Exploring my happy.. riding the snow at night

Exploring my happy… riding the snow at night

Talking, well writing, I sometimes write down what I’m verbally discussing inside my head, okay sometimes I say it out loud as well, now where was I? My last blog about ships got me thinking about what kind of ride I really like to experience. I know, my mind fairly bursts sometimes with great ideas, right?

My ride would be built for comfort, definitely not for speed. I want to enjoy it, suck up the air, and feel the wind behind me. This helps move me along with the aging process.. it’s just easier. It is my happy, to feel the ambiance of wherever life takes me. (my Artic Cat snowmobile had it all.. even heated handlebars)

In a field of snow at night in minus temps, just the stars, myself, and my broken down snowmobile. You can actually feel the snow sparkle in the moonlight.. a spiritual presence of peace on earth, it envelopes me in a warm blanket of love.

A coyote howling nearby invariably shatters that moment and survival mode takes over. I curse like a sailor as if that is going to magically fix my machine and make it start again. (turns out I had hit the ‘kill switch’ going over a bump too fast) 

I also curse the group of adolescent men, that think racing through this gorgeous night to be first to the next stop, is so important. What is it with mobile machines that turn men into demons on speed?

Sometimes I fall back to the end of the line intentionally, but keeping the pack in sight, alone at night in freezing temps could be dangerous. The stark beauty of the tree-lined trails, snow clinging beautifully but precariously to the branches on moon-filled nights.

Majestic pines, in particular, fascinate me, with branches hanging so low under their snow-laden burdens. Sometimes I reach out and grab a tip of one, while zipping my way through. I give it a slight shake and my heart overflows with happiness as it releases its load on the unlucky fool behind me. (my way of making them slow down.. well that too)

The icy cold wind takes my breath away and fills my soul with such impatience for these racers who never seem to slow down. Occasionally letting the pack go ahead, I will turn off my machine and just be still. When the sounds of their machines die off in the distance I take stock of all this beauty and just breath.

Eventually, someone does a head count as I see the bobbing lights and hear the familiar whining of the engines returning. I turn my machine back on and catch up to meet them. My excuse is always a pit stop for nature calling .. and in my own way it really is.

We need moments like this in our lives to refuel our spirit. How many feel this way I wonder? Being alone.. but the feeling of being a part of something bigger? Water does this as well .. swimming in the ocean or floating in the lake on a lazy sunny day.

Maneuvering my car to a stop onto a side road with an amazing rainbow appearing in the middle of a random impatient rainstorm is not unusual for me. The sun sneaking its way through, unleashing a kaleidoscope of brilliant hues to form an archway into magical horizons ..  of new beginnings?

A late night check outside my cabin at the lake, I catch a glimpse of the northern lights starting a hypnotizing ballet.. across a blanket of infinite stars. Settling into my good fortune, I watch in awe..  they never disappoint. I can feel them.. inhaling deeply I saturate myself in this magical display.. this is my happy place.

This ride called life is the ride of our life.. don’t rush through it to get to the end, if you do then you’ve missed the whole point.. right?

copyright October 24th 2016