Devastating Week

It has been a very bad week to live in Oklahoma.  I have witnessed, chased, photographed storms for a few years, we had a tornado pass directly over our house (in the air fortunately) some 8 years ago but what I have witnessed Sunday and Monday has left me mixed with shock, nausea, sympathy, and guilt. Right now I'm simply numb.  I just can't look at any more photos or videos of the storm.  While we were well out of the way of Sunday's storms at Shawnee, some 135 miles to our west, we were in the thick of things Monday night after the deadly storm at Moore.  I just saw where in Moore, Oklahoma .... 30 churches have banned together as their internal FEMA because they've been through it before. Sad to say but if you wait on the government you may never get any relief.

I haven't been riding with the exception of just riding to work on days that we aren't having storms come in.  My wife had surgery on her shoulder 2 weeks ago and on my days off I have been taking her to PT and the doctors office, grocery shopping, cooking, laundry, helping change her bandages and even putting her hair in a pony tail. The hair in a pony tail gig was pretty hard for me and she was getting frustrated with me that I wasn't getting it.  Oh well, I try anyway.  Not only do I not do ponytails, I think she forgets that I have RA sometimes and expects my hands and fingers to function normally. Hopefully in a couple of more weeks I can get back out and do some riding.  My bikes are feeling neglected.

I have a couple of photos of the storm as it was moving in on us Monday night.  The bottom image is from video that I shot of a funnel that dropped down but never went to the ground 3 miles south of us. It had just grazed a small town 13 miles southwest of us.

Low level thunderstorm

Sunset at 8:20 with storms on top of us. 

Storm bearing down on us that had just dropped a tornado a few minutes earlier.

Checked Up Then Checked Out

I spent 3 hours at the rheumatologist Monday morning.  In addition to all of my normal blood work, I had my vitamin D level checked, a TB test and did a bone density scan.  My vitamin D level was 22 with the normal range for vitamin D being from 30-80.  Doc said this could explain part of my pain and fatigue I have been experiencing lately.  He put me on a prescription vitamin D that is 50,000 iu taken once a week.  My bone density results look good with improvement over the last scan 2 years ago.  This is good since I ride a lot.  Don't need flimsy bones out there riding a motorcycle!  As bad as I have felt over the late part of winter and spring so far, I am feeling equally good right now.  In fact I feel good enough that I have started working out again and have even started losing a little weight to boot.  Doc left it at this, "I am going to leave your meds alone for now since you are feeling better.  I have seen several that have been hurting more this spring due to the drastic temperature swings we have had this year.  We will check your D level in 6 weeks.  If you start hurting call and we will get you in, other wise I will see you in 4 months".

The temperature swings this spring that doc was referring to have been borderline crazy/violent. They have triggered several tornadoes as well as many small RA flares for me.  It was in the 80's the past 3 days but will dip back down into the 30's Thursday and Friday.  Hopefully my RA won't notice it.

I didn't feel up to riding last week on my days off but I made up for it this week riding 2 of my 3 days off this week.  I had planned to ride today also but am fatigued beyond belief right now.  Not hurting from it, just simply run down.  I have included some photos of some of the places we rode through this week.  This is my therapy, I hope you can see why I like riding the road less traveled.

New Husqvarna

I brought my new Husqvarna home yesterday.  As much as I would like to have one of the new Husky 650's, it is in fact a 54 inch zero turn mower.  Still, it is good to have another Husky in the garage again. I have owned 3 in the past but this is my first Husqvarna mower.

Last Monday, we met at my house and left with the temperature at 68º.  We had a tentative route planned but are always open to whatever looks good as we are riding.  Once out of town, we headed out a windy, narrow two lane asphalt road that woke up both the bikes and the riders.  Soon our asphalt came to an end and we grinned with great anticipation ... we were riding new stuff to us.  To those who don't ride, riding new stuff is kinda like Christmas.  Sometimes you get a iPad, sometimes you get underwear.  Not that new, clean underwear hasn't come in handy before ... especially the way we ride.
Soon we were riding in a gorgeous valley with a good sized creek running parallel with the road for a good mile or longer.  We rode over the tops of some mountains that allowed you to see for what seemed like forever (remember that - it's clear and sunny at this moment).  This went on for the next 20 miles, riding through some back woods, beautiful country with pure shacks that people were living in.  I jokingly told Randall, "if I break down out here, I will walk out.  I'm not walking up on the porch of some of these houses.  I've seen Deliverance".  Randall agreed.  We rode through a picturesque little town complete with a white church and tall steeple on it before climbing back up to scenic highway 71.  We stopped at the overlook for Lake Fort Smith and it was good to see the water level rising after the spring rains we have had.  Next we headed out for our next leg of the ride ... 22 more new miles of forest road to both of us.  It was so thrilling to be riding new (parts of it rough and rugged) scenery, I got so wrapped up in the ride, I forgot to stop to take any photos on the new stuff.  We only got lost twice, so for the first time riding off of someone else's directions, that's not too bad.

