Valkyrie Riders Cruiser Club

Scratching Sound…
 
We heard it loud and clear... perhaps some of you did too. It wasn't as loud as it soon will be, but we did begin the long-overdue easing of that itch... the one that overtakes us so quickly and always compels us to venture forth and do what we do... This time things will be quite a bit different in many ways, but they most certainly do hold much promise!
 
My SIL, Pam, knew right from the git-go… As HTJ (Hot Tub Johnny) and I pulled into the ‘home’ garage following a safe return from the Spring Fling climax to our recent mini-coddiewomple, among her first words of greeting were, “How long do you think you might be staying this time?” She had that usual broad, wonderful smile that displayed her genuineness but also indicated her full knowledge of the usual answer… “I have no idea, sweetie…”
 
Departure wouldn’t be right away, however, as there were a few chores to attend, plus some commitments made that would need to be honored… My daughter had invited us down for Easter day activities, and I’d accepted. OK, that extended our stay, but it also sort of put an outer ‘limit’ safety valve on how long we’d be compelled to remain stationary. There was also that boo-boo recovery thing for our girl that really should be addressed…
 
The delivery person walking up the driveway with a package in his hand was viewed by this ‘homesick for the road’ wanderer as a potentially important milestone of sorts… Was it…? YES! It was indeed! Inside was the spotlight housing sent to us by Josh, Darksider, to replace the one smashed-up in the wind-driven tip over in Alabama a week or two before… HTJ, among his many other useful attributes and skills, is also rather handy with a wrench, so he made short work of the replacement. None the worse for wear at all, and all lights now function properly!
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/G3stL9kc/IMG-1994.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/pyRRkWG7)
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/bvjHTKpn/IMG-1995.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LJN14Qq4)
 
Da Prez had also advised us that he’d sent a ‘Valkyrie Viagra’ to us, but unfortunately that hadn’t arrived by KSU time, so… I reckon we’ll just have to wait to see what that might be all about… I’m thinking it must be something to keep our scoots ‘upright’ during serious ‘blows’… A good idea, especially for ‘challenged’ riders like yours truly, so I am looking forward to exploring the possibilities, and even more to reaping the benefits!
 
This will not be a pure coddiewomple by any means, but it still is a wander-fest sure to excite and gratify at many levels. First, there was that visit to another of my several homes… my daughter’s place. I truly enjoy visiting the family down there… the near kin as well as all the extended kin continually being increased. My granddaughter has a fiancé who brings with him an entire cadre of his own kin that is absolutely enhancing our already terrific, blended gaggle of in-laws, outlaws, rascals, and solid citizens!!! The Easter meal would actually be at the GD’s house, although we’d be staying… well, at home, so to speak…
 
Only for a night or two, however, depending upon weather and the forecast. I’d wanted to wander up into eastern North Carolina, then double back to Greenville, SC, for the following weekend. RNFWP, Ross, has been telling me about local BBQ for some time now, so with this opportunity popping up, it just seems right to try it out. Greg Moreland will be joining us, and hopefully Hubcap Mike, perhaps even Stanley Steamer will be able to join us, as well.
 
A few days later, I have yet another doctor appointment in Montgomery, so I’ll head over there once my Q appetite has been sated. I’m hoping to tempt Greg into joining me for that and what will follow… There is another Valk Gathering planned for Slade, KY, the first weekend in May, so I figure to wander around sort of in the general direction of eastern Kentucky after the doctor doings, then arrive on time and on target for the Dragon Wyr Ride. Greg hasn’t made one of these yet, so time he got introduced!
 
After that, yet another visit to Montgomery, this time to see the dentist… Talk about a treadmill! Events over the last couple of years have thrown all of my careful scheduling of those necessary things into complete disarray! Now it seems that every time I start to visualize distant horizons, my pesky calendar seems to say, “Whoa! Not so fast there, big boy…” There is even another ‘can’t miss or reschedule’ appointment with my urologist, the ‘overall quarterback’ with all of my prostate care, on June 14th…  Those last two mentioned will put the kibosh on my desire to make either the Hillbilly Ride or InZane this year… (Hold on a minute, while I wipe a tear…)
 
And so it is that with all of the planning, scheduling, and coordinating needing to be undertaken this time out, there simply is no way for us to consider this a coddiewomple in any regard or at any level. Yeah, there will be a very modest amount of freelance riding sprinkled in, but… For the most part this will be a more traditional type of ride. Not my first choice, of course, but by no means a bad choice! Plus it has the distinct advantage of offering a much-needed scratch opportunity for all the sitting around we’ve been engaged in recently!!!
 
