glenfiddich
TravelsWithBarley.com
Today we hit 20F above zero, a major event after a week of 20 and 30 below temps. In northern Vermont this time of year we can only dream about adventures to come, and thanks to the shop woodstove get the bikes ready for the upcoming season. Repairs and modifications to the sidecar rig are done but for the multiple coats of carnauba wax it gets every winter. Wax on, wax off...with thoughts of scenic routes to Des Moines. Two dogs keep me company as I work. Tulliver, the devoted service dog that he is, hovers over me every time I lay on the shop floor to work under the rig. Glenlivet, not quite 18 months old and still in training, shoves a ball into my ear and wags happily as I get the rig ready for 2018.
I'm not sure which dog I'll take to Des Moines. Tulliver, at eight years old, is slowing down and loves his creature comforts...yet is absolutely devoted to me and takes his service dog duties very seriously. Do I take the old dog and ask that he endure the heat and humidity for two weeks...or once the snow melts do I make a concerted effort to train the pup and take him on the first of several adventures that most dogs can't even dream about? And if I take Glenlivet, will Tulliver's feelings be hurt?
The ride to the national (and then to the RA rally on the way home) will be my first retirement ride, the first time in my entire life I haven't had to rush home to return to work. The very thought intrigues me. Where before we had to press on no matter how miserable the conditions, now we will have the option of sitting tight and waiting for the storm or heat wave to pass. To linger in a region we find particularly appealing.
No matter which dog is at my side, I'm so looking forward to seeing my extended BMW family again! To sharing with friends a fine bottle of Scotch.
Pete and Tulliver
(or Glenlivet)
I'm not sure which dog I'll take to Des Moines. Tulliver, at eight years old, is slowing down and loves his creature comforts...yet is absolutely devoted to me and takes his service dog duties very seriously. Do I take the old dog and ask that he endure the heat and humidity for two weeks...or once the snow melts do I make a concerted effort to train the pup and take him on the first of several adventures that most dogs can't even dream about? And if I take Glenlivet, will Tulliver's feelings be hurt?
The ride to the national (and then to the RA rally on the way home) will be my first retirement ride, the first time in my entire life I haven't had to rush home to return to work. The very thought intrigues me. Where before we had to press on no matter how miserable the conditions, now we will have the option of sitting tight and waiting for the storm or heat wave to pass. To linger in a region we find particularly appealing.
No matter which dog is at my side, I'm so looking forward to seeing my extended BMW family again! To sharing with friends a fine bottle of Scotch.
Pete and Tulliver
(or Glenlivet)
