Many people asked me this weekend, "So, how does it feel to turn 50?" Honestly, it doesn't feel much different than 49 or 45 did. It is a number but I don't think that defines who a person is or how you live your life. I know some folks in their 60's and 70's that are more "alive" than some much less in years. Would I do anything differently? Sure, I have a few regrets but all of the events in my life have made me the person I am today and I am comfortable in that skin.
Saturday was a lovely day attending a surprise party (that wasn't quite a surprise as a friend accidentally included me on a mass email list for the Evite!! lol) with my family and friends. I cannot think of a lovelier way to spend a birth day. Many years ago I vowed I would never ride a motorcycle but one never knows the direction your life will take. I looked around at all the smiling faces and lovely spirits that surrounded me and I felt so... blessed. Without this love of two-wheels that I have embraced in my life, many of those spirits would be strangers to me and I am so grateful that they have crossed my path and made my life that much richer.
What I have come to learn in my first 50 years is that life is not how much money you make, or how big your house is, or social status. It is moments... the "little" things that often we overlook in our busy lives while keeping up with relationships and raising children and work and all the falderal... but when I think about the most important things in my life, they are moments, fast and fleeting, so I try to hold on to those moments and make them memories... motorcycling has gifted me with "little" things every time I ride... the smiles on the faces I encounter, the symmetry of the world around me, the scents and visuals of life, the colors of a sunrise or sunset, the simple beauty of a vista or meadow, the power of the ocean, the curves of the road... and I remind myself every day to remember to notice those "little" things because that truly is what makes our lives such a wonder to behold.
Sunday I took the FZ out for a solo "reflections" ride... no plan in place, no pressure to do or be anywhere… just to enjoy the “little” things. I started off with breakfast with mi familia who were all in town to celebrate with me… we rarely are all in the same place at the same time so having everyone together was a great gift… they saw me off as I rode off into the hills.
I knew it was going to be a busy day out on the roads so I went into kick back and relax mode and just took it one moment at a time.
When the traffic got too slow on Hwy 9, I would just pull over and take a pic, enjoy the scenery, breath in the smell of the redwoods, and wave at other bikes as they went by.
The private vineyards along Skyline Blvd. are just waiting to come into their own.
It was an absolutely stunning day out as summer had fallen to earth with nary a warning. I found myself having to pull over at the vista point on Skyline to take the liners out of my gear!
The hills were still green but there were hints of the brush starting to turn dry… so I wanted to capture a few more moments of the lush spring colors that still remained.
I stopped off at STP to get a bottle of water and the place was hopping… everyone was out enjoying the day… cruisers, motards, dual sports, sport bikes… you name it, it was out as well as all forms of “gear” including my favorite – shorts, tank top, sandals and helmet guy on an RT (didn’t have the camera out fast enough to get him though)!
BARF has a great program to promote safe riding, 1Rider. They were there in full force on a great day to be seen as it seemed that this was the unofficial start of the riding season.
Toys of the 4-wheeled variety were of great interest as well. There was much ooh’ing and aah’ing and grunting and pointing going on (I think some scratching and spitting as well but I tried to say away from that).
I headed west down 84 for the coast as the ocean often calls my name. The lot at San Gregorio Beach was filling up quickly and a line was forming to get in. We used to come here a lot when I was a kid so it always feels a little like coming home.
The day did not disappoint as I pulled into the parking area. I asked to use the facilities and the ranger instructed me to park right here… I swear he did!! I stood there for a moment and just took it all in… gentle breeze blowing, kids and families and kites and puppies and sunshine and waves… everyone in good moods… small children seeing me and the bike and looking in awe at this some kind of power ranger type person, waving shyly and their little faces lighting up when I waved back… and I just… smiled.
Reversing route, I stopped off at the funky San Gregorio General Store where there is always something you never knew you needed and usually interesting bikes out front to ogle.
