Author Topic: We're retired - 1st trip report  (Read 1600 times)

Online kballowe

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We're retired - 1st trip report
« on: June 17, 2021, 04:31:50 PM »
We both retired in early May, and then headed south.

Day one was a late start, and a brief stop in Sweet Home Alabama, at an excellent restaurant with two-for-one margaritas.




We made beach-fall early the next day.   Temps around 80 degrees and (mostly) blue skies





We had to take the long way around, as the main bridge is currently missing a section - due to a hurricane and cargo ship incident.

A bit of beach time and lunch with fried oyster hoagies and three-dollar margaritas. 





And, what would a Gulf Coast vacation be without a trip to the infamous Flora-Bama ?  I remember when this place was a tin shack on the beach.... back in the 70's when I was training in Pensacola.


« Last Edit: June 17, 2021, 04:39:16 PM by kballowe »

Offline Iron Cross Junction

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #1 on: June 17, 2021, 04:52:56 PM »


Congrats.

Looks as if you all are even better than I am.   :laugh:

Enjoy it; you've earned it.

Bill
Bill Hagan

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Online kballowe

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #2 on: June 17, 2021, 05:04:57 PM »
Now where was I ?

OK, so we left Pensacola and headed north and east to the Smokey Mountains.





We rode around, visiting some of the local dams.






Interesting to note that we found a lot of these green lizards at all of the dam sites.  The Wife kept calling them DAM lizards - but I think that was because a couple of them were sorta chasing her.   I need to learn how to work the video button on my android phone.





Of course, we rode the Dragon and Cherahola Skyway, Moonshine 28, etc.













Offline Guzzi Gal

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #3 on: June 17, 2021, 05:14:01 PM »
Thanks. I needed to look at some nice pics and dream. Enjoy! :thumb:
:bow: Thanks for enabling my MG obsession! :bow:
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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #3 on: June 17, 2021, 05:14:01 PM »

Online Ncdan

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #4 on: June 17, 2021, 05:14:23 PM »
Yea, come to NC and couldn’t be bothered to come and stay with us for a couple days🤔😂

Offline bad Chad

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #5 on: June 17, 2021, 05:31:55 PM »
Your other half has you beat from about all angels.  Great to hear/see.  Enjoy.
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Offline twowheeladdict

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #6 on: June 17, 2021, 05:39:10 PM »
 :thumb:
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Offline LowRyter

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #7 on: June 17, 2021, 05:44:14 PM »
congrats! 
John L 
When life gets you down remember it's one down and the rest are up.  (1-N-23456)

Offline TimmyTheHog

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #8 on: June 17, 2021, 05:51:34 PM »
Woot ENJOY!!!
Life isn't WHAT IS at the end.
It is HOW and WHAT you are doing to get there.

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Offline ozarquebus

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #9 on: June 17, 2021, 06:32:18 PM »
Thanks for the great shots! Is that the correct bike?
« Last Edit: June 17, 2021, 06:34:22 PM by ozarquebus »
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Online kballowe

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #10 on: June 17, 2021, 06:39:28 PM »
Thanks for the great shots! Is that the correct bike?

???
It's the one we rode.  That's a 2014 Yamaha VStar 1300. 
« Last Edit: June 17, 2021, 06:40:16 PM by kballowe »

Online kballowe

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #11 on: June 17, 2021, 07:16:59 PM »
(continued)

We came home for a few days and went out for a ride, and the bike wouldn't start.  The battery was only seven years old !
We got going and then the low fuel light came on.  Got home and discovered that the rear tire was at the wear bars, and it was due for an oil change.  CRAP ! 

We got out another bike, gave it the once-over, and then we were off to South Dakota, Wyoming, etc. 

A stop at the Corn Place in Mitchell, SD






Here's a boy, walking his pet dinosaur - just east of Wall, SD.






A trip thru the Badlands







A side trip to Wall Drug





Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, Sturgis, Crazy Horse








And then.... off for another ride










elvisboy77

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #12 on: June 17, 2021, 07:47:20 PM »
Thank you for posting this, great story and pics

Offline aproud1

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #13 on: June 17, 2021, 07:54:58 PM »
Looks like a lot of fun. Congrats on the retirement.

