Two Ways Too Lose Spark...........

Posted by Tumbles on 11/30/2009 1:37:08 PM

Alright folks its back to the ride blogs. It was Sunday and I had been debating if I wanted to go with the ladies and do a chick ride thing that is done once a month. Since I moved here in Florida I have found it hard to meet people, no one trusts anyone. I tried and tried but now I think I found a group to ride with that are all ladies so there's there's no bs with in the ride. I enjoy getting out with this group they truely are all interesting woman and the stories are just amazing. This sunday they had me share a piece of my life and I hope it didn't send them running. It scares me and I lived it god's sake....... Anyway the ride started at 8am for me.. I had to brave the elements of the early morning hours to make it to Jacksonville to meet the first group of ladies. If I tell you it was 37 please don't laugh all you northern folks, I have been here 5 years now and it was dam cold to me. (Weather Pussy) I didn't wear chaps or even plug in my electric gear. I went with just my pull over and gloves. I pulled out ot the small alley that I live in waving bye to Perri, a neighbor, then headed out on A!A. The sun was high enough at this time to sparkle and dance off the ocean's waves. The view always takes my breath away, and each time thankful to be able to enjoy the vies. I headed down the back of the island where the wild life refuse is located. Beaks has a very small sign its easy to miss but I think of all the good work is done there. I continued around the round abouts and crossed the Amelia River bridge I was no longer on my island. There Hecksure Dr. winds across several bridges and hops over small islands. It will take one right to 9a and 9a will take one south in to Jacksonville. First I will stop at the gate station and get fuel. I hate not showing up to a ride with out a full tank that is RUDE. While there I caused a sene just by being me. Left the station with a few guys wondering why they left their bikes home, when the day will be lovely. I meet Carla of the Road Queens, from there we traved over to the west side, then down to Green jCove Springs. Most ot the other ladies backed otu but the 6 of us just road and enjoyed life. Once the gals all found out where I lived they believed I had already done a ride. Me I can go for ever. Marylou lead. She took us down and round some really lovely country roads. The area was located in lake country. She stopped at her house before we continued south. What can I say her house is beautiful. Hard wood floors, large suare rooms, The house backed up to a lake now that rocked. I can imagine a more restful place to be. After potty break, smoke, and juice em up break we were off again to the resturant call Blue Highway. We got a bench outside and waited, and waited. Meanwhile just babbled and chatted away. I could feel a good case of the crakie coming on. I would say so because it was over an hour before the food came. Now Dallas ordered a salad, the size of that salad I gave her 1/2 my sandwich, Mia orderd a large salad the size of that was shockingly small. The other ladies had these turnover things is the best thing I can think of. There was discussion of other rides, dreams, life sucks moments and general sillyness. The ladies want to rebiker name me "Pippy" but I've got a name that has been mine for over twenty years two old gents gave me Tumbleweed. If I go back to NJ and they see me it will be yelled out with great vigor. Anyway we paid the bill and left. As we were suiting up, some more than others, we did the group photo thing. Then all got on our bikes and lined up to leave. We all started and began motion as one towards the driveway, all but Marylou. She just sat there shaking her head. I walked over after Mia and found that Marylou had no spark. She left her ignition on and drained the battery. Gee, sounds fimiliar doesn't it. Oh it was dead dead. We discussed bump starting the bike. Her question was is it easy.......no, it has a help of akick so be prepared when ya grab the clutch its jerky. However I wasn't sure this was going to work because I couldn't hear the oil pump or gas pump. We lined up to try and push start the thing, when I saw the sign, Ocala 24 miles. Hell, they are open sundays right. Call them they can bring a jump start thing if not they can trailer it and we don't have to kill ourselves pushing. Marlou or "Sparky" as I know call her, called Ocala and they came and got her with in 20 minutes. She wanted us all to ride home, because of the lateness of the day and was worried about me getting home. Please. We consulted the map. At first they were like what the hell is in those bags. When I gave them the list you could see their faces, a map, tools, tire pressure gage, rain gear. what the hell for. I say its just in case I have enough bullshit and say I'm out here and just take off. After all ya never know when that can happen. We read the map and picked some really lovely back roads. Carla needed gas badly so we stopped along the way at some place that was the corner gas station bar, convience story town meeting center. Perfect, now matter what there is always a scene. The guy behing the counter wanted to hug me and kiss me?????? he wanted to get me beer. a diamond ring???? he said he just wanted to do anything for me....LOL! We got gas was invited to several different bars in the area. What the hell middle of florida and 4 chicks on bikes show up who could blame them. At that point one of the ladies was sore from an accident and wanted to get home. Her boots got tangled in her cargo net and caused her to go boom. Now that's smooth. LOL! Honey I hope your ok. Any way we booked home. Each lady pulling off at her seperation point. I was down to one heading over the dam's point as the sun was fading as fast as the temps. were. The ride was good I called everyone. they were home. called a few friends and saved one of interest. He told me I no longer held his interest. How fast to guys change their minds. That's ok I look at it as just another life's lessons. Two day lost spark for two reasons, however id dosen't mean it wasn't a good day. I had a great time and look forward to riding with the girls again. As far as the dude, well I want a good man that has great courage, strength and is truely into me now that's what spark is all about. Til the next ride happy motoring and have a great one! "T"

