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Friday, May 30, 2025

Today was my 77th Birthday and I was having the best present a person could have: riding with good friends, laughing my butt off, and riding some simply outstanding roads, even in the rain. Ken was a great lead and planner.

Then, the next best present: right below our room, a Diesel EP Locomotive rumbled to life. The lead locomotive of the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway was getting ready for the day. Oh my, what a sound! It gives you goosebumps.

Forecast for my birthday: cloudy, with a 100% chance of adrenaline and rain.

Ken again led us through twisty heaven. That guy can find more curves than a blind man in a strip club! As always, we didn’t find the rain; it found us. Ken, the whole trip, kept us right through the small towns. We didn’t go around; we went through the center. We saw old courthouses, Confederate statues, and all. Then the best Birthday present happened!

We were going through Monticello, GA. We approached a bridge, and I looked left. I could not believe my eyes! There was the most famous store of the '90s! There it was: “The Sac O’ Suds” store, made famous in the '90s classic “My Cousin Vinny.” All it needed was a green Pontiac Tempest convertible. Not even the next 45 miles of pouring rain could wipe the smile off my face from seeing that store. The outside of the courthouse was used for the courthouse in the movie… two presents at once, cool beans!

It rained for ten miles, then it was dry all the way to Columbus, GA. My last visit to Columbus was via the US Army circa 1967. My dinner and bed were 100% better this trip. Besides, I was sharing everything with my BFF.

Saturday, May 31, 2025

Bright and no rain but coolish. Out of habit and dread, I put my rain jacket on. In no time, Ken had us back on two lanes heading south, through beautiful backcountry roads of Alabama. You know, there is a life lesson in all this: rain for the whole trip, then blue sky and puffy clouds on the last day. One day I’ll make sense of these life lessons.

We stopped at Union Springs, AL. Why, you ask? To stop and visit the Field Dog Hall of Fame, of course! Ken then led us down Highway 29, the one that starts in Pensacola.

As lunch approached, it was decided to have our last breaking of bread together at The Laurel Hill Grill. We ate and reminisced about the last 6 days of laughter and adventure shared with great friends. A perfect end for a perfect Sandie Adventure. Thank you again, Ken, you did a tremendous job, what with the rain and all. I’d let you lead anytime, anywhere. Until the next adventure, ride safe and often.

-George