Depends Upon How You Look At It, I Reckon...

[DDT (12)]

Depends Upon How You Look At It, I Reckon…
 
Yep, I was on time and even wearing a mask when I presented myself at the doctor’s office Monday morning… Eager to get this only a short time ago unexpected visit over with so we could move on to the next big adventure, I signed-in then took my place in the waiting room… Right up until only a couple of days before, I’d expected to be headed west very soon, as in the very next day!
 
I had a routine dermatologist visit about ten days or so before, and a boo-boo on my right cheek had caught his eye… He'd sliced off a suitable nugget and sent it to the lab for a biopsy… it flunked the test! Another, this most recent, follow-up visit was scheduled… With much sadness and a twinge of foreboding, I’d delayed my ‘plans’ accordingly…
 
I mounted our girl and headed ‘home’ for an unplanned visit… and frankly, to kill some time. Nowhere near enough time to do anything truly rewarding or even remotely womple-ish enough to even be considered such, so I decided to just use that opportunity to do some other important stuff… like visiting with family and friends… No telling when I might be back anyway, so…
 
That turned out pleasant enough, and I am actually glad we had that opportunity, but true gratification had been delayed long enough, I’d thought… We returned to Montgomery with high hopes of moving on from there… immediately following that pesky new doc-call… Yet another compromise! Stay on top of my health, or venture forth like old times… I’d truly hoped those two things wouldn’t turn out to be mutually exclusive!
 
A quick turnaround was not to be… Nope, yet another follow-up appointment was scheduled! I did make my case to him for me to just remove the stiches later myself and report any signs of infection or other adverse goings on so our girl and her desperate rider could head west the next morning.…. Surprisingly, he seemed like he could go along with that.
 
More of an ‘I can’t stop you’ sort of reaction, though, and clearly not a choice that made any sense to him! I scrutinized the bandage on my face taking particular note of its size, and I mentally calculated the time he’d spent on that entire procedure… then, for some unknown, inexplicable reason, common sense kicked in! I agreed to return… yet again… in one week…
 

 
Double dang! Now what do we do… A whole week: Plenty of time for us ‘back-in-the-day’; little more than a brief interlude nowadays… A couple of days that way, then a couple of days back… that’s really all that was available, but it was something… Throughout my entire working life, that would have been an amazing opportunity, but now… Another one of those perspective things, I reckon…
 
I began studying MapQuest for ideas and inspiration, including possible visits to a couple of eateries recently discussed in other threads… Madison and Bell, FL, for example, were both easily within reach during such a compressed time slot, so… Hmmm, it seemed wise to take a gander at the weather forecast again before deciding on any routes… Oh dang! Not again!
 
After discounting the ‘drama factor’ that’s part of any TWC broadcast, things still looked rather dicey and unusually uncertain, even admittedly by them! It was still cold here in Montgomery, and although it was expected to warm a little bit, that would not be much nor for very long… Rain was also headed our way later in the week.
 
Yet another cold front was on its way, and mucho moisture was expected to accompany it. What’s more, that front was expected to ‘stall’ somewhere across the southeastern US. TWC assured its viewers that the forecast would be changing as the likely scenario played out, but at present they actually had no idea just where that stalling would occur, so therefore, no idea just where the swath of rain would be heaviest or even be falling at all… Yeah right, just what any motorcycle trekker with dates, times, and destination locations all tightly nailed down wants to hear, right?!
 
Dang! Only one week between doc visits, and truly uncertain weather conditions looming… I was totally bewildered, even borderline flabbergasted, and badly in need of regrouping. In my heart I already knew what we’d almost certainly have to do, but I so wanted it to be otherwise! My entire unplanned future had just been upended and placed in Limbo! Then, Sam happened to call and invite me to join him for another therapy session at Jan’s… Yea verily!
 
Now there is an interim plan entirely suitable for the occasion… I met him there and took my usual place upon the stool at the bar, where I would be aided considerably in my melancholy, frantic deliberations… Not entirely a good choice was eventually made; however, the lowest risk option for my circumstance was reluctantly accepted…
 
The topic of my dilemma was bandied about some, and Sam in his own inimitable way mused aloud, “He ain’t goin’ anywhere…” Yep, that turned out to be exactly how things worked out… over a little more time… First, we had to have the complete posse gathering in all of its many facets… we never leave unfinished business at these events.
 
