Friday, July 1, 2011

Motorcycle Journal

Haiku My Heart
July 1, 2011

Friday means it’s time for Haiku My Heart, the weekly meme started by my friend Rebecca. Wonderful folks from all over the world participate. To find out how you can too, and to see more Haiku My Heart entries, visit her blog, recuerda mi corazon.

This bike needs a name. Any ideas?
Parked for a short break deep in the Northern Minnesota lake country.

True love at first sight
Throbbing beast between my legs
My motorcycle
This Haiku may not seem like romantic heartfelt sentiment, but make no mistake, it is for me. To be able to get out and enjoy this pastime in this lifetime is an achievement on so many levels. My appreciation, or love affair if you think I should call it that, with getting out on the road with nothing but myself and a motorcycle is the ultimate idea of solitude and rejuvenation. It is my Yoga, my Tai Chi, my Meditation, my Salvation.

In the photo above, I was traveling along this gravel road deep in the backwoods of Northern Minnesota. I hadn’t been up this way in a long time and I was loving the forest, the lakes and rivers. I stopped and took a couple of photos to enter into a motorcycle forum I belong to called Adventure Rider.
I just returned yesterday evening. I was out on a quick two day jaunt on my newest motorcycle. I love it! Rides and runs great, has ample room for packing a trip of short duration like the two-day I was just on, and it is thrifty at the gas pump. I averaged over 52 miles per gallon!
Some of the fantastic scenery Up North.

It has blocky tires on it and is set up to be nimble on asphalt or loose surface roads, like the gravel road in the photo. It can be used for what is called Dual Sport riding or adventure riding. Riding on the hard top road to get there, then taking the bike off-road, on gravel and dirt trails, for fun and just to do it. The back roads get you to places like the waterfalls pictured above.
I traveled North to International Falls, Minnesota and crossed the border into Fort Frances, Ontario. I’ll write about the trip itself, its purpose and show some photos from the road on the Monday Mystery Tour. I’ll have a Shadow Shot on Sunday in between today’s Haiku My Heart and Monday’s tour. 
In the meantime, have a great day, and if you celebrate during this long July 4th weekend, keep it safe.
Peace

20 comments:

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Wonderful! Will be going to MT and CO soon to travel the Western Plains with their antelope and grass swaying in the wind. Visiting family and treking is just part of the journey. For me it too is what touches the heart! Thank you! Cathy

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

It's a love affair, plain and simple, Spadoman. You + beast = bliss!

Snap said...

A man and his motorcycle ... sounds like love to me! Wonderful post. So nice to get out on the road and see what you find. YeeHaw!

Jeannie said...

I love the idea of motorcycles but then the inner party pooper emerges to tell me how dangerous they are blah blah blah.

I envy you.

Leslie said...

Oh, GREAT looking bike! ( I won't show this to my husband, he'll be so envious. )

Marit said...

I'm sure you know Robert Pirsig's book 'zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance'. (if not - read it! Normally, I don't order people EVER but in this case... it's an order *teehee*) The first name that comes to mind is 'Vertigo' but that says more about me I guess.... have fun, keep 'm on the road! (coincidence? 'Easy rider' is on the television tonight in the Netherlands - do you think we have a weird connection somehow?)

rebecca said...

dear spadoman and his peace rider,
the way you fly towards beauty, follow your heart's passion, commune with every tree, rock and flower...inspires the very road beneath you.
all heaven can do is lean closer hoping to see through your eyes, taste life through your passion, hear
the drum beat of your faithful heart.

Rachel said...

Sounds like a good way to find some solitude. You have a great day as well, and happy 4th of July.

gma said...

Throbbing Beast is appropriate.
:-)

Bill said...

Your haiku put a smile on my face!

Margaret Pangert said...

Ahhh... I would name your bike Chief! You have a deep connection with Native American traditions plus there used to be a motorcycle with that brand name.
I think anytime you find passion it's a good thing. And to feel the world around you! And the coordination in your body to fly effortlessly along!

Dianne said...

I can soooo relate... Mine is Verna... Ride safe!

Mel said...

Wow.

That trip up the backroad--well worth it!

It's a scrambler--so I say you take a word, scramble it up and call it yours!

Lemme see--what word/words?

*thinking*

<-- cannot be rushed. LOLOL

In the meantime-- Can we have another roadtrip on the backroads again, please? :-/
Soon?

Unknown said...

Your new 'girl' is wonderful...I'm sure you will have many great adventures together.

happy 4th!

Cheryl said...

I love your adventurous spirit. I also love getting out on the road, except I drive my car. I think you ought to name your bike Nancy. Think about it...

I'm glad you stopped on your trek to smell the roses, so to speak, and took a picture of your man-machine.

Fran aka Redondowriter said...

What great adventures you've had and are going to have. I remember walking across the headwaters of the Mississippi at Itasca some years ago. Thanks for sharing your passion with us.

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

"The Rover". How's that for a name? And then, ditto what Rebecca has said. So eloquently, at that (as always).
You be the peace rider, for sure!

Noelle Clearwater said...

I a reminded of a trip that I took up to Yellowstone National Park when I was much younger, I was running back then and there were a number of Hell's Angels riding in large numbers around the park. I can recall these big burly men stopping on their "hogs" to bend down and feed the squirrels, or cheer me on as I ran uphill to catch a waterfall some miles up the road. It taught me that appearances are deceiving and it is always important to get to know someone before making a judgment based on how much leather they wear, how much hair they have or how loud their motor is. Now that I know you and see your "beast" I can say that once again. You are the best Spadoman. Keep on movin' on...
Peace and Love,
Noelle

Rosie said...

The freedom of the open road... sounds so appealing! LOVED your post and Happy 4th to you too! =)

GYamato said...

I'm with you brother! Few things both move and soothe my heart like a motorcycle ride. I figure it's the closest I'll ever get to flying and that suits me just fine. Enjoy!