Drained...........

Posted by Tumbles on 11/17/2009 6:44:37 PM Ok, so here it is Saturday in november great day lots of sunshine loe 80's, and a friend that wanted to go somewhere. So, lets go! I wanted to get another deck of Tarot cards, I think that they are just plan fun and that there are so many out. Anyway, I did some house cleaning in prep for Sundays roasted chicken dinner I was having for friends. I got ready to out and was very excited. K and I were going down to St. Augustine. I know its not far and I've been there many times but each time I go I try to see something else. The city historic distrct has been around since the 1400. So much history has taken place there. It is hard to run out of new things to see and do. We took one of the tour trains this time. The tour took me places that I have never seen before and I look forward to revisiting them and taking my time. Ok, it gets better just settle down after all this is my ride blog and I promise you won't be disappointe. Anyway aftet the tour we head off to potions and notions for the cards. They didn't have the deck I was looking for which was ok so we decided to go to hooked on harry's which is an awesome place to get some food. Hooked on Harry's has this great outdoor garden area. In the evenings the trees light up and it has a very romantic atmosphere. Which is perfect when your self daying your self. What better way to indulage yourself right. Nice Icey cold beer and spicy shrip, in a fragrent garden with garden lights and a warm evening. It was very nice relaxing and peace full. All the diners were quitely chattng away and in the distant background the birds were signing their last day songs. All the while there was something just draining away. We strolled from harrys' and walked around a little bit. I was so full, I haven't eaten that much in a while. Then after a stoll down the small city streets it was time to head back to the fort where I parked. There is a motorcycle meter there that doesn't work so that's were I always park. We get geared up, and hop on the bikes and gerrrgerrrgerr, I stoped right there I knew waht that sound wasl Yea man you got it, The battery was dying. I didn't hit it again because I knew what was the point, it didn't have enough juice to kick it over. So, I aked the returing bikers that were also getting ready to leave. None could help, so I called the local dealer in St. Augustine. Their clain to fame is we are know for great service. They said sure if you can get the bike here we can get ya a new battery. Don't need a new battery I just need a jump. The dude said he'd find out if they had a jump battery. Meanwhile I call HOG for roadside assitance. The guy fro St. Augustine HD calls back they don't have a jump battery. me I said bullshit but thank your for not helping. Road side ass. said it would be about 4 hours before someone could help, they also asked if I was in a safe area. I was. I sat there for a bit, and thought this out, I knew I had enough juice to turn the oil pump and the fuel pump, but not enought to start the thing.....so k and I decided to bumbp start it. The things like 900 lbs, I'm just a lttlet person and k well she's not that much bigger, so here we go two dumb bithches pushing a big road king around a parking lot to get it up to speed. Somewhere during this time K adds in ya should have bought a Honda. A what??? Fuck that I'd rather push my harley then own a honda. really deep down in side I was thinking no shit.......LOL! she and I pushed and pushed and pushed. Biker after biker after biker passed us by not once offereing help. Just goes to show you how most of you bikers are showboat bikers. Anyway a couple of fired up young men helped us push and push and push, they said dam this thing is heavy, not shit, anyway between the four of us we got he thing bumb started. Folks I just want to say this is something that you do not want to do, it was not funn and 3 days later I feel like I was hit by a car all over again. I have learned many things in this life. I have found that not panicking is the best and that I will always be given what I need just not when I want it. Thanks guys I know eventually k and I would have gotten the started but I'm glad we didn't have to kill ourselves to do it. For those who passed by or looked confused, thanks a shit load to you folks too.................."T" Posted by Tumbles on 11/17/2009 6:44:37 PM

