Was it good for you, babe? It most assuredly was for me! I think I need a cigarette\u2026 Talk about an amazing experience! I\u2019m gonna have to have some more of that, my darling\u2026 and soon!!!<\/p>\n
My baby never disappoints\u2026 she fulfills my every desire\u2026 she completes me. She takes me too new \u2018places\u2019 each time, she lets me explore new variations of amazing feats to my heart\u2019s content, and she always leaves me with an ever stronger desire for more. Is there some voo-doo or black magic involved here? Did I unknowingly ingest some mysterious love potion or aphrodisiac?<\/p>\n
Have I actually found the true meaning of that illusive abstraction we mortals mostly believe in and claim to be a thing called \u2018love\u2019? Who knows\u2026? Who cares! I just know it\u2019s as good as it gets for this lonely, vintage traveler\u2026 this seeker of an understanding of whatever it is that makes us who we are, what we are, and why we are that way\u2026<\/p>\n
I\u2019m terribly frustrated that I can\u2019t define that wondrous, elevated, magnificent sensation that comes over me when mind, body, and spirit come together into one incredible whole\u2026 and the feeling that accompanies it is\u2026 WOW! Simply WOW!!! And, it is she, and only she, who can get me to that very special place\u2026 If there really is such a thing as love, I have indeed found it.<\/p>\n
In the span of mere minutes, she transported me from the agony of despair to the thrill of complete satisfaction and joy. I was literally languishing in self-pity and loathsome lethargy one minute, then the total reverse the next. It started when I attempted to put into the written word what I was feeling that Thursday morning. Capturing one\u2019s thoughts is one thing\u2026 capturing one\u2019s feelings and emotions is quite another, I\u2019ve discovered\u2026<\/p>\n
I needed a break from the concentration and focus required for such an arduous, illusive enterprise, so I\u2019d stepped out onto the porch of my cabin to combust one of those nicotine delivery units and to sip what remained of my daily ration of hot caffeine fluid\u2026 Am I a junky? I do have these cravings\u2026 these needs\u2026 Maybe there is a government program to solve this for me\u2026 anyway\u2026<\/p>\n
I glanced, as I always do, towards our girl, spoke to her in that silent language we use with each other\u2026 and I of course told her I loved her. She reciprocated\u2026 Part of my melancholy was directly related to the weather forecast and the implications of those dire predictions that had us locked down for the time-being. Hmmm, another round about story\u2026 Please indulge me here\u2026<\/p>\n
I had realized that I had painted us into a corner with the choices I\u2019d made the past couple of days. It started with the choice to get a cabin for a multi-day interlude\u2026 Then projected rain showed up in the picture\u2026 and I was faced with a dilemma. Do we risk riding in the rain, or do we hunker down and wait it out? I almost always go for the latter choice now that I have the luxury of virtually unlimited time availability\u2026 but there is a rub\u2026<\/p>\n
If I\u2019ve chosen a place in which to be stationery that doesn\u2019t meet all of my requirements\u2026 or if those requirements have changed for some reason\u2026 well. So, I\u2019d painted us into an uncomfortable corner\u2026 The smart play was to just stay put for a couple of more days, which I did. Unfortunately, that also meant having to do without some of the accoutrements I\u2019ve grown to \u2018need\u2019\u2026<\/p>\n
So, with rain expected later that day and the next, I had stepped outside with a heavy heart\u2026 ALI was most empathetic, but she is not one to coddle\u2026 Suck it up, big boy, we\u2019ve been through a lot rougher stuff than this together! Of course she was right\u2026<\/p>\n
Then, inexplicably, a couple of unrelated neurons in my brain made random connection and a synaptic circuit was formed\u2026 resulting in that light bulb above my head illuminating\u2026 rather brightly, too! Funny, we tend to see whatever it is that we\u2019re looking for\u2026 conversely, we tend not to see whatever we\u2019re not looking for. I was in a very blue mood, so I was only seeing \u2018blue\u2019 stuff\u2026 But for that random occurrence, my sadness might have likely persisted throughout the day\u2026 but it didn\u2019t!<\/p>\n
Nosiree! I had an \u2018out of the box\u2019 thought fortuitously smack me right upside the noggin\u2019 at just the right time, and what a huge difference that made in everything that followed! I\u2019m a little embarrassed to admit that I had up until right then totally missed how great the weather was just shaping up to be early that morning! I\u2019d been up since well before daylight, so it had sort of snuck up on me, I suppose, but there is no denying (unless of course you are a politician) it was pretty spectacular out\u2026 and most ride-worthy!<\/p>\n
The sudden surge of energy and enthusiasm was a bit startling, but\u2026 I sprang into action! I wrapped up the Shakespearian tragedy I\u2019d been laboring to compose, changed my footgear, grabbed my jacket and helmet and leapt off the porch at a trot even before my feet touched the ground! Talk about sensational foreplay!!!<\/p>\n
