East Texas Biker: October 2024

Hard to believe ..... wasn't 100% thought through .. but .. I've never missed one. Hell, I'd have to go back and look but may have never missed a Regional (V) either. Sometimes I'm in the right place, right time. But this one, I'd been planning well .. since 2023 as I am the 2025 today! We never get 100% turnout ... hell, I'm not sure we've ever had our Chapter show with 50% though it's been close a few times. When you get to the National level, it's really hard to get folks to show up sometimes due to the distance. Back in 2022 we had a great showing (Kentucky). There was well over a dozen of us total, in at least 4 groups. I'm hoping 2025 Nationals is a good showing... so far, so good getting folks motivated. All in all, nothing like getting folks together and forging friendships, Brotherhood, and Sisterhood. Every year you see many of the same folks and they are strengthened. Every year, we add to our cadre of relationships.

Well, as we came up on State, it was obvious we had two main groups with a few stragglers. Thursdays main group rolled down '19 towards Round Rock as did Friday's group. Kept you mainly on 2 lanes and off I35 and all the crazy traffic. This years location would be the Kalahari Resort down in Round Rock. They had a convention center, plenty of parking and rooms and it'd prove to be a success. Seemed a notch pricey for a few but if you were a family man, you just scored since this is a great place for just that. For the majority of us, lots of bar, restaurants and pools.

I'd originally planned to go down Thursday but Lucy had decided to ride down with me and for some reason was fighting me on the 'extra' day so I changed my reservations to Friday. Once less day of drinking and eating like a King; maybe she was looking out for me ... LOL. Well, Friday we roll into KIMs of Lone Oak, meet up with our group and we're rolling. Dutch (our CRC) led us off headed South taking the route I'd recommended. Goldyloxx is near the rear in her Sling and BigT is following up with his Jeep Gladiator. We've got quite the mix. The entire trip minus maybe a five mile stretch rocked. No major construction, traffic or issues. One of the highlights was when we were stopped in Buffalo we were approached by a lady that worked at their newspaper whom began asking questions. When the smoke cleared she had our picture, Dutch's contact info, and we'd find ourselves in the Paper a few days ago. Well, maybe two stops along the way and we're rolling in about 5 1/2 hours, less than 300 miles later. We're here.

Finally get checked in. We'd worked our way up to the Kennedy's room for a few glasses of wine waiting for our room to be ready and we're soon in our Suite. Nice rooms overall, and we're soon unpacked and headed downstairs. Few more drinks then find the Steak House on site. Great Service , lil pricey, my food was awesome.... the others.... .. not so much. Oh well, mine rocked! Afterwards, we'll find some of our other Chapter Members ... find the Piano bar, Lobby bar and... and.... you get the picture. Hey, we're at State!

Saturday up early and headed down for the State Pic. Majority of folks make it into the overall pic and our chapter pic. Not sure what the total count was... we had folks from AR and LA attending and I assume OK. But, hell of a showing overall. By 0900 we're rallied into one room and the fun begins. Nothing like the Pledge of Allegiance with 500 Patriots to start the morning! Dudeman is soon running the show and everything flows smoothly. Earlier this year, Ocho stepped in as SSAA and he'll be elected to the position over Herc. Both great guys and no doubt a close vote; was hard for me to hit the selection on that keyboard since both are great guys and deserving. By noon or so, we're out the door and looking for grub and drinks. Got time to chat with my AR buds (Anita!) ... one of my mentors (Boomer!) and some great folks from LA. I'm the worlds' worst on names but so many folks from around Texas as well. Well, eventually, many of us when find the Adult pool over at the water park area dubbed the Grotto. Gotta tell you, what a blast. They have a poolside bar and they pour them Strong! By number 2, I've hit the wall and in the groove. I swear 1/2 our group was pretty fired up .. what the hell did they put in them drinks? Eventually, make it back to the room, clean up, find some food ....... then ..somewhat early night. Gotta Ride!

Sunday folks are rolling back in smaller groups. BigT wants to take Interstate so I allowed myself to get talked into it, 1/2 dozen of us roll out. Lucy jumps in his cage and we roll for 150 miles to Italy, then break off of Hwy 34. I've got Lucy back on my bike, weather is perfect and 90 minutes later ..... home!

State 2025 .. on the calendar. Now .. just need to the specifics to lock it all down!