Detour To The Texas Panhandle...
OK, the much-needed nerve-settling cup of coffee pause was finished, so it was time to tackle the remount and ride attempt... Boo-boos have a way of eroding our confidence immediately following a body-slam onto the pavement, as I'd already learned the hard way... It was time to be extra thoughtful, vigilant, and very, very deliberate.
I'd been pleasantly amazed that all the baggage stacked and bunged onto our girl had remained right where it had been placed! Having lost a couple of bags over the years, it was a most pleasant surprise indeed! Time now to proceed with the proceedings…
Our girl did not escape totally unscathed, I’m afraid. The left side mirror being busted, though, was the only thing I could spot in the form of a battle scar. All things considered, I felt mighty lucky… There were still no signs of soreness or any aches for the rider either! I’ve had a spill or two where all seemed well at first, only to have annoying pains arise a bit later… Not this time!!!
The ride turned out to be just fine. No unfamiliar noises, vibrations, smells, or warning lights. No new sensations for the rider, either. We continued to our destination for the night… All the while critiquing this latest incident and pondering what to do about that broken mirror.
Other than hanging around some motel waiting for a delivery, the best option seemed to be to have the part shipped to a friend along the way, then swing by and pick it up. Eric West (Valker) was the closest rider/friend who also happened to be the least out of the way on our sort of half-planned route to Arizona. I gave him a call.
Eric didn’t have one and the closest Honda dealer in Amarillo, TX, didn’t have any in stock. I called Trout Dude, and he just happened to have one lying around, so he shipped it to Eric. Our girl's front wheel was then pointed in a somewhat different direction altering our baseline course towards Pampa, TX. The needed part arrived before we did… (It did take us a couple of extra days due to a rain delay.)
My host and his son Caleb replaced the mirror for us, and they even changed our oil & filter and aired up our tires while we were there! Now that’s real hospitality! We dined at a local upscale steakhouse, the Fire Creek Bar & Grill, and I managed to only devour less than half of my ribeye and meal! Texas is legendary, you know, for things being big, and the servings at that place were gigantic!
It had been very windy on our day of arrival and every day afterward, as it always seemed to be out there. The temperature had climbed during the day to a point where my jacket would have needed to be removed and stored if we’d had much further to go. Wide weather swings are also usual in the panhandle, and it turned rather cold that night! Down into the twenties the next morning, so I cheerfully accepted the invitation to stay over another night or two.
Eric and I visited the Hamburger Station (a diner) for breakfast the following morning. Although enjoying the usual fare, there was this one complementary novel item that I thoroughly enjoyed! On a small table in the dining area was a crock-pot with simmering pinto beans and a stack of bowls. Yep, I do love those tasty morsels, so… I simply couldn’t help myself with that perfect dessert…
Breakfast Feast… (The photo was obviously an afterthought.)
Cause and effect? Hmmmm, possibly, but Eric had also indulged in a bowl full with no symptoms of the sort I encountered. Yep, ‘Lucy’ came calling by the time we’d stopped to top off the gas tank at the next-door convenience store! That turned out to be no drill, either!!! Yet another stop would be necessary on our way to the eagerly anticipated 200-mile route we’d travel on that day inside Eric’s convertible with the top down.
I’d visited the Palo Duro Canyon several times over the years, but Eric set me straight that I hadn’t really seen it in its full glory. All I’d ever visited was the area inside the state park, but that was less than a third of the total canyon, and some of the best scenery was actually outside the park. He’d shown me some pictures of other sites, so I was really looking forward to that cruise… It did not disappoint!
Riding along a wide-open stretch of treeless mostly flat somewhat rolling prairie land, the road suddenly dips and begins a long descent into a huge crack in the earth!
Eric conducting a great tour of the lesser-known parts of the Palo Duro Canyon…
Eric and his passenger spent half an hour chatting and studying my personal favorite site in that part of the fascinating and quite scenic canyon. Curiously only one other vehicle passed by us while we were stopped there.
The ‘Man of the Hour’, my host, tour guide, culinary advisor, riding partner, and good friend!
A truly special day spent with a truly special friend. That was the first full day in ‘Harvester’ country, with another yet to follow!
DDT (12)
