Happy Anniversary, Babe...

[DDT (12)]

 
Happy Anniversary, Baby…
 
Two decades of… the most astounding adventure of my entire life! Not quite non-stop, however… We did have a lamentable separation of many months once upon a time… a major event in our life together that marked her transition from 'my girl' to 'our girl'. And, there have been other periods of time when we've had to endure brief breaks in the continuity of what overall has been… simply indescribable experiences…
 
I fell in love with ‘our girl’ the first time I saw her… sitting there on the showroom floor, all shiny and beautiful. That was also the first time she ‘spoke’ to me… She winked and challenged me, as she communicated what I was thinking: “This could be the beginning of something truly epic!” I wondered if I would be up to it… I had no doubts she would be.
 
Our honeymoon had been the ride back to central Florida from Hendersonville, NC. A mere get acquainted ride, it turned out, as within a week or so we were off to Arizona and a tour of the southwest… It was winter then, January 7, 1999, the day we met, and snow was on the ground. No more snow for us that year, but it was cold riding for the first couple of months. I was still relatively young back then, though, and I did have adequate gear for coping… and, of course, she had no difficulty with any of that.
 
In the last twenty years we’ve traveled, mostly solo, together more than 621,000 miles, quite literally throughout the entire continent of North America. We’ve traversed arid deserts, soggy swamps, flat plains and majestic mountains. We’ve cruised along beaches and bayous, canyons and craters, lakes the size of seas and ponds barely able to pass for such; we’ve crossed mighty rivers and babbling brooks, even forded a stream or two, and we’ve stood in awe at some of the most fantastic sights anywhere… She and I… certainly all the company I’ve needed, and she seems Ok with having just me along with her…
 

 
She has also transported this naïve, 'not as worldly-wise as he'd thought' rider wannabe along a journey of self-discovery. That voyage into the unknown has been every bit as enlightening as has the lessons of broad traveling and encounters with people who have different perspectives on life and very different views about society, culture, and human interactions. My 'data base' has been expanded beyond anything I could have anticipated or even imagined...
 
My life has changed immeasurably since we hooked-up... and for the better, I might add. My views have been tempered in many ways, totally overhauled in others, and completely abandoned in yet others. My rigid, dogmatic 'beliefs' on some things have been 'revised', while others have been reversed... and still others cast aside all together...

ALI has never had a 'sound system' installed on her... that is, no radio, tape or CD player, or CB... nothing. That has been the result of deliberate choice, because long ago I'd discovered that the serenity and peace found in the solitude of solo riding has allowed me to do some really quality thinking.

As I think back on it, ALI has been a delightful, fun vehicle that has carried me to previously unimagined locales and places I'd never known existed, and she's put me in contact with people who have changed me in unanticipated ways. She has also been an incredible magic carpet that has transported me to a different dimension that in turn has allowed me to grow intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, and behaviorally… It has been an undeniably amazing journey in every way.

DDT

[Rams]

What a wonderful story.

May I suggest you celebrate with a quiet/romantic dinner for two and let the evening flow where it may.   

Happy Anniversary!

Rams 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Simply amazing ! Congratulations  and may the future hold many more miles to come.

[Valkorado]

     You're downright smitten!  We can relate.  There's something special going on here!

[trout dude]

Happy Anniversary You Two and many more

Ps: Is that the picture you took with the cop watching you and you did not have a clue?

[Hook#3287]

Great story Bruce.

If Ali could write one, I bet the feelings would be mutual.

Keep on cruising.

[msb]

Wonderful tribute to a great machine that has become such a big part of many of our lives over the years....though perhaps none more so than yours. They do seem to have a distinct personality of their own that is able adapt and speak to those of us lucky enough to own, ride, and care for them, and as usual you have managed to express an appreciation for this better than anyone. Congrats on the anniversary Bruce, and I wish you two many more miles together

[old2soon]

              Bruce-with my less than stellar use of the English language let me say something here. Back in June of 2014 In Asheville N C I believe I along with Many others Witnessed something very astounding that I was a small part of. Under a white canopy on the grass at our Motel You and Ali were reunited as one. I've ridden with a Lot of folks and a Lot of different clubs over the years and up until That point in time I had Never seen Anything quite like what I felt privileged to be part of that day. You jist keep on with yer travel log to us less fortunates and I believe we will all be good ridin Ali vicariously thru you.  Bruce-ain't NO snugglin doubt in my mind You and Ali belong together.  RIDE SAFE. And B T W-HAPPY ANNIVERSARY.

