Guy Boutin's Motorcycle Touring and Travel Pages

Adventures in Sport Touring with the Honda ST 1100, 1300 and the BMW 1200RT

Exploring North America...One Road at a Time

Day 8
August 8th, 2003
West Chester, Pennsylvania    

Morning was hectic around my Uncle's house today, and sleeping late was out of the question.  My cousins were busy helping my Aunt get ready for later company.  Most notably my Uncle Albert (NYC), and assorted cousins.  Uncles, Eddie and Freddie have been deceased many years but their children are still in the NY area.  I was looking forward to seeing them again.

Both my mother and father came from large families.  It is my guess I have over 50 cousins scattered all over the country.  

Michelle (cousin) invited me to ride to the grocery store with her to pick up a few last minute items.  She left the kids with their father and we took off.  A few items turned out to be 100 bucks worth of stuff, I insisted on paying, but asked her not to tell her daddy.  This whole gala is on my account and I felt like I needed to do something, I also wanted to do a little something for all the times I've crashed at their house over the years.

Things were really rolling when we got back to the house.  The ladies were busy padding out hamburgers and kids were romping everywhere.  My Uncle invited me out to fly a few model airplanes.  Uncle Boots has flown model airplanes over 40 years.  I remember visiting his home when I was a boy and becoming mesmerized when I looked in his work shop.  He had ALL the WWII planes hanging from his ceiling.  My daddy and I would follow Boots and Russ to the school yard to watch him fly (radio control).  It was awesome.  Many of those planes are still in service and flyable.

We loaded 2 airplanes and took off.  We spent a couple of hours buzzing the neighborhood.  It was fun.  My Uncle said-

"we better get back, Albert will be here soon"

A few minutes after we returned, 2 cars full of Boutins landed in the driveway.

Uncle Albert is 98 and still lives alone in Brooklyn.  Boots and Albert are the only 2 left from my dad's family of 9 (includes grandfather and mother).  I lost my father in 1989 in a car accident, and a few years later my aunt died, leaving the oldest and youngest in the family, as the only survivors.

I was reintroduced to a number of lost cousins.  A few of them were in their 50s. 

I sat on the deck and took a long look at the folks around me.  My aunts and uncles from both sides of my family, look tired and old now.  Somehow I never thought they would grow old.  My mother is one of 10 children, and I'm losing one a year.  I could not help but think this will be the last time, ALL of us will be gathered, the next time we meet, it could be because someone is no longer with us.  I do not dwell on such thoughts, and turn my attention to the here and now.  When I was 8 years old, my uncles were young and vibrant, playing football with us and, hiding Easter eggs.  

Over the last few years, the ST has reunited me with far away family members.  There is no ride more  important, than going to see family.  My bike has dutifully carried me to see old friends and to make new ones.  The ST now sits in the driveway, dirty and dingy after 3,000 miles of road. He sleeps peacefully, like a dog waiting for his master, patiently awaiting the next call.  He cares not where we might go, only that he is going.  I know it sounds crazy, but I sometimes I forget my bike is nothing more then a bunch of nuts and bolts.  

I was blessed by having such a large extended family.  Because Chris is a only child, I've always encouraged him to be active with his extended family.

When we left Virginia, my family entertained the notion of moving to NYC, down the street from my Aunt and Uncles.  Just think, I could have "toikin lik dis", instead of "tawkin lack this heah".  My dad made a "Hoback Junction", decision at the time.  The left turn back to NY to the known and comfortable, or the right turn to Alabama, with the promise of milk, honey and low taxes, but with the specter of the unknown.

The right turn proved to be a wise one.  My family prospered, and here I am.  Thanks dad, for recognizing we needed to change our circumstances, and for having the courage to try something different.

We partied till 10pm and then everyone went home, or to bed.  I excused myself to check my equipment.  Tomorrow is a short ride.  I'm heading to DC for more family obligations.  My young niece and nephew are anxiously waiting for my return after a 2 year hiatus.  They became quite disjointed when I went straight home last year from here, failing to stop and see them.  I have no intention of doing such this time.  I am in NO mood for a 1,000 mile ride.  My plan is a slow ride through the mountains, and spending the night in Gatlingburg.

I'll be in no rush tomorrow, and plan to sleep in.

Next- short ride to Washington DC