A Reunion of Sorts in North Carolina

.


Yes, there is Guzzi and even GRiSO content in what follows, but it’ll take a minute to get there.  

Kathi and I are in Wendell, North Carolina, housesitting for our kids and grands who are in Spain for spring break.  

Thankfully, they return tomorrow because what was billed as "housesitting" is, in fact, trying to keep the lovable but boisterous year-old golden retriever, "Louie,” from destroying the house.  

Oh, and also keeping the obnoxious cat — tho that’s redundant — “Rypka" from taking out her displeasure (which is her constant state) from doing what cats do when unhappy or annoyed.  

Louie looks harmless …


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]


… but I had to go to an urgent-care center earlier in the week as a result of him tackling me!     

Yes, really. In fact, that will be the segue to the Guzzi content.  

When down here on my GRiSO two years ago, local @Chris W showed me around some of the local sights.  Two Grisos in rural North Carolina.  Great fun.


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]


Knowing I would be here and happy to have fewer chores than when at home, I contacted Chris to see if he might be interested in showing me more of the local scenery and roads.

I had ridden my V85 down here.  


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]


I know that this is a GRiSO forum, but I’ve sold mine, and this V85 is a great Guzzi, too.

“Sure,” said Chris, and we aranged to do that today.

Unfortunately, Louie, that rambunctious golden, essentially a big puppy, decided it would great fun to surprise me by leaping on me from behind.  That led to the visit to urgent care, and calling off the ride as I had, among other minor things to whine about, a very painful pulled calf muscle.  In fact, it was so bad for a day or two, I worried I might have to store the V85 here and cage it back with Kathi.  

But, I asked Chris to come by anyway to say howdy and, if he wanted, to take the V85 for a spin.

Here we are this afternoon.


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]


Chris takes the V85 for a romp on local roads.


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]


But, eventually, Chris had to leave and head home.  Note that he is on his VTX; his GRiSO needs a new tire.  


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]


I was glad to include Kathi in that pic as it showed Chris how good it is to have a Polish wife!    


Then, it was time to let Louie back into the house …


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]


… and to give him more obedience lessons.  I do not think he will be Valedictorian … nor I Professor of the Year at the Canine Academy!    


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]


Seriously, Chris, thanks for visiting.  We enjoyed your stories of your recent visit to Italy, including Mandello!  

Come up to see us at the Moto Grappa in Cross Junction.

Bill (& Kathi)

Great post, Bill, as usual.

Hope you heal quickly. I can empathise. We had a Husky that would attempt to knock you down in his own way of showing his love for you, then attempt to lick you to death...sadly, he is no longer with is.

great post Bill
My dogs said to say "hey" to Louie!

My stepson across the street has that same dog 4yrs old and big AND greets me same way. Her sister in crime is a 2yr old Wolf/Shepherd mix just as big & same thing. I watch them also when kids are gone.
At least I rode 2 Guzzi's today & filled both fuel tanks. Getting ready for some riding.
Have fun Bill say HEY to Kathi.

Bill, thanks so much for stopping bye occasionally with your tales. Your prose makes the rest of us seem like cavemen sitting around the fire, grunting. And you always include plenty of pics too.

Really enjoy all your posts Bill! I wont be seeing you at the SSR this year as we will be in Italy for 3 weeks at that time , I'm looking forward to 10 days riding in the Dolomites..I will have a few Grappa's ant think of you!

ciao

Love your comment about Rypka! I’ve been enjoying early spring back road riding and fine tuning my new suspension here in the great PNW.