Three days and a wake-up

[Ape_do]

For you older (and some younger) guys, this is no big deal. But for someone like me, who's doing his best, to be the best father he can for his 8-yr old son, going on long bike rides just doesn't happen very often...

But on Monday, he and mom are going to visit some friends in Charleston for a few days, leaving me with a few days to do nothing but ride!

These are sacred times for me. It involves a lightly-packed bike (2 or 3 changes of clothes), a cell phone, and a credit card. I don't even carry a map. I just look at where the weather looks the best, and drive in that direction. Where I go doesn't matter. It's all about the ride. Other than checking into a hotel, or buying something to eat every now and then, I should have zero interaction with other human beings. One of the many things I love about riding is the solitude. I'll come back completely re-aligned.

When I was young and single, I used to do trips like this all the time, and when I get old, I'll do it all again. For now though, I just appreciate them more!

[Ed S]

Won't be long before he'll be doing those trips with you, then they'll mean even more.

[RVGRG]

Ape I can absolutely relate. NEED to do that every now and then to keep life in proper perspective. No one but me and my bike with no real direction, makes life great again.

[Panzer]

Ride safe Ape_do.
Take pixs of the interesting sights, we would all like to see them.
Don't mean to get glued to the camera, just a few and maybe a story or two.
We're easy to please.
Happy trails bro.....enjoy. 

[HroadhogD1]

   Sounds fun.  Get out and make all you can from the trip.  I don't know what the weather is like there, so check it out.  Ride safe!!

[buck1032]

Awesome. Have a great ride! And I do know what you mean. I retired from the Navy in 05 and the wife got pregnant that winter.  Now I am just having a blast playing with our 2 1/2 year old son and bidding my time till he can ride with me/us (the wife rides too)

[Clintster]

Kick Ass, those are the best, jealous like a MoFo.

[jimrookie]

 Have fun you deserve it and it seems when the trips come few and far between
they are enjoyed even more .
and I know the deal with kids ours are 26,23,(both married and gone) 12,8 and 5
so I only get out a couple of times a season but when I do!!!!

[specialx1]

ever gets done snowing i,ll be doin the same!!ride safe
Specialx1

[Ape_do]

Thanks guys. Panzer - I normally don't bring a camera, but I might this time. I'll be riding through parts of the 'old south' where time hasn't caught up yet. I'll try to post some to help ya'll get thru your work week.

[apehair]

Ape_do,

I have to answer just because our monikers betray our common simian heritage.  I have two daughters, 16 and 18, so I know where you're coming from.  Still, I recommend at least one week-long trip by yourself or with your riding buddies a year.  It'll help you remember who you were before you became a Dad.  It'll also set a good example for your son.

I'm worried about our boys nowadays.  They don't have the example of Tom Sawyer, Daniel Boone, or even EZ Rider.  Instead, they have rock stars and overpaid hormone-enhanced professional crybabies as role models.  They're too comfortable just playing video games and IM'ing girls.  They've lost the sense of what it means to be a boy, so they're easy prey for girls and corporate marketing departments, who often run their lives. 

I could go on, but my point is that watching his Dad saddle up and ride out for parts unknown may make your son sad at first, but it'll give him a better sense of what a man is and does. 

Every year that I left on my weeklong ride, I had a mad urge to turn back at the 4th day or so, but I forced myself to stay out there.  And when I returned I was refreshed and my family was glad to see me, not just as their husband and father, but as who I really am. 

Good luck,

ape

[HroadhogD1]

   The old south where time hasn't caught up yet?                      This is just a warning---Watch out for banjo playing weird looking people.   If you see that get out of there quick           Seriously, have fun.                                                                                     

[Ape_do]

Thanks Apehair. Wait a minute, Roadhog - I happen to come from a long line of banjo-playing wierd people! Seriously, I have some uncles with a drawl so thick, you'd think they were speaking a foreign language! 'Hey watch this' is the common battle-cry among my ancestors. It's amazing that we even managed to procreate...

[Ape_do]

In fact, it suddenly makes sense how I turned out to be purple ape!

[Topend]

Ape-Do
As a father with 10 yr. old boy-girl twins I truly understand. Always a little league game, acting class, or girls on the run event to go to but twist the right hand every chance you can. I envy you living in the south because there are so many great places to ride and a much longer riding season to do it in and the air just smells great this time of year in the south. Enjoy !
Topend95

[June2017]

Have fun on your trip.  12 and a wake for my trip to VA to FL to TX to VA.   

[Biscuit]

Sounds like a blast.  Take pictures!

[rad3766]

I did a 5400 mile 10 day road trip last summer with me, myself and I. "We" all had a great time, camped out for the most part and met some great people along the way. 
Looking forward to another solo mission this year.

http://jasonjonas.org/spot/tripViewer.do?id=300