On the way from Seattle to Portland, my options were somewhat limited when it came to the route unless I wanted to add a lot of time to the trip. So, I had to cruise down Interstate 5. An uneventful, never-ending stretch of road with nothing much worth seeing other than cars, rest stops, and fast food.

At a rest stop, to eat a sandwich and stretch my legs. Some guy decides to strike up a conversation with me. He asked where I was headed, and I told him I was bound for Portland. Then he told me how he was driving to Santa Fe, NM from Vancouver, BC, where he would take part in a 20-day long bike ride. And by bike, I don’t mean a motorcycle. He added that the person he was traveling with also do trips where they bicycle to Missouri. Personally, I get tired of riding a bicycle less than a mile, so I was impressed with what he was doing. The open road has its allure for a lot of us, but I won’t be joining the ranks of long-distance cyclists anytime soon. For me, I will stick with my powered engine to get me around.

This was my first encounter with a new experience when it comes to road trips. When in a car, it usually involves driving and getting out to stretch my legs and then move on. On a motorcycle, however, people enjoy taking time to converse with someone else who enjoys the wind and freedom of the open road.

Next Stop: The Portland Zigzag