Ok, so here it is Saturday in november great day lots of sunshine loe 80's, and a friend that wanted to go somewhere. So, lets go! I wanted to get another deck of Tarot cards, I think that they are just plan fun and that there are so many out. Anyway, I did some house cleaning in prep for Sundays roasted chicken dinner I was having for friends. I got ready to out and was very excited. K and I were going down to St. Augustine. I know its not far and I've been there many times but each time I go I try to see something else. The city historic distrct has been around since the 1400. So much history has taken place there. It is hard to run out of new things to see and do. We took one of the tour trains this time. The tour took me places that I have never seen before and I look forward to revisiting them and taking my time. Ok, it gets better just settle down after all this is my ride blog and I promise you won't be disappointe. Anyway aftet the tour we head off to potions and notions for the cards. They didn't have the deck I was looking for which was ok so we decided to go to hooked on harry's which is an awesome place to get some food. Hooked on Harry's has this great outdoor garden area. In the evenings the trees light up and it has a very romantic atmosphere. Which is perfect when your self daying your self. What better way to indulage yourself right. Nice Icey cold beer and spicy shrip, in a fragrent garden with garden lights and a warm evening. It was very nice relaxing and peace full. All the diners were quitely chattng away and in the distant background the birds were signing their last day songs. All the while there was something just draining away. We strolled from harrys' and walked around a little bit. I was so full, I haven't eaten that much in a while. Then after a stoll down the small city streets it was time to head back to the fort where I parked. There is a motorcycle meter there that doesn't work so that's were I always park. We get geared up, and hop on the bikes and gerrrgerrrgerr, I stoped right there I knew waht that sound wasl Yea man you got it, The battery was dying. I didn't hit it again because I knew what was the point, it didn't have enough juice to kick it over. So, I aked the returing bikers that were also getting ready to leave. None could help, so I called the local dealer in St. Augustine. Their clain to fame is we are know for great service. They said sure if you can get the bike here we can get ya a new battery. Don't need a new battery I just need a jump. The dude said he'd find out if they had a jump battery. Meanwhile I call HOG for roadside assitance. The guy fro St. Augustine HD calls back they don't have a jump battery. me I said bullshit but thank your for not helping. Road side ass. said it would be about 4 hours before someone could help, they also asked if I was in a safe area. I was. I sat there for a bit, and thought this out, I knew I had enough juice to turn the oil pump and the fuel pump, but not enought to start the thing.....so k and I decided to bumbp start it. The things like 900 lbs, I'm just a lttlet person and k well she's not that much bigger, so here we go two dumb bithches pushing a big road king around a parking lot to get it up to speed. Somewhere during this time K adds in ya should have bought a Honda. A what??? Fuck that I'd rather push my harley then own a honda. really deep down in side I was thinking no shit.......LOL! she and I pushed and pushed and pushed. Biker after biker after biker passed us by not once offereing help. Just goes to show you how most of you bikers are showboat bikers. Anyway a couple of fired up young men helped us push and push and push, they said dam this thing is heavy, not shit, anyway between the four of us we got he thing bumb started. Folks I just want to say this is something that you do not want to do, it was not funn and 3 days later I feel like I was hit by a car all over again. I have learned many things in this life. I have found that not panicking is the best and that I will always be given what I need just not when I want it. Thanks guys I know eventually k and I would have gotten the started but I'm glad we didn't have to kill ourselves to do it. For those who passed by or looked confused, thanks a shit load to you folks too.................."T"

A Blog about Riding.....

