When a baby bee is hatched, actually eats it’s way out of its cell, it crawls around getting to know it’s family. Who is who, where the food is, the the nursery, that kind of thing. When it is comfortable with the hive, it is time to fly off onto the big, exciting dangerous world. To do this, the young take what are known as “orientation flights”.
I have watched them outside the hives in my yard. The fuzzy young poking their heads out of the hive entrance and wiggling their antennas about. If all seems well, they launch themselves into the air. Their first flight is strictly vertical, about a foot up and then quickly back to the safety of the entrance. Then they do it again, two feet this time, then three, then six, then twenty.
It is not because they are being cautious about the world and taking baby steps. They are measuring. They are seeing just where their homes are in relation to everything else so that they can always find it again, no matter how far they eventually adventure seeking sweet nectar and pollen, they will know. They will never get lost. They are mapping it out. (In fact it is said that moving a hive more than two feet from it’s original base can prove too disorienting to a hive and can be its undoing).
I think Oakley and I are out here orientating ourselves, like the bees. We are measuring the world around us, gleefully filling up on new sights and experiences, but always checking and rechecking how to get home. I may not be a baby, but in this huge world, I feel like I am. There is just so much.
We finished our trip today. It was a long, difficult, hilly 60 miles with a fierce headwind chasing yesterday’s storm on up and out of the Champlain valley. My thigh muscles feel twitchy and Oaks looks exhausted, but after 9 days and 450 miles, we are full and ready to go home. (I think this lake is all uphill.)
We have learned on our orientation flight that the world is still a beautiful place despite the fact that it can be ruthless. We have remembered what a good team we are and that we are truly lucky to have each other. We have learned that we both become stronger in many ways when we simply have to be. We have learned how much we have both grown up since last year.
Thank you for reading our stories. Writing helps me make sense of it all. Thank you for your comments, they make us feel supported in the most difficult of times. They make us want to be better. Oakley and I are incredibly lucky and privileged and once again I feel like Frederick the Mouse, full of beauty to last the winter through, until next year’s ride..across Utah?
My husband will pick is up tonight and escort us back to our hive. I miss my hive mates and long to preen everybody’s antennas to get the news. One more night by the side of this beautiful lake back on the Vermont side. One more swim. One more disgusting meal.
I wish everybody well. Time to go feed Oakley.
congratulations! well done. whatta trip! thanks for telling us your stories. i luv your bee metaphor. hang in keep going. i’ll always read your stories.
Lovely piece of writing! At first I thought you were heading towards saying that Oakley was leaving the nest. Some of us drones have been stuck in the hive so long we are wingless.
This post reminded me of my sister in law, who has created a database of every living thing in her yard during covid. Her list is ever growing and ever fascinating to her. What a great journey, Leah, for both you and Oakley.
I enjoy the writing and the stories very much, your brother,
Daniel, introduced your efforts to me. It seems quite an interesting family.
What a pleasure once again to read this account, Leah! It’s transporting and full of little nuggets of awareness and wisdom. Thanks for sharing.
Yep, I told you it was hilly! 🙂 Congrats and have a good trip back home!
So happy to have you back again. What a ride!
That went by so quickly (probably not for you :-)! Thanks, once again, for your wonderful writing. It’s a beautiful eve in PA after yesterday’s storm, so I wish the same for you & Oakley, this last night under the stars together.
Always a pleasure, always insightful in a way that has me looking inward as well as outward looking for a true heartbeat! Thank you!
So glad you had this summer adventure together and shared it with us!
Dear Leah,
Wish mike and i knew you were making this trip from Portland to Lake Champlain because we would have tried to meet you and Oakley in the Lake Champlain area. Last year we moved to Shelburne, VT. To be closer to two families. We are in awe of your bike trips and your beautiful writing. Take care and stay well. In peace, Mary Donnelly
I so enjoy your adventures, thank you for sharing. It gives me something to think about. Best Wishes to you and yours. KK
Such a treat to read about your adventures. Welcome back.
I have enjoyed reading your posts on your cross country marathon and on your most recent trip so much. You are a terrific writer, I hope you turn your experiences with your journey with Oaks into a book. You and Oaks have enjoyed an unusual and unforgettable experience together and created unique memories. Congratulations!🍾
Wonderful. Congratulations.
Amazing job Oakley and anty Leah!
Leah and Oakly
Thanks for taking us with you. It was inspiring and energizing. Looking forward to seeing back in the hive.
Wonderful writing! Thank you for sharing more of your adventures and experience trekking with Oakley!
Glad your buzzing around went well – safe driving by car back home!
Utah was a big part of one of my favorite trips. If you decide to go there next, you won’t be disappointed. You might run out of superlatives, though.
Glad you made it back and are healthy and happy. Thanks so much for allowing us to tag along.
You two are amazing and I fell privileged to be able
To read the story of your journey . Thank you for sharing . Wishing you
Many more happy adventures. E joy your hive.
Another wonderful, awe inspiring trip. You are a great writer… I loved reading every episode. Welcome back to the rock.
It’s been a pleasure to read your journey day by day. Thank you for sharing it. I will miss the daily reading but can’t wait for the sequel.
Thanks, as always, for a little dose of Leah – always does my heart good:)
We just missed you – we were driving home from backpacking in the white mountains and came through Franconia notch around the same time you guys were there:) Hugs from NJ
Finally found time to read the last few posts. Glad you had a safe and successful trip. I sure enjoy reading about yours and Oakley’s adventures. Sounds like you have a wonderful Mother/Son relationship. Congratulations on all your successes and thanks for sharing them with the rest of us!!
Thank you for sharing your “buzz” with so many of us. It has been such a pleasure for me to share, happily only through the written page, your hard work pedaling up mountains and seeing the beautiful scenery as the two of you have your wonderful trips. Thanks so much. I’m looking forward to Utah.