FINAL POST - It's times like these you learn to live again!

We have now reached the end of the road. This last post will “automatically” be posted on Monday, 6/15 just as my plane takes off from Alb., NM (2:20pm; well, assuming the flight is on time!). Once I get back to NJ there will be very little left to discuss, at least via this medium. My brother-in-law Mike will pick me up at the airport late on Monday eve (my flight arrives at ~11:30pm), my bike will arrive back in NJ sometime around July 4th and my boxes from CA and NM will arrive and they will be unpacked and all the gear and clothes will be put away. After that, things for the Wallace’s will slowly get back to “normal.” That word “normal” however is something that needs to be considered, addressed and, hopefully “redefined.”

Being out on the road for so long you get the chance to have many (many!) deep thoughts. This sabbatical (time away from day in/day out work responsibilities) and this trip in particular (on the road away from home responsibilities) have made me realize how much time I have NOT given to wife, my children, my family! Spending the last ~20 years building a career, with my dear wife shouldering many aspects of child rearing and household responsibilities, has indeed allowed me to focus my efforts (often like a laser) on work. This “division” of labor, particularly over the last 10 years (ever since I started my faculty position) was without question the single most important factor in allowing me to achieve what I have in my life (earning an MS and PhD degree while married and becoming a tenured college professor). However, these professional accomplishments really, in the end, matter very little. In the end, what do you have?

Sure, I have job security (as I have tenure), sure I have a reputation (though meager!) within my field of study, but when the day is done…. it is my family that I care most about! Not my work! I did not spend these long hours on the road thinking of ways to better my career, I spent the time reflecting on my family life.

I’m not saying that I have ignored my family or that I have brushed them aside. I just have not made them a priority (at least some times) in my life and have simply let life roll on by, without really thinking about how best to spend my “life” with them. This became abundantly obvious to me when I was reminiscing about our time in CA. Sure, I was focused during my postdoc work (while in CA), but I did make time for Jen and Erin - William was not born yet - (we’d go on Saturday day trips on an occasion – but not NEARLY as often as we should have). However, over the past ~10 (ever since moving back to NJ), there have been embarrassing few “day trips” (and this was during the first 10 years of my son’s life).

I’m ashamed by this, as I almost lost all three of them (Jen, Erin and William) ~9 years ago in a car accident. They are all fine, but I should have treated the past 9 years (and the next ?) like a gift. I have not! (and quite frankly, you should NOT have to almost lose your family to view your time with them as something precious!).

Do not misunderstand. It is certainly true that the aforementioned “focus” on work was required to put me and my family in a “good place,” however, over the long-term, that level of focus is unsustainable and perhaps at this stage, unnecessarily. We are in a “good place” (and some might even say a GREAT PLACE), but my daughter is now ~16 (soon to go off to college) and my son is now 10, on the verge of being a teenager himself! Sure, I’ll have work responsibilities, and I will do the best I can to fulfill them, but I have realized that I need to strike a much BETTER balance between my work and home life. [Assuming of course that the Mrs agrees that a change in the “day to day” of our life is palatable (we have both fallen into a “routine,” so any change on my side of things will necessitate a change on her's as well)].

While riding through NV, just at the border of UT a song by the Foo Fighters came on through the Ipod. I have heard it before, but this time, at this moment - with the blue sky and white clouds above and in front of me, the trees and shrubs on my left and right, mountains on the horizon, as well as in my rear view mirror, the wide open, empty road in front of me and these thoughts that a SEA CHANGE in my life was unfolding; new views about how to approach my work responsibilities, new ideas on how to approach my relationships with my son and daughter, ideas about how to be a better father, husband, a better person! - the lyrics of this song hit me like a TON of bricks! I realized in that very instant how truly lucky of a man I really am and how much I have taken for granted!

















Taking this trip has given me a new outlook on life. Sure, it sounds like a cliché (tough!) to have some guy in his forties who takes a long trip say that he has come back as a changed man. Maybe it is not cliché at all. Maybe it is simply an artifact of having the time and opportunity to seriously reflect on one’s life. I’m not saying that I’m a changed man. It is not that easy (if only it were). What I’m saying is that I WANT to be a changed man and to publically state this (rather than just keeping these thoughts private) may just be the impetus that will help me through the metamorphosis.

