Each day I awaken, I decide that it will be a good day no matter how sore or tired I may be. Today was a great day all by itself with no help needed from me. My morning coffee was good; I made my lunch and went out to uncover the bike. It has been raining since Monday evening here and I haven’t ridden since then. The cover was still dripping wet from the last of the rain a few hours ago and I found that it just isn’t living up to its potential after all this rain and the bike was wet. No matter, the temperature was great and off I went.
Out on the road, feeling the cool air flow through the mesh of my jacket was exhilarating. I saw the first dip for a creek coming up and the misty fog laying about it. Plowing though it felt like I had passed into a surreal dimension as everything changed color in my headlights and I lost all peripheral vision due to the fog. Then suddenly it was gone as I climbed up the slope on the other side. I got the same feeling as I crossed each creek, river or other low spot in the road. By the time I rolled into the parking lot, I felt like I could conquer the world due to this newly remembered elation.
Work was good too but all I could think about today was getting back on the bike. When quitting time arrived, off I went for a very warm ride home. Pretty Pillion and I were going to check out a local state park for my birthday picnic after I return for my next trip and we took off on the bike to plan that out. On the way we stopped for dinner at Montclair Family restaurant where their fare was even better than most days, (and their food is always great). When we made it the park, we found several good picnic areas with plenty of tables, play ground equipment and restrooms; done. Then she said, “hey, let’s run Joplin road before going home”; oh yeah baby!. The bike leapt out the on the twisty tarmac and off through the tree lined forest road we flew. The Wisteria is in full bloom and the whole area was once more a surreal experience. Deer were bouncing around so I took it easy but watching the fawns play on the roadside almost made me forget how evil they really are. At the end of the road I turned around ran it back the other way. I know I have to go to bed early as tomorrow is another early day at work, but springtime rides in the evening are always tough to end. As a special treat to end the day, we stopped by the local ice cream shop and had some soft serve, butter pecan ice cream in a cone.
Today is a good day…