When you go somewhere, do you just want to get to your destination, or do you want to experience the journey? How involved in the journey do you want to be?
Travel is something I enjoy doing. My wife and I did a lot of travel this summer in our RV. I also had a trip on the motorcycle with my brother and cousin. These were the kinds of things that make great memories.
RV Travel
There is a huge difference in traveling in the RV and traveling on the motorcycle. In the RV–flat-towing a vehicle–you are limited in where you can stop. The RV is huge and long. It requires a lot of space to park, and you can’t back up. So stopping to shop, look at an interesting site, or just take a break isn’t a simple thing. Basically, planning a trip with the RV involves going from point A to point B, with a possible fuel stop on the way. Sometimes you can use a turn-out along the highway to take a break, and get the little dog out to let him relieve himself.
While our trips in the RV were fun and memorable, and we shared some of them with friends, the limitations of the RV impact the enjoyment of the journey. Possible stops at points of interest were bypassed or put off until we reached a destination and can uncouple the towed vehicle.
Our big trip was to Oregon, where we went to Central Oregon and Christmas Valley, then over to the Oregon Coast. Later, we drove up to Red Deer, Alberta, to visit family. Both trips were fun.
Motorcycle Travel
Travel on the motorcycle is very different. You aren’t separated from the environment you travel through, so you experience the sights and smells instantly. A point of interest doesn’t need to be bypassed. Just stop if you want. Take a break in the shade. Get a snack or water. Talk to locals. Nothing about the motorcycle prevents you from fully participating in the journey as you ride.
To be honest, I’ve been riding road motorcycles since 1973. I’ve done two major round trips across the US, and many multi-day road trips around the Northwest. I’ve been to Winnemucca, NV, and done a burnout on the raceway at Bonneville Salt Flats. In my travels, I’ve been caught in thunderstorms, hail storms, heavy winds, even snow over a pass in the Oregon Cascades one June. It’s all part of the experience. All part of the journey.
There are times when weather will prevent me from taking the motorcycle on a planned trip, as it did two years ago. Safety is always a prime factor.
Planning trips is key, as well. Knowing how far you can go that day, where you’ll stay, what you intend to see and/or do, helps make the journey a pleasure and helps share expectations with those traveling with you.
My brother, cousin and I rode out on a 1,500 mile trip together through Montana. We visited Big Hole Battlefield, Nevada City and Virginia City (two places I’ve never been to before), Little Bighorn Battlefield, Red Lodge, MT, and Beartooth Pass into Yellowstone Park. Aside from the heat at the time, it was a great time and good fun. Planning paid off.
Embrace the journey. Immerse yourself in the environment and absorb the experience.
Keep writing!
