The Way...

[DDT (12)]

Many times, we've gone the long way, sometimes we've even gone the wrong way, but always we've gone our way... It is a rather rare condition in which we find ourselves, but for us it is about as close to perfect as we've ever found! Even if it were within my power to do so, I can't imagine changing anything at all... Well, an additional pile of money would not be refused, of course, but other than that...!

So, the Fall Color Ride came and went last October, as it always does. This time, however, Ross (RNFWP) decided to ride with our girl and her partner from Robbinsville, NC, to Greenville, SC, where he lives with his bride of many years. A distance of less than 150 miles, so not that much of a ride and only slightly out of the way for my 'planned' ride to the eastern Carolinas... or so it appeared at first glance... Since we'd be taking routes he was more familiar with than I, he led us south with a planned turn eastward in Clayton, GA.

In Clayton, we stopped for some rather good BBQ and a chat about the remainder of our ride. One thing led to another, and he didn't return home that afternoon after all... or any other for nearly two weeks! Yep, we left the 'Q' place and headed west instead of east, this time on purpose, and so our spontaneous coddiewomple began... Eleven days and as many states later, we enjoyed yet another BBQ meal, this time in Greenville, SC, with his wife present.

Along the way, we ran into many discoveries and interesting situations that simply can't be properly described, they can only be enjoyed. An example: In Idabel, OK, we decided Ross should see the Eiffel Tower in not far off Paris, TX. Well, only a very few miles down the road from there, a VRCC celebrity named Daniel Myers lives, so an invitation for him and his wife to join us for breakfast was extended...

She couldn't make it, but Daniel was quite willing!  Arrangements were then made, and off we rode for a rendezvous with a really good guy over some eggs and pig parts in Paris... Following a most interesting conversation and some downright decent vittles, we shared a very short ride afterward.

That evening before in Idabel, Ross rode down to a nearby Walmart and surprised this rider for sure with one of his purchases! Gotta love a thoughtful partner like that!!!



Tres Amigos Big Dogging & Showing Out in Paris, TX...



Following a brief but most enjoyable visit, Ross led us south to Marshall, TX. We stayed at the same motel Punisher and I had stopped at a few years ago, and we even dined that evening at the same IHOP within easy walking distance. On our way back to the room, keen-eyed Ross spotted a really convenient convenience store...

He walked back to that store where he picked up a six pack of my Texas favorite... We sat out in front of our room and did what bikers have been doing since the first evening out on a scooter after they were invented... None went to waste, I'm proud to announce.

Doing what comes naturally for a rider...



At the previous FCR, Trout Dude had invited me down for some additional work needed for our girl, so... The time was right, as all the parts had arrived and my personal hero was willing, so Ross and his 'trailer' headed for Mandeville, LA... Where Valks frequently go for repairs and rescues. We met Dennis in Jena, LA, and he led us on to his hacienda.

A meal-stop along the way for a first visit for Ross, but a second for this willing diner... Dennis, Gary Ashee, and I had dined there before years ago...



Once at the Valk infirmary, work began immediately... That evening and the following day, Dennis changed the timing belts, front tire, and replaced the wheel dampeners in our girl's rear wheel... he also did a rearend service while at it. Shelia provided us with red beans and rice for dinner the first evening,

Ever see a redneck mechanic's stethoscope before? Neither had I until my dear friend and our girl's surgeon showed me...



The following day lunch at Vera's, then dinner back at the house where Waterbug had prepared crawfish pie for us! Yep, I'd already had to loosen my belt another notch with no end in sight! Hope I don't need a new belt anytime soon, but... a new wardrobe is out of the question! A wonderful visit followed by another nice send-off...

Ross and his follower finally arrive in Greenville, SC, a couple of days later. We had dinner at a nearby BBQ place with his wife joining us... and a recap of our travels was included. I'd figured to head towards Alabama from there, as yet another doctor's visit was by then close at hand. Oh well, the eastern Carolinas could wait a bit longer...

We even got stopped by a train or two on this ride...



This little detour reminded me of the time in Show-Low, AZ, when I'd decided on a whim to make the day's ride up to Utah for another tour... Funny, stuff kept coming up on that outing too, and it turned out to be a couple of years before we actually returned to Utah! Another longcut for sure, but oh what an adventure the whole thing had turned out to be... just like this one had been!!!

DDT (12)

[..]

Bruce you can also use a hard plastic handled screwdriver as a stethoscope. Place the tip of the blade against the noise source and handle to ear.

[Rams]

Great read, thanks for writing and posting.   Felt like I was sharing the wind with ya.   

Some day for real....

Rams

[Wizzard]

Great read, thanks for writing and posting.   Felt like I was sharing the wind with ya.   

Some day for real....

Rams

Ditto,, retirement will come soon 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Excellent write up  Never heard of crawfish pie. Sounds interesting. 

[RNFWP]

 
RNFWP (12)

[Serk]

This is the way.....

[Rams]

This is the way.....

Whoa!   Shouldn't we have turned right at that last intersection?   Oh well, let's see what's down this road.  

Rams

[Wizzard]

I did that in the mountains in SC and ended up going up a steep Mt road that turned to gravel and then ended abruptly and had to turn around. Wife was not happy. 

