Driving off the spleen

"Call me Ishmael. Some years ago -- never mind how long precisely -- having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen, and regulating the circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people's hats off -- then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. This is my substitute for pistol and ball. With a philosophical flourish Cato throws himself upon his sword; I quietly take to the ship. There is nothing surprising in this. If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me." – Heman Melville, Moby Dick




Years ago, I remember reading this passage, and to this day I knew where to find it when I was growing grim about the mouth.  Ishmael, heads to sea, I am not as specific about my escape, just that it happens.

Banding Least Tern Adults in South Dakota

I am sitting in an airport (yes, another airport), waiting for a delayed plane that will take me to Minneapolis via Chicago, and eventually one a 1000 mile bike ride through the Great Plains and to the edge of the Rockies.

Lunch at Voss'

It's been a long couple of weeks to be honest.  Emma and I drove out to South Dakota to deliver a truck, and to see how all of the operations were going out there.  In itself, this is an arduous journey, but as always, I like to go as over the top as I can. By the time Emma an I arrived back in Virginia, we were packing for a visit to CNY.
Mom and I left from Harrisonburg to visit with family and friends and to celebrate the graduation of my cousin Samantha.  I like visiting CNY because I can pick and choose my dates.  After years in VA, I am not prepared or even remotely interested in braving the cold and snow.  And if I am going to brave the cold, I think I may pick somewhere else.  As for late June and July, it's can be pretty hard to beat CNY's weather.

 

The View from My Grandparents' Grave Site

It's our custom to drive around while we visit to some of the foundational places in our lives to see if any changes have happened since our last visit.  The changes tend to be fairly drastic between my visits, which are fewer and farther between than my mother's.  That is the nature of change though – if you are there to watch it, it never seems as though much has changed.  Well, not until it has drastically changed.  If you don't watch it happen though, then even small changes are like slaps in the face.  I am happy to report though that all seems to be as it was, or at least close enough not to crowd out the nostalgia.

Now, before I start knocking hats off, I am headed west to ride for a few weeks.  Heading west to drive off my spleen.  I want to thank all of the folks that have supported the ride this year, and in years past.  It is greatly appreciated and I hope to make the most of this chance.  I hope to keep up with the blog again this year so stay tuned.