Valkyrie Riders Cruiser Club
July 14, 2025, 08:06:33 PM *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Ultimate Seats Link VRCC Store
Homepage : Photostash : JustPics : Shoptalk : Old Tech Archive : Classifieds : Contact Staff
News: If you're new to this message board, read THIS!
 
VRCC Calendar Ad
Pages: [1]   Go Down
Print
Author Topic: New Riding Partner...  (Read 1633 times)
DDT (12)
Member
*****
Posts: 4114


Sometimes ya just gotta go...

Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...


« on: November 28, 2021, 07:50:15 AM »

Hot Tub, Community Coffee, Strange Socks…
 
Morning came early for Jim and this normally early riser anyway. Coffee first, of course, then thoughts of breakfast. My ‘main reason for being in Mandeville, LA, in the first place’ had chosen to stay just down the road in Slidell the evening before after all, so Jim and I had been on our own. A call to Dennis (Troutdude) was placed and he showed up and pleasantly surprised us by providing some Community Coffee with Chicory… What a marvelous treat! Later he returned to be with us for that all-important ritual of devouring bacon and whatever else… eggs this time for yours truly.
 
During the usual breakfast banter, the name of t-man403 came up (Terry Nickel). A pic was taken of Dennis and one of his pals to forward to t-man via 'WhatsApp'... however... I was unable to figure out how to do that, so... here it is Terry! BTW, our comments were all positive regarding you...
 

 
A deal had been brokered whereby my brother-in-law would acquire a very low-mileage, beautiful, shiny black & chrome ’98 Valkyrie Tourer from Dennis, and John was to pick it up that morning. Soon to be a member of the VRCC, John Smith, my BIL, also happens to be my new landlord… one of them, anyway!
 
See, he bought my old house from my daughter that had become my ex-wife’s that was then inherited when the elder passed. Five years before her passing, I had returned to that very house and lived occasionally with my former spouse who by then had become referred to as my landlady. I had no interest in retaining a house of any sort anywhere myself, so I declined when offered the house.
 
Well, Johnny has made it clear I could keep my bedroom and continue as before under his administration… Kind of a big thing for this otherwise homeless gypsy! OK, not entirely homeless... My daughter also has a bedroom reserved for this geriatric juvenile, plus another good friend and spouse have even extended an invitation to live with them... Heck, even my granddaughter and one of my grandsons have offered me shelter! (My other grandson still lives at home.)
 
My BIL and new landlord, John Smith aka Hot-tub Johnny (I’m told there is a story behind that handle, but I haven’t heard it yet) had been the main reason Jim and I had ridden down to Mandeville, LA… John was there to pick up a new to him ride from Troutdude, and I’d wanted to witness the joyous event!
 

 
Anyway, Johnny along with his wife and two dogs (all of their kids are grown) arrived at the motel where Jim and I had stayed and introductions were made, a rental U-Haul trailer was obtained, and the meeting was adjourned and reconvened at Dennis’ house… And the presentation of the ‘new’ Valkyrie was made to the newest joy receiver who really had no idea what all lay just ahead for him!
 
I almost had to wipe a tear, as I dreamily recalled seeing our girl for the very first time at our initial meeting… then some vignettes of some of all the absolutely incredible events that have followed over the more than two subsequent decades floated past my mind’s eye… Such events are truly a beautiful thing to observe and contemplate!!!
 
Johnny took a wee test ride on his 'new' steed... When he returned his reaction was as those of us who already know find very predictable and typical, "WOW! That's ten times better than any Harley I've ever ridden!" Yes, the new Valker was quite happy, and it was obvious another saga was beginning... He and his entourage aided by Troutdude then loaded up his new prize on the trailer and headed for Florida.

That deal almost did not happen. Johnny hadn’t ridden in quite some time, he’d just bought a new to him house, therefore he was covered up with personalization projects, plus he was married. Spousal approval is a must, of course, and only a very tepid reaction had been received up until then… It could have even been interpreted as mild reticence. I think what finally turned him completely around was my handing of my phone to him with this pic on it… and my telling him I’d be glad to take him there and show it to him… Glacier NP. Seeing his enthusiasm grow, his spouse also then decided it would be OK.


 
Jim, Dennis, and I later rode around in a cage for some local rat killing and stuff, then we stopped at Vera’s for lunch… I had catfish again, and it was mighty good too!
 