Posted by Tumbles on 11/9/2009 1:16:12 PM

Alright now don't be getting yourselves all worked up. I can tell you all honestly right now this ride blog nothing really exciting happened, I didn't go anywhere fantastic. Nothing amazing happened. It was just a peacful ride. I've had a pretty depressing time peroid. It seems that a nother friends father passed on but this man it was a great relief for him to pass. I know that's really horrible thing to say but its just how I see it. I really didn't know him all that well at all not like I knew Moe. But he had cancer, it took the doctors 3 months to take the man to surgery to remove the tumor and when they finially decided to do so after the PET scan his mass grew 5 times the size it was originally. All I can say DUH Doctors DUH. Cancer cell grow faster and multiply faster than regular cells and waiting 3 months to decide to do durgery, To wait until the patients life is serously compromised, not to mention the high stress knowing that you have a mass that is growing inside for 3 months. How the hell should the family feel, how should the paitent feel? I am angry about this at the moment and I really dont' know why I can't explain it. I myself am 2 time cancer survior. I can't imagine having to wait so long for the medical community to help. Me I was rushed along faster than I could keep up. Hell, I had surgery the first time 4 days after the discovery of the mass, a double luman port placed, and a round of chemo all scheduled in less than a weeks time. I was doing research on the type of cancer I had when the second surgery took place and radiations started. But here this man sat there the doctors and hospital should be ashamed of themselves. Shads, Shads they brag in their TV commercials how they are team up with UF for the best cancer treatment one can recieve. Bullshit Is what I have to say. They dropped the ball big time and I still will say the south is 10 - 15 years behind in medical research. Don't even try to change my mind if your from the south and in the medical field. This man should have had a biopsy done, gotten results, scheduled for surgery, chemo started, and an attack plann formed not getting the run around, Its a small lump that's growing we need it to grow to ist full potential before we remove. What the hell is that? Is that what they are teaching Oncologists nowL? Is this what the great UF teaches? If someone can explain it to me why he had to wait then I'll listen. There was not heart disease, kidney failure, diabetis, just no poor health conditions that the needed to wait for. the reason it took so long is someone dropped the ball. Plan and simple. Anyway I had that on my mind I guess and needed to get it out. I guess I dont' really have a right to be angry because its not my dad, but Cory is my friend and I'm angry for her and her family so they can concentrate on the grieving process. I will not encourage lawsuit or anything like that but if the family wishes to pursue I will encourgae and help them with the reasearch to slap these doctors attitudes that we are the lastest in all the land but we stood by and did nothing while waching a man die, because we are UF and shands the finest cancer treatment in North Florida. If there is medical malpractice I will help them and encourgae. Why?? because it could easily be me or you....that's why. If they don't persue I won't either. I'm angry for all the patients that sit with out help now. Most of all I'm affraid for myself, will I need to go back north to be treated properly or with in reason? Well thank goodness there's the Mayo Clinic and my current insuance does allow me to go there. I guess this really was a rant and not a ride. Let me come back later and write about my ride, I will go to the beach now and play with my foster kids inorder to work though my sudden anger about this topic. have a great day! "T

