Those who follow my trips realize part of me loves to go fast, to cover a lot of miles in a day. That desire highlighted by an Iron Butt Ride, 1,080 miles in 16.3 hours, at 70 years. A trip like that maximizes the vastness and variety of the landscape in a short time. And yes, it’s a metaphor of destination, of accomplishment. But another part of me is meandering on the journey, going slow, taking interesting side roads, exploring and experiencing the details.
The accompanying pic represents both—beginning with three consecutive 600 mile days to reach Alaska with Rich, a destination to bag another state on a bike. But the trip morphed on the return. Brad, then in the lead on Highway 101 in the northern California redwoods, pulled onto a small road where the majestic redwoods edged a narrow road leading to a river. That inspired the poem just below.
When the journey
trumps the destination
take care to carve out time
to follow the former
find those single blue line roads
that add joy with their hours
that lead you to worlds undreamed
find the small towns
quirky and personable
that touch your soul
find the locals
who reveal stories and roads
go slow enough
to read those small local signs
take some pics
to identify the growing crops
the types of pines and cedars and oaks
to wave at those front-porch sitters
relaxing as you ride
to stroll along ocean bluffs
and forest trails
and meadows with vernal pools
to follow meandering streams and rivers
afoot
to see the beauty
of the world created
Slow down
and gain life
I’m coming to realize both are good and appropriate, both can meet differing purposes. It’s funny how destination folk sometimes don’t understand journey guys, and vice versa. The point: whatever your purpose of your time on a road, take advantages of what that style brings. Sometimes that means the interstates. Sometimes the backroads.
Kick Starting the Application
Do you usually favor the journey or the destination? Do you sometimes judge those who prefer the opposite? Can you enjoy both? Maybe, for your next trip, have one day be a destination, and enjoy that. The next, cherish the journey, go slow and explore, and enjoy that.
