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Saturday morning it was very COLD, yet riders seemed to be champing at the bit to get on the road. According to the digital gauge on Patrick's bike it was still only 28 point something at 7:30 despite the sun being out. My cheap analog gauge on screened back porch said 30. At any rate, the uncovered bikes were crusted with ice! The SV650 and I were not going anywhere just yet! My dilemma however was that I had worked hard to lay out a new lunch ride route with some reported nice roads I had not ridden yet and I really wanted to sample them. But I had to be back in camp early to prepare for the cookout and only an early (and frigid) departure would make both work. The plan I settled on was to take the shorter (90 miles) of the two legs to the lunch destination and then the shortcut back. Everyone seemed to be putting on cold weather gear, moving in slow motion, waiting for the sun to do it's thing. Finally, the ice slid off my gas tank, the analog guage said 34 or 38. I got out my brand new Warm & Safe jacket liner and gloves and got ready to ride. Jimmie Girton, Dave Moss and I headed out about 10:00 am. Patrick was already gone. What I got to see of the route was pretty decent, LA 155 has some nice sweepers as it meanders west and then south. We did encounter a road closure after about 30 miles but the detour was ok and shorter. We arrived at Grayson's before noon. Don Laderer was finishing up his meal and we sat down to watch. He told of getting "lost" due to GPS/ROUTE anomalies - he apparently rode around in a big circle before finally getting back on track.
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I wrote about Grayson's BBQ last month so won't repeat my accolades here. Suffice it to say everyone enjoyed his meal, the staff and locals were friendly and the prices could not be beat. Patrick was riding up as we stepped outside to saddle up. He had done the entire long leg and had good things to say about it. Our return ride was uneventful but seemed colder to me. I guess I was bored and wishing I had time for the three Cajun Sisters 123, 124 & 126 that made up the longer return route. (Don't bother Googling that, I just made it up). But I got back to camp just in time to prepare for the Cajun Christmas Cookout. |
The lodge smelled like gumbo! I packed a load of supplies in the van, picked up Tim Cundiff, my volunteer cook and helper and headed for the pavilion. The large double grill was full of water and mud but we soon had it cleaned out and a charcoal fire going. Dave and Tammy Moss arrived early and Tammy set up the serving tables. Then a quick drive back to camp to pick up Stacie and the Gumbo (and jello shots).
By 5:30 pm hamburgers and sausage were coming off the grill and the tables were beginning to fill up with hungry folks. Tim and Drew did an awesome job at the grill and Stacie's gumbo was a hit as always. I went back for seconds but it was ALL GONE! The burgers got rave reviews and we ran out of hotdog buns so the grilled sausage was popular as well.
Due to the predicted cold temperature it was decided to return to the lodge
for dessert and the Cajun Gift Exchange. I still can't get over how quickly a 40 person cookout can totally disappear in minutes and relocate when everone pitches in to help. Back at the lodge various desserts were enjoyed and adult beverages jello shots were consumed. With everyone's appetite appeased it was time for our famous Cajun Gift Exchange. There were 34 participants this year and some great gifts, including some fancy tool kits, high tech flashlights, expensive bike cleaning chemicals as well as some fine Bourbon Whiskey. There was even a set of historic motorcycle shop manuals, which Santa Claus was lucky enough to go home with! Some gifts were stolen for the maximum 3 times and went home with some very pleased owners. Santa being a celebrity and all, I guess no one dared steal his shop manuals, lucky guy! 
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UPCOMING RIDES
STAGECOACH XIII
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I plan to ride to Stockton, AL for this event on Wednesday, December 30 and there are so far three other members tentatively panning to join me. I will be heading across the Florida Parishes via highway 10 to Bogalusa and continue on MS 26 and backroads to Stockton, AL. Alternatively, if the weather is nice I will hit some nicer MS Backroads
for a slightly longer and more scenic/adventurous route. The main meeting spot will be the Exxon station in Kentwood at 8:00 am and we can set a second rendesvous point futher east if needed/preferred. Distance from Kentwood to Stockton is somewhere between 190 to 230 miles, depending on the route we pick. My plan is to arrive by 11:30, eat, hang out and and mingle and be back on the road home by about 1:00. See details below from ST Owners dot com and Email me if you are interested
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ANNUAL NEW YEARS DAY BREAKFAST MEETING
MEET at IHOP at 8:30 1/1/2010
3006 College Dr. Baton Rouge
(In front of Wal Mart Phone 225-218-8467)
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This is our one formal (as formal as we get) club business meeting, basically an opportunity to talk about riding plans for the coming year, meet other members, give your input about club activities. Ride or come in your car. Riders not planning to watch the bowl game or attend family gatherings may opt for an impromtu ride afterwards ! |
That is it for 2009! Thanks to each of you who have participated in club activities. And special thanks to those who have helped out and offered moral support. MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Prosperous and Healthy NEW YEAR to all of you. Your input - ideas, suggestions, comments, complaints - are vital to our club's success, KEEP IN TOUCH!
(225)281-0799 (Cell).
and Ride Safe,
Bob Chappuis
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