Tallahassee to Home = 277
"There seemed to be no cure for loneliness save only being alone." ~ John Steinbeck: Travels with Charley
I know people who listen to music while riding, not me. First of all, the music sounds horrible with 70 mph wind rushing around you. I'm too much of a music fan to ruin the melody or backbeat. Secondly, music tends to produce a little too much melancholy for me while I'm riding solo; too many memories of people, places, and experiences that I prefer to savor with just the music. Lastly, I prefer the roar of my V-Twin and the rush of the wind over any song on my playlist.
Five hundred miles on two wheels translates to roughly 10 hours in the saddle; give or take an hour for gas stops and pee breaks. Ten hours is a significant amount of time to think. I have recreated entire scenes from my life. Scenes with dialogue, vivid topography, and an ending that is satisfying to me. As all scenes from my past don't always end well or in my favor. And then there are the scenes you wish you would have handled differently. I can always correct that in my head. Thinking and riding provide ample opportunity to correct conversations - yes, I will play my part and the other person's part - and have them progress the way they should have at the time they took place. I've written long, detailed letters to people that I will never actually write, let alone send. The process is cathartic.
I have created future scenes with my daughters which may or may not take place. I have written the dialogue for future conversations with my grandchildren just in case I'm gone and they read this. I have written short stories in my head, chuckling and sometimes laughing out loud at my witty sense of humor. I have created future scenes so vivid I am brought to tears with the possibility. I have dredged up memories so painful I sob, creating the need to pull over, compose myself and wipe the tear stains off my sunglasses. Why? Why would anyone want to do this? Because I'm alive; with dreams, memories, regrets, and possibilities. And I'm pounding the ground on interstate travel; if I were on a challenging backroad I wouldn't have time for the deep, futuristic, archeological type pondering.
I felt more physical discomfort on this long haul than previous trips; yes, I'm another year older and felt it at times. The hip hurts and the knees start to ache; but is that age or 500 plus miles in 100 degree heat? I vote for the latter. As always, I questioned my sanity a time or two on this trip. My daughter brought me to my knees though with her social media post. Exactly when I needed to hear it. I simply don't give up; never have, never will. I've faltered many times, but you would be hard pressed to find 'quit' in my vocabulary or past behavior. Yes, I've been divorced, but that doesn't equate to 'quitting.' It takes two to make a marriage work.
My goal on this trip was to think about my new book project #Scattered and prompt the characters to 'talk' to me. I realized there is more of me in the character Della than I originally intended. I 'experienced' Sedona; now I can write about Della's skepticism and create accurate descriptions of the area. My character Tish is always vocal, it was the character Ann that was very quiet. And I'm not gonna lie, my other goal on this trip was simply to move away from home base to gain a fresh perspective. Wind therapy works every time.
Bessie and me rolled into our driveway exactly 14 days from the start of our journey; a little over 6,000 miles. Although I keep a daily mileage count (for future tax purposes) I've never focused on the miles, only the smiles and the experiences along the way. Grateful that my higher power watched over us and brought us home safely.
Debi Tolbert Duggar is the author of 'Riding Soul-O'
Part Memoir, Part Travelogue, Part Spiritual Salvation
Available at Bessieandme.com and online wherever books are sold
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