Lake Grapevine Getaway

Lake Grapevine Getaway

6/22/12 – 6/24/12

 

View from our campsite

Friday 6/22/12 – I arrived at home at 7 from the Dart train station and we left the house around 7:15 – best time ever to hit the road.  I am getting better about getting organized so John can also load my stuff.

Someone had called John to give him the code to the gate since we had not arrived and they were making sure we were coming.  We finally arrived at Vineyard Campgrounds in Grapevine at 8:15.  Luckily there was someone still there and the gates were open for check-in.  They usually close their gates at 7p but they were still at their guard house when we arrived.  We were glad they were so we would know exactly where to go, although John had a pretty good idea.

We got our hoop-ups attached - like water, electricity and even sewer.  We unloaded the trailer and set up our campsite before it got dark.  Luckily on this trip we didn’t have far to go camp, unlike most of the others.

This is one of the nicer campsites we have been to, but should be for what they charge.  It is more park-like than camping.  Our site was right on the water.  The back of our trailer was facing the water.  We were in a cove which meant there was not as much traffic on the lake where we were at.

 We rode the bike to Wilhoitte’s around 9:15 to see Sabrina & Gypsy Bleu since that was our main reason to camp in Grapevine.  We wanted to visit a different club and do something different.  It was a nice night for a ride.  The street was packed for parking.  We had to circle the block and finally found parking as another biker was leaving.

Day shot of Willhoite's

Once we went inside we ran into Dwight on of our social buds from Bullwinkles.  It is not surprising seeing him here since this closer to his neck of the woods.  Mike, Sabrina’s boyfriends and John’s friend was also there, of course.  We had thought Mike wouldn’t be in till tomorrow but he made it tonight.  We didn’t get to talk to Sabrina much since she was busy socializing with her other friends /groupies. 

While we were there watching the band we also grabbed an appetizer since we hadn’t had dinner.  We left around 11p since we were on the bike and didn’t want to drink too much.  Amazing, my gin & tonic was cheaper than John’s beer.

We got back to the trailer at 11:15.  Long ride from Willhoit’s.  haha.  Once back to the trailer we pretty much headed to bed since we had a big day of riding ahead of us tomorrow and going to see Sabrina again at Willhoit’s that night.

Saturday 6/23/12 – We woke at 8am, an hour before my alarm was to go off and BJ for John.  We finally rolled out of bed around 9.

We actually showered in our own shower since we had running water for it.  I like camp showers usually, but it is also nice to shower in our own shower where all our toiletries are and we don’t have to carry everything to another shower.

We sat outside for an hour with our Bloody Marys to start our day before I made breakfast.  It was nice just sitting outside doing nothing and enjoying the breeze off of the lake.  It is hard to get energetic when you are camping.  Camping and campers move at a slower pace; there is no reason to get in any hurry.  You get out to camp to relax and escape the fast paced city life.

Around 10 I finally got up to fix breakfast.  ­­­­­­­­­­­­­I fixed my specialty, fried bacon and a perfect omelet usually stuffed with cheese and any leftovers worthy of being added to an omelet.  It could be meat, potatoes, mushrooms, etc.  I use anything that I can so I don’t have to waste it.

We left at noon (heat of the day) for Weatherford.  Below is our route starting at downtown Grapevine and ending on the edge of Weatherford at The Malt Shop (also, see map for route).  We also made a side stop to see John’s brother in Colleyville. 

 

John bought the coolest biker gnome while there.  It was the female version.  I wished we had room in the saddle bag for the male version.  Maybe next time if they continue to carry them we will get the biker guy.  They have all sorts of cool stuff.  They have stuff to make your own beer and wine.  One day I swear I am going to at least get the makings to make my own wine.  It looks like it would be fun.  I remember as a teen my uncle making dandelion wine.  Wow was that stuff stout!  Now how in the world do you get enough dandelions to make wine?  I may have to ponder that one.  They also carry other cool stuff like biscuits for dogs, pet food, shampoo and conditioner for horses, and chimes to name a few.

John's new girlfriend

Trip to Weatherford and back:

   Hwy 26

Colleyville

Richland Hills

Haltom City

Fort Worth

Downtown Fort Worth

Sansom Park

Lake Worth

Lakeside

Wildflowers along the road

DRD Machine - Bike Shop prior to Weatherford

Weatherford 
Back Home – same, just in reverse.

We had stopped at The Malt Shop in Weatherford (2038 Fort Worth Hwy, 817-594-2524).  One of John’s co-workers or maybe it was someone else had told him about it and it was worth the stop.  Apparently I didn’t see what they saw.  It was a 50-year old drive-in, and only a picnic table to sit at with porta-potties on the outside.  I will say the malt was good but not what I really needed to quench my thirst.  John drank most of the malt while I had ice water.  Now that was what I needed!  Ahhhh.  

