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| 2013 - Sylvia & I warm up our bikes. We're meeting Laurie & Virginia to head for Billings, MT. |
It never fails.
Never. Anticipation rises like steam from a boiling tea kettle. Judy and I
laugh about my restlessness. “Journey
Fever?” she asks. I own right up to it.
I go to bed, but sleep is short on
the night before a big ride. Last-minute rememberings of items to check or to
bring cross my mind. And, the first day’s route loops behind closed eyelids. Journey
Fever.
Finally asleep,
my eyes fly open an hour before time to get up. When I’m about to take off on a
big trip, I need no alarm clock. I should try to rest, but in thirty minutes, climb
out of bed anyway.
Dressing is quick
and easy; I'd laid everything out the night before. Layer by layer, in the
order that I will put it on. My black over-the-ankle boots will be the last,
right before I head out the door.
A light breakfast, and I am ready to roll. Clutches out. Big Red has been pre-ride-inspected
to make sure she’s roadworthy. Her saddlebags and trunk are loaded, and she's turned around to face the
garage door so we can ride straight out.
If I’m meeting up
with a buddy, I wait to leave so I can be there a few minutes before the
appointed time. But, if traveling alone or scheduled to rendezvous at the end
of the day, I depart at first light. It’s no problem if I arrive at our
destination early, or if I have to wait for my friend somewhere on the road,
that’s okay. Because I am ON THE ROAD. The journey has begun.
~ xoA ~
Ah, I share the same emotions when I am about to go on the road; up early, hard to sleep, rehearsing the ride, excited! Good for you, and for your riding buddies. TR
ReplyDeleteExcitement runs high! Thanks for reading and commenting, Terry. xoA
DeleteMay all your journeys be as exciting as the 'getting ready.' We learned pretty early in the relationship that neither of us can rattle a suitcase, because the other one says, "Let's go!"
ReplyDeleteI love the "rattle a suitcase image," Beth. Makes me smile to think of it. Thanks for commenting. xoA
DeleteI feel the anticipation. Everything laid out in order of how you will put them on, already packed, big red facing the garage doors so you can save precious seconds getting out the door. These details make me giddy! I imagine that's how you feel.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, Mandy. "Giddy" is a good word for the feeling. I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment. xoA
DeleteI completely understand your journey fever! I recognize so many of the "symptoms." Great use of detail to help us see your excitement...and I laughed about the alarm clock. Yep! The night before a trip, I wake hours too early. Keep on traveling!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments, Joan. And do you do this, too? Go over everything in your head and remember "one last thing" that you need to squeeze into your luggage or purse?
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