Adjustments...

[DDT (12)]

Adjustments...

We departed around 9am or a little after, and... of course it was a tad brisk. It is still winter, ya know. Temp was in the low 40sF, so nothing major, just... ummmm... noticeable... My Gerbings were on, and I had layered-up appropriately... but... something just wasn't right... Couldn't put my finger on it, so I just chalked it up to one of those 'first day out' adjustments... Y'all have those, too?

It never ceases to amaze me... No matter how much I travel, or even how often I venture out, that first day of any trek always includes a surprise or two, discovery of needed adjustments of some sort, and... re-discoveries of things I seem to be destined to keep relearning. Of course, there always seem to be brain farts, cranial cramps, and self-inflicted wounds, too, that are hopefully minor things to be laughed at later... So far, everything not wonderful has been merely minor...

I'd figured on a couple of spots as potential stopping places, so I ticked them off as each one transitioned from the windshield to the mirrors, and we kept on plugging along. Yep, even though I probably ride a little more than the average rider, I still manage to accumulate 'skill rust' rather quickly... Soon enough, though, maneuvers that at first seem a wee bit awkward become effortless, easy, and smooth... My tush adjusts to the Russell, and the recliner back at the hacienda becomes a faded memory. Too, there is that nap tendency that has to be overcome, but so far that hasn't become an issue... at least not one that has resulted in anything more than a close call or two.

Around mid-day, I decided to unplug the electrics and change gloves... It didn't take long, however, to realize that adjustment was a bit premature. At the next stop, I plugged back in, but I didn't go back to the electric gloves... my hands seemed to be doing tolerably well, and that was a bit odd... Normally it's my hands that get colder faster, and I usually put up with the jacket liner in order to have the gloves going during those in betwixt intervals... Something was a bit peculiar this day, though... or so it seemed...

We'd deliberately avoided the big roads, so lots of two-lanes, small towns, light traffic, and... you know, all that pleasant stuff. A great day, in fact, and it sure felt good to be out and about... Cloudless sky, moderate wind, 'invigorating' temps, ALI smoothly transporting us to... wherever... Man, these lay-overs are getting to be... bothersome, I suppose, but sometimes we just have to take one for the team, I reckon... Anyway, in spite of being 'unfamiliar seeming' and not nearly the routine it soon will become, this first day was... well, it was a first day...

We decided Defuniak Springs, FL, would make a nice resting place for the upcoming dark hours... A not expensive motel with a Waffle House close by... Yeah, we've stayed here before. Funny about that, too... The very nice waitress at WH remembered me! WOW! She's easily younger than my granddaughter, so... nothing to report there, but... Still, it was nice to chat and the breakfast I had for dinner was great!

Day's end is always a good time to reflect on all that had happened... to self-critique, examine occurrences... general stuff. I removed my leather jacket and laid it on the bed temporarily while the chaps were removed... That's when I noticed... the zippers for the rear vents on the jacket were open! Well, dang! No wonder things hadn't seemed quite right... all day long! When it's hot, we usually don't appreciate how well those actually work, but... today that point was made for sure!

It's been said that we're getting older when we sometimes forget to zip-up. It's said that we are old when we forget to zip down... I haven't read about vent zippers, though, so I can't be sure if this might be age related or just... you know, another brain fart...

DDT

[GiG]

That's one thing about cool weather riding, even an open pocket zipper can make you colder 
Keep us posted on your trip, Bruce 

[Farside]

  LOL, of course the vent zippers! Makes me laugh I did that the other day.  
Hey, Its Friday and I'm home if you'd like to stop by? Nice to be out and its going to be a beautiful day and weekend. We do a Sat. RTE if you're around and would like to join Jeff, myself and others? I invite about 7-8 and maybe half make it. Sometimes it's just Jeff and I.  

Or maybe we can see if Jeff would like to meet for lunch today? I'm in my office today. 

[DDT (12)]

That's one thing about cool weather riding, even an open pocket zipper can make you colder 
Keep us posted on your trip, Bruce 

Gig,

Yeah! I use my pockets, though, so they're usually open unless it gets downright cold... So far, that hasn't become necessary, but the back vents have been closed!

