The Breakfast Club: MOA Rally 2015 [page 3]

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

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Alberto’s tale… DAY THREE - BILLINGS

Heading home, pedaling my bicycle up the driveway. From the garage comes out a kimono dragon, slithering tongue and nasty eyes. It was coming right at me with very obvious intentions. I try to put the bicycle between him and me. He was running fast. At a short distance he jumped at me over the bicycle… As best as I could I dropped the bike pushing it toward him and jumping far out of his way….WHOMP!!

“Are you alright Alberto? Chris came from the other room with a look of apprehension. “That is okay Chris, I am okay. I think I have fallen from the bed, I am okay I repeated. Well, Good morning Chris! What time is i? I asked - “Let me turn on the light and I’ll tell you, better yet, let me put on my glasses and I’ll tell you… It is 5:04 in the morning.” - “Chris, this is too early for you, go back to your bed” - “Nah, I now, am wide awake”. And so starts the third day on our way to Billings, Montana.

The entertainment is in full force. Chris has placed enough seed outside to actually convince every bird… Breakfast is here! The bird commotion is a wonderful show. Chris was right, it is the primary, early morning attraction. There must be no less than 20 blackbirds, countless Blue Jays, finches, and other birds I have no idea what they are… But they are all here! Chris got all excited that for the first time he saw a White Headed Wood Pecker. Wow! A White Headed Wood Pecker? Well, you don’t say?! Is all I said showing as much interest as I could muster.

Breakfast was again one superb event. Mr Weld exceeded himself. Sausage patties, bacon, Eggo waffle, hot syrup, coffee, orange juice. This guy sure puts a spread. But enough of this. Time to get productive.

My motorbike needs a little attention. My tires show a 10% lower than should be in pressure. I will attend to it… well, Chris will, and I will watch. Also we we will… Sorry, that “we” got away from me - Chris - will install the flashing hyper lights on the rear of my bike, and I will be all set. I believe it was a good idea for me to bring my mechanic (and cook) along for the ride. You just never know when you will have to get things done.

First things first. The motorbike got all the attention it needed. Chris in one talented mechanic. It took some effort as the hyper lights instructions, while accurate, not nearly precise.

Right after the bike, it was lawn-manicuring time. As farmer, I weed whacked an acre, then I became a lumberjack. Chris handed me a chain-saw and said… “Go at it!” I removed every low-hanging branch from the pine trees. It was fun considering I have never used a chainsaw.

Summary: We just finished manicuring Chris’ lawn, weed-whacked the field, cut the low branches on the pine trees, installed the hyper-lights on my motorbike and correct the pressure on my tires. It is 11:00 am, we are ready (well almost, the Captain is manicuring himself) to head on out. So far a busy morning.

We hit the road with plenty desire to ride and do some tourism of the area.

Later. It is now 3:30 pm. We just got back from a lazy ride. Visited a fish hatchery. Right, place where they raise fish. Mainly trout. Impressive what the state does to create an industry: fishing and tourism by the sport. California provides some of them best fly fishing in the nation, reason why Mr. Clint Eastwood maintains a fairly large estate near here. He is an avid fly-fisherman. I, on the other hand, for fishing go to Safeway Super Market and surely catch my limit: Two, filet.

Lunch at Anna’s restaurant. Zero to 100, Anna is batting 11%. I ordered a salad. I did get a salad, however by the name of the salad I expected some real lay-out. Mistake, should have never had an expectation. After all, a salad is a salad, is a salad… Yes?

The day is hot. A degree or two over 90. Could be worse, Weather man said tops low 80s… Try low 90s.

Randy Bush is to arrive some time later on today, coming from the Oakland area. If he is on the road at this minute, he’ll arrive medium-rare.

We got home from Ana’s around 3:30 pm. The temperature is demanding attention. When at the house, I sat down. The sofa was comfi. The next thing I know is I am listening to Chris snore on the other sofa. Sleeping tonight sure gonna be a problem after this afternoon nap.

It is 6:45 pm and as of yet no news of Randy Bush.

“You know this is late enough that he may be riding in the dark, if he comes much later. Also what of dinner, should we wait?” - “Alberto, do you have his cell number, to let’s try and call him”. We did. No response from Randy, of course not, he may be riding the bike!

With obvious disappointment, we had to make a choice. Life marches on. We decided to go to the restaurant, leaving a note for Randy. There is a chance that the restaurant may already be closed. Four miles later, yes,it was closed. “No big deal, Chris, let’s go to the store, buy some pasta, ketchup and butter. In a pinch it never fails”.

We purchased whatever needed. And headed for the house. Hey!! That is Randy’s bike!! Phew. I was worried for the guy. There he was, beer at hand, ready with a smile.

“Let’s get this pasta going”. Chris took over and sure thing we are on our way to a magnificent gourmet meal. Spaghetti with butter and ketchup… Yum!!

While the pasta gets ready, we are starting a load of laundry. It may be the last day any clothing will see water. Yes, it will get ripe. Yes, it will, (let your mind run wild) it will do that.

Okay, for the skeptic, the pasta could have easily won an award from the Hobo Society of America. It was, in my opinion…. Superb! Now, Chris and Randy may have a different opinion but, who cares! The way they ate it… It was either very good or they were very hungry. Either way there was none left… I say it was delicious!

8:30 pm. I am tired. It definitely is bed time for me.

Good night all.