Last Summer I was able to go on a unique road trip from St. Louis, Missouri to the Grand Canyon with my father before I matriculated to VMI. We went through some astounding environments and because we were on motorcycles, we were able to fully experience them. Had we went to the Grand Canyon in a car, it still would have been enjoyable and we would have been able to see the same places. However, the views on a motorcycle are much more open, the full effects of the environment tingle your senses, and the feeling of freedom as you ride along on the open road cannot be matched by an open car window.  Experiencing this road trip on a motorcycle brought the level of fun from decent to superb. It is definitely something that I believe everyone should experience.

The first part of our journey brought us across the open plains of Kansas. In terms of attractions there isn’t much to see across this flat, vast expanse of land. Our plan was to move across this plain with haste so we could get to more exciting areas awaiting us in Colorado and Arizona. However, even though this was our pre-existing assumption we ended up being taken by surprise. The seemingly dull plains showed there beauty in the distance we were able to see around us. It gave me a feeling of being out in the open in a land with no boundaries. This sense was enhanced even further because we were riding motorcycles. Without the confines of the car                        stifling us, we were set free, breathing the fresh air of the plains as it rushed past. We were feeling the vast expanse rather than just seeing it through a car window.

As we left the plains of Kansas we began to see a new environment: the mountains and valleys of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. We entered into the mountainous terrain, riding along roads where there were sheer drops into valleys. The only thing separating us from these drops was a small guard rail, which just didn’t seem quite up to the task of stopping anything from plunging straight into the valley. When we reached the tops of passes or at random points along the road, there would be viewpoints where you could see the peaks of other mountains, the valley floor, and sometimes the winding, twisting road as it continued down the mountain. Once we came down a mountain and into the valley, we could see all the mountains around us and anticipate the next journey along the snaking road, climbing another mountain and coasting into the next valley. The air around us was crisp and refreshing to breathe in, quite unlike the thick air of urban St. Louis. Being on motorcycles allowed us continues access to this unending supply of delight. This small yet significant stimulant would have gone unnoticed if we had traveled in a car. The mountains of Colorado were truly wondrous and were made even more so by being on motorcycles. Our ability to see and feel everything around us was truly remarkable.

Riding out of the mountains of Colorado brought us into the rugged desert terrain of Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. As we rode along the highway we could see to the horizon all around us, except for times when our view was blocked by sand cliffs. The cool and crisp mountain air had now become almost like a furnace. This heat at times was almost blistering. Our remedy was to keep moving through this arid land, letting the rush of the wind offer us some comfort. Our surroundings were still memorable, like the mountains of Colorado, only in a different manner. While the mountains were lush and green, some even having snow on their peaks, the desert was a glowing red color, like that of a sunset. The shapes of the cliffs and rocks also grabbed my attention. I remember one in particular. It looked like a sleeping giant lying flat in his back. Even in a seemingly miserable environment, there is still much to be seen. We just had to keep our eyes open.

This arid desert leads us to our final destination: The Grand Canyon. As I gazed into the trenches of the windy canyon for the first time, I was overwhelmed. I had of course seen pictures of it and thought it was magnificent. But at that moment, I realized that pictures and the “real thing” were totally separate matters. One prominent feature was its sheer size. My dad and I spent the entire day going to view points along the canyon and only managed to see the North Rim. It resembled a place that had been created for larger more powerful beings. As little humans, we could only look on in wonder and awe. From what I did see of the Grand Canyon, I concluded that to truly experience such an environment, it must be seen in person. Pictures just weren’t enough.

As we left the Grand Canyon and journeyed home, I became lost in my thoughts. As the road rushed by beneath my feet and the air whistled in my ears, I was contemplating what I had seen. From the towering Rocky Mountains to the depths of the Grand Canyon, I was able to see some of the most beautiful places North America had to offer and what a wonderful experience it was. My dad and I even had the privilege of completing the journey on motorcycles. Through this motorcycle journey, we saw more and felt more than ever would have been possible if we had taken a car.  These places will be around for many years to come and I would definitely want to visit them again, hopefully riding a motorcycle.