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FJRfarrier

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2014
Messages
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Location
Findlay, OH
Just a few weeks late.....

And THAT is why I prefer to do a ride report DURING the ride!!! It gets completed! And the memory is still good! And the excitement to share it with others is still well and pumping!


But alas, this is the FJRfarrier summary and view of this years SFO - held in Alabama.

While I was riding and writing my summer trip (Windsong of the West) - FJRBandit had commented and mentioned to me about making sure I had enough vacation time left to venture down to their event. So after some research on the forum, I had found the coveted event.
Alabama - a state I hadn't yet visited and marked on my map.
On the last weekend in October.
Being held at a backwoods camp property.
With a handful of guys that I had never met.
Yup! I'll be right there!!!!!

So after some talking with the hosts, Bandit and his wife, I had weasled my way out of a tent and into a bed in the barn. (Playing my "girl card" real well there.)

Leaving NW Ohio - My plan was to leave Tuesday after work and get south to Lexington for the night. Luckily we did not have an early winter blast. The weather was decent. There have been times where we have had snow and ice for halloween trick or treat. Smooth sailing for Tuesday's quick jaunt. Didn't need a tire this time through Lexington. (the start of the EOM trip was stressful...)

This trip I also had the honor of escorting Beemerdon to SFO. So Wednesday morning I leave Lexington, and skip the interstate (shocking!!) and venture across the rolling hills towards Lebanon, Kentucky. Beautiful farms full of miles and miles of fencing, acres and acres of green grass and lots of shiny brown 4 legged creatures.
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Once in Lebanon, who internet-claims to be the center of KY (but no sign found in town)- I found my way towards Maker's Mark Distillery. Well known for their bourbon, folks.
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Because of lack of time and personal interest, I did not take the tour. But the front desk gentleman was kind enough to allow me walk around the grounds to take some pictures, and he even stamped the Beemerdon guest book.
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Sitting there in the parking lot, eating a breakfast snack, I was thinking. Here I was, "escorting" Don around on the way to SFO. A man who I briefly met last year, at EOM. And at that time, I was a piddlydink who was barely on the forum. It was a brief passing- not even long enough for a handshake. I remembered him- but did he remember me? So, on this trip- was I doing right? Would this be acceptable? About that time- I looked down at my tankbag. And there were my handwritten route numbers for how to get us to Tennessee. The route which had been thought of earlier, but only just last night written onto the notepad from the hotel. It was then that I told myself- this might be different and new for Don- but it definitely is going to be an adventure!!!
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Saddled back up and headed on into the country side again. Enjoying the solitude, beautiful weather, and spectacular scenery. Finally hit the interstate and made my way towards Nashville, TN. Once near there, I detoured to the Grand Ole Opry. I've been there before (yes, even on the FJR).... but I figured it would be a neat thing for BeemerDon to experience. Of course, we were there mid-week and mid-day. No one playing inside or outside - even though the weather was nice. And I didn't realize it was so difficult to find stickers!!! my gosh.... lol. I settled for 2 guitar picks- one for my bike, one for the book.
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Back onto the bike, back onto the road. Traffic and heat- I just wanted to keep moving!! Finally rolled into Alabama- check that off the bike-it list! This state was already not what I was expecting- and I hadn't even seen the best parts of it.
I got into a hotel outside of Birmingham- planning to visit the Barber Museum in the morning.

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Thursday morning- time to visit the world renowned Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum!!!!
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My parents had visited here last year.... but even with their pictures and stories- I was blown away.
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I walked around, took pictures, and admired the bikes. Through text- my dad was able to tell me what bike his mom first rode. And I found one similiar!! 1935 Indian Chief.
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And her first BMW. 1969 R69S. Red- just like this.
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My grandparents were avid travelers- this country and overseas. And the "girl riding her own bike" thing- yeah, it's genetic. Both my grandmas ride/rode their own bikes. My mom rides her own. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree- and I love my family tree.
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Saw many other bikes; but throughout the moments, I wished my dad was beside me, showing me what is what and why it's special. This museum will definitely be on my return-to list- but with my father next to me.
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So as I was done looking around for myself- I went back out to the bike and got the Beemerdon picture.
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I took it back in and made sure I was allowed to walk around with it and take pictures of it and some of the bikes. The front desk lady was very nice about it. So as I was struggling to get the picture lined up with the atrium of bikes, a young security guard offered to hold the picture for me.
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I thanked him, and he walked away. After a short bit, he comes back and asks what I am doing. So I tell him how Don passed away unexpectedly last December. And how his picture and guest book have been traveling around and attending different events. And how I am on my way from Ohio to Alabama to attend a weekend of riding and socializing with likeminded individuals. And how I thought it would be neat to "show" Beemerdon the spectacular Barber Museum.

