Lift Off...

[DDT (12)]

 
So, it actually took a bit longer than anticipated this time to head down the driveway towards the next big adventure. Dang, it used to be so different… I once kept us ready all the time to depart on the spur of the moment, but that was not the case this time. I’d already changed the oil & filter, though, and my bags are always kept mostly packed… Haircut, laundry, most of the requisite chores were already checked off the to-do list, too; however…
 
I carried my first bags out to the garage, and then for some reason I happened to glance down at the tires. Both in good shape wear-wise, but… Hmmmm, I hadn’t checked the pressure in those babies for a while, and not at all since returning home more than a month before… DANG! Both low according to the gauge! OK, now where is that doggone pump… Got all that done and finished loading, then… OK, now which jacket to wear… Decisions, decisions… This debate quickly turned into one of those times when emotion wrestles mightily with reason…
 
Sure, it had only been a matter of time before we would head out again anyway, but… this time the unexpectedly wonderful coolness had triggered the sudden impulse and immediate response. I eagerly look forward to the return of cool all summer long, and this year was clearly no exception! It was time to return to the open road, but inertia and laziness had allowed circumstances to not be in a state of peak preparation like they used to be…
 
I’m clearly hearing that dreadful ticking sound from the ole clock of life that seems to grow louder with each new day! POTUS has the ‘Chinese Cooties’ now, Mac Davis just passed, I’m a day older than I was yesterday… and in a couple of days I would be receiving word that yet another friend is in dire straits with cancer… All things to vividly remind me, in case I wasn’t paying attention, that my limited time is slipping away! The ‘Grim Reaper’ is definitely gaining on this aging rider, but perhaps I can keep that relentless stalker at bay a bit longer by remaining mobile… a moving target and all that…
 
Life is terminal absolutely, and none of us are immortal of course. Still, none of us are in a hurry to reach the finish-line either. Most of us conclude that all we can realistically do is cram as much living as we can into whatever time turns out to be available to us…So, I’m on a mission for sure, as time keeps rushing by… I figured I’d already consumed far too many years back in the day being the dutiful good citizen ‘team player’ I was expected to be…
 
Back when stress was a constant companion, when apprehension filled everything that composed my daily activities and threats lurked around each corner… The heavy yoke of responsibility and commitment was aging this struggling consumer of breath well beyond his years. I recall thinking to myself, “I’m way too young to be feeling this cursed old!”
 
Life took a major but completely unexpected series of twists and turns, happily, and I ended up in a very good place after all… All those years I’d feared had been wasted had actually been solid investment and an essential predicate for all that was to come after all. Have I ever mentioned that I’m mighty proud to be here? I’m also pretty sanguine about the journey itself that has brought me to this point, as well…
 
The dilemma of which jacket to wear seems on the surface to be such a trivial thing to be holding-up the big show! My denim jacket would be the better choice all things considered, but the leather jacket would be… so symbolic, even functional some of the time… I went with the leather more because it just seemed so good to sort of need it again, even though I also knew there would be more time when it would be ‘stored’ than actually being worn compared with the more practical choice… Oh well… Sentiment counts, too, I reckon…
 
Finally, approaching 11am we were able to back out of the garage and hit the starter button. Gawd, I do love that sound she makes when she comes to life and cheerfully reports, “All is well… let’s get on with it!” Side-stand already up, drop her into gear, twist the throttle, and… life is so frigging good again! One of my few regrets is that I cannot put into words an adequate description of the incredible sensation felt at such times… Fortunately, that isn’t necessary for those who may still be reading this piece, though… you already know!
 
Nowhere in particular in mind, so we just did what we often do… make a plan on-the-fly. I sort of had a notion we’d be going west and north generally, perhaps even through the Dakotas again, wandering in a longcut arc eventually arriving in Robbinsville, NC, in a couple of weeks… We took a very familiar route away from home… all routes down there are familiar after decades of cruising around that area… I was thinking maybe Marianna for the night, but… Yep, I missed a turn again, so we wound-up in Defuniak Springs instead… Just another inconsequential detail…
 
The following morning I took totally lazy and decided to just lay over a day. I hadn’t just had one of my better nights, though, so I wasn’t exactly ‘in the pink’. That combined with… the complete absence of any compelling need to press on, the fact I was hungry for a big breakfast but not the worry of later becoming drowsy… heck, it was just so easy to slow down and savor the moment… so I did precisely that! While lounging about, I received a text from an old and dear friend… Punisher.
 