Malt Shop Weatherford, TX

The drive-in is still very much like it may have been in the 50’s with its pink and silver exterior.  They are known for their malts and have over 10 flavors and the ice cream is home made.  This is a family owned operation.  I hear if you want speedy service this is not the place to go, but if you want good food definitely pay them a visit.  After our malt we headed back to Grapevine.

We stopped at Wal-Mart in Fort Worth for a longer gray water hose.   The one was we have now is only 10 feet, where the new one is 20 feet.  This will come in quite handy next time we cannot get parked close enough to the gray water depots that are at the trailer spots, not the dump stations.

 We returned home around 6. I was so ready to be home.  It was a very warm day for riding, okay I take that back, it was a hot day and it didn’t help having all the traffic light stops along the way.  I was so glad once we got out of town.  The high was 97*. 

Once back at our campsite we sat outside to relax and feed the ducks that had come in to see if anyone had any scraps.  I fed the local ducks a flour tortilla.  It was a male and a female and they got very close to us and the trailer. I couldn’t touch them, but close.

We nixed going to see Sabrina again.  It wasn’t worth the trip and we were exhausted from the heat.  We were ready to relax.  We finally got around to fixing and eating dinner at 9:45.  We had Ham steaks, potatoes grilled in bacon and seasoning, with peas & corn.

Sunday 6/24/12 - I woke at 7:50 this morning.  Darned window in the door woke me up.  I am going to have to do something about that window, but then again it gives me plenty of opportunity to enjoy the time I have camping.

We showered around 9 and then after getting fully dressed we went outside with our Bloody Marys and lounged a bit enjoying the serenity.  Shortly after I fixed breakfast an Omelet with last night’s leftovers of ham and grilled red potatoes.  Yum what a great way to use up leftovers.

We started packing up everything around noon time since checkout time is 1:30p.  We left the premises at 12:45.  We stopped by their bathroom facilities on our way out.  Good thing we had our own bathroom facility.  There was only 1 shower each and 2 toilets that weren’t that great either.  As nice as the facility is I am surprised their bathrooms weren’t nicer.  Personally I thought it was sorta nasty for what you pay as an RVer to camp there.  There are also tent campers there and I truly feel for them having to use this shower facility.  Hopefully the facility closer to the entrance is better.  We got home around 2 and unloaded everything

SHAME ON YOU HARLEY DAVIDSON!!!!!

Shame, shame, shame on you Harley Davidson. You are supposed to be an American Motorcycle company but yet you put peope out of jobs and THEN ship these jobs over to India. Have you ever talked to those people? It is a joke! Most times you cannot understand them or they talk way too fast. I work IT and when our people have had to talk to India and then get us they are so happy they get an American

They say you get what you pay for and you will be getting screwed.  I hope this 5 year contract flys by fast or if they don't measure up, I hope you can cancel the contract.  Luckily I do not work in one of the Harley Davidson stores and call for support.  I really feel for their people now.

See story below

Harley Davidson restructuring information technology services

Harley-Davidson Inc. announced plans Tuesday to outsource its information technology services to Infosys, in a move that will affect about 125 employees companywide.

Infosys, an Indian technology services firm, said it signed a five-year agreement to provide support services to the motorcycle manufacturing company.

Although about 125 information technology jobs will be eliminated at Harley, the affected employees will have an opportunity to apply for other jobs at Infosys and Harley, both companies said.

Harley has eight information technology workers at its Kansas City manufacturing plant, and three of those positions are being eliminated, said Harley spokeswoman Maripat Blankenheim. The company has 846 employees altogether in Kansas City.

Infosys is opening a Milwaukee facility this fall that it said will create 125 jobs, including 71 for Harley-Davidson work. In addition, Blankenheim said Harley is creating 68 new information technology jobs as a result of the changes in its operating structure.

From staff and wire reports

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/07/24/3721340/harley-restructuring-information.html#storylink=cpy

SHAME ON YOU HARLEY DAVIDSON!!!!!!!

I thought you were an American company and here you go outsourcing jobs to India.  I myself work IT and serve AMERICA.  This is just wrong, wrong, wrong.  People here hate when they have to talk to our India counterparts; they are relieved when they hear someone speaking GOOD english on the line.  This is a BIG mistake!


Harley-Davidson Inc. announced plans Tuesday to outsource its information technology services to Infosys, in a move that will affect about 125 employees companywide.

Infosys, an Indian technology services firm, said it signed a five-year agreement to provide support services to the motorcycle manufacturing company.

Although about 125 information technology jobs will be eliminated at Harley, the affected employees will have an opportunity to apply for other jobs at Infosys and Harley, both companies said.

Harley has eight information technology workers at its Kansas City manufacturing plant, and three of those positions are being eliminated, said Harley spokeswoman Maripat Blankenheim. The company has 846 employees altogether in Kansas City.

Infosys is opening a Milwaukee facility this fall that it said will create 125 jobs, including 71 for Harley-Davidson work. In addition, Blankenheim said Harley is creating 68 new information technology jobs as a result of the changes in its operating structure.

