Bittersweet Journey:

Posted by DonB on Fri - Nov 10 - 10:01am: 

This past weekend I had the pleasure of putting over 1700 miles on the Valk. Mostly good weather, but a bit of rain thrown in to make it interesting. The cause of this trip was to sell my house on the lake in GA. Been in the family for almost 30 years. So, I decided it was time for one last trip before closing on Monday. Friday morning at 7:00, I was packed, on the bike and down the road. Although a little (actually a lot) foggy, I ran out of that within 30 miles or so. From Cincinnati to Warwick Georgia, it's a straight shot down I75 for 750 miles. Scenery steadily improved as I headed south, as did the temps. From 45 in Cinti, Warwick was a balmy 80! Since the colors had past in Ohio, it was nice to run back through them in TN and GA. I have to admit that it was a tad smoky around Jellico and Knoxville. 

After arriving at the lake a mere 11 hours later, I turned on the power, made sure the pump was working, and settled in with a couple of novels and a boatload of my favorite beverages. Ah, it's nice to sit on the dock into the wee hours reading a good book and watching the alligators. 

Saturday was filled with general riding around an all too familiar countryside that I know I won't see any time soon, if ever. Lunch in Cordele, out towards Plains and back, and risking life and limb on the many dirt roads in these parts. Lotsa cotton being picked. And back to the lake I went, to finish book #1 and enjoy the quiet. The only neighbor that I know that still lives out there came by and we reminisced and laughed until the wee hours. He was going to R/C boat races in the morning and wanted to know if I'd join him. I told him I wasn't sure, that I had a lot of memories to put away and I wasn't sure I had the time. I'd think about it. 

Sunday morning, I watched him drive off and went outside to sit some more. This is the best trip to the lake I can remember in 5 years because, for once, I have NOTHING that I have to do. By 11:00 I'm gettin antsy, so on the Valk I hop and off I go. I planned to head north to Cordele for breakfast, but for no reason I can remember, I went south instead. An hour later I found myself at the races. Had a good time watching those folks for a couple hours. Lotta talent in those hands, and boy are them boats FAST! OK, a couple hours of watching is enough for anyone who isn't into the hobby and the Valk awaits. Before I knew it, I was on 75 again headed south. Passed a couple of northbound Valks below Tifton (Hey to boffa U!) and stopped in Valdosta. On a whim, I decided to call a boy I raced motocross with, and hadn't seen in 13 years. He was HOME! And, lived 2 miles from where I was sitting. Spent the rest of the day renewing a very old friendship. Alas, I'm 90 miles from 'home' so it's off I go. Wanted to be back by dark, but it wasn't in the cards. No mishaps, but there are a heap 'o deer in So. Jawja, so I was ever vigilent. Once back at the lake, it was off to the dock with book, beverages and alligators. 

Monday morning, up before daylight and watched the sun come up over the cotton patch across from the house. Lovely with the light fog. Went back to the dock and watched the ducks, geese and white herons out for their morning breakfast. Soon, I decided to pack the bike up and get that out of the way. Closing, unfortunately, is scheduled for 4:15. By 11:30, I just HAVE to leave. Off to Cordele for lunch. I got a wild hair and went by the attorneys office to see if I could just sign everything and be on my way. I COULD!! By 2:00, I'm headed home, and short one house. T-shirt weather in Cordele, lovely weather. By north of Macon, I'm wearing a windbreaker. Acworth, I'm breaking out the chaps and leather jacket. Amazing how quick the temps dropped. And the rain started. I was out of it before Chattanooga, but hit spurts all the rest of the way. Not much traffic so the truckers kept me company on the CB. Near Lexington I finally pulled off. I was dog tired, so a rest was in order and the decision had to be made, bag it for the night, or keep on. Probably on the stupid side, I decided it was only about 100 miles to the house, so off I went. I rolled into the garage at 0230. Tired, somewhat broken hearted over selling my lake house, BUT the Phat Lady and I had had one hell of a date, and, moret importantly, the MOST important thing in MY life, BeckyB, was there waiting for me. 

Sorry to ramble, hope I didn't bore you, but this was a tough trip for me, and a good one as well. It allowed me time to take stock of what was REALLY important in my life. So, my apologies to Tiny, Kemosabe, Warren and other GA folks that I'd dearly love to have met and ridden with. This just wasn't the weekend for it. 

DonB  F6Rider Webzine