Some people have suggested that I purchased a motorcycle (~4-5 years ago) because I was having some kind of mid life crisis. I take issue with that. I simply made the time and found the “resources” to support an interest that I had had (on and off) for quite some time. Some might also suggest that these thoughts of “a changed man” might also be “mid-life-crisis-ish.” I would not phrase it as a “crisis.” A crisis is a bad thing, a calamity, a catastrophe. This is quite the opposite; an epiphany, a revelation, or, quite simply, an opportunity - an opportunity to reinvent myself, an opportunity to refocus my energies on things that REALLY matter and an opportunity to force a CHANGE for the better in my life.

Being able to take this trip was certainly a once in a life time opportunity. However, the perspective it has given me, the realizations that I am indeed a very lucky man (to have such a wonderful wife, daughter and son), have given me something more meaningful, something more significant and something more (I hope!) long lasting – The realization that I have the opportunity to have a new life time.

As the title to that songs says (listed and linked below)

IT’S TIMES LIKE THESE YOU LEARN TO LIVE AGAIN!





















Thanks for following this story… I hope you enjoyed that trip as much as I have!

Jen, Erin, William…. I’m coming home!

Until I see you all again…..
Best Wishes…

-Bill, Dad, Primemover, The Toxic Avenger

Foo Fighters: It's times like these your learn to live again

I am a one way motorway
I'm the one that drives away
then follows you back home
I am a street light shining
I'm a wild light blinding bright
burning off alone
it's times like these you learn to live again
it's times like these you give and give again
it's times like these you learn to love again
it's times like these time and time again
I am a new day rising
I'm a brand new sky
to hang the stars upon tonight
I am a little divided
do I stay or run away
and leave it all behind?
it's times like these you learn to live again
it's times like these you give and give again
it's times like these you learn to love again
it's times like these time and time again

(note: perhaps the change has started - this is NOT a RUSH song!)

:)

Recap of Trip and Routing (Leg 1 = NM, AZ, CA; Leg 2 = CA, NV, UT, CO, NM) and Beyond...!

Well it is now 12/09 (will be 2010 in a couple of days!) and I'm only now getting around to finishing up this blog! Recall that I did post it in real time, but i had wanted to clean up some of the posts.

Anyway, I do have one more final post (which is not very "moto" relevant - more of a refection on life, etc...), but i did want to say some closing words to my "moto" family prior to wrapping this up.

First off, the below links simply contain the actual routes that I took (on leg 1 and leg 2) as oppsoed to the planned routes. In the end, I'm quite happy with the miles/terrain/venues I covered. Sure, not as "off-roady" as other's may have done, but, for me, it was just right!

I will say that, at least for me, taking a trip like this REALLY spoils you for riding! I mean, once you ride through a desert (Amboy, CA area) and up to the highest drivable road in US (Pikes Peak, CO) and the wonderful twisties of the Santa Cruz Mts., how in GOD'S NAME are you supposed to be happy with commuting between NJ and NY!!! This is the one thing that i did NOT expect!!! The post trip BLUES!! and really, it runs sooo deep for me! I've recently picked up a couple of other hobbies (drumming is one) and i'm left deciding if i want to spend that nice afternoon riding a moto around NJ or jamming at the drums (the drums are winning! and OFTEN!).

I'm not saying I no longer enjoy riding, but i'm not cetain if i'll ever have a chance to ENJOY IT like i did on this trip! I do not know what that says about me as a person and whether it is a good thing or a bad thing. But it is kind'a like reaching a goal and then, once you are there you say "...now what?..." Like claiming a mountain and once you get the peak you look around and say "...GREAT!!! i DID IT!!!... (now what?)..."

When i first started riding I always hoped i'd be able to log a trip like this and now that I have, i'm not sure how i can top it (or if that is even possible!).... Anyway, some may have noticed my great reduction in posts (be assured it is simply a result of a change in my mindset regarding riding - and nothing more than that!). I will still frequent the forum (and try my best to get to any jail breaks that mesh with my work/home sched.), however, i now have my sights set on a new mission - I think i'd like to get good enough at the drums to perform live (perhaps with my brother-in-laws band, if he'd let me!)... This new mission will most CERTAINLY "eat" into the time that i used to give to riding... We all grow, change, evolve... I just now have 2 mistresses to steal my time away from real responsibilities; riding will likely fade into the shadows (though i do not think it will EVER go away!)

