Searching for Routes

One of the difficult things about planning a trip like this is deciding what I want to see. There is so much to see in each state, so many roads to choose from and, of course, not enough time to see them all. Having never traveled through the Rockies, I don't know one end from the other and do not want to miss the most wonderful sights. But, there are only so many hours in the day and only so many miles I can ride in daylight so I do have to make the hard choices.

One thing that is happening as the day grows closer is that with the exception of my day across four states, the other days are getting shorter in mileage. I realize that I will want to stop and take in the view and then take photos and that will eat up a good chunk of time. While I want to cover the miles, I want to come back with more than - went, saw and came back.

When you are in the mountains there is a smallness that you naturally feel as the magnitude of nature bombards you with the extent of her beauty. Stopping to take the time to let that sink in is an important part of the trip and while a mountain can be seen on the move, it can only be truly appreciated from a single point. Yes, I will stop to smell the flowers and while that will mean less of the state covered, it should allow me to bring back more.

So, the search goes on and the decisions loom, large as the mountains mine eyes shall soon behold.

What Summer Brings

You never know what the summer will bring. I would never have guessed that I would become the owner of a touring bike or, that I would ride cross country on it. But, here I am, bike in the garage, engine broken in, gear hanging in the closet, bag liners waiting to be filled with a week's worth of luggage and credit card waiting for or, more likely, dreading the opportunity to slide through card readers at gas stations across several states. I have a route planned out and will be booking motels over the next few days.