Dreaming...

[DDT (12)]

First, a mia culpa… Yep, I’ve, regrettably, done it again! Looks like that issue regarding short lengths of string and their most advantageous placement is still in-play… It truly never occurred to me to do it, though, but… in any event, I didn’t get it done…

Nope, not nary a single picture all day. Not much unusual or particularly noteworthy to photograph, really, but I could have snapped a few shots to sort of fill some space on these pages, but… Like I said, that notion simply didn’t cross the mostly barren intra-cranial landscape that houses what passes for my so-called recollector muscle.

As is often the case, I’d found myself in a rather pleasant circumstance with reasonable things to do, great people with whom to interact, and lots of ‘newness’ to stimulate my curiosity… But, as predictably always happens, after a week or so I felt the urge to ride on.

That’s something I simply cannot explain. It just comes over me, kind of like an itch, and I must respond to the stimulus. Of course, I could ignore it… and, I did that for most of my life while other ‘priorities’ commanded my attention. Now that I have no other priorities, though, those impulses are to me more like ‘orders from headquarters’ any more… At any rate, I obediently comply… OK, I willingly and gleefully respond!

I’d stopped off in Clinton, TN, to visit the cool kids… those inhabitants of God’s country that ride Valks, put together great rides and gatherings, post on this board some, and always demonstrate what genuine friendship looks like! I’ve known most of these folks for many years now, and association with them never becomes stale!

Whether on an exhilarating ride, perched upon a bar stool, or leisurely seated on the brick retaining wall along Lucky13’s driveway, the conversation is always interesting, lively, and sure to yank a near uncontrollable laugh from deep within my belly!!! A sure-fire way to add some zest back into an otherwise stagnating soul…

I’d arrived there to hang-out briefly with Gordon, as planned. I was on my way to the longcut ride I‘d thought I’d be making solo up through western Canada and back through our northwest, then down to Colorado for the Darby Ride Labor Day weekend.

Well, plans usually don’t survive more than a day or two into any trip I lay-out, and this one was certainly to be no exception. First, I got a call from the doctor’s office, and that threw a monkey-wrench into the machinery of the whole deal…

I’d had an MRI scheduled to rule out anything nasty and to confirm all is well in my lower innards like it otherwise appears. After that imaging joy, a follow-up visit with the doctor had been arranged so results could be examined and shared… and, hopefully, some good news and peace of mind would be the outcome. Well, some sort of clerical SNAFU occurred, and the center-piece item of the imaging never got scheduled. No problem, I’d just head out and go for another epic ride…

I’d no sooner arrived at Gordon’s place, when I got a call from the doctor’s office. He still wanted me to do this, and they have everything all set up again… That’s all good except… it obliterated the time slot I had available to make the extended ride… six thousand miles or so to wind-up roughly fourteen hundred miles from where I was… Like I said, it was to be a longcut…

I revised my ‘plan’ accordingly… Time to kill before returning to Bama for the doctor doings, then more time to kill before time to head for Colorado… and not enough time on either side of that ill-timed interlude to attempt anything exotic or of ‘gee-whiz’ caliber. Gordon invited me to just hang around… and I took him up on it. Glad I did, too, as I had a great time… and a couple of interesting surprises, too!

We did a couple of fab group rides around the area. In fact, Gordon led us on one ride that was arguably one of the best I’ve ever personally been on! Some might say I’m a bit biased about my conclusion and assertion, however, because it included a particular stop during which I managed to take a nap for about an hour! Really!!!

See, on my last outing, I’d picked up another folding camp chair and begun to carry it with me everywhere I go now… like I had once upon a time back in the day… When the urge, or notion, or… need… arises, I just pull it out and set it up in the shade, and magic soon follows!

I guess aging ain’t quite so bad if one can find ways to indulge and compensate… AND, if his companions are willing to put up with that sort of thing. Mine, mercifully, were, and they just let me sleep until the shade disappeared and I awoke… Gawd! I do love these folks so!!!

Well, I’m due at the doc’s soon, so the time to start ambling in that direction arrived. Gordon rode with me to the home of SmokinJoe, so I could bid him farewell on my way back south. As I’ve said many times, plans with me… well, you know.

Anyway, we arrived at Joe’s place, but he was under his daughter’s house near his, attending a rather nasty sewage leak issue… We could see him crawling under and back out of the crawl space of the next house back from his house, where we were parked…

Gordon called him on his cell, and we communicated thusly… Joe was covered in… well, objects usually associated with such an enterprise… so we didn’t go up and join him… I also delegated the farewell rituals of a bro-hug and handshake to Gordon, as I took my leave…

Now alone for the first time in more than a week, I thought about the counter pleasures of companionship and solitude… Not a contradiction, although, they are mutually incompatible.  Both are what I need, though, and size of the portions of either are the only thing for me to sort out.

