Entering a small valley west of Hwy 97,I recall that midday sun had changed the shadows of the trees lining the road. A few minutes later I would be cresting the hill ahead. I recall, too, there was a slight colour shift as if someone turned the intensity knob on the surrounding scenery. Then it happened, an experience that would alter forever my perception the symbiosis of man, machine, and life in general.
As if in a dream, I hovered briefly high above the Beemer looking directly down on the rider- me! There was no feeling of fear or disorientation, in fact, the unusual part of the episode was that it felt calming and natural. Ahead, over the rise, I could see from my vantage point above the bike that a logging truck had overturned, scattering its load along the road. It hadn't come to a rest yet; the truck was on its right side, sliding, while disgorging logs in all directions. Then I was back on the bike, ascending the grade and approaching the crest.
Immediately, I slowed and shifted down to 4th, 3rd 2nd in rapid succession. I crested the hill and still had to brake to avoid a log that was crosswise in the middle of my lane. There was no path around the obstacles, the shoulder was blocked, and both lanes were impassable. The driver of the truck was pulling himself out of the cab- the accident had happened a moment before I arrived. The driver had minor injuries and was concerned about getting flares out to warn approaching drivers, which we did immediately. He marvelled that I avoided hitting the logs. I was still sorting it out .
All manner of conjecture and explanations have been offered. ESP, clairvoyance, good vibrations, a figment a fatigued mind- I reject none of these out of hand, they may all be part of it. I only know what occurred and I can add that similar things have happened since, although not as dramatic. And, they have occurred under similar circumstances.
The motorcycle is probably just another door amongst experience the other side. Yet in this scenario it was experience the other side. Yet in this scenario it was me, a beloved machine, and a blissful ride that opened my perception to wider possibilities and lead write these lines:
Questions, so many questions
And in their answering
The awesome suggestions
Of more and better questions.
Against The Clock Ron Ayers p 225-6