At the beginning of my trip, I started through my first reading of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, by Robert Pirsig. It's my father's copy and it's a book I've wanted to read for a long time.

I didn't know much about the book, except that it's really more about philosophy than motorcycles, and that it was a 'journey' story, it seemed appropriate to me to read it on this trip. It also seemed to fit since I just bought my first old bike of my own. Well... it's an old scooter, but still.

Now that I'm about halfway through, it seems like an even better choice than I could've hoped. This is the longest amount of time I've ever spent away from home, and I'm expecting it'll change me a little... or a lot. I'm hoping it does.

I think I'll re-read this book many times before I die.