Terrapin Station

Rockets Across America X in Arkansas

We're just back from a great trip to northwest Arkansas to ride motorcycles with the Triumph Rockets Owners association.This is the Tenth (X) RAA expedition,. 

The group meets twice a year in places with good riding...like Montrose, Colorado; Maggie Valley, NC, and here at The Hub in Marble Falls, Arkansas. The Hub is part of the former site of Dogpatch USA, the Lil' Abner theme park that ran from the Sixties to the Nineties. Rumor has it that it will reopen soon, but that's been the rumor for a long, long time.

Here's a good article about the place and the people who run it.

Here are some of our friends from the group:

Here's The Hub:

Here is a great story about the Peel's Ferry. It was one of the highlights of the trip for me. And here are Ken and some folks on the ferry:

And here are me and my friend Freda. Both new to riding:

You've heard it said that motorcycle folks are some of the nicest around...and it's true. And one of the things I really appreciate about hanging out with them is that they are from every walk of life, people I would not otherwise meet or get to be friends with. Our lives can be so insular, I think it's a terrific opportunity to spread out and learn more.

Wanna ride?

NaBloPoMo Day Three: The trip

Write about a trip you have taken, one that may not have turned out as you planned but was nevertheless a gift.

My husband is, as he would say, "scooter trash from way back." He was building motorcycles from age 14 and kept it up into his thirties. Then, he stopped. Life gets in the way sometimes.

When we married in 1999, that was in his past. Several years later, he got interested again and found a motorcycle that he truly loves, a Triumph Rocket III. It's a big ole bike.

(Here we are on the Rocket at Tail of the Dragon, North Carolina/Tennessee, in May 2013)

At a motorcycle rally, he found a group of running buddies who named themselves the Rally Riders, and they hung out together in lots of places in this area. He also started riding with a group of Rocket riders all over the U.S. This sounds like he rides a lot; he doesn't. He works too much, too hard (IMHO) but occasionally he will take time away for a rally. I totally support it.

For several years, the Rally Riders have met up in Galveston for the Lone Star Rally, usually held in early November. The second year we went (2008), it was moved to the first week of December, because Galveston had been devastated that fall by Hurricane Ike. What an experience. I know that the small island's dwellers are heartily sick of half a million motorcycles overtaking their city each year, but that year, it was one of the first tourist events to come back and it did a lot to help the city reboot. We love Galveston.

All this is background that you need if you don't know me...So...

In summer of 2011, my husband had treatment for throat cancer. Suffice it to say that the treatment was devastating. He really thought he was dying and at times he really wanted to. One of the things he lived toward was getting back onto the motorcycle. It's a big bike, 850 pounds. He lost about 75 pounds in the course of treatment, and certainly most of his strength. The Rockets Across America group got together and bought him a Kindle Fire to ease his recovery. So awesome.

As Fall of that year approached, he wanted to go to the Galveston Rally. I was worried that it would be too much for him. His Rally Rider friends packed him up, helped him trailer his bike down there, and put him on the bike to ride. I think if I'd realized how unready he was I might have tried to say no...

He was still taking all his food through a PEG tube at that time. He was *not* well. He was surely not well enough for that trip. But he did it. He did it!!! Our friends Lefty and Top and Kathy and Bebop watched after him, didn't let him get too tired, made sure he had what he needed until I joined him a few days later.

Here we are on the 61st St. Fishing Pier during that trip:

I look back at this picture and I'm amazed. Ken did NOT have the strength or will to get there on his own. It was because of our friends that he was able to do it. And what a shot in the arm it was. I think it wasn't the trip either of us had envisioned, but it was more healing than anything we could have imagined.

This morning I stood in the driveway and watched him ride away on the Rocket. He's headed to Burleson to meet our friends Top and Kathy and trailer the bike down to the Island. I'll join them in a few days. We'll try to get another photo like this. There's more of him now. And there's more of us: because we have friends.

Friday Five from Deb (on Tuesday)

It's your road, and yours alone.

Others may walk it with you,

but no one can walk it for you.

A road in Bavaria.

Thanks to Deb at RevGals for this great set of questions!!  She says:

I reflected on this poem for a while and thought about some new "roads" that my progeny are beginning. Both are graduating (one from high school, one from college). I am also looking at a possible new "road" in a much hoped-for job. It's been a winding path to get this point!