Before Your Time

Posted by Tumbles on 11/7/2009 7:07:17 PM

I try to write a blog every week about a ride event that went on or where I went something about the ride. However last weekend I never posted anything there was so much going. I should have had something to post. Hell the weekend started out with A1A on friday evening packed on the way to the beaches becuase of the Georgia/ Florida game. Saturday night was Halloween, then there was the time change and don't forget a full moon. There are some big event going on there that I should have some funny great story towrit about. Thurday night I carved the pumpkin, it was a really big one and made an awesome Jack-o-lantern. I carved it old school. My neighbors did theirs new school with those cool pumpkin carving kts. I roasted the pumpkin seeds and currently muching on them. Hell the alley I live on had a combined halloween party, and I went as a St. Paule Girl, which was cute as hell, however I 'd rather wear my pirates costume but I loanded that out. So what am I writing about? Not any of those things, well maybe a little. There was something that happened that effected me more than any of those fun things. I didn't realize how much until last night. My friend who is a good friend her father passed. One ould think that it was great relief to see him go. He was a very sick man. He had several disease and the treatment for each diseae was contraindcated to another. I never met a man that was so relaxed and comfortable with himself. I'm sure in his younger days he could have been a bastard if crossed, but then what young man isn't? He fought in a war. He was in the navy and serived his country proudly. He travel with his young family all over the country and globe. Where every he was stationed his family was there too. K has some of the most interesting memories as a child she can talk about growing up in Cuba, California, New Jersey, Germany, California and oklahoma. I knew him in his later years. I never once saw him without a smile. When in his presence you could feel his ease and comfort, kindness, and how at peace he was with all that was around him. He appeared a very happy man. Moe, had dibeatis, then the problems with kidneys started. he didn't like any of the treatments but went and tolerated them. Then it happened he got an insect bite on his foot, because of poor circulation, he soon develpoed a big sore that just wouldn't heal. In the end he lost his leg from the knee down. Even then I never saw the man with out a smile, or good workd. When you looked at him you knew he was completly satisfied with his life. He ended up in the hopsital, had shortness of breath. He was now diagnosed with heart disease and hypertention. None of his treatments agreed with another. He after mild stress test was told his heart only had 60 function and his time was limited. Just two weeks ago I went to diner with them at the Crabcake Factory in Jacksonville. There his was playimng and teasing with Jill a family friend and waitress there. All I can say is what a flirt. Still there he was in his wheel chair, wife, daughter and two friends of the family just smiling, at at total ease. I never knew a man more satisfied, more happy, and content. Just days later I learned of his passing. I sit here now with tears running down my face. K was surprised how upset she was, she was shocked at how well her mother was holding up. Me what I learned from Moe is I hope that I will come to the point in my life that I am completely satisfied with my life, at peace with life and just happy because. We are all given time, and none of us know how short that time is, time will waits for no one and what we do with that time is what is important. My deepest sympathies to the family. He is a man that will be missed. Rest in Peace. "T"

Long Winding Nowhere

long wnding nowhere......... [Edit | Delete] Posted by Tumbles on 10/26/2009 4:22:00 PM

