A trip for the Dude, maybe?

[tabogon]

Well, I am finally back from sea trials. Got a week or so before we leave again. We'll be porting in Mississippi and Florida over the 2 months I'll be gone. I'll get the specific ports later and see if any of you live close by who want to have a drink with with a bunch of sailors.
Hope everyone is having fun with the Dude and hope to get him for a little while when I finally get back and have time. If he is being sent around with a lot of stuff you can send it to my house. Just pm me sometime for the address. Great pics!

[loz944]

Dude can visit Thailand and have a ride

[Cazper]

Alright, now that I'm back I will post up the rest of the pics I have... there really isn't a lot to see or do in Afghanistan... at least not if you don't leave the wire which I never had the opportunity to do... so anyway... without further ado...

What's this we found...

I wonder if they will let him go for a ride?

It's even a Kawasaki!!!

Shut the front door... they come in green too!!!

Maybe if we check with the gate guard?

[Cazper]

This is the shop where the Dude and I worked...

A picture of the Maintenance Company sign...

oops... my head blocked the sign a little... a better picture...

The flags over the Marine Logistics Group Headquarters... from left to right: Marine Corps, Afghanistan and Old Glory!

Another shot of the flags...

[Cazper]

The buildings where we slept...

The door plaque on our room...

and here is inside our room... I had already packed most of my stuff up as this was the last couple days of the deployment for me.


Sorry again for nothing exciting... if I would have thought of it I probably could have sent the Dude out on mission with some of the other Marines to see the countryside... but I forgot to do so.

Whomever wants him next just PM me your info so that I can send him off to his next destination! We had a good time together, but he's ready for new adventures!!!

[Seattle_Chris]

Wow, Afghanistan! I never thought the Dude was gonna go global! EPIC!!

[Trailerboy531]

Great shots Dustin! Before you send him off, be sure to let me know. I forgot to sign the paper in his back pack! I'll either have you sign it for me or just bring him along if I see you before he gets sent off.

[Cazper]

Originally Posted by Seattle_Chris

Wow, Afghanistan! I never thought the Dude was gonna go global! EPIC!!

The pics on the previous page I posted were in Kyrgyzstan... I also had him when we had a layover in Germany but didn't think to take any pictures... so yeah, he's definitely been global

@Trailerboy531, I will definitely do so... I'd like to do a quick tech day soon... I'd rather not do the front brakes and ss lines by myself unless I have to... either way I'll take care of you!

[Trailerboy531]

Originally Posted by Cazper

The pics on the previous page I posted were in Kyrgyzstan... I also had him when we had a layover in Germany but didn't think to take any pictures... so yeah, he's definitely been global

@Trailerboy531, I will definitely do so... I'd like to do a quick tech day soon... I'd rather not do the front brakes and ss lines by myself unless I have to... either way I'll take care of you!

WHICH REMINDS ME OF A WONDERFUL POINT. *pming you...so I dont even need to post this*

[tabogon]

I love all the pics! Finally back again, these sea trials are a pain. going back out in a couple months to do training ops with SEALs. Would like the Dude to take a ride with my before I leave again. Got a new bike and live in a new state since I originally sent him out. I will take him after the next person Cazper sends him to, then send him out again before I leave. Need to go back and look at all the pics I missed. Glad you all are having fun!

[XurXes]

I spent a good amount of time reading this thread, This is such a great community. I won't be able to really ride until Mid nov when I'm 18 and have my endorsement, But would love to get him for a little and take some pics of him in Florida. Hopefully this will still be going on then.

[nycsteve]

The dude can come over to NYC anytime he wants. In fact, for someone who has traveled the world, wouldn't it be great to visit "The Crossroads of the World"?

Plus he can finally travel the East/Northeast!

[Old Guy on a '08]

Originally Posted by tabogon

Well, I'll get the specific ports later and see if any of you live close by who want to have a drink with with a bunch of sailors.

Saliors and alcohol don't mix
That said by a Jarhead and brother in arms to all his squidly friends!
And thank you for your service
Chris
SSgt USMC Retired
'70 to '90
Chasing Kadaffi around the Med, with VMA (AW) 533 on the USS Saratoga, Med Cruise, Summer of '84

[Old Guy on a '08]

I'd love to host The Dude on a trip Down the Blue Ridge Parkway. Get him some fresh country air and a little NC BBQ. Maybe a brewski at the end of the day

[Cazper]

Whomever wants him please send me a PM with your address so that I can send him on his merry way!

[Trailerboy531]

Dammit!!! We forgot on Saturday! Put my username on the paper in his backpack!!

[Old Guy on a '08]

Originally Posted by Cazper

Whomever wants him please send me a PM with your address so that I can send him on his merry way!

Dustin,

I'll take him. Just sent you a PM. He'll enjoy the Blue Ridge Parkway... maybe end to end.

Chris

[Cazper]

@Trailerboy531, I gotcha covered bro!!

