A Joy Ride

I got the call today, I didn't wanna hear
But I knew that it would come …
(Don Henley – Heart Of The Matter)

Actually, I am honored to get the call. I am being deployed through work to assist in the recovery of the flood victims in the Midwest. I’ll be gone for a few months so I jumped on the bike to enjoy what may be my last ride for a while. I usually ride with a windshield, but this time I wanted to go without it to feel every moment up close and in my face. Living and riding in Florida is an experience that we often take for granted. Nearly year round we can walk out, jump on the bike and go. Today was no exception, low 90’s, sunny with a slight sea breeze. I wasn’t a few hundred yards down the road and I was getting sand blasted from some fine grains zipping through the air. I could feel the temps radically change as I rode in and out of the shade along the water. I could smell the aromatic watery mixture of salt and algae in the air. I watched the reflection of the palm trees slip over the arced chrome top of my headlight. I drank in each moment to carry me over until I return home. Mission Accomplished!