A strange turn of events would leave Thanksgiving wide open for a bike ride. We had the last family gathering the weekend before Thanksgiving so Kay throws out the suggestion that we surprise her dad and step mom for Thanksgiving. I'm all about it. We surprised them last year in Arp,TX for New Years (10 hours into the trip, we said "what if they're out of town" LOL!).
They live in Texas but are temporarily in Morrisville,NC for her dad, Gene's work. He is 70 and still working full time. We didn't know if they would even be there this time either but I reserved a room a couple of days prior and we agreed that if they were traveling home to Texas for Thanksgiving we would simply enjoy the ride for what it was minus seeing her dad. She did call at one of our stops and ask enough questions to confirm that they were in fact, in Morrisville and we figured out where they were staying without tipping our hand.
One thing I was concerned about was my back tire. The proposed trip was 534 miles one way. I knew the tire would get us out there. but felt like it be in the late stages of "maypop" before we got home. This was a shotgun trip Kay suggested. I wasn't figuring on going anywhere so I didn't know I would need a tire. It was too late to order, we would just have to be mindful of it.
If you read any of my trip journals you know that a "shotgun Trip" is where you decide to go one minute and you have 12-24 hours of planning before the rubber (what's left of it) meets the road.
Back story on Kay's new Firstgear one piece suit. I have tried so many combinations of multiple pieces and layers of gear in the quest to keep her warm in cool riding. Nothing up to this point has definitively worked. She has requested over and over for a one-piece suit. I finally did some research and found the First Gear One piece. It was on sale for $169. She was against spending that much but I read ALL the reviews and had a really good feeling about this. I thought "this could be the end game." I didn't care what it cost if it worked. I ordered it through http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/ .
We took a trial ride and she loved it! I used it for work one day prior to our trip and all I can say is WOW! Nothing gets through it. It is waterproof too. In sub freezing , all I had on was my jeans and long sleeve cotton shirt under it. I didn't use my heated gear or seat, no need.
They live in Texas but are temporarily in Morrisville,NC for her dad, Gene's work. He is 70 and still working full time. We didn't know if they would even be there this time either but I reserved a room a couple of days prior and we agreed that if they were traveling home to Texas for Thanksgiving we would simply enjoy the ride for what it was minus seeing her dad. She did call at one of our stops and ask enough questions to confirm that they were in fact, in Morrisville and we figured out where they were staying without tipping our hand.
One thing I was concerned about was my back tire. The proposed trip was 534 miles one way. I knew the tire would get us out there. but felt like it be in the late stages of "maypop" before we got home. This was a shotgun trip Kay suggested. I wasn't figuring on going anywhere so I didn't know I would need a tire. It was too late to order, we would just have to be mindful of it.
If you read any of my trip journals you know that a "shotgun Trip" is where you decide to go one minute and you have 12-24 hours of planning before the rubber (what's left of it) meets the road.
Back story on Kay's new Firstgear one piece suit. I have tried so many combinations of multiple pieces and layers of gear in the quest to keep her warm in cool riding. Nothing up to this point has definitively worked. She has requested over and over for a one-piece suit. I finally did some research and found the First Gear One piece. It was on sale for $169. She was against spending that much but I read ALL the reviews and had a really good feeling about this. I thought "this could be the end game." I didn't care what it cost if it worked. I ordered it through http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/ .
We took a trial ride and she loved it! I used it for work one day prior to our trip and all I can say is WOW! Nothing gets through it. It is waterproof too. In sub freezing , all I had on was my jeans and long sleeve cotton shirt under it. I didn't use my heated gear or seat, no need.
We got up and had breakfast. I love to catch the sunrise. It's a big deal to me to catch the first ray of light. I believe it to be special because it's the one that chases away the darkness. My trusty dog, Bitsy, best dog ever created , was confused that I was not at work and outside with her. I have never watched a sunrise quite like this one. The moon was at my back! The first picture is the moon.