[RP#62]

Be careful Bruce, she could be just taking you for a ride.

-RP

[Farside]

Be careful Bruce, she could be just taking you for a ride.

-RP

   So true.
  
Bruce what a Celebration! Simply amazing the realationship you two have had. I don't think she could be happier   with the way you spoil her taking her on all the trips ya'll do.   I don't belive she could ever get use to anyone but you. Happy Anniversary to you both! Can't wait to maybe catch up with you both perhaps in the Spring on that MS fried chicken run! Prayers for you and continue your journey with Ali after your tune-up!  

[Willow]

Well told acknowledgment to a worthwhile anniversary.  It's certainly been a rewarding coupling.  We have enjoyed it as well.

You and I have something in common.

...
ALI has never had a 'sound system' installed on her... that is, no radio, tape or CD player, or CB... nothing. That has been the result of deliberate choice, because long ago I'd discovered that the serenity and peace found in the solitude of solo riding has allowed me to do some really quality thinking.
...

[Oss]

May you have many more such anniversaries with your beloved Valkyrie.

Thanks for posting that tribute to your lady.
 

[da prez]

  Bruce , until we meet again , Happy Trails To You. 

                                     da prez

[DirtyDan]

Be careful Bruce, she could be just taking you for a ride.

-RP

Ohh very..... punny

Ya all keep riding while you can

Dan

[t-man403]

Wow.....I've only had mine for seven years but every time I go out to the garage it's like I just got it and I wonder where the time went!

Can't imagine what 20 years or that kinda mileage is like Bruce. Congrats and happy anniversary!! 

 

[trout dude]

T-Man you was a BIG PART OF TODAY for the Two of Them

[Thunderbolt]

Just glad ALI has put up with you all these years Bruce.  Being put out to pasture and all.

[t-man403]

T-Man you was a BIG PART OF TODAY for the Two of Them

That was a fun time!!

[RainMaker]

There are a few of us who bought our Valkyries new who have had or are coming up on our own 20 year anniversary.  Congratulations on your anniversary!

[DDT (12)]

Thanks, everybody, for the comments and observations! There is, of course, a significant and vitally important aspect of our time together that I obliquely referenced but didn’t get into… and perhaps I should have. I was attempting to ‘stay on point’ and not to allow this to evolve into another of my lengthy tomes… However, that omission now weighs on me to the point I will mention it here, as an afterthought…

That separation of many months was an amazing story, and it speaks to our good fortune and happy journey generally. It also tells the tale of this fine organization and why it is so great… The people who have gravitated to Valkyries and to this club are special in so many wonderful ways, and that can be vividly displayed in the retelling of countless tales about members and the events surrounding their experiences… Ours is most certainly one of those incredible stories!

After ‘breaking down’ in Alberta in August of ’13, I’d met this long, tall, drink of water who just happened to walk up to my friend, Jim, and me at the motel parking lot in Calgary. He’d spotted a Valk, and he wanted to chat about them, since he’d within the last year bought one himself. After learning of our difficulty, he interceded and sped things up for us to get attention at the nearby Honda shop.

Well, as most of you already know, the preliminary diagnosis wasn’t good at all, my aging friend was not in peek health, and he needed to return to Alabama… So, I ‘sold’ ALI to T-man 403 on a ‘handshake deal’ and left her in Canada for him to do with her as he saw fit… I bought a VTX 1800 so I could accompany my friend back home…

Soon, Terry Nickel posted that he had decided he could repair her and was going to make that his winter project. He also stated that he’d be willing to return her to me for the price of a plane ticket home, if I was interested! And, then the story really got cranked up!

Posts began to appear in which folks from around the US and Canada were offering parts, advice, technical support, or anything that was needed! Oss even started (actually, he restarted one his wife had previously set up) a PayPal account to receive donations for Terry to offset his expenses!!! This became an amazing group project that spanned the entire winter and involved countless numbers of Valk riders and even some folks of other brands of bikes from another forum (Canadian Volusia Riders)…

Terry did return her to me at the InZane in Asheville, NC, the following June (IZ-14)… but the story didn’t end there! Nope, instead of giving him a first-class plane ticket home, he took me up on my other offer to let him ride the VTX back to Calgary… The following summer, Troutdude, MitchO, and I rode to Calgary to meet-up with Tom Jordan, who’d flown to Calgary to ride the VTX back to Alabama for me (where I lived at the time)… we met and stayed with Terry…

