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Author Topic: A Pair To Draw To...  (Read 2172 times)
DDT (12)
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Posts: 4114


Sometimes ya just gotta go...

Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...


« on: December 04, 2021, 08:19:21 PM »

A 'Pair' To Draw To...

The first day of this outing had been absolutely near perfect, and the following two were pretty much the same. Those last two, however, were a bit milder, and on the third I actually had to pull over and shed a layer... even open the jacket vents for a while... Never hot, but way too warm with everything on and buttoned up! By late afternoon, however, those vents had to be mostly reclosed, but no additional layers ever had to be added back.

Ahhh, right where I'd wanted to be... Only a short ride to the rendezvous spot in Decatur, AL, the next day... and the feast that would be an integral part of the ceremony to be held at CF Penn's hamburger emporium. Man, it just doesn't get much better than that! Friends, fellowship, good burgers (to me anyway), and the return of my well-fitting socks... I've missed them more than I'd thought I would...

Wonder if Jim had them washed, etc... He's a Marine, ya know, and those guys don't consider any garment even modestly soiled unless it's been worn for at least a month... Oh, I did decide to have his socks washed... Actually, it was my daughter... She'd asked if I had anything needing such, so I just included Jim's with my other stuff... No, I'm not a Marine...

That third day was the longest of the three, but still not all that long. It only seemed so because we'd taken all back roads, missed a turn (what's new, huh), and gotten a somewhat later than appropriate start. When punching a clock is never in the planning mix, these things sometimes happen... Oh well...

What a great ride it was, though! Dang, I find it hard to believe at such times that I ever take any time off at all!!! Just endless riding through scenic, rural countryside along nice roads in great weather... towards CF Penn's palace of palatery joy! Yep, I'm definitely going to have to do lots more of this!!!

I wonder how Jim & Suzanne's ride is going...? Possible rain sprinkles for them, it appears... More likely on their return, though. I should be OK, coming from the south, but who knows... Like I've said before, I just don't trust those forecasters any more... Wonder if anybody else might show up? No one at all has said anything, so... I dunno... I reckon we'll see...

At the moment I'm contemplating our tire air pressure situation... I know we need a few pounds, and I do have the gizmo to attend that deficiency quite handily... On the other hand, that would mean riding the remainder of the day with a discharged power pack.

We'd most likely be just fine, but... there is a truck stop right next door to this motel, and I'm confident they will have an air pump station... It'll be pricey, of course, but... We'd still have an emergency charge available with our super duper universal gizmo! OK, time to load up and go see if anybody else will show...

I rode up in a light drizzle pretty much all the way. Just barely enough to keep the roadway moist with a little spray easily avoided by socially distancing our girl from other travelers. More of a nuisance than anything, really... OK, normally I'd have just stayed in for even something that minor, but we didn't have far to go, and others just might also arrive. I do have my reputation to protect, ya see...

I arrived early, but two 'camp' type chairs were on the expanded covered entryway, so I perched my fanny in one of those and commenced pondering. Big Wolf and CB, pulled up in their cage, and... Holy Cow! Somebody did make it after all! Jerry and Mural then joined me out of the by then almost unnoticeable precip. We had a very nice chat, even got to chat with some locals who also found humor in being such dedicated patrons.

picture to url

At four minutes to the appointed hour (1pm), a decision had to be made... Either we would go inside and begin our meal, or this hapless dude would have to be restrained in irons... Mercifully, the call to enter had been made...

I ordered my usual three, but later had another one added to the tab. Jerry and Mural had their choices, but I didn't really notice what those were. Half an hour later my phone rings, and it was Slacker... "Where am I?", he pitifully inquired... Well, you ain't here but we are, came my reply... I proceeded to give him final directions, and he and Suzanne arrived in a few minutes.

We had a very nice visit talking about this and that, then we retired to the
'front porch' for further discussions... That's where it happened... I need to correct a few things said earlier... No, I dined only upon burgers, but I probably should have had a helping of crow, too. Anyway...

I said before that Jim is a Marine... then I made that statement about soiled clothes, etc. Well, I now would like to add that Marines are also prone to exceed expectations by going above and beyond and out of their way to take care of others. Jim is a good Marine!

