Memories and a Road Trip

It's a strange thing regarding memories. There are those things that we never want to forget and there are also things that we wish we could forget. Unfortunately we don't have any choice which is which.

That's a somewhat philosophical thought isn't it?

I started this blog for the purpose of just writing whatever I felt like writing. After the first couple of posts I became somewhat maudlin and thought that I should be writing quite negative things. That wouldn't be a bad thing really but what I found was that I could only think of negative things to write. I guess that's mainly due to influence from the media which is generally negative (and I don't agree with large portions of it).

So I didn't write. Not that I didn't want to write negative things but more so to ensure that I don't end up using this blog as a medium to whinge & whine. That could happen pretty easily and I'd like to avoid that. It's too easy as well as self indulgent. Besides that, why would I expect anyone who might happen to read this blog to wade through my self pity and negativity.

So, here I am.

I'm looking forward to a road trip with my wife an a few days time. She's very excited and making plans and lists of what to take and what to pack, what we'll need whilst driving and what to wear. This is the first time she's ever done something like this whereas I've done hundreds of long driving trips in everything from solo motorcycle to military convoys. Her excitement is driving me crazy but it's turning something that could be mundane into a big adventure.

When it comes to memories of road trips one I remember well is riding from Sydney to Melbourne in December 2004. This is memorable for several reasons. It was the longest motorcycle trip I ever made and it was also the last time I ever saw my ex-wife and step children.

It was pretty sad setting out and I didn't know what was in store for the future. It was my last Army posting (back home) and I was due to be medically discharged in the new year. My physical and mental health were both severely damaged, I was about to lose my job and, although I didn't know it at the time, was about to lose my family. All I had left of my former life was a dining room table, a clothes dryer and four cats.

Things for me changed rather dramatically with that trip. Surprisingly (to me) I landed on my feet and eventually got my life back on track with a few ups and downs along the way.

Now I'm headed back up the same highway but not to the same place and this time I'm looking forward to it. I have to go and wash the car (outside and in) because it has to look nice for our long drive.

Tally ho!