Them Gypsy Feet

                  I like to say that I took myself on some wonderful self date to a really neat place where I took all these cool pictures, but the truth be told I didn't. I stayed at home this weekend and had a very special guest at my house. Mr. Parker has had more addresses than most people I know. He's traveled a great deal of the west and now is starting on the East Coast. He like I has itchy feet and feels better when we are moving on and covering some ground, he's not the in door type guy, but watch out cause he is a giant flirt. Today I took him to the beach in the beach buggy and set up the tent, I don't know if it was the ocean waves crashing, the feel of the early morning warm sun, or just the calming effect the ocean has on all souls but Mr. Parker was perfectly content. He sat and watched the world go by until he just feel asleep. After a couple of hours of napping on the beach he was ready to roll. Like most men when he wanted to go he wanted to go and didn't want to wait to put anything away. So this is where it begins huh all the way at the begining. I took Parker downtown area and we strolled the streets, stopped at O'Kanes and had a beer then went down to the sweet shop and got a very small vanilla Ice cream dish, then off to the marina to see all the ships and the trains coming and going from our tiny port. We were just getting our groove on when the afternoon thunderstorms came rolling in. We made a mad dash for the car and then here to the beach house. In a few years I can't wait to have Parker join me, he already does kick starts, and have the throttle twist down, so shortly he will be joining me I know for rides around the town. OH, by the way Parker is just 3 1/2 months old and charms all the ladies so I hate to see what happens when he gets a little older. I'd spend another day like this any day if I can't ride then I'd enjoy hanging with Parker way too much fun. Have a great one "T"

Naw just sight seeing, or too fast for ya?

           Here I am again on the road riding with 2 other folks my question is to me can I consider this a self date or not? If if is a self date are we all self dating ourselves together? Well there we are the 3 companions what a strange group we make. If ya wanted to play the game which one doesn't fit I guess well none of us do 3 riders 2 men, 1 chick, 3 bikes 2 Harley's, 1 import, 2 US citizens, 1non US citizen, 3 experienced riders 1 old rider, 1 well trained rider, 1 good rider all trucking down the road together.  Heading out of North Georgia into the hills of Tennessee. The idea is to do the Cherahala Skyway head into Robbinsville, NC stay the night do the Dragon then head much further north. However on the road I thought of something flat out and told it to the GPS man. Who raised his eyebrows and said your right. What did I say? Well Robbinsville is located in a dry town. What I learned about my traveling companions is this though this may not bother me, it sure won't sit well with them. They like to have a beer or two after the journey and I can say I enjoy them too. So a new plan was derived and that was to grab gas and 12 pack at Telco Plains and do Cherahala Skyway then go on to Robbinswille. Well, One said why not just stay here. So, we went to look for cabins and found them they were clean and neat and I'd stay there again in a heart beat. The shower was awesome it had a little bench thing in it so ya could sit and shower perfect man.
         We was checking in and I was happy I was l plagued with the same exhaustion I suffered from the whole time I was in Georgia. It's not that I didn't want to do anything, I was happy I didn't have too. I thought the heat and humidity was draining me dry, but there was some thing much more on tap for me, so with the constant battle of the heat I went in a took and nice cool shower, yes I sat on the bench. The boys were off babbling with the neighbors. It was a husband and wife team of BMW riders first time in my life BMW riders wanted to talk with me, maybe I looked harmless as my one companion was riding an import so they figured we couldn't be that bad? Me, if ya know I'm not a brand snob I might joke a round and all but I'm not. Anyway once I was done the shower I went out on our deck and joined in the babble, oh and it was flowing trust me. I was handed a beer and did more listening than taking, for some reason I just wasn't into babbling like normally. I love to talk about travel and places folks have been and possible someplace I might have been too. I really enjoy it they might have been some place that I've got to see, I am one of them folks ya know not happy unless I see it all and some times the all is seeing miles of nothing. LOL!
           They talked and talked and talked, I drank 2 beers and just called it a night I couldn't go on any more it was too much I needed to sleep. I was dog ass tired, and I didn't even really push myself.  Well in the am I was the first up so I got up pottied and went back to bed, why not and I actually went back to sleep. When I got up I found myself alone and they were up, so I walked down to get coffee,  it wasn't that far of a walk but you would have thought I walked 20 miles up hill in 10 minutes go get that coffee the way I was puffin'. We sat on the deck drank coffee the guys had their stuff on the bike so I figured well I better get mine on too. One thing from years of travel and riding with guys is don't be the gal that makes the guys wait, in the early years they wouldn't wait, now they just get annoyed and bitchy.  Just as I finished strapping it all on they were like ready to go, one we now can call "Suzie" cause he pulled Susan's key for the cabin. We pulled away from the cabins and why I ended up leading I have no idea and dam it if I didn't go the wrong dam way. Shit! oh well, I was happy to be sitting and not walking or expected to talk or act social for some reason I just felt tired and ready to go back to sleep. Maybe we fiddled around too much or was it cause once I was I up I went back to sleep?
         Well, anyway "Suzie" got us going in the right direction and normal this would upset me abit that I was going the wrong way but for some reason I just didn't give a shit. We three reached the Cherahala "Suzie" first, and me in dead last. I was in no rush I've done this road dozens of times and I just wanted to sight see I guess I had my feet up cruise set at 50 as we went rolling through the bottom of the pass. I guess I got to far behind and the traveling Aussie's worried about me cause he turned around to see and I said, "dude , don't worry I'm just sight seeing" the higher we got the chillier it got so when I saw the boys at a pull over BSing with other riders I pulled in and got me hoodie out. I know the secrets of some of these passes and they can get down right cold fast. As far as we could see the sky was clear blue and the sun was shining I guess we were on the back half of the pass still, because at the top rain clouds were fight to get over the crest of the Cherahala. They took some photos and off we went. I decided that was not going to behind that Kawi in Deal's Gap or the Foothills all I could smell was raw fuel and it was kind of sicking to me.
           Feet back up in second this time as we climbed to the higher elevations. We never stopped to take photos was no point because well we were wrapped in the gray misty clouds heavy with rain struggling to get over the pass. I've been through here when it was pouring and in continuations like this to take a picture is like looking at a white out. I had taken my feet off the highway pegs and disengaged my cruise control as vision was poor and I didn't want to waste that one second to disengage or shift positions if I had too. It was no problems we made it to the bottom of the Cherahala and were well on our way to Robbinsville. I asked "Suzie" if there was any reason we had to go to Robbinsville, he said,"no" so I said I know a short cut that connects Cherahala and Deal's Gap but I know know the road name or call numbers I just know it by sight. So, I was up front cruising along still not feeling fully awake. I figured I should have after all dam that upper pass was chilly and wake anyone up in the am. However, in the lower vallies it was warm as the sun was still shining. Ah, there it is! No, signal no nothing I just turned and pulled and slowed to the side I said dudes I'm sorry it just came up fast when ya looking with your eyes on a curvy road.
        Yeah they were impressed with that I'm 100% sure but screw it how many times have they done that to me right? Along this winding road there are a few homes the river that run Thur Deal's gap. Folks I could easily live in this area not because of the great motorcycling, but I can see myself as a hillbilly chick. I like the beach and all but I'm a nature's type child I love to stroll along the wooded areas listen to the birds hike to the top of a rocky craggy and just sit and spend the day watching out and over all things. Its the smell of pine trees, the rushing of the streams, even the cold chilly mornings don't bother me. I for one don't hate the snow or cold really. I can think of a dozen things to do in the colder weather. Anyway it was a short distance to the Deal's Gap stop there I don't know what its called but the place everyone gets their photos taken. We stopped and grapped a bite to eat and just kind of watched the parade of folks come and go. Some of them bikes had more money dumped into them then miles that's one thing for sure. Earlier I made a comment that most American Single Men are into the Barbie's of the world so gals like me get passed over all the time. I was able to point out 4 different Barbie's to the Aussie Traveler whom had a hard time figuring out why I was single and had be so for such a long time. He said ah and got it right away.
          I called first here, cause once your on the Dragon ya got no place to go so when we got ready to go after photos of the tree of shame. I pulled out first followed by "Suzie" and the import. Here on this road I would not use cruise control or put my feet on the highway pegs this road is relatively easy with any one who's spent time in the saddle of the bike they are riding. But me I like to put a challenge as I ride. This was mid week and one thing about mid week was less people, no officers patrolling. The posted signs I think are 35 and really I don't ever remember going through there at 35, on the sportsters we rip thought there somewhere around 55 with Joanna, but know on the King I keep it about 45-50, yeah age might have something to do with it too. After all we do feel different about things at 29 then we do at 46. I had pretty much clear sailing except for one car which made a quick pull off as soon as they could. It was a nice smooth dance over the pass and I pulled off by the lake there and asked the gents if that was too slow for them. "No, I wouldn't go any faster" ah, I internally smiled. To me that comment meant dam gal, otherwise they be impressed with me riding skills through there. Now there was some floor board scraping and trust me I could have given them more if they liked but well I was just happy sitting here on my rock at the moment listening to the comments of the traveling Aussie on the subject. We mounted up and continued on to Foot Hills Parkway.
           The Foot Hills Parkway is another favorite of mine its just filled with nice wide sweepers nothing radical just wide sweepers. This is where I put my feet up on the highway pegs and just set the cruise control and just keep to the sway of the road. When I ride like that I feel like I'm just flying and when the two of them take off its just me sight seeing enjoying the what was created here for me to enjoy. The greens of the trees, feel of the breezes, glimpse of little fuzzies and birds doing there thing and the black ribbon of road before me. After we completed the Foot Hill Parkway it was Jam time no more pussyfooting around up went speedos and off we took to points north. When we stopped for the night I was so grate full though I would have kept going. I was struggling again and all I wanted to do was sleep. but I had to walk across the parking lot for food and what a pathetic site I was.
                 The whole two weeks I struggled, I struggled on the way home. I was just tired and slightly worried that maybe its time for me to slow down I mean way down. I'm now a special needs kid so to speak and my immune system is taxed to the limit every day, and a road trip just pushes it harder so I hoped it was just a combination of exhaustion and current health issues. I struggled so much coming home I was going the wrong way at one point but I as I wrote in an earlier blog I was able to still act in an emergency manor when I had too. When I got home I went to bed for like 3 days, really never got go up. I didn't want to eat I didn't want to do anything. The time I was awake I was very worried cause I feel like I had a cold but I couldn't even walk like 5 feet without sitting down and gasping for air. My chest hurt and I was scared. Really scared. I was fearing that my tumors had doubled in size in my chest over the last month and time was running out for me. However, after a few days rest I felt a little I mean little better so I made a phone call and went to lay on an ex ray table, gee a complete white out. What that means is that the chest is full of fluid. A few days of antibiotics and a recheck has shown that the pneumonia is well on its way leaving this person's body. In the future I have to remember that I am special needs kid and can't go running around 100 mile per hour with my hair on fire. Since I plan on being her a little longer than my given time stamp in 02, 05 then again in 09, then I'm going to have to slow and take extra care of myself while I travel the US. This I think I can do. There is so much here I want to see and do and I will not let myself be the death of me. So this is my lesson for the month. I'm still home resting and recovering from pneumonia, but I got me some plans for the future don't y'all worry. have a great one "T"
                 