I pulled out his recently washed pair of folded socks from my jacket and handed them to Jim... He then walked over to his Wing and retrieved a rectangular shaped object wrapped in gift paper... I peeled away the wrapping and there was a package containing six pairs of rather sturdy looking socks! I was blown away! Next time we travel together, I may claim to lose drawers or even jeans... We made the swap…





To most that may not seem like much, but to this infrequent recipient of thoughtful, generous gifts, it was very special and it came from a good friend, too... all the more special! Dang, no misty eyes or anything, but I was indeed moved...

I’ll take quality over quantity anytime, and today was an excellent example of why I might say such a thing.… Talk about a pair of pairs to draw to!!!



I returned to the same motel I’d stayed in the evening before, and I even got the same room again. I left those socks out so I could look at them now and then… and ponder about this day… and another six pairs now to consider... Ya know, for a loner, I sure do have lots of friends!

DDT

« Last Edit: December 07, 2021, 03:05:52 AM by DDT » Logged

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See ya down the road...
Rams
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Posts: 16285


So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out

Covington, TN


« Reply #1 on: December 04, 2021, 08:46:32 PM »

Some folks are blessed.   In my humble opinion, you'd be one of those folks.  Enjoy the ride.

Rams   cooldude
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VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.

Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
DDT (12)
Member
*****
Posts: 4114


Sometimes ya just gotta go...

Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...


« Reply #2 on: December 06, 2021, 05:00:26 AM »

Some folks are blessed.   In my humble opinion, you'd be one of those folks.  Enjoy the ride.

Rams   cooldude




Ron,

Well sir, I can't argue with you on any of that! Proud to be here still being me!!! Reckon I'll just have to keep it all up... Among my very best blessings, though, has been the learning of my not being a loner after all... I do appreciate all my friends, and adventures that include others usually turn out to be among the very best ones... I do love it so...

DDT




“No curbside after dark” ? What do they do with it ? Roll it up ?

Yes, you do have lots of friends ! (And deservedly so)  cooldude





Rob,

When I lived there as a teenager... My contemporaries and I all thought they did indeed roll them up at night... right along with the sidewalks! Not much nightlife back then for energetic youths, well, none provided anyway. We did manage to make some mischief ourselves, however... Sometime I'll have to tell of our adventures on the town water tower...

As with Rams, I surely can't argue with you about the friends thing. Hard to believe things have unfolded so differently than I'd envisioned twenty years ago! I do like the way things are, however...

DDT
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See ya down the road...
thedon
Administrator
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Posts: 512


Wisconsin State Rep.

Watertown Wisconsin


« Reply #3 on: December 09, 2021, 03:42:30 PM »

Great story Bruce, Jim & Suzanne are the best. And now your feet will be happy.
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Thunderbolt
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Posts: 3725


Worthington Springs FL.


« Reply #4 on: December 09, 2021, 04:45:25 PM »

Bruce he is a good friend indeed as those are the very brand of socks that I prefer at this point in my life.  They are less man made stuff and more cotton.  I have found that colored socks make my feet quite odiferous so stick to white 99 percent of the time.
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DDT (12)
Member
*****
Posts: 4114


Sometimes ya just gotta go...

Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...


« Reply #5 on: December 10, 2021, 05:47:20 AM »

Great story Bruce, Jim & Suzanne are the best. And now your feet will be happy.



Don,

Thanks, ol' buddy, and I agree, they are the best sort of friend! Hard to imagine going-in all the good things that would come that day and the following couple when I spotted Jim at the meet-up place near Lebanon, TN, early that dreary morning. It turned into another of those 'gifts that keep on giving', though, as we met again at Penn's for the socks exchange a week or so later... Having Suzanne along was a bonus, as was having Big Wolf & CB there as well. It has often been said that I am a very blessed and/or most fortunate guy... Ain't it so!!!

DDT



Bruce he is a good friend indeed as those are the very brand of socks that I prefer at this point in my life.  They are less man made stuff and more cotton.  I have found that colored socks make my feet quite odiferous so stick to white 99 percent of the time.




Terry,

Thanks for the info! I didn't know any of that, so... now I do! When I tried them on shortly after acquiring them, I was pleasantly surprised with their comfort... and I was really pleased that they fit!!! Need to do some long rides over time to properly evaluate them, but so far, I feel like I clearly got the better end of this deal!!! The ones those replaced were approaching vintage status, so... I would have been needing new ones anyway... Yep, I made out like a bandit, I reckon!

Whenever I ride around central and/or north Florida, I can't help but recall rides you and Iris made with this trekker. Most of the BBQ joints in those areas were tried at one time or other by us, and way too many laughs and great conversations were had to ever hope to remember all of them! At least I have a large trove of memories to reflect upon, though, and I thank you both for your role in their creation!!! I hope to see y'all again at some point... Lots of catching up to do!

