WWYHD...?

[DDT (12)]

WWYHD...?
 
So, what would you have done? I'd had to do a little handwringing, some serious ponderment, and yes, even a bit of soul-searching myself. In the end, predictably, I chose to proceed pretty much as I'd wanted to in the first place.
 
So, all that self-doubt and introspective analysis during that self-debate episode proved, once again, to be virtually needless... A sophisticated high-falutin way of appearing to be thoughtful and objective while merely indulging a dubious whim appeared a more likely explanation...
 
It didn't used to be this hard back when I was younger and had all the answers. Alas, as a wise aging matron once mused to this earnest ardent student of her wisdom, "As we age, our butts expand while our brains seem to contract... Isn't it interesting and ironic how that great teacher called 'experience' can sometimes lead us from 'clarity' to such a state of uncertainty?"
 
Young adults have essentially fully developed mental reasoning faculties, but they're completely unburdened by the tempering effects of 'life's experience' as adults. Consequently, things often appear much simpler than they later prove to be, and therefore answers can appear far more obvious to them than to more battle-bruised, wary, seasoned veterans of life's ups and downs...
 
Life over time teaches us that things often are not at all what they at first seem to be. That those answers involving other people often require compromise and consensus-building to avoid gridlock... That the 'ideal' solution may be in reality impractical or perhaps even impossible.
 
Boy oh-boy, here I go again... Trying to appear thoughtful and 'deep', while I'm actually only attempting to 'dress-up' and rationalize a recent less-than-perfect choice made on the road... Yeah, I suppose I am going to have to set the stage now for this to even hope to make any sense to you...
 
I'd been hunkered down in the UP of Michigan for pretty much the entire month of August. We'd joyously stumbled into as close to a sweet spot as we were going to find weather-wise. Comfortable temps all along the south shore of Lake Superior during an extended period of only light, intermittent, occasional showers. Truly the sort of thing any Chamber of Commerce prays for!
 
I hadn't planned things that way. We'd just expected to ride through there on our way to someplace else, but we could use a pause anyway, so I decided to stay another couple of nights. Then another couple of nights... then a longer period to take advantage of the weekly room rate while continuing to enjoy the pleasant weather that appeared unfriendly in any direction away from there...
 
The perfect refuge for a gypsy, highly mobile 'heat refugee' who rode a motorcycle but was willing to settle for day rides for a little while rather than the more desirable endless trekking... Especially when nowhere else seemed to offer anything close to all-around desirable weather conditions...
 
That part of the 'grand slam non-plan' worked out rather well, but as with all plans nothing lasts forever, so the time eventually came for change... Of course, timing of any changes would be an essential element in any prospective proposal...
 
It was also approaching the time to start determining possible glide paths to the annual Dragon Round-up Ride in southern Indiana, still a couple of weeks or so off. Plenty of time would be available, however, for consideration of any long-cut opportunities that might present themselves... And, as luck would have it, in the back of my noggin, there just so happened to be this lingering notion lurking about...
 
The previous summer, I'd missed the chance to visit Brenda's Tumbleweed Cafe in Watauga, SD. Troutdude and MitchO had made it, however, and Mitch had reported he'd tried the sausage patty item this time with his breakfast order, and that that just may have been the best sausage he'd ever had! I'd always enjoyed the bacon on my visits there, so...

Suddenly, there appeared a gapping, glaring hole in my culinary resume!!! Redress would absolutely be required, and this just could be the best opportunity in the foreseeable future... since we were already in the 'hood' so to speak anyway, but before the winter weather arrived! It'd been way too hot before then to even consider a jaunt over there, so this was the time...
 
Early September can be a wondrous time for scooter cruising at those latitudes on the plains... or not. Heat can still linger from the blistering summers, but really cool temps can also be encountered from the weather fronts (Alberta Clippers) that increasingly drop down from our 51st state... and with them frequent bouts of rain, occasional hail, and rare episodes of tornado outbreaks. Change is the most common feature of the weather then and there, and change of another sort is also a prominent feature... sudden change in the short-term forecast itself!
 