Nope, more recollections of previous exploits and other curious items in our pasts were kicked around and ‘critiqued’. Numerous jabs and prods in good natured fun were exchanged, and exaggerations of personal accomplishments were freely tossed around… We even avoided the neglectful sin of not talking about any posse members who were absent.
 
The gathering finally concluded, and each of us returned ‘home’. I found my way back to the motel to ponder some more, weigh options, and select the least egregious alternative… Sam and I had agreed to meet Cuz for breakfast the following morning, so my plan had been modified already at least in that I would stay a minimum of one more night in Montgomery.
 
The next morning, it was downright cold here! Well, to this central Florida boy, anyway. I rolled around in my thinker muscle Sam’s prophetic observation the evening before… Since it would be risky venturing out then trying to find our way back… all the while remaining dry… Staying put appeared to be the safest play after all. Dang! No guts, no glory, reward is commensurate with risk, etc.; however… in our experience, gambling with the weather often has had an unpleasant outcome, too… Plus once the di is cast… no do-overs!
 
It was entirely possible we could do some riding and adventure-dining, miss the rain by careful navigation, good timing, and plenty of luck, thereby making efficient use of the week available. It was also entirely possible we could become isolated and/or cut-off from Montgomery when we needed to arrive for that next appointment… and possibly jeopardize the earliest possible coddiewomple-departure date…  Dangitall anyhow!
 
I held my nose and pulled the trigger. I visited Jennifer at the front desk and made arrangements for me to remain another week right here! Sam later confirmed that renewing the ‘lease’ on the bug was no problem at all… We won’t be out yonder doing what we were meant to do, but the world has not come to an end for us either! Nope, while things are entirely different from how I’d thought they would be and far from how I’d like for them to be; still, by golly, they ain’t bad at all, either!!!
 
Nosiree, I have a comfortable room, a reliable car, and I know my way around well enough. I also have some of the best friends I’ve ever had in my life handy and willing to join me for… whatever foolishness we might get into. Not bad at all! So, I’ve decided to just view all of this as coddiewomple foreplay… A chance to continue building excitement, teasing my senses, and re-intensifying my enthusiasm for another big ride… to somewhere… I’ll be in touch…
 
DDT
 
P.S. Have I ever mentioned that I just love my life? One of the many signs on the walls of Jan’s place… I thought it was rather catchy, myself…
 

 
P.P.S. Back-to-back visits to Jan’s had left this former partier not being on top of his game last evening, so I’d elected to stay in. Later I discovered a text from Farside that he was in the hood! I missed seeing Keith, much to my regret. Oh well, can’t win ‘em all, huh…? The way things seem to be going, though, there probably will be lots of ‘next times’…

[MAD6Gun]

 That sucks Bruce. Per our conversation the other day I figured you would be heading west by now. Bummer. Here's hoping your medical issues are resolved and you're back out meandering soon....

[Wizzard]

I always removed my own also because they were never major,, however when I had Moh;s surgery I let them take them out. That was on my cheek also. Being fair skinned makes us susceptible to such things but Meathead is right. You roll with this stuff as well as anyone I know.

[..]

Bruce,

I just took a look at Mapquest and it's loaded with ads.

I use Google Earth. No ads.

[Bigwolf]

Bruce,
Well I hate that for you!  You didn’t break a mirror or anything like that did you? 

Hopefully this coming Tuesday will find you footloose and rolling toward wonderful new adventure.


Bigwolf

[Jess from VA]

My experience is, while removing stitches is not rocket science (as long as you don't do it too soon), they want to do it because it gives them another opportunity to look over their work and make sure they didn't screw anything up.  And look for postop infection.

Commonly called CYA.

Funny, I didn't have to go back for my face chunk removal last year, my stitches were the dissolving ones.  Though I plucked a coupled small pieces out at the end.  

You wear open helmets too.  We have to use sunblock as close to the eyes as possible (and don't forget the ears, they cut two chunks of my poor dad's ears off).  I do not do my forehead and bald head (when riding) as I do not want my helmet to get soaked with that greasy stuff.  And I absolutely have to wear long sleeves no matter what the temps, and exercise care not to get burned wrists between the sleeve ends and short gloves I wear.