oh Man It's The Big House

                     Man, sometimes ya start off and everything is just perfect I mean perfect. Clear skies, favoring winds, good company, destination in mind and it doesn't even matter if ya are starting later then intended or not. All that matter is ya know in a few minutes you will pulling your beast from the garage and going for a cruise. The days now here in the south are humid, I mean humid. Sometimes its just plain hard to breathe, and can make ya frustrated in a second, I don't think there are any of us that are slimy on such days. If your one of them non slimy people can ya share the secret how ya do it? Hot, covered in sunscreen and slimy what a great way to feel when your heading down to The Big House on Vineville Ave in Macon.
The three of us stared our journey a little late but I have to say Jonsey was the first at the street ready to leave. NeeCee getting a slow start due to a busy night and me just doing what I do and that is going with the flow. I never see the point of getting my self all upset. Oh I, sorry who is NeeCee? Why she is our host for a few days here in Griffin Georgia as we make our way North to Morgantown West Virginia.
               I really do believe that our game plan was to leave at about 9am but we didn't pull out until 11:30am. I know men hate that shit so NeeCee and I were left with a cranky Aussie. Oh well them is the breaks. First thing to remember is NeeCee is really a new rider. She's got great skills just needs folks around her that can help her push her envelope a little bit. We headed out of Griffin and I looked around. Griffin flourished and was doing well in different decades ya can see by the stores and building located there, all over there are abandoned Mills. It used to be a Mill town, and when the President signed one bill and made it a law, well this little town's mills closed one by one leaving most with jobs or hopes of every getting a job. Thanks for thinking of us the little people. My mind wonder back again as we made our way down 19/41 south heading for making. There were small  towns stretches of nothing along the route then, we were "rolling down highway 41."  I will say NeeCee was doing a wonderful job of leading. She did like to keep to the speed limits but I guess I did that too as a new rider, I wish I could remember. We got cold drinks hide from the sun some and listened to some mumbling babble from the Aussie, I would shake my head and agree. I could understand him, but there are times I don't he wanted to be understood. I know he wasn't happy about the speed limit thing however he really needed to cut Nee some slack man. Not far from our gas station stop was the first destination. Nee couldn't a decision what was the best way to get out of that three way intersection so I just went.........everyone followed. Sometimes ya just can't dick around ya know. We cruised with ease through the streets of Macon past where 41 turns into Vineville Ave and headed to the parking area. To enter the house you go through the backyard round to the front of the building.
 There is wonderful Stained Glass that greets you around the front door and entrance way.
       When ya enter your given a walk through guide, I suggest taking a moment and reading some of it first so you can get an idea of the flow of the place I know I wish I did but in stead I stuffed it in my pocket. The Big House was were the original members of the Allman Brothers Band and their extended family lived and used as their home base of operations from early 1970 to very early 1973. They divided the rent and between them. There is a check written by Duane to Berry for 225 dollars. Since I didn't read the walking tour thing it seemed overwhelming with displays. The room that walk into and greet the host of the day is the parlor. Dick Betts slept there on a pull out couch, it had a little fire place and the walls were covered with the bands posters is ya took a close look they were in chronological order. However there is just so much more here in the room. Paintings of the band, T-shirts musical instruments to tour guides and you name it. Above the fireplace in this room is a flat screen TV with interviews playing, concerts playing all in a loop. Yes, you can sit and watch if you want, there's no rush so take your time.
     Room after room was filled with instruments, posters, oil paintings, hand written song lyrics, and record company paraphernalia and I was still just on the first floor. What I hadn't figured out is that as you flow through the rooms each room was dedicated to a specific album and period of time. There were also personal photographs located throughout the Big House. Greg Allman and Cher gave their billiard table over to The Big House and it is filled with memorabilia as well. I would have love to spend more time strolling through the place but NeeCee and I were kind of feeling rushed a we bit but not really.




                                                                                                                                
       I headed up stairs and left NeeCee behind. There were other visitors there that day and they were in little chatting quietly over different instruments, hand written songs, or photographs. Up stairs is where the bed room and music room was located and these were as packed with memorabilia as the down stairs. The music room/ "Casbah" lounge was designed to be a chill out room for the household, it features a 7 headed shower. Often Berry and Linda used this room. In this room there are records, hand written music, and other small hand held instruments. A small short table acts as a coffee table to the floor pillow wall. I sat and spent some time here.



          

                                                                                                                              (dam you weren't supposed to catch me smoking catipillers dude)

Down stairs and out the back as we left the Allman Brothers Big House and headed for Rose Hill Cemetery. Who would have guessed that was a challenge in itself.

