Though the day was warmer than it had been in a while, but still a little chilly to go for a ride with out a jacket. Gary, Myself and his friend John went out for a ride in the late morning. We headed out towards the pinelands and shore areas. The days will not be long yet as its still spring, but warm enough for the insects to be hatching, pollen to be flying and the red tips on the trees were apparent with the little green leaves showing. I believe the road if route 40 im May's Landing and we were heading towards the river. We crossed the larger intersection in this area and I could feel something moving around under my jacket. I had left the top unzipped as it was coolish but not cold.
Well, I felt some thing crawing around maybe a couple of things carwling around, and then zining, I was stung! I pulled into the nearest open parking lot, it happend to be a liquior store, Sunday, Race Day, and in the heart of the piney's. I ripp off my jacket and start slapping at myself and swipping. Gary goes what the hell, I got stung. He jumps off the bike, he knows I'm allergic and just originally wanted to get my epi pen, but the stinging continued. Now in the parking lot, gary lifted my shirt and stuck his hand under at first to see if we got all the bees. Not sure yet, he pulled up to my shirt to my chin and without thinking pulled my bra up too. "OK" yelled John, "STOP MAN". At this point we come to realize that guys were at the windows looking out watching in the parking lot. Now Liquior Store parking lot just hours before a Nascar race, off a busy road, shirt wrapped around my neck, bra pulled up over my boobies, and a guy looking like he's feeling me up, every one watching which it equals Just anothiner moment in humility i motorcycling.
awesome, have a great one!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Luck naw just Muck.................
OK, this little tale has nothing to do with riding, but I'm going to share it here anyway. I was on my getting the day started and went down 8th street towards downtown. I see a hawk kind of sitting in the grass in front of the Wells Fargo there, I thought strange, then that ain't right. So I turned in to the parking area and parked me car since it was raining here today. I took a very wide path around the bird to get in front of it. Why? Well birds have excellent vivsion, and I didn't want to spook it in to a busy 8th street if it were hurt. It just stood there so I moved a little closer and it hopped off but dropping its left wing, well there ya go it had a broken wing. I could tell by the markings the bird was a red tail, but he just didn't have the right marking so I'm guess he was an immature, and may have still had some downy feathers as his guard feathers all hadn't grown in. During this procedure another woman pulls up in here truck and is like wow that bird isn't right and was already on the phone, so I yelled out, "animal control, call animal control" she did call animal control and with luck they were on the island and not out in Callahan or something so it would only be a few moments.
I was kind of hanging out by the street and driveway skirt slowing folks down as they were heading into the bank, really it seemed odd no one noticed this bird just me standing there. I was kind of keeping him from heading into the street. I know your thinking sweetheart way didn't ya just go and get the injured baby hawk. Well, having done rescue work, and wildlife work in the past with a place called Cedar Run in Medford NJ some years ago I know what a hawk's powerful talons and beak can do to you if they make contact. I will tell you its not pretty. So I needed to call someone with the right equipmet right? The bird hops across the drive and towards a little creek and a thickit of tangled southren wild mess. he sits there for awhile and watches us. 10,20 minutes pass and still no AC, hum he's getting annoyed and bord with us off in the distace kind of flollowing him. So he darts across the stream and into the wild. YEAH, every rehabers dream to go tromping through the thickets and creeks for critters.
Ah, Fernandina Beach Humane Society shows up, dam less experence with wildlife they are but they got the equipment needed. So, the other lady and I are standing on opposite sides of the creek when the HS gets there. They go," where"," I go there he's camo'd there","oh boy," the one said, I said," hell yeah nothing like mud or much to make the job easy." So, remember I said they have good eye sight right, well I let the gals go at it they sneeked up on it like it was a blind, death, ancient animal working on its last breaths, the bird waits as they get closer then bolts like lighting on two feet down thru the bramble bushes across the thick muddy bank, and into an open area, where as they run after him dam if mom don't scream and dive bomb them, I yelled, " mama's pissed your messing with her kid" as they were in the clearing trying to figure out what to do I walked aroung him wide and scooted him back to the wooded creek area. That will keep Mom out of the picture, ya dig, cause if she decides to make contact with us its going to be ugly man.
I asked if they had a net, cause they had a rabies poll and blanket with them, yes do you want me to get it? yep, I went back to the truck got the "wildlife" net (fishing net) and marched back to the creek where Mr hawk put himself, meanwhile the other lady and I are covered in little scratches from the brambles, we got leaves in our hair and shoes covered in much and the creek stink water as I walked across the creek and climb up the muddy slipper bank. Now this hawk has 4 folks in different directs around him. He's standing in the stream, which is bad, stress, cold water equals hypothermea. I walk up and then extend the handle and move like lighting to net the guy, he's freaked I sat to the girl grab him with the blanket and get him out fast, before he stresses to death, We get him up and out of the net and almost into the carrier when she says I think he's dead. I announce I'm the head tech at such and such clinic and boom, she hands me the bird I said nope not dead but in shock. He's stressed cold and wet. got another towel I wraped him iin the dry towel put him in the carrier, put another towel over him, tell them to turn on the heat, turn off the radios and such and get him some dex, and glucouse as soon as you can. The two gals just stare at me, and I had to say go move do it now! WTF man, hawks are awsome birds of prey man, and I know I trust and like them a hell of alot more then most people. Besides I didn't run around in the ran, tromp thru the brambles, mess my awesome hair up, get creek sink water in me show mudd up my pants, and look like a wild woman for them to let the bird die.
So, the creek water stinks, god know its street run of and sewage run off and whatever else yuckie on me, my hair is full of leaves and sticks and a general mess, I got muddy knees and rear from the sides of the creek and now was time to go to the market. Well, I wanted to dry do instead of driving to the market which is only like 4 block from the bank, I didn't want my truck to stick like the creek right. So I walked to the super market shopped, got in line, I guess I smelled less than fresh cause a couple of folks said please go ahead of me, checked out in minutes and walked to my truck. The next time I go to the market I think I wear these clothes as I won't wash them so I don't have to wait in line.
I'll call tomorrow to check on the immature hawk, have a great one "T"
I was kind of hanging out by the street and driveway skirt slowing folks down as they were heading into the bank, really it seemed odd no one noticed this bird just me standing there. I was kind of keeping him from heading into the street. I know your thinking sweetheart way didn't ya just go and get the injured baby hawk. Well, having done rescue work, and wildlife work in the past with a place called Cedar Run in Medford NJ some years ago I know what a hawk's powerful talons and beak can do to you if they make contact. I will tell you its not pretty. So I needed to call someone with the right equipmet right? The bird hops across the drive and towards a little creek and a thickit of tangled southren wild mess. he sits there for awhile and watches us. 10,20 minutes pass and still no AC, hum he's getting annoyed and bord with us off in the distace kind of flollowing him. So he darts across the stream and into the wild. YEAH, every rehabers dream to go tromping through the thickets and creeks for critters.
Ah, Fernandina Beach Humane Society shows up, dam less experence with wildlife they are but they got the equipment needed. So, the other lady and I are standing on opposite sides of the creek when the HS gets there. They go," where"," I go there he's camo'd there","oh boy," the one said, I said," hell yeah nothing like mud or much to make the job easy." So, remember I said they have good eye sight right, well I let the gals go at it they sneeked up on it like it was a blind, death, ancient animal working on its last breaths, the bird waits as they get closer then bolts like lighting on two feet down thru the bramble bushes across the thick muddy bank, and into an open area, where as they run after him dam if mom don't scream and dive bomb them, I yelled, " mama's pissed your messing with her kid" as they were in the clearing trying to figure out what to do I walked aroung him wide and scooted him back to the wooded creek area. That will keep Mom out of the picture, ya dig, cause if she decides to make contact with us its going to be ugly man.
I asked if they had a net, cause they had a rabies poll and blanket with them, yes do you want me to get it? yep, I went back to the truck got the "wildlife" net (fishing net) and marched back to the creek where Mr hawk put himself, meanwhile the other lady and I are covered in little scratches from the brambles, we got leaves in our hair and shoes covered in much and the creek stink water as I walked across the creek and climb up the muddy slipper bank. Now this hawk has 4 folks in different directs around him. He's standing in the stream, which is bad, stress, cold water equals hypothermea. I walk up and then extend the handle and move like lighting to net the guy, he's freaked I sat to the girl grab him with the blanket and get him out fast, before he stresses to death, We get him up and out of the net and almost into the carrier when she says I think he's dead. I announce I'm the head tech at such and such clinic and boom, she hands me the bird I said nope not dead but in shock. He's stressed cold and wet. got another towel I wraped him iin the dry towel put him in the carrier, put another towel over him, tell them to turn on the heat, turn off the radios and such and get him some dex, and glucouse as soon as you can. The two gals just stare at me, and I had to say go move do it now! WTF man, hawks are awsome birds of prey man, and I know I trust and like them a hell of alot more then most people. Besides I didn't run around in the ran, tromp thru the brambles, mess my awesome hair up, get creek sink water in me show mudd up my pants, and look like a wild woman for them to let the bird die.
So, the creek water stinks, god know its street run of and sewage run off and whatever else yuckie on me, my hair is full of leaves and sticks and a general mess, I got muddy knees and rear from the sides of the creek and now was time to go to the market. Well, I wanted to dry do instead of driving to the market which is only like 4 block from the bank, I didn't want my truck to stick like the creek right. So I walked to the super market shopped, got in line, I guess I smelled less than fresh cause a couple of folks said please go ahead of me, checked out in minutes and walked to my truck. The next time I go to the market I think I wear these clothes as I won't wash them so I don't have to wait in line.
I'll call tomorrow to check on the immature hawk, have a great one "T"
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Impossible Mission made Possible
photos Joann Bortles of Crazy Horse Painting
The day was early, as the sun was streaming through the windows I would have expect silence but this is the busiest part of the day where we all got to hussel. I could just watch me co workers work after all that's the best part about being head of right? Instead I like to help them its a great way to get some exercise but besides that its just plan fun and a great way to know the patients. I like to work with the hospitalized guys at this time, I think I can get a more complete report to add to the charts. No criticals this am was is always welcomed, and only 5 surgeries expect to check so the day should be nice and smooth. Just as I was heading out the back door to take my friend out, the receptionist imforms me I've got a call, its from Joann and she says its important. I said can I call her back in an hour or so, since she never came back out I guessed I could. Well I called Joanna back, said yes to her and the journey begings.
Sometime in the late afternoon the receptionist came back and got me for I had a guest at the front desk with some important packages. I went to my truck and loaded the packages in to the the back of my old 4 runner, the delivery man said that Athena told him I was to give him gas money, enough to get backt down to Pompano as he had other delieveries. No, problem I was given the scoop by Joann handed hime the dollars and was asked on a date the next time he came back into town. Really? Someone I had to give gas money too? Please. I went back in and stepped the pace up to get done as fast as possible I get done at 5 pm Saturday and am not due back until Monday 7am. Once my shift is over I hit the door running and Jamm up A1A which I think is slightly slower than a snail's pace at this point. It takes a good 45 minutes to get to JTB then about 15 to 9A north, I hop off at Monument Rd and Cruise on down to me gehetto apartment. I change and grab soemthing to work in and my "beauty case". Out the door and back on Monument in less than 20 minutes.