It was about 9:30 when we left and about 48F. It would warm into the 60's and sunny. Great weather!
I decided we should take I-59 to I-75 to I-40. The alternative was going through Atlanta, and I am totally opposed to that nightmare.
It was a beautiful ride through the Cherokee National Forest and we never left the interstate. Went through a couple of tunnels too.
I decided we should take I-59 to I-75 to I-40. The alternative was going through Atlanta, and I am totally opposed to that nightmare.
It was a beautiful ride through the Cherokee National Forest and we never left the interstate. Went through a couple of tunnels too.
We went to a very unique Cracker Barrel . You don't ever see the words unique and Cracker Barrel in the same sentence because they are all virtual carbon copies. This store layout was different. Had decorative metal entrance doors, different floors and floor plan. We were seated in the area that would be the porch at your standard CB but this one was partially closed in like a sun room add-on. It was great food. I usually research my online debit/credit card activity to report the location of stops like this CB but Kay paid with a check which is a whole other story) so I can't remember where it was. I just know it was East of Ashville because we got off at an Ashville exit and EVERYTHING was closed. There were a lot of "artists" roaming the streets. One was USING the gas station bathroom I was waiting to use for 10 minutes! While getting gas, a truck driver with a Victory shirt walked up and asked us about the hitch mounted cargo rack I had on my Vision. I have found in my travels, lots of people are interested in this rack Darryl Wray makes. He makes it for the Visions and Cross Countrys. Here is a pic of the rack. This is not my bike.
Now paying with a check is becoming a lost art. Businesses either refuse to accept a check or it is so rare that the restaurant staff have to call for assistance. Yes, it took 2 CB employees teaming up and several minutes to successfully process a payment by check.
CB was about the only place open on Thanksgiving Day and was really capitalizing on that. Every CB we saw the whole day (and that's a lot on the freeway) was packed out. All the mom-n-pops were closed. There were , of course, your 24 hour eateries; of the waffle-huddle-king-house variety which we also love but this particular stop, we wanted a broader menu.
Getting back on the road, the rest of the way up was pretty uneventful. We found our room, unloaded and then set out to find her dad who was staying at an extended stay place. We were just a few miles away and didn't even need to re-enter the interstate. We found it and Kay wanted to go into the office to ask what room he was in but we were afraid that might be confidential info so I suggested we find his truck. We rolled around to the back and there it was. There was an empty parking space beside him so we pulled in and got off the bike. Kay was going to call him and ask that he step outside. Before she could finish dialing, the door opens and it's Gene! He is taking a smoke break. We just stand there frozen , looking at him. With a cigarette lighter in one hand and cigarette in the other , he says " you gotta be kidding me." (I wanted to put and exclamation on that quote but it would be inaccurate , he NEVER raises his voice.) We burst into laughter. He goes to get Jimmie , Kay's stepmom .
They can't believe we just take off on the bike. They asked us (we get these questions all the time) "aren't you scared to go off so far?" , or "aren't you scared to ride at night?" "Don't you get tired/butt hurt?"
I got tickled when they asked us about being scared. Every time I get asked that, it seems like such a silly question to me. I always think "scared of what?" I know it's a legitimate concern for the non-riding (and some of the riding) public about being seen by other motorists or wildlife or fatigue. As far as fatigue, there is some of course, remarkably less on the Vision. I could ride the same distance in a car and be more fatigued. On the subject of wildlife, the only deer I have ever hit was in the middle of the day in the middle of summer. While it did break my collar bone and keep me off the bike for 2 weeks, The Lord protected and restored me and He still does. We can't be afraid to live and enjoy life.
We hadn't eaten yet and my in-laws offered us the lion's share of what they had left from where else but Cracker Barrel. Earlier that day, Jimmie had ordered the thanksgiving special , along with two whole pies. What she didn't realize was that the Thanksgiving meal fed up to 6 people. She didn't notice that until she got her $80 bill . We gladly partook. They were going to throw the rest away. We had a good long visit and planned to meet back in the morning for breakfast.