     Rose Hill Cemetery is a really neat little graveyard if your ever in the area and wonder what to do this place could be entertaining for sure. It's hillie, twisties and contains paved, gravel, broken, and dirt roads. The Three of us were on bikes and came out the back exit of the Big House. NeeCee was looking for College Road and said we needed to turn onto it, so we continued to search the back roads of the area. We came to an intersection and though all of us this isn't right, Nee not knowing what direction to was in contemplation. I looked around at the situation at hand and and my mind said yeah I really don't want to be so let's go this way and took off now in the lead. Jonsey was in the back and I could hear him semi bitching I don't blame him I was inside saying this ain't good.  No one wants to be in the wrong part of town at any time of the day or night, each intersection we'd come to I could see the porch boys and corner guys make their signs just a slide of head and hand motion. I lived in the ghetto of Jacksonville for few years I got when ya being spotted out for something, what it could be anything from robbery to rape. We had two things of interest to these boys. They knew we were lost but I wasn't sitting at any corner long enough nor did I signal I just went and NeeCee right there just keep moving thru. Some how we popped out at a T intersection looking straight up a hill at us was a Cemetery. NeeCee said she had no clue where she was and she was sad she couldn't find it. I pointed across the street and to her darling them gates look like Cemetery Gates to me. Jonsey well he just thanked us for the Fucked Up Tour through Tan Town. He said he felt like biker pimp daddy riding thru with his two bitches showing Tan Town what he was selling. LOL!

 The Light of a million hours finally changed and we crossed over the street to the chained gate up a side goat path to a very small gravel road. WE got NeeCee in front of us since she was the only smart one with a map of the place. On this little gravel goat path of a road the cemetery looked awesome. If the weather was cooler I could spend hours in there. I love the old grave stones they are so beautiful and creative. The Aussie being himself mumbled worlds he knew we didn't understand and took off. I think it was the heat.  The gravel goat path lead to a small and I mean small concrete path just wide enough for a car, we followed the path. NeeCee wasn't too sure about any of this but followed along, in some spot well I wasn't that tickled either, she did it with flying colors. We made several passes of the place each grabbing the map and and saying this way, it was a mess however we passed soldier's square filled with confederate soldiers, Elizabeth Reed Napier's site, through Eglantine square, over Forest Hill, and around Cabanss Ridge several times in search of Carnation Ridge. Yes this is a very large hillie Cemetery. At one point we all got off and walked around just looking, finally NeeCee Yelled and she had found it the grave site of  Duane and Berry.

The graves used of offer open access to them so that everyone could pay their respects as those so wish. However over the years during the anniversaries of the deaths of these gentle men less respect was given to them and their families and a large iron fence has been place around them to keep them protected. So that future generations of music lovers, and family members have a place to come and honor those that left well before their time as so many of the talented to. Rest in Peace, I know where to go when I turn to spirit for some jamming chill out tuns. Thank you Gents, and to all of you have a great one! "T"

Skill or Reaction?

 I was heading home alone from a road trip I went on with friends.  It was well into the afternoon somewhere about 2pm. I had been on the road since 8am and was doing gas, potty and go thing. I was on highway 83 feet up, cruise set at 75 just jamming along enjoying the ride. I was in the left hand lane oh did I mention I was going completely the wrong way. Any way I went North instead of south but had not realized it yet. I guess my head may not have fully been in the game so that could have been the reason for the mistake. I was thinking about the road trip and the week before and was having a hard time dealing with my feelings. I did however drag my ass from West of Morgantown to South Carolina during the morning hours. If I want to beat feet I beat feet. When I stopped for fuel for some reason I went the wrong direction.
         I was feeling pretty good at the moment I had cold water the weather was sunny and traffic was picking up but still moving along. I had got my head back on the game once on the highway again, as an upcoming exit made me look for cars and trucks entering the  highway. I saw this white car come across the right land and headed right for me! At the same second my mind said SHIT! I was off the throttle, applying both brakes in panic mode, and down shifting all at one time. I was feathering the rear brake as I could feel the tire grab and slide, so I was trying to avoid a lowend slide. I was also moving to the left off onto the shoulder of the road. Its tough to hit the "wake grooves" while feathering the back brake, If I reached out with my left hand the concrete barrier I would be able to touch. All of this action happened in less than a minutes time, then the car was well ahead of me. All the other cars around me all pointed and had hit their skids as well. Each of them gave me room to move back on to the highway.
        I think the hardest thing to deal with isn't the panic stops, the actions I had to take or the fear, but the adrenalin rush afterwards. The "fight or flight" mode. I began to shake and felt short of breath. I was shaking my head, them each arm and hand as well as legs. I was in the left hand land with a tiny shoulder so I couldn't just stop. Once the shakes were over I was pissed, I wanted to run down that bastard and show him what I thought of him. As I was running up the left hand lane looking for the dick, I spotted his car. Son of a Gun if he wasn't looking for me! He rolled down his window and shouted, " oh my gosh I am so sorry, I wasn't paying attention so I ran you off the road, and I could have killed you! I yelled a him, "ya got two use them"  Man, He totally ruined my good string of cruse words and tell offs. He admitted his mistake so there was no reason to continue on. I eased my way to the right lane to get off at the next good looking exit to completely be sure I shook it off and in doing so I saw I was going the wrong damn way. I wondered if it was skill, reactions or just my angel stepping in to wake me up and get my head back into the game. After a few minutes at the rest stop I got going in the right direction, with my head in the the game. Thank You my Guardian Spirit I still got things to do here. Have a great day! "T"

Tour Guide Anyone??????????

  Ok, so now I am about to write a blog about small ride I took but I didn't take it alone so this one I can't classify as a self date. It seems that I have house guests, the kind from out of country so I wanted to do my best to show the area off. I also wanted to show them some cool ass things as well. My first thought was The Might Eighty Eight. Its in Pooler, Georgia and its a WWII air musuem. They have several diffent planes out side an ya can see it right from 95. Machines and things of war are always a big hit with the dudes so that was my plan. The head south down 17 on the way home passing through out type Georgia, stopping at a fish camp and going over that bridge in Brunswick Georgia, then the lovely little blue bridge and the most hidious welcome to Florida sign ever mad. I shared my thoughts and it seemed to be ok. My first misstake was not to ask what do you like, and what are your riding habits. I never thought of this, Here in the south everything is spread out and the heat and high humidity in the summer months can be a factor. I know it can make folks who live here some troubles cause at times it kicks my ass for sure. Anyway We got ourselves together got the rides out of the garage and headed up state road 200/A1A over the small intercoastal area and off to 17 north to pick up 95 north.
      The other lesson I learned is this, dah ask about gas milage cause it does matter how far someone's tank can take them. I guess all the self dataing I had done over the last so many years I have forgotten some of the basic questions to ask before I took off. At lighting speed we left the enternce ramp on 95 and mergered into traffic. Geeze I found myself alone, remind self not all bikes have the same pick up power, so I slowed down in the right hand land and waited for my tour group to catch up. Once we were all together we had to take the boring and I mean boring journey to Pooler, but before we arrived we needed to stop for fuel. We got off at the Pooler exit went to the museum. I think its a neat old place and I'm sure some of you war historians, ex military and gear heads would find the place super cool. e
         We strolled around the museum and then left and head down 95 a little ways, to hit 17 south but first hit the gas station. Got something to drink and filled the tanks and back on the road again on to 17 and what as later decribed to me as the most boring fucking road on earth, I knew they were right after all half the time riding here in Florida I want to tear my eyes out from bordom as well. Let's face it our roads all are straight flat and endless traffic or endless pine forest or palm lined. It's hot and the sun just beats on ya even with the pop and go rain showers it doesn't cool the area off it just makes it even more humid. I asked to please bear with me for a few more moments and we would be of a place of interest, or not just depends on what a person finds interesting. On 17 there is a silly or stupid thing to see and that is America's Smallest Church. After a few moments of strolling on the grounds and admiring the spanish moss draping of the graceful old oaks it was time to head on down the road. Another 40 minutes or so we came upon MudCat Charlie's. Its a fishing camp, so I thought this might be a great place to stop for lunch. As we dined we looked over the river the tide was incoming tide and the waters were rather mirky. Most the fishing boats were back in from the day however the privates were still arriving from their day of fun on the seas. My guests wanted to take some photos of the area so off they went do to do and were beyond excited to see in the river water several Gators. OH, man when they showed me I was pretty shocked. This gator had to be of 10-12 foot varity. He sure could but a hurting on if he wanted to. It seems as the guys clean fish the gators come up and wait for the discarded parts, and easy meal with no efforts on their part.
          I knew my friends were bord to death with 17, but they were also bord with 95 too, I completely understand however we were less than 20 minutes from the Brunswick Bridge and I knew they'd love to go over it. It's a real pretty bridge very much like the Dam's point in Jacksonville but not nearly as high. We approached the bridge and got a few photos and then went over it. I love just over looking the river and marshes as flew over the top of it. There is a windsheer due to the river and changing tides something that my tour group found a little shocking. After crossing the bridge we jumped on 95 and bolted home for dinner.Before dinner we stopped at a place right on South Flectcher called Hammerheads. Here my guests had a great time bullshiting with the locals. This is more like what they had in mind as they wanted to discover different areas of America and the people that live there. This I understand cause ya know I'm kind of the same way.  I don't know if the day was enjoyed or not. But what I did learn is remember to always ask what folks riding habits are like, and what they want to do. It helps a great deal. I like folks to be happy and content with their journies cause I do realize not everyone can ride like I do, will endure the most boring road cause its better than cruising in the 4 runner. Now that I have learned a little about what these folks are looking for I can without a shadow of a doubt give it to them. have a great day!
     

