Wanderings and Musings

I am really enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of this part of the country. I want to say “again” because it feels so much like the Pacific Northwest. The trees are lush and green and thickly line the road. There is a feeling of life and vibrancy emanating from the woods as I ride through.

Because I’ve got a possible CS up in Burlington VT tonight, I am heading in that general direction through the back roads of New Hampshire and Vermont. There is no specific destination in mind today other than Burlington by evening, so I’m off adventuring.

All I’m seeing as I roll through the countryside are trees, the occasional lake or stream, and very small towns. It’s a sleepy afternoon and the traffic is light on these back roads, the temperature is warm but not stifling, and I feel fantastic to be on my bike and riding.

The roads are just throwing lazy curves at me and I’m in no hurry to get anywhere or to go in search of the tighter and faster ones. All the world is right today.

My first destination of the day is when I see the Adirondack Park and Lake Placid in my approximate path. It’s a name etched into my brain as it was the place of the first winter Olympics that I was aware of growing up. Being the end of June, it won’t have quite the same flavor as it would seeing it covered in snow, but then I’d be pretty limited in the places I would be able to get to on a sport bike!

The first real sight I have as I enter the Lake Placid area are the ski jumps towering over the trees. It’s quite an impressive sight, and I bet it’s even better up top.

The rest of the town just wasn’t impressive, or more likely I didn’t know where to go to find the best spots. But no worries, I’m just enjoying the ride today.

On the way out of town towards the ferry over Lake Champlain to Burlington… a huge Ford F-250 Diesel decided to push his speeds up through the corners as if he could beat me. I just smiled and let him pass me, then followed him for about 10 miles at high speeds through quite a few curvy sections. Nothing to prove and didn’t even want to pass him, I was just enjoying the presence of someone else who was also enjoying the roads and speed.

As I waited for the ferry, I met two couples on Harleys that were taking a tour around the north-east. They fit the cliche image of older guys with big bellies and longish beards sporting their leather Harley vests. And their women were of the same mold. But regardless of the cliche, they were wonderful people, just like everyone I’ve met on my journey.

After a long wait for the ferry, a fairly short ride on it and watching a magnificent sunset, I was over into Burlington… a small college town with plenty of parties happening at the bars.

As my CS contact never called me back, I was turning up a big goose egg on a place to stay for the night. I went to a gas station to fill up both my tank and my back tire while I pondered over what I should do for the evening. There didn’t seem to be a near-by forest area other than across the lake I had just come across, and if I drove around it would be a couple of hours or more.

As I sat there contemplating and drinking an energy drink, I met “Tank”. Tank is a 60 something old ex football coach selling insurance or something of the sort, and he matched his name as he is a tank of a man. Maybe 6′3″ and 250lbs. I’m sure in his younger days he earned the name very well.

He was interested in what my story was all about with my luggage all strapped down on my sport-bike. After I told him, we started to swap various adventure stories. We sat in the parking lot and chatted about various adventures and ideas for about 30 minutes before he suggested we go grab a beer and chat some more.

Long story short on this one, but I soon enough figured out that Tank is a closet homosexual who is too ashamed to come out and confront his desires, but strong willed enough to end up going out and get what he is needing. Note that he never told me this, and nothing happened between us, but I could tell he was slipping in various hints to allow the openings to happen. A great guy with tons to give the world, but is still held back by his lack of acceptance of his own desires. I suppose at his age he has settled into a way of living his life that fits best for him. All my best to you Tank if you’re out there and happen upon this blog.

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