Yeah 2025, what a year, lot of trips and many miles covered!
Lets recount, First rattled out of the box was Daytona! Contacted a lot of friends for the trip. Everyone is busy, or some excuse! Anyway, a solo trip. Sometimes not a bad thing.
Rolled out and did my normal route through Houston, Baton Rouge, Mobile. Stopped to see my buddy “Leadville Larry” in Gainesville, Florida. After an overnight stay, it was off to Daytona Beach. Hooked up with Jimmy in Port Orange for the event. We did our normal trips down town to “Froggys” and the “Boothill.” We connected with old friends, Bret, Jeff Starr, Tammy and Jeff Statt, not related. Made our normal run to the Cabbage Patch. Always a good venue for picking up shirts and etc. The bands are always great.
After three days we ride to see our old friend “Cap Starr”, Cape Coral, a beautiful city on the gulf side of Florida. After a night of story telling, it is time to head back home. At Ocala, Jimmy heads east, and I head towards Texas.
Make a stop in Louisiana. For a sandwich at Darrells in Jennings. Great sandwich with jalapeno mayo. You got to stop and try it!
Next trip. We rally the troops for the Big Bend trip. We have about 8 bikes with Bud and Julie with a chase truck. Never know what could break
on a trip like this. Lucky no breaks on this one!
We got to visit most of the park and run river road. Probably one of the best scenic roads in Texas! We stayed in Alpine, nice and centrally located. We were able to catch Ft Davis, and make the loop around to Valentine, always a pleasure!
Next trip on the books, New Mexico and Airzona. Made a large error of going through Odessa and Jal , New Mexico! Never again!! Made a stop in Cloudcroft, Great town with a view! Off to Las Cruces and Hatch Got to stop here for a hatch burger! Travel to Silver City, Blues Festival is in progress. I stay for a bit while the others travel on. We will catch up in Arizona.
Leave Silver City and travel through Alpine towards Eager. Just south of Eager, flat rear tire. Not good, many people stopped to assist. Got a haul into Eager. The wrecker truck met me in Eager to haul me to Pine Top where the rest of the crew was staying. What a day! It could have been worse, could have happened 5 miles sooner, there was no shoulder or a place to pull over.
The people at the motel were exceptional. They connected me with a mechanic to replace my tire. Great people. Thank you..
The Sturgis 85th is next in line. There again a solo run. Stop in Colorado at Bryan’s for the night Got to see Ronnie in Salida! We have been friends for many moons! After a refreshment of food and rest it’s time to travel north. Nice ride through Leadville and Steamboat Springs.
I reach Deadwood in a couple of days and connect with the rest of the crew. “Easy G,“ “Dorm Lady,” “Taz Tim,” “Sugarfoot,” and his family.
We see the sights for several days, and everybody goes their way. I stay behind to catch “Z Z Top” at the Buffalo Chip. The concert was good but the rain was not. The rain soaked my tent. Miserable night, to say the least! I had to cut my way out of the tent because of a stuck zipper! Maybe my last stay in a tent!
September rolls around, its time for the Bikes, Blues and BBQ in Rogers Arkansas. “Roadrunner” answers the call. Kinda nice, traveling with less people. We make the first day to Hot Springs, Arkansas. Run up hwy 7 through Jasper and Harrison. A great road with a side attraction just south of Jasper. The Natural Bridge. It’s worth the stop to check it out! It’s on to Eureka Springs to meet up with Jim and Pam.
On to Rogers where the main event is held. Food, drink, and music that is hard to beat! A Bob Seger tribute band stole the show. This guy could play all of Segers hits! Rogers for the night. Off to the War Eagle the next day with Jim and Pam. This old mill was established in and around 1850. It is still grinding.
Just some great riding in this area as we make our way back to Harrison for the night. We traveled back to Texas for another successful trip.
The Pig Roast in Johnson City is up next, I think this event has been going on for 35 or so years. All the proceeds go to the Cherokee Children’s home in Cherokee. The numbers seem to be lower each year, but the excitement is still there. Good Pig and good friends, always good.
The toy run in Snook, The third weekend of December at the Watering Hole in Snook. The “Lake Loons” pick out 8 amilies in the area to deliver gifts to. The adults get food and the kids get toys and clothes. A great event, with maybe 100 people attending. Some on bikes, some in cars and trucks. We completed the day back at the Watering Hole with a large pot of homemade soup. A large time was had by all.
The ride home was cold. Maybe 37 with a strong north wind. Not the greatest weather, but it can’t be all 80 degrees and calm!
All in All a very successful 2025, logged around 37 thousand miles and no injuries!
On a sad note, lost some good friends this year! First we lost Salvador in Daytona Beach with medical issues in May. We go back probably 20 years. Lot of good times through the years, RIP.
We lost John “Frantic” in October from cancer. Long time friend and riding buddy. Friends for 45 years. We worked together, and played even
harder! We love you RIP.
We also lost Dave, Met him in Colorado at Bryan’s place. The great guy loved to pan for gold! RIP.
Like I always say live life to the hilt, you never know when it’s your last trip!
RIDE FREE AND RIDE OFTEN!
DAD
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