Overlook at Lake Fort Smith.

Randall at overlook.

Forest road just past Shores Lake.

Low water bridge on part of the new stuff we rode.

Oark Cafe, some fine dining.

Fog, rain and chilly temps.  By the time we got back home it was 72.  Crazy day.

We worked in a stop at Oark, one of our favorite places to eat and I noticed what I thought was fog on the top of the mountains to our east.  After eating and getting back on the bikes some 40 minutes later, there was a light drizzle falling.  A few miles up the asphalt toward the mountains, it turned to rain and heavy fog.  Hard banked and off camber turns in the mountains on wet asphalt with knobby tires is a little unnerving for me.  I slowed to 35mph through the turns and still didn't feel comfortable.  I sure was glad to see the dirt road we were looking for.  Once on dirt, we topped the mountains and as we dropped off of the back side came back out of the fog and rain.  From there on it was pretty much an uneventful 60 miles back home.  Except for the Arkansas River bridge at Ozark, just a cool old bridge.

Feeling some better now that the temps have warmed up and are somewhat stabilizing.  Had a lot of hand pain after this 215 mile ride.  I used my grip heaters part of the day but I suspect I turned them on too late to help much, my hands were already cold by the time I remembered to turn them on.   Going back to my rheumatologist next week and will talk to him about my pain and see what he feels about switching meds.  I really am feeling better now and hate to jump the gun on the meds.

Stormy

Little did we know that, as we passed through the small town of Sallisaw on our last ride (Stupid RA posted on 3-19), that 11 days later a tornado would follow part of where we were riding. 

The storm first dropped by Muskogee, OK.  The area was severe and tornado warned.  At 9:35pm, three miles west of Fort Gibson, a tornado was confirmed with damage to a farm and equipment and roof damage to a home.  It tracked on SE toward our house so we were watching the storm. 

Above is some amazing night tornado video footage shot by Danny Mattox from the storm at Sallisaw, OK about 11:15PM on March 30, 2013. The storm was severe warned, but not tornado warned. Thankfully no one was injured, however some barns were destroyed and one home received significant damage.

By the time the storm passed over our house, it was reduced to high winds and pea size hail.  You can see from the video, shot from our front porch, below how much lightning the storm contained.

Just for the recored, my RA was maxed out as the barometer was in the low 29's during the storms.  

Good Friday

I like all of the seasons with the exception of winter, I used to enjoy winter until my jackass friend RA moved in.  Spring is more than just a date on a calendar to me, I love spring because the air smells so clean and fresh.  I like to hear the birds singing and watch everything green back up, witness nature coming back to life after a dormant winter.  I like thunderstorms, frogs croaking at night, in short spring makes me (and my RA) happy.  

I got off of work at 7am on Good Friday that was followed by a Bad Saturday.  We had rain move in and despite the warm temperature, by mid afternoon my RA started misbehaving.  I hurt so much that I went on to bed at 10pm and slept til 10am Saturday morning.  I got out of bed, but hurt so bad that I could barely make it to the living room.  I wound up going back to bed at 11am and slept til 3pm.  I felt marginally better at 3 so I forced myself to get up, clean the kitchen and get my bike prepped for Monday just in case I feel like riding.

My RA has really gotten in the way of doing many things this winter and I'm hoping that spring will be just what I need.  My hands and feet have been hurting moderately over the past two weeks and wouldn't you know it ... a new area of pain to deal with.  Actually I think this is more OA related though.  I broke my right collar bone (racing motorcycles - of course) right up against my neck 25 years ago.  It bothered me for a couple of years but other than an occasional severe storm coming through, has been silent ... until 2 weeks ago. 

