DDT (12)
Member
Posts: 4120
Sometimes ya just gotta go...
Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...
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« on: October 18, 2016, 04:53:31 PM » |
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More On Planning…
There are plans, and then there are… all those other things that actually happen… I plan when I need to or when it makes sense, and I sometimes plan out of habit… Occasionally I’ve already done some planning without even realizing it… Some of all of that happened recently… and all of the events were connected more or less…
It started when I decided to sell my house and move to Florida. Sheeeeesh! Talk about required planning! I could write volumes on that score, but my fingers simply don’t have the stamina… Besides the formidable issues of selling my house and relocating my household goods, there were other onerous chores to coordinate, handle, overcome, work around, figure timing and sequencing of… yadda, yadda…
Among those were the needs to transfer insurance coverages on my vehicles, obtain new titles, get new tags and registrations, and my driver’s license had to be changed, also. Oh joy! Just what a biker gypsy loves to do… stand in long lines, then eventually listen to bureaucrats drone on about this and that, then tell you why they can’t help you until you return with whatever it was that you didn’t anticipate needing…
By the time I’d closed on the old house and had all my personal goods loaded and transferred to my new ‘home’… I needed a road trip bad! Well, some planning would necessarily be involved because of the ticking time bomb… My birthday is in October, so I had what remained of August and the month of September to do any riding I could, then get those other pesky ‘time sensitive’ details all ironed out…
There was also a couple of other rides I wanted to do… The Indiana Ride had already been missed, because I’d been out west at the time. The Fall Color Ride already had me pretty committed, but the BBQ in Prescott had crossed my mind as well, and then JoeValkIS was doing another Missouri FCR, and those are good… and he is a great guy, so I hated it when that didn’t work out. In fact, only the FCR that SmokinJoe hosts ended up attended by yours truly. Well, that and my solo road trip back to the northwest just after my ‘big move adventure’…
See where I’m going with this? Working out all of that, doing the necessary triage to make the priorities fit even at the expense of lesser ranked stuff… mandated some fancy planning. But, I got everything required done, and I still managed to work in some of the ‘nice to haves’… all thanks to careful planning… Yuk!
By the time we pulled away from Robbinsville, everything had been taken care of… well, I still do have a few boxes to unpack back in Florida, but those can wait indefinitely. I’m so relieved! One or two more things to work out… well almost…
Napper had met me for the FCR. Good. Napper is navigationally challenged. Not so good. We’re not just talking about an ordinary affliction here like the one I have, either… I mean, you mention complex concepts to her like north, south, east, or west, and she gets that panicked ‘deer in the headlights’ look… She is more comfortable with things like: Turn left just past the Walmart, or go two red lights that-a-way, then hang a right…
She absolutely hates Interstate Highways and/or big city driving! Traffic of any sort throws her into a three-quarter tizzy; heavy traffic at all, and she immediately retreats to her ‘happy place’. Well, all that complicates travel involving her, so considerable planning is always required… She’s worth it, of course, but still… allowances and accommodations have to be made… and careful planning is unavoidably necessary…
I volunteered to lead her part of the way back to Alabama… When we parted in Rome, GA, I told her, two left turns and you’ll be in Wetumpka… this included the first left turn being out of the parking lot where we were standing. Simple, right?
She managed to make a right turn in there someplace… and… Mercifully I didn’t know about that until after she had worked her way out of that snare and had already found her way home… No action beyond empathy from me was required…
I’m supposed to call Trout Dude in a few days… That is another time factor to figure on… And, I was seriously thinking about still trying to work in the Missouri FCR after all… I called the motel in Missouri to see about vacancies… “We have one room left,” the lady informed me… “the honeymoon suite…” Now if I had an alter ego Like Stanley does with Cletus, I might have considered it, but… I don’t… so, I didn’t…
I then thought maybe I’d ride up to West Virginia. Going to Morehead City, NC, to visit my cousin had already been postponed until Thanksgiving due to flooding and road conditions, so the mountains of WV seemed a sensible alternative…
Once back in the mountains and riding along thinking cool thoughts, another notion sprung forth… Why not get a cabin for a few days in Fontana Village on NC HWY 28 just down the road from the Tail of the Dragon? I haven’t stayed there in many years, and it would be a nice change of pace… WOW!
I rode the Cherohala Parkway across to Robbinsville, turned north (hey Napper, that means I made a left at the stop sign) onto US 129 towards the Dragon… smiling all the way. Yep, I’d figuratively just thumbed my nose at my 'plan', and by extension planning generally, and now I was coloring outside the lines again! I just love it when a non-plan comes together…
DDT
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Don't just dream it... LIVE IT!
See ya down the road...
