From the time we left south Florida until this moment the ride was fairly boring. Even the extreme heat (of 111 degrees in some places) and the near catastrophe with the wheel bearings didn't snap me out of the "malaise" of meaninglessness and purposelessness of modernity that often plagues the mind.
But as soon as we reached this sign, everything suddenly changed. It felt like we were entering a different country. I felt like this adventure was truly underway. There was an electric feeling that was charging through my mind and body.
People often refer to St. Louis as being the gateway to the west. I 100% do not agree with this statement. The gateway to the west is the threshold of the Rocky Mountains, which begin on the northern side of New Mexico and extend all the way up into Canada.
That's one of the reasons I feel Denver is not truly part of the "west" and reminds me more of an eastern seaboard city with its collectivist ideals. It technically sits east of the Rockies.
It's as if when everyone was trying to make it west in the 1800s, they looked up at the Rockies and said "that's going to be too difficult, let's stop here" So they aren't as rugged and determined as everyone else who decided to press on and brave the jagged snowy peaks.
But if you're coming across the southern route as we were, the "gateway to the west" is when you enter New Mexico. That's how I've always felt.
It's strange because there's nothing there, there's no big welcoming center or sudden change in geography it's just more of the same endless wasteland. But there is a sudden change in how you feel when you see this sign.
It reminds me of a quote by Harriet Tubman: "I had crossed the line, I was free. But there was no one to welcome me to the land of freedom. I was a stranger in a strange land."
Dawn in Monument Valley. It's moments like this that make me think about the quote by John Milton. "The mind is its own place and in itself can make a Heaven of Hell, or a Hell of Heaven."
There is no reason not to live the life you dream of living. Freedom exists only beyond the illusions of safety and security.
This is a screenshot from a video on my iPhone. Zero editing. And if I had to estimate how much of the actual experience this image captures, I would say about 5% at the maximum.
For me, moments like this in places like this are beyond sacred, they are holy, divine moments of immortality. The mind is elevated to a realm not felt or experienced in the confines of four walls, no matter how expertly crafted and decorated. There is no cathedral more beautiful than this.
Nothing man has ever made will ever compare to the overwhelming beauty of nature at dawn. It's as if the whole world is being reborn again.
You can almost hear music coming down from the sky, or up from the ground. There are voices, if you will stop and hear them. These places exist.
And even though many times I am alone for days on these rides, I never feel lonely.
The road goes on forever, The journey never ends....
Top of Pikes Peak mid May, right after snow was plowed off. Below freezing. Didn't see another rider all day. Was I the first to ride to the top this year? Probably not. But I felt like I was!! There was even some ice on the road. Quite a ride!! Can't wait to do it again soon with my wife, and when it's a bit warmer!!
Road Trips with an American Biker
Road Trips with an American Biker
Gazing off into the Pacific Ocean after riding coast to coast on a Harley Davidson softail. No words can describe the feeling.
7 months ago | [YT] | 7
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Road Trips with an American Biker
"CURVES AHEAD"
((Click image for wide view))
7 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 12
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Road Trips with an American Biker
From the time we left south Florida until this moment the ride was fairly boring. Even the extreme heat (of 111 degrees in some places) and the near catastrophe with the wheel bearings didn't snap me out of the "malaise" of meaninglessness and purposelessness of modernity that often plagues the mind.
But as soon as we reached this sign, everything suddenly changed. It felt like we were entering a different country. I felt like this adventure was truly underway. There was an electric feeling that was charging through my mind and body.
People often refer to St. Louis as being the gateway to the west. I 100% do not agree with this statement. The gateway to the west is the threshold of the Rocky Mountains, which begin on the northern side of New Mexico and extend all the way up into Canada.
That's one of the reasons I feel Denver is not truly part of the "west" and reminds me more of an eastern seaboard city with its collectivist ideals. It technically sits east of the Rockies.
It's as if when everyone was trying to make it west in the 1800s, they looked up at the Rockies and said "that's going to be too difficult, let's stop here" So they aren't as rugged and determined as everyone else who decided to press on and brave the jagged snowy peaks.
But if you're coming across the southern route as we were, the "gateway to the west" is when you enter New Mexico. That's how I've always felt.
It's strange because there's nothing there, there's no big welcoming center or sudden change in geography it's just more of the same endless wasteland. But there is a sudden change in how you feel when you see this sign.
It reminds me of a quote by Harriet Tubman: "I had crossed the line, I was free. But there was no one to welcome me to the land of freedom. I was a stranger in a strange land."
7 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 14
View 1 reply
Road Trips with an American Biker
Hooray for Ouray! What a cool little town. At the entrance to the Million Dollar Highway headed for Durango...
7 months ago | [YT] | 5
View 1 reply
Road Trips with an American Biker
Dawn in Monument Valley. It's moments like this that make me think about the quote by John Milton. "The mind is its own place and in itself can make a Heaven of Hell, or a Hell of Heaven."
There is no reason not to live the life you dream of living. Freedom exists only beyond the illusions of safety and security.
This is a screenshot from a video on my iPhone. Zero editing. And if I had to estimate how much of the actual experience this image captures, I would say about 5% at the maximum.
For me, moments like this in places like this are beyond sacred, they are holy, divine moments of immortality. The mind is elevated to a realm not felt or experienced in the confines of four walls, no matter how expertly crafted and decorated. There is no cathedral more beautiful than this.
Nothing man has ever made will ever compare to the overwhelming beauty of nature at dawn. It's as if the whole world is being reborn again.
You can almost hear music coming down from the sky, or up from the ground. There are voices, if you will stop and hear them. These places exist.
And even though many times I am alone for days on these rides, I never feel lonely.
The road goes on forever,
The journey never ends....
7 months ago | [YT] | 9
View 0 replies
Road Trips with an American Biker
Waiting out the rain...
7 months ago | [YT] | 9
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Road Trips with an American Biker
Colorado sign coming in above Ft Collins on I-25 from Cheyenne (southbound)
7 months ago | [YT] | 9
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Road Trips with an American Biker
Devils Tower mid Feb 2025
7 months ago | [YT] | 10
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Road Trips with an American Biker
Top of Pikes Peak mid May, right after snow was plowed off. Below freezing. Didn't see another rider all day. Was I the first to ride to the top this year? Probably not. But I felt like I was!! There was even some ice on the road. Quite a ride!! Can't wait to do it again soon with my wife, and when it's a bit warmer!!
Have you ridden to the Top?
What was your experience?
7 months ago | [YT] | 10
View 0 replies
Road Trips with an American Biker
Forest Gump Road
7 months ago | [YT] | 14
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