Speaking of severe storms, we had our first tornado of 2013 Saturday night.  Actually we didn't have one, it was 25 miles west of us moving our direction.  By the time the storm passed over us it was merely high winds, pea sized hail and a ton of lightning and thunder.  We did put the new Edge in the garage though, just in case.  They had golf ball size hail just to our north.

I hope that I feel up to riding tomorrow.  Right now, I can see it going either way.

Stupid RA

I did a real ride yesterday and I am paying for it today.  Actually I feel quite good with the exception of my right hand.  On a scale of 1 to 10, it's a solid 12 today!  Stupid RA.  I have had highs and lows over the past week directly correlating with the up and down temperatures of springtime in Oklahoma.  

I rode 240 miles Monday, shooting 5 iron bridges, speeds up to 86 mph on asphalt, 67mph on dirt, not a scratch ... not even a bobble. Got home, took my riding boots and socks off, turned around and caught my big toe on the edge of a chair leg.  Bent the nail back and split it the length of the toe nail as it started to bleed.  I'm actually safer on a bike than I am walking through my house.

We rode some good stuff and it was nice seeing trees budding out and grass starting to green up.  We rode over some of the cleanest, clearest water I have seen since being in Colorado.  I shot 3 open bridges and 2 abandoned bridges.  My favorite was the old Illinois River bridge, it was completely shut off to the public. We had just rode 93 miles to shoot the bridge today so we rode on in past the no trespassing signs. After 25 minutes of taking pictures, walking on and around it we rode back out to be greeted by a trooper blocking the road with his lights flashing. I thought we were busted but it turned out the trooper had the road blocked with his lights on for someone else ... whew!

I love seeing these old water towers in small towns. 

It didn't say land mine so we went on in.

After 6 hours of riding on a Power Bar and bottled water, we were ready for some real food so we rode on into Tahlequah, Oklahoma.  I was first to choose a place to eat so we decided Lucky's Cafe would be the dinning experience today.  When we pulled into the parking lot, the sign said open but there wasn't a single car in the lot.  This can't be a good sign so Greg chose next.  He decided we would just do a quick lunch at Taco Bell but found a nice looking BUSY mexican restaurant by the name of El Molcajete.  I didn't expect much, we have several mexican places similar to this at home. It turned out to be awesome. I wish they would open one where I live!

If you're ever in Tahlequah, eat at El Molcajete.

I struggled to get back on the bike after a huge lunch for only $5. You can't even eat at McDonalds for that. Once back on the road, we lit them back up and rode some new (to me) twisty, narrow roads that were sheer excitement.  I felt good when I rolled into the driveway but was feeling my right hand already.  Today, I can not grip or pick up anything, its a good thing I have a left hand.

btw Kim, I am starting to like the gel grips now that I have some 350 miles on them.

Eagles Bluff bridge with Mike Palmer and Greg Trosper.

Eagles Bluff bridge.

Abandoned Illinois River bridge

Decay on bridge

Concrete cracking 

This sign can't mean us!

Grown over deck of the llinois River bridge

Warm Hands

I recently rode through the Ozark National Forest and stopped on Mill Creek.  It was a very familiar place, there it sat quietly ... a huge oak tree that Mike and I have camped under in days gone by.  Looking at it I can't help but wonder who is enjoying the beauty of this tree and the creek these days.  One thing is for sure though, as beautiful as the area is, someone is still camping under the huge tree.   I didn't think to take a picture but the next time I pass through, I will stop and get one.  The tree is old and if it could talk, I know it would have some stories to tell.  This is where Mike set my arm on fire once, though he claims accidentally.  Editors note: never use premix gas to start a camp fire.

We have had cold weather again that has my RA mildly flared so I didn't ride this week on my days off.  I hate even thinking about switching meds.  I feel so much better on the warm days when we have them right now, I'm sure that once it warms up for good I will be alright. 

