Palatka ride

We meet alot of new people going to different bike nights and events.C met a lady named Pam through the Chrome Divas and she asked if our group wanted to ride with her group down to Palatka to have lunch at Gator landing. Sheila couldn't go but C, Ben,Wayne and I met up and rode over to S.R.13 to meet them.There were many different bikes hondas, bmws and even a spyder a neat little 3 wheeler but not really a trike.

We all broke the golden rule and everyone was a little bit late but every was a little late.We were standing around chatting and waiting and Clay let everyone swing a leg over the spyder for fun.

S.R. 13 is a really nice winding road that runs along the St. Johns river toward St. Augustine.Instead of going thier we went west to Palatka to have lunch at Gator Landing. It sits right on the river with dining indoors and out.

C and I had to go to St Augustine so we left them from there.Ben and Wayne headed to the Steel Pony for a survivors party, and the others headed off south from Palatka. This was our last ride with Wayne. We had a good time,miss our friend and wish the best for him. The ride goes on make it a good one.

"coach" Steve Shinn poker run

Sometimes things work out perfectly when they seem to start out bad, This poker run was one of those days. C had to work late so she was going to meet us at HJ's MisBhaven a little late so we left early to get everyone registered.Ben showed up right on time and we were debating the weather. Since we are fer from fair weather bikers and we made plans to meet Buddy my friend from high school we headed out. Buddy was right on time in fact we pulled into the gas station we were meeting at in the same change of the traffic light.We headed toward the starting point and got caught in an awful rain storm. I was leading and couldnt see so I made my way to the first exit ramp not realizing it was the exit before where we are going.We stopped at a store to try to wait out the rain and decided it wasn't going to stop so we would cancel on the ride. We called C and told her it was way to dangerous to ride alone and we would be back soon. While we were waiting we noticed the sun coming out directly over the place we were going so we took this as a sign and rode to HJ's sure enough it was wet but not raining.We called C again and told her if it was clear enough at home to ride to come on and we would wait for her.

Wayne was there when we got there and Sheila was picking up some rain gear and on her way.C rolled in after catching some more rain on the way but she met up with some other riders headed for the ride and blended in with them for the sake of saftey.Finally we were all there and the sky was looking better

The ride consisted of 7 stops where you draw a card and try to get the best or worst hand possible.The stops were HJ's, Snookers, Eastport tavern, the shorehouse, Barz Bar, Hammerheads, Highway 17 tavern and returning to HJ's for food, drawings and hand tallying.This was a good time for socializing and soaking in the day.

We ran into some other friends Phyllis and Chris who we havent seen in a long time.Chris sang karaoke while we talked about the bold color of her eyes, yes they are real not contacts.They had been riding with another couple and the guy half said I look familiar. With Buddy with us from running into the week before C is thinking I cant take you anywhere.Would you believe this was ANOTHER guy from high school. 20 years later we had class of 85, 86 and 87 in the same place for the same cause.

In true biker fashion there was plenty of boobs, clothes coming off and give aways.What a great day to remember and support the family of a good man.Sheila is still a prude.

honor respect integrity trust

All to often in today's life people take things for granted. Almost everyone I know has been divorced. A lot of people I know have been divorced several times. It is so hard to find that special person that you will spend the rest of your life with. Once you find that person it is even harder to have your friends like that person too. What about finding that friend, then having another friend and all of you get along and enjoy everyone's company.

Christy and I have been married for a long time by most peoples standards. I have had friends,she has had friends and because we didn't get along as well as would be hoped the friends sort of dwindled to a casual acquaintance.

A few years ago we met Ben. We ride together, spend time at each others homes and share our families together. I trust him with everything I have he is a man of integrity and doesn't do anything if it might hurt someones feelings or offend someone.

Sheila is the manager at one of my stores. We talked of bikes and she really got the itch so she went and got one of her own. I offered to have her join us on a ride and we had a good time although our professional relationship prevented us from being ourselves and Christy and Ben weren't sure if she was there because she was my friend or I just wanted her to get out and ride so they just accepted her. Before that day was over Sheila and Christy had made plans to take the riders saftey course together, Ben decided she was just good people and she and I decided our professional relationship was for Monday through Friday, and Friday's are questionable.

The 4 of us ride together in any combination every chance we get lately EVERY weekend but i am just to damn old for that, so we are working on every other.My least favorite is when they ride on Sunday and come out and buy me lunch while i am working but i will take it.

Our friendship is based on:

1. The TRUST we all have in each other

2. The INTEGRITY Ben carries in his everyday life

3. The RESPECT Sheila has for my wife and marriage.

4. The HONOR I feel when I ride with these 3 people.