On The Loose

Just finished a really fabulous weekend...much as I enjoy my job these days, this was one of those weekends that you want to never end.  Took the motorcycles up to the Georgia Mountains and spent the night at the Amicalola Falls Lodge.  We had perfect riding weather.

Yesterday was beautiful sunshine and blue sky, not too hot, and not too cold.  I haven't been on the bike for over a year, but it was amazing how quickly it all came back to me.  Enjoyed a delicious lunch in Dahlonega at our regular place - Crimson Moon Cafe.  After checking in to the Lodge, we went for a quick hike over to the falls, sat in the sun for a bit, and then rode back to Dahlonega for dinner.  I rode on the back of my own motorcycle so I could enjoy a glass of wine with dinner - Very different perspective!  Tried to watch a movie back in the room, but that mountain air did its job and put me right to sleep within about 15 minutes, and I had a fantastic night's sleep.  But not before I looked out the window to see one of my favourite constellations, Orion, as big as all get out, fully framed in my window view.  Stunning!

The Falls at the top

This morning I got up and had a really nice run, albeit HILLY, down and around the campground and forestry road.  I was surprised at just how warm it was; I'd been expecting a cold morning up in the mountains, especially given how cold I was yesterday morning back in Alpharetta on my bicycle ride, when I had to tell myself to stop being a pussy and keep riding.  lol.

After breakfast we packed up the bikes and headed out.  Definitely did not want to leave, and next time I will have to find a way to make it a full weekend.  If only I could figure out a way to strap the tri bike to the motorcycle!  It was a little chillier today without the sun, but still a wonderful ride.  Stopped at Starbucks back in the ATL, mmmmmm, and then headed home to do some more work in the garden to continue trying to make this yard of mine liveable.

I had thought before I took the scooter out this weekend that it might be time for me to sell her and buy a smaller bike.  Now I've ridden again, and I just can't.  I love my bike!  Instead, my plan is to ride more and get more comfortable so I feel good about taking it out on my own.  I really just love riding it, and want to do more of it.  Really brings me back to me, and what I want out of life.  When I was a girl, I spent about 9 years in Guiding (Brownie, Girl Guide, Pathfinder...aka Girl Scout for my American friends), and when I was about 12 I went to Doe Lake for a sailing camp.  It was one of the highlights of my childhood, and our camp song for that year was called On The Loose.  All these many (many) years later, it still rings true for me, both figuratively and literally, and continues to define the wanderlust that has always been at my core.  It's weekends like this that remind me of that, and really do make me very happy.

Have you ever watched a sunset turn the sky completely red, Have you slept beneath the moon and stars a pine bough for your bed, Have you sat and talked with friends though a word was never said, then you're just like me and you've been on the loose.... 

On the loose to climb a mountain, On the loose where I am free, On the loose to live my life the way I think my life should be, For I've only got a moment and a whole world yet to see, I'll be looking for tomorrow out on the loose. 

There's a trail that I'll be hiking just to see where it might go, Many places yet to visit many people yet to know, For in following my dreams I will live and I will grow, On a trail that's waiting out there on the loose...

So in search of love and laughter I'll be travellin 'cross this land, Never sure of where I'm going for I haven't any plans, So in time when you are ready come and join me take my hand, And together we'll share life out on the loose...

Thanks David.

Happy training all
Kat