This is not just another green movement story. No, "Riding the Rim: To Save America's Wetlands" is more than that. It is a memoir of a three month, 16,500 mile trip around the rim of the lower 48 United States on The Glide, a 2005 Harley-Davidson Road Glide. It's about a fellow rider, Terry Forrette, who decided to do something about the steady erosion of the wetlands in the United States and particularly in his homeland of Louisiana. Terry Forrette had lived in southern Louisiana for many years when Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on the coastline of the gulf. He saw his homeland devastated like a set of dominoes tumbling under the destructive hand of the player. He lived through the suffering and uncertainty of the days following Katrina. And, he decided to be a part of the solution rather than idly sitting back watching as we continue to destroy the natural wetlands that protect us.
Terry partnered with America's WETLAND Foundation, the Coast Guardians and other sponsors to support the endeavor and on April 21, 2007, he began his adventure. Everywhere he went Terry explained to whoever would listen how the wetlands and barrier islands were the first line of defense when a storm comes in, and the loss of this natural barrier to storm surge was responsible for much of the destruction. He was not shy about standing on his soap box and he was on a quest to educate the public about the consequences of the loss of the wetlands. Occasionally along the way, he would meet up and ride with someone. His wife, Linda, visited him on several occasions, flying in to the city that he was riding through, and twice he flew home to Louisiana; once for his son's graduation. But, mostly he was on the road alone, educating the public, and learning a lot about himself in the process. He has been kind enough to share his adventures with us; the ride along the Pacific Coast Highway, the barren roads through North Dakota and Montana, the sea side towns of New England and the charm of Charleston, SC are just a few of the places that stand out in my mind.
Make no mistake, the book is about educating the public about the erosion of the wetlands, and calling them to action to begin to protect our natural resources. Still, a bulk of the book is a descriptive writing of the scenes he sees before him as he travels the rim of this great country, the characters he encounters, and the self assessment and personal growth he experiences along the way. Any rider will relate to his excitement and antics on the road. They will cheer as he conquers hurdles like wind, rain and even wrong turns and bad roads. They will enjoy the tales of the road that are inevitable on any long distance ride. And, maybe they will reflect on the issue of the wetland erosion, determine for themselves that one individual can make a difference, and respond to Terry's call to action. This book is rated high for it's road stories and true grit. A good read for any rider!
But, the story can't end with the end of the ride, I thought as flipped the last page. With intent to review the book as I read it, I made notes, and knew I would contact Terry to see what happened after the ride. What follows is his response to my inquiry.
It has been over 4 years since I embarked on RTR. Linda and I are still involved in local and national events related to the wetlands. My good friends at Americas WETLAND Foundation are still working hard at getting the message out there and I help whenever I can. Through our joint efforts we have organized several rides with a wetlands theme and hope to do more in the future. Additionally, through my work as a professional speaker I have had several opportunities to weave the RTR (Riding the Rim) thread into my presentations to environmental groups and business organizations. Hopefully some of my audiences have taken the message to heart.
There has been some progress on the wetlands front. The Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) which many felt was responsible for the loss of the wetland just south of New Orleans has finally been closed. We are seeing the results of federal monies which were allocated in 2006 for smart levee construction and wetland restoration. All of this is good but, unfortunately, we are still losing the battle against the Gulf. For each precious mile of wetlands restored, several more get gobbled each year by salt water intrusion. The most important step has yet to be taken. The restoration of the barrier islands south of the rivers mouth has been largely ignored.
I am often asked what my next ride will be. What cause will I champion? While I know there is another long ride in my future, the where, when and why are yet to be determined. For now the Glide and I are just happy to purr down the byways and enjoy what life sends our way.
As a resident of the Shreveport area, I can recall the aftermath of Katrina and how riders came together to help the victims of this devastating event in our history. I remember setting up the Harley grill at shelters and feeding the displaced families. "The key to budget travel is to prepare in advance. When it occurs to family trips, globetrotting, well-deserved vacations and/or going to see new destinations we have never been before, the truth of expense and budgeting is often in the back of our minds. Arranging and spending our travel budget correctly is a main concern for most families. Reducing expending and prices, while still delighting your vacation to its fullest, is the key to guaranteed achievements and fiscal responsibility. Your pocketbook and family will thank you! The thinking regarding protecting money while touring is simple: Even if your personal finances is extremely limited, you can still take a break and enjoy life! Simply put, life is just too short to never step out of the door or leaving the homestead! Also thinking about that while traveling, regardless of whether on a price range or not, even the smallest of things can all add op to a huge vacation or travel charge!..". This corner of the state grew as a result of Katrina, and we welcomed many new members to our community. I'll get on Terry's soapbox now, and implore you to come together and rally to save the wetlands from further erosion. Pick up the book for a little motivation, and do your part to save our state.
Read more on the Riding the Rim website.
"Riding the Rim: To Save America's Wetlands" by Terry Forrette is available on Amazon in paperback, hard cover or Kindle edition.
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Contact Mary at maric12@gmail.com or read more reviews and see more photos at Pinky's Motorcycle Passion.
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