Zig and Kate had folks over on Monday night for a cookout and fire, and to hang out with Mike and Jennifer who are still in town. It was a fun night, but there were libations of course, and it meant I didn't get to sleep as early as I'd hoped. Last night entailed a lot of errands and running around, tonight will be shopping and packing for the DC trip, and tomorrow will be...say it with me...spent working late. Yes, I will once again be stuck here late, but it'll be for an acceptable reason this time.
I'd planned on doing my 10k mileage service while I was down in NC, after DC. But happily, I've put too many miles on the bike this Spring and if I wait until NC, I'll have shot far, far past the 10k mark and I don't want to do that. So after some finagling and mishaps with the dealership, they've agreed that if I can be there first thing tomorrow morning, they will be able to get my service done while I wait (I dread to think how long I'll have to wait - fingers crossed that they're in a good mood).
I'll shoot in here super-early to get some reporting done and then head off to the dealership. I'm sure it'll be a fun ride in with the Boston commute, but it's a necessary evil. Once my service is done, it'll be back here to work to get caught up with all that needs to be done before I leave for the day. Because once I walk out the door, I'm not back in here until June 1st. What a nice stretch that will be!!
So anyway, departure on Friday morning will be early; 5:30 sharp. We've got 6 of us going down - a decent sized group but not too big at the same time. Weather for the ride down looks good and we're chompin' at the bit to get the hell out of Dodge.
K has a military greeting lined up for our itinerary on Saturday morning, where we'll greet WWII vets flying in for the weekend. It'll mean we probably have to curtail our Friday night shenanigans a bit...but we'll see. Artie wants to hit Arlington Cemetery and we haven't been there in a couple years so I suppose we're due. Saturday night will be the usual; front and center in front of the stage at Murphy's! Yeah!!!
Sunday will be Rolling Thunder, proper. I'll stick around for a couple hours of that, then head out to meet up with Jan and Steve so we can beat feet while everyone is still tied up in downtown DC. From there it's off to the Smoky Mountains and the Dragon that lies in wait!
It'll be a lotta miles and a lotta smiles. I can't wait to hit the road. I wish you all a fantastic ands safe Memorial Day weekend. Be safe, and get some miles on!
Ride Hard, Take Chances
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
I'm Getting Too Old For This Much Fun
The 14th annual Cinco de Roasto has come and gone, and thankfully it was another successful year. I wouldn't be able to put it on without all the help I get from so many people!
This year the fun and frivolity started on Wednesday night when our friend Karen arrived up from FLA. That turned into a late evening on a school night, which was then followed by an even later night on Thursday, and an even later night on Friday. Come Saturday, I was already feeling pretty beat so I was very glad when the last person went to bed and the lights went out at 1:30am. (That was much preferable to last year's lights-out time of 4 or 5am, whatever it was.)
Tim and Lynner arrived safely around noonish on Friday and got settled in without issue. Myszka and Erin arrived safely around 8:30 Friday night and met us directly at Chickie Flynn's where we were having dinner. Then Mike and Jennifer arrived on Saturday morning while we were off getting the pig, and we caught up with them once we were back from breakfast.
The weather had been looking iffy at best for most of the week but we lucked out in that no real rain visited us during the day. It was cool and overcast but that still beats rain, so we weren't complaining.
The cops made a cursory appearance this year, driving by a couple of times and bathing the backyard with their spotlights. Perhaps they were checking for any trouble, or perhaps they were letting us know they were in the area and keeping an eye on us. Either way, I'm sure it had an impact upon folks clearing out sooner than usual.
I'm told there are tons of pictures on Facebook but I haven't had a chance to go on and look at any of them yet. Sunday was cleanup and then a meat raffle at the Post, then last night Zig and Kate had folks over for a "Posto Cinco" cookout, to hang out with Mike and Jennifer again (they stayed with me for the weekend and are staying with Zig and Kate for the rest of the time they're up here). In addition to all of that, work is kicking the absolute bag out of me as usual. It's Tuesday morning and I'm only now starting to feel like I'm getting caught up on my sleep. Oh to be young again and able to bounce right back from this kind of a weekend.
Hopefully you were able to attend this year's event and will be able to attend next year's event as well. I'm working on some things to try and make it the best one yet...as it may be the last one I do.
Wait, say what?
More on that later, I guess, because I've gotta run to a meeting in 15 minutes and need to get some stuff together.
