Out the Window

Sometime in the night, the fog returned to Pendleton. It's still dark outside and it feels a little colder. Looking out the window of the Denny's restaurant, I see little lights hanging in the fog like balls of glowing cotton. On a clear day, coming out of the mountains, the lights of Pendleton mirror the stars above.

On the road, observing all the abstractions, I really get a desire to venture beyond Oregon. Either on the bike or in a car, depending on the destination. I looked into LOTOJA. I'm not ready for anything like that. Riding from Seattle to Portland in one day is still one of my goals. And there's another event I discovered last year while researching long distance rides, although it has nothing to do with cycling: Burning Man.

I found Burning Man by way of some one's travel blog. What a time that must be. A week in the Nevada desert experiencing an event the founders have kept free from corporate meddling. No sponsorships, no ads, no corporate booths. Just a lot of creative people. They say a week at Burning Man, out in the desert, can be hard on couples. I've traveled with Wifey-Do, I know what they mean, and this is the kind of thing I would rather do on my own anyway. There are times when I want to get away from it all and this looks like a good place to get away to.

Whatever I do next, I had better quit dreaming about it and do it. I don't have forever.

On this foggy morning the Nevada desert seems as far away as Mars, but it's out there. A lot of things are. For now my destination is the hotel, where I'll plug in, post, and go to bed.