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Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 07:43 pm: | 
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FBRAT, Tues 9/6/05:
Madduck's Uly needed its 1000-mile service. NOW.
the problem was i had about 700 miles to ride today (as in across the entire length of Kansas and part of eastern Colorado, i had to pick up Denise at the Colorado Springs airport and meet up with some Buellin' Hooligans in Manitou Springs for dinner, and THEN we had ride well up into the Rockies - as in around Pike's Peak - to Tbear and Sandy's place in Guffey where we were spending the night) so the service had to happen pronto.
post haste.
lickety split.
and EARLY! 
Court Canfield to the rescue, and Topeka Harley-Davidson/Buell was ready for us when we rolled up this morning.
like, how early did we roll up???
well, we were awake at 3 a.m. (groan), after a night of frivolity at Jeff Griswold's "ThunderDome II."
(when i staggered downstairs, looking for coffee, Peter Frampton was already awake on Jeff's stereo, asking, "Do you feel like I do?"
that depends, i wondered. is your head pounding, are your eyes squeaking, and do you smell like warm beer and cold cigars???)
sorry, i digress.
when this ride started coming together enough to have a feel for where i'd be when the Uly's odo showed 1000 o'clock, Gail's H-D/Buell in Kansas City seemed the obvious choice.
save for the fact that i'd be in KC, MO on Monday September 5th.
Labor Day.
ruh roh.
as i mentioned above, Mr. Canfield to the rescue, and after a phone call to his old friends at Topeka H-D/Buell they agreed to open their service doors for us at 6 a.m. (wow!), and promised to have us back on our way in about an hour. (WOW!)
so it was that me, Alex and Thunder (groan-groan-groan) were moving on Tuesday morning about 3-1/2 hours after we stopped moving on Monday night, headed west in the inky darkness, with squeaky eyes and hurting heads, for Topeka Harley-Davidson Buell.
we rolled up to their service department at precisely 5:58 a.m.
i just LOVE it when a plan comes together. 
Bruce Zimmerman, Topeka's impish, elfish Service Director, had barely gotten Madduck's Uly inside when an SUV pulled up and a smiling woman poked her head out the driver's side window.
"Is one of you Ferris Bueller?"
"Um, that would be me," i replied with a curious grin.
"Hi, I'm Chris Canfield, Court's sister, and I've got breakfast for you!"
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so, at precisely 6:05 Tuesday morning we were all sitting around an imaginary campfire woofing down some of MickyD's finest, compliments of the brother and sister act of Chris and Court Canfield.
and for those of you who know Court, if you think HE'S a character (which he most assuredly is), he ain't got NOTHING on Chris, and i'd pay real money to see the two of them together some time. trust me, there's a successful comedy gig in Las Vegas just waiting to happen.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 24, 2007) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 07:45 pm: |
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so there we are, gathered around our imaginary campfire and dining on MacBreakfast when a car emerges from the darkness and parks in the lot.
it's mighty early, and i figgered that me 'n Alex 'n Thunder 'n Chris were the only ones skulking about at this unnatural hour.
a man and a woman got slowly out of the car, and slowly walked our direction. when they got close enough to get into the light from the building i could see they were both wearing Team Elves shirts, which immediately identified them as Cool People, but who were they and why were they here?
"Mornin'!" somebody said.
"Mornin' back," they said. "Is one of you Ferris Bueller?"
BADWEB, please meet Barbara and Dick German.
a quick round of intros was made, and i wasted no time welcoming our new friends to our little soirée.
Dick and Barbara explained that they had just driven three hours to get here (which meant they had gotten up that morning even earlier than WE had!)
"Wow!" i exclaimed. "But WHY?"
