WHATCHATHINKIN'

That’s kinda what and how I am feeling at this moment in time. There is a niggling feeling at the back of my neck, a bit of queasiness in the pit of my stomach and the brain is just a touch clouded over. I’m am not completely sure what has brought this about, but I have some theories.

It has been a glorious summer. The calendar was filled with goings-on, events and excursions, each ticked off one by one with stories to show for them and images to remember them by. We caught up with lots of friends along the way, met some new ones and filled in some gaps of places we had yet to visit.

And now September is around the bend, one of two of my favorite months – May being the other. While these months may not be the beginning and end of the great riding in our northeast area, they do mark what should be the best conditions. From the budding of the trees and flowers, the smells of the newly planted fields, and the warm sun riding over our shoulders to the fields of sunflowers, the beginnings of reds and yellows and the cooler afternoons in which to escape for a stolen ride.

So, with all these wonderful memories of the past months and the teasing of the autumn to come, why the off-putting feelings and emotions? I could say it has something to do with the ways of the world right now. Anyone who hasn’t stuck their head in the ground can see the all is not right. I can say that I am the most non-political person I know, and I do not like or want to bring that topic into my column, but it just seems that this scenario seems to rear its ugly head, oh, about every four years. Whether right or left, red, blue or purple, people seem to be ripped apart, with those elected to help run this great country doing their best to keep it separated, fighting for what’s best for them despite the consequences.

Where it once took a few dollars to fill the bike’s gas tank for a cathartic day’s ride, it’s now in double-digits. And that mind-clearing ride has now been invaded by the thoughts of what’s around the bend, and I don’t mean that beautiful left-hand sweeper which I always look forward to. I’ve gotten used to the ‘New York’ prices that have taken over the small country stores at which a light lunch could be found to be enjoyed at what used to be a free park, sitting under a shade tree on a delightful summer’s day.

Hey, I am not old enough to be called a curmudgeon and neither am I, or have I ever been, of that grumpy mindset. As a matter of fact, Brian has always referred to me as Mary Poppins – practically perfect in every way – and I believe that refers to my sunny disposition and half-glass-full outlook. So, why have I allowed these negativities to invade my otherwise puffy-cloud thoughts? Je ne sais quoi.

I do know that some of the angst was brought on just recently. Brian was heading out to do a ride with Harley-Davidson on their new CVO Pan America, with a few days in Sturgis and however long he wanted to take to bring the bike back to New Jersey. He had planned a great route, taking some tips from Dr. O’Life, as well as our go-to site for the off-the-beaten-trail sights, Roadside America. He suggested that we meet as he got a little closer to home, somewhere in western West Virginia. “Wow, that sounds like a grand idea!” says I.

Now I know last month’s column dealt with my riding while the dog’s away, and I also know that I mentioned it had been a while since I did an overnight or longer trip by myself. So, those little niglets in the stomach began to surface, although I am quite sure that I have no issues being on the road by myself. I suppose that I have fallen into a slight reliance knowing that Brian has my six when we are out and about.

It’s like what Glinda the Good Witch told Dorothy, ‘It is always best to start at the beginning.’ The hardest part is putting that front tire out of the driveway. So I’ll plan my route, pack up the bike and head out on my adventure. What will I see, how will I feel, je ne sais quoi.