Not So Alone...

[DDT (12)]

Not So Alone…
 
Heading out early, Allan (Punisher) and his gypsy riding companion departed Greybull, WY, and headed east. Our trip was planned in increments due to the expected blazing temperatures to be faced later… combined with the uncertain stamina of one member of our party. We’d do an evaluation starting in Gillette, WY, to see how this wimpy rider was holding up, then we’d decide whether or not to stay there or ride on…
 
It was plenty hot by the time we crossed Crazy Woman Creek just beyond Buffalo, WY, and made our way to Gillette for fuel and that first evaluation… If traveling alone I’d have probably stopped for the night right there, but… Not wanting to impede his desire to see his ‘special friend’, I took one for the team and soldiered on.
 
The next eval point was Sundance, WY. At the end of the off-ramp from I-90, I pulled alongside Allan and informed him that I was feeling quite strong at the time! Yep, the temp seemed to have stabilized, perhaps even moderated a degree or two, and I was actually feeling rather spry. We rode up the nearby on-ramp and headed for Rapid City, SD. A bridge too far after all… in terms of comfort anyway.
 
Yep, we’d no sooner returned to speed up on the slab than it seemed to start heating up again! That continued right through Sturgis, too, where it actually seemed to increase the rate of temp rise, and I was fading faster than a pussy-willow blossom in a severe drought! We stopped in Rapid City, took a long break, then Punisher found us a motel room for the night. Dang! I’d made it all the way to our ‘stretch objective’, but I’d also paid a heavy toll to accomplish that…
 
Being uncomfortable, even miserable, is never pleasant, of course. However, it can be good for us on occasion, if for no other reason than simply to remind us that we can still do things we’d come to think we no longer could. I don’t recommend a steady diet of this sort of otherwise masochistic activity, but I have learned that I’m not nearly so far over the hill as I’d come to think recently! Appears I just may be able to continue on for a while longer… Hope springs eternal!!!
 
That last day together began with us pulling out just before sun-up in the dim pre-dawn half-light. Yep, we were cruising east on I-90 as the ‘rust’ gradually disappeared from the horizon and the sun first peered over the 'edge' sending shards of brilliant light directly into our eyes! My youthful temporary traveling partner is always upbeat and seemingly happy, so I just figured he was impervious to that irritation… which, BTW, I clearly was not! In time, though, the tipping of my helmet allowed the ‘bill’ to do its best for me, and then the ride became truly quite pleasant.
 
Just before Chamberlin, SD, we stopped at a casino for brunch and to say our farewells. He would be riding north from there, while I would return to the slab and continue east. He enjoyed a huge, manly, mega plate of various breakfast delights, while I stuck to my usual ‘later drowsiness avoidance’ Spartan regimen of protein only… i.e., bacon and sausage.


I just threw this in 'cause some folks insist on photos...




A couple more photos to 'enhance this post' of Mitch (Dusty Roads) and my travels before I'd relearned to post pics... since I didn't have many of Allan and me...


Breakfast stop before the next unpaved road!




Mobridge, SD, 'Jenny' one of Dusty's three VALK ATVs...




Waiting on breakfast at a bar at the end of the paved road. Dusty rode on to the Missouri Breaks, I returned to the motel for a 'break' of my own...



The main attraction in Watauga, SD.






Allan rode away in the opposite direction, and I glanced back in my mirrors several times until he completely disappeared… I would miss that guy a bunch. I thought about how this solo journey so far had been anything but solitary! Sure, there were intervals between times with others, but those were brief and infrequent. For the most part, I had been with others much of the time… and I’d enjoyed that immensely! A novel experience with a huge payback!!!  
 
DDT

[Farside]

  Good ride, food & friends. Good post Bruce. 

[carolinarider09]

Good Times!

[..]

You missed a good motel in Sundance WY, Arrowhead,  with a bar and a diner just across the road.

Some of us stayed there on the way to Inzane.

[f6john]

Losing track of time, when did this Western coddiewomple begin?

[t-man403]

 

[Oss]

well done but not fried

The recipe for a great day on the road with a friend

[Willow]

Good write up, Bruce,

Just as an aside when you're telling a story of stamina perhaps as a favor to me you could avoid use of the term pussy willow.   

[John Schmidt]

Good write up, Bruce,

Just as an aside when you're telling a story of stamina perhaps as a favor to me you could avoid use of the term pussy willow.   

I didn't catch the inference right off as I was just skimming through the post, then it suddenly hit and it cracked me up. 

As for our friend Bruce, I will say your two traveling buds are a couple gents I admire greatly. Good men, hard to beat. 

[Valker]

Just as an aside when you're telling a story of stamina perhaps as a favor to me you could avoid use of the term pussy willow.   

 

[Valkorado]

Another fun read Bruce.  I like the cowboy breaking that fish!  Looks like ol' Dusty was flirting that bar wench up a bit, but I could be mistaken.  Glad you got the picture posting figured out again.

Carry on!  I'll throw on another log in your honor.

[Bigwolf]

Great read Bruce!

Solitary rider, … not so solitary rider,………….both hold a strong appeal to me and are very enjoyable for the special dynamics and treats that they contain!  What a wonderful thing it is to be a member of a very large group of people among whom are many very enjoyable riding companions.  As such there is great opportunity to choose “solo” or “not solo” almost at will.  Life among the VRCC can be IS so enjoyable!

Safe travels my friend!  Til we share some wind again!

Bigwolf

[Rams]

It would be hard (if not impossible) to find better riding partners.   
Every journey begins with the possibility of a great adventure.   Yours always seem to work out like that.

Stay safe, looking forward to sharing some wind and visiting with you again.

Rams

[Avanti]

In Mobridge, SD are you following the Police or are they following you?

