for as many years as I can remember, was one of my first students when I taught photography at Fairleigh Dickenson University back in the ‘60’s an early ‘70’s. We’ve been good friends all these years and I had the opportunity in September to see him during my New Jersey visit. Bruce has done well with his life; fathered and raised, with his wife Ruth, two brilliant daughters who like their dad will do well in the years ahead. How important to remain connected if only by phone, email or yearly visits. Those early years, programmed our friendship and is never so strong as when my family and I remember with love, a young college student dressed as Santa Claus, who ho, hoed his way into our hearts. May I wish all my family and friends a sane, sober? Healthy and Truly Joyfull Holiday Season. We have much to be thankful for. To be born, to experience God’s wonderful gifts; to be grateful for all we have and to have compassion for all human beings a worthy Life’s goal. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a great New Year for all. Peace and Love. |
| FOLLOW THE YELLOW LINE Motorcycle Touring with Stuart Davis and His Side Car www.followtheyellowline.com |