I turn north onto 9A, Jacksonville traffic sucks ass really it does! Never in my life have I ever seen more one car accidents in my life, either they drive 10 miles under the limit or 25 miles over the limit, the citiy streets are 45 and 3 and 4 lanes witde yet the highways coming and going are two lanes go figure. Up and over the Dam's point and withing in minutes I was doing the 95 exchange. I was north bound 95. I think with in an hour I've crossed over into GA. I know that Joann had called so I called her back. She was relieved to hear that I was already on the road and making my way up 95. and we guesstamated that I would be there about 2 am. I can't be too much later for alfter all Joann had to ship everything out by Wed. and really this should have gotten to her last Monday for her to get the job done right. As it was she was going to ship with out the advantage of letting everything sitt for 24 hours.I crossed the South Carolina border with the large American flags flying and cauth 26 north bound to 77 crossing the North Carolina Border. I can tell from what I remember I was dog tired, but I just kept going this was important it needed to get there and the work needed to get done. It would be a freaking amazing for the woman involved in this project, and a boost to woman motorcyclisht everywhere.. I picked up route 9 took a few backroads, and wound my way past the little down town area of Waxhaw and pulled into her driveway about 2:30 or so. She ran out to greet me and pulled the frame and gas tank into her shop yelling for me to bring the fenders. She was babbling about starting, geeze I need a break I remember thinking. She was pissed cause Athena had put protective coating over all the metal and it needed to be sand blased off, and we just didn't have tome for that. Well do bad we can't do a dam thing that night, I can sleep thank goodness!
I think Zoey woke me wanting to go out side, and Joann was already on the phone trying to call in folks from nearby Charlotte. She found some guys that were will to open their shop and meet her on a sunday morning to Soda blast the parts for her so we jammed them in her truck and took off for Charlotte. She stayed with the parts and well I went for coffee, I'm seeing how this is going to go already right. Well they fishis soda blasting, and it didn't rough the surface like Jo wanted so we went to Tracktor Supply and got a small sand blaster and this black sand stuff which I guess will do the blasting. What do I know man right this ain't my field of expertice. We get home she dresses like an astronut and blasts away. I think some where around 11am we begin the work of preping for powercoating and spraying the parts. As we get everything out side Jo's student arrives and her friend's daughters arrive. I've all ready hand sanded the bike frame, and was working on tthe gas tank when, all reinforcements arrive.
The frame was up on a milk crate and I and Lindsy are sitting on oppisites of the bike our just was to have the frame flow like liquid smooth, OK what ever ya say. So I've got my sand paper hand and start she comes by and feels the welds and looks at me and goes good, good, slap she jams blue goop on to the area and rubbs it around a little and says body filler to hide the welds, remember liguid smooth. OK, Lindsy and I just sit and sand away, somewhere around 3pm Jum comes back and brouth pizza for us, we were only allowed to go and eat one by one. By this time she slapped atleast 4 coats of filler on and I've been sanding for hours but yet not done. I come back and dam if there wasn't more fill on the frame, WTF aman. She says are you going to help or bitch this is my name here. OK, I sit down and start sand as Linday is eating, the spot lights go on and finially some where around 8pm the dam frame is done YAY!, The frame is taken away I grab a beer from inside and shit the tank is in its place, it just needed a few touch ups, after the tank is taken away dam if that freaking frame didn't come back. Somewhere around 12 am I went to bed I was freaking down, my arms felt like rubber bands.
On Sunday I resand the primed tank and fenders as the frame was being powder coated in the booth, dam no coffee just sand hum. Her student would be doing the slave labor from here. Thank god it was like 2pm so Joann and I could do a little catching up at the Huddle House before I leave. I had to go there wasn't too much more that myself or Lindsy could contribute o this build. You see te bike wsa part of an all girl build that will be done in New York, so the paint was allowed to be done early. All the bikes parts had to arrive a few weeks before the build so the show could ensure that the ladies did it compleitely by themselves. The Chopper Chicks built a bike durning Bike week beating the guys build. So they were invited on the Today show to build a bike during their show. I feel so honored to be apart of this build, I mean it really is boost to all the ladies in the industry, riders, dreamers alike to get national reconition for all of their hard work.
I left the huddle house satisfied that I did a good job on the bike, happy that I could help a friend out and so proud and honored to be apart of the ladies build. Not one man touched this bike inoder to build it, ladies designed, painted it, picked all the woking parts and put it together. The big names behind the build are Athena Randsome, Vagabon Choppers, Joann Bortless CrazyHorse Painting, Jayme Gray Pussy Cats Choppers, Katie Putman Mitch Bergon's, Katie O'Shea Manatee River HD, Vivian "Gypsy" Charros Gypsy Highway Customs. I know I didn't get to ride this time which was a real bummer cause Jo and I have such a great time ridding but sometimes its about lending a hand and making anothers life a little easire along the way. I pulled the covers up over me and was so thankful to be home, may God if I had to sand one more freaking thing I'd think my arm would fall off. Now I know what its like to a teenage boy's arm.
I have a video posted of Joann and here work on the page but here some photos of the Today Show bike,
This video below was filed as a segment while the ladies built this bike
I'm going to post another buld the ladies did for Breast cancer its a link I hope it works and is able to say here. I want the ladies to get their due reconition. Congratulations Ladies.
A Helping Hand
Chopper Chick Crew Pink Ribbon Chopper Build A Huge Success
March 3, 2007—Daytona, FLA—The Chopper Chick Crew, a dedicated, all-female team of bike builders, built a chopper in seven hours and 13 minutes on March 8th and 9th at the Daytona International Speedway and donated it to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The build was a complete success and the Crew couldn’t be happier about the results. The bike was shipped, courtesy of Harley-Davidson Shipping, to the foundation after it was finished. The Pink Ribbon Chopper will be used for fund raising, or any other medium that raises awareness and funding to help the foundation toward its goals. The Pink Ribbon Chopper is the second bike the crew has built for Breast Cancer, but the first for the foundation. Built in front of a live audience, the Pink Ribbon Chopper is a long lean hard tail in white with a pink ribbon painted on the gas tank and a pink rear fender in the shape of a ribbon. The chopper also has wheels with huge pink ribbons as spokes. “We are just so excited that the build went off as well as it did, but we couldn’t have done it without our sponsors. So many people gave their time and energy to this amazing project. We are very grateful. I was surrounded with the best crew any builder could have and I am blessed to have so many wonderful friends who are passionate about what we as BIKERS represent” said Athena Ransom, one of the Crew.The National Breast Cancer Foundation’s response to this generous act, “Bravo!!! This is a standing ovation for ALL you gals. You must be very tired after all that incredible work. It looks just GREAT! You could not have made us here at NBCF any prouder to be associated with such caring, loving, and compassionate people. Simply the best. You are loved.” The Chopper Chick Crew wish to give extra special thanks to the men who graciously treated us like queens while we worked; Don Ransom (Mr. Wonderful) of Vagabond Chopper Company, Chad (Kentucky) Booher of Vagabond Chopper Company, Berry Wardlaw of Accurate Engineering, Rogue (Media Extraordinaire) of http://www.bikerrogue.com/, Axel Froyd and Phil Petress, both of Vagabond Chopper Company, Charlie Bretchel of http://www.charliebretchel.com/, Don Little (Kate O’Shea’s Brother), Ken Conte of Rise Above Consulting, Contos of Crossroads Magazine and Jay Allen of The Broken Spoke Saloon. These gentlemen are heroes to us always and we love and respect them for the incredible men they are. Stay tuned to the website http://www.chopperchickcrew.com/ for information about the future promotions of the “Pink Ribbon Chopper” and remember, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month.
The sponsors of this event were Harley-Davidson Shipping, Bikernet.com, Leroy-Thompson Choppers, Manatee River Harley-Davidson, Cool Cat Tattoo, Crazy Horse Painting, Metzeler, Barnett Performance Products, Stinger Custom Cycle, Shortyinc.com, Vagabond Chopper Co, Jaybrake, RT's North Hills Cycle, Rise Above Consulting, Mitch Bergeron Customs, S&S, Paul Yaffee Originals, Redneck Eng, Motor Maids Inc., International Master Bike Builders Association, Detroit Bros, WomenRidersNow.com, Stevenson's Cycle, Gardner-Westcott Company, Lucas Oil, Custom Chrome, Bruce Rossmeyer Harley Davidson, Original KD's and Daytona International Speedway.
The Chicks Crew consists of Athena Ransom of Vagabond Chopper Co., who has been around motorcycles her entire life and riding since she was seven; Joann Bortles of Crazy Horse Painting, an award winning painter whose work has been featured in magazines like Easyriders, Ironworks, and American Iron; Jayme Gray from Pussy Cat Choppers, an avid motorcyclist with a degree from MMI and extensive V-Twin experience; Katie Putman from Mitch Bergeron's, an MMI degree holder with tons of mechanical and building experience; Kate O'Shea another MMI degree holder and builder from Manatee River Harley Davidson and Vivian 'Gypsy' Charros of Gypsy Highway Custom a creative, self taught, builder.
The NBCF mission is to save lives by increasing awareness of breast cancer through education, and by providing mammograms for those in need. The NBCF works with health care organizations in places like Los Angeles, New York City, and Puerto Rico to provide underserved women with access to information about breast cancer and free mammograms. The founder and president of The NBCF is Janelle Hall, a breast cancer survivor of twenty-five years, who relates to women with compassion, understanding, and inspiration as she conducts public educational programs across the nation. To learn more about the NBCF, visit them online at http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/.
Every twelve minutes a woman in America dies of breast cancer. This year more than 211,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 43,000 will die. One in six women either have breast cancer or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. 1600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 400 will die this year. If detected early, the five-year survival rate is 95%. Mammograms are the best early detection methods, yet 13 million women 40 years of age and older have never had a mammogram. Support The National Breast Cancer Foundation today and give the gift of hope to those in need.
Contact: Ken Conte
Rise Above Consulting
(970) 227-3588
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Old Friends
Old Friends we all have then and respect them, we love them and hate them too. Some are with us in the good times still others are only with us in the bad times. We find ourselves reaching for the same friends over and over like ole' pair of worn jeans. You know the ones, they started out real dark stained everything in the wash but a few years later they were comfortable, now almost faded white seem to be the jean of choice as they are softer than no other and have faded around all our boney knees, hug the dangerous curves, have marks where we hang our phones or knives on, the pockets are even marked different cause we keep our wallets there. They are like our best friends always there always waiting to come out of the drawer or closet, ready to go for the ride, or hit the party scene making us feel even more unbelieveble than we are. We have other friends like those jeans in our closets, well atleast I do. It's my riding boots man!
