May 15th I loaded up my Road King and met Duke and his wife Pat down on the highway. We were heading out on one more last big ride. Every year lately I’ve taken what I consider as possibly my last long ride. My old body just ain’t up to ridding like I use to do.

Physical problems with my back and some other issues convinced me that last year’s Colorado trip was it. Even a recent 125-mile jaunt had me pretty well whipped down. But by the time Spring National got closer I got to feeling better and itched to hit the road again. My nice wife encouraged me saying…”you can always stop in rout, check into a motel, and rest up if need be.” Was she trying to get rid of me for a few days???

So the night before the scheduled departure I called Duke and informed him I’z goin’a give it a try. We went through Arlington and hooked up with Cabo, Big Rick, their ladies and some other folks. Then blasted around Dallas and headed east. Once you get around Dallas you’ve escaped the rat race.

We had a nice leisure 80 MPH trip, stopping plenty of times for food and beer, beer and potty breaks, gas and beer and such. By sundown we were in Little Rock partying with the rest of the BFMC tribe. Then out to CH 66’s clubhouse for more beer and party time. Of course I cheated. Since I caught a ride with some Ohio brothers (in a cage) I didn’t drink any more beer. I switched to WHISKY!

The next night we shuttled out to CH 67’s clubhouse party. I’m goin’a tell you somp’n rat now…them thar Arkansas folks shore did know how to throw a party. One that never stopped…it just kept moving around from place to place.

For example, after the meeting Saturday (the largest ever) a bunch of us went down to the river front row for some pizza and beer for lunch. Others joined in and the party continued on and on up into the night from one bar to the other. Then it moved on back out to CH 66 again.

Sunday morning I bailed out and headed back to Texas while my head was semi-clear enough to see the road. I made it just fine but concluded…”that just might have been my last big long ride!” But I’m grateful I did the deal and made it one more time.

Thanks to Arkansas chapters 55, 62, 66, & 67 for putting on the BEST Spring National I’ve ever attended. You guys and especially you Boozettes did great.

Okay I’m through…I’m JQ ‘History’