Port Solitaire Seeks a Storm

[frazman]

Originally Posted by Iron Horse

I'm not sure why you don't consider yourself an adventure rider. Whatever that is.

I skip over so many perfect pictures of far off lands, eloquent word smithing worthy of the name prose, and examples of planning and organization to move armies, in order to find nuggets like this.

Thank you for taking me on your journey of the heart and a man's soul.

More please.



jp

Yup, this is a rare heart and soul ride report. I'm enjoying the ride, Tony.

[grizzzly]

we would only call that a DNF


if you were living in texas now

[Olas]

Sounds like it was a great trip, Tony! Looking forward to the next one...

[Reddog*]

Thanks for taking us on your Adventure!

[DC,Chad]

what a pleasure to read many thanks for taking the time to Share

irrespective of what you think that was by no means a DNF you got JoJo and yourself home didnt you

Hardcore

[thegraydog]

With only six more years of perspective, I have learned that rides end in all manner of ways, debts to pay, lessons to absorb. The sense of defeat passes pretty quickly as you mull over what you didn't predict, make a new list, get a new tent (say, for instance), and set a new date.

This is actually a stupid pastime, but my, it occupies your thoughts, ennit?

Good ride, mon.

[AteamNM]

The first presidential debate this year with the republican candidates started off with Newt being asked about his open marriage and all the scuttle about his wife with cancer. Newt said let me tell you, we all have had pain. We all have suffered. We all have failed.

Well, on to the end I must say. I have rode Jo Jo here in the mountains of New Mexico for the last two days. She is becoming acclimated to 7000 feet. My present day wife is in Belize, scuba diving with her children and having a great time.

I have decided to post the epilogue. Life is just life. We have all had pain, right? I expose myself, to judgment and ridicule or pretense; I don't care. What I share with you is something that only three people that I love know about. My Mother does not know what I share here. I must finish the report. I may have DNF'd the ride, I think I must just let it go, say what it is. Tragic, frightening. But I am an optimist. My friends that know me I hope understand this is personal & confidential. The other geographic audience does not matter thus they know not who I am.

Not your typical ride report I reckon.

May I present the end of the end, the epilogue that ties in the symbolism of a house versus a home. "The rest of the story". Raw and real, this I expose is every day life. At a 1000 miles from no where, there is no place that I got to be.

[AteamNM]

Day 21
Sunday - November 11, 2012 7:00 PM
Epilogue



Matt leaves in his car, my beautiful Australian Shepard is glad I’m here. But she is a bit weird. Something is not right but nothing clicks. I was anticipating my wife to be there, she sent some coffee with Matt. Then I realize that the motorhome is gone and our enclosed motorcycle trailer is also gone. That is weird. I finally decided to walk in the house. I turn on the lights. The house is different. The house is empty.







My wife has left me. Oh wow. My head feels light, I reach for balance on the hall way wall. I walk into the kitchen. I believe if I were hit across the head with a baseball bat right then I would not have felt it. I’m not sure I would now.



I go back into the garage. My dog looks like she is about to cry. I walk over to Jo Jo.



Hey girl. it’s been a hell of a ride. So far and yet so close. But you know what Jo Jo, you did good girl. A mineralogy professor once told me; do not be discouraged, you flunk but you flunk high.



Thanks for riding alone with me. Thanks to LakeRider in Virginia, large thank you to Curtis and as always, my wing man, my brother Ray and Chris Beck at ttp://www.fastbeck’s.com/. I never read where people say thank you to ADVrider.com. This forum has been an incredible resource, only made possible by incredible people like you.


Jo Jo made it 3,013 miles. 21 days of riding from Virginia to New Mexico. Three years of riding experience in 21 days. When I grow up, I wonna be an Adventure Rider.

[Gordy]

Holy shit Tony!

Unbelievable RR but the ending I could have done without. I have nothing right now but you know you are welcome at our place.

[Laconic]

Wow. Sorry to hear that.

[burque magoo]

Hang in there, Tony-----(PM sent)

[DaveWave]

Tony,

So sorry to hear about your surprise upon arriving home. On a positive note, you may well have found another vocation to follow in life…writing the next "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" type of book!

[brewtus]

Jesus Christ, Tony! WTF????

You know, KNOW to call if you need anything, right bruddah?? Hell, the fleabag Scottish Inn that you crashed out in in Springdale is less than 3 miles from my mother's house! Damn, son.....


BTW, how'd you like the SE New Mexico wind? Been riding through it off and on for 30 years now, on everything from GPz550's to K1100RT's. None of it was ever fun.

Damn, son.......

[Ladybug0048]

Shocker ending.....what a rough thing to return home to.

I hope you and Jo Jo have many more rides ahead so we get to read more excellent ride reports.

[booger1]

WOW. Sorry to hear that.