Saturday/Sunday: Saying Goodbye
Saturday
Raye and I get up early to eat fruhstuck – breakfast – with those leaving for the airport. We swap addresses and take pictures, promising to keep in touch. The men offer to host anyone wanting to stop through their area for a motorcycle trip to see local sites.
We take one last walk through the roads up the hillside behind our inn, talk about the amazing things we saw and did together, pack our bags and head for the Innsbruck bahnhof – train station. Our four-hour train ride turns into a seven-hour experience as our train is two hours late arriving and then stops quite frequently along the way for brake repair, we learn from fellow train passengers who have been on since the train originated early that morning in Wein – Vienna. The ride is as picturesque as it was a week ago when we rode through this region but this time we have the setting sun painting warm colors across the mountain peaks and lakes.
I will miss this countryside. I am almost afraid to go back to my life. Raye and I jokingly discuss just shipping the kids over and finding a way to make a go of it here.
The arrival into Zurich Hauptbanhof – main train station – is without much note. We manage to purchase tickets for the local train and only have to walk across the platform to catch it within just a few minutes of arriving. We make it on to our hotel by about 10 p.m. and immediately call the children. Signs of America are more prevalent now, and everyone speaks English here. We even tip our van driver with U.S. dollars. After a late night snack, we collapse into bed and make plans to catch our plane in the morning home.
Sunday
The 12-hour flight home is about half over now. I am determined to capture every last memory I have now before we even set foot in the U.S., and I am tempted to turn my cell phone on for the first time in nine days. I did attempt a sneak peek at my Blackberry in Zurich but fortunately the battery is dead. It wouldn’t have been worth it anyway – just make the trip home more stressful thinking about the emails I need to reply to.
Raye and I have already decided our next trip will be next year to Scotland or Tuscany, depending on the time of year these rides are offered. Raye suggests I learn to drive. Knowing me as well as he does, he is sure I will enjoy the speed, control and challenge of that experience.
I’m not sure, though, if the pure luxury of simply hopping on the back of his bike wasn’t just what I needed. I remember nine days ago, leaving my life to go on this trip was so incredibly difficult. But as with any forced departure from daily life, such an escape makes you think. And this time for me, it was about the journey. I think of how blessed I am to have a great family and to love what I do. My life is great, and the destination is no where in sight. The getting there part is still going on, and that’s okay with me.
I am also starting to realize perhaps I am not the one who is driving afterall. But regardless of where God decides to take me on this journey, I am determined to make the most of it. I have always wanted to live life intensely. 
Yet getting off the ride of my life long enough to rest and reflect has to be a part of the itinerary, too. And being on the back of the bike is probably just where I belong every now and then.
As our plane prepares to touch down, my iPod sings to me one last time. Sounds of Steppenwolf linger in my mind. For a person who doesn’t know how to move at any speed less than top, I am certain now that I actually slowed down for the first time in a long time. “Easy Rider” may have been just what the doctor ordered, and the best description of this journey that matters in more ways than one.
Want to see more photos? Click on the set “Saturday: Saying Goodbye” to see photos of our hotel and the local countryside.
Epilogue
Well, the answer is yes. I did fall in love with motorcycles, at least as much as a beginner can. Since our trip, Raye and I have been riding a few times each month with friends who share the same passion. Each time, I learn more fully what it means to enjoy the journey — that’s one of the great lessons of motorcycling.
I also enjoy meeting and talking with other riders about their bikes, their trips and finding out about great places to ride. If you have a favorite route, please share it.
August 30th, 2006 at 1:31 pm
Elise,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share both your real and spiritual journeys. You are an incredible writer so I am not surprised I feel the rush of the ride and the majesty of the mountains through your words. Kudos also for turning off your cell phone and letting go of us long enough to enjoy this unique experience–it may have been the bravest thing you did during your trip!
August 31st, 2006 at 4:57 am
Great write-up, Elise. I knew you’d have a blast. I suspect you’d enjoying riding your own bike, too. Julie and I have taken many trips on the R1100RT we had, and now we’re doing the same on the R1200GS. It’s like the bike you rode, except it’s lighter and designed for “dual-purpose” duty, including some light off-road stuff.
Let’s meet in the Ozarks and do some riding.
August 31st, 2006 at 6:21 am
This was most enjoyable. Good photos, great writing. I’m envious.
So will you listen to Mozart and “The Sound of Music” soundtrack when you ride through the Ozarks?
e
August 31st, 2006 at 6:45 am
Thanks for your post.
