My Oasis Is A Harley

DAILY PROMPT:  A sanctuary is a place you can escape to, to catch your breath and remember who you are. Write about the place you go to when everything is a bit too much.

For me an oasis is something that provides a respite, some relief, or maybe just a pleasant break from the trials and tribulations of day-to-day life and that can be anywhere. Sometimes just in my head while reading or daydreaming.

At one time my oasis was my home but things change and now my home isn’t always enough to help me remember or discover who I am.

So I ride. I own three Harley Davidson motorcycles and each one serves a different purpose.  One is for short “putts” though I’ve taken it on inter-state trips; one is definitely for the long road trips; the other one is a monster with 100cu engine and I use that when I’m riding with men who think they are badass–until they try to race me on the monster and lose.  They are humbled!   LOL   Its all in good fun.

SOMETIMES I TAKE A SHORT RIDE:  To a local lake 20 minutes from home…

 

 SOMETIMES I GO ON A DAY LONG RIDE: To an popular, albeit infamous “ride to” location.

  

 (They brag: Great ride, great food, great view, great people and lousy service… But we DO have cold beer, and a web-site! )

SOMETIMES I TAKE A WEEK OR TWO AND GO SOMEWHERE MILES AWAY FROM HOME:

 Road trip to Mammoth, CA

I pick a direction on a whim and head that way.  Since I’m on a motorcycle the weather is sometimes a factor.  Getting caught in the rain or snow is one thing but starting out in that is quite another!

I have my iPod fully charged, put the earplugs in and just ride!

It requires some concentration to use both hands and feet (shifting–left hand/left foot and brakes or throttle–right hand/right foot) and steering through the crazy drivers.   Or natural problems one encounter on the road; i.e., I found myself driving through Yosemite National Park at 11:00pm.  It was dark, cold, on windy roads with signs that warn us about deer crossing and icy roads (even though it was July there was still 6 feet of snow on the side of the road), falling rocks and temperature less than zero, or so it seemed with wind-chill.

But that is really the oasis!  Anything that might be distracting, worries, stress, anxiety, sadness, etc., those emotions all get shoved aside during the ride.

If that’s not enough then the iPod is playing in my ears soothing the raging beast and drowning out the loud engine or pipes that might be screaming in my ear.  When I get off the bike the problems are smaller and in better perspective then when I got on the bike and all is right in the world once again!

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2012/12/04/daily-prompt-16/