TRAVERSE Issue 24 - June 2021 | Page 72

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the hospital , got a motel room nearby for the two of us , and then for the next two weeks or so took care of me . Helped getting me to the bathroom . Helped with food acquisition . Prescriptions picked up . You name it .
Jay ’ s mother even drove to us with an entire Thanksgiving meal ! It allowed me to relax and allow the pain meds to help me rest . He took me to the medical centre for my surgery , and then stayed with me until my follow up a week later . Another wonderful encounter that enriched my life .
By now I had contacted Woody in Denver to tell him of my plight . I was already trying to work out logistics of getting myself and my motorcycle back to Ohio , where my father had a room waiting for me .
Woody , a man who is no stranger to adversity , he has had major back surgery and still manages to ride and maintain a positive attitude , surprised me by saying I was still welcome to join him in Denver . Jay and his friend both transported me and my motorcycle from Texas where the bike was impounded , to Woody ’ s house in Denver . The generosity truly unbelievable .
Woody said he had an available bedroom in his house where I could recuperate , a place where I still reside at the time of writing this piece . Encouraging and caring , Woody made me get up and move around , always a positive attitude . Employment with his business still on offer .
It ’ s easy to fall into periods of doubt and depression when problems come at you seemingly relentless however , if you carry a positive attitude and treat those you meet with respect and love , you may not need to tackle those issues alone .
I will continue to work hard at this recovery . I want to walk and ride again , that is a certainty . The travels of Cycle South are not over .
There are places I want to see , Africa , Europa , India , Kazakhstan , Mongolia . The list is endless it seems . And now that I have proven to myself that I can do it , anything seems possible .
Despite uncertainty , and occasional self-doubt , I ’ m sure it ’ ll be counteracted by the personalities that I encounter along the way . DB
1 . In moto-travel terminology , a “ mule ” is a person who , while in the course of their travels , carries needed parts for another rider to their location .
2 . Javelina , also known as peccary or skunk pig , are a small piglike animal found throughout Central and South America , and small pockets of south west North America .
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