I've had these boots for almost 2 decades! They are so confy the souls are well past worn out and its time to say good bye to them. I don't want too, I can't. Last year I even went as far as to buy a new pair but still couldn't part with these boots. There is just no way I can let go of them. I'd like to resoul them, but I'am affraid too, I am affraid they fall apart, I can't toss them and I diffently can't wear them. I'd like to show you a picture of them but who would want to see that. My boots have walked crowed city streets, they've walked open prairie, they strolled small down town areas, climbed up hiking trails to over look mountain ranges, the sat in bars and fancy cars, they've been in strange bedrooms, hung out at parties, been stuffed with news paper and left to dry, they had first rides and last rides, sandy shore, and muddy marshes, they've been to bike events and small events, solo journies and group trips too, they've seen more of this country than most of its people have, and like my one pair of jeans they are my friends.
They were there in West Wirginia at the first Country Roads Ralley when it rain like the devil and red mudd covered them completely. They watched helplessly as I was left in the road and the lady drove off after running us over, they were there on that day when finially felt zen with my dyna! They were there when I cautiously left the dealer with my new king. They held me up when I watched a good friend take his last breath, the held me together when I came across a wreck and held a dead woman's hand so her husband still alive could contiue the fight for life. These boots have been to Caribou Maine and ate lobster on the coast, they were at a week long party and help me make drunken phone calls on Dec 23 whishing every one Merry Christmas, They were there when I ran a dead fuzzy thing over in NC, made the journey with me on the Natchez Trace Trail, They've road the dragon like 15 times, crossed the Missississippi River atleast 10 times, They stood at the base of Devil's tour, Crossed the border and helped me find semi presious stones at Thunder Bay. They've been there when I've been looking at a map, and the road signs in TNN going WTF!!!!, The helped me explain some rules to a jackass shooting pool.
I can't just toss them away, it just wouldn't be right. They've been such good friends the unsong heros to so many of "doah" moments, and higher than high moments. I want them resouled really I do, I'm just affraid to let them go for what happens if they can't be resouled and returned? how would they feel if I wasn't there for them. My Boots, my friends, my trusted compaions, they whom have traveled as far North as Thunder Bay Canada, as far South as Key West, as far West as The rolling hills of Wyoming, how would they feel if I abandon them in their time of need.
have a great one! "T"
I've had these boots for almost 2 decades! They are so confy the souls are well past worn out and its time to say good bye to them. I don't want too, I can't. Last year I even went as far as to buy a new pair but still couldn't part with these boots. There is just no way I can let go of them. I'd like to resoul them, but I'am affraid too, I am affraid they fall apart, I can't toss them and I diffently can't wear them. I'd like to show you a picture of them but who would want to see that. My boots have walked crowed city streets, they've walked open prairie, they strolled small down town areas, climbed up hiking trails to over look mountain ranges, the sat in bars and fancy cars, they've been in strange bedrooms, hung out at parties, been stuffed with news paper and left to dry, they had first rides and last rides, sandy shore, and muddy marshes, they've been to bike events and small events, solo journies and group trips too, they've seen more of this country than most of its people have, and like my one pair of jeans they are my friends.
They were there in West Wirginia at the first Country Roads Ralley when it rain like the devil and red mudd covered them completely. They watched helplessly as I was left in the road and the lady drove off after running us over, they were there on that day when finially felt zen with my dyna! They were there when I cautiously left the dealer with my new king. They held me up when I watched a good friend take his last breath, the held me together when I came across a wreck and held a dead woman's hand so her husband still alive could contiue the fight for life. These boots have been to Caribou Maine and ate lobster on the coast, they were at a week long party and help me make drunken phone calls on Dec 23 whishing every one Merry Christmas, They were there when I ran a dead fuzzy thing over in NC, made the journey with me on the Natchez Trace Trail, They've road the dragon like 15 times, crossed the Missississippi River atleast 10 times, They stood at the base of Devil's tour, Crossed the border and helped me find semi presious stones at Thunder Bay. They've been there when I've been looking at a map, and the road signs in TNN going WTF!!!!, The helped me explain some rules to a jackass shooting pool.
I can't just toss them away, it just wouldn't be right. They've been such good friends the unsong heros to so many of "doah" moments, and higher than high moments. I want them resouled really I do, I'm just affraid to let them go for what happens if they can't be resouled and returned? how would they feel if I wasn't there for them. My Boots, my friends, my trusted compaions, they whom have traveled as far North as Thunder Bay Canada, as far South as Key West, as far West as The rolling hills of Wyoming, how would they feel if I abandon them in their time of need.
have a great one! "T"
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
All in the Dogging...............
Alright, its another trip down memory lane this time it's one that was kind of requested. I had to spend a few hours to rewind my life like 12 or 13 years to reach this uttertly stupid nonsense from folks that were few years older than me and supposedly more mature. Hum, I believe I was playing pool in the APA and we were in the Town Tavern in Atco, NJ, my team the Woodbriar Breakers were playing team TT. The ex and I were sitting at the bar which is located right on top of the pool tables. When what does the wind blow in but Tommy and his wife Judy Booty. We greeted them, bought them a drink, then Gary strolled over to them and I stayed behind for It was my game and I was a solid 4 shooting a most definate 7. Well, I won the game as the 7 steped all over his own dick during the game. Tommy and Judy leave, and Gary comes over and says, "they're, going to Sturgis this summer." "oh, good for them they'll love it, the sky is so big and all the colors just seem intensified, not to mention the scenery and bike stuff that goes on." He says, " ah that's right you've been there with THEM."
The winter slowly turns to spring as the year does, Gary started thinking more and more about going to Sturgis, but no discussing it. So, one day he comes to me and says be ready to roll by 10am. OK, so 10am I'm in the driveway, and we cruise over to Tommy and Judy's home in Atco. There we meet my co worker Reggie and her husband, Big Tom and Dawn, Mike and Shoe, and Marty. Now I work with Reggie so I know her, I know Mike and Shoe from around and Marty from the Woodbriar and Town. So, we babbled with ease as we wait for Judy booty to get ready. Reggie says, " you still riding that 77 I see, LOL! I guess that's why you out with a group, good thing Mike came. Mike is an awesome wrench, and the 77 had a bad habit of shaking itself so that random "stuff" would fall off. Tommy and Judy finially come out. I am the only lady rider.To make a long story short we go on several rides throught the spring together than Gary announces to me that we are Going to Sturgis the year 2000, next year 2001 we will go to Laconia again and be their tour guides ok. whatever.
I've just met Judy booty, Big Tom and dawm, Tommy now know as "Little Tom", Juday asked me a few questions on how did I learn how to ride and what was the best way to go about riding, you see she was going to buy a new heritage and ride it to Sturgis. Reggie listening is says best way is take the MSF course at Glouster County College, I"ve got my class in two weeks, and Dave found me a 67 shovel, so I can ride to Sturgis too. Reggie and Judy go about to babbling about being bad asses and riding to Sturgis. I said something to Judy like don't wait too long before ya call your going to want some practice before you leave and a long road trip is nowhere's to learn to ride. I believe Judy Booty told me if you can do it Tumbles, that means I can do it and I won't be riding no used wreck of a skirtster either I'll be ridding a real bike a brand new Heritage, and I doubt that you could make it there. I think you'll get over the PA bridge and end up turning back. Little Tom comes over and grabs his wife reall fast like. What Judy didn't know is in 91 I went to Sturgis on the 77.
March quickly turns to April, and I convince Judy to call MSF to take the course. She does and passes. Yay! Judy I am so happy for you. Her Heritage wasn't due in until the very beging of August. So I said to her um I think you need to practice. Why not go get just a cheapo jap bike and get the feel of it, cause it isn't the same as the controlled conditions on the range, I mean trust me 60 feels different than 15. She once again brought up the Tumbleweed naming affair. To remind me that I droped a bike at a stand still in a gravel lot for all to see, and that she took the MSF and was already a better rider than I'd ever be. Im ny mind I thought really, I've been riding for about 13 years now and she's only had range practice? Really? I walked off with me water to go and Dance with Big Tom on the Pole in the middle of the dance floor.
A little later that day in a different bar we were all sitting getting some smaks and once again the ball busting started about me droping my bike here at the Watering Hole and how everyone saw, its kind of funny since she wasn't even there when it happened but well any way to put me down seemed to be Judy's game. Then she turns to me and says to you think I could ride Tommys Wide Glide, I said well sure why not? I mean she knew if she was confident or not. Right. Then again how she was getting a heritage and how much better rider she is because her husband is going to let her take his wg for a ride, cause that's how good she is at riding. I know really? Its now Mid July, and Little Tommy Pulls his WG out of the garage and rides it up the driveway to the skirt, we are all parked in the street waiting once again for the Judy Booty to get ready.
She comes out in a light leather jacket and pulls on gloves and states that she has to go get some smokes before we leave and will be right back as she's taking Tommy's WG. OK, So we all swager to he driveway walls and sit down and start to babble while we wait for Judy to come back. the driveway has a downward slope towards the garage. So Judy checks the mirror makes sure she looks hot, lipsticks up, pulls the bike up off the kickstand, once again comments what a good rider she is, and that she's never droped a bike, and that her husband is letting her ride his bike until hers comes in cause she rides and handles a bike 10 times better than Tumbles. (she had never riddien anywhere this is her first flight) she pulls in the clutch rolls the bike around fines Neutral, the back half of he bike is now mostly heading down hill, she goes to start the bike, it kicks over, she releases the clutch give is gas like she's going to burn out right out of the driveway, pulls her feet up to the pegs, rolls backward about 3" and KABOOM, right on the left hand side. She's just laying there and we all jump, she screaming my leg, my leg, Little Tommy screamming my fucking bike, Judys leg got stuck under the bike but was fine. Reggie and myself told her to stay for a few mimutes and calm down first. The guys get the bike up, and well It's fixable but the clutch, shifter, passanger pegs, turn signals and left tank wipe out. I say not one word or bust balls cause I know how it feels. The guys are laugh their asses off, cause she just got done ragging on me, and over 13 years I've advanced byond the Tumbleweed affair.