I snatched the cover off of ALI, hurriedly but not recklessly, not wanting to waste even one precious second of time\u2026 but, not wanting to rip the thing to shreds either\u2026 I did roll it up more or less properly, then complete the other little pre-ride details and rituals\u2026 a bit more foreplay, teasing almost to the point of torment. She was as eager as I\u2026 She\u2019s such a passionate partner! Always ready, never says \u2018no\u2019, never fails to put a smile on my face\u2026 Hurry big boy, she panted almost breathlessly, let\u2019s do this! Yes, yes, I love you too\u2026 now get on me and let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n
She was still in first gear as we coasted through the stop sign at the corner a few yards down from the cabin\u2026 I was already grinning from ear to ear, and she was humming and purring, sweetly, serenely as she does when I\u2019m touching all the right places, caressing her knobs and creases just the right way, pulling and tugging, squeezing and twisting just so\u2026<\/p>\n
If she had an ear, I\u2019d have already been nibbling on the lobe, softly blowing hot air into her ear canal\u2026 I stroked the left flank of her voluptuous tank\u2026 I suddenly had to jerk us back from the edge of the road\u2026 HEY, we don\u2019t want to end this prematurely here, she flatly stated\u2026 Let\u2019s take our time\u2026 do it for just as long as we can\u2026 You are right again, baby\u2026<\/p>\n
Each passing foot of travel brought with it more pleasure, more desire\u2026 more yearning\u2026 I was so happy at that moment! All of the trials, failures, embarrassments, and blunders of my life seemed so OK with me right then, because all of them had contributed to my being there\u2026 doing what I was doing\u2026 sharing the moment and the experience with my girl. I have indeed lived a wonderful life if it has brought me to this!<\/p>\n
Less than half a mile from the cabin was the first decision point\u2026 Left towards the Dragon, right towards Cherokee\u2026 I\u2019d figured on doing a loop with Townsend, TN, as the mid-point\u2026 What the hey, let\u2019s do Cherokee first\u2026 probably wouldn\u2019t hurt to shake off a few cobwebs before tackling the Dragon anyway\u2026 right it was.<\/p>\n
No, I didn\u2019t yodel. I actually did think about it, though, but I\u2019ve learned that those sorts of things can\u2019t be routinely summoned, forced, or choreographed\u2026 If they don\u2019t come spontaneously and automatically, then they just aren\u2019t the same\u2026 and there is no luster\u2026 \u2018Luster\u2019 matters, you know\u2026<\/p>\n
I did catch myself singing, however\u2026 Yep, and I seemed to have developed a peculiar for me baritone voice, but it actually sounded rather nice, I thought\u2026 I found myself attempting a few of those weird songs in operas\u2026 the ones in Italian! What in blazes is up with that? I simply ain\u2019t that kind of guy\u2026 I reckon it\u2019s just that luster thing manifesting itself in unusual ways like it usually does\u2026 Hmmm\u2026<\/p>\n
What a ride! I\u2019d figured on eating breakfast somewhere along the way, but that never happened\u2026 Nope, I just cruised along with my baby between my legs, gazing at the mountains, valleys\u2026 banking curves, dodging road kill\u2026 thinking amazing thoughts, singing\u2026 all that wondrous stuff we do when we\u2019re in that most special of all grooves. And to think I\u2019d almost spent the day pouting into my laptop\u2026!<\/p>\n
In Cherokee we made the turn northward (we made a left turn shortly after a right turn, Napper). US 441 up and over Newfound Gap is a very nice ride\u2026 if you can hit it at other than heavy tourist traffic times\u2026 This was not one of those\u2026<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve ridden through there many, many times over the preceding three decades or so, and this time of year it\u2019s always the same\u2026 Throngs of yuppies and geezers, families and singles, church groups and foreigners\u2026 and endless lines of vehicles snaking their way along that curvactious ribbon of asphalt\u2026 ever so slowly!<\/p>\n
I\u2019m forced to conclude that I\u2019m not the only one who enjoys the spectacular colors of Fall\u2026 I\u2019m apparently not alone in my utter amazement at Nature\u2019s palate on full display\u2026 I\u2019d hit it right at peak! If I\u2019ve ever seen it any better, I surely don\u2019t recall\u2026 It also seems others were validating my observation\u2026 many, many others\u2026<\/p>\n
Down the other side towards Gatlinburg, then west along the Little River Road, past the turn to Cade\u2019s Cove, then on into Townsend, TN\u2026 Time for some ALI fuel\u2026 perhaps something for the ol\u2019 bug killer, too\u2026 A much needed break for sure.<\/p>\n
I was seated on a bench outside the convenience store where I\u2019d bought gas for our girl, a drink and Honey Bun for her driver\u2026 her lover\u2026 idly enjoying a few moments in the shade to relax some\u2026 The guy who works inside came out and sat down on the other end of the bench\u2026 He felt like chatting\u2026<\/p>\n
