Two significant events changed those plans.
ONE. In January I met Irene. She is an adventurous sort and seems to be in interested both in me and in motorcycling. We quickly realized that we are quite compatible and I can’t imagine leaving to travel on the bike without her. But since “two up” travel on a motorcycle is slower going than solo riding (per my experience), it seemed that my planned Newfoundland/Labrador route was no longer practical. Irene and I modified the plan to omit those two remote provinces but to still include a deep drive into Nova Scotia. Below, see a photo of Irene and I at the Square Route Rally (thanks for the photo Jim).
But our travel plans were put on hold due to item number TWO. In May my dog Griffin became quite sick. Seemingly overnight, he became lethargic, his breathing became labored and the lymph nodes around his neck became quite swollen. Over a heart-wrenching three week period we learned of his disease, administered well-intended treatments, watched him decline and –finally- put him to rest. Although “just a dog,” Griffin was quite special to me - - three notes:
1) After adopting him in 1999, my commitment to keep him well exercised helped me train to become a marathon runner (albeit a slow one).
2) Topping our list of shared adventures is a year-long roadtrip we took in a used motorhome – on that trip we covered over thirty thousand miles and visited most states and provinces.
3) Each and every day Griffin provided me with a perfect example of to “not sweat the small stuff” and simply live in the moment. In this capacity I remain his unworthy student.
Below, see a photo of Griffin being quite attentive while I handle one of his favorite toys, the “squeeze monkey.”
Greetings this morning from Cape North, Nova Scotia. It is very early on Wednesday June 17th and Irene & I are at the half-way point on our trip. Fittingly, we arrived yesterday evening in this town that lies at the “far edge” of Nova Scotia.
There are quite a few stories to be told and I hope to get back to them. But for now I’ll note that the trip is going quite well indeed. To relate back to the “Labrador or Bust” theme, I’ll have to say that this trip is neither. Irene and I are growing tighter as we share our favorable travel experiences (we even have a rider-to-rider intercom system AND we actually keep it turned on
. And it seems fitting somehow that this trip serve as a time to reflect on the ten years that Griffin lived with me.I hope to write more later. Below, I’ll post a bunch of photos. Note that some of Griffin’s ashes have been spread in each location where you can see his toy.
Into PA
Crossing the Hudson River
Visiting friends Chip and Janice in Stowe VT
King (Kong) of the valley
We stumbled across Laconia Bike Week (thanks for throwing us such a swell party!)
Somewhere in the woods of NH
More NH
Irene makes friends with a local in Maine
Maine again - one of our first sunny moments. (can you spot the monkey?)
This can not be explained, at least not by me
Nova Scotia
More NS
Couldn't see it in the last shot, but here's what's on the other side of the fence. . .
Irene in "give me all my layers" green
View from the Cabot Trail
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