Even A Blind Squirrel...

[DDT (12)]

Even A Blind Squirrel…

I’m sure y’all have heard that one many times before: ‘Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while’… Well, many times I’ve pointed out how I’ve found the weather guessers typically to be rather ‘fluid’ with their forecasts, and how those can vary significantly over even short intervals. Well, let me quickly add that I’ve also noticed that on rare occasions they can actually nail a prediction spot-on! Certainly not typical in my experience, but it has been known to happen… A good example…

The recent weather guesstimate for LA was said to include an Arctic air event down our way, and there was even mention of snow flurries in that forecast. Frankly, I figured modestly cold temps would most likely materialize, but I seriously doubted there would be any snow to speak of. It just doesn’t happen that way, at least in my own experience. Yeah, once every decade or so, perhaps something unusual happens, but nothing dramatic or what was now being predicted. I was emphatically proven wrong!

It was clear and sunny yesterday morning; however, the wind steadily increased, and the temperature consistently dropped each time I checked. After noon, the sky began to cloud over, and by mid afternoon I noticed a couple of sleet pellets on our girl… I wasn’t alarmed…



Earlier, despite having been bungeed and what normally passes for secure covering of our girl, the spanking breeze had managed to blow hard enough to twist the cover around and off to the pavement beside one of her flanks. I decided to wait until the wind subsided before repositioning it, and I removed it instead. Later, more frozen precip fell…



Following a light meal and nap, I checked outside again… More frozen precip! I made a mental note to do a better job next time, and to properly cover our girl when a forecast like this comes our way… That wasn’t the end of it, though…

This morning, the clear skies had returned, and the wind had indeed slackened… However, the repositioning of our girls cover seemed pointless by then, so… Besides, I didn’t really want to go outside in 15* temps, clean the snow and ice off her, then attempt the cover placement deed…



This time the forecasters were right as rain, and this cynical, doubting consumer of their guesses was dead wrong… My boo-boo had resulted in our girl being seriously over exposed! I know, that's no way at all to treat such a fine lady... Oh well, maybe I’ll console myself with some eggs and bacon…

DDT (12)

[Rams]

That's no way to treat a lady.   

Rams

[f6john]

I see you did deploy the front stabilizer bar(s)! So, at least she didn’t lay over on her side.

[John Schmidt]

I see you did deploy the front stabilizer bar(s)! So, at least she didn’t lay over on her side.

John, my Big Bertha's stabilizers are in back instead of the front. I'm guessing they're fairly effective. 



Referring to the old boogie Bertha Butt...one of the three Butt sisters.

[old2soon]

     Bruce you sent me that 2nd or middle pic yesterday. So now it looks to be cheer up things could be worse and and I cheereds up and shurnuff things got WORSE!  NOT rubbin salt in an open wound BUT Happy both my Gals are in a cave cold but NO ice or snow on em!  I Sincerely Hope you and Ali both git thawed out and back functional!  And Weather more to yer likin!  RIDE SAFE.

[Jess from VA]

Bruce, I carry a very small half-cover when traveling.  It's soft, and about softball sized rolled up, and there's always room for it.

Mainly for rain (to keep downpours off the electricals)... I don't ride in the snow.    

It's also so strangers don't hoist their children up on my seat for photos with little shoes scuffing my tank, which has happened.  WTF??!!  

[Oss]

oh the humanity !

I share your enthusiasm but I had turkey bacon myself

[DIGGER]

Consoling with eggs and bacon seem the thing to do in that situation.....as long as the Lady isnt needed to get to those eggs and bacon,,,,

[Hook#3287]

Even treating Ali with such disrespect, you are still my hero.

Actually, it's just rain in a different form and I'm pretty sure she has and still can handle a little rain.

[robin]

Where are you my friend?

[DDT (12)]

Ron,

Yep, once again I find myself agreeing with you! My 'guilt meter' was pegging the needle when I saw all of that... Oh well, the eggs & bacon did help!

DDT (12)



John,

Yes, I did! I'd actually deployed it when I'd covered her then just left it in place when removal of the cover occurred. I find myself using that important item provided by Da Prez frequently nowadays, as I felt much worse the evening Hot Tub Johnny and I had to pick her up off the pavement in the rain and wind! Clever, easy to use, and easy to store, it's also proving to be indispensable for extended touring! To Ross I owe a big debt of gratitude!

DDT (12)



'Nuther John,

Yes indeed, you have permanently solved the problem with an always in-place prop! I'm thinking I'll be doing the same thing... one of these days... BTW, for better or worse I'm never out voted and always have unanimous decisions!