The next day was black Friday. I expected we would have to wait behind a line of hungry shoppers. That wasn't the case at all. We were seated immediately. I wasn't going to eat much. I had gone to the trouble to book us at a hotel that served a hot breakfast for Kay's protein based, no carb diet so I had "first breakfast" while Kay was getting ready. I don't know why but, I cannot refuse free food.
Anyway, I ordered french toast , one word: AMAZING! We finished up and went back to their extended stay for a good visit before heading home. Me and Gene sat on the tailgate outside their room talking about the current state of our country and we agree on so much! That warms my heart that I can connect with him and I really feel like he likes me and I love him. Every time we see him, he always hugs Kay but extends a hand for me to shake. I always bypass his hand and hug him and tell him I love him. He just replies "you too". I'm a hugger. He's a man's man but he will hug me back.
I find that I need his approval. You see, Kay and I dated in high school in the 80's . Long story short , I was a drunk and just your basic wayward scoundrel and wasn't faithful to my girlfriend who was amazing even then. Gene, being the protective father that he should be, ran me off and forbid us to see each other. We married different people, lived our own lives, had children, etc. My first marriage was to another good woman in Angela but after 14 years of marriage, in March 2007 , I lost her to cancer. Kay was now several years divorced. In November 2008, I married my first love. I never thought it would happen and still sometimes can't believe it. I don't deserve her but I will do my best.
I say all that to say that it was important to me to get Gene's blessing (he was affectionately called Mean Gene because he was tough and still is). I talked to him before I proposed to Kay. He could tell I was different, I had finally grown up (mostly) and he gave me his blessing and my blessing in Kay Stimpson's hand in marriage. It is such a good feeling to make things right and to receive forgiveness. His approval was very important to me then and it is just as important now. We talked like friends on this visit.
We said our goodbyes and left. We had to get home for the Iron Bowl the next day. Christie and Bubba Boyd are two of our best friends and we have a tradition of watching Alabama football at their house . We made a little detour to Duke University. I had no idea it was as close as it was. It was a beautiful campus! I don't get into college basketball but we had hoped to get some souvenirs for our Duke basketball fanatic fan friends (say that 10 times really fast). The campus gift shop was closed however.
Now paying with a check is becoming a lost art. Businesses either refuse to accept a check or it is so rare that the restaurant staff have to call for assistance. Yes, it took 2 CB employees teaming up and several minutes to successfully process a payment by check.
CB was about the only place open on Thanksgiving Day and was really capitalizing on that. Every CB we saw the whole day (and that's a lot on the freeway) was packed out. All the mom-n-pops were closed. There were , of course, your 24 hour eateries; of the waffle-huddle-king-house variety which we also love but this particular stop, we wanted a broader menu.
Getting back on the road, the rest of the way up was pretty uneventful. We found our room, unloaded and then set out to find her dad who was staying at an extended stay place. We were just a few miles away and didn't even need to re-enter the interstate. We found it and Kay wanted to go into the office to ask what room he was in but we were afraid that might be confidential info so I suggested we find his truck. We rolled around to the back and there it was. There was an empty parking space beside him so we pulled in and got off the bike. Kay was going to call him and ask that he step outside. Before she could finish dialing, the door opens and it's Gene! He is taking a smoke break. We just stand there frozen , looking at him. With a cigarette lighter in one hand and cigarette in the other , he says " you gotta be kidding me." (I wanted to put and exclamation on that quote but it would be inaccurate , he NEVER raises his voice.) We burst into laughter. He goes to get Jimmie , Kay's stepmom .
They can't believe we just take off on the bike. They asked us (we get these questions all the time) "aren't you scared to go off so far?" , or "aren't you scared to ride at night?" "Don't you get tired/butt hurt?"