The Heritage comes in 2 weeks before we leave for Sturgis. During this two weeks they are finializing their plans and still getting I'm riding the heritage to Sturgis, she hadn't sat on the bike yet. However the new song was I should ride cause I will be slowing the group down as we make our way west due to the fact I don't ride as good as Booty Judy. They down right Told Gary if I bring my bike they will not slow down so I can keep up. Well, we meet the day and leave, Big Tom and Dawn on his shovel, Gene and Sara on their Ultra, Brian on his heritage, Marty on his 71 police bike, Mike and Shoe on his 65 Pan, Reggie and Dave on his shovel, Gary on his Heritage, Little Tom and Booty on her heritage, me on my 77. Well, Mike and Shoe don't go faster than 65mph and I am thankful, Dave and Reggie can't ride longer than 70 miles which is perfect for me 77 with the 2.2 peanut tamk, The whole way when we stopped to sleep at the rest stops, and such I was dogged about how I was slowing the group down, Judy proclaiming that if the Wide Glide was more suited for long distace travel she would be riding the Heritage. We all got to Sturgis, and well the group divided up, Booty and Tommy only went to main street every day for the week, we hit the hills, the big bars, the different races, sight seeing, and to a big bike show that my friend Joanna and Jimmy were showing off their last creation that ended up going into EasyRider Mag, Went to American Iron Dinner with them. Rode home, one Heritage went for sale by November with 3500 miles. Booty never ever tried to ride a bike after the driveway afair, but yet continuously brought up what a crappy rider I was that's why I rode and old skirtster that would shake itself apart so know one would notice if I dropped it. This trip was one of complete misery for me because of one backseat thinking that she was more important than anyone else on the ride, the constand bitching had the two of them and Marty the whole week alone, the three went home alone as no one wanted to be apart of the constant bitch drama. It was later stated that the drama was all created by Tumbleweed Chick, and that I single handedly ruined eveyone's vacations. Do I believe this hell no, if your vacation was ruined its on you, did I have a miserble ride out hell yes, am I sad she never rode again yes I am, never once did I bust her stones about it or mentioned it. This is the first time I am doing so. Me personally regardeless if she was my wife or not, I would have eventually gotten tired of hearing it and dumped her ass on the side of the road and tell her to find her own way home. When we were all home, it came out that Tumbleweed with her drama bullshit ruined everyone's trip because I caused Booty to Dump her Husbands WG in the driveway two weeks before Sturgis and then I wouldn't pay to fix the bike. My name once again was mud, this point of view was only shared by the fender jewelery in the area, which didn't mean crap to me after all they are just back there to decorate anyway. I at that point earned much respect of the younger bikers, cause none of them would even think of going to Sturgis 1,800 mile trip on a sportster let alone an AMF one at that. Have a great one! "T"
The winter slowly turns to spring as the year does, Gary started thinking more and more about going to Sturgis, but no discussing it. So, one day he comes to me and says be ready to roll by 10am. OK, so 10am I'm in the driveway, and we cruise over to Tommy and Judy's home in Atco. There we meet my co worker Reggie and her husband, Big Tom and Dawn, Mike and Shoe, and Marty. Now I work with Reggie so I know her, I know Mike and Shoe from around and Marty from the Woodbriar and Town. So, we babbled with ease as we wait for Judy booty to get ready. Reggie says, " you still riding that 77 I see, LOL! I guess that's why you out with a group, good thing Mike came. Mike is an awesome wrench, and the 77 had a bad habit of shaking itself so that random "stuff" would fall off. Tommy and Judy finially come out. I am the only lady rider.To make a long story short we go on several rides throught the spring together than Gary announces to me that we are Going to Sturgis the year 2000, next year 2001 we will go to Laconia again and be their tour guides ok. whatever.
I've just met Judy booty, Big Tom and dawm, Tommy now know as "Little Tom", Juday asked me a few questions on how did I learn how to ride and what was the best way to go about riding, you see she was going to buy a new heritage and ride it to Sturgis. Reggie listening is says best way is take the MSF course at Glouster County College, I"ve got my class in two weeks, and Dave found me a 67 shovel, so I can ride to Sturgis too. Reggie and Judy go about to babbling about being bad asses and riding to Sturgis. I said something to Judy like don't wait too long before ya call your going to want some practice before you leave and a long road trip is nowhere's to learn to ride. I believe Judy Booty told me if you can do it Tumbles, that means I can do it and I won't be riding no used wreck of a skirtster either I'll be ridding a real bike a brand new Heritage, and I doubt that you could make it there. I think you'll get over the PA bridge and end up turning back. Little Tom comes over and grabs his wife reall fast like. What Judy didn't know is in 91 I went to Sturgis on the 77.
March quickly turns to April, and I convince Judy to call MSF to take the course. She does and passes. Yay! Judy I am so happy for you. Her Heritage wasn't due in until the very beging of August. So I said to her um I think you need to practice. Why not go get just a cheapo jap bike and get the feel of it, cause it isn't the same as the controlled conditions on the range, I mean trust me 60 feels different than 15. She once again brought up the Tumbleweed naming affair. To remind me that I droped a bike at a stand still in a gravel lot for all to see, and that she took the MSF and was already a better rider than I'd ever be. Im ny mind I thought really, I've been riding for about 13 years now and she's only had range practice? Really? I walked off with me water to go and Dance with Big Tom on the Pole in the middle of the dance floor.
A little later that day in a different bar we were all sitting getting some smaks and once again the ball busting started about me droping my bike here at the Watering Hole and how everyone saw, its kind of funny since she wasn't even there when it happened but well any way to put me down seemed to be Judy's game. Then she turns to me and says to you think I could ride Tommys Wide Glide, I said well sure why not? I mean she knew if she was confident or not. Right. Then again how she was getting a heritage and how much better rider she is because her husband is going to let her take his wg for a ride, cause that's how good she is at riding. I know really? Its now Mid July, and Little Tommy Pulls his WG out of the garage and rides it up the driveway to the skirt, we are all parked in the street waiting once again for the Judy Booty to get ready.
She comes out in a light leather jacket and pulls on gloves and states that she has to go get some smokes before we leave and will be right back as she's taking Tommy's WG. OK, So we all swager to he driveway walls and sit down and start to babble while we wait for Judy to come back. the driveway has a downward slope towards the garage. So Judy checks the mirror makes sure she looks hot, lipsticks up, pulls the bike up off the kickstand, once again comments what a good rider she is, and that she's never droped a bike, and that her husband is letting her ride his bike until hers comes in cause she rides and handles a bike 10 times better than Tumbles. (she had never riddien anywhere this is her first flight) she pulls in the clutch rolls the bike around fines Neutral, the back half of he bike is now mostly heading down hill, she goes to start the bike, it kicks over, she releases the clutch give is gas like she's going to burn out right out of the driveway, pulls her feet up to the pegs, rolls backward about 3" and KABOOM, right on the left hand side. She's just laying there and we all jump, she screaming my leg, my leg, Little Tommy screamming my fucking bike, Judys leg got stuck under the bike but was fine. Reggie and myself told her to stay for a few mimutes and calm down first. The guys get the bike up, and well It's fixable but the clutch, shifter, passanger pegs, turn signals and left tank wipe out. I say not one word or bust balls cause I know how it feels. The guys are laugh their asses off, cause she just got done ragging on me, and over 13 years I've advanced byond the Tumbleweed affair.
The Heritage comes in 2 weeks before we leave for Sturgis. During this two weeks they are finializing their plans and still getting I'm riding the heritage to Sturgis, she hadn't sat on the bike yet. However the new song was I should ride cause I will be slowing the group down as we make our way west due to the fact I don't ride as good as Booty Judy. They down right Told Gary if I bring my bike they will not slow down so I can keep up. Well, we meet the day and leave, Big Tom and Dawn on his shovel, Gene and Sara on their Ultra, Brian on his heritage, Marty on his 71 police bike, Mike and Shoe on his 65 Pan, Reggie and Dave on his shovel, Gary on his Heritage, Little Tom and Booty on her heritage, me on my 77. Well, Mike and Shoe don't go faster than 65mph and I am thankful, Dave and Reggie can't ride longer than 70 miles which is perfect for me 77 with the 2.2 peanut tamk, The whole way when we stopped to sleep at the rest stops, and such I was dogged about how I was slowing the group down, Judy proclaiming that if the Wide Glide was more suited for long distace travel she would be riding the Heritage. We all got to Sturgis, and well the group divided up, Booty and Tommy only went to main street every day for the week, we hit the hills, the big bars, the different races, sight seeing, and to a big bike show that my friend Joanna and Jimmy were showing off their last creation that ended up going into EasyRider Mag, Went to American Iron Dinner with them. Rode home, one Heritage went for sale by November with 3500 miles. Booty never ever tried to ride a bike after the driveway afair, but yet continuously brought up what a crappy rider I was that's why I rode and old skirtster that would shake itself apart so know one would notice if I dropped it. This trip was one of complete misery for me because of one backseat thinking that she was more important than anyone else on the ride, the constand bitching had the two of them and Marty the whole week alone, the three went home alone as no one wanted to be apart of the constant bitch drama. It was later stated that the drama was all created by Tumbleweed Chick, and that I single handedly ruined eveyone's vacations. Do I believe this hell no, if your vacation was ruined its on you, did I have a miserble ride out hell yes, am I sad she never rode again yes I am, never once did I bust her stones about it or mentioned it. This is the first time I am doing so. Me personally regardeless if she was my wife or not, I would have eventually gotten tired of hearing it and dumped her ass on the side of the road and tell her to find her own way home. When we were all home, it came out that Tumbleweed with her drama bullshit ruined everyone's trip because I caused Booty to Dump her Husbands WG in the driveway two weeks before Sturgis and then I wouldn't pay to fix the bike. My name once again was mud, this point of view was only shared by the fender jewelery in the area, which didn't mean crap to me after all they are just back there to decorate anyway. I at that point earned much respect of the younger bikers, cause none of them would even think of going to Sturgis 1,800 mile trip on a sportster let alone an AMF one at that. Have a great one! "T"
Sunday, February 5, 2012
"K's" Ride II..............................
I pull myself up on my pegs so I can look over the concrete wall of the bridge, Sail boats with white sails billowing in the wind cruise the bay. I looked left and saw in the distance the St. Augustine light house, the Castillo de San Marco, the Bridge of Lions, the towers of Flagler College. This bridge is kind of humpy with a slight turn in it, and empties on to a little street of older homes. Today was no different that any other time I've come down on a week end. The light here is a little slow but at least one can watch one of the oldest outdoor Merry Go Rounds go round. I think its like 1.00 to ride it. here the streets are weirdly marked and if your not used to how the traffic should flow sometimes ya get cut off, I don't know its all bumpy and has funky crowns in it, this one lane one for one one lane then two so it is tricky. As one approaches the Castillo de San Marco you want to be in the Left lane after the Florida School for the Death and Blind, which in the fall puts on a fantastic car show, if you want to one get into the Castillo or cross the Bridge of Lions. There are a lot of tourist and some times they just worry. If you want to stroll the old city stay right there. I parked in the National Park parking lot and grabbed a motorcycle spot. I pulled in tight and forward so that is another single bike wanted to squeeze into this spot they could. Sunday's parking is free here in St. Augustine so its hard to get a spot at times. I share if I can who knows it might help others with the ah moment.