DDT (12)



Dennis,

Yes, it was an emotional let-down to realize just how much I'd missed the call on that! I used to keep her indoors a lot, too, but I've found the PMS to be worse than the occasional low feelings when I abuse our girl. Oh well, the consolation was effective, so now I'm back to daydreaming about a return to the endless road trip... Among other things, I'm also looking forward to sharing some grub and wind with you in SoMo in the not-too-distant future...

DDT (12)



Jess,

A friend of mine loaned me a half cover once upon a time for a road trip, and I did like it! I'm thinking I may go that way with the next one I buy... BTW, I use a cover for several reasons, and prominent among them are the ones you pointed out!

DDT (12)



Evan,

I won't propose it was anything like the Hindenburg disaster, but I do agree it was still quite nerve-jangling! I understand about the turkey bacon... Not bad, I must admit, but... well... I am sort of a traditionalist when it comes to certain foods... particularly my favorites! It did work, though, and that's the important thing...

DDT (12)



Keith,

Yes, you are exactly right! Mercifully, all necessary consoling items were on hand, so my delicate derriere remained comfortably inside for the duration...

DDT (12)



Bill,

Thanks for the comment! Yes, moisture is moisture that simply comes in various forms. After eyeballing her this morning with some snow (mostly ice now) still piled upon her seat... I'm wondering how long it will be before the foam padding inside finally dries from this episode...? You're absolutely correct, though, this isn't the first time things have been soaked, and with any luck, it won't be the last either!

DDT (12)



Robin,

Enterprise, Alabama... About thirty miles west of Dothan, thirty miles east of Andalusia, and twenty miles north of the Florida state line... Also known as Lower Alabama or simply LA. Obviously not far enough south, though, as things like this surprising weather drama have unfolded! Oh well at least I still have some bacon on hand...

DDT (12)

[t-man403]

Hahaha! 

Even my bike hasn’t been snowed on!

[DDT (12)]

Terry,

   Yes, and even though our girl also has spent an entire winter in Calgary, she's only been snowed on in the deep south! Ironic, huh...? I guess that sort of 'partner abuse' is not a geographic-specific phenomenon after all... Are you ready for some partying up your way in a few months! I'm getting antsy about that thought!!!  

DDT (12)

[da prez]

  Bruce , I am glad you used the  Valkyrie Viagra  . Ya got it up , keep it up.

                                               da prez

[Bigwolf]

Bruce,
It seems to me that the cover you have been using on Ali needs a reprimand for it's occasionally going AWOL in times of need!  I believe that I can teach it to do better.  Let's talk about it next time you are in the volunteer state.

[t-man403]

Terrry,
 Are you ready for some partying up your way in a few months! I'm getting antsy about that thought!!!   
DDT (12)

Dang right!
I gotta tell you though, I was hoping to head south but...at .69 on the US buck, I won't be crossing the boarder any time soon!

[DDT (12)]

Ross,

I'm also glad I've been using the Valk Viagra! I'm convinced it has saved our girl some bumps, bruises, and scuff marks, etc. Of course, there is no way to prove that, but some of the winds she's had to endure sure have made a believer out of her partner! Very well thought-out product y'all came up with, and I always have it with us nowadays! Thanks for making it an integral part of our 'bike stock' on this unending road trip...

DDT (12)



Jerry,

Yessir, that cover we're still using has definitely seen better days. It not only squirms and fidgets more now in a breeze, it apparently now has learned how to jump the track and become useless in times of greatest need! It's also developed a couple of wear holes, some noticeable chaffing, and thread/stitching deterioration due to sunlight exposure.

Pam, Hot Tub Johnny's spouse, bought a replacement for the one now in use, but the new one didn't fit... primarily due to the pick-up bed you installed on the luggage rack. Oh well, I reckon I'll just have to keep looking for a replacement... I'm thinking the half cover mentioned by Jess just might be the one for us...

DDT (12)



Terry,

Ah yeah, the old currency exchange rate issue... I've had that work both ways for me over the years, but typically it's been more helpful when I've ventured that far north. Either way, though, I sure would like to hang with my good friends in Canada again, so I'm thinking I'll be coming regardless...

Who knows, y'all might even be part of the US by then anyway making the whole issue moot! Reckon...? Nah, me either... Political boundaries aside, y'all are great neighbors and very much part of our 'family'... All that and your beer is better than ours, too... As long as I'm able, I sure hope to continue visiting your fantastic neck of the woods!

DDT (12)