[Wizzard]

Mobridge is quite a bit north of 90. You just wandering?

[DDT (12)]

Keith,

Thank you for the positive remarks! Yeah, my unscripted, random life sure is working out to suit me!!! Having so many good friends who pop in and out frequently really does enhance the experience... Have I ever mentioned...

DDT



CR09

The best!!! Hard to describe the constant feelings of euphoria and excitement that propel me onward, but... Being around such fine folks is a major part of that... as if you didn't already realize that!

DDT



Paul,

The Arrowhead was an interim target and where we were headed when we pulled off the slab. I've stayed there before, even had a 'coffee' memory there with Trout Dude once upon a time...

DDT



John,

Technically it began sometime in early to mid-July, but... My coddiewomple has actually been more or less continuous for many years with only infrequent, brief visits to Florida... I'd had one of those 'cameo' appearances following a doctor visit just before heading out on that particular adventure.

BTW, I've been enjoying reading of all your rides lately! It's good to be back in the saddle, isn't it, especially following a long absence. I assume this also means your house is nearing some comfort level for you, so... I'll look forward to many more posts!

DDT



Terry,

That really 'spoke to me' when I saw it! Some have speculated that our girl wouldn't have half the miles on her if I could navigate worth a flip! Yes, I'm still longing for a ride to Calgary!!!



DDT



Oss,

Yeppers, a perfect recipe for a good ride! But not for a meal... I took this photo in AZ and immediately understood the wisdom!



DDT



Willow,

I see what you mean... I'll try, but... BTW, I really enjoyed, as I always do, our conversations at the FCR! looking forward to more of that, too!

DDT



Stuffy,

Yeah, those two are hard indeed to beat! As for that other thing... I'm glad Carl is a good sport!

DDT



Eric,

Yeah, that did turn out rather funny, huh? That truly was an innocent boo-boo, but... oh well... You getting ready for some winter riding? I'm confident another 'campaign' is in my future, so...

DDT



Seth,

Nah, he was just posing as was she... We did have a rather good breakfast there, but as I recall we were the only patrons not having only a 'liquid meal'. The pavement ended in that little hamlet, and so did our ride together that day! Have I mentioned that I've taken the pledge... again...?

DDT



Jerry,

I suppose this would be the perfect arrangement for someone with a split personality... Not sure I'm one of those, but I do have a fabulous time bouncing between solo and accompanied riding... Speaking of which, I hope your condition is continuing to improve and we'll be out there soon doing what we do...! Thanks for your always encouraging words...

Remember this...?


DDT



Ron,

Yes indeed, truly hard to beat those two... However, there are others with whom I've shared some amazing memory-making opportunities, and... Well, like you said, they all do seem to work out that way... When are you going to be available to make some memories?

DDT



Avanti,

Not sure about the police... some of both I imagine! I was surprised by the size of that lake in the middle of otherwise dry territory! You just never know... huh!

DDT



Randy,

Yes, we were just wandering west... We were deliberately avoiding the slabs, and this is the route fate led us down... Mobridge happens to be where Dusty discovered 'Brenda's Tumbleweed Cafe' would be on our route, and... Yep, a great memory ensued!  I just love the way things have a way of working out!!!



DDT

[Rams]

Ron,

Yes indeed, truly hard to beat those two... However, there are others with whom I've shared some amazing memory-making opportunities, and... Well, like you said, they all do seem to work out that way... When are you going to be available to make some memories?

DDT

Bruce,
That's almost impossible for me to make an edumacated guess at this point.   Being new grandparents, we seem to be making a lot of trips to Millington, TN to visit, re-visit and visit again that new grandson.     But, if'n I knew what you don't have planned for Spring (either before or after maybe around Mississippi Spring Fling and InZane), we might be able to make something happen.   Would love to do that.

Will take that long for the Spousal Unit to recover from her second Shoulder Replacement Surgery, paying for the Daughter's Wedding and buying all those things Granny thinks that boy needs.  

Rams

[f6john]

John,

Technically it began sometime in early to mid-July, but... My coddiewomple has actually been more or less continuous for many years with only infrequent, brief visits to Florida... I'd had one of those 'cameo' appearances following a doctor visit just before heading out on that particular adventure.

BTW, I've been enjoying reading of all your rides lately! It's good to be back in the saddle, isn't it, especially following a long absence. I assume this also means your house is nearing some comfort level for you, so... I'll look forward to many more posts!





Bruce,     A 3 month semi continuous Coddiewomple would be just a daydream for me! But I am very pleased to be “back in the saddle “ again. So far, 6000 miles this year which is no major accomplishment by most standards but a good start for me and for a 14 year old bike that only had 20k on the clock in February, my pleasure derived from riding will soon surpass all the previous owners combined.

      A man isn’t guaranteed tomorrow but it doesn’t hurt to plan a little bit while making the most of today! So I have acquired a partner in crime to go to Inzane in 2023. Maybe I can squeeze in a few other forays before and after. Other than the constant fix this and add that the house is presentable and a commitment I made two Christmases ago to remodel my sons bathroom is almost complete. My mother has a list of needful things that need attending to, so I’ll try to knock out as many of those as I can this winter. Looking forward to the next installment of “ where in the world is DDT”!

[Bigwolf]

Bruce,
I do remember that very chilly morning in Cloudcroft!  I loved that sign in the window!  You may remember how stunned I was with the overwhelming awesomeness of the adventure I was experiencing for the very first time in my life.  Long before the end of that adventure, the hook was set!  Now the lure of “coddiewomple” calls to me constantly!

I also remember breakfast in that restaurant in Oatman and the sign out front, “If it ain’t fried, it ain’t food!”  What a great day that was!  So much to see, so little time!


Bigwolf