Day #3 is in the books and not only was it an Awesome day, but Ralph said it ranks as one of the best rides he has done. That is saying a lot from a guy with 130k miles on a 2009 Harley that has ridden all 48 lower states, Canada and Alaska TWICE!
We woke up early and the clear blue skies and bright sunshine was calling our names. Breakfast at the hotel was really good and we enjoyed the smiles and positive attitude of everyone in the dining room. That is a good way to start the day.
The temperature was 45 and the weather man said it felt like 37. To me it was much warmer. We did put our heated gear on today but I never turned mine on. By noon it was over 60 degrees and we were both shedding clothing fast.
Heading from Pensacola we went South over the bay bridge to Gulf Breeze before turning East and following the coast through Destin, Fort Walton Beach to Panama City. That area is one of my favorite in the nation. I love the Emerald green waters and white sand beaches that look like snow. Tommie and I had the pleasure of bringing our boat down here four times and loved it! Ralph had not been through this area before and also found it to be beautiful.
We really turned the pace down a lot today. The rule for the day was NO interstates. Most of the roads we were on had a 45 or 55 MPH limit. That gave us a grand total of 264 miles for the day. I forgot to mention that yesterday was a 396 mile day making the total trip so far 1,117 miles.
What has made this ride so enjoyable is we have no plan, no schedule, no predetermined route or required arrival time. Most of our turns today were selected because the traffic was lighter in those directions! We ran through a lot of one horse towns most of which were all black communities. Our travels have ended for the day in Albany, Georgia. We saw this old plantation named Bermuda Plantation with only for large fire places growing out of the ground where a big house once stood. Also saw several "Bear Crossing" signs but did not see any today.
We have been very fortunate to great hotel rooms at very good rates. The most we have spent each has been $46.00 a night at Holiday Inn Express and tonight at Country Inn Suites.
Tomorrow we are heading out in a Northeast direction on two lane roads toward South Carolina and should be home sometime before dark.
Day #4 ended at 8pm when I arrived home safely. We ran into very heavy traffic through Columbia, SC and especially through Charlotte.
The ride is over but the memories will last a lifetime. Yesterday was another enjoyable ride 475 miles long that brought us from deep in the heart of Georgia back home to North Carolina.
Our day started at 6:30 am in Albany, Ga. First glance out the hotel window revealed little sunlight, overcast skies and FROST on the cars. We got ready and enjoyed a nice long BIG breakfast. We walked outside to check the temperature which did not feel to bad in the mid 30's. The bright spot was we knew the sun would burn through and temps would rise to the high 50's soon. The frost on the bikes was a surprise. Ralph and I both said we have never seen frost on our bikes before.
We packed up and hit the road right at 8:30 on a little two lane road right in front to the hotel that headed North. I felt like I was in the Army for a while. I'll road selections took us left, right, left, right, left right and we worked northeast. We were in the heart of Cotton, Pecans, Peanuts and Wild Hogs! We saw lots of cotton being harvested. They roll it in round bales like hays. The bales are large at over six feet in diameter and look like a big piece of candy with white insides covered by a bright yellow outer cover. We saw the processing plants, some peanut processing companies and thousands of pecan trees. Some of the groves were amazing with majestic full grown trees as far as you could see. One farmer had his cotton fields surrounded with pecan trees about four rows deep.
One of our first stops was at a small town called Abbeville, Ga famous for the Ocmulgee River and Swamp and for "Wild Hogs" which out number everything in the area including people. We stopped at a small convenience store and gas station for water, snacks and a bathroom break. There was a lady standing outside leaning back against the building smoking a cigarette. Ralph walked inside the store and as I walked by this lady I spoke and asked her what part of Alabama are we in? She looked right at me and without hesitation said Birmingham! We laughed and she followed me into the store. Ralph looked at me as said they do not have a restroom. The lady asked me what we needed and I told her something to eat, something to drink and a bathroom. She said we have it all and pointed to the door that said employees only. Everyone that stopped in knew everyone else and we're all very friendly to us.
I did not wear any electric gear and was comfortable. By mid day it warmed up nice. This are of the state has many two lane roads that run for miles with no stops and very little traffic. It is a great area to ride. If you are wondering why we do not have a lot of pictures attached it's because we don't stop except for gas. It's all about the ride. The one exception was the "Wild Hog Express". Enjoy the attached.
I wish I could tell you I was a friend to Perry. He is one of those guys that the more you learn about him the more you wish you had known him better. I knew Perry through Rolling Thunder where he was very active and had served as President of Chapter 6. I belong to a different chapter, but our paths crossed many times on rides, especially to DC and during Christmas for the laying of wreaths at the National Cemetery.
Perry was a year younger than me at 63. He had just retired in January and had many good years to look forward to when he passed totally unexpected. The news was a total shock to the Rolling Thunder community and difficult for his wife, family, and close friends. It’s good to know that Perry loved and knew the Lord and where he will spend eternity. Another reminder of how we are never promised tomorrow, how quickly our time can end and the importance of being right with the Lord.
