Volume V Issue V

Spring Renewal

Spring is often said to be a time of renewal Nature renews our surroundings. The trees and flowers come out from hiding, birds sing to us more often than all winter long, and the animal kingdom awakes from their winter hibernation.

This spring renewal took on a new meaning for my family and I in many ways. The month of April, the beginning of the spring renewal, for me was a month of very mixed emotions. My mother left us to be in a higher state. My daughter blessed us two days later with our first granddaughter and a week later I met a side of my family I have never known.

For all of us it should be a time to ensure we have renewed our commitment to many safe and trouble free miles of pleasurable riding. We should ensure our faithful rides are ready for all of the great roads we will explore as a group and individually this year. We should check our mental health as well so we can be prepared for everything the local drivers will throw at us as we motor around the area. Enjoy our riding time this spring and remember everyone in a car will be jealous of us at some time this year especially when they pull into the gas pump next to us.

Ride it Like You Stole it
And Keep the Rubber Side Down
Dan

News from an old Friend

Hi Stan,

It’s been a while. Was surfing the web today and ran across the MTR web page. It was great looking at the photos and seeing all the old familiar faces. Dad passed away in August of 2002. His last thoughts were of the MTR and some of the rides/tours we went on with all of you. Even though he was really sick from the chemo, I lost him to cancer, he begged me to take him for one last ride. So we rode up interstate 5 to Sacramento, then east on 80 to Reno. About 300 miles.

We spent 3 wonderful days in Rene and then back home. The ride from Sacramento to Reno along 80 is a very scenic one and dad kept commenting “I’ll bet the guys from MTR would love this ride.” I lost him about 3 weeks later.

I myself have given up riding. Health related. I just can’t sit for extended periods of time anymore. About 60-90 minutes at a time seem to be my limit these days. I made it back to Memphis about 2 years ago, for a retirement dinner for some old coworkers at FedEx. Took me 6 days too make the trip. I'd drive 90 minutes or so and then stop and get out and walk around for l0minutes or so. Only managed to do 300miles a day or so that way, but hey, I'm retired and in no rush any way. Tried to go to the MTR meeting while I was there but you guys had moved since the last one Dad and I made in 2001 and I just didn’t think to look you up in the phone book. (senior moment)

Just wanted to say hi and tell you I was thinking of you.

Tell all the guys in the club I said hi.

Big hugs. Nick dcambria@dc.rr.com

Trails End Minutes by Stan Viets

May 2006

The members in attendance at the April meeting, Terry and Mary Scott, Floyd Nunnelee, Rusty Higgins, Larry Cole, Sharon Englander, Bobby Sharp, Than and Paul Talkington, Dan Randall and yours truly. We didn’t have any visitors at the meeting. We are happy to see Sharon back, she brought many of Barry’s motorcycle items to see if any members could use, at bargain pricing. If you want Dan to stop mailing the newsletter hard copy because you read Happy Trails on the web page, please let Dan Randall know. We have 3 Birthdays in May, Louise Reeves on the 3rd, Paul Talkington on the 12th and Juanita Cole on the 14th. There are 3 anniversaries this month, Eldon and Louise Reeves on the 11th, Dick and Fran Salveson on the 15th and Larry and Juanita Cole on the 23rd. Congratulations and best wishes to all. We have a current bank balance of $ 248.62
The April meeting was the time to pay your annual membership $24 dues for 2006. Many folks renewed however If you were not at the meeting, please print out a renewal form, note any changes and mail to Hildla Max. We hope everyone will renew, we appreciate and thank you for your support. If for some reason you are not going to renew, please let me know.
Dan signed up Fox Ridge Pizza as one of our advertisers/sponsors. If you have anyone in mind, please check and see if they would like to include their business size ad in Happy Trails, as well as on the MTR web site, all for only $30.00/year. As always, please check with our advertisers/sponsors as you have need for their services. Some of the sponsor ads are now due; I will be getting out a statement for renewal. Please check web site often for the updates.
I had the plaque for the MTR Long Ranger Award for Buck and Donna Permenter with a total of 21,572 miles to present at the April meeting. Congratulations to Buck and Donna, they were not present but I passed around the plaque for all to see and will get it to them at the first opportunity. MTR thanks Billy Max for his hard work and dedication in managing this event for the past two years. Notice: The MTR 3rd annual Long Ranger Award for 2006/7 will be coordinated this year by David Elston. To make it easier we are starting this years Award off with the 2005/6 participants March 3,2006 ending mileage. If you turned in your mileage for this year’s event, then you are already entered. If you want to sign up the2006/7 Award please email your odometer reading ASAP to David Elston mudflap313@wmconnect.com to verlfy your starting mileage, remember this year we are on the honor system, we also agreed to limit the bikes entered by one person to 3, to minimize paper work.
Dan now has a few of the MTR Antenna flags remaining, He was able to negotiate a better price, they are $1.00 each. Let Dan know if you want one.
Super Bike Races report. Floyd and I went down on Friday morning the 21st, leaving the heavy rains In Shelby County. Friday night it rained a lot at the motel. Sandy came down later in the rain on his way to Atlanta. Saturday and Sunday morning we went to the track and to find all the parking for bikes was on the wet, muddy areas surrounding the track. I should have known something was amiss when they offered us side stand pads. If you haven’t tried to maneuver a 900 pound Gold Wing on wet and muddy grass on a sloping field you are indeed fortunate. Don and Marion were in their car and said even cars were slipping, sliding and stuck. We enjoyed visiting the Barber Museum, the hours of qualifying and watched a total of 5 races, 3 @ 60 K and 2 @ 100K Floyd and his nephew Greg, rode 3 parade laps on the track, I had a ticket but decided it was in my best interest to leave the bike parked and not attempt to move it again. The races were fast, exciting and it didn’t rain either day. Everyone arrived home safe and sound.
For future Planning Information:
We have 4 rides scheduled between the May meeting and June meeting, they are.
May 13th Honeysuckle Moon Dinner-Reelfoot Lake, TN
May 27th Big Bob Gibson-Decatur, AL
May 26-28 Trikers Rendezvous- Bardstown, KY
June 2-3 the Freedom Wings, Mousetail Picnic-Parsons, TN
Reminder, According to tire manufacturers, a new tire does not operate at maximum efficiency for approximately 100 miles, be careful they are slippery during this break in time.