Since it really was nice enough I decided to stroll through the Olde City, I'm going to the Columbian. It has two little courtyards, a first and second floor may be one of the buildings here since maybe the 1600's +/-. It has a little water fountain in the front court yard, I try on nice days to sit in the other courtyard. I'm taking through the restaurant to a set of french doors then out into the court yard. I sit down knowing what I already want. Its this time that I sit looking around the reason for the ride comes to the front of my thoughts, while riding and walking I could put it away and tuck it down in the back but now I can't. I took that bike out to make sure she stays charged up, exchange the fuels, keep the seals from drying out from lack of use, and to help "Special K" sell her. It is a sad time for sure. She couldn't even watch me leave on her, it had her so upset, man I can so relate to "K". The world can be an awesome place or it can be very cruel but one thing is for sure its ever changing and unexpecting. Ya learn to roll with the punches or ya torn down and have to rebuild ya know, sometimes a choice isn't given and this my friends is one of them times.
A struggle its been the last few years have been rough on all of us, and I don't mean in the financial sense I mean in the emotional and health sense. Let's face it if you got health, darling you can go and get your wealth. When does it start? Man, when I was told I would live 3 months and that the treatment no one finished or lives through them. Yeah, it just about killed me, I went for 5 day follow up and said to me doc man this don't feel right. I had bloodwork at the in house lab before the appointment and while I was in the exam room an ambulance was called to take right over to the er so I'm thinking that ain't good, at that exact time "K's" aunt was experiencing the last month of her life, and her 2 year old niece was given days. 5 month prior to this point her Father passed on. I didn't call her I just sat in the hospital for the 2 weeks they kept me. When she came up to visit and vent with me she found I wasn't home, she called me boss whom told her where I was and why. So she came to the hospital to see me. She bent my ear and dumped the family problems and heavy grief and mourning the family was experiencing. When I was released her Mom insisted that I live with them to complete my treatment cause I shouldn't be living alone now.
The niece passes away, the aunt is ready to pass and "K" just ain't feeling right, doctor says way to much stress and gives her some meds. She starts to look pale and is always tired, can't seem to catch her breath, and sighs a lot. Well, she has become a diabetic, then further investigation she has either heart disease or COPD. Now she's all wound up cause was fine until she went to the Doctor, lol I tell her why did you go them?; Turns out she's COPD, had a stint placed, diabetic, hyperthyroid and at one point really liked that idea. Mans she could eat drink anything and everything and still loss weight, she didn't what to get treated for that, no shit right I'd feel the same way. But well they treat her but wait several months to do so. Then she started complaining about her glasses and that she just got them two years ago, lol she goes to see the optho and he tell her she's got Grey's disease and that her eye sight will never improve and glasses might help. She had to wait like 5 months to get the glasses and discovered that she just was having a hard time with perception, her words "I feel like I'm looking out of two fish bowls" not a good thing for a rider at all. We tried a couple of times to go riding but she was just struggling and it wasn't worth it man. Its your life ya know, its a hard thing to do but sell the bike she will, and doesn't want it at her house, she doesn't want to look at it.
I sit there in the courtyard and finish up my cuban and mojito. Man they make the best mojitos here. They do really, for they make their own crush the mint, sugar and lime and sit over night and aid the rum and club soda next day, I asked about it. I paid and made my way back to the bike. I think I will come here and stroll around with "K" maybe next weekend, because I'm really not in the mood to do so know. I shake it all off and leave it behind as I walk passed the old catholic church, little shop fromts, looked out over the bay and the line of horses for hire. I get on the bike and go. I decided not to take A1A but took US 1 instead. At the Merry Go round ya go straight and keep going, the street yields at US 1. Once on one its two lanes for the most part home, along the way there are housing developments, new strip malls, the area was in a giant growth spirt but the economy kind of slowed it down a great deal. I went passed the greyhound track, I had that place! Passed the Rooster, the place was jamming I could hear the band, but dudes I just wasn't into it ya know. I hit 9A then jammed up JTB to Kernan, then back to the development ant into its little nest we went.
Told her I didn't think it had any problems and seemed to run well, and yes maybe next week she will come up to my place and pick me up, we'll go get some wings throw back some beers maybe catch the band at Cliff;s then later ride Special K's bike home so I can ride her around and see if we can get a buyer that way. I lost a very good riding buddy, a great teacher and student and road trip partner. Man I remember looking back in my mirrors at times and see her really big grin she was wearing while she road. It was the same one as her dad's. Man he was so proud of her when she had be bring that rebel home for her. One of the times I went to pick her up for a cruise we were just babbling ya know and he slapped her on the back and said its about time "K", no more property of nonsense, now we have to get you that Patch that says "No Man's Bitch". LOL! Moe was a really a great guy, I smile as I think of that moment. Oh geeze I'm going to have to tell you the stories of her growing into the rider she was, what a pistol. I"m home, got my bike in the garage now. I guess it was one of them bitter sweet days, filled with the crap we have to do like it or not, and a day that not one eventful thing happened and everyone is home in one piece. have a great one! "T"
Since it really was nice enough I decided to stroll through the Olde City, I'm going to the Columbian. It has two little courtyards, a first and second floor may be one of the buildings here since maybe the 1600's +/-. It has a little water fountain in the front court yard, I try on nice days to sit in the other courtyard. I'm taking through the restaurant to a set of french doors then out into the court yard. I sit down knowing what I already want. Its this time that I sit looking around the reason for the ride comes to the front of my thoughts, while riding and walking I could put it away and tuck it down in the back but now I can't. I took that bike out to make sure she stays charged up, exchange the fuels, keep the seals from drying out from lack of use, and to help "Special K" sell her. It is a sad time for sure. She couldn't even watch me leave on her, it had her so upset, man I can so relate to "K". The world can be an awesome place or it can be very cruel but one thing is for sure its ever changing and unexpecting. Ya learn to roll with the punches or ya torn down and have to rebuild ya know, sometimes a choice isn't given and this my friends is one of them times.
A struggle its been the last few years have been rough on all of us, and I don't mean in the financial sense I mean in the emotional and health sense. Let's face it if you got health, darling you can go and get your wealth. When does it start? Man, when I was told I would live 3 months and that the treatment no one finished or lives through them. Yeah, it just about killed me, I went for 5 day follow up and said to me doc man this don't feel right. I had bloodwork at the in house lab before the appointment and while I was in the exam room an ambulance was called to take right over to the er so I'm thinking that ain't good, at that exact time "K's" aunt was experiencing the last month of her life, and her 2 year old niece was given days. 5 month prior to this point her Father passed on. I didn't call her I just sat in the hospital for the 2 weeks they kept me. When she came up to visit and vent with me she found I wasn't home, she called me boss whom told her where I was and why. So she came to the hospital to see me. She bent my ear and dumped the family problems and heavy grief and mourning the family was experiencing. When I was released her Mom insisted that I live with them to complete my treatment cause I shouldn't be living alone now.
The niece passes away, the aunt is ready to pass and "K" just ain't feeling right, doctor says way to much stress and gives her some meds. She starts to look pale and is always tired, can't seem to catch her breath, and sighs a lot. Well, she has become a diabetic, then further investigation she has either heart disease or COPD. Now she's all wound up cause was fine until she went to the Doctor, lol I tell her why did you go them?; Turns out she's COPD, had a stint placed, diabetic, hyperthyroid and at one point really liked that idea. Mans she could eat drink anything and everything and still loss weight, she didn't what to get treated for that, no shit right I'd feel the same way. But well they treat her but wait several months to do so. Then she started complaining about her glasses and that she just got them two years ago, lol she goes to see the optho and he tell her she's got Grey's disease and that her eye sight will never improve and glasses might help. She had to wait like 5 months to get the glasses and discovered that she just was having a hard time with perception, her words "I feel like I'm looking out of two fish bowls" not a good thing for a rider at all. We tried a couple of times to go riding but she was just struggling and it wasn't worth it man. Its your life ya know, its a hard thing to do but sell the bike she will, and doesn't want it at her house, she doesn't want to look at it.
I sit there in the courtyard and finish up my cuban and mojito. Man they make the best mojitos here. They do really, for they make their own crush the mint, sugar and lime and sit over night and aid the rum and club soda next day, I asked about it. I paid and made my way back to the bike. I think I will come here and stroll around with "K" maybe next weekend, because I'm really not in the mood to do so know. I shake it all off and leave it behind as I walk passed the old catholic church, little shop fromts, looked out over the bay and the line of horses for hire. I get on the bike and go. I decided not to take A1A but took US 1 instead. At the Merry Go round ya go straight and keep going, the street yields at US 1. Once on one its two lanes for the most part home, along the way there are housing developments, new strip malls, the area was in a giant growth spirt but the economy kind of slowed it down a great deal. I went passed the greyhound track, I had that place! Passed the Rooster, the place was jamming I could hear the band, but dudes I just wasn't into it ya know. I hit 9A then jammed up JTB to Kernan, then back to the development ant into its little nest we went.
Told her I didn't think it had any problems and seemed to run well, and yes maybe next week she will come up to my place and pick me up, we'll go get some wings throw back some beers maybe catch the band at Cliff;s then later ride Special K's bike home so I can ride her around and see if we can get a buyer that way. I lost a very good riding buddy, a great teacher and student and road trip partner. Man I remember looking back in my mirrors at times and see her really big grin she was wearing while she road. It was the same one as her dad's. Man he was so proud of her when she had be bring that rebel home for her. One of the times I went to pick her up for a cruise we were just babbling ya know and he slapped her on the back and said its about time "K", no more property of nonsense, now we have to get you that Patch that says "No Man's Bitch". LOL! Moe was a really a great guy, I smile as I think of that moment. Oh geeze I'm going to have to tell you the stories of her growing into the rider she was, what a pistol. I"m home, got my bike in the garage now. I guess it was one of them bitter sweet days, filled with the crap we have to do like it or not, and a day that not one eventful thing happened and everyone is home in one piece. have a great one! "T"
"K's" Ride............
I had to put this off longer than I wanted too, but I haven't been feeling up to par for a couple of weeks even though the days have been awesome. Really I don't even think that is the reason I've been avoiding what I'm about do, its not what I want to do, I know its not what she wants to do, its what has to be done. We all have choices to make at one time at another that we don't want to make, we all have to do things we absolutely don't want to do, it is against everything we want and this my friend is one of those times. I met little "Anna Banana" at the door and walked to the garage with out much fan fare. Pressed the open sesame button, and herd the clinking of the garage door opening as the sunlight began to stream in. I took a walk around, and looked from a distance at the tires, under neath for drips, and anything that didn't seem right from this angle. Even under a light layer of dust she was eye catching with her read and orange flames on red background, recently polished chrome and paint. I looked closer at the hoses and cables, tire walls, for smaller drips and such, flipped the switches for the lights and turn signals, horn then sat down on her. I reached in and fumbled around in the front fork bag for the little tire pressure gauge I gave her as a gift for completing her first road trip to Charleston South Carolina a few years ago. I checked the pressure and cleaned the windshield, re adjusted the mirrors and roller her out into the world.