From staff and wire reports
Copyright 2012 . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Posted on Tue, Jul. 24, 2012 11:14 PM
Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/07/24/3721340/harley-restructuring-information.html#storylink=cpy

Looking up for Harley Davidson

2012-07-20 15:33 (UTC)

(The following statement was released by the rating agency)July 20 - Fitch Ratings has upgraded the Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) of Harley-Davidson, Inc. (HOG) and its Harley-Davidson Financial Services,
Inc. (HDFS) and Harley-Davidson Funding Corp. (HDFC) subsidiaries to 'A-'. The Rating Outlooks for HOG, HDFS and HDFC are Stable. See below for acomplete list of ratings. more

Camping at Lake Murray

Friday the 13^th, You gotta Love it!!!

Friday, July 13, 2012 – Yep Friday the 13^th and it definitely was.  We at least made good time leaving again – We left at 7:15 and FINALLY arrived at our destination at 11:30; now to tell you the whole story.

  

We never made it to our original destination.  This was such a fiasco.  We were supposed to go to one of these camping membership sites kind of like Thousand Oaks.  First problem, they sent us a confirmation for a site in Glen Rose.  They called Monday to confirm we were coming, John told them we were and I presume he told them they send wrong directions and they would send new directions.  We never got new directions and John had to wing it. BIG mistake!

  

We never could find the turn off after Hwy 69 for the campsite.  We did get quite a light show with the lightning.  Some bolts were hitting the ground.  We even saw a few deer on the side of the road, better there than in the road and hitting them.

  

Since we either couldn’t find turn off or missed it we decided to wing it and keep on going up to Lake Murray and take our chances up there.  We finally arrived at Dukes Forest at 11:30.  We tried a few others but they were either full or closed due to curfew.

  

Once we got to Duke’s we found a pull through and nabbed it.  We couldn’t see any lake but at this time we didn’t care.  We stopped, leveled the trailer and then I fixed dinner of stuffed tortilla with scrambled egg and bacon.  We were too tired to even unload the bike so we left it in the trailer and went on to bed.

Saturday, July 14, 2012 - After we got up and showered John was going to start up his bike but it didn’t start.  John’s battery was deader than a doornail.  John was not a happy camper, not happy at all.  He had no jumper cables in the truck but then I mentioned something about his trickle charger, and he then remembered he had some bike cables in his saddlebag after the incident last year when Liz’s bike battery ran down when she left her lights on.  We got John’s battery charged and left immediately after he got it started Sherman 11:30

  

We tried to meet up with Liz and Mark but it didn’t happen with her needing to change out the shocks on her bike in Allen and John needing a new battery here at the Sherman HD.

  

We had seen a roadrunner at Juniper Point, one of the Lake Texoma state parks on our way back from Sherman.  It is a great park on the Texas side.  I don’t know what it costs to stay there but I would highly recommend it from what we saw there AND there were lake views all around.

  

We returned back to the trailer at 3:45.  It was hot and humid even in the trailer.  The air conditioning wasn’t cooperating.  John finally figured out the air conditioner had frozen up after ice had fallen down out of it.  For whatever reason it had frozen up, just like my air conditioning in my house has done.  Luckily the trailer cooled down fairly quickly, we were beginning to think we would need to have it looked at before Sturgis.

John fixed chicken wings for dinner.  We watched a movie and then headed to bed.

 Sunday, July 15, 2012 - We woke at 9a.  We walked over to their shower facility.  It wasn’t near as nice as West Burns Run’s but it wasn’t as bad as some I have been to.  There were only 2 showers per gender.  There was a large one for handicap and then a smaller one (and it is definitely smaller). 

  

CAUTION:  of all things, the light over the showers is on a timer, not the water like Burns Run.  Luckily there is another light over the sink and toilets area so you aren’t left in total darkness.  There were also only 2 toilets; 1 handicap and another regular one. 

Again I have seen better but I have also seen worse.  Surprising, Lake Grapevine’s was worse and you pay primo to camp there.  I had been to Boiling Springs State Park last year and their “free” showers were infested with black crickets.  There I decided to sponge bathe instead of showering with the little critters. 

 Luckily they had pay showers but after paying to camp I can’t believe they also want to charge for the water too.  They need a better system like West Burns Run.

  

This campsite here has absolutely no lake view but what you give up in lake you get in Mother Nature.  I imagine in the fall the foliage colors are awesome.  In fact, I know it is.  I had been at one of the other sites at the end of October and the colors were awesome and the fog was lifting off of the lake.

 Unfortunately, none of the parks offer the ability to make reservations. They are all first-come-first-serve.  In the summer they are quite busy and that is how we came upon this one; since no lake view, more spots.

  

I fixed breakfast and then we started packing for our trip home.  It always seems to take extra effort to get everything packed for home.  But it has to be done.

  

We left for home around 2p.

What do you think?

