Any of the Sooner Gang headed to The Gathering of the Fools?

[Gary]

I may be passing through OK either on the way out or back and just thought I'd check to see if any of you were heading that direction?

[Scott]

I may be passing through OK either on the way out or back and just thought I'd check to see if any of you were heading that direction?

I'll more than likely be heading that way Gary.  No specific plans made yet. 

To anyone who's never been, its great fun.  Great food, great people, and if you've never been to the gulf.....its just a few miles away!

-Scott

[Gary]

Here's the sign up page/link for those interested.

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/hotglue/

Not that great of a scenic trip down from my experience, I'd almost suggest taking the interstate down. I've taken a couple of different routes and so far, not that pretty. The event itself, as Scott mentioned, is an experience itself. I've been several times over the years and missed even more. Great group of folks from all over.

My route plans are sketchy so far but I'm considering taking a more southern route either to/from to try to hit Big Bend NP since I've never been. Seems to be one of those places to be checked off of the list. 

Here's a few pic's I ran across:






Sure looks like my kinda place, anyone ever been to/through Big Bend and any suggestions to offer?

[LadyDraco]

Wow ... Nope that's one NP that we not been to...
Looks like HB & I will have to check that out 

We will see you at GOTF !!!

[Gary]

Wow ... Nope that's one NP that we not been to...

What? You mean you missed one? 

I'm hoping weather, bike, etc allows for it to all come together. Looking forward to getting back out on the open road...

[LadyDraco]

LOL.. Yeah right  ..
Hey so we will see ya there at GOTF !!!!

[Gary]

So far that's the plan. Booked a room for a couple nights at the HoJo's. Last GOTF's for me was 09'. I think that may have been the last time I saw you two in person as well.

I hope to take in Big Bend NP either heading out or on the return trip. I need to make a pit stop on one of the ways, to or from, in Elk City OK to visit with some of my old friends, neighbors and co-workers and get a real tour of the new hospital they built after I left.

Looking forward to it. 

[LadyDraco]

Yikes Elk City... Don got rearended there...Back in 04...I remember it well...
The Honda shop there had NEVER seen a Valk !!! LOL..

And yes .. You are right that, was the last time we saw you too....

[Gary]

That was probably the newer shop (east end of town), I had only visited that one after I had moved. There use to be a little mom & pop Honda place at the other end of town that would do my Valk tire changes for me, 1999-2003.

As I remember, the new place also had Harleys on the showroom floor. Hondas and Harleys side by side. 
After I'd moved, there was at least one guy on a two-tone Standard that also lived in Elk City area, maybe he didn't patronize. 

Looks like they might have since closed. Not a real good spot for business, especially since the oil field business went on the decline.

[LadyDraco]

Don said they didn't sell Harley's ..
They mainly sold quads ..
Heck they didn't have a lift..
     To lift the rear of Don's I/S they used an engine hoist ..
Put a chain on each rear foot peg and lifted the rear up that way..
We wanted to check the track,And make sure the bike could make it back to VA..
We found a wally world and got a CT.. It had a CT on during the Acc..
We removed the lower part of the fender off.. The tour pack was a mess ..But a few lights did work..
I just stayed behind him for the break lights.. He had turn signals..

He rode it home....

[Gary]

Sounds like you may have been at the old place then, I think it was called S&H Cycle if memory serves me. They had mostly 4 wheelers, ATV's etc. There was at least one other place in town, I believe that was a Kawasaki shop.

I use to take mine in there (S&H) for tire changes (at least 3 or more), that was before I started taking off the tire and bringing it in. Either way, they were never thrilled that I'd also brought in my tire(s) as well.

S&H's shop was in a little old red barn-like building on the main drag on the west end of town, before you really got in to town and hit The Wal-Mart Supercenter.

The new place (new owners) had a shop floor you could eat off, several service bays and that's where they had the Harley's & Honda's, not an actual Harley Dealer. I think the Harleys they did have (about half a dozen) were semi-custom. Looked like a nice place. I had stopped in there on Nicks new bought (for him) 97 Shadow on the ride back from Greensboro NC. Picked up a Vista Cruise for him and admired the new shop.

That was the only time I'd been on Tail of the Dragon, on Nicks Shadow. Always wanted to go back on the Valk...   
I truly believe Shadows used a thimble for the gas tank.

[RainMaker]

Once the Sooner Gang has decided on a route, let us Texicans know and maybe there will be some joining up with you on the way down.

RainMaker

[grey ghost]

Never been, but hope to go someday ...bad timing for me..