Pssssst...................ah shit

I find myself once looking at the canlendar and it's Tuesday. Tuesday's I head down to Jacksonville to be a DD for one of my friends. The day was very warm, sunny with big white puffy clouds. At 4:30 pm I head down Heckshure Drive towards Jacksonville. There were a few slow folks but the ride that I ride weekely is or can be interesting as it windes along coastal water ways, Jax's port and the major shipping lanes in Jacksonville. I admired the scenery, the birds the bridges, and folks fishing. as I was over the last bridge and heading towards Jaxs Port, I feltt a slight little sway. I had books and clothing loaded on broard so maybe cargo shifted a bit??? My hopeful thinking. as I got off the throttle the little sway stopped, it was an odd sensation to say the least. The first thing my mind said is shit! Then to test my minds theory  I gave more throttle to get up to speed, yep just as I thought the sway was back. Dam it, I knew what it ment instantly. Of course as I was getting closer to Jacksonville the summer T storms or pop up shows stared. Awesome, I crossed over the train tracks there, when the rain began, I merged on to Heckshure towards 9A no problem. The sway a bit stronger so I got into the left lane, hit the hazards and pushed my King to the gate station. King's are pretty heavy bikes and to push them with this problem just makes matters worse. I pushed to the gate gas station at 9A and Heckshure and stopped in front of the air compressor thing, I knew what was wrong. I was hopping since the dealer was only about 10-15 minutes away I could fill the tire and it would be enough to keep me going to Atlantic and the Regency Dealership

    Nope no such luck, So being that the king was all dressed up I had to lay on the ground in the rain with mud and oil everywhere now to fill the tire, as I filled the tire a high pitched squeel occured and as fast as the air went in it came back out again. At this point I'm standing there with my phone to my ear and air hose in my hand as I was rolling the hose back up to its hook and a dude comes over and says, "I think you've got a flat back tire" I looked at him and said, "really?" so he said,  "ya need to put air in the tire", I said, "I already tried as fast as it goes in it comes back out. I've already called for a tow. Thank you" He said, " darling do you know what tire valve is, did ya try filling it up?" I just looked at him, he grabbed the hose and began filling me tire, then proclaimed the airs coming out as fast as I put it in your going to need a tow, and ya know ya need a flat bed." I said." ah thank you. I got it covered" do you know after he left 3 more guys came over to tell me the same thing, none of them believed I tried to put air in the tire and the third one was shocked when the flatbed pulled up. So now I wait and wait. They won't get to my tire cause I'm local, don't the dealerships realize that to some folks their bike is their only relable transportation. Now I got to go and put a flame up someone's butt, I know there's noting in the tire, I know the little rubber strip caused the tube to rupture, cause the air made a high pitched squeel, and with the rain air bubble formed around the valve stem and spokes, as I rolled the bike too I looked for puntures or debrie stuck in the tire.............................so I am stuck in Jacksonville and frustrated! well have a great day! "T"

Taxi Darling?

                 Over the years I have ridden passagners all over the place, from short to long rides. I  can't say that I'm the best at giving folks a lift but they all see comfortable and are willing to get back on the bike again at a later date, time or to leave where ever we are. My usual passagners are gals, friend that want to go with me somewhere for the day. I'm going anyway so what the hell they might as well join to discover this area of North Florida and South Georgia. Some of my passagers has sucked ass as the moved and squirmed all over the place folks those passangers suck and well I tell them they do and that they can't do that as it throws the bike off balance as it sways down the road. However I do have to say over the last few years I have found myself given more and more men rides. Hell half of them prefere I pick them up by bike.
             Gents, I want to take this moment to Thank you for you efforst to continusly change your thought process. Not to long ago a man would never ever consider getting on to the back of a gals bike unless it was  for a joke or an emergency, but now less seem so uptight about and figure I've been riding as long as I have that well I got to have some clue as to what I'm doing. LOL! I met my friend Craig on Heckshure Drive at the Kangroo gas station there at 9A. He's a truck driver that I have known for atleast 8 years. He was one of my first friends in Jacksonville. He didn't have the magic kiss but the kiss of a brother so we knew deep down inside that it would go any where but buddies. He is a good buddy.
             So I went and got him at the tiny truck stop there in North Jacksonville. He had 10 hours of down time before he was allowed to drive anywhere so he said I'm here so I'd like to hang with you for the day. Well I rode him home from the truck, left him there to map on the bed as I went to go and get a battery for my truck. A few weeks ago I pulled the turck into the garage and the battery died, I knew it was the battery cause the truck was fine when it when in there then click click click when I went to start it. Well as I was on my way home from getting the battery Craig had kindly taken out the old one for me, now If is was dating him the chances of that happening are slim to none ya know what I mean ladies. So when I got back all I had to do is drop it in the pan, well damit if it wasn't the wrong size battrery, so I plopped it in the trunck an off I went to get the other battery. Who know there were two different battrey styles for the same dam truck???? I got the right battery came home and put in in. turn the key problem solved.yeah team Tumbles.
              I woke Craig up see what he wanted to do I also wanted to get him back to his truck so he could leave for Chareslton on time. He was more than willing to sit on the back and take a sighting tour of the island by bike. He just kept complaining about being jammed in like a sardine. It took me a moment or two to think about it but what I did is took off my back rest and he was more comfortalbe. I hate when passangers aren't comfy man they wiggle around and aeverything. He sat back there and road about a total of 100 and some miles and said I hate to admit it but it was real nice being a passanger, I don't think I'd like my gal ride me around because she lacks the confidence that you have about riding but I could get used to being a passanger its better than sitting in a truck. Well on the way back down Heckshure Drive the coming home from work crowd was coming home and ya know we really did get some odd stairs for sure. The surprised looks on most the dudes faces was well worth it. Me I got some really good guy friends that are willing to put their faith in me and for me that says alot about the kind of rider I am. Thanks Guys its always a great laugh and all the rest of you out there keep up the good work.......make it count have a great one "T"

Loco Locals....................................