The back of my neck looks like a piece of tanned, well-worn, creased leather.  It always gets blocked too, because it gets as much sun as any part of me, with no squamous or basil cell, yet.

What I have learned to do is to sunblock up with no shirt on about an hour or more before I leave, using the mirror to help in good coverage.  I use less product (dabs), but rub it in better.  Later, when I dress to leave, it's pretty well soaked in and doesn't get on my clothes.  And 50spf, not 30.

The nose always gets two coats, mainly because of the guy sitting in the waiting room with me that only had half his nose left.  Some of the stuff you see in that waiting room is like a horror/freak show (my derm outfit is huge, and the entire floor of a big building).  And a good reminder to be careful with the sun.

[Thunderbolt]

Bruce you are among the best I have ever encountered at weighing all the possibilities and making logical decisions.  Now I am going to make you dig around a bit more in that old smart phone for the text that I sent a week or so ago.  About some Youtube videos that reminded me of you.  If you don't run across it I'll send it again.  But you know what with technology and all and seeing as you and I might have had something to do with some of that circuitry in the past I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't just go off into never land somewhere.

[Farside]

Quote:
P.P.S. Back-to-back visits to Jan’s had left this former partier not being on top of his game last evening, so I’d elected to stay in. Later I discovered a text from Farside that he was in the hood! I missed seeing Keith, much to my regret. Oh well, can’t win ‘em all, huh…? The way things seem to be going, though, there probably will be lots of ‘next times’…


  Bruce I am sorry you couldn't make it. I was at the Drury Inn so just walked to Jan's. I never knew it was that close to the hotel. I enjoyed my beer and loved my Grouper fingers. That is a great local spot that I'll visit frequently. I showed your pick to the bartender and she said she knew you. I told her that you were the reason for my visit to their establishment. Maybe we'll be able to meet here one of these days. Good luck with your dermatology visit.  

[t-man403]

Bruce, I had a chunk taken off my back a few years ago that got infected due to neglect on my part. I couldn’t reach back there to tend to it and didn’t want to bother anyone to give me a hand. Dr. wasn’t pleased let me tell you so it’s most likely a good thing to hang tight for a bit as it is on your face you know! 

[DDT (12)]

All,

Well, things are... ummm... fairly typical, I guess. I went to the doc for the post procedure wrap-up... It turned out to be not much considering we'd just spent a week hanging around waiting for the big event! Nope, one of his helper gals actually removed the stitches; then, he came in and looked at it, pronounced everything a big success, and told me he'd see me again for my next routine semi-annual visit... That's it? Apparently so... At least there are no problems now, so that truly is something!



Weather had kept us room-bound even more than other factors, but we could have gone on... with lots of care and a little luck. Oh well, there we were, and now we were set to go for sure. The sky that morning had been completely clear of clouds and the temp had eked out a modest increase from the day before. I'd checked the forecast, and now, unlike all of the previous few days, the call for tomorrow was a 'go' if we rode northwest and avoided any southward directions. We can do that!

A departure celebration was called for, so the posse would be converging upon Jan's place that evening... with us planning to pull out early-ish Tuesday morning... By Monday afternoon, no blue sky was to be found anywhere, and I got that old familiar sinking feeling... Next morning, I passed by the front desk of the motel on my way outside for a looksee, and Jennifer greeted me with, "Looks like you'll be staying with me again tonight." Dang, she was right, too...

The forecast for most of the last few days has proven to be correct, while the optimistic one yesterday had turned out to be only a tease... Oh well, it ain't like I'm in a hurry to get anywhere... Just wanting to get back out there on the road! "Tomorrow... tomorrow... it's only a day away..." I wonder if this is the way inmates feel just before release...?

DDT

[Valker]

A great update, Bruce. Hang in there. We've had almost zero moisture for several months here, but supposed to snow tomorrow. It'll be in the 70s by this weekend though. Many winters here every year, but always short lived. Many springs also! Best of luck with the next meander. I got tired of the rain messing with my plans, so I found a great sale on a Klim Gore-Tex full suit. I'll be seeing if that keeps me dry as soon as the rain returns, as it eventually does even here.
Since my wife passed last week, there's even more room in this huge old place. You're always welcome. I'll be starting my extended coddie-wample later this Spring.