Ride Hard, Take Chances
This year the fun and frivolity started on Wednesday night when our friend Karen arrived up from FLA. That turned into a late evening on a school night, which was then followed by an even later night on Thursday, and an even later night on Friday. Come Saturday, I was already feeling pretty beat so I was very glad when the last person went to bed and the lights went out at 1:30am. (That was much preferable to last year's lights-out time of 4 or 5am, whatever it was.)
Tim and Lynner arrived safely around noonish on Friday and got settled in without issue. Myszka and Erin arrived safely around 8:30 Friday night and met us directly at Chickie Flynn's where we were having dinner. Then Mike and Jennifer arrived on Saturday morning while we were off getting the pig, and we caught up with them once we were back from breakfast.
The weather had been looking iffy at best for most of the week but we lucked out in that no real rain visited us during the day. It was cool and overcast but that still beats rain, so we weren't complaining.
The cops made a cursory appearance this year, driving by a couple of times and bathing the backyard with their spotlights. Perhaps they were checking for any trouble, or perhaps they were letting us know they were in the area and keeping an eye on us. Either way, I'm sure it had an impact upon folks clearing out sooner than usual.
I'm told there are tons of pictures on Facebook but I haven't had a chance to go on and look at any of them yet. Sunday was cleanup and then a meat raffle at the Post, then last night Zig and Kate had folks over for a "Posto Cinco" cookout, to hang out with Mike and Jennifer again (they stayed with me for the weekend and are staying with Zig and Kate for the rest of the time they're up here). In addition to all of that, work is kicking the absolute bag out of me as usual. It's Tuesday morning and I'm only now starting to feel like I'm getting caught up on my sleep. Oh to be young again and able to bounce right back from this kind of a weekend.
Hopefully you were able to attend this year's event and will be able to attend next year's event as well. I'm working on some things to try and make it the best one yet...as it may be the last one I do.
Wait, say what?
More on that later, I guess, because I've gotta run to a meeting in 15 minutes and need to get some stuff together.
Ride Hard, Take Chances
Thursday, May 14, 2015
The Cinco Approacheth!
The 14th Annual Cinco de Roasto will be here in two days. I'm scrambling here at work to get all kinds of crap finished up so I can get the hell out of here...and then scramble at home to get all kinds of crap finished up back there so hopefully things will go off without a hitch.
I dare say I'm in great shape, though. (Well; my house is, I'm certainly not.) I stayed in last weekend and laid low, focusing on cleaning, prepping, etc. and I'm glad I did because this week has been crazy and I wouldn't have had time to get the stuff done that I did.
Unfortunately, the forecasts have been getting steadily worse as the week has progressed.
On Sunday, they were calling for a chance of showers late in the day.
On Tuesday, they were saying showers for most of the day.
Now (Thursday), they're saying 70% chance of rain all day.
Awesome. And while last year's forecast was looking equally formidable, I don't think I'm going to get the miracle that I did last year, where everything cleared off by late morning. I think this time around, we're gonna get it.
Well, if we do, we do. The pig will still get cooked, the basement will see heavy activity on the luge (and probably beer pong, and Rob's Battleshots game), and merriment will be had.
Tim and Lynner are en route as I type this. They'll make it to the Olean motel (Cobleskill), stay the night and then complete the journey tomorrow.
Myszka sounds like he's definitely in this year, and that's great news. Also awesome; he may be bringing Erin with him, which would be great as well.
Mark is maintaining radio silence as usual and I'll only know he made the trip if I see him walk through my door at some point on Saturday (I'm hoping that I do).
Karen McGinnis arrived last night from Florida and is staying at my place through Sunday morning. I don't envy how she'll be feeling for her flight back on that day. :-D
Meeting up with McCarthy tonight to do the food shopping...and there will probably be some libations involved with that. I'm bringing his trailer back to my house, loaded up with all the cooking implements, so there will be a need for moderation. But that will promptly end once I'm back to my house.
Tomorrow will be spent getting tents set up for folks that need them, prepping the yard and cooking pits, as well as some last-minute cleaning and prepping within the house.
I'm busier than a one-legged man in an ass kicking contest but I wouldn't change a thing. We're gonna party with family and have another awesome year. Hope to see you all there.
Ride Hard, Take Chances
I dare say I'm in great shape, though. (Well; my house is, I'm certainly not.) I stayed in last weekend and laid low, focusing on cleaning, prepping, etc. and I'm glad I did because this week has been crazy and I wouldn't have had time to get the stuff done that I did.