        Well,  I'll be dammed! I went to the local bike night on Friday there in Yulee at Murrary's Bar and Grill. I found that will be the last one there as the owners have decided they aren't making any money. Well dah just cause ya fling a sign out at the road side, put a band on the  pourch, and create an out door bar isn't going to make it a jamming bike night. The area is very transiant as many shore and Military Base areas are, and if ya want folks to be interested everyonce in awhile ya have to do something different to make them fun, not just hire the band and sit back and expect the money to roll in. Hell, we all like to do different things don't we? Well I babble with some folks and then on down to The 17, there I babbled with more folks and was asked if I had plans on Sunday and if I wanted to go riding with some locals. I thought sure why not however I had to take a passagner with me, no problem Lynn has ridden with me a number of times and she's a good passanger so why not right?
         I got up on Sunday to do the ride like I was going to do and had to put on my trunk for a back rest and floor borads for her. I'm going to tell you this I hate my passanger floorboards, I HATE THEM! It greatly reducess my ability to back up as they are there jamming me right in the calf, they catch my pant legs and other such things like that, however with passagner comes florboards. I met her and the rest of the folks right where they said they be, they didn't talk to me too much just kind of staired a little. I am quite used to this, I tried to make babble but I was the only one in the crowd that was a chick rider that I could see. We left The Flash on state road 200 and headed towards the island. We took a few of the back roads on the island to A1A, from there to Heckshure Drive and the Z Bar. Now, I didn't get what the big rush was may I dropped back when I saw that theres folks were planning to jam 80 in a 45. I said, "Lynn, WTF, is the race for?" she informed me that they were trying to make the Bloody Mary time, oh I said nice.
         One thing I hate doing regularly is riding bar to bar. I guess that's why I end up riding alone most of the time. I can do the bar to bar maybe twice a  year to be social so this would be the first time this year. The Z Bar is by the St. John's Ferry which in a few months will be closing for good as operating and repair costs is more than the ferry makes. I have some serious doubts abut this but whatever. Anyway the Z Bar is really just a Beer only place, not really ment to draw a big crowd just maybe go in get a beer babble about fishing areas grap you package and get out.  We as a group hung out there for about 2 hours, a couple of them were hammering down the bloody mary's. Me not knowing them I will be riding well behind them so I can see exactly what they were and are up too. Man, I don't give folks grief over drinking and riding, not at all, but well I really don't care to do so myself. The next stop was Murrary's Dam's point Marnina.
           As we were heading to Murrary's Marrina there my passanger was babbling in my ear about it being a dirt road and if I wasn't comfy. I told her we shall see. Dirt roads don't bother me but dam the sugar sand one s do. I hate sugar sand.. Shoot we pull off of Heckshure and go to an area between the Dam's point bridge and the Carnival Cruise Terminal. It was a little creepy then we turned down a half paved,half gravel, half hard packed road that let to Murrary's and the river now to me that' wasn' the problem. The problem was the "ashen like gravel" they had as a drive way. It wasn't like it was realy stone just nasty shit to back up in as far as I'm concerend. They hung out here for another2 hours. and slammed down some drinks and really didn't want to babble with me, my passagner said this is what its like. Me I didn't find it too much fun. I came to realize that really the ladies were hammering the drinks back and the dudes were just doing the running.
          After we left Murrary's at the Dam's Point Bridge, we went to some place by NAX. I hate riding through Jacksonville and Orange Park that's the worst. Why would ya want to ride through here Its just crappy with bad drivers, heavy Mall traffic on top of the two Militar Bases Located there. I didn't get the thinking here, But then again this aint my ride is it now, I'm just a guest. We low and behold stoped at another bar. At this point I'm starving It like 1 pm all I had was water and I just wanted to go in a different direction. We only stayed here for one drink them off to whitey's fish camp. Man about time I can get myself something to eat. I like whitey's. Well its a fish camp, so there are campers on the lot, a large bar and grill, small busy marina, boat ramp, bike parking. It seems to be a general hang out area. Were enroute to Whitey's, and I know how to get there since I've been there before. We get off 17 and go down some side road. I was wondering why did we do this? this isn't the right road, so we did a utrurn then wet about 50 feet and did a semi uturn, then about 1 mile another Uturn, then about 1/2 mile another U turn, next light right, went about 1 mile and did another Uturn, then another Uturn WTF Man is this a feaking test? Do I pass if I end up at the same place they do? Then a semi uturn and well hell 2 miles from ther anthother Uturn I sware we must have dont about 9 uturns in a 3 mile radius. WTF! PapaBear must be lost, bullshit PapaBear be loaded.
                  I had grilled scallops and a small salad. It was pretty good and hit the spot for the day. Most of the group had fried pickles and gator tails and fried oysters. This is where they deciede they would bable with me. The interagation begings. it sarted with how long you been in Florida, where are you from NJ no shit ya don't sound like it, year of the bike, ever get in an accident? been to sturgis, been to daytona, where else ya been? Then it was my turn I said WTF man was that a test or what back thru there, freaking 9 uturns for what reasons? hell we did 4 on the same road. They laughed PapaBear said he forgot where he was going and then with all the U turns could remember where he was. LOL! He told me he was kind of impressed that I followed them like that and MamaBear said why aren't ya preaching to the ladies they need tot ride their own. If ya wanted to ride you learn and do it, its not for me to tell anyone what to or not do. They all shook their headsin a greement.
            One gent, told me of an accident and he was having a hard time dealing with how he was still feeling, he was the one drinking like a fish, like that is going to help. But he said his wife, Brenda rides. she's got a yamaha cause she wrecked his ultra. Oh  wow I'm glad to see your both ding well and recovered nicely. They all commented ont he fact that most woman that ride like to push other ladies to ride. Why don't I do that. I've never done that its a matter of choice. If ya don't want to ride then don't if like being a passager that's fine too. Its just not for me to say. I've never ever busted, harasssed, any one about riding its a choice one that is personal one that should never be pushed or forced upon someone. From here we went our seperate ways. Which was the same direction since we were all from Yullee and the Island. We stopped for illness, and gas then made our way homes.
             hum would I ride with them again I guess I would. They really did seem ok, I guess  they didn't want to babble with me right away cause they just wanted to watch, ad really though I lived here for like 4 years no one really knows me cause I live in a vaccationers area and it is really transit a neighbor can be a neighbor for years or 1 week so I'm guessing they just wanted to see what I was about first and if I really did live local. I guess we all have these non exiting rides............have a great one "T"

Surprise Meeting.....................