 
Jim was wise to me by then, so there was no hope of keeping him out any longer… I conceded defeat and waved bye to him early that Saturday morning as he rode off towards his home in Tennessee and his own return to regularity. I’m not sure if it was to gain some element of revenge or not, but Jim did get even with me… Dennis washed our clothes for us, then Jim chose MY pair of socks to take with him! My feet are a bit bigger than his are, so I did notice right away…
 
Dennis would be doing his own thing, too, so that left this wanderer to… move on and wander off… I’d promised to spend Thanksgiving with my daughter and her crew, so a return to Florida would be my next trek… I did plan to stop by ‘home’ at Hot-tub’s on the way to another ‘home’ to see how he was doing, etc.
 
I made it back ‘home’ to Hot-tub Johnny’s place and promptly slipped into my own special ‘zone’ again…
 
kai girl name
 
Johnny and I made a couple of day rides to sort of knock off some of his accumulated skill rust, but also for me to show him a few of my favorite BBQ joints. He does have good riding skills, so my worries on that score were eliminated (I’d never seen him ride before), plus he had a chance to familiarize himself more with the feel of a proper motorcycle (he’d only owned Harleys before)! With everything seemingly in order, I then made my way back to another of my ‘homes’, my daughter’s abode, to keep a promise…
 
DDT
« Last Edit: November 28, 2021, 08:23:56 AM by DDT » Logged

Don't just dream it... LIVE IT!

See ya down the road...
Rams
Member
*****
Posts: 16289


So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out

Covington, TN


« Reply #1 on: November 28, 2021, 02:46:04 PM »

And the adventure continues..................  cooldude
Glacier National Park..........  Thinking about going that way on my way to Billings...... Undecided

Rams
« Last Edit: November 28, 2021, 02:50:57 PM by Rams » Logged

VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.

Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
RNFWP
Member
*****
Posts: 424


"What color blue is that?"

Greenville, SC


« Reply #2 on: November 28, 2021, 02:59:57 PM »

Good read'n  Smiley
Logged

"My dog is one of my favorite people"
John Schmidt
Member
*****
Posts: 15225


a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike

De Pere, WI (Green Bay)


« Reply #3 on: November 28, 2021, 06:07:55 PM »

Bruce, that spot in Glacier looks familiar, can you enlighten me a bit? I might take a spin through the Park after Inzane next summer providing roads are clear by mid-June.
« Last Edit: November 30, 2021, 05:26:22 PM by John Schmidt » Logged

Sweet Cheeks
Member
*****
Posts: 235


Alabama / Colorado


« Reply #4 on: November 28, 2021, 07:41:45 PM »

Nice read Bruce.

I thought of you last night as we passed by Jan’s on our way home from Montgomery.  Had we not been trying to beat Iron Bowl traffic, I might have wondered through to see if you were there.  Maybe next time.

Welcome Hot Tub Johnny. I look forward to meeting ya.

Safe travels.

Janice
Logged

I  am pretty sure my last words will be ... “Well crap!  That didn’t work!”

2004 VTX 1300 (sold)
1998 Tourer
2003 Standard
DDT (12)
Member
*****
Posts: 4114


Sometimes ya just gotta go...

Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...


« Reply #5 on: November 29, 2021, 05:19:19 AM »

Welcome, Hot-tub Johnny  cooldude



Rob,

I'll pass that welcome along... Not sure he's on here yet, but if not, he soon will be. At the moment he's supposed to be leaving for a hunting trip in Louisiana, so it'll be a week or so before... Anyway, thanks for the greeting, he is a little anxious, but uncertain... No way he could have any idea what all awaits him in this new chapter of his life!

DDT



And the adventure continues..................  cooldude
Glacier National Park..........  Thinking about going that way on my way to Billings...... Undecided

Rams



Ron,

It most certainly does! Getting a little squeezed-in feeling from all of this settled down living I've been doing... sorely need to get back out yonder! Today maybe... gotta call my bank first to straighten out the lockout that resulted from all the 'improvements' they've made lately and my fat-fingered attempts to follow instructions! Dang all this senior-proof technology anyway!!!

As for Glacier NP, I whole heartily recommend a visit! I also suggest you make arrangements to go there following IZ in Billings instead of before, if possible. On three different occasions (one as late as mid-June) I've been turned away because the snow still had the road over Logan Pass blocked or repairs to sections were incomplete of roadway that had had parts slide away. I have ridden it several times, though, and I assure you will be glad you also did!