I got tickled when they asked us about being scared. Every time I get asked that, it seems like such a silly question to me. I always think "scared of what?" I know it's a legitimate concern for the non-riding (and some of the riding) public about being seen by other motorists or wildlife or fatigue. As far as fatigue, there is some of course, remarkably less on the Vision. I could ride the same distance in a car and be more fatigued. On the subject of wildlife, the only deer I have ever hit was in the middle of the day in the middle of summer. While it did break my collar bone and keep me off the bike for 2 weeks, The Lord protected and restored me and He still does. We can't be afraid to live and enjoy life.
We hadn't eaten yet and my in-laws offered us the lion's share of what they had left from where else but Cracker Barrel. Earlier that day, Jimmie had ordered the thanksgiving special , along with two whole pies. What she didn't realize was that the Thanksgiving meal fed up to 6 people. She didn't notice that until she got her $80 bill . We gladly partook. They were going to throw the rest away. We had a good long visit and planned to meet back in the morning for breakfast.
The next day was black Friday. I expected we would have to wait behind a line of hungry shoppers. That wasn't the case at all. We were seated immediately. I wasn't going to eat much. I had gone to the trouble to book us at a hotel that served a hot breakfast for Kay's protein based, no carb diet so I had "first breakfast" while Kay was getting ready. I don't know why but, I cannot refuse free food.
Anyway, I ordered french toast , one word: AMAZING! We finished up and went back to their extended stay for a good visit before heading home. Me and Gene sat on the tailgate outside their room talking about the current state of our country and we agree on so much! That warms my heart that I can connect with him and I really feel like he likes me and I love him. Every time we see him, he always hugs Kay but extends a hand for me to shake. I always bypass his hand and hug him and tell him I love him. He just replies "you too". I'm a hugger. He's a man's man but he will hug me back.
I find that I need his approval. You see, Kay and I dated in high school in the 80's . Long story short , I was a drunk and just your basic wayward scoundrel and wasn't faithful to my girlfriend who was amazing even then. Gene, being the protective father that he should be, ran me off and forbid us to see each other. We married different people, lived our own lives, had children, etc. My first marriage was to another good woman in Angela but after 14 years of marriage, in March 2007 , I lost her to cancer. Kay was now several years divorced. In November 2008, I married my first love. I never thought it would happen and still sometimes can't believe it. I don't deserve her but I will do my best.
I say all that to say that it was important to me to get Gene's blessing (he was affectionately called Mean Gene because he was tough and still is). I talked to him before I proposed to Kay. He could tell I was different, I had finally grown up (mostly) and he gave me his blessing and my blessing in Kay Stimpson's hand in marriage. It is such a good feeling to make things right and to receive forgiveness. His approval was very important to me then and it is just as important now. We talked like friends on this visit.
We said our goodbyes and left. We had to get home for the Iron Bowl the next day. Christie and Bubba Boyd are two of our best friends and we have a tradition of watching Alabama football at their house . We made a little detour to Duke University. I had no idea it was as close as it was. It was a beautiful campus! I don't get into college basketball but we had hoped to get some souvenirs for our Duke basketball fanatic fan friends (say that 10 times really fast). The campus gift shop was closed however.
We decided to go home a different way. A way that would bring us by the Indian Motorcycle dealer in Charlotte. They claim to be "The first and the finest Indian motorcycle dealership in the world." http://indianmotorcyclecharlotte.com/
I read where Indian owners on the forums shower this place with positive comments, so , I was looking forward to seeing what the first and finest looked like. That would mean we would have to take I-85 South through Atlanta. That , I was not looking forward to.