So in thinking about our life's journey, and the rhythm of our lives, here's five questions on this theme...

1. What "road" is in your immediate future? Immediately in my past were lots of wind-y and wonderful roads in Tennessee and North Carolina, where Ken and Iwent for a motorcycle holiday.

In the future...I will be exploring some new things this summer.  I am excited that I have been accepted for the Dallas Benedictine Experience in mid-June. It's a four-day program in which "participants  form a temporary monastic community in which the day is divided into times of group prayer (called Offices ), study, light work, and rest.  The framework of each day is the corporate worship of God in the chanting of four daily Offices.

After Lauds each morning in the oratory (chapel), a short homily (sermon) will be given.

The two Experience leaders will teach the morning and evening classes in Benedictine spirituality, with discussions following the morning class.  There will be time in the afternoon for resting, reading, private prayer, and private meeting with a leader.  Participants are encouraged, but not required, to volunteer for very  light service projects, such as keeping the oratory (chapel) tidy, sweeping walkways, providing water-pitchers in the classroom, etc.  These services fulfill the Benedictine practice of balancing the day with prayer and work and of contributing to the functioning of the temporary monastic community.  The Benedictine motto is Ora et Labora  (Pray and Work).

 In keeping with Benedictine tradition, all meals are taken in silence while passages from Benedictine writings are read aloud to the community (participants) by a reader. 

Silence is observed at all times throughout the daytime and nighttime, except for class times and spiritual direction.  Silence is important to allow undisturbed prayer, spiritual reading, meditation, and contemplation."

In the farther, but near-term future...we shall see.

2. Where have you been "traveling" a lot lately -- and are you going back there? Interesting. I have been mentally traveling back over the years, especially because this year is my 30th high school graduation anniversary. Therefore, it's also time for the 30th reunion. I will not be physically going back there...I don't need to. But, watching (via FB) the lovely daughter of one of my HS best friends graduate, go to prom, etc., with him not here to see it, is very poignant. 

3.  Who are your fellow travelers? My husband Ken. Valerie, Amy, Martha. Laura and Helen. Many of the RevGals and other friends.  Deb and Debra and Diana and Mom and Sarah.  And you, if you are reading this.

4.  Who are the unintentional companions (or hitchhikers) that you find on the road with you? I met a great girl at the motorcycle retreat this weekend who gave me much food for thought.  Cindy is her name. 

5.  As a family, we always recite "the traveler's prayer" -- a tongue-in-cheek petition as we pull out of the driveway ("Lord, whatever we have forgotten, may it not be important!") What have you forgotten lately, and did it matter?  Hum. On this last trip, forgot my ActiveLink, the WeightWatchers version of a FitBit, which I normally wear everywhere (even to bed). So I have no idea how the activity of the trip stacked up. Sitting on the back of a motorcycle is not that active, except you have to be paying attention on the many curves in the road. Ah well, I didn't go to get exercise!  :) So, I guess it didn't mattter. 

BONUS: Share a photo of a road you've traveled. Or of traveling companions who have made the journey special. Or perhaps there's a song or another poem that suits your journey. If so, please share! 

Here is a picture of me with the view from the Blue Ridge Parkway: 

And here is a pic of the Tail of The Dragon, an 11-mile stretch of road containing 318 curves that we rode up and back:

On the Road Again

Ken left this morning for a motorcycle rally in Maggie Valley, NC. 

That's right, NC.

Here he is getting ready to leave:

  

and heading out of the driveway (it looks like he's going fast but it's just my cellphone camera, which does not take good action shots!):

 

He will be gone for several days.  Keep him in your prayers for safe travel, please, and those he encounters on the road for attentiveness and courtesy.

I plan to eat a lot of vegetarian food, do some sorting in the attic, go to Holley's graduation, get a pedicure. 

Wanna Buy a Motorcycle?

 

And now, for something completely different...

we are leaving in 1/2 hour for Galveston, for the annual Lone Star Rally. 

Check back with ya this weekend. 

More on the Triumph

Songbird asked to see a photo of ME on the bike,  so here you go.  