Even funny hats to wear to church on Sunday.
https://fancyfeettr.smugmug.com/photos/516837849_b23ko-L.jpg[/img]
Continuing along 84 East, I stopped to capture some of the images that my eyes witnessed along the way… some expected, and some not quite so.
The bottlebrush was in full bloom all along the roadsides, lighting up the day with the yellow blooms of spring.
Coming up to one my favorite sections of 84… wheeeeeee!!!
Looking back from whence I came…
Heading south on Skyline, I decided to take Page Mill Rd. to descend back into big city life. This is a great road with its twists and turns and views and usually not populated with a lot of traffic other than the ton of bicyclists that were out and the brave moto souls zipping up and down… I could feel the smiles in those helmets!
Don’cha love these signs?? In a car, it brings back memories of childhood nausea sitting in the backseat of the family Volvo… are we there yet?? Yet on the bike, it brings a slight elevation in blood pressure and adrenaline rush and one heckuva big smile.
The barren trees are just starting to sprout blossoms to celebrate the season of rebirth.
The wind rippled through the tall grasses, looking like lush velvet, as my trusty FZ patiently waited.
I almost fell over trying to make sure I could get the road in the mirror and not my arm at the same time!
Continuing down Page Mill, I wasn’t quite ready to hit the freeway yet so I detoured along some of the back roads through Los Altos Hills, along the gentle twists and past the decadent houses this heathen biker rode.
As I traveled along Elena Rd., I passed this wall of blooming shrubbery and the scent of the blossoms was so powerful, so sweet, I had to turn around and revel in it – I wish I could capture that smell in a photo. I stood quietly enjoying the moment – seeing the vibrant colors of nature, hearing the steady drone of bees busy at work, birds celebrating the day with song, children laughing from a nearby back yard as they played… it was one of those “moments” I was talking about… where everything right then, right there is perfect.
And then it was time to hit the freeway and head for home… but even then I was gifted with a view, a sea of color… sometimes you can find beauty in the most unlikely of places but you have to remember to open your heart, mind, and spirit to the “moment” and drink it in.
It was a brilliant weekend with gifts of friendship and the world around me. I wish each one of you “moments” today and every day.
FIN
Saturday was a lovely day attending a surprise party (that wasn't quite a surprise as a friend accidentally included me on a mass email list for the Evite!! lol) with my family and friends. I cannot think of a lovelier way to spend a birth day. Many years ago I vowed I would never ride a motorcycle but one never knows the direction your life will take. I looked around at all the smiling faces and lovely spirits that surrounded me and I felt so... blessed. Without this love of two-wheels that I have embraced in my life, many of those spirits would be strangers to me and I am so grateful that they have crossed my path and made my life that much richer.
What I have come to learn in my first 50 years is that life is not how much money you make, or how big your house is, or social status. It is moments... the "little" things that often we overlook in our busy lives while keeping up with relationships and raising children and work and all the falderal... but when I think about the most important things in my life, they are moments, fast and fleeting, so I try to hold on to those moments and make them memories... motorcycling has gifted me with "little" things every time I ride... the smiles on the faces I encounter, the symmetry of the world around me, the scents and visuals of life, the colors of a sunrise or sunset, the simple beauty of a vista or meadow, the power of the ocean, the curves of the road... and I remind myself every day to remember to notice those "little" things because that truly is what makes our lives such a wonder to behold.
Sunday I took the FZ out for a solo "reflections" ride... no plan in place, no pressure to do or be anywhere… just to enjoy the “little” things. I started off with breakfast with mi familia who were all in town to celebrate with me… we rarely are all in the same place at the same time so having everyone together was a great gift… they saw me off as I rode off into the hills.
I knew it was going to be a busy day out on the roads so I went into kick back and relax mode and just took it one moment at a time.
When the traffic got too slow on Hwy 9, I would just pull over and take a pic, enjoy the scenery, breath in the smell of the redwoods, and wave at other bikes as they went by.
