Flex-Plan Change...

[DDT (12)]

                                                  Flex-Plan Change

The need for a change in my non-plan arose. Actually, I’ve decided to refer to it for now as my flex-plan... In all honesty I’ve been unable to completely kick the planning habit all together. Anyway, I got to my room in Lolo and settled in.

I got to thinking about this being a holiday weekend upcoming, so it seemed logical to check on room availability in Orofino, and probably go ahead and make a reservation… just in case. WOW! All the motels listed on the website were already completely sold out!

The motel where I’ve stayed before was not listed, but even if they’d had a room vacancy, it would most likely be upstairs (naturally no elevator), and I really don’t care for those. Several trips up and down the stairs and along corridors carrying heavy bags was never fun, but nowadays it’s downright drudgery. In addition to being a rather nice room, the one I already had in Lolo happened to be a downstairs park at the door room, so I figured I’d just do my lay-over there instead…

I returned to the office. Yep, I could keep the room until Saturday morning… but no longer! They, too, were booked solid through the weekend! I’m really, really happy now that I took that cabin when I did! It ain’t much fun riding around from town to town on mountain roads after dark searching into the night for a place to stay… I know this for a fact!

On the other hand, this choice would mean two days of just sitting around… I could go for day rides, but… nah. I took the opportunity to just veg and hangout. It would appear I still have some of that lazy streak in me that my dad was so critical of back in the stone age… I never cared much for stalking Wooly Mammoths, you see…

This lay-over had given me a chance to receive calls from my friends and family, as they helped me begin to rebuild my phone directory. It’ll be good, and comforting, to know I have those, as I’ll surely be needing them down the road someplace.

It also had given me a chance to chat with some folks who mean a great deal to me, but with whom I don’t often get to chat… Maybe the creation of my brick was actually a blessing in disguise…? Nah, but ain’t it typical of us humans to try to find some way to put a positive spin on a negative event?

I only left that place once in the time I was there… I rode down to a store to pick up a sandwich and some treats. Mostly I’d just been lying around napping, watching TV, writing stories, and talking on the phone. I’d ordered pizza, and I’d otherwise just been pent-up all by my lonesome doing what I do… Yep, the amount of solitude I need would drive most folks up a wall, but I was enjoying it quite a bit. I suppose I was also practicing for my tenure at the cabin soon…

My revised flex-plan had us riding directly to the cabin on Saturday, since I wouldn’t be staying in Orofino after all… Too bad, really, I was looking forward to visiting a couple of my favorite bars there… and doing some reminiscing and such… I’d never stayed in that town and not enjoyed myself…

The natives were friendly, the fishermen and other tourists pretty much stayed in the motel facilities, so the local pubs were populated mainly with… locals. And, my kind of folks, at that… I may wind up there yet on this trek, but not likely… Oh well, another time perhaps.

I sometimes awaken in the middle of the night, and the second night in Lolo was one of those times. I got up, did a quick chore, then went outside to combust one and study the sky. As soon as I looked up from performing ignition, I spotted a doe and two half-grown fawns.

There is a line of assorted trees that form a border and act as a privacy fence along the back edge of the parking lot, and there are several apple trees in that foliage collage. The deer must have seen me, but they gave no indication at all…

They were busy with did-din, and I must have looked harmless enough, even though we were no more than twenty yards apart. A short time later I bid them a good night and took my leave… They never even looked my way… sort of reminded me of the girls back in high school at our sock hops.

DDT

[The emperor has no clothes]

  I bet plenty of them girls were like deer in the headlights for you. Sounds like you are enjoying yourself just fine. 

[DDT (12)]

I am having a blast! Actually, I've pretty much enjoyed my life throughout... I be what you might call a most fortunate lad... It's early September, and all my family and friends down south are baking... I'm up here wearing sweatshirts and chaps... how 'cool' is that?

DDT

[Black Dog]

Again, thanks for sharing your travels with us Bruce.  I look forward to each new chapter 

Black Dog

[DDT (12)]

Again, thanks for sharing your travels with us Bruce.  I look forward to each new chapter 

Black Dog

I'm mighty glad to hear that, my friend... I got a couple more I've already written, that I'm now editing and tweaking... Stay tuned!

DDT

[Hook#3287]

Bruce, I looked up Lolo and Orofino on Google maps.

Looks like Gods country to me.

I believe I would have taken a day trip.

But vegging and hanging out have they advantages also.