DDT



Good read'n  Smiley




Ross,

Thanks, my friend! I do love my life! This stage where I'm bound by no partner, no job, no house, not even a car has been enormously liberating and I'm thoroughly enjoying this new 'toy' I've been playing with... Heck, I think I'll go do some more today...

DDT



Bruce, that spot in Glacier looks familiar, can you enlighten me a bit? I might take a sping through the Park after Inzane next summer providing roads are clear by mid-June.



John,

That snap was taken along the route up the east side of Logan Pass. There are a couple of lakes, in fact, and the whole thing is most scenic! I've found that for me I prefer to ride east to west in the mornings, then back across the pass west to east in the afternoon - that way the sun is behind you both ways.

All the stuff on the west side of the entrance, Kalispell, etc., is quite pricy, so staying in one place for two nights outside the east entrance works for me... the further away from the entrance the more likely motel rates will be reasonable... Also, following IZ is a good idea... it does lessen, but does not guarantee, the odds of the road being closed for some reason... Take pics and post about your ride!!!

DDT



Nice read Bruce.

I thought of you last night as we passed by Jan’s on our way home from Montgomery.  Had we not been trying to beat Iron Bowl traffic, I might have wondered through to see if you were there.  Maybe next time.

Welcome Hot Tub Johnny. I look forward to meeting ya.

Safe travels.

Janice



Janice,

Thanks for the comments! Nope, I wasn't at Jan's this time... Bernice (a posse member) is having a birthday party there on December 7th, and I'd like to make that... However, it will be entirely 'weather dependent', and it ain't looking all that great at the moment. Oh well, I may just have to wander some instead... It sure gets tough sometimes... Safe travels to you, as well...

DDT
Logged

Don't just dream it... LIVE IT!

See ya down the road...
thedon
Administrator
Member
*****
Posts: 512


Wisconsin State Rep.

Watertown Wisconsin


« Reply #6 on: November 29, 2021, 11:55:52 AM »

Bruce,
Great read as always, Welcome "Hot Tub Johny".
Logged
oldslacker
Member
*****
Posts: 53


Woodbury Tn


« Reply #7 on: November 29, 2021, 01:01:44 PM »

Yeah sorry bout the socks, ick from the looks of them ya needed new ones anyways . lol
Logged

slacker  #8369  97 valk tourer, 14 wing.
Bighead
Member
*****
Posts: 8654


Madison Alabama


« Reply #8 on: November 29, 2021, 05:49:56 PM »

 crazy2 2funny 2funny
Yeah sorry bout the socks, ick from the looks of them ya needed new ones anyways . lol
Logged

1997 Bumble Bee
1999 Interstate (sold)
2016 Wing
t-man403
Member
*****
Posts: 1665


Valk-a-maniac

Calgary, Alberta, Canada.


« Reply #9 on: November 29, 2021, 05:59:59 PM »


 
During the usual breakfast banter, the name of t-man403 came up (Terry Nickel). A pic was taken of Dennis and one of his pals to forward to t-man via 'WhatsApp'... however... I was unable to figure out how to do that, so... here it is Terry! BTW, our comments were all positive regarding you...
 

 


Holy Cow how hard can it be?!!  Grin

You two need to check "whats app" about now!  2funny
I'm glad the comments regarding me were ALL good as they never are from my friends around here  Wink
Thanks for the picture ...... your both looking good!   coolsmiley
Logged

"Men are like steel. When they lose their temper, they lose their worth". Chuck Norris
DDT (12)
Member
*****
Posts: 4114


Sometimes ya just gotta go...

Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...


« Reply #10 on: November 30, 2021, 04:38:25 AM »

Bruce,
Great read as always, Welcome "Hot Tub Johny".




Don,

Thanks for the comments! I'll pass along your welcome... I just don't understand the patience some folks have. I'm usually either 'all-in' or not interested. Johnny seems to be able to keep multiple balls in the air with ease... He ain't in any hurry to do anything, but he is a rather productive, active person, while I'm chomping at the bit and dropping several balls at any given time... Maybe I should learn from him, huh...?! Looking forward to seeing you and Barbo again when the temps rise!

