A year ago today.

One year ago today I set out on my grand adventure.  Hard to believe a year has gone by.  I saw so many things and had so many experiences during that trip but the one thing that makes me smile whenever I think of the trip was leaving that morning.  I remember...

I went to yoga that morning, came back, had my breakfast and then started to pack.  All my clothes, what little there were, my electronic equipment and gear was set out in neat little piles.  I got it all in the saddle bags with just a bit of room to spare.

"Wow."  I thought, "I'm all packed up."

So the bike was loaded up.  Ready.  I had taken photographs of Mr. Bill, my traveling companion.

"Wow." I thought, " I'm ready to go."

Saying goodbye to Asbjorn was strange and awkward.  Difficult.  It seemed surreal.  Our friends, Graham and Kate were visiting from Australia and came out to wave goodbye when they heard the bike start up.

I waved, my bike pointing in the direction leading onwards.

"Wow." I thought, "I'm actually going to do this."

I put the bike in gear and started down the road.

"Oh My God!" I thought, "I'm doing this!  Wooooo Hoooooo!"

And what a time, what a time.  I must admit to feeling a bit nostalgic about it all today, maybe a bit sorry that I'm not on a trip right now.  I am hoping for a little one, just a few days perhaps, at the end of the summer.  Maybe another in the fall.  I miss it.  I really miss the road.  It calls me still from time to time.  And during the year I have pondered what has changed since the trip.  I think a lot has but maybe not by appearances.  I am still working, doing my beading, although I have taken a break from teaching.  It's hard to put into words really; the changes are internal and also a constant.  I didn't come back a completely different person yet I had changed.  The changes didn't stop when I came back but are still continuing today.  Doing a trip like I did instills a sense of accomplishment but it is so much more.  Perhaps that sounds like a riddle to you and hmmm...maybe it is.  All I can say is that I really loved the trip and hope to do another one in the future.  There's really nothing like taking to the road on a motorcycle.  It is pure moving meditation.  I can find stillness on a motorcycle like no other time.  Forget sitting on a cushion, give me two wheels.

And speaking of two wheels and moving on from remembrances of things past, I have been riding the pedal pickle quite a bit lately.  What is a pedal pickle you may ask?  Well, there is the motor pickle, like the one I mentioned in the above paragraphs and then the pedal kind.

Of course my bike has a bell, which dings every time I hit a bump.  It is dinging pretty much all the time.  I'll never sneak up on anyone riding the pedal pickle.

And to make today an enjoyable day, I took the train downtown.  There is a very quaint French restaurant, Cafe Angelique, on Main street:

It has a very nice outdoor area but it was a bit chilly and windy to sit outside (so I sat near the door).

It's one of the places where I can get an Orangina, a favorite of mine:

I had quiche and I am wishing I had their pastry recipe because it was perfection.

I had a few things to get at a couple of the shops so it was nice to have gone out and about today.  I have to say I really love downtown Los Angeles.

So that is my day today.  One year ago, I keep thinking.  I really think I am going to have to go on another adventure.

But for now, I am home and it is beautiful here, cooler than normal I believe, but beautiful.  I am really enjoying my work and have so much to do it's crazy.

I believe I promised months ago that I would change the banner for this blog.  Well, since a year has passed I think I have to.  I have some ideas of what I would like to do so you can expect that to happen soon.  It was this weird thinking that if I changed the banner then that meant the trip was over.  Well, I have to get used to the fact that indeed it is.  

The ride was a truly lovely memory.  Or should I say a collection of memories?

 

Comments

[Sandra]

And what an awesome adventure that was!
I meant to tell you that your e-mail you sent me about your friend got put in my deleted items folder by mistake, so I totally forgot to respond. I am so sorry! If you still want answers, you can ask Matt this weekend. He is so excited to come and visit.

Hope all is well with you!

Sandra