Along The Way...
Funny how some of the most enjoyable or at least pleasant aspects of any ride can stem from those things that are completely unplanned or unexpected... We can all easily conjure-up countless recollections of many examples of those, and we all usually find a broad smile creeping across our faces as we do.
Consciously, deliberately, diligently checking items off a to-do list or even a bucket list is rewarding, to be sure; however... I find those little surprises and impossible-to-plan things that inevitably pop-up here and there often are even more enjoyable... they sometimes can become the highlight of an entire outing...
More often than not, though, those little things are more the spice and seasoning of a 'meal entree' that enhance the flavor but are not the heart of the experience. Among those types of things for this rider is the occasional encounter with a newbie...
Someone who is filled with excitement and anticipation, but who can have no idea at all of the nearly endless stream of wonderous discoveries that await them... Their eagerness is more of a leap of faith... a fanciful dream at most, but strong enough to propel them forward towards the unknown anyway... the same way it had been for each of us...
Following the recent meeting to exchange socks with my friend Slacker, I had yet another two doctor appointments in Montgomery... one with my dentist, one with my dermatologist. Following those, I'd decided our girl and her partner would return 'home' for the holidays.
Two easy days of riding back roads with one night along the way in some motel... There are several we frequent depending upon which route we choose during the ride to meander homeward. Back in the day, we would blitz home in one day along the most efficient route... the one I'd thought would get us there the quickest... Frankly, I don’t miss those types of rides!
This may surprise you to learn, but often I don't have a clue which of those motels we might wind-up at until other choices have been made... This way or that at an intersection, this road or that depending upon whim or length of time since we'd last cruised that way... Typically those calls are made during the ride on the fly…
It sure is nice to not be in a hurry with thoughts riveted upon what may lie ahead or what we need to do after arrival at our destination. Instead, just gliding along with random thoughts percolating up often surprising us... "Where the heck did that notion come from...?!" It is sheer delight to allow my mind to wander freely, too...
That time it would be the motel just south of Monticello, FL. A really nice gentleman owns that place, and I do enjoy a bit of banter whenever I do stop by. On occasion I’ve watched him playing two-person cricket with his son… Following the usual ritual of unloading, putting our girl to bed, and... whatever else needed attending, it was time for some fresh air.
I stepped out of the room, allowed my gaze to focus upon the heavens as I quietly wondered to myself how far-off the weather guessers might be this time. Hmmm... I then looked towards the office for no particular reason, but I caught a glimpse of the top of a motorcycle windshield beyond the car between us... How about that? That looks just like the one on our girl...
A rather large guy exited the office and mounted that steed, so I lingered a moment longer to see what brand of bike it might be... WOW! That Cobra lightbar and headlight arrangement looks exactly like that on our girl! He hit the starter button, and I caught myself reflexively making sure our girl was where I'd left her! No doubt about it, though, that was definitely another wonder scooter!!!
He cruised by us to a room only a couple of doors down from ours... Reckon I should go introduce myself? Well of course! I did, and then over some time that evening and the following morning, I got to know a little about Greg Moreland. He'd just left Wood Butcher's house only a few miles from there, where he'd just bought that Sedona Red & Pearl Cream '98 Tourer.
What a gorgeous bike! Super clean and all spiffed-up! It had lots of nice bling including some unobtanium items, and the whole thing looked tastefully well done... elegant without being ostentatious... Well, not overboard anyway. Eye candy for anyone with a ‘sweet tooth’ for such things... like nearly all of us!!!
Greg lives in a suburb of Greenville, SC, and he was on his way home with his new prize. He was filled with so much... The best way I can think of to describe his enthusiasm would be to compare him to that dog in the 'Beggin' Strips' commercial! He is also excited about joining our family and growing as a for-real rider of a truly proper motorcycle...
We said our good-byes the next morning, but that story is only beginning! I've already received a couple of texts and a phone call from him... I have an idea we just may have another committed Valkaholic on our hands.
As enjoyable as that little two-day jaunt home had been, that brief encounter with Greg had turned out to be... well, certainly not an entire ‘meal’, but... something a bit more perhaps than mere spice or seasoning...
DDT