[DDT (12)]

Eric,

You've been on my mind quite a bit since the sad announcement the other day. You too are a resilient cuss, however, so your action plans do not surprise me in the least! I plan to head out tomorrow in a more or less westerly direction... Maybe sometime during the next week or so might be a good time for you to lead me to that BBQ place in Amarillo of which you've spoken...?

It sure would be good to see ya again and compare notes on life and some of its curious twists and turns... I'm glad to see you looking ahead and plotting a new course... I'm not at all surprised with that, though...

Nobody can know what the future holds, but all of us can look forward to whatever happens with eager anticipation, while we search for whatever joy lurks in the mists of uncertainty... My experience has been that many wonderful surprises await us if we just get up and get going!!! See ya down the road... soon!

DDT

[Valker]

Eric,

You've been on my mind quite a bit since the sad announcement the other day. You too are a resilient cuss, however, so your action plans do not surprise me in the least! I plan to head out tomorrow in a more or less westerly direction... Maybe sometime during the next week or so might be a good time for you to lead me to that BBQ place in Amarillo of which you've spoken...?

It sure would be good to see ya again and compare notes on life and some of its curious twists and turns... I'm glad to see you looking ahead and plotting a new course... I'm not at all surprised with that, though...

Nobody can know what the future holds, but all of us can look forward to whatever happens with eager anticipation, while we search for whatever joy lurks in the mists of uncertainty... My experience has been that many wonderful surprises await us if we just get up and get going!!! See ya down the road... soon!

DDT

Well, MY outlook just got better!!  "Tyler's" BBQ in Amarillo it is. That's the place, you set the time. See you soon.

[DDT (12)]

Eric,

Well, alrighty then! I'll set a time when I get nearer... You know, stuff happens when I try to establish schedules so... My best guess at the moment, subject to wild changes of course, would be sometime in the next couple of weeks... give or take a month or two... The life of a serious coddiewompler is fraught with uncertainty, ya know...? Naturally, I'm flexible concerning any conflicts you may have, so we'll just have to wait and see how this plays out... or doesn't...! Sounds like it has some potential, though...

DDT

[Jess from VA]

I tell people my scars (face and neck) are dueling scars.   

[DDT (12)]

Rob & Jess,

Yes, there should be some good utility for that scar... I'll be giving that some serious ponderation. Well, my visit to Montgomery will draw to a close this morning... I'll be loading up in a few and wandering off. I'm thinking I'll head over into Mississippi today, but... I wonder where we'll actually wind up...? Gawd, it's going to be soooo good to have my knees back in the breeze!!!

Had a nice send-off last night at Jan's... Jan and Keith, her intended, were even there! I do have some very good friends down here, and it's always good to visit. Much as I love these folks, however, it's always good to head out, too... I'll be back again, of course, and things will be good again. In the meantime, our girl will be transporting her precious cargo (my fanny) to various portions of our magnificent land. Lots more friends out yonder, also, and I hope to see some of them soon...  WAHOOO!!!

DDT

[hubcapsc]

When you ask my buddy Kent about his pneumothorax scar,
he was "shot with a bow and arrow"...

-Mike "food for thought..."

[DDT (12)]

Mike,

That's pretty good, thanks. I'm still pondering, though, looking for just the right heroic explanation... I've already dismissed the 'fencing' idea. All of my redneck friends could only imagine that sort of activity in terms of peeing on an electric fence, so a scar on the face would simply beg too many follow-up questions... I have no idea yet what my story might eventually be, but I am still working on it...

DDT


P.S. I did watch several episodes of 'Itchy Boots', and I also found it most entertaining! Thanks Terry. I also visited Google Earth... I'll be experimenting with that over the next few days... just may become my go-to site! Thanks Paul...

[Bigwolf]

Mike,

That's pretty good, thanks. I'm still pondering, though, looking for just the right heroic explanation... I've already dismissed the 'fencing' idea. All of my redneck friends could only imagine that sort of activity in terms of peeing on an electric fence, so a scar on the fence would simply beg too many follow-up questions... I have no idea yet what my story might eventually be, but I am still working on it...

DDT

I can just hear the tale that might be whipped up!  Something like “I got into a scuffle with a couple of Hells Angels that didn’t like their women drooling over ALI and that scar is from a bullet that almost got me as I ran off from them on ALI”.  I Pam sure that you could even embellish that story just a bit!

