I am deviating somewhat from my usual boating or motorcycling related posts.. This one is truly ‘pure rambling’.  Have no fear.

Almost 6 weeks ago I retired after working for 35 years for the same company (and 10 years before that).  The company was great. The people great.  What I wanted to share is a kind of gradual ‘transformation’ (for lack of a better term) that I have noticed over the last few weeks.  It was expected, but much better experienced.

Retirement is something you plan for (hopefully).  There are a zillion articles on finances, social security blah blah blah. They all say the same thing.  There is not much to talk about the mental state.  I am talking about the first few weeks.  It’s a big change. Continue reading →

Thursday, Aug. 4

Always tough to end a visit.  Spent the early morning with coffee, getting packed, wiping down the bike from the rain overnight and getting it loaded, waiting for the conversation – ‘well, I guess I should get going.’

Light rain in Henderson.  I forego-ed the rain gear.  According to the ole weatherbug app, we were on the tail end of the system.  Full tank from the night before, mounted up and Laddie got on his bike and navigated me to the interstate.  A thumbs up between us and I got on the ramp and headed north into the morning rush hour traffic in a light rain. Continue reading →

Great biking day…  The Smoky Mountains are gorgeous

I am running about a day late on the blogs.  Too much activity at night, coupled with intentions to get on the road in the morning..   Boots, gloves and jacket still wet from previous days rain.  Its pretty humid out there.

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I woke up after a good sound sleep.  A probable result of the natural relaxant qualities of the secret recipes of the Scots. God bless them.

A couple pots of home brewed coffee followed by efforts to focus on pushing out the blog.  Tried but nah..  We needed to become one with the countryside.  Warriors of the retired if you will.  Places to go.  Houses to look at.   Curvy roads to conquer.

We rode down to the Post Office to see if some meds arrived.  Nope.   We will live another day.  We headed to countryside.

Saluda, Tryon, the backwoods of South Carolina…  Places not in the Michelin guide. They probably should be.  But also reasons why they are not.  Very pretty.

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Woke up 7ish and loaded up.  Had checked the ole google map and the closest coffee place was 21 miles away..  really?  Super 8 coffee.  Two cups.  830 on the road.  Fresh morning.  Body was rested and ready for the day.

Nice ride through Virginia.  Some neat fog in the valleys.   Great roads.  Great vistas.  Took my time.  Totally easy ride.  Not much traffic…

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