DDT



Yeah sorry bout the socks, ick from the looks of them ya needed new ones anyways . lol



Jim,

Just because they are 'holey', it doesn't mean they aren't righteous too! I just hate to give up on a good garment... especially treasures that have been with me a long time and to many places... The ones you took weren't holey and not that old, though... OK, all that did make for some good-natured banter... so... maybe we can now get down to business and arrange a prisoner exchange? I'm ready for another Penn-burger, are you?

DDT



crazy2 2funny 2funny
Yeah sorry bout the socks, ick from the looks of them ya needed new ones anyways . lol




Barry,

Yeah, yeah... laugh at other people's misery! Ever try getting into then doing a long day in socks not quite large enough? I imagine it would be sort of akin to wearing helmets that are too small... care to enlighten us on that?

Sorry we missed you at the VDR, my friend... do I need to have a chat with your boss...? I doubt he has any idea how entertaining you are around a campfire... even a 'symbolic' fire... See ya soon, I hope... Hey, would you like to meet for a Penn-burger?

DDT





 
During the usual breakfast banter, the name of t-man403 came up (Terry Nickel). A pic was taken of Dennis and one of his pals to forward to t-man via 'WhatsApp'... however... I was unable to figure out how to do that, so... here it is Terry! BTW, our comments were all positive regarding you...
 

 


Holy Cow how hard can it be?!!  Grin

You two need to check "whats app" about now!  2funny
I'm glad the comments regarding me were ALL good as they never are from my friends around here  Wink
Thanks for the picture ...... your both looking good!   coolsmiley



Terry,

"How hard can it be," you ask! I doubt you realize who you are talking to here!!! I just spent three days trying to move money from one account to another between two different banks via electronic banking! I finally had to enlist my granddaughter to figure it all out... (She did, BTW).   smitten 

Hope you and Lynda have warmth and joy to share during the holidays... well, all the time actually... And, I hope your pals don't yank your chain too hard! Good thing those folks are as subtle as they are... I might have been the target of some of that, too... Ignorance is bliss, ya know!

Hope to see y'all next summer... Next time you chat with your PM, see how he's leaning these days... Don't mention my name, though, he may have heard of me!!!   Grin

DDT
Logged

Don't just dream it... LIVE IT!

See ya down the road...
3fan4life
Member
*****
Posts: 6958


Any day that you ride is a good day!

Moneta, VA


« Reply #11 on: November 30, 2021, 04:11:08 PM »



 


Now there's two of the finest Gentlemen that anyone would ever want to meet!


Hope that your BIL enjoys his Valk and makes it to some of our rides.
Logged

1 Corinthians 1:18

t-man403
Member
*****
Posts: 1665


Valk-a-maniac

Calgary, Alberta, Canada.


« Reply #12 on: November 30, 2021, 04:41:29 PM »



 


Now there's two of the finest Gentlemen that anyone would ever want to meet!


Hope that your BIL enjoys his Valk and makes it to some of our rides.


Sent this photo to my buddy Kirby and the first thing he said...."up to no good!"  2funny
Logged

"Men are like steel. When they lose their temper, they lose their worth". Chuck Norris
3fan4life
Member
*****
Posts: 6958


Any day that you ride is a good day!

Moneta, VA


« Reply #13 on: November 30, 2021, 04:46:30 PM »



 


Now there's two of the finest Gentlemen that anyone would ever want to meet!


Hope that your BIL enjoys his Valk and makes it to some of our rides.


Sent this photo to my buddy Kirby and the first thing he said...."up to no good!"  2funny


I didn't say that they weren't "Devious".  Evil 
Logged

1 Corinthians 1:18

DDT (12)
Member
*****
Posts: 4114


Sometimes ya just gotta go...

Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...


« Reply #14 on: November 30, 2021, 04:52:12 PM »

Mark,

Thanks, my friend... really nice thing to say! I just know he'll be falling in love with his new ride, and I plan to bring him to as many of our gatherings as I can persuade him to attend. Poor guy, he has no idea what's coming right at him!!!

DDT



Terry,

Tell Kirby we all admire his judgement of character! He's one of the characters we hope to see again next time we're up there... maybe over some wings and brews at that special place... Sure are looking forward to hanging out with all y'all again!!!

DDT
« Last Edit: December 01, 2021, 03:45:22 AM by DDT » Logged

Don't just dream it... LIVE IT!

See ya down the road...
Pages: [1]   Go Up
Print
Jump to: