August Meeting!

Karen and I pulled in at Pam and David's house around 7:15. As soon as I hit the kill switch Pam was squawking about it not being 7:30 and she could have slept another 15 minutes. I told her she was lucky I wasn't there at 7:00. It's become a ritual for her to complain about the starting time and is sorta our way of saying let's ride. By a little past 7:30 Russell and Paris pulled up and a few minutes later we were on our way to meet up with the rest of the crew in Priceville.

 

We had just crossed the tracks in downtown Madison and I hear David's horn. I look in the mirror and see Pam waving us down. We pulled into the convenience store. Turns out Paris's helmet visor had broken. The screw had

come out of the visor bracket. Russell removed the visor and we were back on the road.

 

We hit the exit ramp at Priceville about 8:00, giving us plenty of time to grab a biscuit from Hardees before the scheduled departure time of 8:30. We finished our breakfast and sat outside waiting for everyone to arrive. By 8:45 the group of six headed east down Hwy 67 heading toward our rendezvous with Joel in Oneona. The weather was decent with lower than usual humidity making for a somewhat cool morning ride. Hwy 67 is almost a straight shot from Priceville to US 231 but the scenery along the way makes up for it. We hit 231 in no time and with one small hiccup (I missed a turn, daydreaming) we were rounding the curve into Oneona. We were to meet Joel at the gas station in the jog of 231. Trouble is there are two. I was trying to spot Joel before making a

By - Wendell Rogers - Aka: Rocketcitymadman, Photography by Pam Bodie & Wendell Rogers

Love those back roads!

decision on which one to take and with no luck decided on the Chevron closest to us. Of course I was wrong. Once we stopped I spotted his bike in front of the station across the street. A few minutes later he joined us while I was topping off the tank. The ladies were ready for a break and so was I, I must confess, so we spent a few minutes chatting

and smoking while we gave our butts a rest. Even with a slightly late start leaving Priceville we were right on schedule leaving Oneona. Joel took the lead and I migrated to the back of the pack.

 

We hit 231 and a few minutes later we took a sharp right onto the back roads of Central Alabama. For the next 35 to 40 miles

Thanks for the hospitality!

Wagging the tail!

Hidden Treasures!

we eased our way through curves, hills and valley's just off the main roads before making another short stop back on 231. Joel gave us a ride to really enjoy and by noon we were pulling into Victory Warehouse.

 

As we parked it was all too clear that the cool of the morning had long gone and the heat of the day was upon us. Each one of us hit the cooler of drinks in the shop area and found the shade of the canopy by the main

 

lacking. Before we left that morning Karen mentioned she wanted a new hat. She was liking the one I bought the day before at Cycle Nation and was hoping to grab one. It was not to be. So we did the only thing we could do. She got mine and I bought something else. Oh well, if Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!

 

We left the dealership around 2:00. Tom and Jamie decided to head back North and with a quick stop for Joel to gas up, the

It’s been a while!

Yes we did have a meeting!

rest of us headed toward dreamland. The ride to 29 Dreams was great and aside from a little train delay was ever bit as enjoyable as the ride down. We pulled into the resort a little before 3:00 and the first thing to do was to grab a nice cold beverage and find a shady spot under the outdoor covered lounge. The duo playing classic rock made for good background while we downed the refreshments and enjoyed the company. A few bears and a couple of trips to the gift shop later and our little group dwindled down to five. Russell was leaving in the morning on business and Mike had plans with the grand babies that afternoon. After seeing them off Joel, Myself, Karen, David and Pam hit the clubhouse and ordered a late lunch. We were

Checking out the place.

Back ext

More Images

 

Time to ride!

A nice shady spot!

 building. The guys at Victory Warehouse had the grill going with the dogs a cooking. I grabbed a couple of dogs, a hand full of chips and headed for the air conditioned comfort of the main building. It wasn't long and I had plenty of company. We had a visitor come out from the local area. Mike Morgan aka MikeM came by to see what we were all about and decided to join us in the zoo. The meeting got start pretty close to on time and afterward we had plenty of time to shop before heading out to 29 Dreams. There was a 2004 Vegas on the floor that a beautiful paint job I wished I had on the Kingpin. It was a basic black with ghost-blue highlights along the edges. There selection of Victory bikes was substantial but the apparel was

Thank goodness for ceiling fans!

Easy times!

expecting to be treated to a few slabs of their ribs but was a little disappointed to find out they had run out. However the food is always good no matter what you have.

 

After lunch we retired to the porch for a little relaxing until Joel had to go as well. He said goodbye with a promise to try and make it back for the breakfast buffet. We watched him drive through the gate and up Copperhead Rd until he disappeared in the trees.

 

And then there were four. We ordered us a few more drinks and a little later David and I made a trip to the store for snacks and a few cigars. I smoked one for you, Roy. It's become somewhat of a tradition on these rides. When

we got back the girls hit the showers and upon their return we settled in for the evening. At one point David and I decided to try our hand at horse shoes. It didn't take us long to realize the error of our ways and head back to the comfort of the rocking chairs. One thing is for sure, XM radio is awesome. We listened to the best of classic rock all evening while we finished the contents of our coolers before calling it a night.

 

I slept like a baby and by 6:00 I was up heading toward the showers. The shower produced a new man and within minutes I was pouring myself a cup of java from the pot in the clubhouse. Nothing like that first cup to set the morning right. While I sat there

Oasis!

Stepping back!

waiting for the rest of the crew to greet the day the breakfast crowd started to roll in. I sat there thinking how nice it must be to have a place like this near home so that you can take a morning ride for breakfast and ease into the day. By 8:30 Pam and David rounded the corner. I called Karen and she was just getting up. In a few minutes we all were strapping on the feed bag at the buffet.

 

Shortly after breakfast we gathered our stuff and checked out. There's just something about that place that makes it hard to leave. Maybe it's the comfortable rockin' chairs on the front porch or the good times with good friends. Whatever it is, it makes you want to come back real soon. As Karen nestled onto the

Thanks Joel, for the wonderful ride!

back seat I hit the starter and the bike roared to life. We were on the road by 9:30 with plans to take our time on the way home.

 

We made a stop for gas in Leeds, hit 411 taking it to 231 and stopped just north of Oneonta at a covered bridge. We'd seen the sign on the way down and up for the past two weekends and this time we were determined to stop. Not long after we left the bridge in our mirrors we were hitting Priceville. With a ride like this time just fly's by. We gave hugs an said goodbye's at the BP there, before hitting 65 toward home. I never tire of these small get a way's and I'm so looking forward to the next one. For those of you who didn't make it this time, you missed a good one. That's for sure. We will have to plan another trip to 29 Dreams real soon. Who knows maybe we can hold a meeting there and we'll all stay the night. I know that would be a blast.