[DDT (12)]

It really is truly special country, all right. I do like it here for all the usual reasons, but there is another very personal one for me... Whenever I'm spiritually down or disoriented by being in a state of major flux, there are certain places I can go for a dramatic lift, and this area is one of those for me.

The scenery, roads, people, and closeness I feel with my Maker all combine to put me in an entirely different frame of mind. I was in need of such a lift following all of the major changes going on in my life lately, and this visit has worked its magic. I feel that I'm really on top of my game just now, and I'm really, really glad I've come here again.

I won't be able to linger too long, though... Winter isn't too far away, and this is 'no country for old men' during that season, especially those on a scooter!

DDT

[DirtyDan]

Rule number one

Plan to be flexible

Dan

[DDT (12)]

Rule number one

Plan to be flexible

Dan

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If we try not to be flexible, it will be forced upon us anyway!

Rule Number TWO:   Heed rule number one...

DDT

[John Schmidt]

… sort of reminded me of the girls back in high school at our sock hops.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
  I know only too well exactly what you're talking about. And, referring to the "lift" needed, since I can't leave the house I get it by going out to the garage/shop and working on my old 1200 resto-mod. Takes my mind off things, causes me to think below the surface....so to speak. Would love to trade places with you if but for a couple days. Be safe, enjoy.

[havoc]

another great post - thanks Bruce!

[DDT (12)]

… sort of reminded me of the girls back in high school at our sock hops.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
  I know only too well exactly what you're talking about. And, referring to the "lift" needed, since I can't leave the house I get it by going out to the garage/shop and working on my old 1200 resto-mod. Takes my mind off things, causes me to think below the surface....so to speak. Would love to trade places with you if but for a couple days. Be safe, enjoy.

Thanks, John. Your comments often stimulate 'below the surface thoughts' too. I completely understand your desire to seek a lift. Those can be found in different forms, activities, and locations, but they all have that one feature in common... I'm fully aware my time is limited to do this sort of thing, and that is among the many reasons I'm out here and why I've made the major changes in my life. I don't know how I will replace this once it goes away and I must seek that lift some other way... But, like you I will come across something new and head in that direction... I also know that I will miss this terribly, and again like you, I will fantasize about doing it again, even if for only a couple of days. Thanks for the stimulation...

DDT

another great post - thanks Bruce!

Many thanks, amigo! I do appreciate your comments, especially the compliments! My dad once observed that I reminded him of a bird dog with two tails... A little pat on the head and I'd bruise his shins! You can't see it, but my tails are really wagging right this minute!

DDT

[Misfit]

A true story teller. Brilliant! 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Lucky Lad indeed ... As always my friend I enjoyed the story ... Thanks for taking the time to share 

[DDT (12)]

A true story teller. Brilliant! 

Thanks a million, Damon! It really makes my day to think my stuff is enjoyed... and worth posting. Thanks!

DDT

Lucky Lad indeed ... As always my friend I enjoyed the story ... Thanks for taking the time to share 

Thanks, Joe, and you're welcome. It is my pleasure to share this stuff... glad it is wanted. Looking forward to hooking up with you and the cool kids at the FCR in a few weeks! We'll probably make another memory or two that weekend, huh?!

DDT

[Rams]

Bruce and ALI's Excellent Adventures

Always enjoy reading what you have to say.   Many times I'm envious of your capability to travel at will.    Your charming personality leaves me thinking those sock hops resulted in you dancing your butt off.      Socks or no socks.

Ride on my friend.

[DDT (12)]

Thanks, Ron. And, thanks for the call the other day to make sure I had your phone number. I've recovered many of the numbers I once had, so now I no longer feel isolated and cut-off...

I was re-reading the posts on the MITM Ride, and particularly the one by ICE on the end of an era. It brought to mind your efforts at making similar things happen in Kentucky, and I remembered the ones I made. I made some friends on those rides, some really, really, good ones as a result of them... Thanks a million for all you did, too!

I'm not a groupie, 'me too' kind of guy. I do prefer my solitude more than most, but I also enjoy the get-togethers some of our members put on... Those have not only provided me with some excellent riding, and a chance to party with some interesting characters, they have also put me in touch with some truly fine folks and given me some friendships I would not otherwise have been able to form.

Doing what I do is good for me in so many ways, but I also hope to continue to be able to drop by and join events, too, as those have great value far beyond just a chance to ride! Thank you for all you've done!

DDT