New ride

Every so often you run across a deal that just speaks to you.
  I had been interested in the 1100 V-Star for quite some time. Honestly don't know why, just was. I had been looking at Craigslist and other places, toying with the idea of buying one for a long time. As per my usual "wish book" method of operation I pulled up the local Craigslist. This time one of the ads jumped out at me. At a bike shop in a neighboring town was a V-Star. Looked like new. Low miles and a low price. Looking the ad over I decided it was at least worth a look.
 I rode over the next day and found it to be better that the ad described.

That started a lot of scheming in my mind and I started talking seriously with the shop guys about the bike. Seems they had had it for about a year with no one having any interest in it.
  Even though I had four motorcycles and really didnt need it, (thats what I said about Clementine) I bought it.

As it is it's just about good. It only has a couple of details that need a change. Smaller, less bulky fenders. Oil filter relocator and a different type of handle bars. It's big, heavy and a blast to ride. So far I'm happy.

"always seek the adventure."

catch ya on the road

July 2015

 I had Suzy Q with me for a weekend and we decided to take a road trip and kill the weekend over at my mothers place.
 The trip started out like any good ride, bike, good looking girlfriend and a great destination. We pulled out and loosely planned on grabbing a bite to eat at a local place that us locals refer to as "Marble". Good food and handy as it's on the way to where we were going. When we pulled in they were having a free concert featuring a local band, so we ended up staying around after we eat... that's where it all went south.
 As we listened to the music I noticed that there was a storm lighting up the night sky between us and where we were going.  I gave it some though and as is my usual that qurkey gene I have that always tells me that it wont be that bad won out again.  When we finally got back on the road it was great cool riding for about seven or eight miles. The rain started and still it wasn't too bad as we pulled into the town of Kingston. Just outside of Kingston about a mile all that changed. Rain started coming down in a way that can only be described as "biblical." It was so hard that I literally could not see the road. I've rode through through lots of storms but that was a first for me. I told Suzy to get a grip and we turned around to head back to a gas station awning and wait it out.
  After about two hours at the gas station it was beginning to look like it wasn't going to let up. Another bad sign was when a guy pulled in and handed me a beer because the way he saw it, I looked like I could use it. I have a friend that's a doctor with an office in the town of Kingston so I called and woke him up and ask if I could break into his office and ride the storm out. After securing permission to crash at Dr. Steve's place we headed there to dry out some. Aside from not having a coffee pot, the place was perfect. DRY!  We managed to put together a bite to eat and just kicked back.
  About 4 AM the sky cleared and it looked like we were back in business. We pulled out and started trying to make up lost time. We only had about thirty five miles to go and I figured we could make it in about an hour. Things were good for about ten miles then the rain started again. Not as bad as before but a still a good hard down pour. Too far in my mind to turn around again we kept going. Along about the fifteen mile mark Suzy scared the she-ite out of me by screaming "MOOSE" in my ear. Seems an Elk was standing in the ditch and as we rode by it tried to kiss her or something?  She had a close encounter of some sort.
The rest of the trip was a slow soggy,  adventure. Suzy told me later that I blocked the most of the rain and she was in good shape. A little after 7 AM, right at day light we rolled in to moms place. I only took nine hours to make an hour and a half trip of sixty five miles. 
Yep! It started out to be a good, regular, trip over to my moms and ended up like the ones you read about in biker magazines.  In short I had a blast. Suzy Q didnt complain so I took the whole thing as a win.

"one should always seek the adventure"

catch ya on the road

5-1-2015

After spending the winter in the warmer climate of South Central Texas to try and improve my health I headed back to the hills in April to work on my place and be close to my mother. I was feeling pretty good when I got there. That didn't last long though. Stress is a real kill joy.
  Mom had been battling Dementia and passed away shortly after I got back. I spent her last weeks with her and I am thankful for that time.
 If you have someone or know someone with a family member that suffers from Dementia I am so sorry. That is the most horrendous thing a person can have or ever deal with.


"catch ya on the road" 

Sept. 26, 2015


 Bikes, Blues & BBQ went off without a hitch this year from what I can tell and have heard. I haven't heard of any major trouble of any kind. I did see a couple of lesser police problems as they unfolded. Basically the same things you see at any gathering, One guy was way too drunk in public and a minor that was bound and determined to be part of the show. Both were dealt with quietly and professionally.
  This, the fifteenth year, seemed to me to have been a bit smaller than previous years. I didn't see the flashy custom bikes on the curb that I've seen in years past. There were several, just not the numbers from the past gatherings. It even seemed to me that the crowds were down. You could get up and down Dickson st. without too much difficulty. Maybe it was because the event organizers  have been try to spread the thing out over a greater area? 
  All in all, this was a fun three days for me. Lots of bikes and biker types. I even found some good food. The vendors were not too hard to deal with, I got a couple of things for the new ride pretty reasonable.  So all that with my Photography ambitions, all was good. I'll probably try it again next year.  

 

This particular ride was reminiscent of the legendary "Road dog." It did get up and down the road pretty well.

Buddy of mine, Ralph, on his 77 Sporster.

Couple of "hardcases."

Vendors were everywhere.



"catch ya on the road"

9/18/2015

 Back..... After a long year full of all kinds of ups and downs and one of the best over all summers I've had. I am going to try to post some of the highlights as I go. (if I can read the notes I took) As far as the riding went this year it was great! (see rolling clothes line/yard sale photo below)

 This latest attempt at literary exorcism will begin with my coverage, if you will, of the Bikes, Blues and Barbecue Rally we have here in my back yard. After that it will be a jumble of my trips, etc. through out the summer.

catch ya on the road

After the heavy rains on the Buffalo River at Ponca, Arkansas. July 2015

10/10/14

  I had a temporary need a while back to carry some little odds and ends on a sort of  daily basis. While roaming around the Farm / Ranch supply I found these. As I looked at them it prompted a buddy to blurt out at the top of his lungs... "YES FRIENDS, FOR 15 DOLLARS AND CHANGE YOU TOO CAN JOIN THE BAGGER NATION."

Which prompted me to say, "can you loan me twenty, I'm a little short?"  You see how it all worked out.

  catch ya on the road
 

10/9/14

  Gun running through the hills of Northwest Arkansas....

 

catch ya on the road