Outdoors - Dream Adventures

One starts in Southern California.  I have a nephew who owns a Harley Davidson dealership somewhere in the Los Angeles area. Ever since he got into that business, I've wanted to fly to L.A., buy a motorcycle from him, strap a few items to the back of it and take a month or two or three or... and tour my way back to Saratoga by way of Maine. You know, with one of those cute little trailers hooked on the rear! 

When I proposed this idea to my wife we had only been married a couple of years. I could see by her reaction that she was strongly questioning her own judgment about the selection she had made. Her eyes got big enough to light up at least half of the proposed trip, at least a couple of thousand miles. I don't think she could quite picture herself astride a motorcycle in black leather pants and a helmet for a month or two or three or... I'm not sure she could picture herself that way for a minute or two or three or... I did try to comfort her concerns by offering to add a side car, but that somehow didn't seem to smooth over any of the other thoughts rushing through her head.

So, I've sort of put this dream trip in the "next life" drawer and can only hope that I have a nephew then that is in the business of fulfilling dreams.

It took me a couple of years to work up the courage to bring up my second dream adventure.

The window to discussion opened in a round about way. One of my sons gave me a book for Christmas about a guy who completed the same adventure.  While laying in bed reading it one night recently I waited until I thought my wife was at least half asleep when I said, "You know, I've always dreamt of hiking the full length of the Appalachian Trail. Would you like to do that with me?"

I was right, she was only half-asleep! It was like that commercial for the light switch, you know, the one where all you have to do is clap your hands and the light comes on?  Well, it seems that I clapped something because she turned on with a bang! It was sort of like a lightning bolt had just struck the bed post and the resulting thunder blast was instantaneously there to be sure my attention was focused on her reaction.

The questions immediately started to flow from her right after her "are you crazy" comment.

They went something along these lines but at a rate that I can't assure you that I got them all in the right order.  They also came at a rate that didn't always allow for my answers to each register in the correct order.

"When?"

"How long a hike is it?"

"With me?" Some time before I die.

"Where do you wash?" About 2,200 miles.

"Where do you sleep?" Yes, of course with you.

"Where do you... you know?" In the nearest stream or river.

"What do you eat?" On the ground in a tent that you carry with you.

"What about my hair?" Behind a bush.

"And make-up?" Stuff you buy at EMS.

I never quite got to finish answering her entire list, but I do know that I got her mind working because she didn't sleep much that night. She and I have so much in common that makes our marriage work that it was really satisfying to know that I could still come up with something that excited her.

I continued to read my new book as she settled down from the thrill I had just presented her.

She closed her eyes and tried to sleep when suddenly another question would pop out confirming to me that I have succeeded in peaking her interest with a new challenge she could look forward to.

Nothing much has been said about this dream adventure since that night, but I know she is thinking about it. I don't know if it will ever happen or if I'll have to add it to the "next life" list, but this woman has constantly surprised me from the time that I first met her.  So, we'll see what the future holds and you can be sure that I'll keep you posted.

See you outdoors!

You can reach Dick at rtotino@nycap.rr.com.