Anyway, I have been feeling a little bad about not having released this blog to the forum as you were all so helpful! Even in times of contriovies, I valued the input and suggestions....

Be well.... I will see ya around (just not as often as i used to)...

- Prime

Final Route for Leg 1 (NM, AZ, CA):


View Larger Map



Final Route for Leg 2 (CA, NV, UT, CO, NM):


View Larger Map

Videos of Leg 1 and Leg 2

Here are a couple of videos that i tossed together based on footage from both legs of the trip.

ENJOY!

Leg 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaRtGvzF-dU





Leg 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaRtGvzF-dU

The return of Wallie (ma Bike!)

well, my bike returned safe and sound (mostly) about 1 week after I got back to NJ. The horn was missing, but Keyboard sent me a check for a replacement (plus a little extra from the trouble!).

Here are a few picks of the bike coming off the truck:

Here is a video (they use this neat little rolling rack that keeps the bike safe and sound!):

THANKS!

There are many people who helped make this trip possible (and added value and fun to the event) or worked in the shadows to help out my family back home...

you know who you are.... but here are just a few faces!

Thanks again...

- Bill

Day 40b (Leaving for NJ this afternoon)

Well, that is ALL she wrote.... (though there are 2 more posts coming)...

I fly to NJ later today...

BY DEE (and family)... thanks!

coming home!

Day 40a (so, after 5400 miles what have we learned)

I’m sitting here (this was typed a few days back; on fri) at a starbucks (uploading pics/videos) on a sunny afternoon in Alb., NM. Nothing major was planned for today (beyond organizing the bike for shipping tomorrow and a dinner out with my sis dee, etc..), so I have some free time to get some thoughts out of my head before my life (and the rest of your lives – well, at least my wife and kid’s and sister’s get back to some semblance of order).

Being on the road for a combine ~13 days of travel (via bike; 5 days on leg 1 and 8 on leg 2) in conjunction with being away from home for an additional 26 (some of that at my sisters in NM and others in CA for work purposes) you have LOTS of free time on you hand (and in your head).

There are many little tidbits I’d like to include in this blog before it comes to a close,
however I will likely not have the chance to cover them all before things go dark.
Here are just a few (in no particular order):

- The Southwest: This is a beautiful area of this country, everyone should travel to the area to get a real sense of the OPEN SPACE that we have available in the US! The variety landforms, colors, terrains, ecosystems, etc… that exist in this area are simply breath taking. A part of me wonders if my wife and I made the best decision to move from CA back to NJ ~10 years ago (but I know we did – that was where our families were). Never-the-less, visiting CA as part of this trip was so much fun that I do want to DRAG my family back there for a visit; willingly or not, no matter to me! – I’m sure they will enjoy themselves once we get there!.

- How did they ever do it?: I am awe struck at the idea that our ancestors settled these areas and more impressed by that fact that native Americans lived in these harsh habitats. Water is often scarce and I cannot imagine how life most have been to be part of a wagon train heading west without real knowledge of what was over the next hill. People in our generation owe so much to those who came before us. I know it sounds cliché, but we take so much for granted (clean, safe water, electricity, etc…). We have it GOOD!

- Do not take things for granted: My wife and I (and daughter erin) lived in CA for ~3 years. WE DID NOTHING!!! Well, nothing is probably too strong a word, but we saw few, if any sights when we were there – we did not take a single vacation trip in the 3 years that we were in CA (well, besides Dis. Land)! We missed out on SOO MUCH (CA has sooo much to offer!)… it is a shame and I am embarrassed for not seizing the moment and taking advantage of what we had access to).

- Camping vs Hotel: I had planned to split the night stays between camping and hotels (50/50). However, once I could not get over Tioga pass (which added a full day and ~300 miles to my trip) the plan book was out the window. I had to get back to NM by thurs (6/11) so that I could meet deadlines on shipping the bike, etc… I did plan an extra day in the second leg of the trip (and left 1 day early), but I was still playing catch up all the time. In the end, I found that I did not have the time to set/break camp on the way back to NM. I did stay at a few KOA (cabins) and I think that if I ever take a trip like this again (solo), I might opt to NOT plan to fully camp (only use cabins or hotels). The extra gear (tent and bed roll) and extra time (to set and break camp), IMO eats into good travel time. If however I’m with a group and the plan is to camp, then I’m game. But going solo and trying to make good time, camping (with setting a tent) is not something which I think I’ll do again.