[carolinarider09]

 

[thedon]

Great read Bruce, you sure do have fun.
Be safe,
Don

[RP#62]

Excellent write up  Never heard of crawfish pie. Sounds interesting. 

Me o  my o

-RP

[The emperor has no clothes]

Excellent write up  Never heard of crawfish pie. Sounds interesting. 

Me o  my o

-RP

Completely forgot about that. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-BQpRqmwM0

[Big Rick]

Bruce, I definitely enjoy reading about your adventures, thanks for sharing, you definitely have a way of writing that is entertaining

[t-man403]

Wow, those handlebars have a lot more things bolted onto them than I remember! Good stuff to have.
Hate to disagree with you about the brew according to the front of that sweatshirt you're wearing some went to waste . Bock, a seasonal beer only to be had in the winter up here and very enjoyable.  
(12) has gone over my head.

[DDT (12)]

I very much appreciate the comments and compliments! Yep, "This is the way..." truly is an accurate observation! "Me-O My-O" is another colorful and succinct way of stating an accurate explanation!

I am indeed having fun, am very much enjoying life, am mighty proud to be here, and I do derive much pleasure from posting about the big adventure life has become for this happy wanderer... In fact, (12) is an unexpected biproduct of two of those features combined... Terry has provided me with a reasonable segue to spring from to offer my explanation...

Over time I'd noticed my traveling companions and fellow riders generally appeared to weary of my quite frequent statements of being "Proud to be here" and "I just love my life"... While out wandering around with Ross (RNFWP) recently, I decided to simply abbreviate my commentary on those two entirely accurate pronouncements to a simple code: '1' for 'Proud to be here.' '2' for 'I just love my life'... and that was soon shortened to its current '12' to simply include both...

I'm still going to have to delay my ride to the eastern Carolinas yet again. I've hunkered down in an Airbnb in eastern Georgia for a brief interlude... When this rental expires, it will again be time to mosey to Montgomery, this time to visit my dentist and my dermatologist... Body maintenance is as important as bike maintenance, ya know...

After that, I have no clue where we might wander next... Eastern Carolinas? Maybe, but I wouldn't make any bets on that...

DDT (12)

[John Schmidt]

Although I do have a mechanic's steth, usually my screwdrivers are closer at hand. I have two that are approx. 18" long, one a phillips and one a flat blade, I refer to them as my "plus" or "minus" screwdriver which drove my girls nuts.  

I've been asked what possible use I could have for screwdrivers that long. I tell folks it helps me get away from my work.  

[..]

12 

[t-man403]

Over time I'd noticed my traveling companions and fellow riders generally appeared to weary of my quite frequent statements of being "Proud to be here" and "I just love my life"... While out wandering around with Ross (RNFWP) recently, I decided to simply abbreviate my commentary on those two entirely accurate pronouncements to a simple code: '1' for 'Proud to be here.' '2' for 'I just love my life'... and that was soon shortened to its current '12' to simply include both...

DDT (12)

Ah......and there I have it! 

[Valkorado]

Over time I'd noticed my traveling companions and fellow riders generally appeared to weary of my quite frequent statements of being "Proud to be here" and "I just love my life"... While out wandering around with Ross (RNFWP) recently, I decided to simply abbreviate my commentary on those two entirely accurate pronouncements to a simple code: '1' for 'Proud to be here.' '2' for 'I just love my life'... and that was soon shortened to its current '12' to simply include both...

DDT (12)

Ah......and there I have it! 

I'm pretty sure DDT's joyful exuberance is something none of us will ever tire of.  Kinda like his writing.

[Bigwolf]

Over time I'd noticed my traveling companions and fellow riders generally appeared to weary of my quite frequent statements of being "Proud to be here" and "I just love my life"... While out wandering around with Ross (RNFWP) recently, I decided to simply abbreviate my commentary on those two entirely accurate pronouncements to a simple code: '1' for 'Proud to be here.' '2' for 'I just love my life'... and that was soon shortened to its current '12' to simply include both...

DDT (12)

Ah……and there I have it! 

I'm pretty sure DDT's joyful exuberance is something none of us will ever tire of.  Kinda like his writing.

I completely agree!

Bruce,
That is a great story of an unexpected coddiewomple!  I certainly enjoyed it!  I also enjoyed the explanation of (12)!

[The emperor has no clothes]

Over time I'd noticed my traveling companions and fellow riders generally appeared to weary of my quite frequent statements of being "Proud to be here" and "I just love my life"... While out wandering around with Ross (RNFWP) recently, I decided to simply abbreviate my commentary on those two entirely accurate pronouncements to a simple code: '1' for 'Proud to be here.' '2' for 'I just love my life'... and that was soon shortened to its current '12' to simply include both...

DDT (12)

Ah......and there I have it! 

I'm pretty sure DDT's joyful exuberance is something none of us will ever tire of.  Kinda like his writing.

I completely agree!

Bruce,
That is a great story of an unexpected coddiewomple!  I certainly enjoyed it!  I also enjoyed the explanation of (12)!

+2 I can't imagine any members here getting tired of hearing Bruce's proclamations of joy. But, I'm also glad for the explanation. I was a little worried that he had been assimilated by the Borg, and been given the designation.