@Old Guy on a '08, I will try to get him out the door tomorrow!!

[Old Guy on a '08]

The Dude is on his way to Carolina...
The Dude is in for a real treat cause....
The Dude is gonna ride ....

"The Blue Ridge Parkway" - http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/
"The Devils Whip" - http://www.thedevilnc80.com/
"The Diamond Back" - http://diamondbacknc.com/
and maybe the Fabled
"Tail of the Dragon" - http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

Nothing Could Be Fina than to be in Carolina in the Morning......... or on her wonderful Mountain Roads

[Cazper]

The Dude left out of Oceanside today! Let us know when he gets there!! I kinda spaced overnight delivery... but it shouldn't take too long

[Old Guy on a '08]

Originally Posted by Cazper

THE DUDE left out of Oceanside today! Let us know when he gets there!! I kinda spaced overnight delivery... but it shouldn't take too long

I'll try not to keep THE DUDE ]too long but there are a lot of good things to see and do here in the Carolina's. See my earlier post.

Is there anybody in Central/Western NC, Southwestern VA, Eastern Tennessee or Upstate SC that would like to do an in person handoff in a couple of weeks. Maybe there is someone who wants to meet me at the Tail of the Dragon and go for a ride, have a Celebration with THE DUDE and take him onto his next adventure?

[Old Guy on a '08]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Ok, am I allowed to call dibs on next spot? or is there someone in line?

Chris, looks like I cut the line on you. I think THE DUDE is due to come to the Buckeye State after he swings upto see Josh and Ana in CT. I really apologize for jumping in ahead of you.

[Trailerboy531]

I believe sometime in the last page or two the original owner of the Dude mentioned requesting to have him come back home for a leg after whoever takes him after Cazper before being sent out again.

edit: found it! Reference post #370

[Old Guy on a '08]

Originally Posted by Trailerboy531

I believe sometime in the last page or two the original owner of the Dude mentioned requesting to have him come back home for a leg after whoever takes him after Cazper before being sent out again.

edit: found it! Reference post #370

Yeap... I saw that too Trailerboy531 (Max) after I went back looking that would be Toboggan - Josh and Ana in the last post. I sent him a PM when I realized I'd messed up. Thanks for keeping an eye on things for THE DUDE and keeping me straight...

Originally Posted by Old Guy on a '08

Chris, looks like I cut the line on you. I think THE DUDE is due to come to the Buckeye State after he swings upto see Josh and Ana in CT. I really apologize for jumping in ahead of you.

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by Old Guy on a '08

Chris, looks like I cut the line on you. I think THE DUDE is due to come to the Buckeye State after he swings upto see Josh and Ana in CT. I really apologize for jumping in ahead of you.

No worries! There's really not much to do with me while I'm at school anyways! It's better that he visit me over summer break.

[Old Guy on a '08]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

No worries! There's really not much to do with me while I'm at school anyways! It's better that he visit me over summer break.

Aw Chris... don't you get a fall break, or Thanksgiving (unless winter comes early) or maybe spring break???

[choneofakind]

No fall break for ONU this year I get a full week at thanksgiving though, and just over a month at Christmastime. Then I have spring break and summer break. The amount of break time I have this school year is somewhat underwhelming. Crossing my fingers for riding weather over thanksgiving break. Last year it was in the 60's and sunny for my thanksgiving day ride.

[Old Guy on a '08]

Just hanging out waiting for THE DUDE to show up so I can take him riding....

We need some T-Shirts, or Stickers that proclaim " I've riden with THE DUDE"

That would be total rad...

Samll sticker that we could stick on the bike.....

[Old Guy on a '08]

THE DUDE showed up today. He looked happy to be out of the envelope. He keeps asking when are we going riding.

Looks like we'll be leaving on a Trip on Monday... Good weather coming up.

Riding with me, he might need a helmet

[Old Guy on a '08]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

No fall break for ONU this year I get a full week at thanksgiving though, and just over a month at Christmastime. Then I have spring break and summer break. The amount of break time I have this school year is somewhat underwhelming. Crossing my fingers for riding weather over thanksgiving break. Last year it was in the 60's and sunny for my thanksgiving day ride.

Let's pray for nice riding weather this fall. THE DUDE wants to celebrate T day with some "Buckeye Pie"

Is the such a thing as "Buckey Pie"???????

[DaBlue1]

"The Dude" hung out yesterday with a couple of old jarheads on a chilly ride across the Blue Ridge Parkway. We'll see where he ends up.

Here he is along with "Old Guy on a 08" at Freeborne's Eatery and Lodge in Laurel Springs, NC, just one block off of the BRP.

[Old Guy on a '08]

Wow!!! THE DUDE can sure ride the twisties.

Blue thanks for posting the pic's and Freeborne's Website. This place CATERS to bikers... Ride the Parkway (BRP) be sure to stop in. NC-18 is a nice little side road with some twists and turns all it's own.

