Final Thoughts (Letter written January 27, 2004)

reh@knology.net — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 20:59:49 GMT

January 27, 2004, 11:00 AM, Tuesday

Epilog

Afoot and light-hearted, I take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before me,
A long brown path before me, leading wherever I choose.
Henceforth I ask not good fortune-
I myself am good fortune;
Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more,
Need nothing
Strong and content, I travel the open road
Walt Whitman, 1856

A poem commonly quoted by travelers. A poem I have always liked, but no
longer fits. I have already gone way too far down that brown road to claim
I am only starting, and I accept my good fortune with quiet humility, not as
an affirmation.

I think a more contemporary poet captures my mood and
better fits my station in life:

I have faced the cunning enemy called time,
For the moment I held it cold and to a draw
As he rides away, he says another place and day
You can’t change the writing on the wall
But this one was just too close to call
Waylin Jennings, 1990

The bike has been delivered for shipment back home. My plane ticket is in
hand. The trip is over. I attempted to convey those main events that
captured the essence of the moment. I saw many things and met many people
not included in this critique, but they were within the tapestry presented. At
some point along the trip, each of you came to mind and, in spirit, either
participated in a situation or helped me make a decision as I traveled. I
hope the trip was as interesting for you; I certainly enjoyed having you
tag along.

Later,
Ron

The Motorcycle Diary

Final Thoughts (Letter written January 27, 2004)