Dick smiled and looked me square in my soul. "I wanted to meet the man who wrote the story about sending the balloon to his dad."
i knew immediately the story he meant, and i had to fight back a flood of emotions.
several years ago, when JB2's Dad was killed in North Carolina on his Harley, i wrote a piece here on BADWEB for JB2 in an effort to express my profound sorrow, about being out one day and finding a mylar balloon sitting limp and forlorn in a field on the side of the road.
i HAD to stop and help.
when my two kids Brynn and Wade were just young pups we would occasionally take a mylar balloon, the kind you get at the local drugstore for a birthday or other special occasion, out into the yard, make a couple of wishes, and then send the balloon on its way up to my Dad, who died quickly and unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm in 1987.
we would ALWAYS watch the balloon until it was just a tiny speck in the sky, and then watch just a little bit longer until the balloon merged with the sky and disappeared from view.
it was THEN that we knew that my Dad - my kid's Grampa - had the balloon, and was happy.
i wrote that piece over three years ago, and hadn't told anyone about setting the balloon in the field free that day. i told the story here on BADWEB, to JB2, because i knew he was hurting something terrible, and i wanted him to know that in time he would not hurt so bad, that, in time, the wound in his heart would heal enough that he could go on with his life, that he could still be alive.
and that he'd never forget.
i'd never spoken a word to Dick German before this morning, BADWEB, e-mail, or otherwise.
and yet here they were, Dick and Barbara, having just driven two hundred miles thru the Kansas night, just to meet the person who wrote that story.
i was humbled nearly to tears, altho i sucked it up and tried to say something to express my gratitude for their enthusiasm and passion for life.
i'm not sure how i did, maybe Dick will chime in (he goes by "Dirtsquirt" here on BADWEB) and let me know.
Dick and Barbara, you have my utmost thanks and respect. it was truly an honor to meet you, and your surprise visit is one of my most treasured mementos from this unforgettable trip.
somewhere Mr. Big Jim Bantz and Mr. Lonnie E. Haughton are hanging out together right now, knocking back a couple of cold ones, enjoying the show and grateful that we still remember.
thank you, my friends.
My dear friend JB2, I can't be with you and your family in person to help pay final respects to your Dad, although I am there with you in spirit. The past few days, I've thought much about you, about your father, and about MY father. I know you'll understand when I say that the following words are nearly as much for me as they are for you.
My Dad died in 1987, quite suddenly and unexpectedly, from a brain aneurysm. He went quickly, but not before us kids got to see him in the hospital and say our goodbyes. He couldn't speak, or even move his eyes, but as we each took our turn telling him how much we loved him, he would squeeze our hand, almost imperceptibly, to signal that he understood.
When he was gone, the sense of loss was immense, a dark, swirling chasm of intense emptiness that seemed to swallow me whole. In time, however, the wounds began to heal, and I found that I COULD actually go for an hour, or a day, without a torrent of uncontrollable grief overcoming me at the thought of his passing.
The following tale is true, and happened during reconnaissance for the recent All-California BRAG Tour. I thought at first that I would relate this story that evening on BADWEB upon return home, but I elected to keep it to myself, as it seemed a little too personal. Now it seems entirely appropriate.
I was in my truck, it was a bright, sunny day, and I was driving down a particularly gorgeous stretch of Old Stage Road just after it crosses into Tulare County. This area is very green and pastoral, a rugged, remote valley that sees very little traffic. A slight movement out of the corner of my eye got my attention, and I slowed to investigate.
There, fluttering in a gentle breeze, was a blue balloon, tethered tenuously to the ground by the weight of two other balloons that were deflated and lifeless. As I drew closer, it became apparent that this had been part of some sort of festive arrangement at one time, perhaps for a child's birthday or some other joyful occasion.
I could only wonder how the balloons got here, in this far-away, wild spot, and as silly as it probably sounds, I felt respect for the little blue balloon. It was tired and weary, yet still had enough life left that it tugged gently, yet insistently, at the ribbon connecting it to the other balloons, as if pleading for it's freedom.
I knew then that my duty was to release the balloon from it's bonds, and set it free. Again, I know this probably sounds pretty off-the-wall, but you know me well enough to know it's EXACTLY something I would do.
I carefully undid the other two balloons and their ribbons, not wanting to damage the blue balloon in any way, or allow any of the precious little helium left inside it to escape. Finally it tugged at my hand unfettered from the others, seemingly with renewed vigor. It was apparent that the little blue balloon was ready to resume its mysterious journey.