DDT
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Don't just dream it... LIVE IT!

See ya down the road...
..
Member
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Posts: 27796


Maggie Valley, NC


« Reply #6 on: December 11, 2021, 11:03:21 AM »

You have metal valve stems fitted? If so why are you losing air?
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DDT (12)
Member
*****
Posts: 4114


Sometimes ya just gotta go...

Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...


« Reply #7 on: December 12, 2021, 04:57:39 AM »

You have metal valve stems fitted? If so why are you losing air?



Paul,

Yes, and I dunno... I do have metal stems installed by Troutdude. I can't recall ever owning a set of tires, though, that did not lose at least a few pounds of air over their lifespans. I normally fill them to 45 psi, then check them now and then, especially if steering becomes a bit 'firmer', as it always does when lowered pressure in the tires occurs. I don't do anything until the psi level drops below 40 psi, then I add back to 45 or so.

Nothing sudden was going on there... I'd just noticed the steering had gradually become a wee bit sluggish, so I knew what was going on, I'd thought. I was right, by my standards not the manufacturers, so I added air. No leaks or nail/screw heads were obvious, so I just chalked it up to normal long-term leakage... This 'top-off' should get us to the next tire replacement... If not, then a more thorough exam of the tire will be in order...

DDT
« Last Edit: December 12, 2021, 05:55:36 AM by DDT » Logged

Don't just dream it... LIVE IT!

See ya down the road...
Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005
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Posts: 13833


American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God.

Beautiful east Tennessee ( GOD'S Country )


« Reply #8 on: December 12, 2021, 08:39:28 AM »

You have metal valve stems fitted? If so why are you losing air?



Paul,

Yes, and I dunno... I do have metal stems installed by Troutdude. I can't recall ever owning a set of tires, though, that did not lose at least a few pounds of air over their lifespans. I normally fill them to 45 psi, then check them now and then, especially if steering becomes a bit 'firmer', as it always does when lowered pressure in the tires occurs. I don't do anything until the psi level drops below 40 psi, then I add back to 45 or so.

Nothing sudden was going on there... I'd just noticed the steering had gradually become a wee bit sluggish, so I knew what was going on, I'd thought. I was right, by my standards not the manufacturers, so I added air. No leaks or nail/screw heads were obvious, so I just chalked it up to normal long-term leakage... This 'top-off' should get us to the next tire replacement... If not, then a more thorough exam of the tire will be in order...

DDT
Get a spray bottle with dish soap and water wet the entire tire down making sure to get around the rim and valve stem. If its  leaking air anywhere you will know by the bubbles.
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I've seen alot of people that thought they were cool , but then again Lord I've seen alot of fools.
DDT (12)
Member
*****
Posts: 4114


Sometimes ya just gotta go...

Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...


« Reply #9 on: December 12, 2021, 01:49:42 PM »

Joe,

Thanks for the advice... Good to know you're still riding around helping folks! Sorry I'll have to miss your big ride south. After 12/28, however, I'll be free if you're still out or if you'd like to do another road trip... I'll see ya when I see ya!!! I do hope that'll be before MY ashes need to be spread, though...   Wink

DDT
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Don't just dream it... LIVE IT!

See ya down the road...
Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005
Member
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Posts: 13833


American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God.

Beautiful east Tennessee ( GOD'S Country )


« Reply #10 on: December 12, 2021, 04:43:53 PM »

Joe,

Thanks for the advice... Good to know you're still riding around helping folks! Sorry I'll have to miss your big ride south. After 12/28, however, I'll be free if you're still out or if you'd like to do another road trip... I'll see ya when I see ya!!! I do hope that'll be before MY ashes need to be spread, though...   Wink

DDT

Pretty sure we'll still be wandering around the Sunshine State on the 29 th .  Give us a yell maybe we can hook up somewhere  cooldude
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I've seen alot of people that thought they were cool , but then again Lord I've seen alot of fools.
DDT (12)
Member
*****
Posts: 4114


Sometimes ya just gotta go...

Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...


« Reply #11 on: December 13, 2021, 04:06:40 AM »

Joe,

Thanks, my friend, I'll do just that. I'll be in Montgomery doing a urologist thing, so I'll be up for a ride afterward to... either celebrate good indications or possibly deal with sad news or mere setbacks... Either way, however, I envision adult beverages being necessary to handle the news! We won't know the actual 'tale-of-the-tape' then, of course, as test results will take some time to be analyzed and evaluated... Indications will likely be known, though, so...

