Sunday, November 6, 2005

All's well that ends well

Rachel arrived about the same time our music show was over.  She'd decided to drive down Saturday night, sleep on the extra bed, and we'd all get an early start Sunday.  Nobody had warned her about my hacking and coughing.  Besides,we sat up till midnight watching some great shows on CMT about the outlaw movement in country music, laughing and talking about anything and everything. 

Cliff still hadn't figured out how he was going to load an 800-pound motorcycle onto a high-off-the-ground four-wheel-drive pickup, when we got up Sunday morning.  Rachel found a place behind the motel that might put the pickup bed on a level with the ground, but when the truck was backed up, there was a huge gap.  We had a flimsy board, barely wider than the motorcycle tires, that Cliff was going to try and push the bike up, with mine and Rachel's help.  I had little hope for this plan working, and my feelings were right.  The bike slipped off the board no sooner than we'd started, and there was no way the three of us could back it up and start over.

Ah, but God puts angels in the most unlikely places.  A man had come outside the motel to smoke, came down to assess the situation, and told us to wait while he went to get another man.  It turns out this father and son were both Gold Wing riders, and they sympathized with our plight.  They and Cliff, together, came up with a plan that worked, and we got our precious cargo loaded.

I've learned that motorcycle riders everywhere have a special bond.  They help one another.  Trust me, Cliff and I intend to carry on that tradition.

We got home safe and sound, with Rachel driving most of the way.  I decided to waive her babysitting fee for last week... do you blame me?

As soon as Cliff figures out the problem with our Honda, we'll be back on the road, weather permitting.  This has been simply one more adventurous chapter in the storybook that is my life.  Would you believe we're already laughing about our Branson experience?

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

You have the BEST attitude of anybody I know Mosie!  Glad it all turned out well. Now, get thyself better!   Anne

Anonymous said...

Was Rachel singing 'Here I come to save the day!!!'  ??  <g>

~Amy

Anonymous said...

Ok wow, that looked very difficult getting the bike into the truck.  Now I've got to back and read prior entries and catch up to see what was going on with the bike.
I love reading backwards.
Sonya

Anonymous said...

You're probably going to have a lot more of these exciting stories to tell, now that you and Cliff are going to be hitting the road on that bike alot more often!

Glad you made it home safe!

Jackie

Anonymous said...

Glad that you all made it back home safely and are looking forward to another adventure. Helen

Anonymous said...

yes you do have a wonderful attitude... I did too when we had our Honda but we decided it was time to sell it and buy some things for the kids... now I just enjoy riding places in the car or van. lol  Sandra

Anonymous said...

There is always a way to load a bike into a pickup <g>. When I laid my bike down a few months ago, it would start, but the brake was bent and stuck in the brake on position, so I couldn't 'nurse' it home. I staid with the bike (thankfully not injured! This is why we wear helmets and jeans and boots and LEATHERS <g>), and G took his bike to the house and grabbed my little pick-up. I always have straps behind the seat, so on his return the only problem was getting it up in the bed of the truck. Luckily, my bike is VERY light for a 650, and the two of us manhandled it up in the bed... we didn't even have a little board ;(  But, we got it in and got it home!

You are right about bikers always willing to help each other out. We always stop and make sure anyone on the side of the road is o.k.... It's kind of a 'brotherhood' sort of thing. Glad your adventure turned out o.k.... and yeah Rachel for saving the day!
http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind

Anonymous said...

Thank the good Lord you're both just fine !  Sounds like you had a good time even with all the rest going on.  Hope you're feeling better.  'On Ya' - ma

Anonymous said...

Well thank the Lord you are both ok....and Rachael is our "angel" now isn't she?? and yes..I have heard it said that "bikers" have a special bond....guess this proves it big time...glad all turned out so well....Hugs...Ora

Anonymous said...

I'm glad this didn't put a damper on your new-found two-wheeled adventure. I sure hope it's something easy to fix.

Anonymous said...

So glad to have my Mosie back....in one piece!  

Russ

Anonymous said...

Boater's have that same bond.  There are always boating angels around when you need them.
Adventure or crisis.....it's all in the attitude and I love yours.

Anonymous said...

Wow.. some weekend! But it sounds like good times were had even if the goldwing pooped out.   You are right Bikers will Always help bikers.. I drove a 360 Honda for a number of years and my X a harley.. but no matter where or when if we needed help it always came in the form of another biker..  So.. when do you get your tatoo? hehe.