"Rubber Side Down": a poem

 

 

 

 

 

rubber side down

 

 

roadkill offends

and of course

dead skunks

are the worst

olfactory offense

but even squirrels

chipmunks and raccoons

give off a scent of death

while in towns and cities

the excess exhaust

from overheated cars

reeks of poisons

like ozone and methane

then back to the country

where fresh cow manure

from the farms

is pungent

but not too bad

and the comforting scent

of new-mown hay

being rolled into stacks

is only exceeded by

the reassuring smell

of fresh-cut grass

and—for this coastal boy—

that first whiff of

salty air

from an onshore breeze

and an ocean fog

rolling home

 

 

 

 

 

James W. Kershner, July 2017

 

 

Home, sweet home!

I made it home safe and sound. After 30 days and about 2,500 miles, I am very glad to be home. It was a great adventure, but today was a long, hot, stressful last leg.

I'll add some thoughts about the trip when I recover.

Bear Mountain Bridge

I was hot and tired when I rolled into Fort Montgomery, on the west bank of the Hudson. Motorcycling in civilization is not as much fun as the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Between Carlisle and Harrisburg, I decided to take Interstate 81. At one point there was construction, so they shifted the lanes half a lane to the right. My lane was half roadway and half shoulder--at different heights! I had to pick one and stay within that half lane. On my right was a line of Jersey barriers. On my left was a line of 18-wheelers going about 55. Yikes! It was like walking a tightrope, but I made it.

And don't get me started on the sign casually announcing that the road surface was now "hot tar and chips."

Carlisle

I made it into Carlisle Tuesday afternoon. I didn't feel up to running in Thornwald Park, as I usually do, but I did take a walk there. I see they have restored the old mansion in the park. It looks nice. I also did laundry and swam in the pool. Parts of Carlisle look just like they did when I lived here 40 years ago. Others are completely different.

It is difficult to make the transition from the remote, natural mountaintop parks to the hot, noisy, busy civilization down in the valleys.

Bear sighting

Tuesday morning was a great time for wildlife sightings. I saw a black snake slither across the Skyline Drive. There were about a dozen beautiful Virginia white-eyed deer along the northern 50 miles of Skyline Drive. I saw lots of small mammals and rodents, like a groundhog or beaver.  But the highlight was watching a healthy young black bear lope across the road in front of me. Beautiful.

Setback

Had a minor setback today, but it ended fine. After a beautiful morning at Peaks of Otter, I rode off blissfully unaware that I had left my credit card behind after paying for breakfast. About 40 miles north, I noticed a message on my phone. It was the innkeeper. I decided to go on and ask him to mail it to me. He said the credit card companies wouldn't let him do that. He had to hand it to me or destroy it.

An hour later I told him if there is one road to backtrack on, this is it.

Then back on the road northbound again. I made it to my reserved room at Big Meadows by 5:30.

Walked down to the Appalachian Trail behind the lodge at Big Meadows before dinner. I had to pay my respects. I doubt I will ever hike it all, but I love it nontheless. I crossed it three or four times today alone. Steve and I saw it in Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia. That Trail and these roads say something important about America.

Peaks of Otter

Sunday was a beautiful ride north along the Parkway from Orchard Gap to Peaks of Otter. I saw several deer and smaller wildlife. When we passed farms I saw cows, horses, sheep, goats, and pigs. There were beautiful emerald forests and fields of grass, hay, corn, wheat, and lots more. It was a heavenly ride.

Sat by a beautiful mountain stream in the picnic area of Peaks of Otter. So peaceful.