Yes, Mom and Valerie and all my concerned friends, I have my helmet right there:  on my left shoulder.  And yes, I put it on EVERY time we ride anywhere.  I had just gotten onto the bike in this photo.

Ken came home from work today in the late morning and said, "let's go ride."  First we stopped at the Harley Davidson dealership in Corinth, where they have free hotdogs and beer and soda every Saturday.  We met a guy named Bill and he rode down to the Carrollton location with us for another hotdog...a stop at Sneaky Pete's, a few errands on the way home and we were glad to get back into the AC.  It was HOT! 

Ken leaned back to me at one point and said, "I'm sure glad I'm riding instead of working!"  I said, "Me, too!" 

It is AMAZING how people (mostly men) react to this bike.  It is a totally new configuration in the motor and people who are into motorcycles are really blown away by it. 

This tickles Ken a lot.  And, therefore, me too. 

What we did last night

Yesterday I picked up Ken and we went to Temple (central Texas) to pick up his newest motorcycle:  a Triumph Rocket III.

Ken is excited about the new bike:

 

Here are Ken with the sellers, Tim and Joanne.  The bike belonged to their longtime friend Greg, who died in May from Agent Orange lung damage.  Tim and Greg had been in Vietnam together, in the Marines.  He sounded like a great guy.  Tim & Joanne were happy to find someone who would love the bike and who could really handle it - it is a BIG BIKE.

He rode it home and I followed. 

This bike has more than twice the horsepower of the Harley Davidson, and VERY COMFORTABLE SEATS (this is a great boon to the riders!)

He is excited, and I am too. 

You can get an idea of its size with Brandon sitting on it.  It weighs 750 lbs.

Here they go for a test ride.  Brandon is on the seat that shall be mine:

We will indeed be selling our excess motorcycles now.  :) 

Motorcycle Mama

Add to The Biker Wisdom Keys: 

SUNSCREEN.  Duh!

Bikers are awesome.  If the bike runs out of gas on the highway on the way home from church (!), four different people will stop within 20 minutes to offer help.  During that time one will bring cold bottles of water, and another will return with a gallon can of gas and refuse reimbursement.  

If you stop off at Costco, don't get cute and try to buy a case of drinks.  Saddlebags will only hold so much. 

Unrelated to the bike:

If you go up to the altar for an anniversary blessing, be sure to prep husband with how many years you have been married, because Fr. Rector always asks the man and then asks the wife, "Is that right?" And he did NOT get it right.  At least: he was within 1 year, and at least he didn't say, "Wait!  We're MARRIED!?"

The Swizzles were in church but didn't have Sparkle.  Did they leave her home!?  Did she have a sleepover at a friend's!?  Inquiring minds want to know!

Notes on Becoming a Motorcycle Mama after 40

...I'm sure this would come much easier if I'd started at, oh, 14 or 18 or 22.  It's still wildly fun, but Y'ALL (read in whining voice) I don't feel immortal anymore!!  No sense of invincibility in this girl, no way, no how! 

We went to IHOP for breakfast this morning & took the bike  It's just down the road, through campus, and speed limit is max 20.  So Ken said we didn't need helmets.  Uh-huh.  So after we ate, he hopped onto the highway for just a few hundred yards.  (Take the long way home...)  Ugh.  Almost lost a shoe.  No sunglasses.  Bugs in eyes and in HAIR. ugh, ugh.  Oh, and dangerous?  Not thinking about it.  Memo to myself, insist on helmet even in driveway from now on. 

You might recall that Ken and I took a motorcycle trip through the Florida Keys a few years ago at Thanksgiving.  I wrote about it here and here.  It was a lot of fun. 

In a former life (he has had several) he used to build and ride motorcycles.  He hasn't owned or ridden one, really, for a long time.  Now he has one, and we are planning to do some more riding.  We have a couple of rallies in mind...a small one close by that Ken found (I think this is called "breaking Momma in easy") and one that I actually found, in June:  the Rally of Texas Biker Rally, down at the Travis County Fairgrounds (Austin way). 

Awesome music!  We'll trailer the bike behind the RV or VW for that.  ('Cause I am way the heck too old and cranky to ride to Austin on a motorcycle.)

Helmet, helmet, helmet. 

Off to church now.  On motorcycle?  Helmet!!!