I’m sitting in the usual morning spot for the coffee ritual; the front stoop of the cabin at the “Hotel California” in Sebastian Florida. I can count the days I will be here on two hands with the help of one foot. I have loved this place since I rode into town last November and I have my friend Chris to thank for guiding me here.
The time I have spent has been transformative. I have never felt the level of calmness and serenity that I have discovered within me as a consequence of being here.
My morning greeting on my social networks today read:
“It breezy and lots of big puffy clouds over the Atlantic today. Not as hot as I would like but I'll take it. Coffee is on and another day starts with lots to do to get ready for the summer ride. Good morning!!”
It is almost time to leave this place of peace, friendship, love, music, beautiful weather and riding. I have experienced all of these in this pause in my long distance riding travels as I continued to walk the Spirit road.
When I started out on the last leg of my ride, from Niagara to Florida, I required twice daily doses of medication for asthma. Today I require none. It is not just the benefit of climate but, the benefit of the inner space and the peace that comes from being grounded and accepting of myself as I am, without the trappings of a unnecessarily complicated life.
I have met some wonderful people in my winter of rebirth. Friendships have developed that are rugged and strong enough to transcend and withstand the time and distance of separation that will occur when I take to the road again. I feel such gratitude to these friends who enriched my life and taught me so much about love, giving, receiving, and just being in the moment. I won’t name them to preserve their privacy, but they know who they are.
I have also made many new friends that I have yet to meet who have come to me or, me to them, through my online social networks and through these blog posts. I look forward to meeting many of them out on the road in my travels over the next several months. I know from our conversations and messaging that more rich friendships will develop and our lives will be enhanced and enriched through the opportunity to meet and become acquainted.
While breakfast was cooking, I listened to the Late For the Sky record made so long ago by Jackson Browne. We all make records. Not necessarily musical records but, records of our lives; the happiness, the sorrows, the loves, the broken hearts, the camaraderie, the loneliness. Our lives woven into the material of our experience clothing us in the attributes that make us who we are; warts and all.
The music today was so appropriate. Take this song, The Road and The Sky:
When we come to place where the road and the sky collide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
They told me I was going to have to work for a living
But all I want to do is ride
I don't care where we're going from here
Honey, you decide
Well I spend my time at the bottom of a wishing well
And I can hear my dreams singing clear as a bell
I used to know where they ended and the world began
But now it's getting hard to tell
I could be just around the corner from Heaven or a mile from Hell
I'm just rolling away from yesterday
Behind a wheel of a stolen Chevrolet
I'm going to get a little higher
And see if I can hot-wire reality
Now can you see those dark clouds gathering up ahead?
They're going to wash this planet clean like the Bible said
Now you can hold on steady and try to be ready
But everybody's gonna get wet
Don't think it won't happen just because it hasn't happened yet
I'm just rolling away from yesterday
Behind the wheel of a stolen Chevrolet
I'm going to get a little higher
And see if I can hot-wire reality
The first verse just hit me with the sense of being at another point of taking off. I have been where the road and the sky collide and I am ready to let my spirit glide.
When we come to place where the road and the sky collide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
They told me I was going to have to work for a living
But all I want to do is ride
I don't care where we're going from here
Honey, you decide
Yes, all I want to do is ride and the Spirit will decide where we go from here.
From the book (yes, still with no title)
The road of clay rich ochre
Emerged from the forest
Running to the shore
A gleeful child for the arriving
Bordered at water’s edge
By two beech trees
Old and hallowed in time
Sun to the right
Moon to the left
In balance as it should be
And in the turmoil of clouds
Reflected in the water
The countenance of an angel
Ever watchful of careless steps
And another:
Anticipation
It fills the air about me electric
I look to the north to skies clear blue
My boot tracks clear in the trail
The steps of my journey made with purpose
How quickly I have come to this point
But my steps have been sure and unwavering
Anticipation
Not ominous but with a sense of leaving
I look to the east and the fading late sky
Perhaps salted with the tang of regret
For loves lost and memories of old lives
Memories to be treasured and stored lovingly
Lesson learned about life’s uncertainties
Anticipation
It is orange and yellow dramatic light
I look to the west sun setting intensely
Bright with promise of the future
Of life to be lived and lessons to be learned
Of future joys unknown and momentary treasures
Of great joy to greet and meet journey’s end
Anticipation
Hot wind of a dog’s breath on my arm
I look to the south warmly beckoning
My trail continues this way
Leading me to my destiny my dreams
Where I will find shelter from the storms
Where I will find great purpose and peace
Anticipation
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