My wife and I have ridden together much more frequently as our children have come of age.
We just spent 10 days in Nova Scotia having a wonderful time. No work, just the two of us.
We try to ride together as often as possible.
It truly is a joy to have that time together.
Good luck on your journey.
Best wishes,
Tim
August 31st, 2006 at 6:51 am
Really nice write-up and wonderful pictures. Glad you enjoyed it.
If you want a ‘complete experience’ you should ride the French Alps next time, which are quite different from the somewhat ‘cozy’ en green Austria and Switzerland.
If you’re curious, have a look at some of my ride reports on my travel forum:
http://travel.silvercloudpublishing.com
I hope you’ll have the chance to come back over and enjoy some more !!
Kindest regards,
Francois
August 31st, 2006 at 9:32 am
Thanks for bringing back the memories. We did the same tour a couple of years ago and are heading back to do the Dolomites tour at the end of September. For your first tour you kinda started at the top of the list. Raye should take up Fly Fishing, seems he’s already an expert at ’setting the hook’.
August 31st, 2006 at 10:19 pm
Great ride report. I’m looking forward to riding the Alps in the next few years.
Thanks!!
August 31st, 2006 at 11:57 pm
Enjoyed reading about your trip.
September 1st, 2006 at 12:13 pm
Good for you for having the courage to try this trip, and thanks for taking us along. Beautiful pictures and wonderful story.
My wife and I have been riding together for 36 of the 34 years we’ve been married.
Definitely try riding a motorcycle of your own, if it interests you, but don’t be discouraged if you find it isn’t for you. Jane had her own motorcycle for a while, but never felt comfortable in traffic. For some 30 years now, she just rides behind me on our one motorcyle - and handles the camera while I handle the bike.
Good luck to you as you continue with motorcycling, and Enjoy!
APA
September 1st, 2006 at 4:14 pm
Well I hope you consider making this an annual event. As boring as some might think that is, I’ve been doing it for 12 straight years so far and can’t get enough of Euro touring. I’m looking forward to early retirement and guess where I’m retiring?
As for next year, do Tuscany and stay longer. A mere nine days in the Alps? Thats like an ice cream cone with one scoop instead of three.
I see you went on an organized tour. If that makes you feel comfortable, fine, but I find touring on my own is far more enjoyable. You get to make it YOUR tour, not someone else’s following their schedule and a caravan.
Quite a few of your pics are very familiar; the church steeple in the reservoir on the Reschenpass for one.
If you are interested in European & Alps touring, feel free to visit my web site…
http://www.ott.igs.net/~ace
And if you take part in local rides and clubs, there was a lady rider from Corsicana (south of Dallas), that I acted as a tour guide for, for the week we rode together till I had to head back. She did the rest of the tour on her own.
I’m happy you’ve experience what so many dream of.
September 2nd, 2006 at 9:20 am
Thank you for sharing such an amazing adventure. Your comments on everything from decompressing and second guessing vacations, to motorcycling, to enjoying life experiences makes your blog a true pleasure to read. Though I’ve never ridden, you make the experience incredibly appealing. Looking forward to reading about Tuscany or Scotland next year.
September 4th, 2006 at 8:56 am
Thanks to everyone who has posted comments. Clearly I am a novice motorcycle rider, but everyone has to start somewhere. This travelogue was a great way for me to process the millions of thoughts and feelings I experienced while on the back of the bike. I also had a chance to play around with the camera more than I have in years. I used to take a lot of pictures but just got too busy to do it much as a hobby anymore. Riding with Raye seems to give me that opportunity again.
As Bob so aptly noted in his comment: Raye should take up Fly Fishing, seems he’s already an expert at ’setting the hook’.
Very true. We just took a six-hour loop through the Buffalo National Forest in the Ozarks here in Arkansas this Labor Day weekend with friends. I met some interesting people and saw some beautiful sites along the way. Future post.
September 4th, 2006 at 10:57 pm
This was a great read — thanks for sharing it. I suspect it won’t be long before you get a bike of your own, though. As an Army brat who lived in Germany for nine years, this takes me back. Although, my view was from the back of an Oldsmobile, not a motorcycle. And MY playlist at the time would have been skewed more towards the Carpenters. Anyway, it was fun to read about what you were doing while away from (and obviously not worrying about) your MCG family.
October 12th, 2006 at 2:59 pm
Elise,
I really enjoyed the stories and pictures!
You need to post some photos from Arkansas now.
Bill