- Friendly People on the road: A few of my relatives were QUITE concerned that I would meet a terrible fate by being out on the road alone; they thought I would get mugged, etc… etc… I did not have a single incident in which I felt vulnerable to the “human” element (natural elements was something else, rain, snow, wind!). Quite the opposite. There were many times when strangers would offer to take my photo (or agree once asked) or would simply come over and comment on my map (with states). People are nice!

- My Bike: This machine performed with EXCELLENCE!!! Not a single issue needed to be resolved on the road (no need to knock on wood this time!). Even though I had loads to repair gear, I was HAPPY not to have to use any; though if I make a trip like this again, it will all come with me (no reason to tempt fate!).

- So, how much of the gear that I brought was actually used?: I’d have to say (excluding the repair stuff, which I did not WANT to use), that I used ~98% of the stuff that I brought along. Things that come to mind that were not used were: playing cards, some food (will pack less next time – but had I had more tent/cabin nights I suspect I would have used more), reading material (never really got the chance to read much – this blog kept me pretty darn busy). There is nothing else that I can think of that I did not use.

There are other things I want to say, but… i got to go to bed!

Day 38 (dropping bike off at shop to be shipped back!)

Today (beyond some family stuff) i went over to the BMW shop where i dropped of the bike to be shopped back to NJ (via Keyboard motorcycle shipping).

Here are some pics from the day...

--------- (some of these descriptions are out of order - tough to fix)
- dropping bike off at the dealer
- wally's all ready to be picked up!
- This bike COULD be Wally's replacement (someday); sorry Wally, no offense!

---- pics...

Day 37 (prep bike for return trip to NJ and prairie dogs)

Only a few days left (and even fewer things to do) between now (fri) and my flight back to NJ on monday.

I spent a little time today organizing the bike for shipping back to NJ and when i was done with that, i ran off to the local starbucks to have some "quite time" and to access wifi to upload some videos and pictures (those were the Pikes Peak, etc... pics). On the way back from S.bucks, i stopped by a Walgreen's to pick up some odds and ends and stummbled upon a camera crew from Animal Planet who were taking some pics and video of the local prairie dogs. I had wanted to get my own pics and video, but i did NOT want to ruin their shots (so i took my pics/vidoe on the otherside of the parking lot). Look on Animal Planet (a few months from now) for a show called "Prairie Dogs: Talk of the town"

anyway...

here are some pics from today

-----------
- their faces have faded in the UV, but they were always with me on the trip!
- 24531 miles (~5k since leaving NJ!)
- gear piled high, ready to get reorganized
- boy, that is a bunch of dead bugs!
- well, Ichy stayed around for the whole trip (he is now saved in a zip lock bag!; with Splatter!)
- another pic of Toxy and the map
- a close up of the map
- the Animal Planet camera crew (see, i was not pulling your leg!)
- my own prairie dog photo shoot
- tom, here is your donkey... (but where is the ass?)

(videos are listed below - i could not put in a line break, not sure why...)

Day 36b (some videos between CO and NM)

just a few videos...

Day 36a (Finding my way back home: CO to NM)

Sorry, a day late...

--------
Today (thurs) was simply business! I needed to get back to Alb, NM. I was in Salida CO and really did not have any real "venues" to visit today. That did NOT mean it was a boring ride! It was just not broken up by side trips. It was ~a 300 mile day and i forced myself to head towards Pagosa Springs CO, as that would send me through some twisties (curved back roads). The ride was quite enjoyable!

here are the last set of pics form the road (i will prob have other pics from my days in NM with Dee and her family, so if you care, stay tuned for them)...