We did some riding around with Terry and some of his friends up there, then we made our way back to our respective homes… A simple breakdown had turned into a two-year, inter-club, international adventure with a very happy ending!!! However, while that story did more or less 'slip from the front page', the story of our trials and challenges continued, and members of this club continued to play a prominent role in our ongoing story…

Troutdude has rescued us twice from boo-boo sites and hauled us back to his house for repairs… once in Alabama (I was living in Florida by then), and once in Georgia. Another time, I rented a U-Haul truck in Carlsbad, NM, and drove ALI to his place in Mandeville, LA (over 1100 miles). Just last month, Harley Joe rescued us twice and hauled us first from Nashville, TN, to Clinton, TN, for Gordon (Lucky 13) to work on our girl, and then to Mandeville, LA, for Troutdude to apply a wrench to her yet again!

Many of our members have had a tool or two on our girl, some have plugged tires for her, and several have even washed her just for grins… She is recognized almost anywhere we go these days, and her legend has spread far and wide! Our story together would not have evolved into what it has or been nearly as long or amazing had it not been for the actions, labor, TLC, and generosity of so many others… and that’s an incredible story in itself!!!

DDT

[Disco]

It just doesn't get any better than this!   

And I know I speak for many when I say I hope I never forget Asheville.   

[DDT (12)]

It just doesn't get any better than this!   

And I know I speak for many when I say I hope I never forget Asheville.   

Dave,

I'm sure you are familiar with that old expression, "If I have to explain, no explanation is possible... If I don't, then none is necessary..." When it comes to describing my feelings (and affection!) for you and members of this incredible thing we call the VRCC, that thought races to the fore of my thinking! I simply wouldn't know where to begin or how to even attempt to capture it all in mere words...

Thanks, my friend, for being one of us... and for being you! I appreciate your reply, as I do all of those by others. I look forward to many more adventures and subsequent stories, especially those that will include you... I appreciate ya, dude!!!

DDT

[Disco]

You're too kind, Bruce.  I'm sure many those who know me well would say you're WAY too kind! 

I look forward to seeing you somewhere fun in 2019.  I just hope it is closer to sea level than Leadville!   

[t-man403]

Troutdude has rescued us twice from boo-boo sites and hauled us back to his house for repairs… once in Alabama (I was living in Florida by then), and once in Georgia. Another time, I rented a U-Haul truck in Carlsbad, NM, and drove ALI to his place in Mandeville, LA (over 1100 miles). Just last month, Harley Joe rescued us twice and hauled us first from Nashville, TN, to Clinton, TN, for Gordon (Lucky 13) to work on our girl, and then to Mandeville, LA, for Troutdude to apply a wrench to her yet again!



DDT

I still have the video "Troutdude" sent me of the swingarm with the cracks around the welds. Kind of embarrassing  not noticing the cracks as I polished them up  !! But the way i figure it, if I had  found them ...... what would we be talking about now?  Good on Dennis for thinking outside the box!! 

[DDT (12)]

You're too kind, Bruce.  I'm sure many those who know me well would say you're WAY too kind! 

I look forward to seeing you somewhere fun in 2019.  I just hope it is closer to sea level than Leadville!   

Dave,

Nope, not too kind at all! I do agree with you on the altitude thing, though... Apparently my tolerance for 'uppity things' has gone downhill over the years!!! Looking forward to the next time...

DDT

I still have the video "Troutdude" sent me of the swingarm with the cracks around the welds. Kind of embarrassing  not noticing the cracks as I polished them up  !! But the way i figure it, if I had  found them ...... what would we be talking about now?  Good on Dennis for thinking outside the box!! 

Terry,

You are right on the money with your observation of Troutdude! Each time I watch him working on our girl, I marvel at his skill, patience, and 'insight' into problem solving! Yeah, there have been some boo-boos over the years, but like you so wisely pointed out... But for those, we'd surely have a lot less to talk about today!

I do marvel a bunch at how so many times, things that would have upset me in the past or that might have even today, have actually turned out to be the beginning of new and wonderful adventures! That 'breakdown' in Alberta a few years ago launched me on one of the absolutely best experiences I've ever had! Man, I sure am glad you and John chose to meet for breakfast at that restaurant... especially that fateful day in '13!!! I truly appreciate ya, my good friend!

DDT

[old2soon]

         Bruce-this IS The BEST Club I've ever been a part of.  You've found out when yer up again it you ain't That Far from a club member.  Keep on Keepin on!  RIDE SAFE.