Friday, May 22, 2009

Friday 55 & Da Count-Thelma

FRIDAY 55

Blues skies and warm sun beckon along with the mountain roads.
We strap on the helmets, climb on the bike.
Thelma roars to life before settling into a satisfying growl.
The wind rushes past us as we speed along.
We lean into the curves as one
uniting with the landscape
rather than passing through it.



DA COUNT

Mr. Lime played hooky yesterday, which is most unusual for him. Normally, I can't convince him to take a sick day even when he really needs to. He has accumulated some absurd number of sick days. I wasn't sure what to make of it until he simply said, "Wanna go for a ride?" I certainly don't need to be asked twice so I jumped at the opportunity. We spent 3 hours on the bike (Thelma) on a glorious Spring day in the mountains. We rode way up north and when we stopped for lunch Mr. Lime asked if I had ever been that far. He had no idea I had spent many summer weekends there when I visited my grandparent's vacation place as a kid. So in addition to a nice long trip on scenic roads I enjoyed a contemplative trip down memory lane. There is a meditational quality to being on a bike. It clears your head of clutter so thoughts can clarify. There's no pressure for conversation since it can't really occur on a bike. I highly recommend it and making it my count.

39 comments:

Suldog said...

I haven't been on a bike in 30 years. Man, it was nice then, though! Both refreshing and relaxing at the same time.

snowelf said...

I got to talk to the nicest veterinarian in Trinidad on Tuesday. I immediately thought of you!! And yesterday, I was driving to the store and everyone was out on their bikes and I found myself wishing I knew someone who could take me out on their bike with them...

--snow

anthonynorth said...

Thanks for the ride. Very well described.

Fandango said...

Dragons get the same feeling when we are flying far from you people, The mountains and the wind make us feel free.
Great 55

Ananda girl said...

Wonderful 55!

Last weekend a couple of bike clubs stopped in our town for food and drink. There must have been at least 60 glorious bikes parked up and down both sides of the street. They glittered and beckoned. They were beautiful.

Naturally, I didn't have my camera with me. sigh

KFarmer said...

Dave's has been parked for the past week. Rain, rain and more rain...

I love playing hooky and was pleased you and Mr. Lime took a day~

That's one pretty scoot :)

~Dragonfly~* said...

Love being on the back of a bike!!! Find it very interesting how very very differently I am treated when I walk into a place with a bunch of bikers wearing leather... a real eye opener! I wonder what they would say if they found out I was a teacher!!!

A great way to spend your day, for sure!!!! Paying hookie is the best!

Desmond Jones said...

You and yer hubs are such a Wild & Crazy Couple!

How cool, to just take a blow-off day and ride to nowhere!

But, uh, I admit to a secret chuckle at, "Mr. Lime asked if I had ever been that far." I mean, he'd know better than anyone else, wouldn't he?

OK, I'll be good now. . .

But, uh. . . his bike is named 'Thelma'?

;)

S said...

Oh god, not you too!

I'm just gonna get on my little white Stump Jumper and cruise down the bike path......

Tum tee tum, I feel so safe.

I wanna see you ride that thing alone, without the hubby on it. Then you'll really be in the biker chick club.

for a different kind of girl said...

While I can't discount the allure of a motorcycle, my biking gets relegated to an actual bike. It's probably safer for everyone that way!

Jocelyn said...

How did I have no idea about this side of you two crazy kids? Sounds lovely and romantic--even within your own head, listening to the engine.

Jinksy said...

Sounds like a fun day out alright...

Kat said...

What a perfect day! :)

Anonymous said...

The only time I was ever on a Bike I ell of...luckily we wern't going very fast.

And that gorgeous hair was a blowing in the wind, I'll bet.

lecram said...

First WOOT... Mr. Lime taking a day off.
Second WOOT... both of you on a bike.

A wonderful count by all measures. Cheers!

Shadow said...

exhilerating 55!!!

Anonymous said...

A wonderful count indeed!!! I love riding on a bike, there's truly nothing like it!

Happy Friday!

Alice Audrey said...

That's what makes riding a bike worth the bugs in the teeth.

Merisi said...

Two weeks ago a thousand or more Harley Davidson riders congregated here in Vienna. I watched them ride along the closed-off Ringstrasse, it was so much fun, but not close to being as memorable as the Memorial Day Rolling Thunder motocycle rally in downtown Washington!

g-man said...

Good Vibrations Eh Trini??

Thanks for sharing this wonderful excursion into bucolic splendor.

