Striking A Balance...

[DDT (12)]

Striking A Balance…

It isn’t so hard to believe, but... WOW! The time had arrived for departure on the new course towards north central Wyoming and our rendezvous with Punisher. Truth be told, our girl and her rider wannabe were both excited to be mobile again and headed towards more adventure. This time would be different for a couple of reasons, but more than anything we were simply happy to be on the move.

Naturally, we were both pleased to be meeting up in a couple of days with Punisher and 'Ruby', too. I'd provided my friend with very simple directions to the 'Flower Power' motel (Greybull Motel) where I've stayed lots of times, as have many of my friends. Among the reasons for choosing this place is its proximity to that special 'Bar & Grill' that serves sensational hamburgers. I'd been steered to that place by some strangers more than twenty years ago, and I've been returning now and then since. There was that other thing, too...

This would not be the very first time it'd been necessary, but it was among only two times since early last Spring that we'd needed and had added the chaps and Gerbings jacket liner to that day's apparel ensemble! We'd been sweltering in unusually hot temps to beat the band for so long, I'd almost forgotten what it felt like to actually need, and to have on, those items rarely used that time of year. It felt oh so good, too!

Northeastward giving Idaho Falls a wide berth, then north towards the west entrance to Yellowstone NP. Our route that day would be really nice with cool temps all the way through that park and to Cody; then things would take a decided turn. First, three times we had to slow and/or stop to yield the right-of-way to critters in that special park, and two of those were for buffalos. No hardships at all, just slow or stop and enjoy watching the leisurely pace of those behemoths as they made their way to wherever they pleased…

Alas, the need for such apparel indulgence would be only temporary. As the mercury in the glass tube moved ever higher with each passing hour, the need to shed a layer mirrored that very noticeable movement! First the jacket liner needed to be removed and returned to its bag, then it was the chaps. Later the gloves needed to be 'downsized' and the sweatshirt removed, then finally the jacket had to be stored. Of course, those had been replaced with sunscreen and no small amount of dismay.

We arrived a day ahead of my friend, but that was OK... as I knew what to do. I had a preliminary burger just to ensure the quality had not slipped, and then I re-engaged in the frequent pastimes of many leisure riders... I loafed, napped, web-surfed, and read some of the book sent to me by Britman much of the time. Funny, I don't recall the TV ever being turned on the entire time we called this place 'home'...

Allan has a unique but enviable arrangement with his employer: He not only ‘works’ from home, his home can literally be anywhere he has Wi-Fi access! He, predictably, uses that to maximum advantage by carrying a laptop with him on ‘Ruby’ and logs in all around the country! In short order, he’d be ‘working’ amongst the flowers of this motel! Our good friend from the Magnolia State truly has found a way to strike the ultimate balance between work, play, and riding!!!

My new partner is a well-seasoned rider with extensive experience making wide ranging road trips all around the country. No disrespect is intended here, but I strongly suspect he hasn’t quite ‘hit his stride’ yet with this new to him work/play/wander iteration of the ultimate road trip. I was absolutely flabbergasted when he first pulled up and I got a good look at the load he was packing on ‘Ruby’! My first thought was that he must come from the same family tree as the Clampetts of Beverly Hills!






I’m sure some fine-tuning will be accomplished over time when he wearies of handling all that gear and muscling it in and out of motel rooms and around campsites… In the meantime, he is still full of enthusiasm and enjoying the entire experience. Like only a very few, this amazing rider has found a way to get out yonder and pursue his own unique brand of coddiewomple while still enjoying a substantial paycheck!

Food soon enough became a pressing consideration, but we decided to delay gratification with the highly regarded burger around the corner in favor of using the grill made available to us. It didn’t hurt that the motel owner was cooking up some meat on that grill as we watched… and smelled the fabulous bouquet of… you know… He invited us to use it ourselves if desired… We rode to the local grocery store and made a few purchases of our own, and in short order Punisher had some sausages in the works for us! Life can be so doggone good, ya know!!!





Allan was ‘logged-in at work’ during several of the days we spent together, but we still found time to take a ride or two. In addition to the short ride for a burger, we also enjoyed a lap up and over the nearby Big Horn Mountains. You may have also noticed that Allan did a little bit of tutoring with this not savvy at all smartbox user… he showed me how to post pictures with my new hard-drive! Now I need to retrain myself to start taking pictures again…



The time soon arrived for us to become mobile once again. We decided to ride together across eastern Wyoming and western South Dakota. We’d part when he reached the turn northward for a visit with another ‘special’ friend in North Dakota, while I’d continue on eastward for… whatever came next…

DDT

[hubcapsc]

In retrospect, it is cruel some of the places I took him on that motorcycle.

In my mind's eye I can see him now, one leg out that way, the other leg out the other way,
his rear end not on the seat and air between all those bags too... apparently he went worse
places afterwards on his own...

-Mike

[DDT (12)]

Mike,

It amazes me that some of our brethren seem to think the 'Cruiser of The Decade' is also a dual sport/adventure bike! Allan is clearly in that group along with you and my friend Dusty Roads, but mercifully he has, so far anyway, not led me on such a ride! Personally, I've taken the pledge... yet again... and I will try hard to avoid such in the future!

