2011-09-05 NERDS epilog

From a PM I sent FredW on the fjrforum..

"Just at 3 weeks, Fred. My first real vacation in 6 years..

Since I was in junior high school, I've always wanted to take an entire summer off, and just ride.

I even wrote my grandma a typed letter, most of which I can quote even now, about what I wanted to ride and see.

I hit the point of losing, or giving away, vacation time this year. So I took it. I was hoping to ride Alaska on Tim's DL650, Wabs, but logistics and work didn't pan out..

When I saw NERDS, I just felt I had to represent the new model of fjr events and, more importantly, try to find myself. On both fronts, successful.

I saw parts of our country I've not seen before - and Galena IL will always be etched in my mind to my dying day - the lightening storms of awesome magnitude, not seen by my eyes in 54 years of living, were simply awesome.

I love riding and wish I could ride 365/year, taking more back roads and less interstate. When I arrived home, Shauna asked, are you tired? Are you glad to be home? I answered question one truthfully, the second one in politically correct fashion.

Life is so short, and this trip has only whetted my travel appetite. I need to find a financial guru to see what can be done to allow me an extended period of time on the road, say 2 - 5 years, before I'm physically unable to do so.

I have a new number 1 bucket list item.

Thanks for listening Fred,

Don"