Sunday, January 29, 2012

First Road Trip of 2012


This is part of a weekly thread of Joy called Postcards From Paradise that eminates from Rebecca's recuerda mi corazon. Please feel free to go there and have a look and catch the feelings of other kinderd souls.



October 26th. That’s when all this heart stuff started. It was right about this time, early in the morning, that my heartbeat went racing out of control. It was at 167 when I put the blood pressure cuff on and saw it. Before that, I remember a trip up North earlier in October. That’s the last time I was on the road for anyplace farther than the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, which is 38 miles from my home.
That changed on January 25th when I headed to Chicago, driving my car. So, over three months of being what I consider to be homebound, I finally got into the car and drove away. Hardly a cross country excursion, but I was doing what I love, seeing the world through the windshield. This view is my therapy, my yoga, my meditation.
I listened to the radio. I have SiriusXM installed in Goldie. Channel 26 plays the classic rock and for my benefit played the Allman Brothers “Ramblin’ Man”. I was born a ramblin’ man, there is no doubt about it!

Lord, I was born a ramblin' man

Trying to make a living and doing the best I can

When it's time for leaving, I hope you'll understand

That I was born a rambling man
I cried at the screaming guitar of Carlos Santana. I sang out loud at the top of my lungs with “Hey Jude” and just soaked it all in, dreaming of days gone by, when they played Mott the Hooples’ “All the Young Dudes”.
I left around 7:00 AM and this time of year, even though the daylight hours are on the increase, there’s still a darkness to the sky, especially when it’s damp and foggy, and that’s how it was last Wednesday. No camera, so no photos of this very familiar route to the city where I was born and raised.
As I drove East on US 10, the sun was brightening the sky from behind the foggy heavens. Then, I was able to look right at the sun. There was no glare as the outline of the perfect orb shone through the lifting haze. In a short while, the day had become a sunny one.
I stopped at Pammy K’s diner in Eleva, WI. Had the chopped beefsteak and eggs, then got underway and drove the Interstate for a hundred miles or so. I took two-lane highways to Mt. Horeb after that and paid a visit to the Duluth Trading Company’s retail store.
On from there into Illinois with dinner and a motel room in Harvard. I tell you, it felt so good to be on the road. I wish I could remember what I was writing in my head that day. The words flowed out of my brain as I wanted to tell the world I felt free once again.
The crows were evident everywhere along the road. I saw one eagle, two deer and two sheriffs patrol cars along with the show Ole Sol was putting on as it broke through the cloud cover to reveal itself on a very unseasonable Winter day in the Midwest. Temps shot as high as 46 degrees. When I got to Illinois, there was no snow to be seen.
The next morning, I headed into Chicago with a stop at a restaurant along US Highway 14 in Crystal Lake, IL. I did a little zigging and zagging to find the highway after I checked out what was happening on WBBM radio out of Chicago. They have traffic and weather on the 8’s. I pulled into the driveway at the funeral home and immediately spotted the familiar faces of my brother and brother-in-law in the parking lot.
The trip home was equally as enjoyable for the first half. The second half it was dark and all I could see were the images in my head while listening to more old but great music. The Reggae channel had me bobbin’ and weavin’. I was Irie mon.
I don’t know what many of you think about road trips. As you can see, it is important to my life. For a while, I felt like I’d never be able to take off, at least not take off alone, from home. I’ve broken the ice and plan a full schedule of travel starting in mid March when I can saddle up and get to Albuquerque to get my motorcycle out of Winter storage.
In the meantime, I refreshed my soul by simply being on the move. Practicing what I preach, I realize there is nothing I can do about what has happened, and I sure don’t know what the future will bring, so living one day at a time means be prepared, but perish the thought of sitting in a living room chair, watching TV and waiting to die for the rest of my life. I want to live, not just be alive, as long as The Creator allows. And I continue to be thankful for friends and family. I pray for the Veterans, the Elders, the Sick, the Addicted and the Children.