A well-thought-out travel plan can be skillfully crafted and carefully set in motion, only for it to require extensive modification, sometimes complete abandonment, within a day or two. In the case of our most recent plan, the modification interval was about three days: Shorter than some; longer than others; but still necessary in any event...
 
The revised plan worked well for several days and all the way to Bismark, ND. Uh-oh, that's when it became obvious another major change would very soon be required. 'Experience' clearly indicated the safe bet would have been to forget about Brenda's this year and immediately head south-easterly thereby outrunning the newest round of rain now headed our way. Dang... but we were so close, though, to that siren song's sausage serenade...
 
It'd been downright comical how the plans just before departure had varied all over the place with each newly 'revised' weather forecast! One day we'd figure to ride east then south over the 'Big Mac' bridge. The next day a ride west near the Canadian border would work just fine, only to require a parallel course adjustment southward the following day! Each forecast predicted we'd ride into a rain cul-de-sac sooner or later, but then those would be dropped in short order and never materialize. What's a body to do!!!???
 
My inner adult counseled playing it safe... My inner child shouted, "Go for it, dude, everything will work out!" Being a fairly typical hombre when compared with my peers, I allowed my thinking to lead me to an answer. Naturally I subconsciously put my thumb on the scales thereby influencing the outcome... Funny, as uncertain as things truly were, following 'careful consideration', it now looked like things would work out exactly the way I wanted them to... And that led to my next decision matrix...
 
Following a very damp ride to Brenda's (heavy fog and air-saturating high humidity - no actual rain though), I was able to confirm Mitch's assessment of the very good sausage! It was so good in fact, I also bought four to-go orders to carry along for snacks...
 
Brenda's place... Our girl's first visit as a trike...

 
Breakfast following a very damp ride...

 
Preparing for future treats...

 
In accordance with our latest revised plan, we left Brenda's and rode over to Mobridge, SD, and our two-night stay there. See, rain was to pass over us the next day, and then we'd leisurely follow it east instead of having it chasing us...
 
Dang, where'd that rain cul-de-sac come from...?  The forecast had not even hinted the rain might stall right then and moisturefy us for several days! Double dang! The newest forecast actually turned out to be accurate, too, for a big surprise!
 
With the DRU coming up, I now had to choose between missing that gathering or riding in light rain for a few days... That sausage was mighty good for sure, but I'm less certain it was truly worth the price paid to squeeze our trip there into the narrow time slot available to us...
 
My 'inner personas' are predictably divided on the topic... My inner adult maintains we should have waited for another time. My inner child says we did the right thing... As for yours truly, it all depends... When the issue is viewed through the windshield, I think my inner adult has the correct idea. When viewed in the rearview mirror, the inner child is spot-on! So, here I continue to sit and wonder... This riddle may require some 'thumb action' to resolve... You do know how it all worked out, right...?
 
DDT (12)

[Jersey mike]

You never fail to entertain with your story telling. 

The trike looks great, I think that the first photo of it I've seen. Hope you two are over the "getting acquainted" phase and entering the next chapter of time together.

Happy travels and keep safe out there. 

[Hook#3287]

I believe you'll remember the culinary experience more than the ride.

So, worth it.   

[Thunderbolt]

Liked the part about our butt getting bigger and our brain shrinking Bruce.  Nicely thought out.  Glad you still have choices to make.  Do you still try to put the kickstand out?

[Valker]

Thanks for serenading my wanderlust yet again. I need to try some of that sausage when I can straddle the Valk again and the weather patterns are favorable. It could be that Brenda's would be on my way back from Alaska next summer if that trip works out again. One never knows where the Sirens will tug....
I'm so glad that you are enjoying your land voyage on three wheels. One never knows where time will lead.

