American Beauty?

At the onset of some of the most difficult times in American history, particular war times, we witness an increase in people expressing there love for this country. Everywhere you look you'd see "I love America" bumper stickers and other related swag. While the intention means well and it does create a sense of unity it seems that this gesture is enough while we go about our daily lives and don't really do the foot work to create a true bond on a national level, or a community level or sometimes even with your neighbor.
Now don't get me wrong, I love this country very much but that love is not for it's politics, it's leaders or it's "system". While we've experience both good and bad with the change of our leaders and their ideas, one thing remains constant, the land.
That is where my love comes from for this country, granted I have alot more to explore and I will. Standing on top of the 12,000 foot elevation of the Rockie Mountains, watching the sun set on the topography of  Bryce Canyon or seeing a full moon kiss the tops of the highest peaks in Zion Park makes it hard not to love The States. I've done some hiking in all of these places and with the beauty that mother nature offers, there also comes some danger.
I remember riding into the Black Hills in South Dakota on the bike and anticipating a great ride through the Needles Highway. The trees and mountains were so beautiful and I couldnt wait to get on the road that cut into the hills. As I got deeper into the Needles Highway the road began twisting more and getting narrower. The elevation was increasing and the higher I got the more dangerous the roads became. I found it a bit harder to relax and started to grip a bit tighter on to those handle bars. There were drop offs on one side of me that could have killed me if I didn't pay attention to the road.
So here I am in the middle of all this beauty and I am finding myself afraid for my life. Thats where the footwork comes in. These places are real, not Disney Land, they're not IMAX movies from the comfort of  a theater seat. If you choose to venture out into these places you need to respect them and tread lightly.
The landscape across the United States changes vastly in its many shapes and forms, it offers some beautiful views like nothing else. Their beauty is inviting and breath taking but be sure you're prepared for the dangerous aspects that may present themselves to you.
While we can never be sure of the intentions of political leaders or certain organized groups or even your neighbor. One thing will always be true and that is the land that makes up this country. With all its beauty comes it's equally harsh terrain but it's intent is never to harm. It has been there before us and will remain for quite some time after. It simply invites us in with open arms for us to explore and take a chance with the only true and constant element in this life.

“Nature never deceives us; it is always we who deceive ourselves” ~ Jacques Rousseau

Another day, another snow storm...

Hang in there fellow riders and show those bikes some love as they wait patiently for us to shred pavement soon.

Jim