I got my grip heaters on my bike.  The kit was simple, straight forward but I am not sure about the gel grips I installed. I will have to ride with them a while before I make a decision to keep or replace them.  They feel very spongy, which should be easier on my hands but they feel huge compared to normal grips.  The heat will help my hands on cool days, they don't get super hot but definitely warm.  If I would have known 20 years ago, while I was still racing, that today I would be riding a bike with aux lights, windshield and heated grips ... I would have kicked my ass.  Times change, I never saw RA coming either.

Grips and grip heaters

Simple and straight forward but my name and idiot proof don't belong together.

Dash with heated grips switch.

Gel grips safety wired on... not sure about them yet.

Turner Bend Ride (I Feel Good)

Last week on my 4 days off, I hurt badly.  I slept 11 hours Saturday, 12.5 hours Sunday, 16 hours Monday and 10 hours Tuesday.  I have had many weeks where I didn't get that much sleep in 7 days.  I am feeling much better this week but am anxious (ok - dreading) to see if the next cold snap throws me back to hurting again.  Just finished another Humira injection and no matter how many of these I take, they still hurt.  I have tried, I think, all of the tricks.  I guess I'm just going to have to face up to the fact that I'm not nearly as tough as I like to think I am!

It was 71 Monday and I felt good enough to ride.  Greg showed up at noon and we headed north.  No particular place to ride, just riding because we needed to.  Anyone who rides understands that last sentence.  When riding, you have to be focused 100% on the road and other drivers (cars), you clear your head for a few hours of all those pesky thoughts, what if's and any conflicts.  Plus riding a motorcycle, you experience the trip versus looking at the scenery through a piece of glass.  You feel every mile, smell everything from roadkill to flowers and honeysuckle along the way. The sheer acceleration and hearing the motor rev are just a bonus.  

With it being 71 degrees today, I decided to wear my light jacket and shoulder pads ... who needs a big heavy jacket with a liner today, not me ... oh no.  Then suddenly clouds moved in and the temperature must have dropped 10 degrees, maybe more.  Crap!! Too far out to turn around, I sure wish I had  worn my heavy jacket!  After about 20 miles of shivering, the sun popped back out.  It never was as warm as it was before we left but thankfully conditions didn't deteriorate any further.  We turned north on AR215 and picked the speed up since there is little traffic on this narrow, windy road.  Boy did I get a surprise as I topped a hill running 70mph.  There was a trailer house blocking the road with numerous cars lined up.  As we rolled up to the line of cars, they waved us on through ... the advantages of being small enough to get through a ditch.  The people sitting in line didn't look to happy with us.  Once by, we lit the bikes up again and shot through the forest with the reckless velocity of a teenager on a crotch rocket.  We didn't slow down until we were descending the hill by Shores Lake spillway.  I would like to point out that while I do enjoy the adrenaline rush from the acceleration and speed of a motorcycle, I will absolutely not leave the house without all of my gear on, all of the time.  I cringe every time I see riders with no helmet, or shorts, t-shirt and tennis shoes.

We stopped at the spillway and I was thrilled to see water rushing over the spillway again.  We have been in a severe drought and while we have had an abundance of rain over the last 2 months, we are still way down.  There were still several creeks we crossed that are still dry.  As we headed on east, I wasn't exactly sure we were going to come out at.  We rode the next 15 miles of dirt roads through some rugged, twisty, hilly country, but it was beautiful.  We even rode a few miles next to the Mulberry River and at one point I thought I heard banjo music.  We were in some "Deliverance looking country", then suddenly we popped out on highway 23.  I never did tell Greg that I didn't know where the road went but we came out somewhat close to where I thought we might.  We stopped at Turner Bend and had a world class sandwich and a welcome rest.  A guy, looked to be 60, pulls up, gets out and says nice bikes (Greg was riding a BMW 1200GS) and we start talking about riding.  He rides a DRZ400 but is looking to buy a KLR soon and was admiring the farkles on my bike.  We talked for 30 minutes, turns out we have rode much of the same stuff from Mississippi to Colorado.  Small world ... I get to meet a lot of nice people on rides. I would like to rent one of the cabins this spring and take Donna up there, I know she would love it once we got there.

Shores Lake spillway

Shores Lake

It's Pirate Greg

Lake from the overlook on top

Mulberry River with water flowing

Lunch at Turner Bend

You know me ... I love bridges

An outhouse on blocks!  yes, I used it. 

One of the cabins for rent at Turner Bend