That's a pretty graphic image you created with your description, so I had no problem at all conjuring up a vision of him semi-airborne in a cloud of dust... Maybe even with his helmet cocked around covering his ear! 

DDT

[hubcapsc]

even with his helmet cocked around covering his ear!

No, that's Joe!

-Mike

[Rams]

Striking A Balance…

DDT

Maybe some day.   

Thought I was about to find that balance but alas, there's always a but............

Making the best of life with the options I have.   It's all good.

Rams

[Valkorado]

Thanks for the great post and photographic proof.  Punisher's bike definitely has the pack mule look, makes me wonder what he's smugglng.   

Good to see ya out and about in the warm sunshine! 

[DDT (12)]

Ron,

In the end, that's all any of us can do. There is no 'one size fits all', ideal glide path all can aspire to. You know that, and that's why you do what you do. I'd say you've hit a stride that works tolerably well for you and all concerned, though, so I salute you for that! I'm still looking forward to a time when you and I can do a mini-womple together...

DDT



Seth,

Thank you very much! Yes, pack mule indeed! I'd guess he was packing at least 500 pounds of cargo... When spread out in a small motel room... well... not much room for anything else!!! Small price to pay, however, for the pleasure of hanging out with such a totally worthwhile guy!

Warm sunshine when all that happened, but not so much now... I'm about two months behind in recording my experiences out on the road. I'm still roaming around, by the way, so no telling when I might ever get caught up! Sure hope I don't get fired!!!

DDT

[Avanti]

More excellent proof that the Valkyrie is very versatile!

[Avanti]

 Can’t get Fired if never Hired!

[John Schmidt]

Alan(or is it Allan?), that thing must look like a motorboat going down the road. Nose high and tail dragging.    I've seen loads on bikes in the past but yours...different category altogether. Good riding to both of you bud. 

[DDT (12)]

John,

I asked him once about that, and I recall him telling me it was 'Allan'... but I'm finding I'm wrong about a great deal of things these days, so perhaps this is just one of those things as well... Oh yeah! His load exceeds anything I'm ever seen... and the nose high, tail dragging comparison is spot on!!! Good thing he's on a Valkyrie for sure... I doubt a Harley could haul that much weight!

DDT

[Willow]

John,

I asked him once about that, and I recall him telling me it was 'Allan'... but I'm finding I'm wrong about a great deal of things these days, so perhaps this is just one of those things as well... Oh yeah! His load exceeds anything I'm ever seen... and the nose high, tail dragging comparison is spot on!!! Good thing he's on a Valkyrie for sure... I doubt a Harley could haul that much weight!

DDT

You appear to be correct, Bruce.  In joining the VRCC he listed his name with two L's.

[The emperor has no clothes]

2 months behind in your writings ? This ain’t going to fly. You are going to have to pick up the pace for us of the vicarious persuasion. 


(Just kidding, it was another great story) 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

That trip out west following Hubcap may have been my last one out that way. The 60mph crosswinds the nothingness of it . My friend Joe ( Skinhead ) said it best " No wonder the Indians hate us dragging them out there into all that nothingness " .  I'd rather ride in the mountains of Tennessee, Western North Carolina ,  North Georgia , West Virginia and Virginia . Some of those roads I was Following Allan and had to flag him down to let him know his load was shifting  we was getting beat some of those roads shouldn't be called roads . Glad I went on that trip but doubt I'll ever go again that was my forth time out west on a motorcycle.

[..]

That trip out west following Hubcap may have been my last one out that way. The 60mph crosswinds the nothingness of it . My friend Joe ( Skinhead ) said it best " No wonder the Indians hate us dragging them out there into all that nothingness " .  I'd rather ride in the mountains of Tennessee, Western North Carolina ,  North Georgia , West Virginia and Virginia . Some of those roads I was Following Allan and had to flag him down to let him know his load was shifting  we was getting beat some of those roads shouldn't be called roads . Glad I went on that trip but doubt I'll ever go again that was my forth time out west on a motorcycle.

 

[Thunderbolt]

Another good report Bruce.  Did you stop at the Buffalo Bill Reservoir West of Cody?  We stayed at the Yellowstone RV park for a week several years ago back when we had the toyhauler and the bikes.  It's a little farther West toward the park.  Next time you talk to Punisher ask him if he is still using the travel bag he got from me.

[RNFWP]

I was absolutely flabbergasted when he first pulled up and I got a good look at the load he was packing on ‘Ruby’! My first thought was that he must come from the same family tree as the Clampetts of Beverly Hills!

 Funny stuff... it looks to be even bigger than back in June. 

In addition to the short ride for a burger, we also enjoyed a lap up and over the nearby Big Horn Mountains. You may have also noticed that Allan did a little bit of tutoring with this not savvy at all smartbox user… he showed me how to post pictures with my new hard-drive! Now I need to retrain myself to start taking pictures again…



The Big Horns are great. Love the picture... !