Mitakwe Oyasin
Peace

18 comments:

rebecca said...

dear spadoman,
you are a road warrior from day one! i cannot tell you how much your post means to me today. i have been in bed barely able to sit up and even now too weak to be of much use in this world. but i made my way to the computer to reach out beyond my own challenges and happily i feel your radiant JOY, your wild heart bursting free! i hope you will link this freedom ride to postcards from paradise. i too am singing this very heart song, live life FULLY!
welcome back dear friend!
i am sure to join you soon!!!

foxysue said...

Dear Joe,

Like Rebecca I decided a return comment would be lovely for this post as it fills my heart with great joy reading about your road trip even though the destination was a sad one! When I get into my car or camper-van and we start rolling that feeling of freedom sweeps through me so exhilarating, to never feel that again is very scary! My leg being in plaster just now makes me frightened just in-case I may not be able to walk, I think I am catastrophizing though! You are so right living for now is what is needed, making the most of each moment because they are so precious. Being stuck in just now I am getting lost in dreamy images in the wonderful world of macro!

Wishing you many more trips of exhilaration!

Love Ms Foxy x

carol l mckenna said...

Seems there is a theme ~ here (check my post) Lovely photo and post ~ I too, believe, 'Dance while you can!" ~ Keep on 'truckin' ~ Road Warrior ~ namaste, carol (A Creative Harbor)

Jeannie said...

Sounds like the trip was balm for your soul - sorry for the reason, but glad there was something to get back out where you love to be. I don't mind a road trip so much if it's the prelude to an air trip. Not that a commercial flight is any better than a bus ride but symbolically, it makes me feel good. And I get further from home faster.

So then, you just need to get through February...

gma said...

Awesome Spadoman.Answered prayers!
So glad you are joyfully back on the road with a great soundtrack to your life. xx

Dimple said...

Hi Joe,
It's so good to hear about your recovery. May you have many more road trips to blog about!

Unknown said...

So happy to hear this road trip story Joe!! This must have sent your spirits soaring...here`s to a wonderful year of fulfilling experiences.

Cheryl said...

There is nothing like it on god's green earth. My elbow out the window and wind in my hair. My eyes glued to the wide open space in the windshield. Man, I am going too. You write very well on this subject of freedom. And I'm glad you're feeling better even though you were driving to a funeral.

Noelle Clearwater said...

Dear Joe,
My heart is with yours. I am so happy that you are able to travel, to do what you love, to live fully every moment that you have. I can just imagine you singing to the radio, stopping at the diner and everything in between. I am glad you have your wings back brother.
Peace and Love,
Noelle

susan said...

This is good news.
Many Happy Trails.

eb said...

wishing you
many many more miles
and singing the tunes
(I too have sirius - seriously)
you are a road warrior
and I am singing your praises...

peace and love,

xox - eb.

Fran aka Redondowriter said...

I'm so glad you had your maiden voyage post-recuperation from your heart problems. Did Mrs. Spado go to Chicago, too? And before you know it, as you put it, you'll be back in the saddle again. Way to go, Spadoman.

katherine. said...

"On the road again...I can't wait to get on the road again..."

Makes me happy to know you were able to take this trip to honor your aunt.

Funerals and Burials.
(picture me shaking my head wryly)

I have a great many opinions on this.
Ha.

Maybe it'll be something to write about.

But I'm glad to be reading you are enjoying your life with your family and on the road.

Spadoman said...

Thank you all so very much for the very kind and thoughtful comments. It does feel good to be able to go back to "normal" living. And even though I've had to slow down and take more time and care in doing what I like to do, the effort is worth it.
Thanks again and again.

Peace to All

Anonymous said...

I wanted to check in here with you. Soooo glad you are on the road again. I am doing a happy dance for you. :)
Funerals...I know some need to have this to get through.
Memories and holding these close, is what is important to me.
I can imagine the smiles you are having making your plans for March and beyond!

Fran said...

I thought you'd turn the corner on this and be able to do the thing you love- travel.
So now just to combine this love of travel and new health kick so you can do what makes life worth living,

katherine. said...

Just came by to see how the road was treating you.

Anonymous said...

Yay! You are an amazing spirit. Here's to many more road warrior trips soon.