TALLADEGA SCENIC HIGHWAY ON MT. CHEAHA ~ ALABAMA ~ photo taken by Dianna Stover
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Monday, May 13, 2013

THUNDER AND RAIN AND... THE HALLMARK CHANNEL

I went to Panama City Beach  for Thunder Rain... I mean the Thunder Beach Spring Bike Rally last weekend, and in spite of the weather conditions (cold and rainy), I had a really great time.  But, any time spent with good friends is usually a great time to me.  Besides, it's not like it rained the whole weekend... just 50 % of it (rolling her eyes and laughing... laughing like a hyena... laughing at her own sense of demented humor) .

It wasn't all that bad. Harley went down the day before, but I had to work, so I took off about 9:00 Friday morning to join up with him and our friends. I had a really nice ride down, complimented by the continuous aroma of honeysuckle (my favorite Spring fragrance) and didn't get into any rain until I got near the beach.  Apparently, it had been raining there since Thursday and it didn't look like it was going to stop any time soon.  Everything and everyone, from the Sand Piper to Patches was hunkered down and fighting boredom while they waited out the weather.

The house we stayed at had a nice big covered porch, so we could all be outside without getting wet. That kept the cabin fever down to a minimum, but even in spite of our laughter and story telling, it was still a bummer to be sitting... and not riding.
Lady R... holding her front porch position.
Eventually my group, as big and scary as they are, (picture Phil and Si Robertson... with beers) turned to the Hallmark Channel.  Yep.  You read that right folks... Hallmark. I kind of wondered about this because earlier in the day, we had watched "Case #39" with Renee Zelleweger, and if any of you have seen that movie, you know it's a big flip from the kinds of movies you'll find on... the Hallmark Channel.

They tried to blame it on me and said they were just being nice.  Hmmmmm... that was their story and they were sticking to it!  They just figured I'd want to watch a chick flick, so... we just turned it into a contest to see who would let the others see them cry first. We pinky swore that the results would go with us to our graves (wink).

Saturday afternoon, around 1:00 the sun finally broke through and started drying up the beach.  One motor turned into two... then five.  Before you knew it, the streets came to life with the sounds of motorcycles of all kinds.Yeah! Thunder Beach!

It only took a couple hours to figure out everybody else was just as happy to get out and about, because every street that went anywhere near the rally venues, became slow moving parking lots. Good grief!  It was insane! Luckily, my local pals knew how to navigate us around some of the madness, but it was still such a cluster f#*%, if you know what I mean.

In spite of it all, we had a safe and fun weekend and got to see several of our friends.  Our ride home Sunday was a pretty one, so I guess you can say it makes up for some of the sittin'.  And even though Panama City and Panama City Beach is like a second home for us, it's always good to pull into the garage and realize you are blessed...  Home sweet home.

Being extra tired after weekend like this, Harley and I settled in our chairs and figured a nap was just around the corner.  He picked up the remote and asked what I wanted to watch.  I thought for a minute and a slow smile of remembrance appeared on my lips as I asked... What's on the Hallmark Channel?

Have a great week everybody!

Lady R

11 comments:

Webster World said...

Great friends great times are always good.

Trobairitz said...

Riding with friends is a good time whether rain or shine.

Your choice of words had me spooked for a minute. The words "Harley went down the night before" scared me until I read the rest of the sentence. Big whew.

Love your blog header picture. So pretty with the bikes, blossoms and a twisty road.

mq01 said...

lol, yay, sounds like it was a great time after all :)

Unknown said...

Lady Di:

You look so relaxed in your pink chair. I too was thinking about "Harley went down . . . " so glad that nothing bad happened.

I'm not sure what Honeysuckle smells like so you'll have send some up here so I can see what you are saying.

I just checked, it's 180 miles to Panama City from where you are, so happy that you rode safely. I am sure that Harley was thinking about you too

bob
Riding the Wet Coast

Lady R (Di) said...

Webster,

Absolutely!

Lady R

Lady R (Di) said...

Trobairitz,

Oh no! I certainly did not mean to insinuate that! I really need to watch my choice of words. I've had about all of that (him going down, that is!) I want for this lifetime! Geesh!

Thank you for the compliment. I love riding on Mt. Cheaha. It's pretty during all seasons... and it's close!

Still enjoying Spring, but it's starting to warm up! Won't be long before I'll be fussing about the heat! lol!

Lady R

Lady R (Di) said...

Mq01,

We really did have a good time. It's always nice to see my friends. I'm very blessed!

Lady R

Lady R (Di) said...

Bobskoot,

I'll be more careful with my wording in the future!

Honeysuckle has a sweet aroma that reminds me of Jasmine, if you know what that smells like... or Lilacs.

It grows wild around here, so our highways get very fragrant during this time of year.

I've ridden to Panama City solo several times. We travel there so often, I feel like I could ride it blind folded... but I don't think I will! :)

I hope Mrs. Skoot is feeling better everyday! I know you will take good care of her.

Lady R

WooleyBugger said...

I love the sound of rain while sitting in a carport or garage talking with folks enjoyable to be around. Thanks for the memory of sitting with my Grandmother on her carport to the sweet smell and gentle breeze that came along with the rain drops plitter platting in summers in Alabama. Of course, we'd be sipping tall glasses of tea or lemonade.

Kathleen Jennette said...

Sounds like it was a great time and a do again ride too.

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