             Ok, some times we find ourselves alone in the world. What amazes me as that when we are young we really don't worry about being alone as much as when were are older. I guessing experiece has taught us that no matter what we think or try to say we do need the company of other human's in our lives. So, as a younger biker gal what do you do if you have no one to do anything with and you just spent the good portion of the winter and spring deciding if you want to be something and with someone, then after deciding dealing with the heart ache it causes. So its now in early spring you find yourself not wanting to go to the usual places because ya just don't want to see those persons and places right at the moment. However there is also no one that wants to do anything with you anyway. Well, do what every self respecting biker would do, you got it go and pull that leak old sportster out and go for a spin. Being it is NJ in early summer I strapped that leather jacket to the handle bars and got ready to go. I decided to head out to New Hope or Easton PA.
            It took awhile to get the bike out ya know how stubborn them iron heads can be! I head towards route 30 or the White Horse Pike to jump on 295 north. Its not my favorite ride but it get up to Trenton faster than any other route. Once ya reach the state capitol its near where the river gets sallower, narrower but then again leads to far more interest roads for riding. I don't think no matter what side of the Delaware River your on its a good ride. The State Capitol Golden Dome was glittering into the sun off in the distance to the right as I took the trun off for 29.  Now, 29 will take ya right up to the Delaware River Gap but I didn't want to go there on the Jersey side this day.  As I slowed down to the single lanes of 29 I passed to bikers in a gas station, I noticed that as I passed they seemed hot to get back on the road again, I wonder if something of interest was going on around here. The road kind of winds its way up to Washington's Crossing, after you pass all the big Stately Manor's of the earlier settlers of New Jersey.
          Washington's Crossing is the place where George Washington lead the continental army across the river to defeat the King's army on a cold Christmas Day. Now in this area there's a lovely park on the hill up above on the right, and the George Washington Inn is right before the Park. Across the Park is parking, and to the left is this resturant, I always wondered about this place cause some of the parking lot just seems like its sitting right out in  the middle of the street or apart of the street there. All along this stretch of road  there are views of the Delaware River, this is were it during the summer months can see some of the rocky bottom that creates little rapids perfect for fly fishing.
 However if you come here and visit Christmas Morning George Washington and his Continental Army make their annual river crossing.
I made a left at that strange little bar resturant there and went across the Washington's Crossing Bridge. Now most of the briges in this area are grated so if ya don't want to do grated don't come this way. I cross the bridge and there are only two choices once on the other side. Go straight or make a left. I could here bikes rumbling between the buildings right before the bridge heading in the same direction as myself.
            I made the decision to make the right. On the left of the bridge is a little river walk with small stores and a few cabins and out building that were apart of The Revolutionary War. The right is 29 and passes through the National Park Serives's Washington's Crossing Information Center and Cultural and Historical Educational Center and Museum. In that Building there is lots of information on troop movements of both British and Continental Armies, Battle history life as a solider, life in the colonial time period. I continued passed the NPS buildings and went north on 29. Not far too far North from this Area is Bowman's Tower.                                                                                              
             The Hill that Bowman't Tower stood on offered great advantage as it offers some long distance views of the area.  When I saw the sign for this historical site I decided to swing right on in after all it was end of May and the days were longer and its was just a bit around noon I Think. I love this road is so reminds of the road that leads to the Water Falls and Castle in the Clouds in New Hampshire. But well this is a little twistie road with I don't know kind tight turns that get stepper the closer ya get to the parking area. I think the most shocking part of the road up is at one point your on the road and it appears to be just heading straight up and ya see nothing really but sky then there's a quick little right and ya kind of pop up to the enternce of the parking area. Now the area for parking isn't that big here, so if there is a lot of folks forget it you will never get a place to park. I wasn't really thinking that it was very close to Memorial Day so the history buffs would be out in full force. Dam, if I couldn't here them same two bikes coming up Bowman's Hill Drive. At this point it never occured to me that they might be following me. I wedged myself in a spot, meaning I creatively created single bike parking just for me. I got off the bike and climbed the tower  after reading some of the history on the tower and its importance in American History.

          I took a few pictures from the top of the tower. The Tower steps . (right) The Tower from its base (left)                  
                                                                         
After spending  few minutes at the top of the tower and reading more his of the tower and surrounding areas I decended the steps and headed out towards that parking area. I really want to get tot he twisties of  32 and 611 along the Delaware there. I do hope the folks of the area can appreaceate the beauty of the area as much as I did and still do in my memories. I know it's hard to believe from all the things folks here about this area of New Jersey and Pennsylvania but it really is beautiful. Ido hope to get back there atleast one more time. At this moment I didn't realize that this would be the last time I would visit this tower before I moved south. I got on my bike and had to snake it out of its parking spot and noticed that the same bikes in the gas station are here in the parking lot. There really wasn't too many other bikes out here yet as the "everyone has got to have a harley in the garage syndrome hadn't hit yet'.  I left the parking lot and head north on 32 towards New Hope.
         I like to come across the Washington's Crossing Bridge cause its not nearly as crazy as coming across the New Hope Bridge, Right there at the Stockton Inn. I always wanted to dine there so if any one has reading this please tell me how it is.  Now, going through the traffic in New Hope can be God aweful stupid. Narrow streets and really cool old buildings and gardens, outdoor cafes that make ya just want to look at them as ya pass. If ya want to fly your freak flag folks this is the place to come and do it. Its filled with little shops, hippies, history buff's, nature lovers, artists,  Mr. and Mrs prim and proper, Bikers and anything or anyone else ya can imagine.  Once passed New Hope the road tends to narrow, hillie twistie and a motorcyclist  and sportcar drivers Idea of a home town road. This stretch of road is dotted with homes that date any where from pre Revolutionary War to modern day. I really do love the PA  style of home building from the years gone by. Even though the building have me captivated no matter how many times I've seen them I really do have to pay attention. After all some the turns can be rather tight and sudden and often homes are only a few feet away from the road. At this point I had forgotten all about the bikes that were behind me.
        Off to the right there were glimpses of the Delaware River, inbetween the little homes and estates. there are a number of business along this stretch one is Point pleasent tubing company. On a really Hot day the river would be filled with tubers and the roads filled with the tubing busses. Theres on little general store not that far from the tubing place that services up a pretty good sandwich. its a good spot to get something to drink, and seek comfort while ya watch the parde of cars, trucks, bicyclists and the few motorcyclist go on by.  I really didn't want to sit for too long cause I sort of wanted to keep moving. I was trying to get out of my head and leave myself alone. Though a good joint would be awesome it just not always the answer ya know. Sometimes, ya just gotta go to make it right. I continued winding my way north on 32 finding the further from New Hope there was less traffic, there are a number of single lane little bridges here that sometimes ya just can't see what is coming at ya  cause of the hills and turns of the road. The river is on side of the road an the other is grante walls of the mountains. In some areas ya can see how high the flood waters rose as it makes its way south to the Atlantic Ocean.  I passed SandCastle Winery. If ya haven't been there please do stop there. The owner well he gives a great taste testing class its a good tour too. The wine isn't that yuckie either.  Up furter just south of Easton proper is the Crayola Cranyon Factor. Ya can tour here too but man if ya want to color them kidds are tough they won't really let ya.
            Anyway I went through Easton which is just and old river cit town. This is where ya can pick up 611 and ya can turn on the speed and really get to it. I love this area its such a great area and has so much to offer. the sun was just warm enough that I was able to get away with out a coat beautiful spring flowers were blooming in the red dirt gardens, I was heading towards Stanton PA. I wasn't sure I wanted t go that far north. But wait aminute dame them bikes sound so familiar behind me. I know I've heard them before, so I pulled into this little bar I don't know name nor do I reall care at this point. I was thinking gee are they following me? ad why? who'd want to follow me?  Well I di a U-Turn in the bar parking lot as it was filled with the jacked up antler wearing Old doge ram wagons, rusted out of ford pick ups and waited to see if I knew them or not. Well the dudes pulled in pulled up one on one side the other on the other side. LOL! I said you following me? They said they were. They had a bet each other on who was riding that old sportster. The young one said it was a a young kid the older dude said it was a gal. The older gent won the beat. They had been chasing me down for like 2 hours or so to see If I was male or female. LOL!
         The younger of the two said he was sorry for making such a mistake cause up close he knew there'd be no way any one could ever confuse me with a guy. I said well thanks that's good to know. and "shit" THUMP, BUMB happened. Next think I knew I was standing there holding up my sporster in the gravel which y'all know I love so much anyway holding up the older gents DuoGlide and him. LOL! He slide in the gravel and him and his bike slammed right on top of me, all I could think is oh, well I know how that feels and I hope I don't slip in the gravel too cause its really going to hurt. The young dude got off his bike and raced over to help the gent get him and his bike off of me. "Wow, Unc I know ya wanted to meet some nice biker lady but man that ain't no way to do it." to this day I still fun this memory extreamlly funny. We went to a late lunch which they paid for cause they felt so bad for freaking me out by following me and two droping in on me as they did. I got and invite to Philadelphia for the following weekend to ride with some of their friends. Being young and no worrying about impending death I went. I don't know why I remember this at this moment but well it was kind of funny so I thought I'd share with you all. And ya know if I had a picture of  him and his bike sitting me I would have shared it. have a great day!   "T"                         

          
                                                                                    

Everywhere but where it should be....................

