Down But Not Out

I recently interrupted a business trip with some motorcycle riding. Some 3,000kms or more to be exact. Almost completely undetected by anyone the Wee and I snuck through a little over half a dozen states or so. North America is a pretty incredible place. The roads are smooth, it’s easy to find fuel and food and people are generally courteous. The music in my helmet, thanks to my trusty ten-year-old iPod, the flickering dashed lines of the highway and the shadow of the bike kept me company. While I can talk on the motorcycle on my mobile phone I choose not to. This is my time. It’s more than just the attention I need to pay to the act of riding it’s also simply my time. It’s good for the soul.

I spent a great deal of time thinking about the situation the United States has found herself in. Looking around in various places the state of the union becomes more and more apparent. Main streets of small towns close to totally boarded up. Big stores holding “GOING OUT OF BUSINESS” sales echo the reality of the situation. It’s frightening as it impacts so many people…some of whom I call friends. It’s at the point where reading a paper, listening to talk radio or watching the evening news has a list of potential side effects that would rival a New York City telephone book. Sometimes it’s better to just disconnect.

While the miles clicked away behind me I thought of where the US is and where it’s headed. A lot of work ahead but certainly something the country is capable of. While she may be down her citizen’s fly the flag with the same pride and love they’ve always had. I know people who scoff at the American’s and their flag waving. I think every nation should be so lucky to have it’s own citizen’s waving their own flag. National pride…I’d buy that.

As I crossed back into Canada I said farewell to my friend in the south…the United States. I wished her well and a very speedy recovery from the problems faced now and to come. She’ll be back someday.