Now What...? An Exercise...

[DDT (12)]

Now What...? An Exercise...

Should we stay right here a little longer, or should we ride on to parts unknown? We're currently in Hillsville, VA, at an Airbnb rental house passing some time. We're fairly comfortable here, the price won’t break the bank right away, and... life is generally good. I’ve even made some decent sausage gravy already!

A Food Lion grocery store is about half a mile away (where I did, BTW, return and pick up some biscuits), as are most other vendors we're likely to need. The biggest variable of all, though, is this house is still available for the two weeks following our present scheduled two-week rental...

On the other hand, there is a clear indication that I seem to do better physically when we're mobile. Life on the road suits me best of all, and our girl certainly never complains. When stationary, I tend to lapse into lethargy, become increasingly lazy, and naps tend to increase both in number and length. I always feel better when we're on the move, and my spirit soars into the stratosphere.

Complicating matters are the air quality problems north of us, the sweltering heat and humidity south of us, and the overall high temperatures west of us... (In case you’re wondering, riding much east of here is out of the question due to the Atlantic Ocean!) Yeah, it is summer, but still... I simply do not do as well when the mercury passes the mid 90* mark! So, here we pause... for now... A decision will need to be made, but it can wait a few more days... most likely...

I'm not much of one for waiting around... Yes, I really struggled with that during those tumultuous days of military service. Of the three years I spent as a teenage warrior, two and a half of those years, it seems, I was standing in a line someplace! ‘Hurry up and wait’, indeed! I do admit to a bias towards action... However, I also confess to having a pronounced lazy streak... The absence of any obvious 'reason' to rise up and amble on does indeed compound the difficulty of decision-making...

I’ve finally decided to take the path of least resistance… I’ve kicked the can down the road, so to speak, giving myself another week to decide what might come next. Yep, I’ve just pulled the trigger and extended our stay here for another week. Bold, decisive ‘action’ just like the way Congress conducts the people’s business…

This will be a new record for us… at least in terms of an Airbnb rental. Seventeen days was the previous record, but this temporary interlude will turn out to be twenty-two days… as it stands right now. I have rented houses, apartments, cabins, etc., for longer; heck, I even bought a house once and lived in it for seven years! I’ve never done a stay this long at one of these places, however… It will most definitely include time for more practice making biscuits ‘n gravy, though… so… I ponder on…

There are other things that can also be ticked off the ‘to-do’ list while we’re here. Also within half a mile is an Advance Auto, so oil and a filter are readily available. While in Food Lion the last time, I noticed basting pans in plentiful abundance for catching used oil, so that’s going to be easy. There is a Hardees just up the hill from this house, and it has ‘Aunt Beas BBQ’ right next door. Maybe I’ll have to seriously consider yet another week’s extension!

This piece is a good example of how banging away on the keyboard of my smartbox aids me in working through conundrums… No, our overall dilemma hasn’t been solved by any means; however, we do have a wee bit more definition for the next two weeks, and we have mentally wrestled with some of the hurdles we’ll soon have to overcome that have now been cut down to a more manageable size. This might be a good time to go fix some breakfast…!!!

DDT (12)

PS: Breakfast was mighty good, and the cup of Community Coffee I’m sipping right now is doggone good, too!! Rob, no worries at all, my friend… I haven’t heard a single note of banjo music the entire time we’ve been here.
 

[robin]

What's wrong with the Atlantic ocean?

[t-man403]

Man I feel your pain/frustration!
Happens mostly when I’m camping. Find a great spot, weather is perfect and having leave means back to work . I don’t think I’m lazy but when I have that lousy feeling of having to leave, I wonder if I am.
Anyway Bruce, I call it “being in the zone” and I believe your in it, right now, so lap it all up…..

[threevalks]

What's wrong with the Atlantic ocean?

My guess is, it's a little tough to ride a bike in.

[RP#62]

Hillsville is a beautiful place.  We used to go up there for the big flea market every year when we lived in Winston-Salem.
You may want to hold off from Phoenix for a little while:



-RP

[..]

Near Fancy Gap / BRP there used to be a small diner.