If I understand your crew composition correctly, any meet-up we could arrange would be an interesting 'group counseling' opportunity, so that is definitely something for this poser to look forward to and eagerly anticipate!!! You do understand that by including me in the mix, on the other hand, the possibility of long duration road tripping will be liberally tossed around, so be prepared to deal with temptation in large doses!

DDT
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Don't just dream it... LIVE IT!

See ya down the road...
..
Member
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Posts: 27796


Maggie Valley, NC


« Reply #12 on: December 13, 2021, 05:53:55 AM »

How long can an oxygen tube be from an oxygen generator?

Asking for a friend  Grin
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DDT (12)
Member
*****
Posts: 4114


Sometimes ya just gotta go...

Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...


« Reply #13 on: December 13, 2021, 06:11:58 AM »

How long can an oxygen tube be from an oxygen generator?

Asking for a friend  Grin



Paul,

Sorry, ol' buddy, but anything technical is way out of my wheelhouse... There are, however, a couple of folks on here who have successfully grappled with that very issue... O2S comes immediately to mind, so perhaps they can offer something.

I realize your question may be more 'tongue-in-cheek' than seriously serious, but the thought of you (or your friend) being able to road trip this soon is exciting! Should I be looking at possible rendezvous locations for us to hook-up and seek together to intercept Joe and his band of merry makers? Now that would absolutely produce a story very much worth telling!!!   Grin

DDT
« Last Edit: December 13, 2021, 06:13:30 AM by DDT » Logged

Don't just dream it... LIVE IT!

See ya down the road...
..
Member
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Posts: 27796


Maggie Valley, NC


« Reply #14 on: December 13, 2021, 06:26:21 AM »

How long can an oxygen tube be from an oxygen generator?

Asking for a friend  Grin



Paul,

Sorry, ol' buddy, but anything technical is way out of my wheelhouse... There are, however, a couple of folks on here who have successfully grappled with that very issue... O2S comes immediately to mind, so perhaps they can offer something.

I realize your question may be more 'tongue-in-cheek' than seriously serious, but the thought of you (or your friend) being able to road trip this soon is exciting! Should I be looking at possible rendezvous locations for us to hook-up and seek together to intercept Joe and his band of merry makers? Now that would absolutely produce a story very much worth telling!!!   Grin

DDT

I'm going to be oxygen tethered at home for 2 ? 3? 4? weeks.

Hooray for the internet, Amazon video, Netflix etc. It's going to drive me a little nutso but what is my alternative?

Cry and stamp my feet?

Did a little of that in the hospital when I had to persuade them that using a portable commode next to the bed WAS NOT an option when a longer O2 tube was all I needed to be able the en-suite restroom for more important business.  Cheesy
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DDT (12)
Member
*****
Posts: 4114


Sometimes ya just gotta go...

Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...


« Reply #15 on: December 13, 2021, 07:12:56 AM »

Paul,

Gotcha! I figured as much... oh well... Before I forget to mention it, I admire the way you stuck to your guns on the portable commode usage... I'd hate to even contemplate such an exercise, let alone actually try to execute one! As for a ride together... I just hope you and your friend get well soon and completely. Our special community misses both of you!!!   Wink 

DDT
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Don't just dream it... LIVE IT!

See ya down the road...
Binkie
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Posts: 226


Binkie from the holler

Vonore Tn


« Reply #16 on: December 15, 2021, 06:34:30 AM »

Paul…..my mom had one at home……it had like a 100 ft tube that allowed her to move anywhere inside her home. She used a portable tank to get out of the house. Glad to hear you are at home and recouping.
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..
Member
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Posts: 27796


Maggie Valley, NC


« Reply #17 on: December 15, 2021, 06:41:31 AM »

Paul…..my mom had one at home……it had like a 100 ft tube that allowed her to move anywhere inside her home. She used a portable tank to get out of the house. Glad to hear you are at home and recouping.

I can move about with the O2 generator and now have a supply of small O2 tanks for excursions. Brief exertion really kicks my butt and the O2 drop is a bit scary. Will drop to 75 just cleaning up stuff in the kitchen. Sitting down gets it back to over 95 pretty quickly. So anything physical has to be done in phases.

If you don't have an oximeter I'd buy one. It's like having a thermometer around the house. When you need it it's there.
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