"And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years. "

(A. Lincoln)     

Our days have been quietly marching by; not unnoticed, or ignored, rather viewed from new perspectives. Since our ride with Lee to Connecticut in May, not much group riding has been on our agenda. A trip to Laconia and a hop out to Vermont for ribs with Dave were the only other social activity beside family commitments that we engaged in. Mostly Andy and I have been taking quiet rides, enjoying the solitude. Vermont, Massachusetts and the mountains of New Hampshire have all been our destinations. My mind has been in a more reflective mood as of late. My audio book listening while I commute is lending itself to this state of mind.

                Yesterday, we shook off the bikes for the Lee’s Benz and headed to Lime Rock Park in Connecticut to check out car racing to see what all the fuss is about with respect to race cars. The company I work for, which races a Corvette, was scheduled to participate at Lime Rock. I managed to get my hands on 4 tickets and off we went.  Most of our time was spent in quiet appreciation for each other’s presence, with only a few hours at the race track. I enjoyed seeing the Compuware Corvette in action.

                The day wasn’t without its challenges. An hour into our trip to Connecticut, I realized the tickets were sitting on the kitchen table. Yet with the help of Eckhart Tolle, whose audio book I have just finished, my response was not the meltdown I typically fall prey too. My anxiety ridden self is slowing transforming to better ways to handle challenges.  Tolle has to be one of the most influential and enlighten individuals of our modern times. I feel privileged to have been helped by listening to him.

                I am looking forward to our trip to the Blue Ridge in a few weeks. Yes, I still have anxiety, especially when contemplating traversing the Tail of the Dragon. Those who ride with me know I’m no peg scraper, yet I feel confident that I can master all 318 curves in those 11 miles taking them one at a time. We are all capable of doing what we need to do in any given moment. So I won’t dwell on the 318, but on each one individually as it presents itself.  I will also enjoy the week with Dave that he can spend with us.  Should Lee find a way to connect with us in the second week; well that will just be icing on the cake.

                For now, I will continue planning our trip. I’m working on the GPS files I will need. One for getting to the start, The Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, Diamondback and the Blue Ridge Parkway itself. I’ll plug in Dave’s contributions from his trip a few years ago of exits with gas stations, and restrooms. With help from the POI factory for a few other points of interest the planning is often almost as much fun as the doing. Yet nothing is as enjoyable as sharing experiences with those whose company you enjoy the most. That is what I am looking forward to the most.