I looked around for a suitable launching point, and chose a rocky outcropping several yards above me, safely away from the oak trees scattered about the hillside I was standing upon. And it wasn't until I actually released the blue balloon, with a silent wish for a successful journey, that I remembered.
In the years after my Dad's passing, whenever we'd have a birthday party or some other occasion that included a helium balloon, my kids and I would always take it out in the yard when the festivities were over, hold it aloft, and send it skyward to my Dad. "PaPa!" they would call out to him, "Here it comes!"
I'm not really sure how this tradition started, but I remember doing it many times with my son and daughter over the years, and we would always watch the balloon drift ever higher until it was too small to see. At this, our little celebration of life would be complete, and I would always feel a little closer to my kids.
As I set the blue balloon free that day, these memories came flooding back, and I started to cry. I didn't know it at first, but this chance encounter with a helpless balloon was meant to recharge the connection between me and my Dad, and as I watched the balloon ride slowly higher in the warm morning air, I sobbed and thought about good times with Dad.
The first time we went deer hunting. The first time we went salmon fishing. The first time he held my newborn son and newborn daughter.
The last time I got to tell him I loved him.
The blue balloon was indeed exhausted from its travels, and it took a long time--perhaps 20 minutes or so--for it to climb high enough that I could no longer distinguish it from the sky. I did not take my eyes from it for even a second during this time, for I knew that when it finally disappeared from sight, my Dad would have it. This exact moment was important to me, and I
could not, and did not, miss it.
I finally looked around at my surroundings again. Birds chirped in the nearby oaks, and the occasional cow mooed in the distance. Other than that all was quiet and still, and not a single vehicle had driven by during this time. I felt enriched and humbled by this chance encounter with life and soul, and grateful for the ability to appreciate such a simple act of love and devotion.
And as I climbed into my truck to continue my duties, the radio, which was tuned to a distant classic rock station, softly spoke these words: "Butterflies are free to fly, fly away, high away, bye bye." Through a new round of tears I listened to Sir Elton John sing as if he had just witnessed my encounter with my father, yet I was able to manage a chuckle as I looked out the window to the heavens and said, again, "Hello, Dad!"
JB2, I am sorry for yours and your family's huge loss, and I'm sorry you didn't get to say good-bye to your Dad.
I also know something that you cannot yet know: As the hours, and days, and weeks, and months, and years go by, there WILL be many opportunities to say, "Hello, Dad!", and I'm certain that he'll cherish these opportunities as much as you.
Your friend in sorrow, your friend in happiness, your friend in riding, your friend in life.
Ferris Bueller
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 25, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 07:46 pm: |
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Dick and Barbara's choice of "formal" wear left no doubt where their hearts are.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 24, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 07:46 pm: |
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look at the look. i bet Barbara has done some living in her life.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 24, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 07:47 pm: |
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Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 07:48 pm: |
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Madduck, this is the young man who serviced your Uly, with an able assist from Bruce Zimmerman.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 24, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 07:49 pm: |
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Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 07:50 pm: |
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please meet Parker DaVatz, Topeka H-D/Buell's Buell tech. Parker lives in Lawrence, KS and has been at Topeka H-D/B for three years.
and he is a very nice, polite, and professional young man.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 24, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 07:51 pm: |
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Chris Canfield enjoying Topeka H-D/B's most excellent museum.
Chris cracked me up. i was TRYING to tell the tale of how Court first infected me with the Buell madness, way back in '96 in the days leading up to the first Blue Groove. (it's a great story, remind me to tell you some time...)
and every time i'd give Court props for this or that, Chris would roll her eyes and get the most pained expression on her face.
always with a smile, of course, but she struggled mightily with the concept of Court being held in such high regard, and i bet when these two get together it's HILARIOUS.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 24, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 07:52 pm: |
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these are some pix of some pix from a photo album that Dick and Barbara brought.
the Blast and sidecar combo is a Bonneville record holder, ridden and built (with an assist from Dick) by their son Ray German.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 26, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 07:52 pm: |
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Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 07:53 pm: |
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Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 07:53 pm: |
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it was plainly obvious that Dick and Barbara are VERY proud of their son and his accomplishments, and proud of their help building the bike and sidecar.
