Still Hunkering...

[DDT (12)]

Still Hunkering...

Arden came by after work and picked me up in her van. We rode to the Kingfisher Roadhouse, and sure enough the Honky-Tonk bus was parked right outside. We entered, and my celebrity hostess got the royal treatment from just about everybody there! Mario was giving the keyboard a serious work out, and lots of happy folks were celebrating life...

The Kingfisher Roadhouse



The lake as seen from Kingfisher Roadhouse



'Honky-Tonk Man' doing his thing


We joined a group of Arden's friends at a table, ordered refreshments, then introductions followed. I must say these are some of the friendliest folks I've ever been around!

It didn't seem to matter that I was a total stranger on his first visit ever to this small town, I was treated like I'd been there for years! It felt so good to be right there right then... For a solitary gypsy biker dude, this is some pretty heady stuff!

The entourage nucleus


Sally joined us a short time later, plus a couple of others moved over to our table, and our entourage became complete. Couples were dancing, and soon enough all the ladies at our table were 'occupied', so I never had to actually get out on the floor and embarrass myself... much to my delight. A few hours passed and a good time was had by all... especially this mildly but most pleasantly surprised trekker...

Sometimes it just happens this way. Not all the time of course, but occasionally I just stumble into an amazing situation. It seems to me that we are all alike in that we're all searching for something of substance in our lives... for real connections with real people, some place where we 'belong', and a place where we find acceptance and respect. All the folks I met that night were from 'somewhere else'... They all had come there looking for whatever it is that we seek, and they all had found some magic. I felt it too...

The evening passed rather quickly, then we headed back 'home'. I really enjoyed chatting with Arden... A fascinating person who is very intelligent, articulate, well-traveled, and full of stories of daring-do.

She even rides her own Harley! In fact, the 'Fat Boy' she rides now she got in Philadelphia, PA. She flew there to pick it up, then rode up here... solo. She's done mountain climbing in Nepal, and some wandering around in Africa, central and south America... She even worked as a cook in a logging camp in northern Yukon Territory while in college for the 'big pay'... (She was born in British Columbia.)

So far, the rain I'd been warned about hadn't materialized. I did notice a few drops on ALI's cover yesterday afternoon, otherwise I wouldn't have known there had been any precip at all. I'm not complaining, mind you! Were it not for that dire forecast, I would not have found serendipity... a little magic in the woods by a lake on the Kenai...

I may get a chance to see Homer after all... My new Harley bud and I are talking about doing a ride together, and Homer would be an easy day trip down and back. We've also discussed the possibility of riding over to Whittier, taking the ferry to Valdez, then riding back here. Yet another possibility would be to ride over to Seward.

She's very busy this time of year, though, and it would be most difficult for her to get away for more than a day at most, so... I'd say right now Homer is more likely, if she can even get away at all... Oh well, I just may haul off and do all of that myself solo... It ain't like I can't ride alone, or that I'm in a hurry or anything...

DDT

[The emperor has no clothes]

  All 3 of those possible rides would be excellent. The Whittier-Valdez loop being the top. 

[Misfit]

Wander on! 

[wiggydotcom]

I already am pretty certain you're glad you made the call to trek northward, Bruce. And I'm sure glad you did. Arden sounds like a very interesting person to talk to and hang out with. I'm sure the others felt that way about you also.

Heck, maybe you'll have time to call on the past Governor, some Sarah lady.

Ride on, my friend!

[The emperor has no clothes]

I already am pretty certain you're glad you made the call to trek northward, Bruce. And I'm sure glad you did. Arden sounds like a very interesting person to talk to and hang out with. I'm sure the others felt that way about you also.

Heck, maybe you'll have time to call on the past Governor, some Sarah lady.

Ride on, my friend!

As I'm sure Bruce has discovered, Alaska is made up of people just like him. He fits in like a Sourdough that has lived there for years. He never needed the Chechako phase. His wanderers spirit is what brought 99% of people there. Some of them might be a little cantankerous and rough unlike Bruce, but his independent spirit thrives in AK.