DDT

LOL, of course the vent zippers! Makes me laugh I did that the other day. 
Hey, Its Friday and I'm home if you'd like to stop by? Nice to be out and its going to be a beautiful day and weekend. We do a Sat. RTE if you're around and would like to join Jeff, myself and others? I invite about 7-8 and maybe half make it. Sometimes it's just Jeff and I. 

Or maybe we can see if Jeff would like to meet for lunch today? I'm in my office today. 

Keith,

Waiting to hear back from Ron about Hattiesburg... I'm not sure if anything might develop there, but I was angling towards that place today... Why don't you just join me for the ride up there? I'll be there tonight and probably tomorrow night, too... After that, I have no idea...

I'm hanging around the room delaying departure a bit... some minor frost on ALI's cover this morning, and that always inclines me to dawdle some... I just heard back from Ron while I was typing this, so... I'm definitely heading for Hattiesburg today... I can swing through Milton, though, so if ya wanna grab a sausage biscuit or something in a couple of hours... And, if ya think ya might wanna do a mini road trip for some fine fowl, here's yer chance! My number is three 34- four 30- one four 24... Gimme a call!

DDT

[Skinhead]

I'm glad (as I'm sure everyone you encountered is) that you remembered the "critical" zipper, although from the temps you described, that one being unsecured probably would have caught your attention right off.

[DDT (12)]

I'm glad (as I'm sure everyone you encountered is) that you remembered the "critical" zipper, although from the temps you described, that one being unsecured probably would have caught your attention right off.

Joe,

You speaking from experience? Yep, that's one I don't often neglect... especially during winter!!! I'll be doing a final check of ALL zippers before departure this morning!    

DDT

[Bronxboy]

Never heard of Defuniak Springs, FL until one of my employees wasted a tranny on one of my trucks. I remember having to run up there from the Tampa area in the pouring rain with a trailer, to go fetch it.

There is nothing much there but I did eat at that greasy spoon (Waffle House)
Safe Travels my friend.

[DDT (12)]

Never heard of Defuniak Springs, FL until one of my employees wasted a tranny on one of my trucks. I remember having to run up there from the Tampa area in the pouring rain with a trailer, to go fetch it.

There is nothing much there but I did eat at that greasy spoon (Waffle House)
Safe Travels my friend.

Nick,

Yep, but small, out of the way places often have a special charm and appeal... and that little burg is one of those for this trekker. Nothing to put my finger on, just something special felt... That Waffle House has provided me with several meals over the years, as has McClain's Restaurant next door...

Now, for anybody really into Waffle Houses, I recommend a ride along US 90 from Gulfport through Biloxi to Pas Christian, MS... I saw more WHs per linear mile on that stretch of beach road than anywhere else in the world I've ever noticed, including I-75 through Florida and Georgia!

DDT

[RP#62]

We've found that if you're driving through Montgomery Alabama at 5:00 am on Christmas morning and you want to eat breakfast, its gonna be at Waffle House.

-RP

[DDT (12)]

We've found that if you're driving through Montgomery Alabama at 5:00 am on Christmas morning and you want to eat breakfast, its gonna be at Waffle House.

-RP

RP,

Pretty much! Well, you may also find a Huddle House... WH's chief competitor with the same sort of offerings, hours, etc. Many more WH's around there, however, so you've pretty much defined it! I've been known to frequent both of those... and, often for an evening breakfast meal, too! Grits 'n eggs have a nice way of topping off a good day in the saddle.

DDT

[Bigwolf]

Bruce,
Those rear vent zippers are beyond my ability to adjust while under way.  I don't try that anymore.  Just sayin!

[Rams]

Bruce,
Those rear vent zippers are beyond my ability to adjust while under way.  I don't try that anymore.  Just sayin!

I not real sure Bruce isn't just enjoying asking for folks to zip him up.      Be careful and look to ensure there aren't any Valkyrie buds around with cameras.   

Rams