Hurricane Matthew is… well, it is. In spite of all the hype, we have been spared most of the doom and gloom… Some light rain, some modest to occasionally vigorous wind, and much anxiety; but, we trudge on… Yeah, I know… drama draws viewers. On the other hand, the public can’t make informed decisions without knowing the potential of the various occurrence scenarios and possible outcomes.

Logically it is always smarter to make choices in advance of disasters, but by definition those are at best educated guesses… Error on the side of caution is also wise, so most of the time we end up with preparation and worry exceeding eventual reality… Not a bad outcome, however, considering the alternative!

We naturally stocked up in advance on TP and munchies, and we even amassed some other sensible items, too, like bottled water, real food, and gasoline for the car. We even brought in a couple of coolers and filled them with ice. Furniture and everything loose were hauled inside from the front porch, and heavier items in the yard were laid over in hopes of reducing the number of potential missiles that might be launched by high winds through windows, etc.

Now, we’re just sitting around, with crossed fingers of course, hoping for the best, but also hoping we’ve properly prepared for the worst… Is that even possible? We’re on relatively ‘high ground’ here about fifty miles from either coast, so any evacuation that might become necessary for us would mean exiting the state! That’s never been necessary before, and it appears it won’t be this time either. Nice!

So, the next challenge is to think about upcoming rides… I’d wanted to ride up to Nohead City, NC, this weekend for the annual birthdays celebration with my cousin Nick. The route between here and there looks like will be far more heavily impacted by ol’ Mat, though, so it may not be prudent to ride through there just now.

I also have a ride planned for the following weekend in Robbinsville, NC (the annual Fall Color Ride). I’d thought I’d swing by Nick’s place on the east coast, then ride over to the mountains on the west side of that state a few days later… post celebration.

Now it’s starting to look like a reversal of the order may be a better call… One obvious major drawback with that choice is that it would result in my having to hang around here for nearly another whole week! I’ve got a raging case of cabin fever now, and that prospect simply holds no appeal at all…

I suppose I could take a ‘long-cut’ to Robbinsville and leave any ol’ time… Then, putz around for a few days, and ultimately wind-up in Clover, SC, where I’ll meet Trout Dude and Waterbug for the final jog over to Robbinsville… Not, however, an altogether unattractive notion, that! In fact, that sounds like a downright upright idea! What’s more, the more I roll it around in my noggin’, the better it sounds… We just may have stumbled upon a great game plan here!

I reckon I can start packing a bag today. Well, I already have my bags packed, but the primary one is old, and it is really starting to show its age… Worse, it is also showing quite visible signs of wear and extreme usage over the many years she’s been part of our travel ensemble… Rips and tears along a couple of seams, with some other joints looking like they could go at any time… Wishful thinking can just do so much, then reality has to be faced…

I have already ordered and received its replacement… but I haven’t transferred the contents from the old bag to the new yet. Actually, I have two travel bags I’ve been using, and the other one also is a lost cause… I’ve replaced it already, however, so the content of that one has been transferred. Shoot! I’m already halfway there!!!

Poor ALI… She’s been riding out the storm outside under her bike cover. I hated to do that to her, but there simply was no room for her in the garage… two cars already inside, plus some unpacked boxes remain from my recent move… The life of a procrastinator can be challenging and fraught with missed opportunities… the life of a procrastinator’s partner can be even more so… She is one tough gal, though, and she takes stuff like this right in stride.

She, however, is ready to get back out there. Her oil & filter were changed while I had her in for a front tire replacement less than five hundred miles ago… I’ve looked out many times over the last several hours to check on her, and she’s doing fine… Her only complaint is that she, too, is ready for a road trip! She is absolutely not a show bike… Nope, she has the DNA of a thoroughbred road warrior, and that’s where she really shines, and where she wants to be… Soon, baby… soon…