Marty and I took a week off to drive up to my family reunion which was at my sister Ann's cabin in Helmer Idaho this year. No kayaking happened this far inland, although if I wanted to take up white water kayaking there would have been opportunities. Lots of things go on at these family reunions that I don't approve of, like, or want to participate in. Most of these things revolve (literally) around internal combustion engines. Water skiing, jet skis, snow mobiles, dirt bike riding. I'm not fond of these sports because of the noise and smell of the engines, a problem I don't have with a kayak. But my brother Ralph is an avid dirt biker and drove off into Clearwater National Forest on Sunday afternoon. He came back late for dinner and apparently had a wonderful time. He told an exciting story about exploring a bunch of trails; Bumping down a railroad track looking over his shoulder for a train at every noise even though the track was out of service. Driving his motorcycle across a railroad trestle bridge over a creek and popping a wheelie in the middle of the bridge.
Listening to this story I had a revelation: Ralph likes to dirt bike for almost exactly the same reason that I kayak! First of all is the ability to explore beautiful places that would otherwise be difficult to get to. Then there is the challenge of pushing your limits and overcoming obstacles in your path. And there is that occasional thrill of danger. Ralph wears armor for his sport that also reminds me of mine; A special suit with heavy boots and gloves. Like a wetsuit, Ralph's suit is often hotter than he would like. And there is a helmet, of course. Yea, yea, I should wear a helmet when I go under arches or through caves When they can make silent electric dirt bikes, perhaps I will find that sport more attractive. Of course, Ralph has a bumper sticker that says "Loud Bikes Save Lives".