Epic Journey Planned; Mid-Life Crisis Blamed for Lapse in JudgmentEpic Journey Planned
Mid-Life Crisis Blamed for Lapse in Judgment

Two and one-half years ago Bill Thompson and Bo Johnson were out one spring day fly fishing. Late in the day Bill put down his rod, looked at Bo and said, quite out of the blue, that when he turned fifty he wanted to take a month-long motorcycle trip and tour the west. Bo put down his rod, thought about it for maybe 10 seconds and replied that unless Bill wanted to go on the trip alone, he could count Bo in. Idle talk, and big talk at that. Or so it would seem.

Bill proudly displays the fish that helped start it all.

Recognizing that mid-life crises are natural, and therefore to be warmly embraced, we registered for the beginners motorcycle class at Nashville Tech. After passing the course with flying colors we soon received our motorcycle licenses. We then began shopping for appropriate bikes. We talked to several friends who had extensive motorcycle experience and they all said basically the same thing, “learn on a small bike and buy something bigger when you get some experience.” It was free advice so we felt free to ignore it. Soon our garages were graced by 1100cc BMW motorcycles, which were way too big and way too fast. Perfect for the mission!

Now, 27 months after that fateful conversation, the trip is a happening thing! Bo’s fifty, Bill is closing in on fifty, and the journey rapidly approaches.

We depart Nashville on September 3 for 25 days on the road. Our planned route takes us through parts of west Tennessee, Arkansas, a little bit of Missouri, all of Kansas and then into Colorado. Our goal is ride as much of Colorado as we can. Our return will take us back into the mountains of eastern Oklahoma and the Ozarks in Arkansas where we plan to trout fish on the White River.

Run and hide if you see these people on the road.

An undertaking such as this truly demands an audience, which is the primary reason for this blog. For those with time on their hands and an interest in observing close up a mid-life crisis of epic proportions, we will publish a daily (hopefully) web-based update, complete with thrilling narrative and stunning photography.

Check it out, beginning September 3:
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