A little concerned... you guys seem to be behind on margaritas?
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Offline ozarquebus

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #14 on: June 17, 2021, 08:02:57 PM »
kballowe, it looks like a fine bike for the ride, I was confused and thought you had a different bike not realizing you may have more than one.  :laugh:
John

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Online kballowe

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #15 on: June 17, 2021, 08:13:01 PM »
kballowe, it looks like a fine bike for the ride, I was confused and thought you had a different bike not realizing you may have more than one.  :laugh:

Ah.   I can see where that might be confusing.   

Our inventory changes, from time to time.




We have a motorcycle-friendly place here.
Sometimes, there's a line to get in,


« Last Edit: June 17, 2021, 08:15:27 PM by kballowe »

Offline Huzo

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #16 on: June 17, 2021, 08:17:09 PM »
Thanks. I needed to look at some nice pics and dream. Enjoy! :thumb:
It’s coming towards you faster than you probably think GG.
Be ready to go when your youngest says...
“Mom, can I sleep over at “Mary Joe’s...” (or whatever, no innuendo implied..)
“Yes dear, I’ll take you after school on Friday and pick you up after supper on Sunday...”. ( Unless you want Monday off school... :wink:)

Offline kingoffleece

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #17 on: June 17, 2021, 08:33:20 PM »
Wonderful.  Enjoy!
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Offline bottler

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #18 on: June 17, 2021, 08:55:48 PM »
Great story and pictures. Those margaritas look good!

Offline JL Rich

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #19 on: June 17, 2021, 09:15:17 PM »
Living the life, nice.

Offline Gliderjohn

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #20 on: June 17, 2021, 09:41:38 PM »
Lookin good! Retirement isn't a bad gig. Enjoy.
GliderJohn
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Offline Muzz

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #21 on: June 18, 2021, 03:57:54 AM »
Retirement seems to be agreeing with you. :thumb: :grin:

I know it's the best job I ever had.
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Offline tazio

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #22 on: June 18, 2021, 06:34:40 AM »
Is there anything better than a good trip report?
Thank you!!! :thumb:
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Offline nwguy

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #23 on: June 18, 2021, 10:38:27 AM »
Congratulations! Looks like you're having a fine time.
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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #24 on: June 18, 2021, 10:43:14 AM »
Congratulations Kevin! Thanks for the report and pics.

Offline ozarquebus

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #25 on: June 18, 2021, 11:23:27 AM »
 I especially like the shot of the saddle-broke jackaloupe. Floorboards are a must to have on them.
John

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Offline Guzzi Gal

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #26 on: June 18, 2021, 01:40:41 PM »
It’s coming towards you faster than you probably think GG.
Be ready to go when your youngest says...
“Mom, can I sleep over at “Mary Joe’s...” (or whatever, no innuendo implied..)
“Yes dear, I’ll take you after school on Friday and pick you up after supper on Sunday...”. ( Unless you want Monday off school... :wink:)
HA! My parents wouldn't see me for a week at a time, or longer, during the summer. I had a pony and friends with ponies. We would trot off into the redwoods and oaks, not to be seen 'til the food ran out. Two of my three have never had a sleepover, and the one that has hardly remembers it.

We go for day trips instead of multi-day ones.  :thumb:
:bow: Thanks for enabling my MG obsession! :bow:
"Anni" '17 Moto Guzzi V7 III Anniversario #220/1000,
"Velvet" '16 Honda CTX 700,
"Brigitte", AKA "Gigi" '13 Vespa GTS 300ie,
"Grey Wind" '12 Vespa GTS 300 Super,  
The twin '16 Honda Metropolitans
"Miri" and Mori"

Offline bodine99

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #27 on: June 18, 2021, 02:34:14 PM »
Great pixs & story :thumb:
Have you folks ever been to Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggies Vally N.C.??

Online kballowe

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #28 on: June 25, 2021, 09:36:44 AM »
Great pixs & story :thumb:
Have you folks ever been to Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggies Vally N.C.??

Yes, we have - and it's pretty cool !

Offline TN Mark

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Re: We're retired - 1st trip report
« Reply #29 on: June 25, 2021, 11:23:24 AM »
What a wonderful and encouraging thread, thank you for sharing!

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