TALLADEGA SCENIC HIGHWAY ON MT. CHEAHA ~ ALABAMA ~ photo taken by Dianna Stover
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Sunday, September 5, 2010

RIDIN' THE WATER

A couple of weekends ago, Harley and I had the great fortune of getting to "house sit" his uncle's cabin on Lake Martin... a very comfortable dwelling paired with an awesome toy collection, namely two Sea Doo's and a Sweetwater Pontoon boat. As soon as I realized we were going to spend some time at the lake place, I was chompin' at the bit to get my hands on a Sea Doo. I've only been a passenger on one once, and since I ride motorcycles and know how much pleasure I get from that, I couldn't wait to be the operator of one of these cool machines.

Finding out that there were only two basic functions... the "on/off" switch and the thumb throttle (no brakes, no clutch, no gears to sift through, accept forward or reverse) I realized this was gonna be just a "hang on and go" kind of deal. I stayed in our little slue while I putted around in a circle or two and got a good feel for it. I guess it took all of two minutes before I realized I was ready for some open water, so off I went.

Now, one of my favorite things to do while riding my Glide, is to accelerate through the gears at a rapid rate of speed. I don't necessarily go over the speed limit (most of the time) but I think it's fun to see how fast I can get to it... that's all. Another, is feeling the wind in my face as I cut through the warm air on a beautiful summer day. It goes along with my favorite expression, "only a biker knows why a dog sticks their head out the window."

Well, it didn't take long for me to realize this Sea Doo had some rapid acceleration power too! And instead of trying to find ways to stay cool and hydrated, skimming along on a Sea Doo allows refreshing sprays of lake water to wash over you while you speed across the water's surface. Nothing feels better than that "cooling" effect that the wind has on wet skin... aahhhhhh!

Pressing the thumb throttle all the way in makes your hair go horizontal and according to the digital dash, I was maxing it out at 75 r.p.m.'s (we figured that's about 60 to 62 m.p.h.). I was skipping across the water like a stone and flying off that seat every time I jumped a wave. The more waves I jumped, the more my ass flew off that seat. In my mind's eye, (if I were watching myself from the shore) I was flying in the air like a wind flag... feet and legs flapping behind me like ribbons... with nothing more than my hands clamped tightly on the grips! Woo Hoo!!
FYI... Pontoon's make the best waves, but if you find yourself lacking traffic, you can make your own. I've never mastered the art of doing doughnuts with the Glide, but doing doughnuts on a Sea Doo is nothing more than just a lot of giggly fun! Laughing out loud while almost dumping myself in, just gave me more reason to test it's limits. It's as if I were taunting my buoyant foe, "You'll never dump me.... Muwahahahahaha!!"

In comparing "rides" between a Glide and a Sea Doo, I would concur that both are tons of fun! Riding my Glide provides and outlet for the dangerous, daring and independent side of me while getting immense pleasure from experiencing the roads on two. If I were to find myself spending more and more time on the Lake, I would have to figure out a way to procure me a Sea Doo of my own.

Life on the lake would be a dream, but I have a hard time getting things done as it is. Can you imagine if I had this beautiful aqua playground as my backyard? I'd be gone all the time but, you'd know where to find me... I'd either be ridin' the roads... or ridin' the water. Either way, I'd be ridin'!!

Ride on...

Lady R

9 comments:

Chessie (Chesshirecat) said...

Glad you had a blast! I love those machines... lucky girl.

Learning to Golf said...

Great head turn looking through the turn, ATGATT for water is good, but I hope those sun glasses are tied on 'cause it would be a Bitch trying to find them at the bottom of a murky lake.

I wish I was at the lake on a Ski Doo, but I was out riding in the heat to meet up with the Cali Bloggers again. It is a great life we lead for sure.

mq01 said...

WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!! :) life on the water is one of my favorite things. WOOHOO!!!!!!!!

Oz said...

It would be difficult getting much done if I had a lake and watercraft! That looks so fun. I haven't been on a personal watercraft in several years, the photos make me want to head to the lake.

Lady R (Di) said...

Chessie... I feel very lucky indeed! To be able to know folks that have toys like these! Woo Hoo! It was totally too much fun!

AZHD... I have a head strap for my glasses, but NO... it was not attached that day! I'm very lucky I didn't lose them... they're perscription! Oh well... everything is pretty much a blur when I'm riding things with throttles. LOL! Hope you had fun with the Cali-turds! Can't wait to hear about it!

MQ01... I know... I could get real spoiled AND lazy! Who said you need a million dollar mansion to live the life of luxury... not me!!

Motoroz... I would have to hire a maid, cook, errand boy... you name it. I'd be playin' to much! LOL!

Mr. Motorcycle said...

They are a blast aren't they! My father in law has one out at the family cabin. I get to ride one a few times a year. Sooo much fun, but not like riding a motorcycle.

Webster World said...

I know you had a blast. We rented a couple a few years back. Our son and his freind shared one and my and I shared one. She was soooo elated that on a turn she slam dunked me face first in the drink. I must have taked on a gallon of water and lost a new pair of shades. We still laugh about that. Those things are a blast.

Lady R (Di) said...

Mr. M... Blast is right! I could play on that thing all day! If I could only have one or the other though... my Glide would win. :)

Webster... getting dunked was probably half the fun, right? LOL! I didn't tip over once, although I think I was trying real hard to. I didn't lose any glasses or other valuable parts, so I'm ready to go again!

Debb4Ride said...

Hey Lady R
I sure would like to use this write up in our magazine
Ride PWC Magazine, I create it for the American Watercraft association.
Check it out on line at www.awahq.org

the AWA fights to keep our waterways open for all watercraft

you can contact me at media@awahq.org