2020 COVID TOUR

                                                                                   2020 COVID TOUR

It seems the Summer of 2020 will go down in a lot of people’s minds as the summer they would rather forget.  With the introduction of the Wuhan Flu better known now as COVID-19. It is something I certainly would like to forget.  It will have a lasting impression on how quickly things can change in our lives.

We started out our summer tour a bit late because of the Garage Mahal build with the time it took just to collect all of my things that were in storage and get them relocated. I had stuff in my old garage, courtesy of DJ Schul, some of it was at MJ’s house in a shed and a fair amount was over in Recon’s garage.  Thanks boyz for your patience.  Once most of it was collected up and brought to the Garage Mahal it was time to hit the road as it was getting very hot.  Too hot to ride, that is a definite indication it is time to look for cooler riding spots!  So once the mountain bikes, motorcycles and required armament were packed up it was time to roll.

The first stop was in Emmet, Idaho to see a long time buddy, Todd “Shade” Martin.  Shade had gotten married and retired since I had seen him or ridden with him probably more than 12 years ago. His wife’s name is Dawn and they have now relocated to Emmet on a large property with a newly constructed house. Beautiful place with great views in an awesome small town. The most outstanding feature I noticed when I drove up was a Huge detached garage! Beautiful!  Oh and the house was nice too, lol. The second best feature is that he had graded off and graveled an RV parking spot next to the garage.  I think he needs a sign to designate it “Shade Tree RV Park”. Once we secured our reservations we commenced to fixin’ and wrenchin’.  It seems Shade had not ridden his mountain bike in those 12 years since I last saw him.  He had a couple of little 4 wheelers that needed to run so we worked on those and got them going. He is planning on grandkids showing up and they will need entertaining.

While there I had a chance to explore the local motorcycle riding area, many local back roads and the local shooting range. Shade and I went to the range a couple of times to work on our shooting skills.  I went exploring the local riding area and had a great time on my 500 XCW. Strange thing occurred in that I broke a bead on the rear tire and had it come off the rim. That was a first, but I was fortunate it happened before I got too far out and could call for a spare rear wheel. Yes, I do take spare wheels with me on the road!  Also on this ride I came across an eagle that seemed to have a broken wing as it crossed in front of me on a singletrack trail. I stopped to take a look and could tell his wing was broken by the way he moved and could not fly away. I sat and watched him for a while and took a couple pictures of him.  I thought about it and was a bit sad when it dawned on me there was nothing I could do to help.

We also found out that Bruce Young of Hi Point Racing fame from Back in The Day was a resident of Emmet.  He lives there now with his wife Cheryl, whom we had the pleasure of meeting and visiting with.  It was great to see Bruce after all these years.  As luck would have it Shades house is about a mile up the road from Bruce. Wow, talk about coincidence.  We met up with Bruce at a car show in the city park. It was quite the show for such a small town. There were literally hundreds of cars in town and the park was wall to wall cars in the park.  Nothing quite like a small town car show, everyone goes.  I believe the town of Emmet would be one of my top 3 choices of places to live. Fantastic community.

A few days later Shade and Dawn took us on a trip up the hill to an area above McCall that Shade goes to hunt. He took his side by side and we took our V-Strom. Shade trailered his side by side up and we rode the V-Strom.  We went up over a long climb on a mountain range that descended down a gnarly rocky road, that deteriorated enough that Shade stopped to turn around because he thought we wouldn’t be able to make it on the V-Strom.  We told him we could hang so we continued on down to where someone with too much money had started to build a Mansion.  The project was stopped and everything was just left, stacks of wood, out buildings, everything. What a colossal waste of money! By our estimates there was probably a quarter of a million dollars there left unfinished.  Shade had heard rumors/stories that it was the result of divorce.  I guess life changes………. The area was beautiful and the views at the top were very scenic. Thanks Shade!

We had a great time and were getting ready to head toward Orofino but unfortunately found out the road was closed due to a landslide on Rt. 95.  That meant the long way around and a much longer drive. Oh well, there was probably something we hadn’t seen going that way.  So we packed up and headed out to see just what that might be!

#33

‘Learn to listen, opportunity sometimes knocks very softly’

#33 Been MIA……Garage-Mahal

It’s been a while since I have had or taken the time to sit down and put pen to paper, so to speak.  I almost have a good excuse.  But whether it is valid or not is not really important.  The fact that I have an AWESOME NEW garage validates it for me!

