LAUNCH DAY

“It’s launch day” was the proclamation my Dad made this morning as we were getting coffee.

Excitement has definitely built, and we are all moving toward convergence.

Yesterday Steve had his first day on his motorcycle in nearly three months, and for his first real day on his motorcycle he rode through one of the hottest parts of the country: Interstate 40 from Southern California into Arizona.  He had a great ride and after three months in the shop, his motorcycle ran like a dream.

This morning, my Dad and I will head to Dallas.  We gotta pick his motorcycle up from the dealer it is getting some maintenance done at.  I’m going to get my oil changed, and then we’ll be all set for link up on Friday with Steve in Amarillo, TX.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since we set ourselves on this journey.  I know my life has been on a bit of a roller coaster at times, at one time I had orders to move to San Antonio, then changed paths to staying at West Point for my last year in the Army.  I got Michelle and the kids moved to Alabama as we all prepare for my transition out of the Army.

One of the things that we talk about a lot as we develop leaders at West Point is reflection, and how, in the Army, we are horrible at reflection, even though that reflection is crucial to our growth as leaders.  One of the great things about a trip like this is the ability to reflect.

Like I’ve said before, there is something about riding down the road with no distractions, being alone in your thoughts, even if you are riding in a group.

Dad and I were talking to Steve after he stopped yesterday and Steve mentioned that he had driven the highway many times, but riding it on a motorcycle was different.  Dad made the comment that on a motorcycle you are in the road rather than on the road.  I think that fits what I am talking about.

In a spiritual sense, it’s a lot like being one with nature if you’re into that sort of thing.  Once you are “in” the road, you can kind of sync your thoughts with the environment around you and, for me, that really helps to begin the reflective process.

As I was riding the other day, I felt the pull of history as I was moving across huge things like the Mississippi River.  The timelessness of something like that helps to put my own place in history in a unique perspective.  It’s these grounding thoughts that help feed the reflective process and, at the end of this journey, will rejuvenate and refresh my life in a very unique way.

See y’all on the road!