| My Grits Run started when I heard Sue and Barb tell tale of their trip to Suches last year. It sounded way to good to be true, and I really wanted to see for myself. I am a married woman with 3 kids and a full time job. How would I possibly be able to travel 6000 miles round trip? I requested 3 weeks vacation. My husband was extremely supportive as were the kids. The Squids have a motor home and a trailer and invited me along. Sue, Rose, Barb, Phoebe (the Squid dog) and me (an all girl road trip). I started out Saturday morning from San Jose, California and met up with the rest of the group in Salinas. For the next few days, the weather started getting rough (heavy rains, thunder, lightning, flash flooding, tornadoes, etc.) the motor home was tough. We spent our down time learning to play canasta, watching the weather channel and re-routing ourselves around the weather so we could stay on schedule, and shopping at the KOA camping grounds store. It seems the bad weather was only in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. In Arkansas, the roads started getting rough, the motor home was tough. It was here that we decided to eat out (up until this time Rose had been preparing all our exquisite meals). We stopped at Cracker Barrel. It was here that we discovered the roads of Arkansas were tougher than originally thought. The I-bar on the motor home was ripped, and needed to be welded.  Darryl and Keith getting us hooked up again! Our Waitress Julie Ann provided exceptional service and was able to hook us up with a welder (her Grand Daddy Darryl). Sue made arrangements to leave the trailer in the parking lot of the Cracker Barrel. We met up with Darryl and his son Keith (Julie Ann's father) the next day. We went back to the Cracker Barrel for the trailer and decided to have breakfast. Sue decided to redistribute the weight and we had to unload the bikes in the parking lot. A tour bus from Minnesota was parked next to us. The passengers were returning back to the bus were fascinated with the little bikes (ysr 50's) as well as the fact that women were traveling alone racing motorcycles. Our next stop took us to the Graceland KOA in Memphis. Then on to Alabama (my home state) where we spent the night on a ranch with blue horses? Really! I didn't make this up. Next morning we took off for Suches Georgia. We arrived at the TWO resort Friday afternoon. We set up camp at the TWO airport about a 1/2 mile from the TWO resort.  Sheriff Mac talkin' bikes! I finally took my first street ride (in the dark on the back roads of Georgia to go for dinner). The next morning I really got a look at where we were. It was more like camping in a valley, we were surrounded by the yellows, red, oranges, and greens still on the trees. It was truly worth the trip. The trees were beautiful. I kept hearing that the trees had peaked 2 weeks before. We went on a ride. The roads were twisty, turny and covered with leaves falling from the trees. For some reason I was more nervous. I could actually see where I was going or maybe it was the traffic and the beauty of the trees. I was having so much fun! We went to the lodge later in the day for dinner. We had to sign up and get the map and time card. There was so much going on at the lodge. Good food, great music and terrific people. I had a great time. We returned back to the motor home. I put away my map and time sheet. I will never be able to know how far I have traveled. I am going to rely on other riders ahead of me. There will be 3 check points along the way and they have marked the way with arrows. My biggest concern is getting lost, crossing the highways and passing cars. Sunday morning arrives. Up until this point we were crossing time zones loosing an hour each time. This being daylight savings time we had to set the clock back an hour so we actually gained an hour. Everyone is getting ready for the big ride. I assumed they were out wiping the dew off the bikes (what was I thinking). Then they tossed me the duct tape and they rode off! I realized I needed to tape my map and time sheet to the bike. My mind was blank. They rode off and left me and I couldn't find my map or my time sheet. I started to panic and then found them. Barb started the bike for me while I finished getting my gloves and helmet on (Barb was not able to ride this year due to skeletal mending difficulties) I took off to the lodge where we had breakfast and soon the race would start. We got our bikes warmed up and then we went from the parking lot out to the street where we lined up and were sent off in groups of 4-5 a minute apart. Sue, Rose, Marcus, Alan and myself started out about 5 rows back. They marked our time cards and off we went. I never saw Sue again until I pulled back in the parking lot after finishing