So far, I have no complaints whatsoever! I’m not a hermit, by any means, but I do think of myself as a sociable recluse. Mostly solitude, but wonderful periods of time with some of the finest folks I’ve ever known… Like this last week, for example…

DDT

[DirtyDan]

CHAIR 

Dan

Take pictures, one day memory may fade

[Rams]

Priorities, it's all about priorities!    Appears you have yours in order.   

Rams

[Valkorado]

I’m not a hermit, by any means, but I do think of myself as a sociable recluse.

I resemble that remark, and can relate.  Ya gotta love people, tho - - even when ya don't!   

[The emperor has no clothes]

Bruce, I hope you guys have an epic ride. I look forward to the tales. 

[old2soon]

             Attending Church on Sun and some P G R missions and a couple neighbors I git along with bout near nuff socializing fer dis old fart!  The ine thing I've noticed shortly after I retired was my lack of tolerance fer other folks attempting to inform how to do something they do not even participate in.  And to a certain extent folks that do NOT Even know me asking-why iz ya still ridin? Keep on keepin on Bruce!  My you have dry twisty roads and no encounters with the dumb asses that have NO clue!  RIDE SAFE.

[GiG]

...Anyway, we arrived at Joe’s place, but he was under his daughter’s house near his, attending a rather nasty sewage leak issue… We could see him crawling under and back out of the crawl space of the next house back from his house, where we were parked…

Gordon called him on his cell, and we communicated thusly… Joe was covered in… well, objects usually associated with such an enterprise… so we didn’t go up and join him… I also delegated the farewell rituals of a bro-hug and handshake to Gordon, as I took my leave…

DDT

[Wizzard]

Sounds like a crappy deal to me.

 

[Oss]

sure hope none of those mason jars filled with money got poo'd

Diggin sewer and drain work aint no fun at all, no sir.   I have dug enough to know that.

Thought about heading west for that Misfit ride on the 99 but I will be taking csare of my granddaughter that whole weekend while my daughter and husband are in Ontario.  Colorado will still be there next time I am sure but the opportunity to sit with the youngun's is too great a pull for me to resist.

[Flask]

Bruce - Hope all works out at the Doc !!!! - We all wish that we could be the traveling Man that you are !!!

They do not get any better than our good friend Lucky 13 !! - Every time we visit I try to get something done around his house - Least we could do for his generous hospitality !!!

When ya make it back into Florida give us a call - Will Hook Up !!!!

[Hook#3287]

Bruce, you write with so much description, pictures are relegated to optional.

 Definitely enjoyed, but not really needed.

But one of Joe under the house would've been cool

[DDT (12)]

CHAIR  

Dan

Take pictures, one day memory may fade

Dan,

Yep, I used to carry one all the time... until I didn't. Glad I started back, though... those things sure do come in handy! As I recall, you carried one, also... As for pics, yeah, I know... but, apparently my memory has already begun to fade!

DDT

Priorities, it's all about priorities!    Appears you have yours in order.  

Rams

Ron,

Priorities change over time... Mine used to be pretty 'normal', but today... I guess they just reflect circumstance and preferences... Anyway, I'm having a blast pursuing them!

DDT

I’m not a hermit, by any means, but I do think of myself as a sociable recluse.

I resemble that remark, and can relate.  Ya gotta love people, tho - - even when ya don't!  

VR,

Yep... some folks could piss the pope off, but... still, can't live with them, can't live without them...

DDT

Bruce, I hope you guys have an epic ride. I look forward to the tales. 

Rob,

It sure has the potential! Great venue, weather tolerable, company out there congenial, and what are quite possibly the best traveling companions anywhere!!! I am truly looking forward to it!!! As for tales, we'll just have to see how things unfold... You know how I can be when I find myself with an opportunity for BS...

DDT

            Attending Church on Sun and some P G R missions and a couple neighbors I git along with bout near nuff socializing fer dis old fart!   The ine thing I've noticed shortly after I retired was my lack of tolerance fer other folks attempting to inform how to do something they do not even participate in.   And to a certain extent folks that do NOT Even know me asking-why iz ya still ridin? Keep on keepin on Bruce!   My you have dry twisty roads and no encounters with the dumb asses that have NO clue!   RIDE SAFE.

Dennis,

Ain't it so! Hardly a day goes by that I don't recieve some unsolicited advice from somebody telling me I shouldn't be doing this... at my age! I just tell them to kindly observe the mistletoe dangling from my rear belt-loop...

