Keeping My Head On A Swivel

I work from home, therefore, I listen to many, many, MANY podcasts. I gravitate toward True Crime but the solved ones. I like it all wrapped up in a nice bow with the bad guy/girl caught; convicted; behind bars.

Drives Mark crazy.

"Why do you listen to that crap?"

"I'm taking notes so that when I kill you I won't get caught." Duh.

The stated mantra from each podcaster is "Keep your head on a swivel."

The Steel Horse Family jumped on our motorcycles and rode again. This time we went to sunny California to see Yosemite and the Redwoods. We made our way along the coast through Oregon and landed at Crater Lake.

Maybe it's a "rider thing" but I tend to keep my head to the right. Therefore, I see most of the views off on that side. This time I made sure that I looked BOTH right and left. This time I kept my head on a swivel.

I had my left foot bungied down.

I smelled the fresh mown fields, ocean air, forest trees, wildflowers and the stink of dairies along the roads.

I saw trees - HUGE trees that were dated back thousands of years.

I cooled in a river at Yosemite (fully clothed).

I ate the best-est breakfasts I have ever had, yet my favorite meal was at a park outside Crater Lake where Jan and Theresa cut up gas station sandwiches, opened chips and poured lemonade.

I was heated beyond my stamina and faced bone-chilling cold.

I laughed with family-friends.

I missed my kids fiercely.

I saw birds and dogs and kitties and elk and squirrels and deer and cows and horses.

I DID NOT see Sasquatch.

I stayed in an absolutely amazing cabin.

I was turned down to stay at the Traveler's Lodge because (I didn't know this was a real thing) I was with a group on motorcycles. DO NOT give them your money.

I sat in the sand and heard waves crashing on the shoreline.

I rode through beautiful clear skies, fog, rain and wind.

I lost my crap when we went on the Old Coast Highway and each bump nearly ripped off my head.

I cried as Uncle Ron was taken away in an ambulance.

I saw millions of crickets covering the road.

I saw waterfalls and rocks, and streams and boulders and lakes and trees and mountains and snow and...

I hugged my Uncle Bobby.

I laughed when Randy left Jan at the gas station.

I NEVER asked for anything. I'm not kidding. There was always a helping hand reaching toward me.

As usual, Mark took excellent care of me. He packed/unpacked the Harley. He kept me hydrated, fed and always happy.

See our world. Truly see it. Smell it. Feel it.

You don't have to go on a huge trip to enjoy the wonders of our mother Earth. Simply look in your back yard or out the front window.

Oh. And keep your head on a swivel.