[Farside]

  Decisions decisions you  them well! I think so at least on this run! Especially trying to stay away from Mother Nature showers. I like Ali's new look and bet she likes it too! Nice write up Bruce. Now you can concur with Mitch on that Brenda's sausage which I wish I could say the same. So you like a good sausage do you, enough to make a long trip out of it? Well timing is everything so maybe not as long of a trip depending on your next visit to FL. It could be a destination ride but when in South GA, now my new home I'd like to treat you to Bradley's Country Store in Tallahassee. I'm only 90 miles or so to Bradley's and it's all on beautiful backroads❣️ Heck, maybe Mitch might want to come too! These guys you might recognize in front of Bradley's about 2 years ago⁉️



Travel safe bud❣️

[hubcapsc]

I guess in that picture y'all are on the ride Jeff invited me to go on...
I was at Smokin' Joe's Fall Color Ride with DDT    ... anyhow, it looks
like y'all know how to find the "old florida" roads I keep hearing
about 

-Mike

[3fan4life]

I enjoyed my stop at Brenda's it's one of those places that you just have to see for yourself.

[DDT (12)]

Mike,

Thanks for the nice comments! Yes, she does look nice. Funny, she seems to receive even more compliments now than she did with only two wheels... Ummm, the frequency of those do seem to correspond with the cleanliness state she's currently in, however... Yes, we're pretty much through the 'getting acquainted phase' and well into our 'gettin' it on' phase...

DDT (12)



Bill,

I think you're right about that. The weather wasn't really nasty enough to be brag-worthy, but the grub surely was! I may have to repeat the experiment, though, just to be sure, you understand...?

DDT (12)



Terry,

Funny isn't it... How our butts and brains both figure increasingly more prominent in our affairs as we age! We're by now pretty much beyond the foolish gestures of old habits... Once in a while, though, I do amaze myself with something plum stupid...    Yes indeed, still having choices is wonderful and magical!

DDT (12)



Eric,

Thanks, my friend! Yes, I guarantee you'd like the sausage. Say, I have an idea... Perhaps you could introduce Brenda to offering pinto beans with breakfast, like at that place where you and I dined in Pampa... Heading to Alaska again, huh...? That'll be five bike excursions for you, I believe, WOW! Best of luck to ya... I can hardly wait for your report!

DDT (12)



Keith,

Here's a deal for ya... I'll show ya Brenda's place if you'll show me Bradley's... We can then compare notes on the sausage from both... Yes, I do recognize nearly all of the members of your posse in the photo! Wonderful Valk community folks down that way, and I do find myself reminiscing about the good old days when I used to ride with those upstanding citizens!  FYI, I may be hanging out in Montgomery during January plus a week or two, so perhaps we can check out some more of your recommended eateries! The ones I've tried so far have all been full-on hits!!!

DDT (12)



Mike,

Those old Florida roads you mentioned are very much real and very much worth visiting! Even if you ride them solo, they'll still inspire you and challenge you to learn about some of the rich history of that area... I definitely recommend riding there!!!

DDT (12)



Mark,

You are so right! Once in a great while we stumble upon a place that just smacks us up beside the head and says to us, "You have arrived, big boy!" Brenda is a certifiable character, isn't she?! On my last visit she mentioned a couple more pearls of wisdom: "Anybody who comes there wanting an omelet needs to be prepared for serious disappointment!" She also mused, "Those who order their eggs over-light want their yellows runny, but the whites cooked... No rooster juice, please!"

DDT (12)

[Avanti]

DDT,
Just passing through. I get by Brenda's now and then but have only stopped in twice due to the time I pass. If hot crossing that part of the country I pass very late or very early, depending on how one views the clock. Of course time isn't always relevant.

In your Trike picture is that fork oil on your lower front fender or just a little riding enjoyment.

Ride Far Ride Safe

[DDT (12)]

Gene,

Her's is not the most convenient place for a 'normal' meal stop on my travels either. It is always worth a stop, though, so I find a way. Good eye, my friend! It was fork oil on the fender. It's since been taken care of by Troutdude, but a few sharp-eyed observers like you did notice...

DDT (12)