Reading your that you were going to be heading out this morning in true coddiewomple style got me to thinking of a song. ………… “I’m rolling down that long lonesome highway, heading for the mountains and the plains.  Sure ain’t nothing here gonna tie me   and I got some friends I’d like to see again.  One of these days I’m gonna  settle down, but till I do I won’t be hangin round. …………”.   May you and Ali find clean roads with just the right amount of turns and undulations and beautiful scenery.  May the sun be always at your back and not in your eyes, the rain avoid you, roads you have not been on before be plentiful, and may you find interesting conversations whenever you take a break from the road.


Bigwolf

[Skinhead]

I like the fencing story, something along the lines of you were at a Hells Angles biker rally, consuming mass quantities of adult beverages, and got challenged to a peeing on the electric fence contest.  You won the contest (defeating the other 5 contestants), the prize for winning was a sexual encounter with your choice of the club women.  Since none the candidates meet with your high standards, the club was insulted and you had to fight your way out of there.  Since you were winning the fight, one of the members produced and fired a hand gun attempting to turn the tide of the conflict in their favor.  But with your cat like reflexes you dodged the shot and disarmed the shooter.  While administering a well deserved ghetto beating to the shooter, you realized that you had injured the shooter to such an extent that you would probably be charged with aggravated assault and battery, and the club members would not back up your shooting story, and you could not use a self defense claim.  So after the scuffle, you fired up ALI and hi tailed it out of their, easily outrunning their HDs that were in pursuit.

Or you could just say you ran into a door.

[Valker]

Reading your that you were going to be heading out this morning in true coddiewomple style got me to thinking of a song. ………… “I’m rolling down that long lonesome highway, heading for the mountains and the plains.  Sure ain’t nothing here gonna tie me   and I got some friends I’d like to see again.  One of these days I’m gonna  settle down, but till I do I won’t be hangin round. …………”.   May you and Ali find clean roads with just the right amount of turns and undulations and beautiful scenery.  May the sun be always at your back and not in your eyes, the rain avoid you, roads you have not been on before be plentiful, and may you find interesting conversations whenever you take a break from the road.
Bigwolf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-I4gPC3xwE

[Jess from VA]

Fencing and dueling are not really the same.

One is a polite olympic sport (with a face mask to prevent face hits) and the other isn't.    

It could have been with hatchets or Bowie knives or tire irons.  

The challenged man gets choice of weapons.  

If you are going to tell a story, make it a good one.  

 

[carolinarider09]

A vague memory required that I look this up.  FYI


In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, dueling scars were seen as a badge of honor in Germany and Austria, making their owners "good husband material"
Dueling scars (German: Schmisse) have been seen as a "badge of honour" since as early as 1825. Known variously as "Mensur scars", "the bragging scar", "smite", "Schmitte" or "Renommierschmiss", dueling scars were popular amongst upper-class Austrians and Germans involved in academic fencing at the start of the 20th century. Being a practice amongst University students, it was seen as a mark of their class and honour, due to the status of dueling societies at German and Austrian universities at the time, and is an early example of scarification in European society.[1] The practice of dueling and the associated scars was also present to some extent in the German military.[2]

And finally

The sport of academic fencing at the time was very different from modern fencing using specially developed swords. The so-called Mensurschläger (or simply Schläger, 'hitter') existed in two versions. The most common weapon is the Korbschläger with a basket-type guard. In some universities in the eastern part of Germany, the so-called Glockenschläger is in use which is equipped with a bell-shaped guard. The individual duels between students, known as Mensuren, were somewhat ritualised. In some cases, protective clothing was worn, including padding on the arm and an eye guard.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dueling_scar

Yes I know wikipedia but it confirms my memory of the process/events/reasons.

[DDT (12)]

One thing is for sure... I seriously doubt I could ever come up with anything anywhere near as intriguing as the ones some of y'all have imagined just off the top of your heads! Maybe I'll just solicit more entries in a sweepstakes kind of thing, then select the one most suited, as in believable, to this rather bland character...

Ummm, then I'd have to come up with some kind of prize to award the 'winner'... Heck, this could turn out to resemble work! In any event, I did enjoy reading the thoughts already offered, and I thank those who did share for that!!!

