The Mindset of the Move!

Late in October 2011, I received the news (via the web). The longstanding motorcycle dealership in Portland, OR, where I was employed, was closing it's doors. Although not a big surprise, after almost eight years of service, a phone call would have been nice.

The motorcycle industry being what it is these days (in a general downturn), my options were limited. Having been the PDX location for  Motoquest Tours and witnessing the rapid growth the company was experiencing, I decided to reach out to them to see what transpired. I had met Phil Freeman (owner/operator) only once shortly before PMC closed. Although the encounter was brief, I was left with a positive impression! The email sent was short and to the point, letting Phil & Co. I had the skills, attributes and ambition needed to be an asset to the Motoquest team. A couple of weeks passed before I received a reply. What a reply it was! The stars must have been aligned in my favor. Phil wrote, "you are my very first choice", sharing that he had already had me in his sights for the Service Manager position! Follow-up included a couple more emails culminating with a phone conversation when the deal was sealed with a virtual handshake!

The realization slowly set in. I had about 3 1/2 months to prepare. As previously related, I found information and inspiration by reading blogs and ride reports of others. Experiencing Alaska and Atacama, and all roads in between, as lived by adventurers on motorbikes was all the allure I needed.

There was much to be considered. The fact that I've never really moved away from my chosen home town area since settling here in the late 1960s occurred to me. My family and friends absolutely entered the picture. What do I do with "Senor" the sun conure that has lived with me for 10+ years? The logistics of owning a home in absentia. One by one, I've sorted through any mental land mines that might disuade me from what has become a sense of destiny. The dice are rolled!