Among the many absolute joys of my life is the near complete lack of urgent tasks requiring prompt attention, far distances needing to be covered in short order, people making heavy demands upon my time… A virtually stress-free life: and I ain’t lying here, I do love it so!!! It never fails to bring a smile to my face when I awaken with something in mind for the day, only to have some other adventure opportunity pop-up totally unanticipated and send us in an entirely different direction… No bad choices, no disasters looming or brushfires to fight, just one great surprise option replacing another…
 
Following a brief exchange of… nonsense, actually, an invitation to just come to Hattiesburg, MS, was extended and accepted. So, a modest route alteration followed by an easy ride, and… we pulled into the carport of Punisher’s gigantic house… We’d already arranged to do some ‘Q’ that evening, but another surprise was forthcoming… Allan casually mentioned that while I’d been in route his next door neighbor had invited us to come over the next day… for some red beans and rice… a Cajun thing most don’t know about, but I surely do!
 
The same folks who’d invited Lucky13 and me to a Crawfish Boil a couple of years ago when we’d made another unplanned visit to Allan’s not-so-humble hacienda. Dang, this is a pattern I could get used to!!! I don’t have a clue when our girl might drag me away from here, and certainly I have no idea which way we might be headed by then, but… That will be just another one of those detail things, I’m sure, that’ll work itself out just fine… No matter, it’s all good!!!
 
DDT

[Rams]

Crawfish boil....
Makes me wonder how many folks have tried this? 
And, how many would?
Where I grew up, Crawfish or Crawdads as they were called was fishbait.

Rams

[Bighead]

Another good un  Bruce. You my friend are my hero and living the dream

[Valkorado]

That will be just another one of those detail things, I’m sure, that’ll work itself out just fine… No matter, it’s all good!!!

I think you've got it pretty much figured out, Bruce.   

[Thunderbolt]

Hope all goes well on your long cut to Robbinsville.  That's a lot of typing on a smart phone.  I'm guessing you found a suitable alternative to pen your thoughts.

[DDT (12)]

Crawfish boil....
Makes me wonder how many folks have tried this?  
And, how many would?
Where I grew up, Crawfish or Crawdads as they were called was fishbait.

Rams

Ron,

Funny how life-long habits and customs automatically include or preclude so many things for us. I've turned my nose up at things that later turned out to be quite enjoyable... and, naturally, others that didn't produce such a grand memory! It is the willingness to sample, to experiment, to try new stuff that broadens us and helps us grow.

Most folks probably haven't had the opportunity, but I'm guessing most would also be willing to give it a try. I have no idea what the reaction might be, however... Could be a bust with lots of wasted 'mud-bugs', or it could be a hit with a shortage resulting... Only thing I know to do is seriously consider actually giving it a try!

I think of crawfish as 'freshwater shrimp'... Not an exact comparison, of course, but... close enough for this picky eater to have no reservations about trying them back in the day. A crawfish boil is so much more than simply a meal entre, though... The reason those came about, the celebration of life that accompanies that 'event'...

The authentic boils are amazing, fun, great social gatherings and one of my favorite group meal-based gathering things... Of course, live Cajun music (I do love that a bunch!!!), cold beer, and lively dancing also are part of the mix if those are to be done completely right... The laughter and palpable joy will just naturally flow, so none of that need be provided by the hosts...

DDT

Another good un  Bruce. You my friend are my hero and li ing the dream

Barry,

Thanks, ole buddy! I am a tremendously fortunate person, and fate, fortune, and life have clearly smiled broadly upon this restless wanderer. I figure to attend the FCR this time (I normally do), but I never truly know for sure until our girl gets her side-stand set on the Phillips Motel parking lot. Assuming we do make it, will we get to visit with you there? I know your schedule is a show-stopper most years, but... I have my fingers crossed...