Later Chicka...G

lime said...

suldog, yep, relaxing and exhilarating all together

snowelf, how did you come to talk with a vet in t'dad?

anthony, glad yo uenjoyed :)

fandango, well, i've never had the chance to fly with a dragon so i guess this is next best

ananda, ooooh, i am drooling at the thought of all those bikes close enough to touch

kfarmer, hope the weather breaks for you soon so you can enjoy too

dragonfly, i actually had a woman art teacher in high school who used to come in wearing leathers because she rode in on her harley

desmond, it was very cool. i named the bike, btw. ;)

s, one of these days....

fadkog, safety first, no argument there

jocelyn, you must go check i was a 3 yr old biker chick then so you can understand this is a lifelong thing for me

jinksy, it was indeed :)

kat, felt like one to me!

moannie, yikes. glad you weren't hurt. my hair didn't blow because i always wear a helmet

lecram, him playing hooky was the biggest surprise!

shadow, that's how the bike makes me feel, exhilarated

solitaire, hope yuo get a chance soon

alice, hahaha! you must ride too! ptooey (scuse me while i spit out this beetle)

merisi, that must have been a sight to behold!

lime said...

gman, good good good good vibrations... ;)

jillie said...

What a GREAT day for you! I was thinking about you the other day and wondering about Thelma...nothing like the trips down memory lane.

Lulda Casadaga said...

What a beautiful bike...when my husband & I go for our weekend (car) rides we always encounter many bikes...I look at them with a bit of envy. :)

this is the Big weekend for many bikers to make their way to the Nations Capitol to honor the Vets. I believe it's called "Rolling Thunder".

It's an amazing site to be on I95 or 66 and see hundreds of bikers coming down the road!

Nice "Rolling" 55!

Anonymous said...

Mental health days are the best kind of sick day.

Cosima said...

I have never been on a motor bike, but you made me want to try very much :).

Cheesy said...

Hows "das boot" feelin?? heheheh

Rick Rockhill said...

Lime- how perfect! Oh and by the way, SWEET RIDE

Snowbrush said...

My neighbors would agree. Several years ago, the couple bought one small scooter. Now, they're up to six road bikes, no-road bikes, and town bikes. I'll tell you though, they scare me. I'm getting to where even my bicycle scares me.

Anonymous said...

one of the biggest buzzes ive had in the last few years was being on the back of a big yellow BMW 650, being ridden by a beautiful blonde up to an old Roman outpost in the North...one instruction she gave was...'when i tap your leg, hang on, ok?...' and boy, did she make that thing go...!!! i'm still talking about the motorbike here Lime...hehhehheh...i hadn't been on a bike for 25 years or so...man what a buzz...!!! glad you had a great day...!!! ;)

lime said...

jillie, spring was so late in arriving here there have been few opportunities (well, mr. lime's schedule doesn't help either)

lulda, that would be quite a sight (and sound) indeed!

citizen, they sure are :)

cosima, if you ever have the chance i hope you take it (provided the driver is a repsonsible one). so good to see you! how have you been? you've been missed.

cheesy, hehehe gooood

savant, it really was a beautiful day to enjoy the sweet ride :)

snowbrush, not everyone enjoys a bike and that's ok, different strokes and all..

guinness, a BMW? *drool* oh what a fantastic memory!

RennyBA said...

Remember, that's how our friendship started in Blogsphere more than 3 years ago, when you told me you had ride a bike and I was impressed :-)

Susan English Mason said...

When I was a young adult almost every one of my boyfriends had a motorcycle. I used to love riding on them. Nothing like a ride down memory lane. Thanks for this post.

Mona said...

There is a meditative quality to each journey that we undertake...

Great 55ve Lime. I am glad you enjoyed the ride! :)

Unknown said...

We have been driving in the mountains yesterday and today and have seen a lot of bikes in spite of some pretty good rain showers. Madrid seems to be biker central around here. Yours looks like fun. I think '85 was the last time I was on one. Don't really miss it all that much.

Anonymous said...

Now THAT'S the way to play hooky!!!!

lime said...

renny, i knew it was quite a while ago but i forgot it was the bike that drew you.

pouty, glad it brought back some fond memories for you

mona, yes, if we pause to consider it

seventh sis, tie dye and bikes aplenty? i think i may need to move to where you are!

seamus, i quite agree!

DianeCA said...

I think mental health days really are a neccessity of any healthy life. That looks like an awsome way to play hookie, and spend time with your spouse.

Hit 40 said...

Your questionnaire from touched by a snow elf is hysterical!!

I love your answer for the favorite vacation spot!! You are a riot!!