The World is a Book, and those who do not Travel Read only a Page

It has always been my curse to be the last asleep and the first awake.  Or perhaps it is a blessing.  Here in Columbus, Ohio, the morning air is cool and fragrant and filled with the melody of birds.  After last night a dose of tranquility is just what the doctor ordered.

We intended to leave yesterday evening for Indianapolis but no sooner had we packed our bags and roared westward than the skies opened up, pelting us with drops of rain that stung like pricks from a needle.    We took shelter beneath an overpass to discuss our next move and there met a number of bikers,  one of whom pulled up on a beautiful Harley, wife on back, and posed for with us for a very soggy picture before struggling into his rain gear.  

The weather was an omen.  We were not meant to leave Columbus just yet.  So we turned our bikes around and rumbled back to enjoy the immensely appreciated hospitality of Ivan's old high school friend, Paul.  The moment we reached his home the skies cleared, the sun shown warm and bright and the day was absolutely gorgeous.  Perfect riding weather.  However, had we suited up and set out again Nature would no doubt have seen fit to drive us back so we stayed.  

Seeing as we were stuck in town another night we decided to knock on the door of Paul's very lovely neighbors, Erica and Ashley.  Paul, if you're reading this shame on you for not getting to know them sooner.  We threw together a party that shot by in a blur of beer pong, fist bumps and new faces.  A trio of black women strutted in, dressed so sumptuously they looked like a doo-wop group. They drank our beer and left, prompting a late night beer run.  I didn't mind. The eye candy was worth it.  There was Eddie with the long and wildly unkempt hair, Andrew the Microcenter manager who had to work the next morning but played a round of pong and partied with us anyway, and a slew of others whose names have left me but whose faces remain.

It's an absolute joy to meet so many new people but it's bittersweet knowing these are folks I'll probably never see again.  We've struck Indiana from the list.  Today we ride hard for Chicago and another of Ivan's friends.  Chicago, Columbus isn't much, but her people are amazing, and although their beer pong rules are whacked out beyond comprehension they know how to party.  You've got a lot to live up to--assuming Nature has seen fit to let us leave.

Awakening

Ernest Hemingway was one of America's great adventurers.  It's fitting that I am reading one of his greatest works on this, my greatest adventure.  There is a line in For Whom the Bell Tolls that really struck a chord for me.

"I am an old man who will live until I die."

I'm a fair ways away from being an old man, but three days into this trip and I've determined to live every day of my life until I die.  America is a beautiful, marvelous place, but this summer is a stepping stone paving the way to even greater adventure.  Today America, tomorrow the world.


On to more important things.  My odometer before the trip:

Let's see if I can up that number by about 10,000 or so before rolling back into Maryland.

Thunderstorm to get in and a thunderstorm to get out of columbus... Seems like were here another night

Just the beginning

This is just the beginning of an amazing adventure and I feel like I've already encountered my fair share of thrills, fun and discoveries. I can't wait for the rest of the journey to unfold, and I am so excited because our lengthy plans have finally come to a realization and it is finally happening!

We are in Columbus, Ohio today, for my first time and so far I've had a blast. We met some interesting characters and it is a cool feeling to be the out of town people.

We are heading out to Indianapolis, another city I've never set ground on, unless maybe I count a short transfer at the airport!

It is exciting to know that right now we are on the tip of the iceberg and that there is such a huge amount left for us to discover.

Until next time!

West Virginia to Colombus Ohio

West Virginia was very wild and mostly wonderful. Scared shitless of rednecks the whole time. Got out into ohio and cruised to Colombus today. Staying at Tall Paul's house for the night. On to Indianapolis and then the great lakes next.

Tomorrow is Day 1

We leave tomorrow. The bikes are packed and ready to go. My odometer reads 13,921. We shall see what it is by the end of the trip. Super excited, hoping I'll be able to sleep.