the ride. How long had she been back? Rose was way ahead and eventually disappeared, didn't see her again until reaching the first check point. (she had stopped to wait for us). Never saw her again her until pulling into the parking lot after the ride also. This race was on Sunday before Halloween so there were a few costumed riders. Several started out in the first 4 rows so I never saw them. A few started out somewhere behind me and eventually passed me along the way. One in particular comes to mind. It was an inflatable doll riding on the back of the bike as a passenger? I was distracted by the flailing arms and legs as it passed me. It was hilarious. An orange headed troll also passed me. There was also an Elvis rider. A witch and a bumble bee (these two incorporated there helmets into the costume). I have never been on a ride this far. I am excited and at the same time wondering what I am doing out here. This is going to be a long ride. I have never done an endurance race for this reason. Out on this ride, I had to keep my eye on riders ahead of me because I did not want to get lost. We came to our first highway crossing and I could see the stop sign approaching. I saw other riders ahead slowing to stop. I slowed and since they were going (no traffic) I continued to on with them. I looked for the arrows but did not see any. All during this ride there were beautiful hills and farms, country stores and a few cars. The next highway crossing was a little more frightening. There were cars coming, but again there were riders stopped and as I rolled up they pulled out I went with them. I eventually started to feel my legs tiring from such a long ride. On long straight ways, I leaned on my tank, throttle wide open and stretched my legs out behind me. I must have looked like superman flying. Passing my first vehicle was quite a rush. As with all passing, it required PSPT (planning, speed, precision and timing). The first was really tough. Riding the left rear of the vehicle and having to back off because a curve ahead blocked my view of any oncoming vehicles. Passing my first vehicle, I realized that I did OK. After making it past all 3 check points, I finally saw a sign Suches 20 something miles. The roads were still twisting and turning. Up ahead on the right Barb had parked in a vehicle taking pictures. I couldn't believe it my ride was nearly over and so far it was good. I waved to Barb. About 10 miles left, I came upon a vehicle with a canoe and for the life of me I could not get by. Each time I tried, a curve ahead made me retreat behind the vehicle. I eventually saw people lined up on the sides of the road ahead and I knew my ride was coming to an end. I pulled back into the parking lot and found a place to rest the bike (no kick stand.) My hands were shaking, what a rush. It took me an hour and a half to complete the ride, but I did it. I finished first in the middle aged woman category. We had our last lunch at the lodge. The food was great. Heaping portions, Heaping portions, Heaping Portions! This good food contributed to my 13 pound weight gain (almost a pound a day). After lunch we headed back to the camp ground to pack up and begin our journey back home.  Margaret earning her keep washing the windshield We said our good byes to our fellow campers and pulled out. We dipped into North Carolina, and then stopped for the night in Tennessee. We carved pumpkins. If we were having a contest mine would have come in last.  Results of Pumpkin Carving Continuing on to Memphis we again stayed at the Graceland KOA. The weather is warm and sunny. It was Halloween and we went to the famous Beale Street for tattoos, good food and the blues (Music).   Scared....but doing it! Making our way back home we stop Oklahoma to visit Bo and Sena then on to Arkansas where Phoebe visits the vet. We stop in Texas for antique shopping and then to New Mexico, where the weather took a turn for the cold. Arizona we encounter snow. We dipped into Nevada, (Laughlin to be exact). Gambling. I win 2 jack pots on the slots. As our trip winds down, we listen to blues music and continue playing our harmonicas.  Blues Played Here We make one last stop at a KOA in southern California. We have Prime rib at Peggy Sue's (50's restaurant) . Next morning we are on our way home. 16 days. Thank you to my family for being self sufficient. Thank you Sue, Rose, Barb and Phoebe for allowing me to be a part of this. I had a great time. One of the best trips I have ever had. Next time I will try not to eat so much. You provided laughter, and warmth and just good company. Thank you Team Calamari for the use of the bike and the preparation that went into getting the bike ready for the street and the ride. |
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