   Hey how are ya all doing? It's been a while since I've posted anything so I was thinking about scary things. I do believe the most scarest thing I have ever done is take off on a motorcycle by myself to go well no where I guess I was just going. I didn't learn to ride the conventional way, no I didn't take the Learn to Ride program, my learn to ride came from a 190 pound patch holder and his prized 77 l000. He taught me the what I now know the friction zones, how to shift, brake and that was about all I needed to know or atleast that's what he thought. In his mind it was about getting the bike home in one piece if he wasn't at a place that he could crash at. I think my second lesson was at 3 am with a 190 lbs of drunk on the back of the bike, nothing could top being scared shitless, cause trust me ya wouldn't want to drop the thing. Anyway as life moves foward I found myself not so enchanted with this lifestyle.
       I found myself still wanting to ride, I couldn't afford a new sportster at the time I think an 883 brad new went for 3,000 grand, so I bought a used bike for 800.00 dollars it was the same thing I was used too. However it didn't run as nice, I didn't realize it had issues until a neighbor said something to me at the trailer park I was living at the time. He fixed it for me, shook his head and said good luck, dear we're moving so I don't know who I can suggest to help ya. I didn't need help I knew what I was doing right? I mean I could get the bike going, I could turn a corner by now, stop what else was there to know? What I know now to then boy was I clueless. Part of life I guess is learning as we age that we dont' know shit, but first we have to go through the I know it all stages. I would basically ride to work and back. Really didn't think of going anywhere until my friend Donna said hay what don't we go to the shore tonight. She suggested we take the bike, hell why not............
      Donna, came over and we both were prepared we braided our hair had the clears, had our best summer attires on, I had my leather jacket rolled and attached to the handle bars she had her little back pack thing. We took off for the shore about 6pm. We decided to go to LBI I have no idea why, its not like it was biker friendly at the time, we would have done better going to SeaSide Heights, but what the hell we went to LBI. I love it right there on 72 that one spot you can look back and see your on top of a hill when you look behind you in the mirrors, however it didn't feel like ya went up a hill at all. It's right where all them 5' pine trees are located, past The Woodshed and all. The closer to the shore we got the heavier the traffic. Now the only parking I knew of was down south once ya get on Long Beach Island. its the shoping, golf area thing, or ya can park at the light house. At night What would be going on at the Lighthouse? So I went to the shopping place..............we arrived safely. Low and behold I found out why she wanted to go there, her freaking boyfriend was there, she ran off with him and well I got to come home alone.
          Here it was about 1am, I had some beer maybe a little other party favors of the time peroid and I was heading for home. On Long Beach Island I was fine, there were folks still out and about. Once I acrossed the intercoastal and felt the cooling air, and the lights of the little mainland area were lost in the review mirror I felt uneasy, very uneasy almost to the point of stopping. I dont' know what was freaking me out. I came to realize this was the first time I rode in the dark without anyone on the back meaning I was alone. I had no security blanket, no one was there to babble in my ear, I know this sounds strange but Ididn't do things the corect way so for me being alone was supre frighting. I can remember taking deep breaths, trying to calm my self. I did stop at the one gas station on route 72, the little peanut tank don't get ya too far ya know. I felt as though it took forever to get rolling again, I tried to draw it as long as I could...............I was hoping for sunrise so I didn't have to ride in the dark all alone. I was scared.
             As I sat at that gas stop I started thinking about the Jersey Devil. Why? I have no idea, I guess I was on scary thoughts so I decided to scare myself with the local pinelands lore, now I wanted to get out of the gas station for I was fear full the Jersey Devil would get me. I had sat there so long I had to wipe the dew off the seat. I was cold, I was worried, and I was no place near anything. I had no choice, I seem to repeat this theme over and over again in my life.......I headed out, deer were a big concern as well currently I was cruising through I believe it is Lebonon State Park on 72. By this time the Woodshed, and the few other old little places were closed, I took the circle there and hand headed east on 70. There wasn't on head light along these stretches of road, it was teriffing to me at the time. I don't even think I was going the speed limit, I was worried about the deer the devil and not to sure this is something I should be doing at the moment. Waves of uncertian were over coming me. I was worried what happened if I crashed, how long till they find me, then I hate to fight that feeling off cause it was very distracting. I didn't want to stare blindly and get white line fever I heard truck drivers talk about but I didn'tneed to have a wondering mind. All around me was nothing but pine trees, there was a rest area maybe I could go there, no a car was there already no way I was going to stop there. I keep heading east on 70. My fingers frozen.
             This was my first expereince with cold fingers, they do become stiff, hard to believe such a thing can occure to a 20 year old but it does. I made it though the 70 circle and took the 206 shoot out, and headed toward Wharton State Forest, near my home so I was very familiar with it. I was hoping that the fear and uncertianty would disappear as I got nearer to places I knew like the back of my hand. I wanted to shake that image of the Jersey Devil chasing me down and grabing me, flying off with me as my bike rode off and crashed into a tree, or the image of  Bambi happily bounding across the road and me slaming right into to him, then crashing, or maybe even Rocky the raccoon killing me. I was fearful of the unseen car. Folks I had no business being there, my mind was so filled with horrible dying thoughts of how things were going to get me. I really was very scared. Finally the Pick-a-Lily was in sight! I felt much better I continued on to 206, and didn't take Atsion cause I don't know really I guess I was just looking for signs of human life, and Astion Road would not show signs at this hour. I have no idea what time it was, except that I was cold, scared and tired. I approached the White Horse Pike otherwise known as route 30.
           Here was the Silver Coin Diner in Haminton World's capitol of Blueberries or so they say. I went into the diner and got some coffee, this was a big deal cause I didn't drink coffee at the time. I sat there it was just me and the waitress, she was filling salt and peper shakers, making fresh coffee, the bread truck arrived so I'm guessing it was about 5 am cause the bakery opens at 4am. The sun should be making its appearence pretty soon I'm guessing. I wasn't tired at all but very much relieved that I was some place familiar and very close to home. If I left now the street lights would show me the way, there would be cars coming and going, comforting me so I didn't feel alone. The folks going to work began to shuffle in the local farmers getting gosip, employee's of John's Manfield, those in Delievery trucks, no one really noticed I was there the just went right to the counter. I finished my coffee and left. Once I got home I decided I didn't enjoy myself all that much and wasn't going to do that again for some time.........yeah right ya know I would but it did take me awhile to do so. I got home in one piece, no deer or raccoons got me, the jerse devil let me be, and finial was warm.................have a great one "T"

Beryl the Bastard.......................

 I sit here now and the rain is still falling its been coming down for almost 2&1/2 days. The winds have died down to tree branch sway, which was far better than Saturday night. My Question is why do these storms always come in the night hours? Saturday morning the beaches were filled, folks strolling the beaches, children playing in the shallows, the breeze was light, the surf pounding. The life guards had their tropical storm flag and beach closed flags all flying. Yet, young surfers tempeted by high surf dared to take a spin on their surfboards. Most surffer's returned with in 20 minutes they were exhausted. The sunny morning gave way to grey clouds and increasing sea breezes. By 2pm being at the beach itself was well unenjoyable as the dermalabrastion passed theraputic levels. The bars filled the winds now reaching 30 mph as the first heavy storms arrived. Jacksonville Beach had only begun to experience the winds. Debrie or I should say light debrie began to blow around as the residents began to store away all the light objects. The hotels here on the island started to empty as tourists decided to end their weekend now and not get trapped for the next 2 days. There was a steady stream of visitor crossing the bridge for home, and very few were coming onto the island. Usually the first responders close the bridges down to keep the look lou's and I gotta see this people from coming on to the island. Its seems the winds reached 45 mph and they weren't going to close them at all, they wanted the visitor to get off the island if they wanted to. Though still early 5 pm it was as dark as twilight, the rains heavy and the gusts kind of scary. Sand began to blow over the dunes and whip across Fletcher, trees swayed, twisted, and some snapped. Jacksonville was a couple of hours in and alread power outages and flooding. Us well it was the wind, by 8pm there trees began to grown and snap, there were green flashes in the sky followed by loud booms. The eye of the storm decended on Jacksonville, but we here on the island were getting stronger gusts and heavy wind driven rain, the power flickered, the noise increased, Tree limbs went blowing past, at last comcast gave out, power don't know I went to sleep. The rain never stopped until the next morning and the winds continued well till this am. Its a mess with tree debrie and random home pieces, patio furniture, and what not to clean up. I don't Beryll was nearly as damaging as the Topical Storm that past by us a few years ago though. Our beaches are distroyed and high tide will now be up to the dundes in some areas. My small little group of homes here all pulled together and cleaned it up. I just had to wait for comcast to switch their switch. Why? Well I think comcast flicks a switch and turns the entire island off because we all lose everything at the same time, and we get reconnected at the same time. So Beryl the Bastard is finishing up, and I do hope y'all had a great Memorial Day!  "T"

Her Image.................

