Leaning Toward the Ride

I have come to appreciate that vacations are mandatory to a well balanced life.  "Sabbath", time to rest and appreciate life, is essential.  I remember back in the days when I used to be an athlete and I learned that exercise is about stressing our bodies - rest and rebuilding is when our bodies adapt and grow.  Having said that, I have to admit that I can spell "well balanced life" but I hardly live one.  I continue to be a person of extremes.

So the Odyssey of the Seat is now just around the corner.  I'm finishing up the things that I need to do to get ready for the weekend and the beginning of the trip on Monday.  This weekend will be full - preaching three different sermons (Saturday funeral, Sunday morning services, and the evening 6TEN service), participating in the 100th anniversary of my first congregation, Zion Lutheran, on Sunday afternoon.  From the memorial service for the beloved father of our organist on Saturday to baptizing a little baby on Sunday to public prayers for the high school Cornerstone kids as they get ready to head out on a three week wilderness trip...there is a lot going on.

I look forward with joy to everything on the schedule for the weekend.  I'll be fully there.  And when I get home, likely about 9:00 PM Sunday evening, I'll finish up packing the bike and then it is time for bed.  As soon as I wake up, no matter what time, I will hit the road.  The first day won't end until I ride 856 miles to Walsenburg, CO, no matter how long it takes.  I want to enjoy Wolf Creek Pass and the ride to Durango in the sunlight and that means being there Tuesday morning.

In the meantime I have a few little things to pick up.  I'll Scotchguard my TourPack (the piece of luggage that holds my stuff and serves me well as a backrest) tomorrow.  And I might even practice a bit with my newest toy, bought just for this trip, a Go Pro camera.

I don't know exactly how this will work but I'm hoping to create some daily film clips as well as snap pictures along the way.  You will see what I'm seeing.  But I know myself and the way I can be.  Sometimes I get so entranced by the journey that I forget I have a camera with me.  I still love mind pictures and memories...but I'm getting older.  And I have grandkids now.  So shareable pictures have taken on a new importance for me.

The "Find My Bike LIVE!" button on the blog is now active.  Click it now and you'll see my bike waiting patiently in the garage.  Just a few days away now....