Lest anyone think I might be bellyaching here, let me assure you I am most happy to be here living this life just the way it is! Even when things don’t seem to be going my way, I know it is only a temporary situation… That as long as I’m still on the sunny side of the sod, better days surely await. I often think of departed friends who no longer have those to look forward to, and it always reminds me to be thankful for what I do have! As I wrote this last paragraph, I recalled one of those good friends… Jackie, Punisher’s late special lady friend, and a good friend to all who knew her. She is missed!

(https://i.postimg.cc/zDK8vGj5/IMG-1960.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/grzfBdQB)
 
DDT

 :cooldude:

 :angel: Jackie :angel:

So...how is The Punisher doing these days. I've not seen him since Inzane in Asheville about 2016, we have communicated via this medium however. I don't recall if Jackie is the same fine lady I met at that time, she was special indeed.

Punisher was at Hattiesburg - he lives close by - seems to be doing OK. He's a good guy. He'll be at Inzane.

Paul,

Thanks for the response! Yeah, Jackie was an angel, at least from all I ever saw. She always made any event she attended a bit better than it otherwise would have been...

DDT



John,

Yes, that's her. In fact, your last encounter wasn't too far off from the time that she shared the news of her tragic diagnosis with us at an FCR gathering in Robbinsville. A very special person indeed, always upbeat and positive whenever I saw her, plus her enthusiasm and zest for life added much to the overall enjoyment of everyone present!

Punisher seems to be doing quite well. He's absorbed in laying a proper predicate for him to 'hit the road' and perform his job from anywhere he happens to be. It appears he's found a way to hold onto his income stream while becoming a biker gypsy at the same time! No small feat, right there... I was never able to pull that off myself... He, too, is one of those very special folks we only occasionally come across, but our lives are enriched because of our contact... I hope he plans to write about his experience... He will have much to share!!!

DDT

Bruce,

Thanks for sharing.
Petra and I feel your pain of not being able to wander this year, not due to our health, but due to the health of one of our beloved pets. She's just too old to leave without her momma.
 So, as you, we are kind of committed to shorter than usual rides.
But what the hey, at least we get in the wind.
Take care my dear friend and look forward to our next meeting.

Bruce, your license plate should read "ICHYFT". :coolsmiley:

I've been accused of having an itchy foot all my life.

Glad he's going to be at Inzane. I recall him telling me how she cried for me when she found out about my Rita's health issues & I was taking care of her. I didn't remember her name...only the person and the introduction at the time. Quite a gal indeed.

Bruce, maybe I’ll see you in Slade! I don’t plan on getting a room as it’s only about 60 miles from my house. It will be my first foray East on the Wing.

John,

Good Lord willing, we'll both be there! Looking forward to making this one this time. I've almost gone several times, even had reservations once or twice, but something always came up. So far, still on-track to make it this time. May have one or two other riders with me! Looking forward to it... and to hanging with you again... See ya there!

DDT

Yuri,

We all have things crop up from time to time that unavoidably tie us down. Oh well, those all pass in time, so we bear-up to the demands and look forward to brighter days ahead! If I do make it near y'all this year, I'll be sure to raise a holler! I vividly recall your claim of a hot grill and cold beverages!!!

DDT








Eric,

Having read your resume, I'm inclined to humbly bow out of the running and grant you sole ownership of that handle! You most certainly are a serious rider, and I admire your skill and dedication to the pursuit! Hope to join you one of these days for some coddiewomple experimentation and sharing!

DDT

Bruce,

Great sharing of wise words. You always pinpoint out the positives from the random conundrums of life that hit us all unexpectedly.

We... being the adolescent species that we are, need more of that.

Thanks!

Preston,

Mighty kind words, my friend! Thanks for sharing your thoughts... Our girl and her rider are scooting about hither and yon, living large and loving life!!! Yeah, we're still pondering and such, too... See y'all in Slade...?

DDT

Bruce, I always enjoy reading your prose and thank you for another serving. 

Glad to note that Ali can see to the right side better with the new light.

I truly enjoyed sharing stories with you at the Spring Fling and pray the road gremlins stay away from you and Ali on your travels.

RainMaker

Mark,

It sure was good seeing you and Ron again, too! Man, it had been way too long! I always enjoy our conversations, and this time I also got to have a couple with your compadre... He's a very interesting guy! Looking forward to doing more in the coming years...

DDT