Ding's Custom Cycle Blog: November 2012

DATELINE THOROUGHFARE THREE SISTERS VETERANS RALLY, CAMP WOOD, TEXAS --- Well folks, we made it. Feels like we ran a marathon while chain smoking cigarettes, which we did. There is, without a doubt, a reflective, detailed summary coming from me at some point but for now, I offer a quick wrap-up.
     We currently reside in the hill country of west Texas. This rally, in some ways, was our best. Let's not measure on money but rather the moments that will stay engraved on us. The best day was Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012, when we celebrated the U.S. Marine Corps birthday. The day started with offerings for my warrior, which included a copy of the commendant's message rolled as a scroll, a giant card for public display and the official cake (a ding dong emblazed with his service logo). We tinkered throughout the day on minor service and repair matters and by sunset, when the riders returned, it was evident that folks wanted to let Ding know their respect. Slowly but regularly, bikers in this camp wandered over to our spot and offered wine and spirits and celebratory words for Ding and all other Marines at this location and far away. Unplanned and utterly organic, our site became a place to regail each other with stories of war life, road life and rally worlds. There was live music nearby and the air was crisp.
     There was Sunday, Veteran's Day and my grandmother Gege's birthday (RIP), when we worked as a team to detail a bike. Ding taught me what I needed to know regarding washing, waxing and handling chrome - o my, the latter is a bit of a timely bitch. It was fun and actually new to work side by side with my husband. We made it more lively by blaring NFL games on the truck's Sirrus radio and sneaking a red beer or two. We went into town afterward (my first off-site visit in a week) and supped at a place called Harleys while talking to locals who want us to stay and winter here and service their bikes. Later, we sat at the campground's pavillion with worker bees here and dissected the good, bad and ugly of this year's Three Sisters Veterans rally.
    There were unique food vendors here to include roasted quail and crawfish sausage with one man's homemade hot sauce that was excellent. Thursday night saw an incredibly good blues band, the kind I used to hear many years ago at those smoky gin joints in Chicago and New Orleans. Interestingly, we didn't sell a single tire but through oil changes, repairs, T-shirts and detailing, actually made the nut and then some. Our friends Rick and Susan were at another nearby rally - the proverbial bastard stepchild of this one - and crushed it with their leather goods. They will drive over today to visit.
     We were without cell service here the entire time and continue to be telephonically impotent. It's ATNT country but we have Internet, obviously. Junkyard Dog "JD" and his gal Jessica were here. He patented a great shock system and sells all over the country. They are based in So Cal but rally when they can. We worked side by side with them in Ignacio but being here gave us chance to get to know each other. Their partnership is a hoot and wholely representative of how this road life is for couples. One minute you want to fling pots and pans, the next, you're in the grass wrestling for fun and kissing.
    Larry the seemingly lazy bark-o-lounger vendor was here too. We first met at the Porkchop rally in Point Blank. He stands as a reminder that lest we judge to soon. He's at the top of the list for a heart transplant but won't do it. He tells us his main MD thinks he likely won't survive it or, if he does, may have very little time or quality of life afterward. He left camp in a blaze of glory in his Cadillac convertible, this, after telling Ding and I we could set up shop on any of his land in Texas. The generosity of carnies is remarkable.
    Of course, despite being humbled at many a turn at this event, I must gripe a bit. The bees are biblical here. They swarm and hover and are so persistent. As a fan of butterflies, I am alarmingly done with them as well - they are omnipresent and annoying. The wind is epic and it's a miracle our canopies survived. Each day brings temperatures that will either fry or freeze you.
     We are taking a few days off now and must deal with another truck issue. We will likely head to Hondo to stay with Billy Gray and his bride and then we need to figure out the off -season. Will it be back to the oil fields for a couple of months or shall we roll the bones and set up a service shop around here. Next year's first rally for us will the the Valentine's Day Massacre in Hondo.
    All suggestions for 2013 tour stops are welcome.
    Happy Fall All....
    Love Hol, Ding, Thumper and Bob (as well as the Algona Iowa fly and east Texas cricket living on board) Pics forthcoming when cell phones have life.

DATELINE HARBORSIDE DRIVE, GALVESTON ISLAND, TEXAS --- The Lone Star Rally is finished, ended in a major gulf rain storm bang. We did a few tires and enjoyed vending with Harley Ridin Woman Deb. The collision company where we parked was great and we've even made plans for this site next year. We had patch-wearing customers, police and others. We did a big tire Sunday after the storm (yeah, we lost another canopy) and then buttoned things up and went to Casey's on the beach for a great seafood dinner. We are headed to a campground on the beach tonite and then forging west toward Camp Wood. Susan and Rick will caravan with us. I think HRW is maybe going north toward home. Next weekend will be finally rally of season. Dogs are well but Bob has a sore hind leg. No more to report. Cheers from the island, Hol, Ding, Bob, Thumper, HRW, Rain Dog, Rick and Susan....