“Jesus, Never Leave Earth Without Him”
Perry was a true American. He served his country, served veterans and loved Harley Davidson’s and old cars. He was in the Army Airborne and worked around large-caliber long range artillery.
I have had the pleasure or should I say the HONOR of being part of several funeral escorts to the National Cemetery in Salisbury, NC. When the call came in for us to pay our respects and escort Perry to his final resting place, I knew I would be there rain or shine. The good Lord blocked out a half day between rain showers so we could do this safely. I counted over 70 bikes and 100 Rolling Thunder Members present for this escort from several states.
It was standing room only in the Chapel with the edition of family and long-time friends. You know a person was loved when you have so many to stand up and share their positive memories and all the kind things Perry did for others. He will surely be missed.
The service was at Powles Funeral Home in Rockwell, NC. If you have never been to this funeral home, you owe it to yourself to stop in. They LOVE our veterans. Enough that they have started a museum to honor them which is open to the public. Simply amazing people that make you proud to be an American.
The Sherriff and Police departments did another spectacular job of clearing the roadways and giving us a non-stop ride right through downtown Salisbury into the National Cemetery. They stopped traffic all directions and it always brings tears to your eyes with you see those that served get out of their cars, stand at attention and salute!
We’ve lost another amazing patriot. I wish I had known him better and I want to share this with each of you.
Rest in Peace Perry and we all look forward to riding with you again.
Perry Dean Kesler
Jan 22, 1959 – Feb 28, 2022
Three members from our chapter. Ron on the left rides a HD Trike, Johnny in the middle rides a Goldwings trike. Another Johnny on the right who is 80 years old also rides a Goldwing trike and is planning a ride to Califorina in two months.
One of the Freightliner trucks was present in honor of Perry's long time employment with the company and his service in the military.
Last edited by Cosmic Razorback; 03-09-2022 at 05:06 PM.
I took a couple of PTO days Thursday and Friday. The wife and I busted it around the house all day Thursday getting the yard in order and mowed for the first time. It was a beautiful day and we really enjoyed being outdoors all day. Friday was going to be a little cooler with some wind but nothing the right gear cannot handle with ease. My GoPro & Cardo batteries are charged, the SGS is ready to roll and the sun is shining. My long time riding buddy Ralph rolled in our driveway at 9am and came in complaining it was a cool ride over from Statesville and he wanted coffee! We hung out and I joined him in another cup and discussed some cedar wood boards he'll be cutting for me. We rolled out at 9:30am east bound. About 15 miles into the ride we stopped at River Trail Shell for fuel and to pick up our other riding bussy Chuck. After reviewing todays route and ride plan we were on our way for a casual day ride.
The route took us east bound on famous Hwy 64 through Lexington (BBQ Capital of the World), then we leaned right onto Hwy 109 through Denton headed for Uwharrie National Forest. I you like to Jeep, four wheel, side x side, bike, float and horseback ride this should be your destination point in central NC. Our next stop is at the famous Eldorada Outpost. If they don't have it, you don't need it!
Once off the bikes Chuck was complaining that he thinks the speedometer on his 2021 Limited might be off. We could have really messed with him, but the day was young. Running with traffic on Hwy 109 we were doing 70 mph for a long distance. It's a 55 mph speed limit. He was confused! After a bathroom break to get rid of all the coffee and a quick look around we were ready to continue to our lunch stop.
About 12 noon we rolled into River Wild on Lake Tillery. and got a table outdoors overlooking the lake, and also next to where the dry storage dropes the boats into the water. A little nosy, but it didn't interupt us. Sarah was our server and she was FANTASTIC, hense the $25.00 tip for a $68.00 check!
We enjoyed a very nice lunch which ranged from Firecracker shimp, fried pickles, fish tacos, to bison burgers! A BIG thanks to Chuck for picking up the check allowing Ralph and I to be very generous with the tip!
Time to roll and wow the "pollen" had fallen over our bikes big time while parked. Yeah it's that time of year.
Our next stop was at the peak of Morrow Mountain State Park. While only 932 feet in elevation it feels much higher and the ride up and the views were beautiful. There was a steady flow of bikes in and out. We walked around a while for some excerise and enjoyed the nice breeze.
The return ride brought us through downtown Salisbury, NC where we all parted ways. Ralph leaned left/west, Chuck leaned right/east and I continued due North. Pulled in at 5pm seeing a big smile on the Carolina Girls face and thinking about what a great ride I enjoyed with friends today.
Total round trip was only 200 miles, but they were awesome miles!
Thanks for riding along.
Eldorada Outpost - Eldorada, NC Uwharrie National Forest
Lunch stop at River Wild on Lake Tillery. Food and service were both very good.
Ralph is happy anytime there is food in front of him.
Ralph never turns down dessert! They brought three spoons out and instantly he licked one and placed them all back down before we realized what he was doing.
03-07-2022 | 08:13 PM