He's intrigued. So he steps over and asks an older security guard something, and comes back. Tells me to follow him. That we're gonna do something special for "the man in the picture". So we get in the elevator, he puts his security key in the special slot and hits the "basement" button. He the tells me that we are going to go down below- where not many people have the oppurtunity to go. He proceeded to show me where they do a lot of the renovating. And then down the concrete hallway, through a set of double doors, and into the holding "warehouse" room.
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Rows and rows of bikes. Shelves and shelves of bikes. Some bikes covered, some not. Wow.
So we get a picture of Don with the storage bikes.
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Thank you to that young man for that experience. It meant a lot to me.
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Eventually, I needed to make my way back outside- where Brandon was to meet me for the final jaunt down to the SFO hangout.
We zigged and zagged our way through the back roads- coming across a few cotton fields. We don't grow this stuff up north!!!
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We eventually made our way to the Bandit's property. The signs helped to show the way!
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Pull up the gravelly, inclined, turning driveway.... and you come across a well laid out property with a smiling Mrs. Bandit greeting the new bikes arrival. Did I mention how much I enjoyed the southern hospitality? The rest of the campers for the night showed up. Tents were set up, and dinner was being prepared. Burgers, dogs, and pie. Always pie.
"Their" camping....
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and "my" camping...
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-----------
Friday morning- breakfast and day snacks were provided and laid out by the Bandits. Then we saddled up, and rode down the road a bit to meet the hotelers and others.
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After we got organized- we divided into two medium sized groups. Honestly- it worried me. Groups of 8 and 9? I was skeptical, but hoped for the best. Come to find out- everyone rode well and behaved themselves and we did good.
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Throughout the day we were stopping often for water breaks, pee breaks, scenery breaks, points of interest breaks, and of course, ice cream breaks.
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ride some...
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stop some...
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ride some...
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Somehow the groups caught up together, and we all made our way to Cheaha State Park.
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Come to find out- it is home to Alabama's highest point!!


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Also a nice observation tower.
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Fill that with a dozen motorcyclists- and it gets snuggly but fun. Well, hello gentleman....
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A little farther in the state park, and you come across Bald Rock Lookout. After a short hike on a boardwalk through the colorful trees....
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the view is spectacular!!
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While some stayed on the boardwalk....
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Some ventured down onto the rock ledge....
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After that view of Alabama- the next thing they seem to pride themselves on down here is BBQ. So off to lunch we go.
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Had a chopped pork sammich, with the sweet sauce. And a slice of pie.
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Off we ride again.... and stop again.....
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and ride again..... and stop again.....
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And then it's back to camp.
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What a day. Evening dinner was a shrimp boil. A first for this northerner!! And wonderful entertainment by a guitar pickin' southern singin' gentleman.
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Saturday- get up and do it all over again!!!! Traverse down the gravel driveway- down the road to the hotel- gather and organize everyone- and then head off riding! I think we split into 2 groups again- this time being about 10-11 bikes in a group. But we managed to catch up- and we rode the rest of the day as one large like-minded group. Passing through a town- we found "Pants Store". Yes, that's Pants in front too. Lol.
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We headed up to Barber Museum for a group picture outside. A group of 3-wheeled behomeths were taking up the circle, so we settled for a line in the parking lot.
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After a brief break in the shade- we mounted back up and followed our fearless leaders of Bandit and Pants. And because I had made a new friend within the past 2 days, I had been talking about the curiosity of riding a beemer. Well, Nate was so kind as to offer to swap bikes and let me ride his GS1200. There's my first impression....
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Second impression is "it's nice. but I like my FJR way too much..."
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After a swift ride on some roads (luckily I was following... the only way I know what roads I rode, was because my Spot tracker pinged the route), we stopped again.
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And then rode again.
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And then we stopped for lunch. And then stopped for ice cream. And the color and trees and scenery was nice. And then stopped and lined up at an overlook.
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And then we rode back to camp. Dinner was smoked meat and ribs. Evening entertainment was talking and hanging out with people.
And meeting Redfish Hunter. I mean, I was excited to meet all you other people, too..... but Redfish gets the award for excellence. The one who seemed to always be the first to comment on my Windsong RR, the one who has that subtle humor in his text, and "my biggest fan". I was bummed to hear throughout the SFO thread that it was unlikely that he would show up. Here I was, traveling "all the way to Alabama"... and I wasn't going to meet my biggest fan?!?! How disappointing!! But I'll be danged, he showed up!! AND IT WAS FABULOUS!!!!!
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And now, like literally, just now- I went reading through the comments again made by others on my Windsong RR. And I realized Bandit was right there with him. Watching every post and keeping up. Thank you. Thank you both. Thank you everyone.