I never ate there but you could smell the bacon riding along the BRP. It was never breakfast or lunch time as I passed by the tendrils of bacon goodness wafting in the breeze.

On the left going north on the BRP.

I arrived home Sunday afternoon and yesterday, Monday, I siezed up and my own bed is very appealing and may stay so for a few days.  

[..]

100F in Utah is very different to 98F and 90% humidity in MO. One it tolerable and the other kicks ass.

[RP#62]

100F in Utah is very different to 98F and 90% humidity in MO. One it tolerable and the other kicks ass.

Been in both, neither are fun.  Below 105° feels cool to me now.  Above 108° you're cooler if you're not moving.  In the 1-teens, it feels like you're standing in front of the exhaust from the ac condenser.  In the shade its not as bad, but in the sun it fries your ass.  The real joy is the monsoon when its 100+ and raining.  On reflection, the most uncomfortable I remember is riding thru Houston in July and the hottest was coming back from Inzane in Frisco one year.  It was about 95° in Payson and then when we dropped down into the valley, it went to 116° about 10 min later. 

-RP

[The emperor has no clothes]

PS: Breakfast was mighty good, and the cup of Community Coffee I’m sipping right now is doggone good, too!! Rob, no worries at all, my friend… I haven’t heard a single note of banjo music the entire time we’ve been here.
 

 

[RainMaker]

Virginia sounds like a wonderful spot this time of the year.  I would not recommend wandering in the direction of the Republic of Texas in the near future.  Current weather is Hell Blast.  I'm waiting for Blazing Hot before I get out for a ride again.

Mark aka RainMaker.

[Moonshot_1]

Given your conundrum I would suggest Lake Superior. Duluth and up the North Shore or poke around the south parts.
Minn. and Wisconsin. Sausage, Cheese, Fish frys and Beer. Big water, great views, and good roads. What more to life is there? Air quality looks good too. Looked it up.

Yup, that is the place.

If my wife had more vacation time, like she used to, we'd be there more.

[DDT (12)]

All,

Nothing wrong with the Atlantic that I know of, Robin... However, Keith has nailed my dilemma in his comment with riding there... all that and it ain't paved either! One other thing, too... The low elevation of coastal regions south of Philly (southwest of Boston much of the time) also tend to be rather warm!

I agree with all on the problem with riding this time of year throughout most of the lower 48. Mike has a point there regarding Lake Superior and environs, though, and that happens to be the area I'm currently considering for our big breakout from Virginia. In any event, Terry is right on the money, and we are indeed in the 'Zone'... If I have to have problems, these are the ones to have!!!

I'm more ready to depart now... A batting average of 500 in the majors is considered fantastic! When it comes to making B & G, well... not so hot. Yep, another let down yesterday, so... I reckon it's approaching 'Adios Time' and another therapy session aboard our girl to regroup... It's fun to experiment, but failures are downright frustrating... and unsavory... I'm thinking sausage, biscuits, and eggs for breakfast today... I doubt I could take two failures in a row!

DDT (12)

[Bigwolf]

Several decades ago, a friend of mine handed me a jug of water from Hillsville, VA,…….
…,or maybe it was Hillsboro,….only it wasn’t water!   I learned that it is wise to take very small sips of any clear liquids handed to you there………large gulps might leave you gasping for breath ….. and doing weird things when your breath returns.   Just an FYI.  And who knows what music you might be hearing then!

Ahhhhh, the serious dilemma of what to do,…where to go,… and when to go!  You lucky rascal!

I have really enjoyed the read!  As usual!
Thanks Bruce!  Keep on doing that 12!

[Ice]

Bruce,

Sorry to hear that you are having such difficult decisions to make 
As Moonshot recommended, try heading north to the WI, MI area and maybe from there west, most of MT and WA should be great riding weather this time of year. Not sure about the air quality, however you do have one of those smart contraptions we used to call cell "phones" that should be able to provide you fairly accurate reports.
No matter what you do my friend, enjoy life to the fullest (not that you ever dont!)    and dream big to the next adventure.
We hope to see you sometime in the not too distant future again.

