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| Can't quite get myself to call this bunch the 'Dirty Dozen' but this is us |
My first group ride in what seemed like ages was set for June 5,
2022*. Home to Buellton and back, hosted by Jed and Sue with a visit with
others for lunch. (I didn’t know who all would be there when I started) I set
out a little early for the meet point just off Golden Valley Road and was on my
own for the first twenty miles. The weather was excellent and boded well for
the ride up. Prime number = 1.
Jed and Sue arrived at the pumps just as I was topping off. Warm
greetings were exchanged in the cool of the morning. The days since we last
rode together had rushed by like the Rogue River on a storm-swollen day. They
are a joy to ride with and Jed always sets a great pace on a well-chosen route.
Before mounting up he laid out our route for the morning run – over Newhall
Ranch Road to Highway 126, through the agricultural area and Fillmore and Santa
Paula to Highway 101 and on up the coast to Buellton. I love this section of
the Pacific Coast Highway and travel it often to see my daughter’s family. I
waved to them just after passing their offramp in Santa Barbara; pretty sure
they didn’t see us flash by. The weather held perfectly; the traffic was
agreeable for us but not so much the southbound traffic. Prime number = 3.
We arrived at Flying Flags RV Resort (that’s code for glamping)
right around 10:30 a.m. and we were able to locate Tim and Bev’s nifty trailer
to park our Victories behind it. Another long overdue series of hugs ensued. I
miss these guys. We availed ourselves of a key resort facility and hung out for
a little while hoping for the next pair to join us. During the wait I was
gifted two excellent journals from Bev, a gift I felt was from all of them. I
put my new “Sin City – Victory Motorcycle Club, 20th Annual
National Meet Journal to work right away for this posting, pen and journal
helping me keep the momentum up for me getting back. Prime number = 5.
We didn’t have to wait long for Kevin and Jeanie to join us as
they pulled into the space next to the trailer, Kevin on his Victory Vision,
Jeanie on her touring Cam-Am. They were packed and ready for a stay at a hotel
within walking distance of the RV resort. More hugs and more catching up. I
love it! Their ride over from Bakersfield over Highway 166 and south on the 101
was a bit more congested than our ride in but was nevertheless appreciated.
Prime number = 7.
We ambled over to find Karen and Keith and were joined by Karen’s
mother, Norma and thus ended my theme of prime numbers but I wasn’t about to be
the one to tell her she couldn't hang out with us and I wasn't willing to stand
apart. Norma and I were the only unattached attendees and made our number eight
when she joined our stroll. Nevertheless, it was prime time for friendship.
Norma fit in the group like a glove and I found myself calling her ‘mom’ like
everyone else.
We arrived at Karen and Keith’s space and I found myself touring
the most luxurious motorhome I’d ever been in. Slide outs for the length of the
RV made it spacious and I was informed that the group, as assembled just then,
had broken it in with style and grace with a dance. I’m reserving my own
assessment on the grace until I have a chance to see them in action. I made two
new friends here in Calvin and Lisa though our interaction was limited. And
then we were a dozen.
Lunch for our group of twelve was at Firestone Walker, a
brewery/restaurant. The food was excellent and conversations even better. I had
a nice corner seat that allowed me one of my favorite pastimes, watching people
loving being with each other. An observation worth mentioning is that three of
the five couples were made up of a husband and wife who had each lost a spouse.
Love had found a way, several times over and in my estimation included the
other two couples. I will attest that each of these five relationships are made
up of people with large hearts capable of holding on to memories of lost loves
and still able to hold on to the one found – without remorse and likely made
all the stronger. I’ve seen it and written about it for them in the past. I was
honored to be there and watch it happen and honored to watch it continue. Thank
you, friends.
Now, I need to make a confession here. I know one of the other two
couples are holding fast to second (and third chances) but I don’t quite know
about my ride-mates for the day and I am flummoxed that wouldn't know them down
to the day they wed. But, I love researching my stories…
Our ride home was more eventful than anybody ever wants.
We stayed off of the PCH and thus missed the southbound grind
above and into Ventura. Jed had us winding through foothills and canyons,
twisting and turning and loving nearly every moment. Our route back was on Hwy
246 through Solvang with its smorgasbords on to Hwy 154 taking us by Lake
Cachuma on to Hwy 192 through the foothills above Santa Barbara to Hwy 150
through Ojai where we fueled up to continue down to Santa Paula and on home.
The downer was along Hwy 192 (I think). We were in a long string
on vehicles on the two-lane highway with a long string of cars heading the
opposite direction as well. I spotted a deer grazing at the edge of the highway
on our side. Just as I was passing a signal to the following cars the deer
picked her head up and stepped in front of Jed. Jed swerved and narrowly
(within inches) missed the deer who leapt to clear Jed but directly into an
unsuspecting oncoming car. Sue swerved further to the right to miss the poor
beast while I moved on to the shoulder in case the car who struck the deer lost
control. It was over in a flash.
By the time we fueled up in Ojai the adrenalin rush was over and
we were spent. We related the event to each other from our various perspectives
and splashed down some Gatroade. We headed home somewhat heavy hearted. This
was a sobering part of our day, an event that brings a harsh reminder that when
we ride we have to be ever vigilant.
Ride safe and keep the iron side up. And for God’s sake, keep your
big hearts open and love.
Jerry ‘Shakespeare’ White
* Jed, Sue, and I actually got together for a short ride on
2/27/22 to Ojai for lunch.