I don't know why I picked that as a title but we shall see where this ride blog takes us shall we? I signed on here at Biker or Not a couple of years ago then deactivated my membership. I had a profile on here about 6 months and really no inquires so I let it go. I don't know why but I've reactivated my membership about a month ago and I'm glad I did. I really am interested in meeting other folks that ride not only in my home area but in other areas as well. I'm a self dater so I date myself for no one else will. These are the stories of my rides, my meets and of self dating. I am my own best friend and don't mind spending time with myself which is a good thing because if you can't stand yourself who are you going to stand? I don't think I'm a bad person or need a bag or anything but I've just come to the conclustion that guys just don't like me. What they think they like about me, they end up hating. I am independent and that seems to be a giant problem. I solve my own problems, take care of business myself and if someone helps me yes I am grateful. However I don't need to hear how one has helped me in one matter a hundrend times..... I just say thank you just like everyone else and wonder what can I do to make that persons world a little nicer. Yea me too that's where I'm going..where in the hell did riding go in this one? Anyway, I reactivated my membership to give this site another try and I am glad I did. I have to realize that friendships take time espically the deep ones. Some folks you meet they are here for the day, some are here for the a shortwhile and others well they are in your life for duration and you can never say how or when that will happen. I have a few folks here I babble with on line. I can't help myself I love people. I like learning about the different areas they live in and differnt jobs and their stories.... man the stories. We all got past some are good some are bad but they make us who we are are today. They help us march towards our futures. I shall stay here and see who will stay for the day a short peroid and be will be blessed with the few that stay for the duration. Crash & Ms. Toni Thank you! Road Queens thank you for allowing me to join your ride. OK, back to the scene of the crimes. I rejoined about three weeks ago and said what the hey and e-mailed a lady about a ride. She invited me to her site to check it out. I loged on and said yea I'll go. What the hell the group was out of Jacksonville and me I'm in Fernandina so that isn't that far. The ride was to Savannaha GA. Why not that's a couple hour ride and they were going to Tybee island and a Lighthouse. Lighthouses are one of my favorite places in history. The romance of the seas. I arranged to meet them on Beach and 9A. Since the meet was in Jacksonville which is an hour away I had to leave by 9am. The day had started the sun just coming over the horizon as I was getting ready to leave. The hour 7:45am. I decided to go and get a pullover since it was about 46 degrees out. I added a warmer T-Shirt too. wraped a bandana around my neck and made ready. The sun had come up by the time I was done fussing around and headed south. I could see the golden rays of sun dancing across the waves surface as I headed out of town. I waved Hi to wayne a neighbor of mine on the way out. I took Hecksher drive to Jacksonville. Anyone in the area can tell you what a lovely ride it is. Sometimes you can see the big navel ships leaving, cargo ships leaving and everyonce in awhile the carnival crusise ship going out to see. I went over the dam's point bridge and meet with the two riders that were waiting. Both dressed in Leather for us here in Florida it is leather weather. We meet planned the ride and almost left. However we needed to make one stop for Ms. Ton needed a lid. Ok here we are all outside of Crash's house Ms Ton with her new alien lid and they vote me to lead. Ok, I've done this before no problem. Except we are in Jacksonville and I really have no idea where I am. They help me get to the dam's point bridge and north we go. We headed off on Alta road which comes to a T intersection on 17 just south of Nassau County. We continued north over the border and well into Georgia. Every time I look at that peach that says "glad you got georgia on your mind" it makes me think of a an ass. I'm sorry but at 65 it really doesn't look like a peach. We find ourselves in Brunswick Ga. We stop for gas, gloves, potty and just basic chaos. Why do goldwing riders leave their bikes at the pump when they get gas? Why do people think we except the fact they say we did see you and that makes it ok? Why di folks look at lady riders like they are alien? Ok, maybe it was Ms Toni's helmet. While we were at the stop we all agreed that it got colder and decided to head back south where it would be warmer and toni could get rid of her helmet. Ok so now where are going south down 17 looking for some biker bar in Georgia somewhere that I haven't heard of so I have no idea where I'm going right? So what the hell I'm the perfect person to lead right? I guess theat's the lady thought process ...anyway we find the place but its closed. No biggie big we continue south on 17 and soon are upon the St. Mary's river and that little blue bridges that says home. Ok, so on the other side of the bridges there's a sign that says Florida but that's besides the point. We stopped at the tavern on 17 known as the 17 tavern. While were in there we babble eat peanuts and discuss where to go next. Ah to the Golden ox on Monument road in Jacksonville. Oh but first they decide they needed to stop at the redneck yahett club. I personall can't help myself so when asked are ya eating peanuts, are you eating peanuts? I had to yes Yes I'm eating peanuts because they don't serve pussy at the bar. Yea that didit, If we didn't have enough attentions we did now so we left for the redneck. Just a short shot down 17 we pulled into renis. The band was playing and I don't so girls were dancing round that couldn't through their chests out there any further if they tried. I was affraid they weregoing to pull their backs out with the way they were standing. Hell don't ya know I saw clients there. Of course we had to talk about fluffy and what needed to be done. Dam I was hoping to sneek by without anyone I know seeing me. I guess not in such a small town area. At this point we were off to the golden ox. Not a biker bar but its a bar. We walked in and Ms Toni knew just about everyone there. She introduced us and we got down to raiseing or maybe lowering the bar there. Any way we left with only hurting a few of the regulars. so now that's its almost dark with go to the rooster. Perfect. We hit the rooster it looked like it might have been a really great day there.. We didn't get to see the band but did dance on the poll anyway. We walked around the other ladies were well known me no one really knows me except for Im dam cute in the hat. whatever. i got a free T-Shirt, a butt pat, and offer to go home with some guy and his wife, and a dam babe you ride that??? All in all it was a very good day and now that the sun was below the horizon it was time to go home. The temps dropped very fast and I had like 2 hours to go before I was home. I was surprised when both the ladies said they'd ride with me again. Me I'd ride with them they were all right and not bad riders at all. Now what will next week bring. After all its halloween. have a great one! "T"

