Three weeks later.
Gathered around Bobby’s (my son-in-law) dining table one Sunday afternoon for a lunch party, we found ourselves telling stories and sharing our excitement of the trip with Victor, the rest of my family and other friends.
Slapping the table with his open palm and with almost uncontrollable laughter, Tony in his usual booming voice exclaimed: “Aaah, I’ve got it”!
“Got what Tony”? I asked.
“Now I know what she said”!
“What who said”? I asked
“Remember the girl who yelled at us from the pickup truck in Arkansas”?
“Yeah ………”
“Well I just realized what it is that she yelled”!
“What, what”? I impatiently asked.
And with true “country accent” …………….she had said:
“Ya’ll gunn git wet”! (You’re all gong to get wet – for those of you who don’t speak American!)
……………. And for the rest of that evening, we laughed and laughed till our jaws couldn’t take it anymore.
I took my thoughts/words back of how I had stereo-typed and branded her in my thoughts at the time.
Converse to my thoughts, she had actually been very nice to us by having consideration for our well-being by giving us notice of the pending storm that afternoon.
I said a prayer of thanks and asked for a blessing for her and a blessing of forgiveness for my self for having misjudged her in my thoughts.
I had been captivated by the experience of visiting Arkansas. I dare to say that their State Road Designing Committee must be comprised of motorcycle riders! It has to be! The curves and banks, road gradients and quality were good. So good that only another “rider” would know exactly what, where and how to lay them out in order to deliver the thrilling rides I experienced.
For those of you readers who ride bikes, if you ever get the opportunity to visit and ride Arkansas, it will be well worth it in more ways than one! I have no doubts - based on my personal experience.
Great motorbiking roads and great riding weather – for the most part.
Best of all, great camaraderie.
For months on end after this trip, we spoke of not much else whenever we were together in the company of our riding friends. I know for a fact that they got so fed up of us talking constantly about all our new experiences on this trip.
On our part we were hoping that our joyfully gained experience would rub off on them, enough to the point that it would encourage them to want to get out and do the same so as to gain the sheer joy from the experience.
Our experience from this trip is an indelible part of our memories and life experiences. So much to the point that now, 7 years later (as of the time of editing this portion of my journals), we still talk often and fondly about it like it occurred just this past weekend.
I came home from this trip feeling blessed, happy and thankful for this opportunity in life.
Additionally important, I learned from the planning of this trip, the value of being well informed of how the weather conditions ahead affect the trip and influence to a great extent, the preparation that is so important for individual safety and enjoyment.
Y’all be safe.