It seems like it took longer, or maybe I just ride slower now days, I was tempted to hit 100 out of that last curve at the lake but stopped at 80, I found I can still do that double curve at 85 it just felt natural, what didn't feel natural as I was pulling into town was seeing that kid in my mirror with the black handkerchief blowing in the wind, his one let stretched out on the floorboard, that "trucker hat" on backwards, the chain hanging from his billfold and those black gloves along with that "grin" of his.
Was this the perfect spot today? Nope, wasn't really feeling it.
Breakfast it is, then wander around to see some of the vendors, stop and talk to a couple folks that I know and it was time to cool off and let the engine roar again, north, that's the direction we need to go I told him, back to some of the memories we created, the sites we saw and the things we did so many years ago.
Watch out for those two tight curves I heard you say, and there's that cool curve heading under the Railroad Tracks, Remember the time we stopped at the "scenic lookout" just before we hit town, there's that bench we always sat on in Cottonwood Falls, and there's the big ass barn "we'll stop there on the way back", we camped one time someplace around this spot at Council Grove and we always stopped to chug down some water or powerade at this gas station.
Let's head back and hit the new building they put up at the Big Ass Barn, I think that's a perfect spot to leave a little bit of you, and yes, it was just the spot.
Not much has changed other than I miss you being my riding buddy, the kid that would piss me off one moment and make me so proud of you the next.
Just yesterday at "my early party" I was telling your oldest sister about the time we rode to Weston and you had on sweat pants, sweat pants, baggy jeans and that huge ass coat just because you didn't want to be accused of being a "traditional biker" with leather on, not to mention it was your mom's leathers that I told you that you should be wearing.......there are so many memories that just flood my eyes when I'm on this new bike and it brings some comfort knowing that you're right there with me and a part of you is riding along (even if it is in a small vial hanging by the bell that I got from someone very special to me, I hope you don't mind being there)
You were missed yesterday, but no more than you are every day of my life.
