10-21-06 The Hunt For Red October

I called this ride the Hunt for Red October because we were in search for the emerging Fall Color. After two long weeks of brutal go-live support on a massive project at work I needed some saddle time. I would prefer my Royal Star for such rides but as its in permanent backorder hell in need of a part from mother Yamaha to fix its clutch that wasn’t an option. I called the ride for the club so about 6 other folks met me at the 29 dreams motorcycle resort for the buffet breakfast. The resort is a place in Vandiver, AL just inside of Shelby county where motorcycles gather every weekend. They have cabins, camping, a stage with bands, a full restaurant and bar as well as a repair shop and goodie store. No cars are allowed. This day there were many vintage bikes in town because of the Vintage motorcycle rally at Barbers Motorsports park. We left 29 about 9:30AM, I didn’t have a plan that morning but decided to head up towards Gadsden. The trip to Gadsden soon grew into a swing through Little River Canyon and out to Desoto State park for lunch. The Lodge at Desoto has long been a favorite destination for lunch as it is usually good. The sign said buffet lunch but when we got in there the buffet was empty. A rather unattractive woman came out and handed us some menu’s and said “The buffet’s empty, Take the menu’s and sit down, I’m too tired to wait on you”. Needless to say she wasn’t having a good day but since the nearest competing restaurant was no less than 45 minutes away we sat down anyway. Another lady did wait on us but was spread a little thin. We had to hunt down our own silverware and napkins. The food was OK, but I don’t think I’m going to be able to recommend the Desoto lodge again. It’s a shame because Shawnette and I have had many good meals there. I have found the Alabama state park restaurants to be excellent in most cases over the years, I hope that is not going down the tubes. We took a northern route out of Desoto and up around Valley Head and then turned left on highway 11 and sailed all the way home. While going home the Alabama Tennessee game was on the radio. We stopped around Valley Head for gas and two girls in the store were decked out in Tennessee Orange, they were listening to the game on the radio and cussing loudly and without shame as Alabama was thrashing Tennessee early. I enjoyed seeing them in pain as I knew the game would eventually turn in Tennessee’s favor thanks to “MSE” a.k.a the “Mike Shula Effect” as its become known in Alabama fan circles. I’m glad I planned the trip as it was a much better way of spending an afternoon than waiting around for the Alabama Tennessee game just to see them once again find a way to lose and break my heart.