Yup!  A new garage to work in and more storage space than I ever imagined I would have is the justification for being lazy on the keyboard.

This new work space is approximately 1150 square ft. in floor space. Two roll up doors for lighting and ventilation plus a man door for easy access. Oh, did I mention that it has heating, air conditioning and my own bathroom along with an extra deep sink in the work space for cleaning air filters with soap and water!  I may have to have a sign made up and hang it somewhere that says “Heaven!”  Because I am fairly certain this is what Heaven will be like should I ever get there.  A second choice might be a sign saying ‘Never Never Land’ because like Peter Pan I have no plans to grow up!

It took about 6 months to get through the construction process, all done by River Homes Construction owned by a man named Tom Stokley.   We did this project on a hand shake, no real contract with deadlines or exact dollar amount. I know you are thinking I am a knucklehead for not getting everything in writing. But from my first meeting with Tom and his up front estimate, timelines and explanation of his schedule it was apparent he did things correctly in his business.  Tom is an Honorable Man and it shows in his business.

Now that it is finished I have the coolest work space with TWO work stations, with work stands and toolboxes at each place. The built in stereo system is better than the one in my house!  But the satellite TV can be a bit troubling when I am trying to work, because I have to turn around when the moto comes on.  Such a distraction! Lol.

I thought this place is HUGE when I first got to walk through the finished project.  Then I started collecting my stored equipment and loading it into the Garage-Mahal.  All of a sudden I was running out of room and having to organize and arrange things so I could have some sort of symmetry to my chaos. Just when I think I am getting things under control my buddy Recon shows up and sees all my possessions or “Stuff” as he calls it.  He immediately labels me as a Hoarder!  I was crushed and I think he saw that he had hurt one of my two feelings.  So he revised it and called me an “organized hoarder”.  I felt sooooo much better!

I am slowly getting things put away and under control.  It helps that Recon and our buddy Mark Kaestner came over and showed me how to build a second story in the back part of the Garage-Mahal to increase my storage capabilities.  I ended up needing more space for my “Stuff”!  Who woulda thunk!!!  Apparently Recon.

So in order to live up to my organized hoarder label I have boxed, labeled and started a folder for things stored upstairs.  Thanks Recon for bringing out my insecurities.

I would like to point out though that Recon has not missed the opportunity to show up for the open buffet and moto/Supercross party each week even though he had to sit in the middle of all that ‘Stuff”.  We continue to invite Recon because he has a sweetheart of a wife that brings wine for the party.  We have had a great time using the large area for Supercross and snacks with our friends Montana John as well as Jason and Yani being invited to our race day get together.

So now that it is almost setup and organized I can concentrate on the summer road trip to escape the heat.  But mostly to visit and ride with friends in cooler places.  I always look forward to that.

Now that the garage is done I may have to think about upgrading my off road KTM.  After all, would you expect to see an old high mileage, scratched up KTM siting in the middle of such an elaborate shop?  Me neither!!!

I believe I will start shopping, see ya!

#33

‘We are advertised by our loving friends’

Trail Riding

Just a casual sight seeing ride in Moab with #33

#33 Catching Up on the Races

#33 Relaxing in his new garage watching the return of Super Cross

Social Distancing?

I have been watching the news like everyone else and learned the new catch phrase “social distancing”.  So I stopped and thought for a minute on what I may have to change to conform to this new norm.

It seems I won’t have to change much since I like to spend most of my time on the motorcycle of the day, dirt bike, street bike, race bike, off road bike or dual sport.  Great!!!  It seems I should ride more according to the news media and the general public.

I looked back at a few of the things that have been taking up my time while I am not at home on the couch watching the news telling me to stay inside or remain at safe ‘social distancing’ spaces.  It seems I am already an expert at this ‘social distancing’ thing by spending most of my time alone working on my bikes or riding them. Well there was a couple of things that could have been considered risky behavior. I went riding with a couple of buddies, but we each had our own bike and were never closer that six feet! Lol.  I also helped with a patio concrete pour, but that was really safe because I mostly stayed out of everyone’s way.  I don’t know what the hell I am doing in the construction world so the ‘social distancing’ thing worked out perfectly!

I guess I really need to become a bit more social when this is all over!

Go for a Ride! But keep your distance…………

#33

‘Live like someone left the gate open!’