April 28, 2016

As I ride along north out of Livingstone, Zambia I’m listening to Red Dirt music from home — Turnpike Troubadours, Josh Abbott, Rob Baird, Whiskey Myers. It feels a bit odd listening to Texas music while riding through these small African towns where I am the only white face and the only motorcycle, but it also has some comfort to it. I’m thinking of the answer to a question I’ve been asked several times over the past few months: What do I miss about home? 

The short answer is “not much”. I’ve adapted to this lifestyle, and I don’t feel like I’m lacking or needing anything in particular. But to be fair, if I think about what makes me happy and comfortable, there are a few things I miss. 

1. My buddy Dexter. My cat is incredibly cool, and a great friend. He acts more like a dog than a cat sometimes, which is okay. He loves to hang out in the shop or garage and be around bikes. And he loves people. 
2. A couch. Ok, my couch. A couch that I can really just plop down on, put my feet up and be comfortable. Yeah, I’ve sat on couches since I left home. But they’re not the same as the couch you call your own…the one you come home to every night. I had this brown leather chair that was really comfortable. I sold almost everything I owned before leaving home, but I kept that chair. I’m looking forward to sitting in it again some day. 
3. My guitar. Odd, since I haven’t played in a couple of years. I didn’t realize I missed this until about the twelfth time through the Turnpike Troubadours album, when I realized that I had most of the chords to the songs figured out and just wanted to sit and strum along. 

So if I could sit on my couch with my guitar and Dex, I’d be good. But honestly, right now, it would only take a week or two before I’d be missing the road again. I may have to re-think the trip….a sidecar would allow Dexter and the guitar to come along. The couch, well, that’s gonna have to stay home.