Thanks to all that brought door prizes, remember win one bring one.
Our next meeting will be Thursday May 11th back here at the same time.

MTR theme for 2006 is to Ride Safe and with a sense of awareness.

Stan

Bits and Pieces: Therapy is expensive. Popping bubble wrap is cheap.

You choose!

Door Prizes - Win One Bring One

Donated By:	Prize	Winner
Floyd Stan Stan Terry & MC Sharon Sharon Larry Hubert BJ Dan	Unique Pillow Insulated cup Insulated cup Surprise bag Neck coolers Motorcycle Bk Glass cleaner Wipe and shine MC lighter/light Spray cleaner	Paul and Dian Floyd Floyd Floyd Floyd Floyd Floyd Bobby Paul &Dian Floyd

50/50

$33.00

Floyd

Decoration
bjmax

Old age, I’ve decided, is an award, a medal for surviving if you will. It took sixty years, but I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I’ve always wanted to be. No, not the wrinkles, not the baggy eyes, the sagging jowls. Not that me. Truth is, I’m often taken aback by that old guy in the mirror. No, I’m speaking of the inner me. The guy that lives inside my head. That’s who I’m glad to be and I would never trade my wonderful life, my loving family nor my remarkable friends for a flatter stomach or one less gray hair on my head. I love my life and like Minnie Pearl, I am so proud to be here.

As I’ve aged. I’ve become more tolerant of myself, less critical of my mistakes and to be honest, I’ve become one of my best friends. I don’t chide myself for eating just one more slice of pizza anymore or for not washing my old pickup or for buying that silly chrome gee-gaw that I didn’t really need but looked so good on the motorcycle.
I’m entitled to overeat now and then, to be messy or extravagant. I’ve earned it. I’ve had to many friends leave this old world before their time and instead of regretting being my age its made me appreciate getting this far along in life and the great freedom that comes with it. If I choose to ride my motorcycle instead of mowing the lawn or read a book till’ four in the morning then sleep till noon it’s my business. I’m old. I can do that.

And I’m not ashamed to admit that I sometimes dance with
myself to those great tunes from the fifties and yes, I even
strum the old air guitar now and then and despite how silly it
seems, it makes me feel good. Besides, at my age I need all
the exercise I can get. Over the years I’ve suffered through
broken bones, broken promises and yes, even a broken
heart. How can your heart not break when a child looks into
your eyes with complete and total trust or you loose a loved
one or you have to have a faithful old dog put to sleep. But
then, a broken heart or two along life’s way is not a bad
thing is it?. Broken hearts build character and give us
compassion and understanding so, it’s OK...
I’m so blessed that I’ve lived long enough for my hair to turn
gray and fall out and to have my youthful laughs forever
etched into grooves around my eyes. And as I get older it’s
easier to be more positive. I could care less about what other
people think. I don’t have time for such foolishness. And I
hardly ever question myself anymore because, well, I’ve
earned the right to be wrong and a lot of times I am. But
does it really matter? So far it hasn’t. I usually manage to
overcome my mistakes and the world continues to turn,
seemingly unaffected by them.
I like being old.. It’s set me free. I like the person I’ve
become. No, I’m not going to live forever but while I’m still
around I’m not going to waste time worrying over what
could have been either. Life is to short for that. I may wear
out but I ain’t gonna’ rust and I vow right here and now not
to let another day go by without at least one helping of ice
creame.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Birthdays

12 Paul Talkington
14 Juanita Cole

Anniversaries:

11 Eldon & Louise Reeves
15 Richard and Francis Salveson
24 Larry and Juanita Cole