Unfortunately, the forecasts have been getting steadily worse as the week has progressed.
On Sunday, they were calling for a chance of showers late in the day.
On Tuesday, they were saying showers for most of the day.
Now (Thursday), they're saying 70% chance of rain all day.
Awesome. And while last year's forecast was looking equally formidable, I don't think I'm going to get the miracle that I did last year, where everything cleared off by late morning. I think this time around, we're gonna get it.
Well, if we do, we do. The pig will still get cooked, the basement will see heavy activity on the luge (and probably beer pong, and Rob's Battleshots game), and merriment will be had.
Tim and Lynner are en route as I type this. They'll make it to the Olean motel (Cobleskill), stay the night and then complete the journey tomorrow.
Myszka sounds like he's definitely in this year, and that's great news. Also awesome; he may be bringing Erin with him, which would be great as well.
Mark is maintaining radio silence as usual and I'll only know he made the trip if I see him walk through my door at some point on Saturday (I'm hoping that I do).
Karen McGinnis arrived last night from Florida and is staying at my place through Sunday morning. I don't envy how she'll be feeling for her flight back on that day. :-D
Meeting up with McCarthy tonight to do the food shopping...and there will probably be some libations involved with that. I'm bringing his trailer back to my house, loaded up with all the cooking implements, so there will be a need for moderation. But that will promptly end once I'm back to my house.
Tomorrow will be spent getting tents set up for folks that need them, prepping the yard and cooking pits, as well as some last-minute cleaning and prepping within the house.
I'm busier than a one-legged man in an ass kicking contest but I wouldn't change a thing. We're gonna party with family and have another awesome year. Hope to see you all there.
Ride Hard, Take Chances
Friday, May 8, 2015
Oh, Those Tempting Scents...
Every time I head out to Olean, I pass some a certain barbecue place just after exit 66 (off of I-86) that's always got their outdoor pit going. As I get closer, I can always see the smoke rising upwards from their cooking shack and just about every time; it's wafting out across the highway, directly into my nostrils. And it always smells AMAZING!!
So why haven't I stopped in to check the place out? Because on my way out, I don't need gas when I reach exit 66, not to mention that I'm excited to get out to Olean and see the crew and don't feel like stopping.
On the way back, though, exit 66 lines up very well with my gas needs and I usually do pull off there to refuel. But it's usually pretty early in the morning still, and the BBQ place isn't open yet.
Last weekend when I was headed out to the Regatta, sure enough; the place was in full swing and the smoke and scents were billowing out as usual. I swore to myself that I'd look the place up on-line when I got back here. So without further ado, I give you;
The Big Dipper Bar-B-Que!
I yanked this first pic off of Google Maps so it's not terribly clear, but you get the idea. But what's with the twin old men getting into the car on the left? :-D
Looking at their menu, it looks pretty straightforward; no frills, just honest to goodness BBQ!
That looks pretty damn good to me. I think the next time I'm headed out there, I'll have to make a point to stop in and check this place out...
Ride Hard, Take Chances
So why haven't I stopped in to check the place out? Because on my way out, I don't need gas when I reach exit 66, not to mention that I'm excited to get out to Olean and see the crew and don't feel like stopping.
On the way back, though, exit 66 lines up very well with my gas needs and I usually do pull off there to refuel. But it's usually pretty early in the morning still, and the BBQ place isn't open yet.
Last weekend when I was headed out to the Regatta, sure enough; the place was in full swing and the smoke and scents were billowing out as usual. I swore to myself that I'd look the place up on-line when I got back here. So without further ado, I give you;
The Big Dipper Bar-B-Que!
I yanked this first pic off of Google Maps so it's not terribly clear, but you get the idea. But what's with the twin old men getting into the car on the left? :-D
Looking at their menu, it looks pretty straightforward; no frills, just honest to goodness BBQ!
That looks pretty damn good to me. I think the next time I'm headed out there, I'll have to make a point to stop in and check this place out...
Ride Hard, Take Chances
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Recall Squared
When I first bought my '14 Street Glide, there was a current recall on the hydraulic clutch system, which was fixed on my new bike before I even bought it. Sweet!
So when I rec'd a text from a buddy of mine two weeks ago, saying there was a recall on my bike's hydraulic clutch system, I thought he just had some old info. I even Googled it but didn't find anything specific about it, only brief mentions of the earlier one I'd already known about.
Then, when I was out in Olean this past weekend, there was more talk of it, that it was a new recall, and that there was also a recall on the front braking system - something about them locking up at high speeds. (Well that doesn't sound good at all.)
