So what did it all mean? And most importantly, what have I learned?

   When I decided to make this trip, I did it because I had always wanted to.  I also felt for a long time that I NEEDED to.  Over the years there have been a few situations that just shook me to the core and really made me wonder why I, or we for that matter do what we do.  I assume this is typical and most people feel the same way at times.   When the situation arose with The Marsh family,  I thought more about doing the trip while I can.  Todd & Michelle were approximately at the same point in life as Ellen & I.  Now, in an instant they are gone.  Things change fast.  Unfortunately,  this is the past and can’t be changed.

We had better “live in the now”.

   This all sounds a little “mid-life crisis’ish” I know.   But I don’t believe in the mid-life crisis.  What I do believe in is a society and economic system born out of our own human nature to accumulate things, tie ourselves down, and busy ourselves with tasks that don’t really matter.  If in it long enough, we reach the point that we can’t get our head out of the trenches after awhile to see anything else, our purpose, our religion, and in the end our fate..

   I also believe in awakenings and epiphanies that occur at different points through out our lives.  I believe that the term “Mid-life crisis”, like many others, is a term derived out of fear to make you feel silly or stupid for attempting to think beyond what we have surrounded ourselves with.  Who wants to admit that they have wasted their time right?  I guess I would have been a hippie if I was born a little earlier.

   Reviewing the trip itself :

     It was hard to leave and I did not know what to expect.  I knew that I wanted to do it but,  riding a motorcycle 10,000 miles alone can be a little intimidating.  I am not some movie star with a chase vehicle full of parts and a film crew filming how “on my own” I am.  I am a 5′-6″ middle aged guy that no one knows from a hole in the wall.  That is o.k, I like it better this way.  When I left, I was front page news in the local newspaper.  It was a bit embarrassing as it was a sappy kind of write up.  It was very dramatic and sounded as if I was going off to war or something.  It brought more attention to the Marsh children, so it was appreciated none the less. 

    Once on the road I really got into it and was totally enjoying myself, tough weather or not.  I found myself reveling in the challenges.  When was the last time you did something that you really did not know the outcome and had some real risks built into it?  The further I got from home, the better I liked it.  After all, the only way back was to ride back. 

Like hiking.  If you hike in, you had better be prepared to hike out.  

   It was completely up to me for a change.  And I mean that in more ways than one.  If I wanted a change, I had to make it.  I had planned the trip for months.  Stops, roads to get there, blah blah blah!  I threw all of that out three days in and just picked up state maps at truck stops or gas stations.  It was way more interesting making it up as I went along.  I always found a place to stop for the night and something to eat.  Some gas.  What else did I need?  I had entered what I like to refer to as “the spirit world”.  I was traveling lighter and faster than anything else around me.  As everyone around me went about their busy lives, none of them, if they even noticed me pass, had any clue who I was or where I was going.  This to me was a great feeling. 

     At one point I drove 400 miles out of my way to see a waterfall that I had seen on t.v.. Just because it reminded me of a pleasant time from my past….and because I could.  I thought I was doing something unique but met many people riding through these beautiful places, doing the exact same thing.  Alone on a bike crossing the country.  Two weeks out, I kind of hit the wall.  I was tired and missed everybody.  It was wet, cold, traffic etc. and I had a bad day.  All in all that was it though.  I had a blast the rest of the time.  As I said, if I could do this for a living, I would.  I got to stop in Sacramento and spend some time with my in-laws and their beautiful children.  I never have this opportunity because in the few times that they have been home for reunions or what not, there are 40 other nieces and nephews there too.  Time and space limit you.  By this time in the trip I was able to adjust to what I was doing and it became easy.  Yosemite tomorrow, Death Valley, Vegas, deserts, canyons, whats next? It is all good!!!!!

So here is what I have learned, and much of it may sound simple but it is what we tend to forget or ignore so I will say it any way.