--------
- the sun setting in Salida CO, on weds day (my last night on the road)
- the last morning pack up... we're ready to roll
- my friend SO MUCH wants to drive today (sorry Toxy, you do NOT have a license!)
- this was a neat statue at a gas station (horse)
- some clouds rolling over the mountains
- more wildlife (bison)
- one of 3-4 tunnels today
- what more could you want, a winding road through some mountains!
- back up where the snow is (various pics); my last high elevation pass! :(
- let's a nice twisty down the mount.
- what a view of the valley down below!
- one of the last pics of rockies (well, at least the high ones, i'm headed to NM now)
- what's that funny arch in the sky (on the left)? (just looking in rear view mirror, that's all
- erin, some horses for you..
- pics of rockies through ranch gate...
- i always (at least) have one eye on the road!
- we're now in NM! (red/white cliff face)
- bike in front of red rocks..
- look closely, you can see at least 3 (but there were 4) Harley Davidson riders taking a rest (bodies in grass, heads on gravel)... They did NOT have the ride that i have had.... why the heck are THEY sooo tired?
- at my LAST gas up!!! i guess that is a smile
- i've seen this (gassing up) at least 50 times in the last 39 days (~every 100 miles or so)
- last leg of the trip on the GPS (~115 miles to dee's!)
- erin, thankfully that dog IS chained to the truck, but i STILL think it is too dangerous!
- last venue on the trip (camel back rock in NM)
- a grandfather ans grandson helped take this pick of me (the little boy ~11 was making me laugh!)
- i think i look just a little tired in this self portrait...
- Alb, NM!!!! here i come!
- safe and sound in Alb, NM!!!!!!!!!!!
- my main mascot is EQUALLY PROUD of our accomplishment!
- we're done!!! thumbs up..... ~5000 k miles (including the miles in CA)

Day 35b (videos from Pikes Peak and Monarch Pass)

here are just a few videos (jen, turn away... do NOT look at these....)

i just realized... i did NOT take any videos on the way down!

:(

(guess i have to go BACK!)

:)

---------- Day 35 videos

Day 34b (vidoes from Can. Lands to CO.)

Well, here i am in Alb, NM (at a starbucks). Dee does not have wireless and i had no way of getting these vids off my computer and to her's (no jump drives avail)... Anyway, it is a good excuse to get a ice coffee!

so, here they are...

--- Day 34 videos (Can. Lands and heading to Denver)

NOTICE: the end is near, but there is more to come!

This trip is slowly coming to a close.... i lost a few days of "net" access, so i'm a little behind on posting, however, once Day 39 hits (when i fly back to NJ), there will be a few more posts dealing with such things as:

- what gear was useful, what not
- reflections/deep thoughts about life, the southwest, etc...
- Thanks to (many people to thank)

so, if you are interested, stay tuned to this station for a few weeks past Day 39...

i'll "close it" with a final post when my head is cleared of all the things I wanted to "off load"

Day 35 (my head in the clouds; Pikes Peak and Monarch Pass)

i'll try and keep this one short (it is in the am on thurs and i need to get on the road!)...

left Denver on a cloudy, overcast day (headed towards Pike's Peak and Monarch Pass)... i KNEW rain was in my future... when i got closer to PP i stopped and put on ALL rain and cold weather gear that i had... glad i did!!! but i was a little "over heated" when it was all said and done...

well, i could explain how the trip up to PP went, but the pics will tell the words.... i did (at one point) almost turn around saying... the HECK with this!!! (it was pretty bad at one point), but i got a sense that there was not much more left (i was right).... anyway, after PP i headed off to Monarch Pass (and cont. divide)...

ok, now for pics....
( WARNING - viewer discretion is advised; mothers and wives may NOT want to see these)

-----------------------
- Pikes Peak in the back ground
- at ~11k feet, yes... that is a dirt road!
- we CLAIM CO under fog and light snow at the top of P.P.
- just a photo op (could NOT come here without getting this pic); yes, that is snow falling!
- it would not have been fair if i did not get HIS picture as well...
- the view on the way down (yes, those are ice crystals on my wind screen!)

- just looking across the valley

- ice on wind screen, dirt under my wheels, pavement just beyond... i MADE IT DOWN off the peak!
- a nice veiw of the pavement the is below!

- i offically have my head in the clouds (well, above them)!

- back down to a more reasonable elevation!

- gassing up and heading to Monarch Pass (bye PP)

- some nice green mounts in CO

- a view of my mirror

-what a view of CO!

- i keep finding these long an dlonely roads!

- just another view from M. pass

- more wildlife

- just some mounts..

- heading towards monarch pass

- reached it! (various pics)

- how fitting, the sun comes out at monarch pass and the image # clicks to 2112! (did not know it at the time)

-