I got the key and sat there for a second stuffing the I pod in my bra, great holder by the way, left one bob in and one out, and before I zoom out of the driveway I think to myself she really is a pretty bike. Has everything anyone could need or want, solo mustang seat with original in the garage, saddlebags, windshield, engine guard and highway pegs. I nod as I starter her and pull out off to the horizon. I'm thinking St. Augustine, it would be a great place to display and show off her beauty, park at the fort with the back drop of the river a place where old meets modern, shine shining off the chrome, yeah that would be a good place. Before I head out anywhere I take a few laps around the development. Its been awhile since I've ridden her and I've only rode her once. I wanted to get used to where all the controls are with out looking, see how fast she accelarates from a dead stop, and with some speed , how it feels in right and left turns the weight in slow maneuvers and quick short stops.
Man the traffic here is unreal it will take 10 minutes to make that left on to Kernan. Once on Kernan I go up and over the fly over and start to move over into the left lane as I will be taking JTB east bound. Its been awhile since I've been in this area and I can say those that travel JTB haven't changed. I approach the off ramp at Ponite Vedra to A1A. I really dislike this off ramp, because it meets 2 lanes of frustrated A1A congested traffic to the left and about 20 yeards to the right is the entrance of a shopping center. Yeah you know complete chaos and random bad driving habits meet. Past this mess is a congested section of A1A thru Pointe Vedra up to where SawGrass (TPC) is located and at that point it becomes a race. I don't know why but it does there's a very small stretch of road that goes from tow lane to one and everyone wants to be the first one there, LOL! I pass The Plantation where I did alot of work for my personal buiness, I bet the gate keepers would remember me, once passed a few more gated communities the road agains opens up to two lanes for a short distance. Here the big old oaks branches criss cross over the road, and thick vegetation hides homes from those on the streets we are reaching the public beach access areas. and a few mile of tower beasts of homes. They used to be all little ranch homes come just cinder block but they've been bought one by one and renovated into the monsters we see here today. Here is where the water becomes slightly bluer than Jacksonville area.
Once pasted the public beach areas some nice views of the Atlantic Ocean cam be seen on the left. Depending on the tide ya can either see the swells or the top of the cresting waves. I pass the Gate Station, scene of one of my crimes (bad casting). This is where A1A has a few nice wide sweepers don't even have to take the feet off the highway pegs or adjust speed go with the flow. Now were are at what I call the the beatnick section of A1A. Right before ya enter Vero Beach area where I will be making a right, one passes all these little cottages I think they are called cottages by the sea but I'm not 100% sure. I make the left there onto the bridge at Matanza Bay which will connect to route 1 at the Merry go round. From this bridge is some of my most favorite view of St. Augustine. To the left is a marina the size of some of them rowboats, then a restaurant, on the left the bay and olde and new town St. Augustine.
I got the key and sat there for a second stuffing the I pod in my bra, great holder by the way, left one bob in and one out, and before I zoom out of the driveway I think to myself she really is a pretty bike. Has everything anyone could need or want, solo mustang seat with original in the garage, saddlebags, windshield, engine guard and highway pegs. I nod as I starter her and pull out off to the horizon. I'm thinking St. Augustine, it would be a great place to display and show off her beauty, park at the fort with the back drop of the river a place where old meets modern, shine shining off the chrome, yeah that would be a good place. Before I head out anywhere I take a few laps around the development. Its been awhile since I've ridden her and I've only rode her once. I wanted to get used to where all the controls are with out looking, see how fast she accelarates from a dead stop, and with some speed , how it feels in right and left turns the weight in slow maneuvers and quick short stops.
Man the traffic here is unreal it will take 10 minutes to make that left on to Kernan. Once on Kernan I go up and over the fly over and start to move over into the left lane as I will be taking JTB east bound. Its been awhile since I've been in this area and I can say those that travel JTB haven't changed. I approach the off ramp at Ponite Vedra to A1A. I really dislike this off ramp, because it meets 2 lanes of frustrated A1A congested traffic to the left and about 20 yeards to the right is the entrance of a shopping center. Yeah you know complete chaos and random bad driving habits meet. Past this mess is a congested section of A1A thru Pointe Vedra up to where SawGrass (TPC) is located and at that point it becomes a race. I don't know why but it does there's a very small stretch of road that goes from tow lane to one and everyone wants to be the first one there, LOL! I pass The Plantation where I did alot of work for my personal buiness, I bet the gate keepers would remember me, once passed a few more gated communities the road agains opens up to two lanes for a short distance. Here the big old oaks branches criss cross over the road, and thick vegetation hides homes from those on the streets we are reaching the public beach access areas. and a few mile of tower beasts of homes. They used to be all little ranch homes come just cinder block but they've been bought one by one and renovated into the monsters we see here today. Here is where the water becomes slightly bluer than Jacksonville area.
Once pasted the public beach areas some nice views of the Atlantic Ocean cam be seen on the left. Depending on the tide ya can either see the swells or the top of the cresting waves. I pass the Gate Station, scene of one of my crimes (bad casting). This is where A1A has a few nice wide sweepers don't even have to take the feet off the highway pegs or adjust speed go with the flow. Now were are at what I call the the beatnick section of A1A. Right before ya enter Vero Beach area where I will be making a right, one passes all these little cottages I think they are called cottages by the sea but I'm not 100% sure. I make the left there onto the bridge at Matanza Bay which will connect to route 1 at the Merry go round. From this bridge is some of my most favorite view of St. Augustine. To the left is a marina the size of some of them rowboats, then a restaurant, on the left the bay and olde and new town St. Augustine.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Learning Red Neck?
I by far am not a pretty pretty princess, nor am I a lumber jack kind of a gal either. I guess I fall somewhere in between like many ladies do. As a kid I remember going fishing, and going often. I can't say I remember baiting hook, taking a fish off the line, but I'm pretty sure I caught one or two back then. Dad would take us to the beach, or back bay somewhere and we drop lines. I remember sitting on the dock as a young child fishing in Maryland off gramp's friend's dock you see they were commercial crab fishermen. So, when Special K said I'm taking you surf fishing cause you won't teach me how to ride, I decided I better learn to surf fish. I want folks to learn the right why how to ride and not pick up any bad habits I have developed over the years. As always I told her you have to take the MSF, once you do that I have no problems helping continue to grow and develop as a rider. I always got the same response from her. There is no way I want to be responsible for not teaching some one something correctly and they pay the ultimate price.
She came by and picked me up and then we headed up Monument Road, on to Wonderwood, then up Girving on to Atlantic Blvd. She pulled into a little bate shop off of Atlantic Blvd near Ink Smiths and Rogers there bought some bate, and a few other items. She babbled to the counter man what was biting in the surf, on what and blah blah blah, other words things I didn't understand. I've done this before when I was little so I didn't think it would be hard at all. She was thinking about going out to the Jacksonville Pier, but decided to go down to Vero Beach there, in front of the Gate gas station on A1A. We got the crap out and put into Special K's little beach wagon thing, its kind of a nifty. It has pole holders and places to stack chairs on it with room for one big cooler or two little ones, we went with the two little ones. Beer and fishing might go together but I really don't want to mix me bottles with the bate smell ya know.
We crossed over to the beach found the board walk, picked a spot on the beach. Set the chairs out, got the pole out and then she handed me this thing that was heavy sort of with this big loop, and "little wire legs". She says, " slip this throw the line, then pull it through again, we aren't going to tie this on we want it to allow the line to flow freely through it. This weight ought anchors itself in the sand and doesn't let the tide push the line in. Now for the hook. She handed me the hook with a latch type looking thing on it, and stated that she usually didn't use this kind because no self respecting fisher man uses this kind of loop/hook thing. To tie it on its 11 loops around not 8 loops around, then pull tight. Well she was out wadding in the surf casting away, and I was wrestling with them 11 loops. Finally, I managed to get the dam thing knotted and tied. Next lesson Baiting the hook. No problem I'm sure I've done this before I remember using bread or corn for little sunnies. I look up and few of the other folks fishing was kind of watching.
Reach yourself in there and grab a shrimp, ok no problem, ewww god the things is big not the little shrimp cocktail kind. She says," big bate bigger fish" So, I tried to jam the hook into the head she says "no, no no what are ya doing? I thought you've done this before?" I shrugged at her I mean I have done it I just don't remember right. I just stare at her my eyes must have been huge, "what" she says, "ya gotta rip the head off before ya can put it on the hook. I will not rip the head off your shrimp you are going to have to do it." I ripped the head off the shrimp and all this golden brown junk comes out then I jammed the body onto the hook like I was shown. Man that is freaking gross! I've noticed that the guys that were close to us on the beach kind of picked up and mover further away, this bate thing really kind of goes against the person I am ya know. So, all bated up I march out to the water take a few moments of casting instructions and, cast away! YAY! The bait flew off the hook landed on the man's hat next to us, my line some how twisted all around his, geeze I guess there's more than one way to catch a man. He says,"yep, I didn't mover far enough down the beach from you I knew it." As I look up and down the beach all the guys are grabbing their gear and well marching further and further away from us. "Great, says Special K, now we be marked from now on". The guys were giggling I could see them I knew they was just making fun of this Yankee Girl and pitting my poor friend.
I was trying to untwist the man's line and he just whipped out a knife and cut his line and mumbled something under his breath like "dam yankees aren't bad enough but to bring princess too". We pretty much had no neighbors now so I was sure I wouldn't get all tangled up with any one else's line. I cast a few times and I think Mr Crabbie Dudes got the bait, but on one of the last casts I felt me a jerk and caught me a fish, Man I was having a hard time bringing it in, once I got it to my shin level in water I picked it up and walked back with it. "Wow, that's a good sized whitey," it was about 8" ,"for this time of year" says K. "Now get it off you hook, just grab em' about the waist and hold tight and work the hook out with the other hand." "What!" I kind of yelled thinking to my self man that dude was right I was a dam yankee princes! No matter how hard I tried I just couldn't grab that little fishy, I had to use the bag from the bait to touch the fish to get it off. The guy that was attacked by my bait comes over to take a peek, shakes his head and says. " I'll be dammed the only one that caught a fish this day and its a keeper too, is Prissy Princess Yankee" He slaps my back, and says "we'll make a neck out you yet girl, ya just got to get over yourself." Hummm, I should right, ok so I didn't like ripping heads off and touching the fish and my cast needs some work but dam it, I can stand on the beach with a pole in my hand and drink with the best them. Yankee Princess indeed
I did go surf fishing again, with Special K a few weeks near the Jacksonville Pier after work on Saturday, I can't say my casting in proved but I can say I hooked a young one this time, you know what I'm talking about ladies he could see his feet, and didn't have hair because he chose not to. Yeah he was just as thrilled as the first guy I caught. Oh well ya can't fault a gal for trying. This time I had a camo t-shirt on instead of pink, cut the head off with me knife, and drank bud out of a can, I will get this redneck thing down if it kills me! Next time I'll get my casting down and the guys won't have to move and point and laugh I might even try to rip the shrimpie dudes head off. Have a great one! "T"
She came by and picked me up and then we headed up Monument Road, on to Wonderwood, then up Girving on to Atlantic Blvd. She pulled into a little bate shop off of Atlantic Blvd near Ink Smiths and Rogers there bought some bate, and a few other items. She babbled to the counter man what was biting in the surf, on what and blah blah blah, other words things I didn't understand. I've done this before when I was little so I didn't think it would be hard at all. She was thinking about going out to the Jacksonville Pier, but decided to go down to Vero Beach there, in front of the Gate gas station on A1A. We got the crap out and put into Special K's little beach wagon thing, its kind of a nifty. It has pole holders and places to stack chairs on it with room for one big cooler or two little ones, we went with the two little ones. Beer and fishing might go together but I really don't want to mix me bottles with the bate smell ya know.
