Our ride to remember

    A couple years ago, while playing cards with Dick and Ginger Arthur an idea was thrown around of going to Wing Ding in N.C. Well before Dick and I knew it we were involved in a ride of a life time. Women have a way of planning things to make trips interesting. Did you ever see a wife lay on a trailer so the husband can close latches? I won't say who, but I'd walk way out and around Arthur's trailer if and when you see it. By the way I never have to worry about anyone breaking into my home while I'm gone, everything I own is in the trailer.

    Well this trip started on a Sun. afternoon for Dick & Ginger had a family reunion somewhere down by Holly MI. Notice I said somewhere because when we got to what we thought was the correct park, the Arthurs were nowhere to be found. Boy there was a lot of parties in that park. After enlisting park rangers, kids and anyone else who would talk to someone on a ''motorcycle" we came to the conclusion we had a problem. After maybe an hour "The wife" remembers we have their daughters' cell number. Number was answered by "where have you been, where are you and what's the hold up." Come to find out there are two parks back to back and of course we are at the wrong one.

    After meeting their family and eating good home cooking we said our good-byes and headed down the x-way. Dick and I had plans of staying on toll road East for the day and making plans the next day. Can't remember where we stayed but after a small vote we found some nice roads for the next day. Got on Blue Ridge parkway at front Royal and started our journey South. It's about this time we found out Carol has a knack of spotting wildlife, some we had time to see, others we didn't. Some discussion was had if she was really seeing all the animals she was naming. About this time Ginger stated over the C.B. that her trip would be complete if we could spot a bear. Well it wasn't but a half hour and here stands this black little fellow about twenty feet off the right side of the road. Couldn't believe my eyes. All I could hear was noise on the C.B. with everyone trying to talk at the same time, including myself. That's when I'm informed the camera is in the trunk and we a going back. Ever try a u-tum on the parkway? After a moment or two we returned to the spot to find this little guy had disappeared. O.K., another u-tum to find him standing on the other side of the road minding his own business as we stopped and got a few pictures. It's at this time he decides to leave and walks between the bikes and into the woods. This is about the time everyone started to think and wonder where and how close he was on our return trip. I'm guessing just a matter of feet for there wasn't much of a shoulder on that side of the road. Now you can guess what the talk of the town was that night. Can't remember where we stayed that night, being this age and all. I do remember we had dinner at a rib joint that wasn't that great. Some how I can remember food.

    After a nice and picturesque trip we arrived in Greenville NC. While getting a room we inquired about our room reservations for Wing Ding, which was in two weeks, to find we didn't have any. That's when we found out how GWRRA blocks rooms. Would be nice if all employees were informed of the system. So from there we decided Dolly Parton wanted to see us so we headed to Pigeon Forge arriving to beautiful weather and no straight roads. About the second day there Mother Nature realized Dick Arthur was with us and gave into a rather nice rainstorm. Rain storm heck, a real down poor. Have to warn every one that ride with Dick in the future. It will rain! If I remember right we rounded a curve to find foam along shoulders and then realized it was hail. Ever ride in a single track with your trailer riding the high side? Ride with Dick and you will!

    At this time we decided it would be smarter to enjoy a couple hundred card games back at the motel. Again, being this age, hunger seemed to be at the top of the list. Carol, with her great memory, informs us of a pizza joint across the road. She even volunteers to go get it. Did I mention it had been raining off and on? Well after at least an hour wait she arrived with two pizzas, one umbrella turned inside out, one cut finger, wet hair and a vocabulary I will not mention here. Seems the joint across the road was not open for business yet but there is another a couple "Blocks" down the street. She still claims it to be over a mile. Did 1 mention in the rain. Well, she got the pizza ok and asked if she could buy a ride to the motel. No can't do that, but they would deliver the pizza. About this time she gets this picture of three people eating pizza while she walks back to motel. Did I mention it's raining? Here she comes, Mary Poppins style, umbrella inside out and all.

    Next problem, dirty laundry. Dick and Ginger head for the local laundry-mat, Carol and I head for UPS office. Send all dirty laundry to Sister-in-law with note "do not open". From here on every time Dick could he'd pay with quarters. After a short time we found out he only had twenty-dollar bills with him at the change machine.

    It's about this time the women inform us (heard that before somewhere), we are heading for Grace Land. Now if you look at a map you might notice this is the full length of Tennessee.

    Well two days later we arrive just in time for last tour bus. Carol and I have been there so we watched the bikes while Dick and Ginger enjoyed their tour. Have to tell you we had just as much fun showing our bike off to people from other countries. People wanted pictures of the bike and trailer so we took pictures of them with there cameras.

    Well that's about it, did I mention rain? Riding with the Arthurs you know. Found out when and why she calls him "King Arthur" at times but that's another story. Made it back to Greenville, then to Indiana to look at pick-up campers, and then home. Had something like 1400 miles in three weeks with a great couple to ride with. Did I mention the rain?

Ron & Carol Yaekel