Law doesn't give motorcycle 'blockers' right to stop traffic

• Posted by BikersPost on July 16, 2012 at 9:01am in Motorcycle News

 

Q: I am curious about a practice I've seen happen three times in recent weeks. While a large group of motorcycles is passing through, one motorcyclist, wearing a shirt that says "blocker," will block off oncoming traffic at each intersection, regardless of who has the right of way at a light or stop sign.

I understand their desire to stay together as a group, but this doesn't seem safe, nor is it fair to other drivers. We've all been in a situation where we've been following someone, having someone following us, or have been traveling as a group of several cars. Inevitably, someone gets left behind at a light but we simply pull over and wait for them to catch up. It doesn't mean we have a "blocker" car that stops traffic for us. That would be ridiculous.

I'm wondering if this practice is legal?
— Laura Winter, Waterford

A: The blockers have no legal authority to direct traffic, said Sgt. Daniel Larkin, traffic supervisor for Troop G in Loudonville.

"The answer is no. It is not legal to block intersections to allow riders to stay together," he said. "Only emergency personnel, people involved in highway repairs, and crossing guards can legally interfere with traffic as described by your writer. People who conduct themselves in this manner subject themselves to being ticketed and to civil liability if they cause or contribute to a collision. These people have no emergency lighting, are not trained and have no authority in law."

The only exception would be where the group has been granted a permit by the state Department of Transportation, which includes an endorsement from police, local authorities and insurance, he said.

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Law-doesn-t-give-motorcycle...

Harley-Davidson’s Seventy-Two Revives the Old

In 1972, Atari launched the first generation of video games with Pong, Bobby Fischer was king, Volkswagen Beetle topped the Ford Model T, President Nixon’s Watergate scandal shook the nation, and the Apollo 17 landed on the moon. Within the mix of things during that historical leap year, the California low-rider culture was shaping form, as candy-colored custom choppers began to cruise down Whittier Boulevard, turning pedestrian heads with each twist of a throttle. It’s this era that has inspired Harley-Davidson to design and release its new Seventy-Two bike. A laid-back Sportster with sparkling metal flake paint, ape handlebars, throwback peanut tank –which holds only 2.1 gallons of gas– and narrow whitewall tires, the Seventy-Two pays homage to a timeless moment in history. Life + Times caught up with Frank Savage, Manager of Industrial Design at Harley-Davidson, to take a trip down memory lane and to chop it up about attitude and style.
Life+Times: Harley-Davidson rolled back the clock with the Seventy-Two. What made Harley pinpoint that year?Frank Savage: We always had inspiration coming from the late ‘60s and ‘70s on this bike, and really stripped down old school choppers, that was narrow and had this smoky, candied sprayed paint from that era. So, in the investigation for the Seventy-Two we were looking for that historic relevancy. In California, they used to cruise down Whittier Boulevard in East Los Angeles, which was Route 72 back in the day. It has a nice ring to it and a historical reference to it. That’s the story. The old school funky psychedelic paint jobs, with big bling flakes, and really nice, stripped down styling. Guys were basically swapping the tank, adding a lot of chrome, and just jamming..........

CLICK ON TITLE TO GET THE WHOLE STORY COURTESY OF LIFE & TIMES PUB.

Era of Another Harley Dealership changes

Woodstock Harley Davidson changes hands

Published: Saturday, July 07, 2012

 

Serving the Hudson Valley since 1871

TOWN OF KINGSTON, N.Y. ­— William Nugent of Garrison has bought Woodstock Harley Davidson from Jan Dordick, who founded the business in 1975, according to Cushman and Wakefield/Pyramid Brokerage Co. of Newburgh, which brokered the sale.

The sale, completed on May 17, was “close to the asking price of $2.5 million,” according to Cushman’s Steve Perfit, who said the real estate portion of the sale was $1.3 million.

The business has operated at several locations in Ulster County but has been at 349 Route 28 in the town of Kingston since 2000.

Dordick’s daughter, Kim Rose, had managed the business for more than 10 years.
Perfit said Nugent intends to continue operating the dealership in same manner as the founder, including being open seven days a week and sponsoring the Woodstock chapter of HOG (Harley Owners Group).

Sturgis SD Black Hills Bike Rally

Less than 30 days before we leave for Sturgis.  I am going through all my material to see what we can do or revisit this time that we missed last year.  We are definitely going to hit the Badlands and Wall SD before we get to Sturgis.  I hear it is terribly hot in the Badlands.  If there is no breeze flowing through it that could be a major factor.  I hope it isnt too hot, I really want to take lots of pictures of the area.  I hear it is surreal, like being on another planet.  I guess time will tell. 

L8r
J

Republic of Texas (ROT) Biker Rally

ROT 2012

Austin TX

6/6/12 – 6/10/12

Wednesday June 6, 2012 our friend Lawrence woke me at 5:30 am to tell us it may be Friday before he arrives at ROT.  His friends had all bailed on him so it would be just him.  Beth wouldn’t be coming since she just started a new job and Lawrence’ boss is making him work ½ day today.   Also, he was supposed to get a generator from a friend before he came down but that fell through.  John and I told him to try Sam’s Wholesale, they have a great one.

