I left my parents house around 1600 hrs yesterday to only ride to the Port Jeff/Bridgeport Ferry over to Connecticut.  I wanted to get close to MAX BMW in Brookfield, CT and be able to ride another short distance in the morning to be there when they opened.

While in Stony Brook I got to see my sisters and some of their own family members as well as their dogs. My sisters and families are even more obsessed with their dogs than I am.  😉  I mean that in a caring and loving way.

Never enough time with family but the time we had over pizza and just hanging out was nice.  My parents rushed down to the the ferry without me knowing they were to say one last good bye.  WE had about 2 mins. before I boarded.  I cried on the ferry but they don’t know…perhaps they do now.

Was able to see a few friends from when I was a kid and from high school days.  It’s been over 30 years!  I will be returning to NY in July via a plane for my 30th high school reunion.

Got to see another friend from grad school as well.  So, it was busy getting all caught up, hanging with the parents, going out to eat and doing what I also love to do is my reports and updates.  I never really show too much emotion when I leave NY but it was a bit surreal this time.  I feel this trip has been helping me yet on the other hand I still feel a lot of stress knowing I am going back home to another chapter of my life.

Riding is healing, family and friends are familiar and comforting.  Out on the road it’s all about me and my thoughts.  Thinking about what life has in store for me.  I have so much to be fortunate for and will do my best to focus on that.  I have a great new friends back in Canada.  They have been a source of text messaging support all 17 days so far. I am grateful for that too.

As I head to MAX BMW in Brookfield this morning for my service I feel another sense of relief.  Something about traveling with a bike there is always in the back of your mind all the what if’s than can happen when riding 2 wheels.  After a service and having a Pro inspect my bike it gives me more confidence knowing that what I am riding is in it’s best shape.  When I let my mind wonder while riding you can be full of worry.  I remember up in Alaska every once in awhile I would freak a bit worrying that my tires would be slashed by the Dalton and Dempster highways.  Just a fleeting moment but those who ride I am sure understand our worries.

After my service I will head north through CT, perhaps Massachusetts, and then over to New York again with my next destination Hobart & William Smith Colleges.  My Alma Mater and to visit with a mentor of mine, my college soccer coach.

This begins the BIG U-Turn home.  Only 4200 miles or so left….or 7500 Km’s.  Ironically when I traveled with my ex-other half we did some long trips together.  This first SOLO trip just might be the longest one to date in the shortest amount of riding days.  How ironic and is telling I suppose who out of the pair really thrives on these types of adventures.