My experience on a Motorcycle written by Alice

Where to begin? A year ago, our second date Tom invited me to take a ride on his Harley down to South Beach. Having never ridden on a motorcycle, I was a bit intimidated and of course very concerned for my safety. In my mind, only wild crazy people with tattoos ride motorcycles….I really liked Tom, and he seemed to be very normal and cautious. I thought this could be something new and different and definitely out of my comfort zone. Could COVID had anything to do with this new attitude?

Tom’s tattoo I got him for his birthday

I called my friend Donna that rides with her husband and really enjoys their adventures. I told her Tom invited me to go to South Beach on his Harley. Her response was priceless…”OH, HELL NO!” She told me because I had never been on a bike, it was much too dangerous for me to have my first experience on I-95. She recommended I call Tom and tell him I was newbie and my first time should be a nice & easy scenic ride. I made the call and he was in total agreement. I drove up to Delray, a bit nervous and determined not to let it show. He explained the rules, seemed that I could do this. I put my complete trust in Tom.

Our first motorcycle date

Understand, I had to learn how to get on, get off, lean into the curves and much more. We went on a beautiful ride. We left Delray Beach and headed up to Palm Beach on A1A..WOW! What a great experience. It is like being in a really cool sporty convertible, only on steroids! To feel the total openness around me was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Tom told me I did great..On the way up, I held on a little tight and on the way back to Delray I was relaxed.

I was cautious and watched every move he made…It was a perfect introduction to being a passenger on the back of Tom’s Harley.

Tom on his new Harley

I LOVE bring on the bike and experiencing the openness and space around me! The physical experience is very unique. I like the sound of the engine, especially as Tom accelerants and changes gears. Our vacation on Auto-train with the bike up to DC, I have ridden1200+ miles on this trip. I did get a new comfortable seat for the trip. Yes, it goes in storage and the smaller (sexy) seat goes back on for our local rides. Most of our dates we use the bike because it is a special experience. Not bad for a newbie a year ago. Thank you Tom!

One of our rides to West Palm Beach

Yes, Tom now has a tattoo! I gave it to him for his birthday in September. Now he is the wild and crazy guy!

Me posing in front of Tom’s Harley in the Shenandoah Mountains

Tom’s birthday present to me…. my first leather Harley jacket. Love it!

Blog day 8 - Shenandoah Park Day 2

Confrontation with the next-door neighbor

We were warned by our Airbnb host that his next-door neighbor is not very friendly and doesn't like anyone to touch his 900+ acres of land.  In order for me to ride up the gravel steep hill leaving the property we unload everything off the bike. With a hope and a prayer at the bottom of the hill I accelerate up the hill up into the street where traffic could be.  After successfully making it up the hill I realized I was wearing my tennis shoes and not my Harley Davidson boots. Not a good idea for many reasons one of which is traction when I put my feet down on the ground. I asked Alice to go back to the room and get my boots while I hold the Harley up so I wouldn't fall over.

I parked the bike at the foot of the driveway of his neighbor.  Within a matter of minutes I was confronted by his neighbor asking me what I was doing. I told him I was simply trying to be safe and stay off the road while waiting for my partner. He seemed very annoyed and irritated and not friendly at all. Parking my Harley on anything but an up slope or flat surface is very dangerous and if I can go down way too easily. There's no place around for me to park my bike I'm a flat surface. 

Another ride in the park

Our ride in the Shenandoah national park was another glorious day of motorcycle. Yes I have created a monster. I think Alice had a smile on her face the whole day! We turn right At the park entrance instead of left as we did the day before.

Lunch with Alice on top of the world

We picked up a nice sandwich, chips and drinks at the gas station before heading to the park. I parked our bike on a beautiful overlook in the mountains and we had a great lunch. When we reached the end of the trail I told Alice we could go back a short way and she twisted my arm to turn around and hit the trail again one more time. It did not take much twisting!

Lots of hikers in the park

Hikers were every where young and old. We met one young man maybe in his mid 30’s He said he had been hiking since April 4th 2.5 months ago. Left his wife and child at home to do his thing.

Finished the Netflix series The Assassination of Gianni Versace an American Crime Story

In the evening we watched the final episode of the Netflix series on Versace's murder. We both loved the series very much. So well written, such great acting, such a moving and distressing story. It was very interesting for me to observe again the Versace mansion which I have photographed inside and out many times. I remember when they were filming the series at the mansion.

Now it's time to prepare to start our journey home. Today we drive back to Washington DC and spend the night there before getting on the auto train to head back to Orlando on Wednesday

The struggle between honesty, transparency, and marketing

This may be one of the most difficult blogs to compose, and perhaps even more difficult to read.  Family and friends, please do NOT be offended by my brutal honesty in this BLOG.  Hey, it may be my last blog depending on the results.

A previous peer who I have not heard from for maybe 25+ years, fellow co worker and friend who has been silently following my works, my blog and my photography reached out to me yesterday.  Reggie thank you for reaching out to me after all these years.

Reggie was very complimentary of my photography and my commentary, and even my blogs.  Her comment haunts me … “I see a touch of sadness in your words, but thats understandable ….”