The dealership was very cool! Nice folks, lots of Indian bikes, lots of Indian apparel and accessories. The thing I thought odd, not one single customer visited the place the entire time we were there. It was literally Kay, me , and the employees. We were in there for at least 30 minutes on a beautiful Friday. It was probably 3:30 pm. I don't know, maybe Indian enthusiast were all Black Friday Shopping. If I were an Indian enthusiast, I would be Black Friday shopping at this dealership! At least until I ran out of money , which would probably be after buying any one item in the store. Motorcycle stuff is high, Indian stuff is higher.
I read where Indian owners on the forums shower this place with positive comments, so , I was looking forward to seeing what the first and finest looked like. That would mean we would have to take I-85 South through Atlanta. That , I was not looking forward to.
The dealership was very cool! Nice folks, lots of Indian bikes, lots of Indian apparel and accessories. The thing I thought odd, not one single customer visited the place the entire time we were there. It was literally Kay, me , and the employees. We were in there for at least 30 minutes on a beautiful Friday. It was probably 3:30 pm. I don't know, maybe Indian enthusiast were all Black Friday Shopping. If I were an Indian enthusiast, I would be Black Friday shopping at this dealership! At least until I ran out of money , which would probably be after buying any one item in the store. Motorcycle stuff is high, Indian stuff is higher.
They had this old Indian Chief that they dug up like the remains of a dinosaur. Suffice it to say, it had patina! Notice the dudes goggles and headgear on the rear fender.
We left there and it was about supper time. We stopped at a Golden Corral in Gastonia, NC. I love buffets because of the range of food and the fact that it's ready before I get there. We heard the cashier talking about being prepared for a party of 40. Just then, a charter bus carrying a high school football team and cheerleaders pulled in . It was the semi finals weekend. Kay noticed they were from Franklin. She wondered if it was the same place we did a mission trip a few years back. I told her it pretty much had to be. They couldn't have two places in the same state with the same name. It would be a logistical nightmare for the postal service haha! She started a conversation with one of the cheerleaders and asked about some people she got to know while on mission and the cheerleader knew them. It was in fact, the same Franklin. Glad we got in before that bus.
After a good supper, we hit the road. As we were riding, I saw an off ramp for Kings Mountain. That is where Indians were built before Polaris bought the company.
We rode into a beautiful sunset. Sorry about the poor quality photo. I wish you could see that cotton candy sky in person.
After a good supper, we hit the road. As we were riding, I saw an off ramp for Kings Mountain. That is where Indians were built before Polaris bought the company.
We rode into a beautiful sunset. Sorry about the poor quality photo. I wish you could see that cotton candy sky in person.
We stopped in Anderson,SC for gas and as I slowed , I could feel the tail wagging the dog, so to speak. When the rear tire gets bad, you can feel a shimmy in the handlebars at low speed. I got gas and got down on my knees to check the tire (and pray). I didn't feel it was good enough to get my wife home safely. I thought and I prayed about what to do. I finally decided we would go at a slower speed , check the tire every 50 miles and stay in the right hand lane in case of emergency so I could pull off to the shoulder.
I was thanking the Lord literally for every mile. We were still over 200 miles from home and still had to navigate Atlanta with a compromised rear tire. I knew I would never forgive myself if something happened to Kay and I knew I wouldn't have to worry about forgiving myself because Mean Gene would kill me!
We got to the 50 mile mark and it didn't seem to be any "worse for wear". I decided to keep going. In the back of my mind, I was worried that if something did happen, we would be pancaked by a trailing big rig. At least I wouldn't have to worry about Gene killing me.
I kept going (through Atlanta) until we needed gas again in Cartersville, GA. I checked the tire and it didn't seem any worse than in South Carolina. As if it wore to a certain point (maybe where I started praying) and then stopped wearing. We cautiously pressed on toward home.
I really didn't think we would make it home. I was running all sorts of plan B's in my head. Plan B was the 3 R's: wRecker, Room, and Rear tire. No variation of that scenario was going to be cheap or anxiety free. It stressed me out to think about it but I kept praying and thanking The Lord for each mile.
