Pakistan. It’s a ride I’ve been looking forward to and planning for almost a year. My initial goal was to go with six of my friends. Friends were lined up, deposits placed, plane tickets purchased. It was going to be the first organized tour I had ever taken part in. The roads were going to be incredible. Just prior to leaving, India and Pakistan had a disagreement that required tosing large explosive devices back and forth across the borders. We tenditively and helplessly watched the news hourly. The day for a flight that we got closer and closer. One day prior to Pakistan closed its airspace. The tour had to be canceled.
Melanie had decided to take her sister, Sharon, on a cruise while I was gone. That left me with about two and a half weeks of empty time. My sister, Laurie, had recently moved to a town in Vermont. I decided to take a motorcycle ride up to see her. Taking all small roads, I pointed my front wheel north. It was exactly what I needed. Cruising in 4th and 5th gear I saw small town America. At times it brought me hope. Other times, sadness. The good old USA has certainly taken a beating these past 20 years. We’ve been through worse. I saw families playing, but not enough. I saw homeless and downtrodden, far too many. Sadness and anger. Road rage. I don’t think we will heal anytime soon. We are too dividend. I’m sure that’s what THEY want. You can’t face the true threat when you are arguing amongst yourselves. History will be the judge.
The weather during those long days on the bike were worth it. My sister and her wife, Chris, have a beautiful home. It’s down a small street just a couple blocks from several downtown pubs. Easy walk or bike ride home. After a few days of catching up, drinking and being shown around, it was time to go. The weather was closing in and compromising my route home. I left in the cold and rain. As I dodged the weather it became a game. A time game. I had to move. A severe cold front had a cyclonic swirl to it. Bad stuff. I hunkered down for a day, then saw a window. I took it. Riding hard I almost made the 600 miles to the clear. Another 100 miles, then clear, blue skies. A long line of black skies just over my shoulder. Like I had punched a hole out of a dark, black bag. Clear skies. Blue skies. No rain. All the campgrounds on the way up and back were empty. Easy and quiet camping with not a sole in sight.
My son Dallas had invited us to a cabin they had rented in the North Georgia mountains. It’s a great time of year to go so we said, why not. We spent a few days doing some hikes, sightseeing and playing pool at the house. My grandson Caleb, is 13 years old and now as tall as I am. A little practice on the pool table and he was winning game after game. On day three we went on a hike. Dallas and his son Caleb would run up a hill then do 10 jumping jacks. It was just hilarious to watch. A few days later Dallas was on leave for a strained Achilles tendon. If you want to play, sometimes you pay. It is improving and I write this.
In early June we took the grandkids camping to the western Smokey Mountains. We went hiking and went fishing a couple times a day. All was catch and release. The kids had fun catching and I had fun hooking at least two hundred crickets. Lucy couldn’t get the crickets (grasshoppers) and lake (ocean) quite straight.
A quick trip to Colombia to sell my 2008 VStrom 650 to some friends from the UK after my 50th high school reunion. Go BUCS! I know they will have some awesome adventures. Geez! Where has the time gone. Enjoy each and every day.
The lake was just the right temperature for swimming. We usually go out on the boat to the middle (it’s 60 feet deep), just jump in and free float with the boat. We cranked up the tunes and drink a few brews. Doesn’t get much better.
A week before our flight to Portugal we hosted several guests. Gina Marie and Mark first. Dallas, Jess and Caleb second, followed by Rick, Kelly and Lucy. Lake time was enjoyed by all. Melanie cooked up some good food and we all just relaxed and played cards.
It was a good summer.
Cheers,
2WANDRRs
2WANDRRs 
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