#13 is [not] a lucky number? Departure delayed

Tropical Depression #13 aka Tropical Storm Lee

Here I am, the day before the scheduled departure for this journey, this trip, not having packed a thing.  Why?  The flutter of the wing of a moth, across the Atlantic, off the coast of Africa, and the sneeze of a wildebeest were the initiators of what became tropical depression #13, and is now Tropical Storm Lee.  In Guatemala we used to say “para muestra, un boton” [a button as a sample].  In this case, the graphic in this post probably represents the best button.

The idea of leaving tomorrow morning, to face this monster that is sitting in front of Louisiana, became less and less appealing,  even while I tried not to listen to Sandra’s wise advice to reschedule or run a different route.  Around eleven at night though, after fruitlessly trying to find references on the web that would discount this storm as a minor event, and not finding any, I finally made the decision of pushing the departure date until next week on Saturday.

I have spent my breaks at work rescheduling campsite reservations, and thankfully people have not penalized me in any major form for the changes.  At this time, I have realigned all my tracks and rest points, and, God willing, I am good to go.

What seemed a major annoyance, and disappointment to me, is actually a valuable lesson.  Today I was faced with the possibility of riding a motorcycle into what the media describes as ‘potentially blinding rain’, flooded roads, and strong winds, upward from 35 miles/hour.  I had the choice to [foolishly] play hero, and adventurer.  I also had the choice to say no.  I had the choice to make changes in my life, and in my plans.  In all of these instances, and in so many others, I have exercised the power to make changes.  This stands in front of me as a reminder that millions of people today are held against their will, in captivity, in slavery, not being able to make choices of their own.  This is a reminder of ‘Why I [really] Ride’.