I again tried looking up info on-line about it but wasn't able to find anything. I figured oh well, I've got a service coming up in a while, I'll just ask about it then.
Ahh, but then on Monday, I received a recall notice in the mail. Sure enough; it's for the exact same hydraulic clutch issue that they fixed (allegedly) the first time around. Apparently if the bike is left sitting for an extended period of time, the clutch system will fail to contain enough force to disengage the transmission from the engine. I guess some clutzes have had this problem and then when they clutch in and then shift into first, the bike lurches on them because the tranny is still engaged a bit. So the bike falls over. Dumbasses. You always need to be ready for something when you're shifting, especially from a stop. Have your hand on the brake and be ready to lock that bastard down if you start moving before you're supposed to.
The good news is that my bike rarely sits for extended periods of time (even during the worse winter on record), so I haven't experienced this problem yet. I'll still have it fixed when I have the bike in for service.
Still no word on the front brake system, so I guess there's no issue there. 8-/
Ride Hard, Take Chances with your clutch...and brakes...
So when I rec'd a text from a buddy of mine two weeks ago, saying there was a recall on my bike's hydraulic clutch system, I thought he just had some old info. I even Googled it but didn't find anything specific about it, only brief mentions of the earlier one I'd already known about.
Then, when I was out in Olean this past weekend, there was more talk of it, that it was a new recall, and that there was also a recall on the front braking system - something about them locking up at high speeds. (Well that doesn't sound good at all.)
I again tried looking up info on-line about it but wasn't able to find anything. I figured oh well, I've got a service coming up in a while, I'll just ask about it then.
Ahh, but then on Monday, I received a recall notice in the mail. Sure enough; it's for the exact same hydraulic clutch issue that they fixed (allegedly) the first time around. Apparently if the bike is left sitting for an extended period of time, the clutch system will fail to contain enough force to disengage the transmission from the engine. I guess some clutzes have had this problem and then when they clutch in and then shift into first, the bike lurches on them because the tranny is still engaged a bit. So the bike falls over. Dumbasses. You always need to be ready for something when you're shifting, especially from a stop. Have your hand on the brake and be ready to lock that bastard down if you start moving before you're supposed to.
The good news is that my bike rarely sits for extended periods of time (even during the worse winter on record), so I haven't experienced this problem yet. I'll still have it fixed when I have the bike in for service.
Still no word on the front brake system, so I guess there's no issue there. 8-/
Ride Hard, Take Chances with your clutch...and brakes...
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Regatta 2015
The trip was a grand success and I'm so glad I went out again this year. The kayak travelled very well on the Jeep - with the exception of one time I had to pull over and straighten it out. The wind had begun to push it to the right side, but after fixing it and cranking down on the ratchets a bit more, things went well.
The only problem was the noise - the ratchet straps were vibrating in the wind something fierce. I had to wear earplugs just to make the trip bearable.
The ride back was much better because I picked up some cord and used that to tie the front of the kayak to the handle that's in the middle of my hood. Not too tight - I didn't want to pull the handle out of the kayak, but just enough to keep it pointed straight into the wind.
I also tucked a blanket under the kayak and draped the edges of it over the ratchet straps to block the wind. There was enough wind drag to keep the blanket edges over the straps, and it all but eliminated the noise. Sweet!
The ride out was uneventful, just the way I like it. I made great time, hit the graves when I arrived in Olean, then headed off to the Club to catch up with whoever was able to make it. As it turned out; a lot were able to! The whole bar front was filled with the crew and it was great to see so many faces. I didn't stay too long because A) I knew it was going to be a long weekend anyway and I didn't need to get too ripped up right away, and B) Mark and Mary were nice enough to have dinner waiting for me and I didn't want to be late for that!
So after about an hour and a half (and a group photo out on their new deck - which is awesome!), I made my way to the exit. And was promptly cut off by Lynner telling me I had to have a shot before I left! Ok, one shot and then I'm out!
Arriving at Mark and Mary's, it was time for more hugs and handshakes. We got to catching up while filling our bellies and then kicked back a bit. Then the doorbell rang - it was Skrobie! He came in and joined in the conversation, then the doorbell rang again - Jerry! Wonderful! We sat around the table for many an hour until it was finally time to turn in. (Of course, I hid some beer cans before I went up to bed, but Mark told me the next morning that I'd been making more noise than an elephant traipsing on bubble wrap so I think he's got a good idea where I hid them.)