North Carolina................. Posted by Tumbles on 10/19/2009 8:32:31 PM

OK folks so here it is... all of you went to daytona here in the great state of florida. I know that many of you that don't live here went too, I saw the transport trucks, trailers and other riders heading South when I was Heading North. It starts with taking some time off I've got 4 days to be exact. The boss closed the hospital for the weekend so I added one more day just for me! I took Friday off, so I left in the am hours, ok it was grey but warm. So it was no big deal. If we florida riders worried about a little rain that may or may not fall we would never go anywhere. I left somewhere around 9am like I said earlier is was ok, up A1A to 95 north its a long ride so super slab it is the way to go together. I got through Georgia with no problems, which is strange right there. Somewhere at the GA/SC border it got cold then wet and stayed that way well up into NC. All I can say is I stopped for a 1& 1/2 hours on the side of 95 because I just couldn't see. yep that was fun, but sure enough the heavey rain did stop and off I went to 26. Along the way I did something that I have never done while traveling. I stoped like every 50 miles due to freezing to death. Usually I go every 100 but I was just so dam cold. I got to 77 and headed north. I t was about 3pm late almost 6 hours it usually takes 6 hours to get there and I still had about 2 hours to go, the dam rain and cold. I call crazy horse for directions to be sure she starts naming off possible roads to help me shorten my time. 200 hundred I heard that and rememberd it. A few minutes more like 45 minutes I see 200 so I took it and called her to get directions from there. Now she has moved since my last visit and I need to find her in the backwoods somewhere. She gave me directions follow 200, to shilow unity, turn at the gas station and wait for me at the old store with the broken gas pump. yea ok. her boyfriend stated I'll never find the dam place or shilow unity roadl Ha he doesn't know me does he. Well I was cruising along and I do have to admit for some reason wasn't as confident as I usually am. I turned around twice on 200 to be sure I took the right turn. 200 turns several times and really is a backwoods road. Sure enought found shilow unity road and yes did turn at the right gas station and even found the old store with the broken pump. Called her she came to where I was and brought me back down to her new place down a gravel road, dirt road, and well grass thing call road. it was 7pm I was freezing and dawg trired. sanded and went to bed. I got up about 7;30am and sanded, did I mention I was freezing. The god sons were there but I had to go sand before we went to pick pumpkins, we went for a hayride petting zoo and back home to sand and carve pumpkins, then sand, roast seeds then sand eat then sand, drink a cocktail then sand talk then sand, don't worry while I was sanding in the leanto she was applying a coat of airbrush. more putty was applied and sanding continued even druring babble time, of couse I sanded before sleep. I went to bed and most likely sanded in my sleep. Now everytime I visit her I know there is work to be done and sanding is it, ists just that I forget that stuff. Sunday moring I woke up and sanded did I mention I was freezing so I was sent to go sand to warm up????? Today we road out into the foot hills of the smokeys to see fall foliage and to visit the lake house, did I mention I had to sand before we left. Out ride started out at 42degrees and well didn't get better than that. Since the lake house was more or less a fish camp there's no heat so we built a fire and babbled around the fire, and thank go no sanding but I did have to gather wood for a fire to keep warm. We rode home in 30 degrees did I mention I live in florida, did I mention when we got home I had to go sand before I could put my bike away, then sand after my bike was away, before diner I had to sand then all night while we had adult cocktales I sanded. Monday 29 what the hell, I'm from florida It didn't matter I had to go finish my sanding job before I could leave! I left at 32 degrees, rode out freezing and it never got better from there. I can't complain I got to work on some really beautiful bikes and car parts I will get pictures of all of them when they are finished. On of the projects I sanded will be featured in easyriders so that is an honor. I think the last bike I worked on was the Today show bike. I love hanging with crazyhorse and watching how much goes into her paint. Guys if you ever need good custom paint or are thinking about it it visit www.crazyhorsepainting.com and see her work. She is a true artist and does an excellent job. If you do choose her to paint your bike, work with her on the design and take her advice, she will give you what you want just do pester her for the person you could be hurting is me..,,,LOL! I got to see the leaves change, carve pumpkins work on wonderful bikes had a great ride, met awesome people, so what more could a weekend be. Thank you for having me "T oh yea I learned what a teenage boy's arm feels like

