Like with any trip a person takes, you always meet new people. When I take a motorcycle trip, this is the one thing I really look forward to.
My latest stay over is in West Virginia where close friends of mine, John and Linda, live while not snow birding down in Florida. We met about 12 years ago in Jensen Beach and now I consider them my second family. They are gracious in offering me unlimited time to stay with them and although tempting, I have only three days. My time spent at their home makes me feel as though I am on vacation at a resort.
The views of the mountains along with the cool, crisp air reminds me of times spent on previous bike trips up state New York. During our early morning walks, John and I would pass open fields that connected homes to each other. Fields filled with turkeys and deer, a far cry from what I see every morning when I walk my neighborhood. I don’t know if its because I’m older now but I appreciated it so much more now than I can remember when I was younger.
The homes here are spread out over acres of land without fences between each lot, which gives the deer and other wildlife the freedom to stroll freely between the wooded areas that surround the plots and the homeowners yards.
Sitting in a rocking chair on their large back porch, with coffee in hand, I watch as a few hummingbirds hover and work their way to the feeder that hangs off the roof edge. Watching those tiny birds feed becomes my daily activity as I am fascinated by their movement. Again, simply nature on display but yet so captivating to me.
Definitely the highlight of my trip was with John when we visited a working farm owned by his friend Donnie. What started as a 25 minute ride to pick up some beans for dinner turned into an hour visit and tour of the farm. I have always had an interest in what it takes to operate and work a farm so this was a golden opportunity to get a first hand learning experience.
My first impression was how friendly and inviting Donnie was in allowing us to walk the farm and answer my many questions ranging from watering systems to Monsanto’s reign over our farmers and the products they use. I remain grateful to Donnie for his openness and willingness to show patience with me. Being from the suburbs of New York and then later the shores of New Jersey, I have not had much exposure to working farms so I had lots of questions.
Off in the near distance I hear goats baaahing. I love goats and especially the kids. The adult ones can sometimes look pretty scary and satanic, which is probably why they are used for rituals. Still, baby goats are just too damn cute and funny too. Very playful and they chew on anything in front of them.
The visit with my friends is short but sweet as I take to the road early Thursday morning. I throw a couple of West Virginia apples in my bag and load up the bike. Unfortunately my plans to travel out west to South Dakota have changed and I will be heading back to Florida (more on this later), so today I head south east toward Bristol Va.
Just on mans opinion
The Regular guy