The Open Road

I've taken to avoiding the news, or what passes for it these days.  To be more accurate, after scanning headlines, I very rarely read full articles, unless they deal with military or veteran matters.  And I have ceased watching televised so-called news programs all together.  Why?  Fake is confused by some with truth.  Opinion masquerades as legitimate reporting.  Screamers and zealots dominate virtually every possible format.  Inflammatory rhetoric meant to incite, incivil commentary, and preposterous allegations and assertions abound.  So taking all into consideration, it's best just to essentially ignore it.    

Instead, I think of two main elements in my life.  Family first and then the open road.  Love and freedom respectively.  In this post, the open road is the topic.

In thinking of the open road, I envision some of the most beautiful parts of the country it has been my privilege and pleasure to see from the saddle of a motorcycle.  Back roads and highways have taken me over majestic mountains.  I have rolled along through narrow valleys and across rolling hills.  Through deserts and forests.  Under blue skies and in rain.  In triple digit heat and frigid temperatures.

I have traveled highways on the Oregon coast and the plains in the Dakotas.

Cruising along on a motorcycle in these open spaces, accompanied by the sounds of the bike and rush of the wind, is nirvana, defined as "a place or state characterized by freedom from or oblivion to pain, worry, and the external world." 

Should I encounter a fellow motorcyclist heading in the opposite direction, we acknowledge each other with a salute of sorts.

    
We are, at that moment, sharing this form of nirvana.  
In this "state characterized by freedom from or oblivion to pain, worry, and the external world," the fools who falsely present themselves as journalists and their opinions, incessant negativity, haranguing, misrepresentation, blatant lies, pandering, craven commentary, unreasonable dictums, and selfcenteredness do not exist.    

What does exist is the freedom for which this nation was created.  Freedom for which I served in the Marine Corps.  Freedom that we all seek.  Freedom, pure and simple.  Most importantly, freedom from the crud taking the place of journalism.  

What does exist is one big smile.

Avoiding what passes for news today and focusing on family first, then the open road, isn't such a bad approach. 

Care to join in?