We went back to bed till 6:30 then we got up, showered, finished packing and hit the road several hours later but before noon.  I didn’t sleep long, I couldn’t sleep; I was excited about getting on the road and seeing all our ROT buds we had made friends with over the years.

We stopped for lunch at Loves Truck Stop in Hillsboro at a Subway.  The parking lot was packed.  Trucks were everywhere even on the side of the access road.  Lucky for us Subway wasn’t as packed.  We found a small section to park at that an 18-wheeler couldn’t get into.  When we came back to the truck & trailer we noticed 2 larger trucks nudged in behind us trying to get that last bit of parking.  Luckily we were leaving.

Once we hit Temple we stopped at Horney Toad Harley Davidson.  I bought a new Toad shirt and also bought a clear acrylic double walled HD glass for my daughter Cassie.   As we were leaving we saw Stroker’s Ice House truck.  I imaging it was full of Rick Fairless’ custom design bikes.

We finally got to the ROT Rally fairgrounds on Decker @ 4:30.  Right in front of us was Jerry from Harley Davidson of Dallas.  What a coincidence.  He didn’t even know he would be down here till the day before.  What an assignment!  

After we checked in we drove the gauntlet over to where we usually camp and set up.  We usually camp by Bobby but he had a larger crowd than he expected.  Instead we camped down the way next to our other friends Donna, Dan and company.  I told Bobby not to worry since we knew them too, actually he did us a favor plus we were camped closer to the amphitheater.  We could walk through the trees to it if it weren’t for skeeters and chiggers.

We partied with the Double D gang as well as with Bobby’s group too.  We also ran the gauntlet while it still wasn’t crowded yet.  Tomorrow will be another story and lots of bikes and people.  The gauntlet will be jam packed.

 Thursday we rose around 8:30.  We tried out the shower John bought last year for Sturgis.  It was okay; you practically had to be on your knees to get a good soaking though.  The net shelves were fairly flimsy; you couldn’t put much weight on them or everything would fall off.  It makes for a better private toilet.

In the afternoon we rode for a bit around 1.  It had rained earlier but not enough to saturate anything or make thing humid.  It had cooled things off to make it tolerable, not at all like last year.  We went on a “Ride About” instead of an Aussie “Walk About”.  We were looking for an ice machine that was supposed to be close but when John didn’t find it he decided to just keep on riding.  Worse part was I didn’t even have my camera with me.  I always have a camera with me but not this time since I wasn’t planning riding far.

On our way back to the campsite we finally stopped at Myers’ for a pulled pork sandwich.  It was only $2.99 (on special) and it was huge.  It was well worth the money, I see why they had a limit 4 on these.   

We got back to our camp around 4 pm.  Goat and Trina arrived after we returned from our “ride about”.  We all went to the Paradise Bar to see Wes Jeans at 6pm along with the Double D gang.  

Afterwards we rode the gauntlet to look at all the activity and there certainly was quite a bit to see.  All sorts of body types, ages, female AND male.  We finally wandered back to our trailer around 11p.  I went to bed/sleep finally at 1 am after the music stopped.  Boy was the bass loud.  It was rocking the trailer.

                                         

Friday we woke at 8 and showered in our shower again, this time I took a stool with me and leaned my head over my knees so I could wash my hair in addition to my body.  This was a better method but still not as good as the showers at the livestock barn.  There may not be privacy when you shower since you are showering with other women but you have plenty of room to move around and although the water isn’t heated it still feels awesome.

John fixed breakfast for us.  Funny how when we cargo camp he cooks and when we Toy Hauler camp I do the breakfast.  I don’t do camp fire cooking as well as I do stove cooking.  We piddled around since more sprinkle rain came in but it didn’t last long and again gave us a cool day.  Late in the afternoon around 3 pm, after Mark and Jane arrived, we FINALLY left for Shiner TX.  I figured that would be 1 place I could get the guys to go on a ride to.  I knew if it had to do with beer they would most likely be in for the ride.

We arrived in Shiner at the Shiner brewery 5 minutes after 5.  There were no tours and even the gift shop had closed 5 minutes before we got there.  Instead, I took lots of pictures of the site to show I had indeed been there.  There was a bridge on their premises.  It used to be in Caldwell County I believe somewhere close to Lockhart.  I don’t know how they got it, I couldn’t find any history, maybe it was to be demolished and instead Shiner Brewery moved it to their site and made it all shiny again to use as a crosswalk over the nearby creek.   I can’t believe we missed everything.  If everyone hadn’t drug their feet we might have gotten there in time to take in the tour; maybe next year.