Last Monument..................

I went riding this sunday, hey I kow just be patient. Anyway I went riding on suday looking for the lost citrus momnument in Lumberton FL. I got the idea from roadside america. They have a list of the lovely, horrible, increadeble and whys. I figure I'll get to see and know the state if I get out and explore it instead of staying at home and sitting on my ass. I don't really have anyone to ride with so I guess this is a form of entertainment in it's self. I'll be back with more got to get ready to start the daily grind. have a great one! "T"
Ok, yeah I know 2 weeks later and I'm back, I always finish what I start. It might not be in your time but it is in my time. Any way back to the lost monument. I guess I didn't realize how big Florida actualy is but I seem to always run out of time. I left somewhere around 8:30 am. I decided to take 95 for speed sake and that I have ridden A!A a few times and really try not to ride anything a ton of times to keep it interesting. Once on 95 twisted the throttle up and set cruise control. Did I tell you how much I love crusie control. I stopped once for gas and hit I4 west. As I headed west the skies got gray but it was stil warm in fact it was down right hot. I got to exit 32 and headed north towards 301.

Once on 301 I continued North and almost missed the monument. It looks just the the picture on road side america except much larger. It seems that the inscription has been filled in since the last report I guess the poor spelling is something the state did want us all to know about. I took a few shoots and watched as many motorcyclists passed by. I decided to head towards Mt. Dora for lunch. I took 44 east that turned into 19. This road, turned many times and needed to get fuel I was rather surprised to find out that I have already traveled some 200 miles.

I pulled into a BP station somewhere. Along the away there were serveral things that I wanted to shot, but maybe someother time. Those are things that belong in my what the fuck file. Anyway As I was getting ready to leave the gas station. and Old man started babbling with me. He was babbling all kinds of crap about bikes, ladies that ride and bad men. I'm really not sure where he was trying to lead me but I know I wasn't going. I made my exit with a comment times a wasting. I continued to follow 19 to Mt. Dora. They were small little hills but it surprised me that this was in florida. I m used to straight and flat , but here in this historic little section of town was hill. I at a place on the conor with indoor and outdoor seating. The foos was ok. I was surprised no wone talked to me. Usually I collect all the strange ones.

Anyway I left there and headed straight up 10 through Ocala National Forest. It' straight flat and hot really something hard to ride after eating. There is a really neat bridge there that is kind of long and there is the impression of being above the trees. I contiued up 19 to 17 the across to 9a then Heckshure drive. By this time the sun had slide behind the horizan a few hours before. When I got home the bike did a great job of insect control, I road 400 somemiles and was dog tired. I hope you have a grea day and remember to ride that ride. "T"