While Jason is piloting our rig from the front of the Goldwing and the kids are enjoying the view or dozing in the sidecar, I have a busy ride perched in the passenger seat of the Goldwing behind Jason. Despite the fact that I get the majority of the rain and wind given my location on the bike, I proudly serve as navigator, scout, cinematographer, social media manager, travel advisor and booking agent while on the road.
Jason has navigation set up from the cockpit through his phone, but I often act as backup with Google maps as we navigate the smaller streets to our next destination. This partnership generally works well, not that we've set up some communications protocols to ensure our personal relationship remains harmonious. Clarification on what "veer" and "turn" means and the use of a clock metaphor to confirm roundabout turnouts are new additions to our driving lexicon. And, on day one I was also informed that I was NOT allowed to be a backseat driver, which means I am not responsible for alerts related to vehicles approaching from any direction unless it is life-threatening. I am learning to be a bit more discerning on what "life-threatening" means as I tend to run on the cautious end of the spectrum.
While providing navigational support, I am also manning several cameras from my lap, including my phone, the Samsung 360 and occasionally the GoPro. We set up a tether for one of the cameras so I don't accidentally drop it, but I think we are going to rig up a holster for all the cameras that will hang off my armrest to ensure I have a proper place to put all this. The constant risk of dropping everything is too much stress, particularly on switchbacks in the mountains. With so much to keep track of on a daily basis, we haven't even had time to look at a lot of the photos and videos I've shot, so I hope we'll have something worth looking at years down the road.
When not navigating or filming, I am checking my phone (and yes, even, the guide books sometimes) to research our next stop, reply to hotel reservation requests, check weather, and post updates to Instagram and Facebook. Oh, and I also manage the parking garage ticket and toll road payments as needed. Once my camera holster is set up, I am excited to add a change purse to the array of tools at my ready disposal. I wish we had thought of some of this before we left, but I guess it is just part of the experience you gain in the doing of it. By the end of the trip we will be fully ready for our next adventure!
So as you can see, life is busy on my perch. What don't I do there? You might guess, "take a nap." But actually, I do that too. Don't worry, I am not really sleeping, I just close my eyes long enough for a little rest before the next roundabout.