 

After taking pictures we headed back to camp to fix dinner before we started partying later.  Once back at camp I made a comment to Goat, Trina and John about me choosing Shiner cause if it had to do with beer they would be going for it and I had wanted to go to McKinny Falls State Park and we have never gone there and it was so close.  Goat then popped off with his attitude that when I got a bike then I could decide where we went.  What a Class “A” jerk.  Does he even remember who muled all his shit down to Austin for him these past few years?  Even Trina noticed how rude he was.

Beth and Lawrence arrived today.  Woo Hoo I was glad to see them.  They got to ROT after we had returned.  Lawrence called when they arrived so John could lead them to our campsite.  We saved a spot for them.  After Beth & Lawrence set up their camp the guys smoked ribs and potatoes. 

We listened to the concerts from our campsite.  We thought Beth and Lawrence had gone to see the concert, vendors or gauntlet but weren’t sure since we never saw them again tonight.  I later went on by myself to see the vendors.  Most had already closed up but there were a few still open.  I guess they close around 9.

Saturday we woke at 8:30 and had breakfast.  Even though our cargo trailer is pitch black since there are no windows it is hard to sleep.  It is like at a certain time the motorcycles start revving their engines and running the gauntlet and such.  After we ate we went up to the livestock area to take a REAL shower or as REAL as you are going to get here.  This year it was curtained in half.  It appeared those in bathing suits were on one side and the naked ones were on the other side furthest from the shower entrance.

We left at 12:30 (yes in the heat of the day AND the hottest day so far) for Marble Falls.  We never made it.  Goat had Trina following the HD Austin area map.  He had her following the purple route but she didn’t know to then veer to the left on the same RR 1431.  Instead we veered to the right on 1174 to 1869 on to Liberty Hill.  Once at Liberty Hill we stopped to get our bearings and decide what to do next.  Since we were quite a bit off course and it was getting late we decided to take the fasted way back after we stopped to eat at Chili’s. 

After we ate we headed down 183 back to our campsite at 6:30.  It was a lot faster getting back to our campsite.  It is amazing how long it takes to do the curvy roads.  You don’t realize how little progress you are making going forward when you are going side to side instead.  I had wished we had made it to the Bluebonnet Café in Marble Falls but maybe next time.  This was Strike Two, Shiner being Strike One.

Later in the evening we walked to the amphitheater to see Ted Nugent.  He was just as good here as he was at Full Throttle in Sturgis.  This was a worthwhile concert to actually see.  Afterwards John, Lawrence, Goat and Trina walked the gauntlet.  Beth and I stayed behind and went to our trailers to rest.  I had run the gauntlet for so many years I decided not to do it this year.  There is so much havoc on the last night; it isn’t worth riding the bike unless you want to risk it overheating.  Still this year there were plenty of naked females and craziness going on.

Sunday I woke up at 4 (too early) and I was still in my clothes and no John.  I figured John was out with the neighbors visiting and having one last night of partying.  I skivvied out of my clothes, put my jammies on and went back to sleep.  Thirty minutes later John came in.  He had told me that EMT had to take Trina to the hospital.  John said she and Lawrence got pretty toasted; they were doing shots while walking the gauntlet.  She later sat at one of Donna & Dan’s friend’s toy hauler.  The person was wonder who she was.  She was sort of non-responsive / incoherent to what was going on around her but not comatose or anything.  Goat tried to get her up and was saying she was faking and to get up.  John finally told Goat he didn’t think she was faking.  About that time Goat flagged down help and they called in the EMT to assist her.

The EMTs asked what she had done through the day.  When she told them she had been out riding then stopped for lunch and ice tea.  They pretty much told her she had gotten dehydrated and took her to the hospital to get a couple of IV’s in her. 

John then brought a totally drunk and useless as a nurse Lawrence back to his trailer.  John said he had to hold his hand to get him back to his trailer and then nudged him inside.  John was saying Lawrence was so drunk he was weaving all over the road.  That was from only walking.  Good thing he wasn’t driving.

After John’s story we went back to sleep.  When we woke up we thought Goat and Trina were still at the hospital.  I later looked in their slightly unzipped tent and saw them asleep holding hands.  I was ready to get things packed up and get on the road but until Goat and Trina woke up we couldn’t leave.  We had most all of our stuff packed up so when they finally did wake we could pack their stuff and then hit the road.

Goat finally wakes up but Trina was still asleep.  Trina finally wakes, we get all their stuff packed and John and I leave out at noon.  Goat and Trina went to his Mom’s first for Trina to get some food in her belly before they leave to go back to Dallas on the bike.  We offered for her to ride home with us but she didn’t want to ruin Goat’s day.  

We got home around 4 and unloaded the cargo trailer.  I had forgotten how much work went into loading the trailer.  I am truly spoiled by John’s toy hauler.  I hope we can find a spot next year to bring it to ROT.