The next day I got introduced to spidercakes. I'd never heard of them - they're apparently Mark's version of potato pancakes, and were named spidercakes for Isaac's benefit. As he was preparing them, the the doorbell rang once again. Sweet! The Sherriff! He came in and we all hung out chatting, and then stuffing our faces when breakfast was ready.
Barbie and Jerry popped back over briefly to say hello before heading off to take care of their day's errands and such. It seemed as good a time as any for the group to split off so Bryan left and I hit the shower. From there it was into town for a couple of errands (food for the weekend), then off to meet up with Myskza for the Regatta!
There was a bit of a hiccup in that the Budget rental truck which had been reserved in January, and which Erin had checked on each month since then, wasn't there when Steve went to pick it up. Fortunately, Sped's father "Sr" had a truck and trailer which we were able to use to transport our kayaks for the weekend.
Ok, back to meeting up with Myszka for the ride over to the campground; he took some mountain roads to get there and just beat the ever lovin' bag out of them. Speed limit signs apparently don't mean much to him...or anyone else for that matter, judging from the speed of the cars that shot past us, going in the opposite direction. What a fun ride that was!! I can just imagine doing it on a bike!
Arriving at the Regatta check-in, I was introduced to the folks I hadn't met before, as well as re-introduced to the folks I had. We got settled in and then the beer pong, washer toss, and cornhole games kicked in to high gear.
When it got dark out we headed off to the main camping area but there wasn't anything of interest to see there. It was all asses and elbows...and sausage. Nothing much for us to look at, so we headed back to the campsite and whiled the rest of the evening away.
The next morning there were a number of souls who had stayed up too late the night before and were rather slow to get moving. Last time I did the Regatta, we were in the river by 10am. This time around, we didn't make it until closer to 11, but it didn't matter; we still had the whole river waiting for us.
I wound up being the first of our group to go into the drink. It didn't even take me that long - I think it was about half an hour after putting in. I was coming up on a corner where a tree was sticking out a bit. I was aiming to cut around it but there were two flat-bottomed boats in front of me that got hung up sideways and blocked me. The current pressed me right into them (also now sideways) and then undercut my kayak, spinning it right out from under me. I managed to pop up quickly enough to grab my cooler which was now topless and floating away from me. I wasn't fast enough to grab the 7 or 8 beers which were being swept rapidly down stream, though. (Fortunately; the river taketh away, and the river giveth back. During the day, other folks would spill into the water, have their beerverages swept downstream, and into my waiting hands.)
The day overall was a grand success. The temps went into the 70's, the skies were almost fully clear, and the water was running well. I didn't intend to, but I wound up far ahead of most of the crew, so I wound up at the end of the run long before the ends of our group finally arrived - two hours later. Damn! I coulda been on the river for two more hours! Oh well, in the long run I'm sure it was for the best because I had been maintaining an even keel (pun intended) with the libations, so being out of the water (and by the cops) two hours earlier didn't hurt me at all, I'm sure.
Once we were all accounted for and back at the sight, we headed up to the fire hall for dinner, then came back and gathered around the fire to recount the day. Everyone had had a great time and were already looking forward to next year's event.
I said my farewells before it got too late, then tucked myself into my Jeep to grab some sleep. I woke the next morning feeling surprisingly well, and was out on the highway by 6am.
With the exception of one traffic jam on the Pike, my return trip was also uneventful, and I pulled safely into my driveway @ 1pm. Not too shabby at all.
It was an awesome time and I hope that the folks who've made it before will remember how much fun they had, and go out there with me next year.
Because...
Ya Gatta Regatta!
The only problem was the noise - the ratchet straps were vibrating in the wind something fierce. I had to wear earplugs just to make the trip bearable.
The ride back was much better because I picked up some cord and used that to tie the front of the kayak to the handle that's in the middle of my hood. Not too tight - I didn't want to pull the handle out of the kayak, but just enough to keep it pointed straight into the wind.
I also tucked a blanket under the kayak and draped the edges of it over the ratchet straps to block the wind. There was enough wind drag to keep the blanket edges over the straps, and it all but eliminated the noise. Sweet!
The ride out was uneventful, just the way I like it. I made great time, hit the graves when I arrived in Olean, then headed off to the Club to catch up with whoever was able to make it. As it turned out; a lot were able to! The whole bar front was filled with the crew and it was great to see so many faces. I didn't stay too long because A) I knew it was going to be a long weekend anyway and I didn't need to get too ripped up right away, and B) Mark and Mary were nice enough to have dinner waiting for me and I didn't want to be late for that!