DDT



Seth,

Thanks! I'm a bit slow on the uptake, as you know, so it probably took this average-at-best student longer to find that 'groove' than it would have for most... Still, I have no complaints, and... Yep, I'm mighty proud to finally be here! Hope you're able to get in a few more rides this season before... you know... Good luck!

DDT

Hope all goes well on your long cut to Robbinsville.  That's a lot of typing on a smart phone.  I'm guessing you found a suitable alternative to pen your thoughts.

Terry,

Yes, so do I!!! In no hurry whatsoever; so, thanks to my magnanimous host, I'm still in Hattiesburg, MS. He's invited me to just hang around then ride to Robbinsville with him... Might do that, but probably will wander-off soon... I still have those itchy feet, ya know... Yes, I've been carrying a laptop with me for many, many years...

DDT

[Bighead]

Unfortunately I don’t see it happening 

[hubcapsc]

Where I grew up, Crawfish or Crawdads as they were called was fishbait.

My cousin Bill and I fished for Red-eye and Small Mouth Bass every
summer on the Greenbrier River down below granddaddy's house
in Ronceverte WV... one summer, this  big patch of (we called it)
seaweed on the downstream side of an island where we fished was
filled with moulting soft-shelled crawdads. It seemed like you'd get
a strike on every cast with them. We never used crawdads for
bait before that, and never had any luck (they were never molting
when we were there) with them again.

-Mike

[Rams]

Crawfish boil....
Makes me wonder how many folks have tried this? 
And, how many would?
Where I grew up, Crawfish or Crawdads as they were called was fishbait.

Rams

Ron,

Funny how life-long habits and customs automatically include or preclude so many things for us. I've turned my nose up at things that later turned out to be quite enjoyable... and, naturally, others that didn't produce such a grand memory! It is the willingness to sample, to experiment, to try new stuff that broadens us and helps us grow.

Most folks probably haven't had the opportunity, but I'm guessing most would also be willing to give it a try. I have no idea what the reaction might be, however... Could be a bust with lots of wasted 'mud-bugs', or it could be a hit with a shortage resulting... Only thing I know to do is seriously consider actually giving it a try!

I think of crawfish as 'freshwater shrimp'... Not an exact comparison, of course, but... close enough for this picky eater to have no reservations about trying them back in the day. A crawfish boil is so much more than simply a meal entre, though... The reason those came about, the celebration of life that accompanies that 'event'...

The authentic boils are amazing, fun, great social gatherings and one of my favorite group meal-based gathering things... Of course, live Cajun music (I do love that a bunch!!!), cold beer, and lively dancing also are part of the mix if those are to be done completely right... The laughter and palpable joy will just naturally flow, so none of that need be provided by the hosts...

DDT

Bruce,
I agree.   I'm not knocking it and am very willing to give it a shot.   Just never considered Crawfish as a food source until I moved to Southern Mississippi.   I've tried several things in my life that were foreign to my up bringing.   Fried and Breaded Rattlesnake, Gator, Frog Legs, all kinds of wildlife cook outs, while in S. Korea, central America and way up in Northern Alaska I ate some of the local foods, some I liked, others not so much. 

But, I'm willing to try it.  Exposure to new things is a good thing (normally).

Rams

[Wizzard]

I used to use crawfish as bait all the time growing up in Iowa.
Keep writing Bruce, enjoying it and how you are fearless. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

"POTUS has the ‘Chinese Cooties’ now, Mac Davis just passed away"

Sounds like a title of a Country and Western song. I hope all you guys have a great FCR.  

(I was a little apprehensive with your title)

[DDT (12)]

All the replies dealing with crawfish have reminded me of Terry Bradshaw ruminating on 'sushi'... I tolerate Cajun food quite well, but it is not my favorite... Actually it's the 'Cajun experience' that has me so thoroughly hooked! I've always had a great time wandering around down in 'Acadiana', and I'll most certainly do some more in time.