NOTE:  Some of the names have been changed to protect the innocent and embarrassed.  J

Republic of Texas (ROT) Bike Rally

ROT 2012

Austin TX

6/6/12 – 6/10/12

Wednesday June 6, 2012 our friend Lawrence woke me at 5:30 am to tell us it may be Friday before he arrives at ROT.  His friends had all bailed on him so it would be just him.  Beth wouldn’t be coming since she just started a new job and Lawrence’ boss is making him work ½ day today.   Also, he was supposed to get a generator from a friend before he came down but that fell through.  John and I told him to try Sam’s Wholesale, they have a great one.

We went back to bed till 6:30 then we got up, showered, finished packing and hit the road several hours later but before noon.  I didn’t sleep long, I couldn’t sleep; I was excited about getting on the road and seeing all our ROT buds we had made friends with over the years.

We stopped for lunch at Loves Truck Stop in Hillsboro at a Subway.  The parking lot was packed.  Trucks were everywhere even on the side of the access road.  Lucky for us Subway wasn’t as packed.  We found a small section to park at that an 18-wheeler couldn’t get into.  When we came back to the truck & trailer we noticed 2 larger trucks nudged in behind us trying to get that last bit of parking.  Luckily we were leaving.

Once we hit Temple we stopped at Horney Toad Harley Davidson.  I bought a new Toad shirt and also bought a clear acrylic double walled HD glass for my daughter Cassie.   As we were leaving we saw the Strokers Ice House truck.  I imaging it was full of Rick Fairless’ custom design bikes.

We finally got to the ROT Rally fairgrounds on Decker @ 4:30.  Right in front of us was Jerry from Harley Davidson of Dallas.  What a coincidence.  He didn’t even know he would be down here till the day before.  What an assignment!  

After we checked in we drove the gauntlet over to where we usually camp and set up.  We usually camp by Bobby but he had a larger crowd than he expected.  Instead we camped down the way next to our other friends Donna, Dan and company.  I told Bobby not to worry since we knew them too, actually he did us a favor plus we were camped closer to the amphitheater.  We could walk through the trees to it if it weren’t for skeeters and chiggers.

 We partied with the Double D gang as well as with Bobby’s group too.  We also ran the gauntlet while it still wasn’t crowded yet.  Tomorrow will be another story and lots of bikes and people.  The gauntlet will be jam packed.

 Thursday we rose around 8:30.  We tried out the shower John bought last year for Sturgis.  It was okay; you practically had to be on your knees to get a good soaking though.  The net shelves were fairly flimsy; you couldn’t put much weight on them or everything would fall off.  It makes for a better private toilet.

In the afternoon around 1p we rode for a bit.  It had rained earlier but not enough to saturate anything or make thing humid.  It had cooled things off to make it tolerable, not at all like last year.  We went on a “Ride About” instead of an Aussie “Walk About”.  We were looking for an ice machine that was supposed to be close but when John didn’t find it he decided to just keep on riding.  Worse part was I didn’t even have my camera with me.  I always have a camera with me but not this time since I wasn’t planning riding far.

On our way back to the campsite we finally stopped at Myers’ for a pulled pork sandwich.  It was only $2.99 (on special) and it was huge.  It was well worth the money, I see why they had a limit 4 on these.   

We got back to our camp around 4 pm.  Goat and Trina arrived after we returned from our “ride about”.  We all went to the Paradise Bar to see Wes Jeans at 6pm along with the Double D gang.  

 Afterwards we rode the gauntlet to look at all the activity and there certainly was quite a bit to see.  All sorts of body types, ages, female AND male.  We finally wandered back to our trailer around 11p.  I went to bed/sleep finally at 1 am after the music stopped.  Boy was the bass loud.  It was rocking the trailer.

  

Friday we woke at 8 and showered in our shower again, this time I took a stool with me and leaned my head over my knees so I could wash my hair in addition to my body.  This was a better method but still not as good as the showers at the livestock barn.  There may not be privacy when you shower since you are showering with other women but you have plenty of room to move around and although the water isn’t heated it still feels awesome.

John fixed breakfast for us.  Funny how when we cargo camp he cooks and when we Toy Hauler camp I do the breakfast.  I don’t do camp fire cooking as well as I do stove cooking.  We piddled around since more sprinkle rain came in but it didn’t last long and again gave us a cool day.  Late in the afternoon around 3 pm, after Mark and Jane arrived, we FINALLY left for Shiner TX.  I figured that would be 1 place I could get the guys to go on a ride to.  I knew if it had to do with beer they would most likely be in for the ride.

We arrived in Shiner at the Shiner brewery 5 minutes after 5.  There were no tours and even the gift shop had closed 5 minutes before we got there.  Instead, I took lots of pictures of the site to show I had indeed been there.  There was a bridge on their premises.  It used to be in Caldwell County I believe somewhere close to Lockhart.  I don’t know how they got it, I couldn’t find any history, maybe it was to be demolished and instead Shiner Brewery moved it to their site and made it all shiny again to use as a crosswalk over the nearby creek.   I can’t believe we missed everything.  If everyone hadn’t drug their feet we might have gotten there in time to take in the tour; maybe next year.