[Valkorado]

Ya gotta stay out of those rough and tumble bars!     I admit, even your artful words alone couldn't have expressed the flabbergasting magnitude of this travelling Honky Tonk legend!  Looks like you're having a rip-snortin' time!  Thanks for taking us along!   

[Black Dog]

As usual Bruce, you've captured a moment, and made your readers jealous... 

That group you were part of, could each be a chapter of a best seller 

Black Dog

[t-man403]

Well, they certainly look like they ain't lacking anything ....... there's even a bottle of hot sauce on the table ....... I could handle that!

[DDT (12)]

OK, who took 'em? The pics I posted are now gone on my puter!!! Anybody else not seeing them now? Wouldn't you know it... just when I seem to be on a roll, too. Tried to post another story, but... the pics I was including wouldn't take... I went back to my last post, and the pics were also gone from there... Any ideas? I've asked Serk if he knows anything, so perhaps it's something simple and he can straighten me out...

DDT

P.S. Wiggiedotcom, I even have a pic of a bear for another story I'm working on... Wish me luck!!!

[The emperor has no clothes]

OK, who took 'em? The pics I posted are now gone on my puter!!! Anybody else not seeing them now? Wouldn't you know it... just when I seem to be on a roll, too. Tried to post another story, but... the pics I was including wouldn't take... I went back to my last post, and the pics were also gone from there... Any ideas? I've asked Serk if he knows anything, so perhaps it's something simple and he can straighten me out...

DDT

P.S. Wiggie.com, I even have a pic of a bear for another story I'm working on... Wish me luck!!!

Bruce, I can see your pics in this post. I'll look at your other post and check them. Probably just some bad Alaskan WiFi. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Yep, you are all good.  looking forward to the next story. 

[Serk]

Bruce, I can see your pics in this post. I'll look at your other post and check them. Probably just some bad Alaskan WiFi. 

Yup, been working with him as I can via PM, it looks like the problem is with his current WiFi connection, once he goes somewhere else we should be getting more glorious illustrated DDT stories soon!

[DDT (12)]

THANKS SERK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so relieved! If this had turned out to be something complicated... I'm afraid I'd be right back in the dark ages... At least there is hope now... and I won't have to try anything else for a while... My stories will have to wait, though, but what the hey... probably a blessing. Anyway, it is good to know smart people and have them willing to help a brother out!

DDT

[Bigwolf]

Bruce,
Well pics or no pics, I can see them btw, please don,t stop posting your adventures.  I love reading them even when I don,t take the time to sign in and comment and even without pics.  Of course I love the pics too....when they show up,.... but the stories and certainly the way you tell them are what keeps me yearning for the next installment of your take on life.

May your adventures continue for many years to come.  May they be filled with awesome views and delightful happenings.  And may you always share that "good stuff" with those of us that haven't made it there yet.

Bigwolf

[Oss]

If there were 4 pics I can see all of them

Like has been said, its good to be you

Ride on dude !

[DDT (12)]

Thanks for the encouragement, everybody!!! Well, I couldn't even get online the last two nights... I was in Haines Junction, YT... I stayed there two nights because I decided to take a side trip down to Haines, AK... And boy am I glad I did!!!!! WOW!!! Fantastic ride, and all the way on the smoothest roads I've been on since hitting the Alaska Highway! A really fab day in the saddle, and I didn't even have to unpack when I got back.. OK, I'm now a couple of stories behind in my posting due to technical stuff... if you need an explanation, better check with Serk... BTW, thank you so much, Serk! You calmed my jittery nerves and helped me cope with a tech issue... and that's no small thing! I'm going to try to post the next story now...

DDT

[Serk]

BTW, thank you so much, Serk! You calmed my jittery nerves and helped me cope with a tech issue... and that's no small thing! I'm going to try to post the next story now...

WoOHoO! Totally selfish of me, helping you helps me follow along on more of your adventures!