The people and their story, the modest cultural differences, the music and accent, the swampy nature of the bayou terrain, everything so different from what I've been accustomed to; the sensory novelty on every level... And, of course, it includes the simple fact they've seemed to always tolerate yours truly so warmly and completely, and the extension of their generosity in allowing me to sample their joyous way of life. Yep, it's the 'total experience' that is so inspiring to me, and I don't seem able to get enough of it. Just for reference, crawfish as food are more than OK, but they don't stack-up next to bacon or coconut pie IMHO.

DDT

[Wizzard]

All the replies dealing with crawfish have reminded me of Terry Bradshaw ruminating on 'sushi'... I tolerate Cajun food quite well, but it is not my favorite... Actually it's the 'Cajun experience' that has me so thoroughly hooked! I've always had a great time wandering around down in 'Acadiana', and I'll most certainly do some more in time.

The people and their story, the modest cultural differences, the music and accent, the swampy nature of the bayou terrain, everything so different from what I've been accustomed to; the sensory novelty on every level... And, of course, it includes the simple fact they've seemed to always tolerate yours truly so warmly and completely, and the extension of their generosity in allowing me to sample their joyous way of life. Yep, it's the 'total experience' that is so inspiring to me, and I don't seem able to get enough of it. Just for reference, crawfish as food are more than OK, but they don't stack-up next to bacon or coconut pie IMHO.

DDT

Amen,, especially coconut pie 

[hubcapsc]

I just remembered something else about fishing on the Greenbrier... we used to seine
for hellgrammites and use them for bait.



Wimp likes hellgrammites  ...

-Mike

[Valkorado]

[


Seth,

Thanks! I'm a bit slow on the uptake, as you know, so it probably took this average-at-best student longer to find that 'grove' than it would have for most... Still, I have no complaints, and... Yep, I'm mighty proud to finally be here! Hope you're able to get in a few more rides this season before... you know... Good luck!

DDT

I know, I know.  Even I like to sweep some subjects under the rug, Bruce.  This is one of 'em.  It's looking like it should be pretty Indian Summery this aft.  I'm outta here! 

[RP#62]

Where I grew up, crawfish or mudbugs are a way of life.  I can remember at family reunions when I was a wee lad, there would be two giant black pots out in the pasture behind grandma's house, one full of crawfish and one full of blue crabs.  There may have been a little beer there as well.  My aunt used to make a crawfish bisque that was to die for.

-RP

[RNFWP]

Thanks all (especially Bruce) Reading yalls banter on these types of posts does me a world of good.

I may not have much to input but I sure would miss this place if it weren't here... Looking at the number of times things are read vs replied to, there may be many casual observers. I don't know how many other flies there are on the wall with me but sometimes I imagine all the other smiling faces and their unspoken gratitude.

Ross

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Sure hope Ali decides to attend The Fall Color Ride and brings you along it wouldn't be the same without you.  As always I read all your post my friend. Punisher and the big house in the south he's another friend as you I'm blessed to know because of the Valkyrie... Long Live The Dragon.

[msb]

Enjoy your next adventure out on the road Bruce. A change in pace is not a bad thing, in terms of taking your time getting going, or taking longer breaks now and then if you feel like kickin' back for a few days. Especially for someone like you who has racked up so many miles for so long. Heck even a relative puddle jumper like me when compared to you has started slowing up the pace some instead of seeing how many kms I can put in each day when on longer rides....much to the delight of my co-pilot
Crawfish (crayfish)...we had 'em in the drainage ditches where I lived when I was a teenager....I don't think I would've eaten 'em out of there though.

[Farside]

  Ocala, we have lift off Another nice read of your next adventure Bruce. Defuniak Springs has a good mom & pop resturant just north of I=10, you may of visited it next to the WH. I think it's called McLain's Family Steak House. Good spread.  I wish I'd of known you were there I may have been able to pick up Jeff = Christj  and head over to meet you for lunch/dinner. It would of been a good ride down Hwy 90. Enjoy MS as I was thru there about a week ago headed to Bob's in Tulsa. 
I bet you'll make the FCR as I wish I could maybe one of these days. We actually have recovered from Sally but looks like we have possible hurricane that could effect us here again in the Pan-handle.  ??? hope not. 

[Bigwolf]