First off, let me apologize for the lack of pics this time out. I lost my phone, and hence, a lot of the pics. That's part of the bad news but more on that later. Igot a new phone this afternoon. And posted a notice where I lost it with a reward... maybe the phone,... and the pics will turn up.

We road a whole bunch of good NC roads that last two days; Monday we joined up with DaBlue1, a brother Marine (Oooh Rah Blue) and headed up NC-18 to the Blue Ridge Parkway and then South on the BRP down to Blowing Rock NC. Blue had to head home after we gassed up. THE DUDE road down to set up camP in the NationaL Forest Service Campground at Julian Price Park on the shores of the lake. Then headed down to Linville Falls for a short hike to see & hear the water show. Back to camp where we enjoyed a campfire with our neighbors. Finall to be. He is a sound sleeper and hard to wake up. Thanks to THE DUDE's sleeping habits we got a late start. after we loaded up Tuesday moring we hit the Parkway Hard. Stops at Crabtree Falls campground and then THE DUDE suggested we forgo lunch (he's not a big eatter) and hit the road up NC-128 to Mount Mitchell When we got there he wanted to climb all the way up to the summit... highest spot in the US Easr of the Mississippi. Got a picture there but... the phone... oh well.

So then we headed down to Little Switzerland for some food, I was starved. We were enjoying the view from the outside dining area at the Switzerland Inn , sharing some good old Southern Sweet Tea and a Burger all the Way with fries. When I left THE DUDE snuck off and went AWOL. He was missed at bed check last night. Seems THE DUDE decided that the Switzerland Inn was too good to leave and he sweet talked the desk clerk into a free nights stay... THE DUDE is a charmer. After my panic at his coming up missing I went back this morning a retreived his sorry Bu__. He was so happy to see me that he put that big smile of his on... it's hard to get made at someone that's so happy to see you... 'course I was really glad to see him too.

And today we rode NC-226A "THE DIAMONDBACK" ... this road didn't get named after a rattlesnake for nothin'!!! "190 Steep Climbing Turns in 12 miles". Unfortunately he missed the ride up.. what you get for going AWOL buddy!!! but he did enjoy the ride back down.

Here are the few pictures that I have with more to follw as THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES

[Old Guy on a '08]

Okay, it’s been a week at home, just sitting around and THE DUDE is bored. He's not into watching me surf the net, down a beer, cook (he does like the food but his appetite is really small ) and play with the dog... (he didn't like the dog at first but he's starting to warm up to her )

Anyway, he badgered me into another road trip (Actually he threatened me, if he can truly threaten with that smile he always has) so were leaving Monday. Riding along Blue Ridge Parkway again, camping, sight seeing, hiking (I hope he can keep up wit hthose short legs ) and hopefully I’ll get to run The Tail of the Dragon this time – a first for me and for him.

Hopefully I’ll have lots of Pixs when I get back. Then it’s off to Toboggan and.....

[tabogon]

Always glad to hear the Dude is having fun. I haven't told Ana he is stopping by soon, she is going to freak out.

A little update from here: Wifey been bugging me for a quite some time about getting another bike so she can ride with me. Unfortunately the 250 had to go in order for me to afford one. We took pictures, we laughed, we cried, the dealership loved what I had done to her, and we said our goodbyes.

IMAG0020.jpg

Then we picked up what could only be described as my beloved 250's old uncle. j/k. I miss my 250 but I do really like the new bike, and the wifey is happy so I can't complain about that.

BTW, I kept it in the family...

IMAG0026.jpg

[choneofakind]

He's been all over the place! This little experiment has turned into something pretty big

[Old Guy on a '08]

Originally Posted by tabogon

Always glad to hear the Dude is having fun. I haven't told Ana he is stopping by soon, she is going to freak out.

A little update from here: Wifey been bugging me for a quite some time about getting another bike so she can ride with me. Unfortunately the 250 had to go in order for me to afford one. We took pictures, we laughed, we cried, the dealership loved what I had done to her, and we said our goodbyes.

Attachment 21244

Then we picked up what could only be described as my beloved 250's old uncle. j/k. I miss my 250 but I do really like the new bike, and the wifey is happy so I can't complain about that.

BTW, I kept it in the family...

Attachment 21243

So so sad...
another ninja owner bites the dust....
I'm not sure THE DUDE wants to come back home
Nice cruiser - the 900??? The custom would've been a better choice.... IMHO

[tabogon]

It is the 900. I would have loved the custom, but the wifey and I agreed on this one. Also, didn't bite the dust, just postponed her replacement. Once I get the Vulcan paid off I absolutely plan on getting a new 250, loved that bike too much to not get another.

[Old Guy on a '08]

Originally Posted by tabogon

Once I get the Vulcan paid off I absolutely plan on getting a new 250, loved that bike too much to not get another.

Or maybe a 300????

[Alienjoe]

Who has The Dude now??

[lgk]

what happened to the dude?