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- Joined
- Mar 6, 2004
- Messages
- 13,333
- Reaction score
- 192
- Location
- Plantersville
- First Name
- Rebecca
- Last Name
- Reed
I hadn't been to "The Natural State" state since I had my SV back in 2004. I'd learned a lot about myself and my bike in those three long days of curvy, twisting miles and I had been looking forward to repeating the process with my VStrom since the day I brought it home.
I didn't want to be in unknown territory with one mirror, so I ran by David's place (Cagiva549) on my way out of town to pick up one of the mirrors he'd so graciously left for me.
I met Roger "RSquared" near Tomball and we headed up to Arlington the long, scenic, warm-up-the-tires-and-bodies-before-the-trip kinda way.
As was bound to happen, the GPS routed us onto an unpaved road. I decided we'd skip it and just wander north until the Quest picked us back up and helped us finish the route.
There must be some horrible pollen counts up in this neck o' the woods - both Roger and I were having sinus issues. We decided to stop for a break. Dunno where.
We split off once we reached Arlington - him for his daughter's place at UTA and me to Biwwy and Mel's house for an oil change, dinner, and a place to rest my head for the night.
Max and Shadow had the guard dog duties under control. Nobody messed with the loaded bikes through the night.
I was too rushed getting rolling at Biwwy’s to take any pictures of my own. Oops.
We rolled out into the sun and dealt with traffic. Not too bad, but apparently my tailbag wasn’t secured well enough and Chris “Stinky93071” told me to pull over and fix it since it was covering my brake light. We managed to get it fixed and get caught back up with the group before the next stop. For gas. Wait, I… um… You guys were rushing me to get going so I forgot to look at my gas gauge!
I had to pull off again to grab a gallon and a half as quickly as possible then try to catch up yet again. We weren’t too far behind, but we were the last to pull in at the Sherman meet-up point.
We made small talk and worked out a few last-minute details, and then we were off as a group toward the Oklahoma line. This was my first visit to the state.
People looking at bikes:
Bikes looking at people:
Jerry “QuickSilver” demonstrating the dance of the MC Gods for good weather. (It worked wonders!)
I tried to get up alongside the group to take individual pics, but all I managed were a decent pic of Tim & Leia, a few half-shots, and mass confusion.
I’m still working on getting better shots from the saddle, so be patient and eventually I’ll get there.
I wasn’t taking a hand off the bars FOR ANYTHING while going through the scenic Talimena Skyway. The twists and turns got tighter and more technical as we passed through the hills and trees, crossing from Oklahoma into Arkansas. It smelled like nature.
I could hear Elzi “TexasShadow” squealing with delight through the passes. “WEEEEEEEEE!”
Melanie “WhiskeyGirl” (aka Peanut) was so cute and clever, she turned a leaf into a noisemaker while we waited for the remainder of the group.
We got to the Queen Wilhelmina Lodge for their lunch buffet. The food was great and the deserts plentiful.
Stinky convinced me to walk out onto the deck to get a picture. Scary stuff, but worth the pic. (Yeah, ok Chris – you were right. There, I said it.)
Chris and Mel goofing around
Biwwy getting in on the action
She’s just so darn cute!
Headed out after lunch in search of some pigs in them ‘thar hills
Stopped one last time before the Ozarks for a “comfort break” at a roadside rest area
“Is it time to hit the twisties yet?”
Once through the twisty stuff (again, no chance for pics when I’m having that much fun!) we stopped for stickers and ice cream at the Turner Bend store.
The sun was beginning to find it’s resting place beyond the horizon, so we motored out of there and onto the campsite. We had to scurry to set up tents before dark, then decided to take a run down to the local Subway before they closed to get dinner. I rode on the back of the Strom with Stinky piloting up front – laughing the whole way while I cringed in terror from the sight of the cliffs by moonlight. If I had nails they would have needed to be surgically removed from his back after that!
(more to come...)
I didn't want to be in unknown territory with one mirror, so I ran by David's place (Cagiva549) on my way out of town to pick up one of the mirrors he'd so graciously left for me.
I met Roger "RSquared" near Tomball and we headed up to Arlington the long, scenic, warm-up-the-tires-and-bodies-before-the-trip kinda way.
As was bound to happen, the GPS routed us onto an unpaved road. I decided we'd skip it and just wander north until the Quest picked us back up and helped us finish the route.
There must be some horrible pollen counts up in this neck o' the woods - both Roger and I were having sinus issues. We decided to stop for a break. Dunno where.
We split off once we reached Arlington - him for his daughter's place at UTA and me to Biwwy and Mel's house for an oil change, dinner, and a place to rest my head for the night.
Max and Shadow had the guard dog duties under control. Nobody messed with the loaded bikes through the night.
I was too rushed getting rolling at Biwwy’s to take any pictures of my own. Oops.
We rolled out into the sun and dealt with traffic. Not too bad, but apparently my tailbag wasn’t secured well enough and Chris “Stinky93071” told me to pull over and fix it since it was covering my brake light. We managed to get it fixed and get caught back up with the group before the next stop. For gas. Wait, I… um… You guys were rushing me to get going so I forgot to look at my gas gauge!
I had to pull off again to grab a gallon and a half as quickly as possible then try to catch up yet again. We weren’t too far behind, but we were the last to pull in at the Sherman meet-up point.
We made small talk and worked out a few last-minute details, and then we were off as a group toward the Oklahoma line. This was my first visit to the state.
People looking at bikes:
Bikes looking at people:
Jerry “QuickSilver” demonstrating the dance of the MC Gods for good weather. (It worked wonders!)
I tried to get up alongside the group to take individual pics, but all I managed were a decent pic of Tim & Leia, a few half-shots, and mass confusion.
I’m still working on getting better shots from the saddle, so be patient and eventually I’ll get there.
I wasn’t taking a hand off the bars FOR ANYTHING while going through the scenic Talimena Skyway. The twists and turns got tighter and more technical as we passed through the hills and trees, crossing from Oklahoma into Arkansas. It smelled like nature.
I could hear Elzi “TexasShadow” squealing with delight through the passes. “WEEEEEEEEE!”
Melanie “WhiskeyGirl” (aka Peanut) was so cute and clever, she turned a leaf into a noisemaker while we waited for the remainder of the group.
We got to the Queen Wilhelmina Lodge for their lunch buffet. The food was great and the deserts plentiful.
Stinky convinced me to walk out onto the deck to get a picture. Scary stuff, but worth the pic. (Yeah, ok Chris – you were right. There, I said it.)
Chris and Mel goofing around
Biwwy getting in on the action
She’s just so darn cute!
Headed out after lunch in search of some pigs in them ‘thar hills
Stopped one last time before the Ozarks for a “comfort break” at a roadside rest area
“Is it time to hit the twisties yet?”
Once through the twisty stuff (again, no chance for pics when I’m having that much fun!) we stopped for stickers and ice cream at the Turner Bend store.
The sun was beginning to find it’s resting place beyond the horizon, so we motored out of there and onto the campsite. We had to scurry to set up tents before dark, then decided to take a run down to the local Subway before they closed to get dinner. I rode on the back of the Strom with Stinky piloting up front – laughing the whole way while I cringed in terror from the sight of the cliffs by moonlight. If I had nails they would have needed to be surgically removed from his back after that!
(more to come...)
Yea, but I think Becca was referring to the idea of trailering a bike. She is a pretty hard core motorcyclist, ya know.