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #1 on: October 18, 2016, 05:24:52 PM » |
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Coloring outside the lines ALWAYS feels good.  It would have been nice to see you in Prescott, but we understand. |
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15325
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2016, 05:33:33 PM » |
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I have to chuckle at the navigation issue, reminded me of my former wife. She finally got her pilot's license(I already had mine) and to this day I can't understand how she did it. That woman could get lost in a phone booth. One day with her at the controls, we took off from Orlando Executive on rwy 7, destination Vero Beach, SSE of Orlando. She was OK'd to continue eastward from the pattern which she did.....and kept going east, heading 90 degrees. I asked where she was headed...."Vero Beach." Ok, then why are we headed east instead of SE. I was flatly told "I'm flying today and I know what I'm doing" so I figured I'd let her go until Patrick AFB started talking to her....which it did. She didn't want to comply so I yanked the wheel on a hard right and thus began a rather pleasant flight.....she didn't talk to me the rest of the way down.  One other time on a Thanksgiving flight to Mt. Home, Arkansas where my parents retired, we got weathered in at Walnut Ridge, north of Memphis. My folks came and got us and took us back a couple days later to get the plane when the weather cleared. My wife wanted to fly my mother and our daughter back to Mt. Home, dad and I would drive back and meet them at the airport soon as we got there....figuring they'd arrive well ahead of us. We got there, they were nowhere to be seen. Nearly two hours later we hear her call on the unicom for the active runway. I found out from mom that my wife got herself so lost that she had to land and figure out where she was and how to get them home. She was over 100 miles off course and all she had to do was follow one particular highway all the way to Mt. Home. Thanksgiving was rather quiet, kinda nice actually....considering.  From that day forward, if she was at the controls she let me....no, demanded, that I navigate. I could tell so many stories of how I pissed her off in the cockpit, and it was nothing but her own hard head that kept her from really learning. Even today, nearly 30 yrs. after our divorce if I say anything about it she gets bent out of shape. I love it!  |
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DDT (12)
Member
Posts: 4120
Sometimes ya just gotta go...
Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...
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« Reply #3 on: October 19, 2016, 01:41:26 AM » |
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Coloring outside the lines ALWAYS feels good. It would have been nice to see you in Prescott, but we understand. Yep, for sure! Heck, I've even been known to run with scissors on occasion, too! Prescott is a nice part of the state... I made a Valk Gathering there once upon a time - must have been 12 years ago at least... Met lots of good folks, and we had some seriously good riding. That leg over to Jerome is one of my favorites! I wasn't able to pull it off this time, but I do keep my eye on y'all's goings on... Maybe I can drop by one of these days... DDT Hey John, I'm rather well known for my own navigationally challenged condition... but Napper... She makes me look like Marco Polo or something! Bless her heart, she is a truly good to the bone person, but... she just ain't quite got the grasp of getting around much beyond the Montgomery area... We had a great FCR, and while we all understand, we all miss not having you around to share stories with us... See ya down the road, amigo! DDT |
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Don't just dream it... LIVE IT!
See ya down the road...
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Hook#3287
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« Reply #4 on: October 19, 2016, 04:01:31 AM » |
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I'll try some planning here, I'll plan not too sound like a sexist.
I've noticed that the majority of the navigationally challenged persons are of the female persuasion.
I don't know if it's becasuse they don't consider it important, you know, like making sure your shoes and bag match, or they feel they should leave that mundane operation to the less intellectual.
I'm not sure why that is,but I think I failed in my plan.
Great read Bruce.
If you continue in this way, I can sell my bikes and just ride with you.
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Wizzard
Member
Posts: 4043
Bald River Falls
Valparaiso IN
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« Reply #6 on: October 19, 2016, 06:09:33 AM » |
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I have to chuckle at the navigation issue, reminded me of my former wife. She finally got her pilot's license(I already had mine) and to this day I can't understand how she did it. That woman could get lost in a phone booth. One day with her at the controls, we took off from Orlando Executive on rwy 7, destination Vero Beach, SSE of Orlando. She was OK'd to continue eastward from the pattern which she did.....and kept going east, heading 90 degrees. I asked where she was headed...."Vero Beach." Ok, then why are we headed east instead of SE. I was flatly told "I'm flying today and I know what I'm doing" so I figured I'd let her go until Patrick AFB started talking to her....which it did. She didn't want to comply so I yanked the wheel on a hard right and thus began a rather pleasant flight.....she didn't talk to me the rest of the way down. One other time on a Thanksgiving flight to Mt. Home, Arkansas where my parents retired, we got weathered in at Walnut Ridge, north of Memphis. My folks came and got us and took us back a couple days later to get the plane when the weather cleared. My wife wanted to fly my mother and our daughter back to Mt. Home, dad and I would drive back and meet them at the airport soon as we got there....figuring they'd arrive well ahead of us. We got there, they were nowhere to be seen. Nearly two hours later we hear her call on the unicom for the active runway. I found out from mom that my wife got herself so lost that she had to land and figure out where she was and how to get them home. She was over 100 miles off course and all she had to do was follow one particular highway all the way to Mt. Home. Thanksgiving was rather quiet, kinda nice actually....considering. From that day forward, if she was at the controls she let me....no, demanded, that I navigate. I could tell so many stories of how I pissed her off in the cockpit, and it was nothing but her own hard head that kept her from really learning. Even today, nearly 30 yrs. after our divorce if I say anything about it she gets bent out of shape. I love it! Hey I once landed at Muncie IN thinking I was at Anderson IN. I told the guys at control I was sorry,, then told me to forget about , then laughed,, see the DC9 behind you? I said yes,, "he thinks he is at Anderson too. lol |
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 VRCC # 24157 |
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Valkorado
Member
Posts: 10514
VRCC DS 0242
Gunnison, Colorado (7,703') Here there be twisties.
