stubbjr
...and now for something
completely different...
Registered: 02/23/06
Posts: 370
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Reply with quote | #136 |
If you've ever used duct tape to hold your boots together....you could be a red neck.
Sorry Rocky.....just couldn't resist .
Rick
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DRIVER
Moderator & Lifetime Member
Registered: 02/23/06
Posts: 666
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Reply with quote | #137 |
The original invitation brought emotions that lasted through 11 months of anticipation. Then suddenly boxes started arriving and many spare hours were dominated by prep work. Flights out west, days of riding and suddenly I'm back home smiling but sort of sad. It now seems like a blur.
Memories of laughter seem to dominate even more than the daily obstacles. I experienced views I'll never forget ... some I'll try to top but many will remain etched in my memory since odds are that they will never be repeated and are unique enough to remain. Each day brought (for me) chances to be humbled. I thought I was a good rider. I'm probably now demoted to merely an OK rider. But I've been challenged in ways I could not have been prepared for and am a better person for it. I learned a lot.
Yes, it was testing and even at times a bit tiring but I wouldn't trade anything for it. The excitement of coming home with stories and pictures was soon replaced by a bit of a funk for me. Even being busy with work didn't pull me through it. I thought maybe I was tired but now have just decided to blame it on the fact that for so long this trip was on my mind and all consuming with planning and preparing. So it ends with a bit of depression such as many people experience when a monumental moment comes and goes in their life. I can simply chalk it up to having been that good of a time. Plain and simple.
I cannot express the respect I have for my fellow riders.  Each showed traits and talents unique yet we managed to weld into a fantastic group. I will forever be thankful for the help and patience and entertainment from you all. It is indeed going to be hard to top this one.
Mike
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EbarDP48
Moderator
Registered: 02/22/06
Posts: 2,038
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Drt_Boy
DDS LifeTime Member
Registered: 02/24/06
Posts: 209
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Reply with quote | #139 |
Support Truck Day's 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11.
Once the guy's were safely on their way I headed out to the last overnight stay, Cavanaugh Bay. My view:
The resort was located at the northern end of a large lake. The mix of boaters, ATV and off-roaders and private pilots (plus the local's) was great. The cabins even had bird nests in the doorways. Our's had three chicks.
We had a great last dinner together, the food and drink were great. There was a local band ...... they were pretty bad, but enthusiastic ..... and after a few beers they sounded a lot better. It was a fun evening and as I went to bed I realized this would be the last good sleep for a few days.
Sunday morning we have our last group breakfast, and talk the waitress into taking our group picture on the patio overlooking the lake. Our "give it more gas" picture. Then it was time to split up. Brian was first, heading out on a 500 mile trip home.
Swampy had decided to ride to Spokane with me, so the rest of the group left together. Mike rode with them until the pavement ran out.
The trailer is loaded and ready to go.
Where's Swampy? He's always doing something. I found him on the patio putting the finishing touches on his daily reports.
After several proddings he finishes up and we head out to Spokane. Once everyone arrived at the hotel we loaded up the bikes and Swampy and I headed out for home. Our view as we left Spokane.
Do not attempt this. We both really wanted to get home. I had another trip planned and Swampy has things to do so we decided to drive straight through. We drove through some beautiful country but as we continued the truck started acting up, the transmission was giving out. She was still moving forward but we were babying her all the way. This only added stress to an already stressful endeavor. At one point we could go no further ..... we were both just spent. Swampy couldn't sleep in the truck so he slept on the toolbox in the truck bed. I have a small area behind the rear seats where I can stretch out. We got about 2 hours sleep like this in a rest area, it was about 4am.
We rolled into town early Wednesday morning and I dropped Swampy off at his place then headed back out to the highway. The truck was taking a loooooooooooong time to accelerate so I decided the highway would be best and headed back to I75. The Tampa traffic was turning into stop-n-go so just south of Berass and I found a nice shady spot to pull off the road and wait for traffic to clear. An hour later traffic had cleared and I headed back out, sloooowwwwwly accelerating onto the highway I pulled into Barney's about 10am.
So, for Swampy and me, the trip is over. I'm glad to have been able to help these guys. I could see the day's ride in their eyes as they rolled in. I found myself worrying about them each day and fretting when they were late. I saw their bonds forming and strengthening daily. I saw the joy in their faces, and the pain. I'm glad to have met each one of them and even though I didn't ride the trails with them or share the total experience with them, I'm glad to have been a small part of their fantastic ride.
DB
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Jim
Damn! Missed The Turn Again!
Registered: 02/28/06
Posts: 211
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Reply with quote | #140 |
Wow! That was an incredible trip!
After all those reports and photos I kinda felt like I was with yall.
I think a dropped a tear after Jack's last post. 
I always think the ride home is very sad too.
Maybe next time for me
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swampy
Moderator
Registered: 02/16/06
Posts: 4,142
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Reply with quote | #141 |
Thinking back we did meet some neat "characters" along the way....
The waiter in Logan who informed us about the "salad kart"
The dudes in Pocatello who were looking for tools to change the brake pads on a Triumph...
The ER Doc in Arco!
Challis had the waitresses....
Jack and the dude who let him fix his bike...
The dude in Shoup: "pu**ysombi*ch"
Two words: Cowboy Phil
The old man in Wallace that told me and Rick about whorehouses...
You meet some pretty neat people out and about!
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stubbjr
...and now for something
completely different...
Registered: 02/23/06
Posts: 370
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Drt_Boy
DDS LifeTime Member
Registered: 02/24/06
Posts: 209
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geohound
This Week's
Winning Lotto Numbers:
3-16-17-22-35
Registered: 02/24/06
Posts: 212
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swampy
Moderator
Registered: 02/16/06
Posts: 4,142
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Reply with quote | #145 |
The whole area is covered in volcanic rock gravel....
and from the top of the Butte you could see other small volcanic cones throughout the area...
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EbarDP48
Moderator
Registered: 02/22/06
Posts: 2,038
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Reply with quote | #146 |
Quote: here's some geology on the big butt....
Don't let Turn Signal Tom hear you say something about a "Big Butt"
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