DDT


P.S. Somebody you all know took off and rode today... This is not a question as part of any sweepstakes, mind you, but would anybody care to guess who that might have been?

[RNFWP]

I like the fencing story, something along the lines of you were at a Hells Angles biker rally, consuming mass quantities of adult beverages, and got challenged to a peeing on the electric fence contest.  You won the contest (defeating the other 5 contestants), the prize for winning was a sexual encounter with your choice of the club women.  Since none the candidates meet with your high standards, the club was insulted and you had to fight your way out of there.  Since you were winning the fight, one of the members produced and fired a hand gun attempting to turn the tide of the conflict in their favor.  But with your cat like reflexes you dodged the shot and disarmed the shooter.  While administering a well deserved ghetto beating to the shooter, you realized that you had injured the shooter to such an extent that you would probably be charged with aggravated assault and battery, and the club members would not back up your shooting story, and you could not use a self defense claim.  So after the scuffle, you fired up ALI and hi tailed it out of their, easily outrunning their HDs that were in pursuit.

Or you could just say you ran into a door.

  ...did you just make that up? or have the names been changed to protect the guilty? 

[Skinhead]

Inquiring minds....

[DDT (12)]

Ross,

Well one thing is for certain... Somebody has a very fertile imagination! Knowing Joe, though, it wouldn't surprise me at all to learn he actually concocted that notion on the spur of the moment... He is a certifiable character, ya know...?!

As for the question I posed in my last reply... and since nobody hazarded a guess, I'll go ahead and spill the beans here... Yes, that somebody was this ardent fan of two-wheeled roaming... Back in the Republic now, and headed... someplace... aiming for dry conditions and hopefully mild temps.

DDT

[Rams]

Back in the Republic now, and headed... someplace... aiming for dry conditions and hopefully mild temps.

DDT

My sincerest hopes and wishes are that you find what you're looking for and bring some back as you pass through Mississippi.

Rams 

[RNFWP]

Bruce,
It's always good to hear that you're back out there doing your thing 

I'm enjoying the scar story ideas. Maybe another option to an accident, dueling, gang violence or trouble with the law would be a damsel in distress sort of thing.

While enjoying a ride through your favorite forest you arrive at the scene of a beautiful young lady trying to keep herself safe from a large dangerous wild beast (bear or mountain lion sounds about right) She'd apparently been riding herself (mountain bike) and is now rolling and dragging it frantically about trying to keep the animal from getting to her. In the short seconds it takes for you to go from first glance to arrival, you've assessed her danger and feel that surge of protective instinct snap into action. You go from open throttle to power slide, horn blaring, closing the distance as fast as possible hoping to scare off or at least distract the violent beast. It works... and the fight for your own safety ensues. Your protective riding gear does it's job with the exception of that one blow to the cheek.
The animal soon realizes that you're getting the best of him, (maybe a full nelson or choke hold sort of thing) and becomes oddly calm for second. You loosen your grip, letting it squirm free and run off into  the woods in a panic.

You'd be best to fill in how a selfless gallant wounded wanderer is treated after such a heroic rescue. 
...want to take it from there?...

Ross

[shortleg]

 My wife’s side of the family are Norwegian and fair skinned. They were raised at the beach and as time has passed they all have developed skin cancers and now all wonder how much of their face arms and legs they are going to leave this earth with.
   One of the drawbacks of being a white guy these days I guess.
 Hay look you could be one of the red haired group that has a real tough time.

[Jess from VA]

How did you get that scar?

Well, I was in bed with this woman and her husband came home and I jumped out the 2d story window and caught some glass.

Landed right on my bike though, so it wasn't too bad.   

Wished I'd had my pants on though. 

[DDT (12)]

Lots of good ideas for a possible explanation/exploitation of my newest scar! I'm about to have some time to devote to serious consideration of a possible... Story? Fable? Yarn? One thing is for sure, though, the truth is way too bland and uninteresting to go with over the long haul. I do appreciate the submissions...

Yep, I'm trying to avoid wet and cold... always troublesome stretch objectives this time of year! I've found a possible way to do that, but it involves being hunkered down for another spell... Dang! Life seems so full of confounding pesky choices... and those mutually exclusive ones always give me a twinge of consternation!