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« Reply #7 on: October 19, 2016, 06:44:11 AM » |
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I have to chuckle at the navigation issue, reminded me of my former wife. She finally got her pilot's license(I already had mine) and to this day I can't understand how she did it. That woman could get lost in a phone booth. One day with her at the controls, we took off from Orlando Executive on rwy 7, destination Vero Beach, SSE of Orlando. She was OK'd to continue eastward from the pattern which she did.....and kept going east, heading 90 degrees. I asked where she was headed...."Vero Beach." Ok, then why are we headed east instead of SE. I was flatly told "I'm flying today and I know what I'm doing" so I figured I'd let her go until Patrick AFB started talking to her....which it did. She didn't want to comply so I yanked the wheel on a hard right and thus began a rather pleasant flight.....she didn't talk to me the rest of the way down. One other time on a Thanksgiving flight to Mt. Home, Arkansas where my parents retired, we got weathered in at Walnut Ridge, north of Memphis. My folks came and got us and took us back a couple days later to get the plane when the weather cleared. My wife wanted to fly my mother and our daughter back to Mt. Home, dad and I would drive back and meet them at the airport soon as we got there....figuring they'd arrive well ahead of us. We got there, they were nowhere to be seen. Nearly two hours later we hear her call on the unicom for the active runway. I found out from mom that my wife got herself so lost that she had to land and figure out where she was and how to get them home. She was over 100 miles off course and all she had to do was follow one particular highway all the way to Mt. Home. Thanksgiving was rather quiet, kinda nice actually....considering. From that day forward, if she was at the controls she let me....no, demanded, that I navigate. I could tell so many stories of how I pissed her off in the cockpit, and it was nothing but her own hard head that kept her from really learning. Even today, nearly 30 yrs. after our divorce if I say anything about it she gets bent out of shape. I love it! Hey I once landed at Muncie IN thinking I was at Anderson IN. I told the guys at control I was sorry,, then told me to forget about , then laughed,, see the DC9 behind you? I said yes,, "he thinks he is at Anderson too. lol Riding back from the Tetons, I saw a sign pointing me to Green River. Knowing Green River, UT is familiar territory near the Colorado border I decided to proceed thataway. Discovered there's also a Green River, WY! |
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Have you ever noticed when you're feeling really good, there's always a pigeon that'll come sh!t on your hood? - John Prine 97 Tourer "Silver Bullet" 01 Interstate "Ruby"  |
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RDAbull
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« Reply #8 on: October 19, 2016, 06:53:36 AM » |
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Yep, for sure! Heck, I've even been known to run with scissors on occasion, too! Prescott is a nice part of the state... I made a Valk Gathering there once upon a time - must have been 12 years ago at least... Met lots of good folks, and we had some seriously good riding. That leg over to Jerome is one of my favorites! I wasn't able to pull it off this time, but I do keep my eye on y'all's goings on... Maybe I can drop by one of these days...
DDT
I never run with scissors in my hand, Oh those last five words are so unnecessary.
Sounds like a plan/non-plan, goal/achievement.
If you get to Phoenix over Christmas during your wandering/wondering tour let me know. I will be out visiting my Son and his family. Dinner is on me.
Be safe and have fun.
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2015 GoldWing Trike
1999 Valkyrie Interstate Trike, gone but not forgotten
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Bigwolf
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« Reply #9 on: October 20, 2016, 11:49:21 AM » |
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Thanks Bruce for another good read. Keep them coming.
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Rams
Member
Posts: 16684
So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out
Covington, TN
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« Reply #10 on: October 20, 2016, 11:57:38 AM » |
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Bruce, I fully understand where you're coming from, I've been there. What concerns me is, I'm still trying to find my way out of this maze................ Good read, keep them coming. |
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VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.
Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
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Daniel Meyer
Member
Posts: 5493
Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
The State of confusion.
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« Reply #11 on: October 20, 2016, 02:23:53 PM » |
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Mmmm....with folks like DDT...and me...ya can't ever be sure if the "navigationally challenged" part is a condition or an intention... http://theoldvictorianwebcomic.com/comic/questions/I have had/heard this end of the conversation on the phone with my wife... Her: "Mexico?! How the HELL did you end up in Mexico?" Me: "...well...there were tamales..." |
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CUAgain, Daniel Meyer  |
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