I learned a lot from her commentary.  First of all, I just may have followers, silent ones who read my words, appreciate and admire my photography, and perhaps even enjoy some of it.  Based on the lack of clicks, read throughs, and commentary, I always assume no one is seeing, no one is reading, and this whole thing is just a platform for a personal/public journal that only generations in future may see. Perhaps I see it as personally therapeutic.

My next door neighbor yesterday stopped her car while I was washing my motorcycle and told me how much she enjoyed and appreciated my journalistic commentary and photos of my motorcycle trip to North Carolina.   Again, I had never known she was watching, stalking from afar so to speak. It made me happy.

To get better context to my commentary, you may want to read or review the following blogs:

The Shy man with a Camera

https://tesphoto.squarespace.com/blog/2018/8/16/the-shy-man-behind-the-camera\

My Birthday Wish

https://tesphoto.squarespace.com/blog/2018/9/11/my-birthday-wish

Ten things you probably don’t know about me

https://tesphoto.squarespace.com/blog/2018/9/17/ten-things-you-probably-dont-know-about-me

The moment you find out your child is schizophrenic 

https://tesphoto.squarespace.com/blog/2018/9/21/the-moment-you-find-out-your-child-is-schizophrenic

Five things you probably don’t know about me

https://tesphoto.squarespace.com/blog/2018/10/14/5-things-you-probably-dont-know-about-me

Yes Reggie, you are 100% correct, there is a tone of sadness to my prose.

So back to the title: The struggle between honesty, transparency, and marketing 

I have always known from day one that one of my biggest flaws is my transparency.  I tell the truth, my face and expressions tell the truth, sometimes it is brutal and hurtful.  This transparency made me a great manager and boss in almost any arena.  I would be quick to compliment, be thankful and get in the trenches with my staff.  This transparency also comes at a cost in business and in all areas of life both personal and professional.

Here it is: I struggle with sadness and depression, and have for years.  I can hardly remember what it feels like to wake up each day with a smile on my face.  I blame no one or nothing for my struggle nor my feelings.  It is NOT your fault.  This is the one thing I know!  For me depression is loneliness.  It does not matter if I am physically alone or in a crowd of dozens or hundreds of peers, family or friends.  I work very hard every day, every moment to mask this loneliness and depression.  

My motorcycle ride to North Carolina was done alone.  No family member wanted to go with me.  Hey, they are the smart ones.  The ride outside of Florida was miserable, lonely and COLD!

What makes me happy?  It is very simple.  Feeling truly appreciated.  Feeling I have provided something of real value to someone.  Something that lasts more than the “click” or “like”.  Photography makes me happy.  Not the specific click of the camera, but more about the experience of the shoot and most importantly the value of the product I created. I yearn for my work to be valued in a real way.  I ache to leave a legacy of work that will be cherished by generations.  The reality of falling far short of those expectations is part of my daily struggle.   

This commentary is the opposite of marketing.  It is 100% truth.  Those who read this will probably agree with Reggie at even a higher level.  

I ask if you silently read my blogs, or silently view my photos, please once in a while reach out to me and let me know.  It has more meaning than you will ever know.

Tom

My favorite places to ride a Motorcycle

It’s the Journey, NOT the Destination

It may be surprising to many that I am an avid motorcyclist.  Fact is many people are surprised I ride at all.  I don’t look like a motorcycle guy:  no beard, no tattoos, no pony tail, and I don’t normally have a can of beer in my hand.  I have  actually ridden some sort of motorcycle since I was age 14 even though I never really looked like a rider.  There have been times I have been without my favorite transportation and times when it was my only transportation.  

Most of my riding in the last 30 years has been in the southeast and of course primarily Florida.  As my future retirement unfolds, I hope to travel to many new and exciting places on two wheels.

There are certain places or environments that make motorcycle riding more enjoyable.  Those include but are not limited to: the weather, the view, the traffic, the twists and turns (straight is way more boring), the slopes and or hills (flat is MUCH more boring), the music, the sounds, the silence, the companionship meaning other riders on their own bike or a partner on the back of mine. 

This blog will focus on a few of my chosen special riding routes.  Remember my opinion is also based on the combination of the above factors during the rides I have taken.

• Key West: Interstate 1, favorite part is 7 mile bridge just southwest of the city of Marathon

• A1A between Lake Worth Florida and West Palm Beach, Donald Trumps Mara Lago is always interesting to look into

• Miami to Key Biscayne - Bill Baggs Lighthouse park at the end, State Road 913

• Miami to Miami Beach - South Beach via MacArthur Causeway.  You may have seen my video from GOPRO helmet

• Homestead Florida to Everglades National Park via State Hwy 9336.  One of the best rides in South Florida, lots of twists and turns and a perfect pace for a motorcyclist.  

• On Florida’s WEST coast, Sanibel and Captiva Island via Sanibel Causeway

• Orlando to Leesburg and Mt Dora via 441 - a beautiful drive with some nice hills and twists

• Daytona Beach to St Augustine via A1A- beautiful coastal scenery with a great destination - St Augustine

• The Blue Ridge Parkway (Smoky Mountains) - North Carolina

  • Tail of the Dragon - 11 mile section with 318 turns

• Colorado Rocky Mountain National Park

That is my short list, my actual riding list is MUCH longer.

Now that I will be retired as of October 5th, 2018, hit me up, lets RIDE.