Well, I have committed to a course of action, so all that is left is to arrive on time and at the correct place... then, not ride much for a while... Ya know, I could have just stayed home and done all that! Ah, but then I'd have missed all that's happened on the way here and all that will be in front of us afterward... Funny how a little discomfort today can produce so many pleasant rewards tomorrow...!

I reckon there's some sort of moral or ironic meaning in that sort of thing... profound possibly?! Whatever it may be, however, we're on our way to go find out... in a day or two... Right this minute we're killing time until the appointed day and time, and we're, as usual, waiting for some rain to pass us by... No boys and girls, the life of a gypsy rider is not all peaches and cream... Well, not 100% of the time anyway...

DDT

[Valker]

You’ve always got a place here to hole up if you need it. Plenty of room. If you can bring rain with you, I believe folks here would fund your coddlewompering for life. Less than 1/4” of moisture here for the past 100 days. Can be cold though.

[DDT (12)]

You’ve always got a place here to hole up if you need it. Plenty of room. If you can bring rain with you, I believe folks here would fund your coddlewompering for life. Less than 1/4” of moisture here for the past 100 days. Can be cold though.

Eric,

Mighty nice offer, my friend! I was actually figuring for some time to wander in your direction... that is until I studied the weather more closely! Holy cow, it's downright frigid up there, and it will be for a good while!!! I've elected to go the other way for a spell to warmer temps... Brownsville, TX, is just over the horizon on our next jaunt... Gonna spend a couple of weeks down there to... you know, to wimp out on the serious weather! After that, who knows?! Wanna come visit me at my 'place' instead?

DDT

[Rams]

Dang Bruce, I'll be halfway to Ocala in a week or so but, you aren't there.

It is, what it is.  Maybe next time.

Rams

[DDT (12)]

Dang Bruce, I'll be halfway to Ocala in a week or so but, you aren't there.

It is, what it is.  Maybe next time.

Rams

Ron,

Nope, I ain't and I won't be for some time to come... months most likely. I do have a couple of appearances to make in Montgomery, one the end of March, the other the end of April, but I probably won't be headed for Florida... On the other hand, that doesn't mean I won't be either. Heck, I don't have a clue at this point! Life is just one big adventure, and I'm seeking all of that I can find, while I still can!

DDT

[Rams]

Dang Bruce, I'll be halfway to Ocala in a week or so but, you aren't there.

It is, what it is.  Maybe next time.

Rams

Ron,

Nope, I ain't and I won't be for some time to come... months most likely. I do have a couple of appearances to make in Montgomery, one the end of March, the other the end of April, but I probably won't be headed for Florida... On the other hand, that doesn't mean I won't be either. Heck, I don't have a clue at this point! Life is just one big adventure, and I'm seeking all of that I can find, while I still can!

DDT

Enjoy the journey and if you get close, give me a shout.   We'll do something even if it ain't right. 

Rams

[Valker]

You’ve always got a place here to hole up if you need it. Plenty of room. If you can bring rain with you, I believe folks here would fund your coddlewompering for life. Less than 1/4” of moisture here for the past 100 days. Can be cold though.

Eric,

Mighty nice offer, my friend! I was actually figuring for some time to wander in your direction... that is until I studied the weather more closely! Holy cow, it's downright frigid up there, and it will be for a good while!!! I've elected to go the other way for a spell to warmer temps... Brownsville, TX, is just over the horizon on our next jaunt... Gonna spend a couple of weeks down there to... you know, to wimp out on the serious weather! After that, who knows?! Wanna come visit me at my 'place' instead?

DDT

We may need to meet up at your “home place” or somewhere. If not before June, I’ll be meandering there in Montana area for a few weeks.

[DDT (12)]

Eric,

Come on down! The place I've rented has plenty of room, and I'll be there until 2/23, so... The ball is in your court... If you did see a weather window to escape and you decided to come, we could communicate via PMs and work out any details... Love to have ya!!!

DDT

[Valker]

Eric,

Come on down! The place I've rented has plenty of room, and I'll be there until 2/23, so... The ball is in your court... If you did see a weather window to escape and you decided to come, we could communicate via PMs and work out any details... Love to have ya!!!

DDT

Now that is an idea. I'm tweaking my Valk to get it ready for the long rides coming, but Brownsville is only 800 from here........