It was then that I learned about the rider who\u2019d gone down the week before on the Dragon and been killed\u2026 he and the guy who\u2019d hit him even had laid out in the woods for more than a day before they were found\u2026 According to this guy, the unlucky rider was struck from the rear by the other rider.<\/p>\n
A somber and sober reminder of the risks we all share\u2026 all of us who have answered the call of this dangerous sport\u2026 A grim reminder, too, that we can do everything right out there and still get killed\u2026 I\u2019m sure Whiskey and Sugar could add a few comments on that subject!<\/p>\n
It\u2019s good to learn about these things, even as unpleasant as they are. We need to be constantly reminded of the dangers, otherwise we\u2019d become too over-confident and our enthusiasm would propel us beyond our own skill levels, and\u2026 sooner or later catastrophe awaits all who fail to heed the warnings and exercise extreme caution. It can come to even the wary too, of course, but it makes sense to this practitioner of two-wheeled adventurizing to improve the odds any way we reasonably can\u2026<\/p>\n
We need to also be reminded of just how vulnerable we are to the actions of others\u2026 actions totally beyond our own ability to control, no matter how skillful we are\u2026 ALI and I were headed for the Dragon on our return leg to the cabin\u2026 Destiny was giving us a timely heads-up, and I said a silent prayer of thanks for the blessing\u2026<\/p>\n
A short jog over to and down the Foothills Parkway, then onto US 129 towards the Dragon just a couple of miles away\u2026 We did ride it with zest, but we were also restrained\u2026 bridled passion and enthusiasm were the order of the day. Nothing kinky or crazy, just good, hot love-making\u2026 our goal was a fitting climax, not a childish hop & pop, gun & go adrenaline rush\u2026<\/p>\n
We were passed by a couple of crotch rockets\u2026 they were on a different quest, and we eased over to let them by\u2026 good luck, fellas! I didn\u2019t stop at the overlook, because there were already several riders there, and I wasn\u2019t in the mood for mindless banter about horse power, bore size, and quarter mile speeds\u2026<\/p>\n
We passed a Tennessee State Trooper with his back to us looking in the direction of the state line as we approached that jurisdictional dividing line\u2026 We slowed even more\u2026 no need taking any chances on this score either! Down the hill to the store, then left onto NC 28 towards Fontana\u2026 We didn\u2019t pull into the store either\u2026 same reason, I guess, as at the overlook\u2026 Some things are just better done in private alone with your partner\u2026 this is one of those for us.<\/p>\n
I stopped briefly at the General Store in Fontana, though, to see if they had a souvenir Tee shirt I could pick up for my navigationally challenged Bama Bud\u2026 Hot Damn! Must be some gold thread in that fabric somewhere! I mean, really? I don\u2019t think so\u2026! I hope she understands\u2026 It\u2019s not that she isn\u2019t worth it\u2026 it\u2019s just that that doggone Tee ain\u2019t worth it!<\/p>\n
Well, we\u2019d reached the conclusion of our latest romp\u2026 I stood next to her for a moment and pondered our just satisfactorily concluded coupling\u2026 Then, some of my favorite memories also passed before my mind\u2019s eye, as I felt a tear welling-up\u2026 I didn\u2019t scold myself for such an \u2018unmanly\u2019 gesture\u2026 I just whispered my little private message to her as I pulled the covers over her and said good night\u2026 sweet dreams, my dear\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Was it good for you, babe? It most assuredly was for me! I think I need a cigarette\u2026 Talk about an amazing experience! I\u2019m gonna have to have some more of that, my darling\u2026 and soon!!! My baby never disappoints\u2026 …<\/span> Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-777","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-meanderings-by-ddt-2"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/willowinthewind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/777","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/willowinthewind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/willowinthewind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/willowinthewind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/willowinthewind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=777"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/willowinthewind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/777\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":778,"href":"https:\/\/willowinthewind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/777\/revisions\/778"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/willowinthewind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=777"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/willowinthewind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=777"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/willowinthewind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=777"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}