DDT

...Anyway, we arrived at Joe’s place, but he was under his daughter’s house near his, attending a rather nasty sewage leak issue… We could see him crawling under and back out of the crawl space of the next house back from his house, where we were parked…

Gordon called him on his cell, and we communicated thusly… Joe was covered in… well, objects usually associated with such an enterprise… so we didn’t go up and join him… I also delegated the farewell rituals of a bro-hug and handshake to Gordon, as I took my leave…

DDT

Gig,

Great pic! Pretty well sums up why Gordon and I got no closer than next door to the 'activities'. We didn't want to become the stars of a similar event!!!

DDT

sure hope none of those mason jars filled with money got poo'd

Diggin sewer and drain work aint no fun at all, no sir.   I have dug enough to know that.

Thought about heading west for that Misfit ride on the 99 but I will be taking csare of my granddaughter that whole weekend while my daughter and husband are in Ontario.  Colorado will still be there next time I am sure but the opportunity to sit with the youngun's is too great a pull for me to resist.

Oss,

No 'vaults' were uncovered that I could see during my brief stop. Misfit does put on a great event, and his posse is first-rate for companionship! However, I completely understand your choice, and I agree with your analysis...

DDT

Bruce - Hope all works out at the Doc !!!! - We all wish that we could be the traveling Man that you are !!!

They do not get any better than our good friend Lucky 13 !! - Every time we visit I try to get something done around his house - Least we could do for his generous hospitality !!!

When ya make it back into Florida give us a call - Will Hook Up !!!!

Rick,

Thanks, my friend! Just waiting on the enema to kick-in as I write this... lol   Loved the pic of 'Wimp' you sent the other day!!! I sure agree with you on Lucky 13! He's a gem for certain!!! Yeah, you and Christi are legends up there in the 'house-cleaning' category! I'll be sure to call when I get back...

DDT

Bruce, you write with so much description, pictures are relegated to optional.

 Definitely enjoyed, but not really needed.

But one of Joe under the house would've been cool

Hook,

Thanks, my friend! I do appreciate the comments! I agree with you on a pic of Joe being a great shot... However, neither Gordon nor I wanted to take the risk of becoming suitable subjects ourselves!!!

DDT

[Bigwolf]

Bruce,
I hope the doctor confirms that all is well with you.  I also hope that you, Joe, Gordon and whoever else is among Your riding companions on the way to Colorado have a safe and wonderful experience on the way there and back.

Bigwolf

[RainMaker]

[DDT (12)]

Bruce,
I hope the doctor confirms that all is well with you.  I also hope that you, Joe, Gordon and whoever else is among Your riding companions on the way to Colorado have a safe and wonderful experience on the way there and back.

Bigwolf

Jerry,

Thanks, amigo! Funny about that... I'd asked when the gal first told me of the rescheduled appointments if the doctor would have the results that soon (same day). She told me he would. Well, on a lark, I asked this morning at the Imaging Center if he would receive them today... Nope, they responded, it usually takes about a week! I called the doctor's office back, and the gal I talked to this time confirmed that was usual... My appointment this afternoon was then canceled and a new one made for next Tuesday! Now I have another week to kill... Oh well...

Regarding my travel companions, well... they are about as good as they come! SmokinJoe, Lucky13, Troutdude, MitchO, Hal47, plus this humble bug killer... (There is even an outside chance another couple might join us along the way!) There is a crew, all right!!! All of my companions-to-be have serious road experience, they are all superior riders, all are wonderful people, and all are most compatible with everybody! They are all also just plain fun to hang around with, so the merriment should be plentiful. There is an obvious weak link in that bunch, but... well... we've already worked that issue rather thoroughly here on this board... I'm really, really looking forward to what could easily turn out to be an epic 'epic ride'!

DDT

Mark,

Words to live-by, my friend, no doubt! I had another wake-up call getting here... and I have written a story about it... Not sure if I'll post it, though, as it is a little embarrassing, and it will likely cause some to further doubt the wisdom of me continuing to ride as much and as long as I do... Anyway, I get your point here loud and clear! I very much thank you for thinking about us, and for caring enough to remind us to pay attention to basics!!! I appreciate ya, dude!

DDT

[Bigwolf]

Bruce,
A superior group for sure!  Top notch riders and top notch people to have around when things don’t go quite right.  I am so wishing I could join you on that ride!...........but even if I could go, this novice rider would just hold the whole group back and spoil their fun till they threw me out of their group.        Better this way.......hopefully I will one day soon get to join this bunch on a short and not so epic ride.

Bigwolf