We crossed over to the beach found the board walk, picked a spot on the beach. Set the chairs out, got the pole out and then she handed me this thing that was heavy sort of with this big loop, and "little wire legs". She says, " slip this throw the line, then pull it through again, we aren't going to tie this on we want it to allow the line to flow freely through it. This weight ought anchors itself in the sand and doesn't let the tide push the line in. Now for the hook. She handed me the hook with a latch type looking thing on it, and stated that she usually didn't use this kind because no self respecting fisher man uses this kind of loop/hook thing. To tie it on its 11 loops around not 8 loops around, then pull tight. Well she was out wadding in the surf casting away, and I was wrestling with them 11 loops. Finally, I managed to get the dam thing knotted and tied. Next lesson Baiting the hook. No problem I'm sure I've done this before I remember using bread or corn for little sunnies. I look up and few of the other folks fishing was kind of watching.
Reach yourself in there and grab a shrimp, ok no problem, ewww god the things is big not the little shrimp cocktail kind. She says," big bate bigger fish" So, I tried to jam the hook into the head she says "no, no no what are ya doing? I thought you've done this before?" I shrugged at her I mean I have done it I just don't remember right. I just stare at her my eyes must have been huge, "what" she says, "ya gotta rip the head off before ya can put it on the hook. I will not rip the head off your shrimp you are going to have to do it." I ripped the head off the shrimp and all this golden brown junk comes out then I jammed the body onto the hook like I was shown. Man that is freaking gross! I've noticed that the guys that were close to us on the beach kind of picked up and mover further away, this bate thing really kind of goes against the person I am ya know. So, all bated up I march out to the water take a few moments of casting instructions and, cast away! YAY! The bait flew off the hook landed on the man's hat next to us, my line some how twisted all around his, geeze I guess there's more than one way to catch a man. He says,"yep, I didn't mover far enough down the beach from you I knew it." As I look up and down the beach all the guys are grabbing their gear and well marching further and further away from us. "Great, says Special K, now we be marked from now on". The guys were giggling I could see them I knew they was just making fun of this Yankee Girl and pitting my poor friend.
I was trying to untwist the man's line and he just whipped out a knife and cut his line and mumbled something under his breath like "dam yankees aren't bad enough but to bring princess too". We pretty much had no neighbors now so I was sure I wouldn't get all tangled up with any one else's line. I cast a few times and I think Mr Crabbie Dudes got the bait, but on one of the last casts I felt me a jerk and caught me a fish, Man I was having a hard time bringing it in, once I got it to my shin level in water I picked it up and walked back with it. "Wow, that's a good sized whitey," it was about 8" ,"for this time of year" says K. "Now get it off you hook, just grab em' about the waist and hold tight and work the hook out with the other hand." "What!" I kind of yelled thinking to my self man that dude was right I was a dam yankee princes! No matter how hard I tried I just couldn't grab that little fishy, I had to use the bag from the bait to touch the fish to get it off. The guy that was attacked by my bait comes over to take a peek, shakes his head and says. " I'll be dammed the only one that caught a fish this day and its a keeper too, is Prissy Princess Yankee" He slaps my back, and says "we'll make a neck out you yet girl, ya just got to get over yourself." Hummm, I should right, ok so I didn't like ripping heads off and touching the fish and my cast needs some work but dam it, I can stand on the beach with a pole in my hand and drink with the best them. Yankee Princess indeed
I did go surf fishing again, with Special K a few weeks near the Jacksonville Pier after work on Saturday, I can't say my casting in proved but I can say I hooked a young one this time, you know what I'm talking about ladies he could see his feet, and didn't have hair because he chose not to. Yeah he was just as thrilled as the first guy I caught. Oh well ya can't fault a gal for trying. This time I had a camo t-shirt on instead of pink, cut the head off with me knife, and drank bud out of a can, I will get this redneck thing down if it kills me! Next time I'll get my casting down and the guys won't have to move and point and laugh I might even try to rip the shrimpie dudes head off. Have a great one! "T"
Friday, February 3, 2012
Memory Lane, we all travel it at times...........
Well, here I am sitting in doors on another nice day. I just can't shake this cold, one day I feel ok the next day like I was run over by a bus. It pretty much has me feeling exhausted most of the time. I'm alone and feeling run down Ideas and things were going through my head. One of those memories made me smile and I'm going to try and write about it for y'all if nothing else to jar my memory. I think this was back in 2005. I lived in New Jersey at the time and one of my best riding buddies lived south of Charlotte North Carolina. I was having a really rough patch as at that time. My husband decided that after 17 years his life was in complete ruins and he wanted out. He didn't want council or anything like that because he tried so hard to help me but there was no way he could help me since I was the most selfish, ungrateful, lying demon of a bitch he ever met in his life. Translation from husband speak was he had a new chickie that told him all the things he wanted to hear instead of what he needed to hear. I did take this very hard it was like a rug was being pulled out from under me feet and I was just doing a free fall and had no clue as to how I would land.
I found myself at 39 back at may parents house. I also found that I would be having a three day and 1/2 weekend, so I called Joann and said can I come to visit. She said really do you have to ask? So when I got done work at 1pm, I left Sewell New Jersey and head for points south. I took 295, over the Delaware Memorial Bridge, through Baltimore, then took 495 around Washington DC. That right there folks is taking your life in your hands be it on a bike or a car. I think for most of this ride I was on the shoulder as I was beginning run down and I was doing 85 and not willing to go too much faster, them folks is nuts! From 495 now I could look on the map but I took the route that shoots out to Haggerstown from there hit 83/1 south. When 77 came up I got off on 77 south, through Charolette on 465 is it? got off on 16 and went in to WaxHaw where she lives. I was welcomed and then I crashed. I was just beat from the ride I think I got in about 10 pm or there abouts.
The next morning I got up and walk down the gravel driveway and just looked around the area the smell of pine was heavy and shhh up the road deer were crossing the street from the farmers field. I made my way back to the work shed, if ya visit Joann there is always some work she has that has to be done and this day was no different. I walked through the door of the shed, without knocking cause she didn't hang a mask on the door, so I knew it would be ok to walk in on her. She slapped some sand paper and a gas tank in my hand and said, "good your up make yourself useful. Before we go anywhere I've got to at least spray some primer and one base coat before we go. I sat and sanded and sanded what felt like hours, but really was an hour, then she handed be a front fender and a mask as she took the tank from me and said, "your getting better at this" then went into the both to spray. I placed my mask on as she shut the door. Having technicolored snot is really a strange site so I'll wear the mask cause some of the spray does escape the little room. I finished up with the front fender and she took that along with the back fender into the booth.
We went back in the house made coffee ate breakfast and babbled a little while then she went back out to spray the 2nd coat on the pieces. We'll go out for a short ride then come back and sand them again you know the drill, oh I have to shoot my chopper so you want to out there? I was too sure about this but where is there? "Oh, just over the border about an hour I found this great old plantation as a back drop. I said, "yeah sure, no problem, its all back roads right?" "Yep, I didn't what you to have to deal with traffic." Joann said. Well I had to borrow a back pack and put me warm gear and rain gear in it since these bikes aren't exactly equipped to do work. They are meant to be ridden and look very pretty.
We mounted up and cruised the backwoods of North Carolina for like 20 minutes until we crossed over to South Carolina. We fueled up and she asked if I was good, " a little late, but I'm ok" I said. she pulled out the map from her fork bag and checked it and off we went down some road for about 10 minutes then made a few turns. We ended up at a T intersection, I just stopped the bike in the middle of the road and got off and we both looked at the map. "she looked at me and said what the hell" I say," were in the south right folks is patient" LOL! We got back on track and she just sees this little store and locks it up to get in the driveway. "WTF, ya want to give a little warning first!" I yell, here the seat bolt came out of the seat and she felt it wriggling around. So there we are in a little tiny town, in front of this old store with wooden walk way and it just happens to be a gun shop LOL! We go in asking if there are any bolt so big, the guy come out with a coffee can of nuts and bolts and dumps it on the ground. All three of us are looking at the bolts and I grab one, he grabs it from my and and says, "no that's not right sweetheart ya gotta have the man's eye and that you don't have." He tries like three bolts, and I grabbed the one I had in my hand the first time and dam if it wasn't the right one.
One problem diverted and we are on our way. I didn't tell you how creepy that was though, the guys were just really very strange though helpful just off, but me being from the north it could just be my perception. We get to the plantation and line the bikes up do some shoot in front of this big ole' place, then move them back by the fence, to old oak tree the home next to us, when we notice the door to this old grade estate open. Well, ya know we had to go in there right? Man the stair case was awesome, the big fire places and palor, then we went up them 100+ year old rickety steps. What fantastic rooms, glass door knobs, them old latches on the door and real narrow closets. The place was empty. Joann being an art photo journalist as well as custom bike and car painter was just gaga over the place taken all kind of shots of the place. Once again down stairs we went out the back of the house, it was weird ya kind of walked on a porch thing to get there, as soon as we opened the doors we looked at each other I said man this looks familiar, she agreed didn't know where we'd seen it. Well don't ya know it the historical society comes along and makes us get out of the place you see it was under renovations and the stairs weren't stable and they didn't want us on them LOL! We walked around out side then went up to the visitor center.
Had that V8 moment, duh hanging right there on the wall was a plaque from the film industry thanking the Plantation for allowing them to use the house and grounds in the filming of The Patriot. We need to come back and visit again we both agreed. To this date haven't returned yet. We began our journey home, and well if ya live in the south the late afternoon usually little rain storms are present or pop up thunderstorms. Yep you guessed it on our fly home it began to rain and rain heavy, so Joann decided super slabbing it would be the best way to go. Man It sucks in the rain with out a windsheild. It didn't matter that I had me rain gear on it was raining so hard that the rain was rolling right down my neck and soaking the front of me. We I do believe were going somewhere around 80 when I pull up close and yell back lights is out, I had to ride kind of close to her light out heavy rain no one could see her from behind. We are jamming alone when we see this big fuzzy thing in the road. You know how them little candles are on the front of them choppers, so by the time we saw it it was too late. Up and over we went thumping down on the other side of it, LOL! Now if ya never ridden a hardtail how you go over the unavoidable bumps is a little different on a cruiser. First arms straight firm grip, lean back a bit and stand slightly on the pegs or your in a wold of hurting for sure.