[Oss]

ya know Joe that is about how I felt when I decided to go south instead of west this june on the way to IZ

Thunderstorms, high cross winds, no shelter possible.....But I know there will be another trip, during a time that I have the liberty of TIME

Until then DDT is kind of like my motorcycle muse as he can just say it is TIME to make TIME to do just nothing at any TIME during a ride or two

Glad you and Allan had a fun time Bruce.  I am looking forward to getting my bike back together and riding soon

[Sweet Cheeks]

Great write up Bruce.  It’s good to see Allan is still out there enjoying life too.

Do you think you will make it to Florence for the Veterans/Crazyhorse ride?  If so, give me a call and let’s meet up and ride up together.

Janice

[DDT (12)]

Rob,

So ironic for this solitary rider to have had his 'dance card' filled with so many names this time out! It all started with the improbable visit with the Quad-State Ride folks and then seemed to cascade from there. Oh well, as Avanti said, I'm not likely to be fired for not writing, since I was never hired in the first place!

Thanks for the comments... No plans, of course, but it is possible our girl and her lucky rider may find themselves beyond the 'Land of Enchantment' yet again this winter, so... Recon we might could improve on my personal best with the Coronas?

DDT



Joe,

I understand your thinking... Truly I do. However, for what it's worth, I've learned that most places, things, and people turn out to appear to be exactly 'what' we choose to believe them to be. If we conclude they aren't worthwhile, then everything that pops up seems to reinforce that notion. I've also found that the reverse is just as true!

Because I've chosen to see all of what you dislike as interesting, intriguing, even fascinating, and because I find it all to be an integral part of the mosaic composite that is North America, I've come to relish any opportunity to venture out there... Stiff crosswinds, dry, featureless landscapes, flat plains in all directions are just part of the whole that makes ours such a special, rich, and diverse continent... I hope you do venture out there again... and I sincerely hope you come to see it all in a different way... there really is beauty in everything...

DDT



Terry,

I don't recall ever stopping at the reservoir on any of my countless trips through there. I seem to always become captivated by the spectacle of the gorge and filled with anticipation of what is to come... Looks like I've missed smelling a rose or two! I don't know about the bag, but he and many, many others have heard the tale of Iris loaning me one of your sweatshirts so I could make it down from Cheaha Mountain that very cold time!!! I miss y'all, my friend!

DDT



Ross,

I love that scenic ride, too! The pull off in the pic is very near an unpaved pull-off I've stopped at several times over the years... Great spot for staring off into the distance and letting our minds 'free-wheel' and ponder all sorts of stuff!!! Not bad for taking a nap, either...

DDT



Oss,

As frequently happens, you've pointed out an important dimension to 'handling' the harshness of seemingly inhospitable terrain and conditions: Hunkering down and allowing the worst conditions to pass! Everybody can't do that, of course, and neither could I for so many years. However, now that I can indulge that luxury, I'm finding it easier and easier to actually 'enjoy' previously only endured situations! If we learn to 'go with the flow' and to accept things as they are on their own terms instead of bucking things that don't suit us exactly, we typically find infinitely more pleasure everywhere! Obviously, you've learned the secret to being a 'happy' richly rewarded tourist! I'm looking forward to reading about your travels again soon...

DDT



Janice,

Thank you for that nice comment! Yes, he does appear to be continuing to rise rapidly on the 'life enjoyment scale' each time we cross paths! I've watched him from his lowest moment to where he is now, and I must say it has been most impressive to observe that journey!!!

In keeping with my serious planning regimen, I have no idea at all what I'll be doing this coming Friday, let alone more than an entire week ahead!!! I'd love to share some wind with you, but... We'll just have to wait and see what unfolds... No, I don't have a reservation... a room reservation, that is... I do have serious reservations about making reservations, however... but you knew that...

DDT

P.S. If we do end up riding together, perhaps we can stop by the Ranch House Cafe in Town Creek, AL, where RNFWP and I enjoyed breakfast recently... That's another story I'll be sharing... one of these days... possibly even this year...

[3fan4life]

Until then DDT is kind of like my motorcycle muse as he can just say it is TIME to make TIME to do just nothing at any TIME during a ride or two

ME TOO!

I tell him every time I see him, "Bruce, I want to be just like you when I grow up".

[3fan4life]

Joe,

I understand your thinking... Truly I do. However, for what it's worth, I've learned that most places, things, and people turn out to appear to be exactly 'what' we choose to believe them to be. If we conclude they aren't worthwhile, then everything that pops up seems to reinforce that notion. I've also found that the reverse is just as true!

Because I've chosen to see all of what you dislike as interesting, intriguing, even fascinating, and because I find it all to be an integral part of the mosaic composite that is North America, I've come to relish any opportunity to venture out there... Stiff crosswinds, dry, featureless landscapes, flat plains in all directions are just part of the whole that makes ours such a special, rich, and diverse continent... I hope you do venture out there again... and I sincerely hope you come to see it all in a different way... there really is beauty in everything...

DDT

This is so true.

On my trip out west in 2019 I was totally in AWE of the Badlands.

My friend was utterly unimpressed.

He just looked around and said, "Hmm it's just a bunch of rocks".

[The emperor has no clothes]

“Recon we might could improve on my personal best with the Coronas?”


Sounds like a hell of a nonplan to me !