So after about an hour and a half (and a group photo out on their new deck - which is awesome!), I made my way to the exit. And was promptly cut off by Lynner telling me I had to have a shot before I left! Ok, one shot and then I'm out!
Arriving at Mark and Mary's, it was time for more hugs and handshakes. We got to catching up while filling our bellies and then kicked back a bit. Then the doorbell rang - it was Skrobie! He came in and joined in the conversation, then the doorbell rang again - Jerry! Wonderful! We sat around the table for many an hour until it was finally time to turn in. (Of course, I hid some beer cans before I went up to bed, but Mark told me the next morning that I'd been making more noise than an elephant traipsing on bubble wrap so I think he's got a good idea where I hid them.)
The next day I got introduced to spidercakes. I'd never heard of them - they're apparently Mark's version of potato pancakes, and were named spidercakes for Isaac's benefit. As he was preparing them, the the doorbell rang once again. Sweet! The Sherriff! He came in and we all hung out chatting, and then stuffing our faces when breakfast was ready.
Barbie and Jerry popped back over briefly to say hello before heading off to take care of their day's errands and such. It seemed as good a time as any for the group to split off so Bryan left and I hit the shower. From there it was into town for a couple of errands (food for the weekend), then off to meet up with Myskza for the Regatta!
There was a bit of a hiccup in that the Budget rental truck which had been reserved in January, and which Erin had checked on each month since then, wasn't there when Steve went to pick it up. Fortunately, Sped's father "Sr" had a truck and trailer which we were able to use to transport our kayaks for the weekend.
Ok, back to meeting up with Myszka for the ride over to the campground; he took some mountain roads to get there and just beat the ever lovin' bag out of them. Speed limit signs apparently don't mean much to him...or anyone else for that matter, judging from the speed of the cars that shot past us, going in the opposite direction. What a fun ride that was!! I can just imagine doing it on a bike!
Arriving at the Regatta check-in, I was introduced to the folks I hadn't met before, as well as re-introduced to the folks I had. We got settled in and then the beer pong, washer toss, and cornhole games kicked in to high gear.
When it got dark out we headed off to the main camping area but there wasn't anything of interest to see there. It was all asses and elbows...and sausage. Nothing much for us to look at, so we headed back to the campsite and whiled the rest of the evening away.
The next morning there were a number of souls who had stayed up too late the night before and were rather slow to get moving. Last time I did the Regatta, we were in the river by 10am. This time around, we didn't make it until closer to 11, but it didn't matter; we still had the whole river waiting for us.
I wound up being the first of our group to go into the drink. It didn't even take me that long - I think it was about half an hour after putting in. I was coming up on a corner where a tree was sticking out a bit. I was aiming to cut around it but there were two flat-bottomed boats in front of me that got hung up sideways and blocked me. The current pressed me right into them (also now sideways) and then undercut my kayak, spinning it right out from under me. I managed to pop up quickly enough to grab my cooler which was now topless and floating away from me. I wasn't fast enough to grab the 7 or 8 beers which were being swept rapidly down stream, though. (Fortunately; the river taketh away, and the river giveth back. During the day, other folks would spill into the water, have their beerverages swept downstream, and into my waiting hands.)
The day overall was a grand success. The temps went into the 70's, the skies were almost fully clear, and the water was running well. I didn't intend to, but I wound up far ahead of most of the crew, so I wound up at the end of the run long before the ends of our group finally arrived - two hours later. Damn! I coulda been on the river for two more hours! Oh well, in the long run I'm sure it was for the best because I had been maintaining an even keel (pun intended) with the libations, so being out of the water (and by the cops) two hours earlier didn't hurt me at all, I'm sure.
Once we were all accounted for and back at the sight, we headed up to the fire hall for dinner, then came back and gathered around the fire to recount the day. Everyone had had a great time and were already looking forward to next year's event.
I said my farewells before it got too late, then tucked myself into my Jeep to grab some sleep. I woke the next morning feeling surprisingly well, and was out on the highway by 6am.
With the exception of one traffic jam on the Pike, my return trip was also uneventful, and I pulled safely into my driveway @ 1pm. Not too shabby at all.
It was an awesome time and I hope that the folks who've made it before will remember how much fun they had, and go out there with me next year.
Because...
Ya Gatta Regatta!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