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Sunday- It was time to leave the south.... and head back north. But first- Jana (Mrs. Bandit) had packed us lunches for the road. Thank you!!
Shortly after getting on the interstate- I found a partner in crime. I figured, if you're going to run above the speed limit- first, be safe about it. second, have a speed trap safety net (RD). third, find a partner who is big and yellow and in front of you.
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And then, being a respectful Alabama fan (the music group, the band), and realizing their town is on a route home... I decided to take the slightly longer and different way home. So I headed north east on I-59, and made my way towards Ft. Payne, AL. Stopped at the Alabama Fan Club and Museum; which was closed.
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And then ventured down the main drag, and stopped at the streetside statues and markers.
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Back onto the interstate, I made my way into the corner of Georgia. For about 25 miles- I rode through Georgia. I even made sure to stop and get gas in the state!! After much debate with myself and a few others- I decided to consider that good enough to mark it off my states map. Yes, I know- I need to get back down there and see more of it.... but for now- I'm counting it as a state!
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Onto I-75- and homeward bound. 520 miles of this interstate and I'll be home. Of course, I stopped along the way and pulled out the delicious lunch that had been packed for me!
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And then keep riding north! I am one that will enjoy the interstate- crazy, I know. Passing somewhere through TN, I was riding through some of the hanging smoke from the wildfires in the area.
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And once into Kentucky- I needed to stop and think. So I pulled into a rest area, parked the bike, stripped the riding suit, layed it on the grass under a tree, and layed down on it. Relaxing and regrouping. Gathering myself for the remaining 325 miles.
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Around Lexington, lots of horsefarms and dreams. Into Cincinnatti, got into some rain. Not enough to pull over and switch gloves though.

Up through the Dayton area- I passed (what used to be) Welcome Stadium. All lit up and plenty of school and charter busses and trucks in the parking lots. Realized it was Sunday, and the last weekend in October- that means it was State Marching Band Finals!!!! Got me thinking about the 4 years that my high school band competed and we went to that stadium and performed.
I used to consider band my life- and it was thought to be the greatest 4 years of my life. Now, I pick up the instrument, or beat the pans, maybe twice a year.
I had made so many friends while in band and the extra-curriculars. Now, I barely know them- only through facebook.
Will this experience be the same? Will riding the bike all over the country soon be something that I used to do? Will the people I meet and the friendships I made soon become a thing of the past? Will they just be someone that I knew? Someone that we just "watch" on the forum?
I sure hope not.
I know lives change and things affect people differently- but I hope we can still gather and shoot the breeze at least once a year. I showed up to SFO knowing just a few faces, but plenty of forum names. And I rode out of there with new friends, new ideas, and dreams and plans of doing more together.

So I arrive home - with 2,400 more miles on the bike. But this trip was more than the miles. It was meeting new friends. It was seeing new things. It was proving to myself that even with a dented bike, and torn pride, I can persevere and overcome. And you can bet your britches I will return for another SFO next year.
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Good stuff indeed. Something about Don getting you two into the below room really touched the old heart strings. Good on you for taking him along for the ride. SFO looked like a mighty fine event, thanks for the report.

 
Always enjoy reading and viewing your stuff.Bravo!

While he may never see this, a special thanks to that young security guard for allowing you, and Don, to see the inner sanctum at Barber. Like you, I only met the man briefly at EOM 15 but there's little doubt in my mind that if he were still with us he'd have managed to talk his way down there himself.

 
A beautifully written RR. Superb Stuff.

Time moves all of us to and then past an endless stream of people, places, and experiences. Some folks are happy to remain in one place with one group of friends and one set of memories. Other folks grow and change and thirst to experience more. That second group sees more, does more, makes more friends and unfortunately leaves most of those friends behind. Neither group is right or wrong, they just live their lives differently.

So, my dear friend, do not feel sad about the friends that you no longer see. Your true friends will always remember you and will come to your aid no matter how much time and distance separate your last meeting. Be proud of yourself young lady. There are a lot of folks on this forum who are proud of you and even more proud to have been blessed with the opportunity to spend a brief amount of time with you.

I hope that whomever took that picture of me on my knee in front of you will be kind enough to share it with me.

 
Julie - that was just wonderful. It's so cool to see someone else's perspectives and insights into the same ride that I was on.

I wish I would have known about the "girl card" clause in the SFO registration. I mean hey - I found some lingerie (in the loosest sense of the term) on day 2. Oh well - maybe next year (J/J).

There will always be challenges in life. Herding motorcyclist thousands of miles apart for a ritual gathering won't ever be easy. But the satisfaction, camaraderie, and fellowship we get form gathering far outweighs any obstacles we cross to get there. Most assuredly, the ends absolutely justify the means.

What a fantastic trip, man.

 
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