Through the new leather riding jacket and my long sleeve shirt, the cool air was still evident. Should have put on the long-johns too. I was wondering where summer went, and fall for that matter, as I rode to Roswell to meet up with everyone at El Porton. Seems like it wasn't that long ago I was breaking a sweat just getting on the bike. As I rode I tried to keep my thoughts on steaming plates of chimichangas, burritos, tamales and fajitas.

Expectations were a little low as I thought about who would be there. The last two rides had resulted in low participation. This ride had been a roller coaster of plans. Originally planned as a ride to the Okefenokee and Folsom to see the trains, it was later changed to an overnight trip to Pigeon Forge by way of Gatlinburg (Highlands and Cherokee were considered prior to that). When winter made an early appearance and the chance for rain increased people started changing plans and left us with a very very small crew willing to make the trip. At this point we opted for a nearby destination. Hopefully it would result in at least more people being able to get together, but, as my teeth chattered inside the helmet I honestly felt like all the changes would have everyone confused.

Making the turn into the parking lot was a pleasant surprise. There were six or seven member there and a couple more who had said they were coming. With the lunch hour approaching, we headed inside to get some tables set up and to get warm. By the time they had us seated we had 12 people in attendance. It was a good turnout. It was great to see everyone, some we hadn't seen in several weeks. By the time they were ready to take our order we had added another table and four more people.

After a couple hours of chips and salsa, and some of those warm plates of fajitas and burritos and a bunch of other food as well as some great conversation and time spent catching up with each other, we finally vacated the table.

Of the sixteen people there, only five bikes were in the parking lot. So, those in cars bid farewell and made their journey home. Those of us who braved the cool morning air decided to head for the cooler air of the North Georgia Mountain. (No one ever said we were very bright....but we do love to ride). Doug led us up Hwy 9 to Hwy 60 and into Suches.

Some of us had been along this same route about two weeks earlier to see the fall colors and had been extremely disappointed. Well, the trees had exploded with color. Reds, yellows, oranges, browns and pale greens filled the landscape. I can not remember the last time I saw this much color in the trees. Past years have been dry and leaves went from green to brown to the ground. Not this year. It was just an endless display. Every turn awash in color. Canopies of color covered the road. If the sun had of been shining it would have been overwhelming. As it was, with the grey skies, It was awesome.

We took a break in Suches and then headed back. The return trip was just as awesome. Eventually we were out of the mountains and the landscape returned to it greens with a touch of color. As the unseen sun was setting and the skies dimmed the air cooled and we all made our way for home before it got dark and really cold.

It was a great day. One of the best we have had as a chapter in a while. We had a great turnout for lunch and got to do a little riding afterward. The scenery was beautiful and above all that the company was unbeatable.

Attending:

Doug & Teresa Turco
Gary Kohl
Preston & Stephanie Howard
Malon & Cindy Metz
Rick Curtis
Marty Howard
Rick & Barbara Campbell
Tim & Diane King
Timothy King (guest)
Chuck & Cindy Pierce