 

 

 

 

After taking pictures we headed back to camp to fix dinner before we started partying later.  Once back at camp I made a comment to Goat, Trina and John about me choosing Shiner cause if it had to do with beer they would be going for it and I had only wanted to go to McKinny Falls State Park and we have never gone there and it was so close.  Goat then popped off with his attitude that when I got a bike then I could decide where we went.  What a Class “A” jerk.  Does he even remember who muled all his shit down to Austin for him these past few years?  Even Trina noticed how rude he was.

Beth and Lawrence arrived today.  Woo Hoo I was glad to see them.  They got to ROT after we had returned.  Lawrence called when they arrived so John could lead them to our campsite.  We saved a spot for them.  After Beth & Lawrence set up their camp the guys smoked ribs and potatoes. 

We listened to the concerts from our campsite.  We thought Beth and Lawrence had gone to see the concert, vendors or gauntlet but weren’t sure since we never saw them again tonight.  I later went on by myself to see the vendors.  Most had already closed up but there were a few still open.  I guess they close around 9.

Saturday we woke at 8:30 and had breakfast.  Even though our cargo trailer is pitch black since there are no windows it is hard to sleep.  It is like at a certain time the motorcycles start revving their engines and running the gauntlet and such.  After we ate we went up to the livestock area to take a REAL shower or as REAL as you are going to get here.  This year it was curtained in half.  It appeared those in bathing suits were on one side and the naked ones were on the other side furthest from the shower enttrance.

We left at 12:30 (yes in the heat of the day AND the hottest day so far) for Marble Falls.  We never made it.  Mike had Trina following the HD Austin area map.  He had her following the purple route but she didn’t know to then veer to the left on the same RR 1431.  Instead we veered to the right on 1174 to 1869 on to Liberty Hill.  Once at Liberty Hill we stopped to get our bearings and decide what to do next.  Since we were quite a bit off course and it was getting late we decided to take the fasted way back after we stopped to eat at Chili’s.  

After we ate we headed down 183 back to our campsite at 6:30.  It was a lot faster getting back to our campsite.  It is amazing how long it takes to do the curvy roads.  You don’t realize how little progress you are making going forward when you are going side to side instead.  I had wished we had made it to the Bluebonnet Café in Marble Falls but maybe next time.  This was Strike Two, Shiner being Strike One.

Later in the evening we walked to the amphitheater to see Ted Nugent.  He was just as good here as he was at Full Throttle in Sturgis.  This was a worthwhile concert to actually see.  Afterwards John, Lawrence, Mike and Trina walked the gauntlet.  Beth and I stayed behind and went to our trailers to rest.  I had run the gauntlet for so many years I decided not to do it this year.  There is so much havoc on the last night; it isn’t worth riding the bike unless you want to risk it overheating.  Still this year there were plenty of naked females and craziness going on.

Sunday I woke up at 4 (too early) and I was still in my clothes and no John.  I figured John was out with the neighbors visiting and having one last night of partying.  I skivvied out of my clothes, put my jammies on and went back to sleep.  Thirty minutes later John came in.  He had told me that EMT had to take Trina to the hospital.  John said she and Lawrence got pretty toasted; they were doing shots while walking the gauntlet.  She later sat at one of Donna & Dan’s friend’s toy hauler.  The person was wonder who she was.  She was sort of non-responsive / incoherent to what was going on around her but not comatose or anything.  Goat tried to get her up and was saying she was faking and to get up.  John finally told Goat he didn’t think she was faking.  About that time Goat flagged down help and they called in the EMT to assist her.

The EMTs asked what she had done through the day.  When she told them she had been out riding then stopped for lunch and ice tea.  They pretty much told her she had gotten dehydrated and took her to the hospital to get a couple of IV’s in her. 

John then brought a totally drunk and useless as a nurse Lawrence back to his trailer.  John said he had to hold his hand to get him back to his trailer and then nudged him inside.  John was saying Lawrence was so drunk he was weaving all over the road.  That was from only walking.  Good thing he wasn’t driving.

After John’s story we went back to sleep.  When we woke up we thought Goat and Trina were still at the hospital.  I later looked in their slightly unzipped tent and saw them asleep holding hands.  I was ready to get things packed up and get on the road but until Goat and Trina woke up we couldn’t leave.  We had most all of our stuff packed up so when they finally did wake we could pack their stuff and then hit the road.

Goat finally wakes up but Trina was still asleep.  Trina finally wakes, we get all their stuff packed and John and I leave out at noon.  Goat and Trina went to his Mom’s first for Trina to get some food in her belly before they leave to go back to Dallas on the bike.  We offered for her to ride home with us but she didn’t want to ruin Goat’s day.  

We got home around 4 and unloaded the cargo trailer.  I had forgotten how much work went into loading the trailer.  I am truly spoiled by John’s toy hauler.  I hope we can find a spot next year to bring it to ROT.

NOTE:  Some of the names have been changed to protect the innocent and embarrassed.  J