Dick says that "DickBuilt" is a play on "PeterBilt."
i would LOVE to have one of these stickers for my garage.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 26, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 07:54 pm: |
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Madduck, exactly two people rode your Ulysses during FBRAT: me, and Parker DaVatz, shown here heading out on a test ride after the service work.
it was, he said, the first Uly he had ridden.
tough shot, this one, it was much darker than it looks, long exposure, mucho digital lag, lucky to have gotten anything, and turned out to be a wonderful documentary photo.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 26, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 07:55 pm: |
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while Parker was out doing the Uly thing i wandered around and tried to get some "atmosphere" pix of the place.
this row of businesses abuts the dealership. pretty cool.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 26, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 07:56 pm: |
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this pic sucks, but i couldn't resist. i was across the street, trying to get a "landscape" shot of Topeka H-D/B's building, when i noticed the sun was just cresting the horizon.
the BAD news was that there was a bunch of "civilization" in the way of a good pic, and i didn't have time to do anything about it other than set the camera to max digital zoom, hold it up against a street sign to steady it, and squeeze the trigger.
any way you slice it the photograph sucks, but the colors sure are pretty.
(i think it says something when your bike is out on a test ride after it's 1k service, and the sun is only just NOW coming up. Topeka ROCKS!)
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 26, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 07:58 pm: |
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here's one of the "landscape" pix i was after. i was told that the dealership, way back in the "old days," was a county vehicle maintenance facility.
it's a gorgeously hand-crafted building, much better utilized in its present role.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 26, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 07:59 pm: |
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Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 08:00 pm: |
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Parker returns.
good to see i'm not the only one who can't touch the ground.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 26, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 08:00 pm: |
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a poor shot inside Topeka H-D/B's showroom. it's REALLY dark in this photo, as the business wasn't even open yet and none of the lights were on, and it only looks this light because the camera wanted it to be that way, hence the fuzzy (hand-held and long exposure) pic quality.
see the Uly in the distance?
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 26, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 08:01 pm: |
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Dick German admiring the new 2006 Buell Lightning SL (Stretch Limo).
major apologies about the pic quality. it was SO dark...
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 26, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 08:02 pm: |
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this is how dark it really was, but the flash on my camera has a limited reach.
somewhere in there the boys are admiring Topeka's new Ulysses.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 26, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 08:03 pm: |
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go figure, Prior ended up in the museum looking at motorcycles that are combat-ready.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 26, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 08:03 pm: |
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now HERE is a prince of a guy, Topeka H-D/Buell's Bruce Zimmeran, Service Director Extraordinaire and Resident Comedian.
when asked to strike a pose on Madduck's Uly, at first what i got what classic Bruce, twinkling eyes and an electric smile, sort of a cross between Virgin Air's Richard Branson and, well, Dennis the Menace.
but by the time my camera clicked Bruce had changed his mind about who he wanted to be, and adopted this "shock and awe" look just as the camera fired.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 27, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 08:04 pm: |
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now then, here's the truth: i was in a pickle. the agenda i'd hatched for FBRAT meant this day was a long one, no way around it. and it meant that Madduck's Ulysses needed its first service.
right here, right now.
i needed to get in and get out, early and in a hurry.
Court Canfield has for YEARS raved about Harley-Davidson/Buell of Topeka, and when i could see no other viable option for servicing the bike, i gave Court a call.
who, in turn, called his buddy Bruce Zimmerman at Topeka, who said, "Sure!"
"Yeah, but can you be there at 6 a.m. and get him out in under two hours?"
"Sure!!!"
incredible.
Bruce Zimmerman
i called Bruce several days before i flew back to Appleton, to make sure all the elements were in place. i was nervous about the call.
Bruce could NOT have been more gracious and generous with his time, and made me feel like i was the most important person in the world.
i REALLY appreciated that.
yeah, but, holy smokes Bruce, six frikkin' a.m.???