[old2soon]

    Well I have NOT done this in awhile but sometimes just follow the front wheel! Some of us already KNOW this but sometimes our Ladies do indeed talk to us. Personally Phatt Ghurl has NEVER let me down with Her inputs!  Sides Bruce Our Gal most likely ready fer a sojourn!  RIDE SAFE.

[Thunderbolt]

Bruce if you are still in the area there is a Western Store on the North side of 221 West of I77 on your way to Galax called Harmon's Outlet.  Inside the building in the back is a museum containing artifacts and implements and firearms etc. that the previous owner collected over his lifetime, some of which I had never seen.  Well worth your time and the effort to peruse over an hour or two.

[DIGGER]

I wouldnt recommend coming to Texas right now.   I live in Southern Texas 90 miles from the coast.    My riding has been shut down due to excessive heat.   
We had a cool wave yesterday due to some rain in the area.   Only supposed to be 92 degrees high with feels like 100 degrees.   I got my Valk out and early morning rode to Sealy Texas to eat breakfast.    Now about 90 degrees by the time I left there.   Next 150 miles in the country side got hotter and hotter and hotter.   It was no longer fun so I headed home.   Time I got there the heat and high humidity had my blue jeans in the buttocks area to my knees was soaking wet.   Looked like I had a full bladder episode.   

My sister and brother-in-law have a real nice home on 18 acres in Chapel Hill Texas about 35 miles from me.   They have 4 horses, a barn they can get in....couple of sheds for shade for them....several trees to get under for shade.    1 of the horses died of heat stroke last week.   Third horse I've heard of in the area dieing of heat stroke recently.   It's miserable hot down here in the heat of the day.

[da prez]

  Bruce , if ever in our neck of the woods , stop in for biscuits and gravy. Josh said I make  the best.  If he is fibbing , knock him down to size.  SAFE travels .

                                     da prez

[Valker]

Bruce, once again I offer up accommodations in the Texas Panhandle, which is most definitely NOT the rest of Texas. Check out this 10 day forecast. I am also about five hours from 8,000 feet in the New Mexico mountains if cooler is needed. You and anyone riding with you is welcome at any time. I've got your open reservations. PS-there's a local eatery that serves a good breakfast plate for $7. That's for two eggs, meat, hash browns, and toast. They also have good B&G.

https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/d201105c3edab93f7ba8c27b0fea3f05e31c6624d90a5f6241bc26049e389d87

[DDT (12)]

My Friends,

As I read your replies and tried to consider appropriate responses... One over-powering thought kept me distracted from composing anything even remotely pithy or worthy of effort. That thought was: 'Isn't it amazing how many good friends I've made over the years of Valk piloting...' Our girl has put me in contact with some of the absolutely finest folks I've ever known, and easily that has become one of the major highlights and greatest enjoyments of this phase of my 'journey'!

Straight-forward, sincere information sharing, open expression of thoughts and personal experiences... trust in others who might also read their words... In a world where guardedness and caution are required, no such reservations appear necessary on our forum... The generosity and compassion of the members in times of need... The ability to disagree without being disagreeable (with a very few notable exceptions, of course)... Y'all are pretty awesome in my book!

It is refreshing, and a distinct honor, to be part of such a wonderful refuge from the polarization, conflict, and nastiness of modern life... Anyway, I just love my life, and I'm extra proud to be right here! In other words... '12' !!!

DDT (12)

[luftkoph]

It’s going to be a bit cool in the U.P. And northern Ontario for your southern blood, next 10 days highs from 50’s to low 70’s, 40’s at night

[DDT (12)]

It’s going to be a bit cool in the U.P. And northern Ontario for your southern blood, next 10 days highs from 50’s to low 70’s, 40’s at night

Luft,

Zowie! Smack within my comfort zone range and very near the middle! As long as it ain't raining and I have the clothing for it, I much prefer cool to hot! Since I'm figuring to make the Quad State Ride, the UP would be on my way, more or less. I do have the time, so my current thinking is to do just as you suggest! Heck, I might even rent another Airbnb and linger in one spot for a few days... or not... I'll decide that when the time comes and the inclination strikes... or doesn't...

DDT (12)