There are five words that you hope to never have to use to describe a motorcycle ride. They are cold, wet, hungry, tired, and lost. It is ok to expect one, or maybe two on a long ride, but when you go 4-for-5 on a three day weekend, maybe plan B would have been a better choice.
Andrew and I planned to take our first overnighter together on my Triumph T-Bird Sport. It was Memorial Day, and we planned to spend three nights out going as far north as Truckee, down Highway 49, and then home via San Luis Obispo and the Central Coast. Great roads, lots of time, and we were both excited. And leaving on Friday after he got out of school, we took off for Bakersfield, to get a head start on the weekend. I had booked a room at Best Western, West Bakersfield it said, and it was so far west it had ocean views. With directions to Bakersfield. Its only redeeming value was you could park your semi there quite easily and let it run all night to keep up those of us trying to sleep in the motel. Hungry, we walked over to the truck stop, and after the smell there should have warned us, we took one look at the buffet, and took the waitress's advise to "sit anywhere you like," and walked over and sat at the Jack in the Box. Which answered the question of what does it take to mess up a burger and fries?
Leaving in warm weather, we rode up 49, stopped and rode the train-the same one in Petticoat Junction, where is the Shady Rest Hotel when you need it, and sat up front to get our face full of cinders from the fire. We were having fun, the roads great, and the weather warm-not hot, but pleasant in the 70's. We rode into Placerville, then got gas, and headed up I-80 to go to Truckee, when it got dark. No big deal. Then it started to rain. Deal. And it got cold. Bigger deal. Then it started to snow. Even bigger deal. And then for the last 20 miles, one hour, we followed the snow plow over Donner Pass and into Truckee. Looking forward to a dip in the hot tub, and a big meal-we were starved. After getting directions to the spa when we checked in, we were off to it within minutes. Only to find it filled with a family not willing to share it. Which was ok, for the water was cold, as was the indoor heated pool. Management policy was to turn it off on Memorial Day Weekend as their season was over. A point not covered in the directions to it. So freezing, and disappointed, we took long, hot showers and headed to the restaurant. Which was sorta open, as the only hot food was frozen pizza-you know the kind where it starts out hard as a rock, and ends up harder when done, with some type of mystery topping and tomato surprise to hide the evidence. And when eaten with tap water-sorry no soda available, we took oaths to NEVER stay in Truckee again. This quite possible may be the "1" that Dirty Harry has never seen.
After a nights sleep, why are they always shorter on a trip when you can sleep in, opening the curtains showed bright sun and a blue sky. So we could better see the two inches of snow on the motorcycle. And Andrew was happy to see the sun, until I mentioned we were going west, not east. Which was the same gray that the darkness hid from us last night. At least the roads weren't snow covered, just wet, so we headed out, figuring within 30 minutes a hot breakfast and warmer weather below awaited us. Which it did, it was into the 60's, positively tepid, and we stopped at Lou's, a welcome station for hungry travelers for over 50 years. Except today, even though it was after 10 o'clock, the cook and most of the staff was just getting there due to the snow. So warding off hunger and cold with lots of hot chocolate, we ate breakfast after 11, but at least it was hot and still morning. And of course when we left, she had no change for a hundred, so I left with a wad of ones and fives-still not sure if I got the short end of her tip money.
Down into the central valley, it was 75, but we still were cold. And decided to ride down Hiway 25- a great motorcycle road. And fun until the last five miles, where the rain-unforeseen by the weatherman who can't even look out a window to see if it's raining, had flooded a field, and covered most of the road. Where once were cows, were two guys on jet skies, and the road covered with little frogs. We stopped and watched, and then proceeded to ride, squishing as few little frogs as possible. Maybe a caution-frog crossing sign would have helped. The only vision I had was like a Outer Limits episode, where at the end of the road a giant frog appeared to make us pay for our indescretions. But that was the only thing that didn't go wrong. And in less than 72 hours, the only thing we had not managed to do was get lost. And the rest of the ride was great-almost boring with nice weather, a good motel, and great food. Which for some reason I vaguely remember, must have been the cold. Or the pizza-or whatever was on it.
Forgetting is a key component to forgiveness. When we ask God for forgiveness, He forgets all our sins-past, present, and future. As if they never existed. It is called mercy. And then leads us by grace, undeserved love. Agape He calls it, a love only He can have for us. So....since we are forgiven all sins, for all time, and He has forgotten them, why do so many remind God of them when they pray? Didn't Jesus say "it is finished?" Didn't He mean all sins?
YES, is the answer. And when you pray telling Him of your newest sins, you are reminding Him of something He forgot. So why do it? Why go to Him pride fully telling Him you are the greatest sinner-pride? That He could never forgive you for what you have done-more pride. Or what can you do to earn His forgiveness, when he price is already paid? Forgive and forget-His advice is to set your sights on things on high-heaven. Where there is no sin, and all sins have been forgotten. Just like the first time you repented.
We spent a lot of time praying in our helmets on that trip. And God was faithful, getting us to where we were going. He is also faithful to get you where you are going. He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it. No matter how much, how long, or how much we need to persevere, God is with us.
And just to show that forgiveness works, I try to forget the ride to Truckee. No need pushing the mercy envelope when He has it all under control by grace. And so I have never gone back to Truckee. Using the example of Lot's wife. Forgiveness is much better than spending the day as a cold pillar of salt. Or having dinner with the Donners.
Hm, that pizza said Donner's on the box, you don't think...NAH. Forgetting has its own blessings.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com