Rose Ray does her first Grits!  Before.............After |
| Listening to Susan and Bubba go on and on about their trip to Suches last year only made one have to give it an up close and personal look-see. So when invited to go this year…. Gracie graciously accepted.The road trip itself was fun, the camaraderie was great and the little to no mishaps with the motor home were appreciated. Arriving Suches was truly the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Thankfully there was a rainbow after the nasty (but fun) weather in New Mexico , Texas and Oklahoma. The northern hills of Georgia are absolutely beautiful. Rarely have I gone somewhere that encompassed beauty and serenity so fully. The creeks, lakes and meadows were spectacular not to mention the absolutely gorgeous trees. What a YSR riding utopia. The anticipation to ride had to be contained. The TWO Lodge was warm, inviting, and relaxing, to the point of feeling you had come home to a large family reunion. The atmosphere was festive whether you chose to stay indoors or lounge out on the deck.  Alan Muse and Rose Lounging on the Deck at TWO Watching veteran riders arrive and being greeted by the owners of TWO, and fellow motorcycle enthusiasts was almost as good as a Hallmark Card commercial. No pretenses just honest enthusiasm. Saturday morning couldn't come fast enough. For this was the day we were to go on a long awaited warm up ride. It was short. Sunday morning was bustling with activity. Breakfast, a most amusing swear in of us novice riders and then off to the staging area. With maps taped onto our tanks, bikes warmed up and raring to go, we were released in groups of 5 or 6 riders at a time. Our starting times were logged onto our blue cards and off we went. I had planned on riding side by side with my team mate but, after waiting at the first checkpoint and seeing my partner had made it just fine the enthusiasm to go for it just couldn't be contained. The roads were spectacular albeit a bit cold. The car rally, which had passed through the day before and the passing of the peak foliage had left the roads virtually clear of any debris. Koy boy. Aside from a few fresh road kills there were no obstacles (other than riding over one's head) to deter anyone from going as fast or slow as they wanted. Passing riders was a bit of a thrill, as I had never done that before! Having riders pass me, I would find myself giggling in my helmet, especially the guy with the inflatable woman strapped to his waist. Just wait until the next big hill; I'll get y'all back! I had thought for sure that the ride would take most of the morning and a good portion of the early afternoon. How was it that the entire ride just flew by? I couldn't be done already! I guess it's true, time flies when you're having fun. Upon arriving back at the lodge it was time to share stories with the others that had arrived long before me and with those that came in afterwards. The smiles and jocularity were contagious and it was difficult keeping up with the whirlwind of people and with which story went with whom. The plaque presentations were done in the true spirit of The Isle of Grits. Everyone eagerly awaited their name being called to see what they had won. Not a rider went away without one. Each time I look at my plaque I will remember Suches. I will remember the people I traveled with and the precious time we shared; the people I met along the way, such a Julie, Darryl, and Keith; the participants of the Grits, with their genuine love of motorcycling; meeting customers that I have talked to on the phone for years and enjoying their company; and last but not least I will remember how fortunate I am to have had the opportunity to participate in The Isle of Grits. |
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