The private vineyards along Skyline Blvd. are just waiting to come into their own.
It was an absolutely stunning day out as summer had fallen to earth with nary a warning. I found myself having to pull over at the vista point on Skyline to take the liners out of my gear!
The hills were still green but there were hints of the brush starting to turn dry… so I wanted to capture a few more moments of the lush spring colors that still remained.
I stopped off at STP to get a bottle of water and the place was hopping… everyone was out enjoying the day… cruisers, motards, dual sports, sport bikes… you name it, it was out as well as all forms of “gear” including my favorite – shorts, tank top, sandals and helmet guy on an RT (didn’t have the camera out fast enough to get him though)!
BARF has a great program to promote safe riding, 1Rider. They were there in full force on a great day to be seen as it seemed that this was the unofficial start of the riding season.
Toys of the 4-wheeled variety were of great interest as well. There was much ooh’ing and aah’ing and grunting and pointing going on (I think some scratching and spitting as well but I tried to say away from that).
I headed west down 84 for the coast as the ocean often calls my name. The lot at San Gregorio Beach was filling up quickly and a line was forming to get in. We used to come here a lot when I was a kid so it always feels a little like coming home.
The day did not disappoint as I pulled into the parking area. I asked to use the facilities and the ranger instructed me to park right here… I swear he did!! I stood there for a moment and just took it all in… gentle breeze blowing, kids and families and kites and puppies and sunshine and waves… everyone in good moods… small children seeing me and the bike and looking in awe at this some kind of power ranger type person, waving shyly and their little faces lighting up when I waved back… and I just… smiled.
Reversing route, I stopped off at the funky San Gregorio General Store where there is always something you never knew you needed and usually interesting bikes out front to ogle.
Even funny hats to wear to church on Sunday.
https://fancyfeettr.smugmug.com/photos/516837849_b23ko-L.jpg[/img]
Continuing along 84 East, I stopped to capture some of the images that my eyes witnessed along the way… some expected, and some not quite so.
The bottlebrush was in full bloom all along the roadsides, lighting up the day with the yellow blooms of spring.
Coming up to one my favorite sections of 84… wheeeeeee!!!
Looking back from whence I came…
Heading south on Skyline, I decided to take Page Mill Rd. to descend back into big city life. This is a great road with its twists and turns and views and usually not populated with a lot of traffic other than the ton of bicyclists that were out and the brave moto souls zipping up and down… I could feel the smiles in those helmets!
Don’cha love these signs?? In a car, it brings back memories of childhood nausea sitting in the backseat of the family Volvo… are we there yet?? Yet on the bike, it brings a slight elevation in blood pressure and adrenaline rush and one heckuva big smile.
The barren trees are just starting to sprout blossoms to celebrate the season of rebirth.
The wind rippled through the tall grasses, looking like lush velvet, as my trusty FZ patiently waited.
I almost fell over trying to make sure I could get the road in the mirror and not my arm at the same time!
Continuing down Page Mill, I wasn’t quite ready to hit the freeway yet so I detoured along some of the back roads through Los Altos Hills, along the gentle twists and past the decadent houses this heathen biker rode.
As I traveled along Elena Rd., I passed this wall of blooming shrubbery and the scent of the blossoms was so powerful, so sweet, I had to turn around and revel in it – I wish I could capture that smell in a photo. I stood quietly enjoying the moment – seeing the vibrant colors of nature, hearing the steady drone of bees busy at work, birds celebrating the day with song, children laughing from a nearby back yard as they played… it was one of those “moments” I was talking about… where everything right then, right there is perfect.
And then it was time to hit the freeway and head for home… but even then I was gifted with a view, a sea of color… sometimes you can find beauty in the most unlikely of places but you have to remember to open your heart, mind, and spirit to the “moment” and drink it in.
It was a brilliant weekend with gifts of friendship and the world around me. I wish each one of you “moments” today and every day.
FIN