Inching ever closer to home, we made it to the eastern edge of the county we live in! We rode by Cedar Bluff football stadium , the lights were still on. I wondered if they won. We would find out later, they did win and earn a trip to the state football finals at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa the next Friday (where they would be badly defeated). I consider it a great accomplishment just to get to the finals. You have to be good to get there. Sand Rock, my alma mater only beat them 16-13. We are 3A classification and they are 1A so they have a lot to be proud of.
We finally did make it home. I think it was about 11pm Friday night. To properly punctuate the end of the trip, I dropped the bike right in the front yard! Kay was able to simply put her leg out and step off. She said "how did that happen?" in a perplexed (frustrated) tone , I replied " I don't really know." If you know about Visions, they are easy to drop and easy to pick up by design. We thanked God for bringing us home safely.
Actually, my prayer was for God to get us home plus 3 miles. That's how far away my independent tech/tire guy is from my home. I had my annual winter season car tire at home ready to mount. I bought it off Steve Roland who has quite a reputation as a Vision traveler and uses car tires on the rear to go all over the world. I credit the Lord and the car tire for getting me through inclement winter weather on the bike last year (my bike is my sole form of transportation and my "work car".) All other seasons I run motorcycle specific tires. By the way, I got 15,775 miles out of the rear Dunlop E3 .
I almost didn't write up this trip. I thought to myself "there's really nothing to write." I look back and see that I was wrong.
The next day, The Lord granted me the 3 miles :)
I was thanking the Lord literally for every mile. We were still over 200 miles from home and still had to navigate Atlanta with a compromised rear tire. I knew I would never forgive myself if something happened to Kay and I knew I wouldn't have to worry about forgiving myself because Mean Gene would kill me!
We got to the 50 mile mark and it didn't seem to be any "worse for wear". I decided to keep going. In the back of my mind, I was worried that if something did happen, we would be pancaked by a trailing big rig. At least I wouldn't have to worry about Gene killing me.
I kept going (through Atlanta) until we needed gas again in Cartersville, GA. I checked the tire and it didn't seem any worse than in South Carolina. As if it wore to a certain point (maybe where I started praying) and then stopped wearing. We cautiously pressed on toward home.
I really didn't think we would make it home. I was running all sorts of plan B's in my head. Plan B was the 3 R's: wRecker, Room, and Rear tire. No variation of that scenario was going to be cheap or anxiety free. It stressed me out to think about it but I kept praying and thanking The Lord for each mile.
Inching ever closer to home, we made it to the eastern edge of the county we live in! We rode by Cedar Bluff football stadium , the lights were still on. I wondered if they won. We would find out later, they did win and earn a trip to the state football finals at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa the next Friday (where they would be badly defeated). I consider it a great accomplishment just to get to the finals. You have to be good to get there. Sand Rock, my alma mater only beat them 16-13. We are 3A classification and they are 1A so they have a lot to be proud of.
We finally did make it home. I think it was about 11pm Friday night. To properly punctuate the end of the trip, I dropped the bike right in the front yard! Kay was able to simply put her leg out and step off. She said "how did that happen?" in a perplexed (frustrated) tone , I replied " I don't really know." If you know about Visions, they are easy to drop and easy to pick up by design. We thanked God for bringing us home safely.
Actually, my prayer was for God to get us home plus 3 miles. That's how far away my independent tech/tire guy is from my home. I had my annual winter season car tire at home ready to mount. I bought it off Steve Roland who has quite a reputation as a Vision traveler and uses car tires on the rear to go all over the world. I credit the Lord and the car tire for getting me through inclement winter weather on the bike last year (my bike is my sole form of transportation and my "work car".) All other seasons I run motorcycle specific tires. By the way, I got 15,775 miles out of the rear Dunlop E3 .
I almost didn't write up this trip. I thought to myself "there's really nothing to write." I look back and see that I was wrong.
The next day, The Lord granted me the 3 miles :)