The Harley

 As the last remnants of winter's snow melted away, he uncovered his pride and endless joy: a 1969 Harley-Davidson. Over the years, he rode along mountain and coastal roads, the sound of his pipes roaring through country towns, making people jump as he smiled and waved at children who waved back. He would leave home with a sleeping bag strapped on and small leather saddlebags filled with only the essentials for his road trips to places unknown. 

He would ride for hours, the warm breeze gently slapping his face, a reminder of the many memories he had created over the years. Riding into the darkness until his eyes burned and muscles ached, he sometimes had to stop, not by choice, but by necessity, to rest. He would find a spot in the forest beneath a giant tree, where he could relax as the exhaust of his mighty steed crackled and then fell silent, joining him in sleep. 

The bike was a part of who he was, connected in a way only a true biker could understand. It served as his escape from a chaotic world that poisoned the soul, and it was the miles traveled that cured him, as long as rubber met the road. He kept a journal of the places he visited, including parks, campgrounds, lakes, oceans, small towns with just one traffic light, and out-of-the-way dirt roads that led to hidden spots welcoming bikers like himself, who treated him like a brother. They would share stories about their bikes and the places they had traveled, sipping cold beer and enjoying warm meals together. He would sleep under the stars and awaken to the sunrise and the smell of campfire coffee. As the roar of a dozen bikes came to life, he would thank them and say he hoped to see them somewhere on the road. 

He spent nine months traveling and three long months snowbound, during which he dismantled his bike, cleaned every part, and replaced worn-out components—all a labor of love for its faithful service. Come spring, when the last bit of snow had disappeared, he would pack up once again and head out on the open road to explore new places and create fresh memories while others faded away. 

Mike 2025