      I know I just wrote a blog like this one, however the image has stuck with me and every once in awhile I see it clear as day.  I woke up last night from my sleep and this was the image that came to mind so I've decided to write about it and share it with everyone.  I do believe this event happened back in 2002 as I did have my Dyna then and I think it was one of several getting to know you rides. See I got my Dyna after years and years of riding a sportster and my first thought was dam this thing is a big fat lazy pig! It just didn't have the umps the sportster had with the slightest twist of the throttle. So in many ways I was disappointed with my choice but happy because well nothing would fall off as a rambled downt he road, and it was a little more comfy to ride with the bumps and all.
     It was spring, maybe a nice comfortable day. It was Harley Day at Atco Dragway and the area was crawling with bikes. Now, I was on a mission even if it killed me to get to know this big fat pig of a bike so I bypassed the dragway and went on ahead to the pines so I could ride in peace and solitute to learn about the Dyna. I came back Atison Road and hit Jackson Road I guess some where around 4pm. There were large groups of bikes or what appeared to be large groups of bikes heading out to the pinelands and to point home. This section of Jackson Road at the time was just a couple of horse farms, cranberry bogs and the Speedway then  almost as ya passed the speedway little developmets start poping up. I think the first one is on Seseme Street, yeah I know but its the actual name! Anyway justr as your passing by the Ataco Dragstrip about a 1/4 mile down give or take is a nice sweeper of a curve. Nothing sacary or peg dragging just a nice sweeper.
        It was in the middle of the sweeper that I saw it. there was a bike off to my right in the sugar sand and several dudes wondering around, a chick in the middle of the road and a bike face first into the gardrail standing straight up. There were several bikes stopped but no one seemed to be doing traffic control. I would think that would be the first plan or that lovely lady was going to be hit again, however the guys were all walking around on the side of the road. So, I stopped. Walked over to a lady that was on the side of the road and asked did anyone call for help, she said she didn't know, so I did right then, Dam 5 bikers on the side of the road and not one person called? WTF, then I asked why isn't anyone doing traffic control? She told me they were looking for his wallet. Wallet? Why? his gal is laying in the middle of a curve and risks the chance of getting run over WTF is wrong with you people? I walked to the gal laying in the street. She was moning and sobbing some.
         I kind of stood over her and said, "Hi, I'm Tumbles, what is your name?" The lady standing around asked me what she should do, I told her to get her husbands head out of his ask and help slow the traffic down in both directions to keep another accident from happening. Cars and bikes leaving and going to the event were going around us at regular speed and really they ought to be stoped and let several go through in one direction then the other..........This area of the woods the State Police are large and in charge and it might be awhile before they show up.  I asked Kathy how old she was, about children their names, and where she lived. She asked me, " is it bad" I said, "well kathy its going to hurt for a while but it looks fixable to me. by the way what's your name again?" I was just trying to keep her talking. She said she was cold so I took off my leather jacket and put it over her chest, and aske the other lady for hers so we could cover Kathy more.
            I continued to bable with Kath and I found out she was a "Yellow Mother" along with my niece, and she knew "Mean Mother". See Kathy's foot was twisted around facing the wrong way and her calf was sitting on it , she had a very nasty compound fracture of the ankle and leg not really sure but I kept talking with her. As I did in the back of my mind I wondered why, why me why am I always the one to stumble across these accidents as one of the first few? I didn't know if it was because I've got this desire to always help, or that I'm not affraid to get involved, or is it that I got first aid trainging? I'm not sure which it is but I do seem to be the first on the scene and this time on the secene like 3rd and a bunch of dimwits were looking for a wallet? as if that was the most important thing? Kathy said she and her boyfriend were riding to Atco togehter. They were having a blast just riding side by side,  loving life and enjoying the ride! She's only been riding for 6 months and was 47 years old and believed this was the greatest thing she'd ever done and couldn't wait to get better to get out there again.
           Kathy at that moment didn't realize that it would be a couple of years and some heavy PT before she could walk and even think about riding again. She when on to tell me that they were riding side by side and came into the curve side by side neither one backed off and slammed into to each other and he went left she flopped her and her bike was the bike in the gardrail. "I see". I went back into my own thoughts as I kept her talking. Why do I always come upon these senes? Maybe this accident sceen was a reminder to me and those that pass not to get too cocky when out riding? After all how many times have I ridden side by side with my ex, in this exact same road in the exaxct same spot? How many times have Joanna nd I ridden side by side thur the mountains of North Carolina. Hell sometimes the ex and I rode so close together we were able to go through each others saddle bags while on the move? How many times did I share snacks with Joann or BamBam, Dawg while riding? Was I lucky? was it my experience or skill that kept this from happening to me or was it a warning that  keep it up girl and see what ya can get into.
               I don't know how many times this particular accident scene has flashed in my head since 2002, but its the one that I believe had the most impact on me. I mean sure there was the gal that I held her hand and made her husband thinks she was alive, there was the migrant farm worker whom slamed into the tree no one wanted to help cause he was mexican, then there was the guys that slide off the road into a telephone poll that a big pine tree was hidding. Now that was sicking and silly too. See the branches of the pine tree wraped around the truck so ya couldn't see him however fresh tracks in the snow had a tires going into the tree but not coming out. When I got there, his head was bleeding so badly, his scalp was stuck int the windshield and It was turing my stomack thinking about that I saw an atural scalping. I didn't have anyting else or I didn't know whatelse to do so I reached in my glove box and pulled out a super tampax tampon unwraped it, de tubed it, put it on the kids head and asked him to hold it there. Someone else had called this in, cause while I was talking to him the rescue squad came walking up. The EMT looked at his head and said what the hell are you holding to your head that has a string? then he said oh, well they do aborb alot of blood good thinking. Then there was the gal that bumped into another car and it went air born and hit the tree infront of a bar that I was in, her car landed upside down. I mean the list of first on the sceen goes on but why did this one stick in my head, why Kathy?
        "Mean Mother" told us about Kathy and her progress. It took her about a year and half before she could drive a school buss again. She never road again but never regreted her time she did ride. Me I understand completely she was hurt bad and if she didn't want to ride again that was ok. She was just happy that if only for a short time she did something she always wanted to do. But for me I still she her there in the middle of the road, bike in the gardrail, foot under her calf...........its still haunts me. I never think twice about getting involved, and neither should any of you. If the only thing you can do is call for help then that's what ya do. Do I think I'm great or fantastic..........NO! its just who I am, maybe somewhere inside I hope that someone will stop for me if the rolls were reversed. What I do know is I don't understand why even today, after all the different things I've seen, the time that has passed, Kathy's image still comes to my mind. Its like it haunts me, like the lesson wasn't Kathy's but mine, maybe I'm suposed to share it here with all of you. A reminder that shit happens, don't be cocky, get involved, or its just something that touched a cord. have a great one! "T"