DDT (12)
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Posts: 4112
Sometimes ya just gotta go...
Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...
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« on: August 25, 2020, 08:49:11 AM » |
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The not officially advertised ‘Quad-State Ride’, held this time in Clinton, IA, was a tad smaller than typical events, but it had grown into something a bit larger than our hosts had anticipated… That was due in no small measure to the appearance of a couple of party-crashers who just happened to drop in… folks just like this often-unannounced ‘weed in the flower garden’. I’d not heard of this gala until Mitch casually mentioned it to me at the Yooper Ride. I’d agreed to meet him there, so he informed our hosts he’d be bringing a ‘guest’. They’d assumed exactly what he’d figured they would; that he’d meant he would be bringing his dearly beloved, Laura, and of course Bambi. Yep, the hosts were rather surprised when they found out otherwise. I was unsure how I might be received: If I’d be politely welcomed and tolerated or sternly commanded to leave (not really). Well, when Barbo ran the last several yards after figuring out who I was and gave me a great big hug, I knew the answer to that mystery! I’d been chatting with TP & Nancy who’d arrived just ahead of Don & Barbo, and they, too, had been surprised by my stealthy-fied appearance. Fact is, nobody had anticipated this bag of old bones might show up… But it was grand visiting with all who did make it. I got so carried away with all the goings on, that it never occurred to me to take even a single picture the entire time. I didn’t even get a shot of the curious Jed Clampett-esque ‘mobile firepit’ constructed by Don and brought with him in the trailer he pulled. It was clever, simple, and quite user-friendly. It really should be the subject of some photos, but alas… my bad. My good friend Steve (Blackdog) was there, so naturally we had several great conversations. JimC had ridden with him from Wisconsin, so he and I got to spend a little time together, also. That was the first time I’d seen Jim, ironically, since one of the BBQ rides we’d made together down in Florida… Funny how Valk riders do seem to get around… Speaking of getting around… At the Yooper ride Mitch had suggested we meet for the Quad-State Ride. He’d inquired if perhaps I was also thinking about the Michigan picnic upcoming… If so, he might want to ride with me from the Q-S Ride to the picnic the following weekend… Sounded good to me, as Mitch is always good company on a road trip, so the next ‘plan’ had been put in motion… That first night most of us visited the bar… yes, it was open! Throwing caution to the wind, most of us hugged and acted just like things were normal… For us, the overpowering bonds we all feel had taken priority, so things were, in fact, quite normal in that respect. A good time was had by all… And, yes, alcohol was involved… definitely in my case, anyway! I managed to get caught-up on any of my own partying deficiencies… Saturday was highlighted by the group ride… which I didn’t make. Nope, I had other pressing chores requiring my attention, so… I did get out briefly, though, as our girl transported her ravenously hungry partner to a nearby restaurant for some breakfast. My decisions were rewarded handsomely with some of the best biscuits and gravy I’ve had since leaving my mother’s table! (My mother’s cooking is the ‘gold standard’ by which I judge all other food preparation.) WOW! I may return to that town sometime just for another shot at those palate-pleasing morsels! The bacon, alas, was merely sensational, though, but that was to be expected. I mean… Well, I’ve only once ever had any disappointing bacon and that was several years ago . Heck, even the badly burnt bacon had actually been sort of good. The ‘extra crispy’ texture of that cooking fail had led to the breaking off of the left front crown of my two front teeth recently! I did some much-needed laundry while all my ‘family’ members were out scootering around being jolly and such, and then… Y’all might not believe this, but… I actually did take a nice, long nap! Yep, I really did. I hadn’t taken very many lately, so there was definitely some pent-up demand… therefore, I earnestly did what I could to address that deficit. I was, naturally, quite refreshed when the rest of our group returned, so I was completely ready to party again… ready and raring to go! Don brought out his ‘unique’ fire-pit/conversation piece, fuel was inserted and ignited, and presto… Just like that, a party catalyst was fully functioning. The usual ceremonial circle formed around this interesting looking combustion chamber… Predictably, all the smoke produced by the combustion process headed straight for my face, so I became the sacrificial outcast… social distancing was instinctively practiced… y’all are welcome! Dang, no matter the wind direction or my position, if a fire is going and I’m around… Still, lots of great stories got told, tales of past rides and events were shared, and a few confessions of seedy… no, just kidding. Nobody spilled the beans on any misdeeds by themselves or others. No red faces that evening, as our secrets were safe! All gatherings have things in common… There are, I suppose, logical and efficient ways of doing things, so those certainly do get practiced and repeated time and again. Still, all Valkyrie gatherings are also quite unique! The primary difference, of course, is the attendees. Each of our gatherings are special, and I’ve enjoyed every single one I’ve attended.
Perhaps the greatest similarity of all for Valk get-togethers is the absence of pretense and phony behaviors, exaggerated machismo, and the ‘hey look at me, ain’t I great’ syndrome. No, instead it’s the abundance of genuine good will and friendship all so freely given for the sake of ‘giving and sharing’ and not ‘taking’ or making an impression. It’s hard, for this inept student anyway, to accurately yet succinctly describe the very special qualities I find at these events or to explain just how downright good it makes me feel to be around such fine, ‘real’ people. Some of the credit must go to the leadership, as they create the atmosphere, tone, and venue for events. The attendees themselves, though, always seem to be the sort who enjoy just hanging around with like-minded folks who have nothing to prove, nobody to impress, and no posturing impulses to satisfy; rather, they simply enjoy each other’s company. We all got what we came for!!! Thanks, Don & Barb, y’all done really good! This ‘gift’ just kept on giving… Perhaps I need to say a word or two of explanation about that ‘gift’ I refer to… However, this piece is already getting more than a wee bit long, so… next time, I think… sometime for sure… probably… DDT
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