Quick age check here:
What comes to mind when you think of a cross country trip to
visit a movie-character based themed park?
If you said Wallyworld, I concur. Who remembers the sad little leash dangling
behind the bumper?
Imagine my surprise then when I looked at the schedule and
noticed that Jules and kids would be riding with me to South Padre. I recently discussed the concept with my wife
and she was mildly concerned about the logistics.
I don’t know why my wife won’t agree to follow me all the way
down to South Padre with our two kids while towing a motorcycle trailer and
then drive home by herself (with the kids and the trailer) the next day. Some people are just really selfish.
Actually she agreed to do it (she has yet to push back on
anything about this trip) but seeing as how I like her a whole lot, I changed
my plans.
Originally, we were going to all drive down to South Padre so
I could say goodbye to my family, dip the keys in the southernmost part of
Texas shoreline and ride away from the border faster than the Cartel mules and
Coyotes. I really want to do it this
way. I just can’t see putting everyone
through it. The kids will be miserable,
J hates towing things and they will only be in South Padre long enough to
regret having to leave so soon. No
bueno.
So, I added another day to my ride trip and decided to ride
from home down to South Padre by myself.
This will make for one of the longest ride days (370 miles) and will be
mostly ugly-ass highway. But, I will be
able to embark from my driveway and there is something very cool about that.
Plus, J and the kids will still meet me in Galveston two days
later. I had hoped that they would be
able to show up at least three times along the way but we’re already pulling
them out of school for the whole next week (family trip to Orlando after Key
West)
The change highlights the absolute need for realism and
flexibility when locking down a schedule.
As I start to book hotels and campsites, I have to use Project Manager
eyes, not daydreamy biker eyes. It is
hard to make the switch but I find the logistical approach somewhat fortifying.
The change also highlights the other big problem with the
trip: How do I spend 6 nights away from my family? I recently went to Austin for a week of
training. I know it was hard on J and
the kids. My son repeatedly asked me to
just skip the training and come home right now. I was a wreck for most of the trip and I really don't feel like it was worth it.
The kids are not going to understand why I need to be
away. I’m not sure I do either. This trip is worth doing. Not just for me but for the family too. The Key West and Disney trip after the ride
will be epic. Something the kids will
remember their whole lives. Plus, its an
adventure. But I just can’t stop feeling
like a selfish bastard about the whole thing.