1. If you can break away from your routine for an extended amount of time, If not with your family, then alone. Do it!!!  Drop out for a while. I did not see the news for 4 1/2 weeks. Ignorance really is bliss. I did not hear any political speeches or about the latest corruption charges and get disgusted. I did not hear about the latest economic numbers and get worried. I didn’t hear about the latest sensational violence, kidnapping or rape and get depressed. I was relaxed. I was slowly able to unwind and realized how this stuff bombards us all every day. if you do this, a few weeks in you will say “wow, he was right.”

2. Your job and all that comes with it is a means to live your life. it is not your life! I know., sounds simple but admit it, It governs your life and you let it.

3. I was becoming jaded in my view of what I refer to as “the general public”. I have found that if you take most people out of their habitrails that they have built, pull them away from the stress of their jobs, and put them in an atmosphere where they are enjoying themselves….. well, they are different people. Friendly, willing to help their neighbor, Imagine that! The salt flats was an example of this. Also, it is true that people away from New England are much more friendly and relaxed than we are. They are living at a slower pace and enjoying it instead of missing it.(except for the two drunk Indians.) In Nebraska, for instance, everybody waves to you on the road. I was wondering, why was everybody waving at me? It took me a little while to realize that they just do that here.

 My father passed away two weeks before I left on this trip. He was a great guy and battled several illnesses for years.  He saw his share of pain and suffering, worked hard all his life and gave to everyone. He never did much of anything for himself. Recently I have seen friends with cancer. some won some lost. Marriages struggle-some dissolve,  accidents and people left in terrible situations. Sadly everyone experiences these things. It tends to make you doubt…….well, everything!

 

4. You can’t drive through the places I have been and see some of the places I have seen without coming to two conclusions:

 That we are infinitely small and insignificant. The Grand Canyon, for instance, will be there another 20 million years from now and we won’t.  Period. The earth will continue without us.

 And that anyone who believes that all of this happened by accident with no design of our surroundings and no plan for us is living in denial.  Afraid to acknowledge a higher being, a higher purpose,  and an accountability for our actions.

 Take a little time and instead of planning or worrying about your next task, let it flow and just see where you may find yourself.

In conclusion (finally right?):

I stated that Todd and Michelle’s accident is the past and that can’t be changed.

Morgan, Tristan, & Liam Marsh, and Gail and John Downing have been left with a lot to deal with in the future. Unfortunately,  they are victims of the old cliche’ “out of sight , out of mind”. People hear the story and say “that’s terrible”. Then it’s back to their busy lives and soon forgotten.  This is not a criticism, it is the way things are and we are all guilty of it at times.                                           

When the Idea came to make the trip a human interest story and draw attention to their cause,  that sealed the deal in my head.  It was the opportunity to do something that I have always wanted to do and make it a useful tool as well. We had 200 to 300 people a day visiting the web site during the ride. This is more than I had hoped for and is greatly appreciated but if even thirty percent of those people made a donation it would make a big difference.

Out of sight, out of mind. If these kids were your neighbors you would most likely help them every day.  So I am going to ask this once, as the trip is over and the blog is done. The limited “lime light” has come to an end.

Pretend these kids are your neighbors and donate something today.  This is the time to do it.  Every dime goes directly to them.  This is not a “non-profit” organization where 85% of the income goes to management costs. It is the most open and direct charity you will give to this year.  Please do it while it is fresh on your mind.

God Bless You and Thank you for sharing this experience with me.

Mick

A cross country trip by the numbers:

31 days

10,404 miles

2 sets of tires

1 pair of shoes – the left has a hole in the top from maybelines shifter

1 broken windscreen, scratched mirror, and scratched fairing.

2,000,000 million bugs killed with my head.

260 gallons of gas, 10 qts. of synthetic oil

25 different sleeze bag motels

1 speeding ticket

1  written warning

1 run through the toll booth, many looks over my shoulder

1 Mad Bison

40 Weeeeeeeing Prairie dogs

Hundreds of Cool Machines

0 Regrets

Dozens of new friends

Hundreds of good memories

And 348 days to try and prepare a bike for a record run at the Salt Flats