"No prob," said the Z-man, "we'll be ready for you."
incredible.
and so it was, when me 'n Alex 'n Thunder pulled up to their door this morning at 5:58 a.m., Bruce Zimmerman and Parker DaVatz were already there, and made us feel like we were the most important people in the world.
wow.
i had told Bruce during our phone conversation that if he could have me on the road in two hours, i could then make my obligations that evening in Grand Junction, CO (Denise!) and Manitou Springs, CO (the rest of the assembled Hooligans).
well, Madduck's Uly was ready to roll in an hour and ten minutes.
go ahead, read that last sentence again. i'll go freshen my drink.
Bruce, if you'll allow me to get all Hallmark for a moment: you and Parker exemplify all that is good about this sport we love so much. i can think of a million reasons why you might have been a little grumpy this morning, called out early as it were by some nimrod riding someone else's Buell across the country thinking HIS agenda was the ONLY agenda.
what we got instead was a textbook definition of professionalism, passion, adventure, and camaraderie. you made us feel MORE than welcome, and at all times with a smile on your face and a gleam in your eye.
i couldn't have done this trip without yours and Parker's help, simple as that.
i thank you both.
finally, before i move on, a million thanks also to Court Canfield, who helped me get into this Buell "thing" in the first place, and who is STILL helping me, nearly a decade later.
thank you, my friend.
AND to Chris Canfield, all the same and more to you! certainly YOU had better things to do at six in the morning than feed and entertain the likes of us, yet there you were, with a smile as infectious as Bruce and Parker's, along with open arms and down-home hospitality.
thank you.
and to Dick and Barbara German. my eyes are a little wet as i type these words. thank you for your treasured gift this morning, the gift of friendship, love and respect.
thank you.
last (for now), but not least, thanks to my friend Alex Prior, a true soul brother if there ever was one.
as FBRAT developed, Alex signed on for more and more, pulling some "dirty tricks" at work, even, so he could go riding around the country with me.
clear to Las Vegas!
alas, reality reared its ugly head when his boss at John Deere in Iowa told him to get his arse back to work, FBRAT be damned.
Alex had been with this gig in spirit and flesh from the beginning, but this morning Thunder and i would hang a left and go west, and Alex would hang a right and head east, back toward the Mississippi River and home.
Alex, your friendship is priceless. thanks for your passion and enthusiasm. i STILL can't believe we played catch on the Field of Dreams! thanks for showing me 'n the Wizard a good time on the way to Illinois, and thanks for everything else.
there's a ton more i could say, but i think you catch my drift. i'm looking forward to our NEXT adventure!
ok, with that, FBRAT continues, across Kansas.
Kansas.
it ain't the end of the world, i've been told, but apparently one can see it from there.
more to come.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 27, 2005) |
Court
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 08:33 pm: |
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The two pictures above are "significant" in the history of Buell.
Bruce, in addition to being the son of Zeke who has been to Alaska 7 times aboard a bike, was an accomplished racer in his own right.
He has a long and wonderful history with Buells and may have been closer to Fran Crane than anyone in the world of Buell.
Thank you for the wonderful photographs and memories.
By the way . . . cool pic of my sister with the ol RR-1000!
Court |
Dbird29
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm: |
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That's all nice and stuff but where's Hays, KS?
The most important stop on the trip?
DBird & LBird
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Dtx
| | Posted on Saturday, September 24, 2005 - 03:23 am: |
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I met Bruce Zimmerman today at Topeka HD for the first time. What a great guy. We talked Buells and shot the s@#*. He started to tell me how this guy from California rode a Uly across the country. I listened to the story for a bit and then told him I was on a small leg of the trip. Its great hearing about it from other people and even greater being able to say I was there!
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Charlieboy6649
| | Posted on Saturday, September 24, 2005 - 10:19 am: |
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It's always fun being part of something bigger/better than your daily grind huh... Living vicariously doesn't quite say it Ferris!!! |
Sparky
| | Posted on Saturday, September 24, 2005 - 10:44 pm: |
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Charlieboy is right. I'm glad to be a small part of the trip too.
Ferris, all these pictures describing your epic journey (story) are priceless. However I sense that each picture describes a side story linking the reason for each picture to the bigger story that is the theme to the epic story "Ferris Bueller Rides Again Tour".
Is there forthcoming from your journey an epic tome describing in detail the pathos that you experienced daily while travelling from state to state accompanying each picture?
Just wondering,
Sparky |
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