She looks over and shrugs her shoulders and makes a gesture. Hell I don't know what it was, but it was part for the course wasn't now. As we pulled in to her garage, got off the bikes her husband looks at them and shakes his head. He spends that night cleaning a polishing them, we go on to the porch and pull off the boots and pour out the rain. "Ya now, I should know better than go anywhere with you. It is always one weird thing after another." says joann. I told her "everthing is better when wet right." She say "no". We get warmed up and go back to the shop and finish up sanding the tanks and fenders. Then next day we sit in her shop as she sprays out the design of the bike, I end up doing taping, and some stencile work, then she sprayed some base coat. We babbled and worked in the shed most of that day, and I ended up going into Charlotte and picking up some pieces she had at the clear coater, she wanted to try something new. I left the next day. I took 77 up to 83/81 whatever that dam road is, just outside of Winchester Virginia while I was doing 75 in the left hand lane, thawck happens. The bike was rocking so hard side to side I could barely keep it up right let alone off the road. You see the back tire blew, the tread come up and smacked me in the back of my head and I was mighty lucky to still be standing. It was one of them miracle moments when ya wonder how did I get that lucky.
Well, not that lucky I guess it was a sunday, at 5 pm no chance of anyone being open then, this lovely 2 lane road bikers were passing me and not one stopped or slowed or even noticed I had an issue. Then when there wasn't any traffic there were on cows standing there cleaning their noses. The only person whom stopped was a guy in a red jeep, he went and got me help finding a garage up with a flatbed. The flat bed showed up the bike was loaded I was in the cab the dude say where to? I guess neartest bike shop that fixes flats or puts on new tires. I ended up in Winchester HD, on the way there the driver offered to take me on a date, really? But yep, a date wtf man that's not what I was looking for at all, I gave him the biggest hate man face and I could see him mentally covering his jewels. I got a hotel room and my bike had new tread on her sometime in the early afternoon the ride home would we very easy.
OK, lesson one, make sure seat bolts are on tight after having them off. Lesson two to silly gals should not thunder down the highway on fancy bikes in the rain. Lesson three make sure Joann doesn't have a lot of work to do the weekend ya want to visit her. Lesson four have a charged cell phone handy. Oh that's the part I didn't tell you about. Well the cows were staring at me with their tongues up their noses as the rest of the herd was coming over to see what was going on, ya know cows are like that right. Nothing like entertaining the abbot milk employees, at that point I whip out my phone and it has like 10 seconds of charge on it. I call Joann and say "hey joann I need help" is all she got, the phone was completely dead. So there I sat. Other than the silliness of the trip It was a much needed brake. I got to see how folks do bike shoots, I got to experience more about custom painting. And can't wait to get home to rent the patriot and see that plantation home in the movie. It was really the break I needed so I was ready to face the soon to be ex again. Have a great one "T"
More to follow
I found myself at 39 back at may parents house. I also found that I would be having a three day and 1/2 weekend, so I called Joann and said can I come to visit. She said really do you have to ask? So when I got done work at 1pm, I left Sewell New Jersey and head for points south. I took 295, over the Delaware Memorial Bridge, through Baltimore, then took 495 around Washington DC. That right there folks is taking your life in your hands be it on a bike or a car. I think for most of this ride I was on the shoulder as I was beginning run down and I was doing 85 and not willing to go too much faster, them folks is nuts! From 495 now I could look on the map but I took the route that shoots out to Haggerstown from there hit 83/1 south. When 77 came up I got off on 77 south, through Charolette on 465 is it? got off on 16 and went in to WaxHaw where she lives. I was welcomed and then I crashed. I was just beat from the ride I think I got in about 10 pm or there abouts.
The next morning I got up and walk down the gravel driveway and just looked around the area the smell of pine was heavy and shhh up the road deer were crossing the street from the farmers field. I made my way back to the work shed, if ya visit Joann there is always some work she has that has to be done and this day was no different. I walked through the door of the shed, without knocking cause she didn't hang a mask on the door, so I knew it would be ok to walk in on her. She slapped some sand paper and a gas tank in my hand and said, "good your up make yourself useful. Before we go anywhere I've got to at least spray some primer and one base coat before we go. I sat and sanded and sanded what felt like hours, but really was an hour, then she handed be a front fender and a mask as she took the tank from me and said, "your getting better at this" then went into the both to spray. I placed my mask on as she shut the door. Having technicolored snot is really a strange site so I'll wear the mask cause some of the spray does escape the little room. I finished up with the front fender and she took that along with the back fender into the booth.
We went back in the house made coffee ate breakfast and babbled a little while then she went back out to spray the 2nd coat on the pieces. We'll go out for a short ride then come back and sand them again you know the drill, oh I have to shoot my chopper so you want to out there? I was too sure about this but where is there? "Oh, just over the border about an hour I found this great old plantation as a back drop. I said, "yeah sure, no problem, its all back roads right?" "Yep, I didn't what you to have to deal with traffic." Joann said. Well I had to borrow a back pack and put me warm gear and rain gear in it since these bikes aren't exactly equipped to do work. They are meant to be ridden and look very pretty.
We mounted up and cruised the backwoods of North Carolina for like 20 minutes until we crossed over to South Carolina. We fueled up and she asked if I was good, " a little late, but I'm ok" I said. she pulled out the map from her fork bag and checked it and off we went down some road for about 10 minutes then made a few turns. We ended up at a T intersection, I just stopped the bike in the middle of the road and got off and we both looked at the map. "she looked at me and said what the hell" I say," were in the south right folks is patient" LOL! We got back on track and she just sees this little store and locks it up to get in the driveway. "WTF, ya want to give a little warning first!" I yell, here the seat bolt came out of the seat and she felt it wriggling around. So there we are in a little tiny town, in front of this old store with wooden walk way and it just happens to be a gun shop LOL! We go in asking if there are any bolt so big, the guy come out with a coffee can of nuts and bolts and dumps it on the ground. All three of us are looking at the bolts and I grab one, he grabs it from my and and says, "no that's not right sweetheart ya gotta have the man's eye and that you don't have." He tries like three bolts, and I grabbed the one I had in my hand the first time and dam if it wasn't the right one.
One problem diverted and we are on our way. I didn't tell you how creepy that was though, the guys were just really very strange though helpful just off, but me being from the north it could just be my perception. We get to the plantation and line the bikes up do some shoot in front of this big ole' place, then move them back by the fence, to old oak tree the home next to us, when we notice the door to this old grade estate open. Well, ya know we had to go in there right? Man the stair case was awesome, the big fire places and palor, then we went up them 100+ year old rickety steps. What fantastic rooms, glass door knobs, them old latches on the door and real narrow closets. The place was empty. Joann being an art photo journalist as well as custom bike and car painter was just gaga over the place taken all kind of shots of the place. Once again down stairs we went out the back of the house, it was weird ya kind of walked on a porch thing to get there, as soon as we opened the doors we looked at each other I said man this looks familiar, she agreed didn't know where we'd seen it. Well don't ya know it the historical society comes along and makes us get out of the place you see it was under renovations and the stairs weren't stable and they didn't want us on them LOL! We walked around out side then went up to the visitor center.
Had that V8 moment, duh hanging right there on the wall was a plaque from the film industry thanking the Plantation for allowing them to use the house and grounds in the filming of The Patriot. We need to come back and visit again we both agreed. To this date haven't returned yet. We began our journey home, and well if ya live in the south the late afternoon usually little rain storms are present or pop up thunderstorms. Yep you guessed it on our fly home it began to rain and rain heavy, so Joann decided super slabbing it would be the best way to go. Man It sucks in the rain with out a windsheild. It didn't matter that I had me rain gear on it was raining so hard that the rain was rolling right down my neck and soaking the front of me. We I do believe were going somewhere around 80 when I pull up close and yell back lights is out, I had to ride kind of close to her light out heavy rain no one could see her from behind. We are jamming alone when we see this big fuzzy thing in the road. You know how them little candles are on the front of them choppers, so by the time we saw it it was too late. Up and over we went thumping down on the other side of it, LOL! Now if ya never ridden a hardtail how you go over the unavoidable bumps is a little different on a cruiser. First arms straight firm grip, lean back a bit and stand slightly on the pegs or your in a wold of hurting for sure.
She looks over and shrugs her shoulders and makes a gesture. Hell I don't know what it was, but it was part for the course wasn't now. As we pulled in to her garage, got off the bikes her husband looks at them and shakes his head. He spends that night cleaning a polishing them, we go on to the porch and pull off the boots and pour out the rain. "Ya now, I should know better than go anywhere with you. It is always one weird thing after another." says joann. I told her "everthing is better when wet right." She say "no". We get warmed up and go back to the shop and finish up sanding the tanks and fenders. Then next day we sit in her shop as she sprays out the design of the bike, I end up doing taping, and some stencile work, then she sprayed some base coat. We babbled and worked in the shed most of that day, and I ended up going into Charlotte and picking up some pieces she had at the clear coater, she wanted to try something new. I left the next day. I took 77 up to 83/81 whatever that dam road is, just outside of Winchester Virginia while I was doing 75 in the left hand lane, thawck happens. The bike was rocking so hard side to side I could barely keep it up right let alone off the road. You see the back tire blew, the tread come up and smacked me in the back of my head and I was mighty lucky to still be standing. It was one of them miracle moments when ya wonder how did I get that lucky.
Well, not that lucky I guess it was a sunday, at 5 pm no chance of anyone being open then, this lovely 2 lane road bikers were passing me and not one stopped or slowed or even noticed I had an issue. Then when there wasn't any traffic there were on cows standing there cleaning their noses. The only person whom stopped was a guy in a red jeep, he went and got me help finding a garage up with a flatbed. The flat bed showed up the bike was loaded I was in the cab the dude say where to? I guess neartest bike shop that fixes flats or puts on new tires. I ended up in Winchester HD, on the way there the driver offered to take me on a date, really? But yep, a date wtf man that's not what I was looking for at all, I gave him the biggest hate man face and I could see him mentally covering his jewels. I got a hotel room and my bike had new tread on her sometime in the early afternoon the ride home would we very easy.
OK, lesson one, make sure seat bolts are on tight after having them off. Lesson two to silly gals should not thunder down the highway on fancy bikes in the rain. Lesson three make sure Joann doesn't have a lot of work to do the weekend ya want to visit her. Lesson four have a charged cell phone handy. Oh that's the part I didn't tell you about. Well the cows were staring at me with their tongues up their noses as the rest of the herd was coming over to see what was going on, ya know cows are like that right. Nothing like entertaining the abbot milk employees, at that point I whip out my phone and it has like 10 seconds of charge on it. I call Joann and say "hey joann I need help" is all she got, the phone was completely dead. So there I sat. Other than the silliness of the trip It was a much needed brake. I got to see how folks do bike shoots, I got to experience more about custom painting. And can't wait to get home to rent the patriot and see that plantation home in the movie. It was really the break I needed so I was ready to face the soon to be ex again. Have a great one "T"
More to follow
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)