The official Grattan update thread!

[SheepOfBlue]

You drove straight through.....? You are nuttier than previously thought.

Power naps on the way

[LolaBunny]

About 7 1/2 hours left to drive until arriving at our destination. Another track day in NY on Friday, but nothing compares to my Grattan family!

Trying to stay awake- car rides make me sleepy!

[RedRider]

We've been back on the road for over an hour now. No SWAT teams at the hotel this morning! We'll be stopping at HG's sister's in PA to pick up the dog, then continue to NJ.

Again, great seeing everyone. I already am looking forward to next year!

Sorry I didn't get a chance to say good bye to you and HG. I was so preoccupied with getting my car unlocked (yes...keys were inside ) I forgot to look for you guys before I left. Hope you have a safe trip back home!

[Richard636]

Well, I'm just got in not to long ago.

Rob and I slept in the truck and Corey got us to the border from Grattan, then to his house. We were too tired and hungover (Rob) to keep going so we slept there. After going for breakfast this morning, Rob and I set out for my place and happened to spot a white toy hauler being towed by a white Toyota merging onto the highway. What the duece! Sure enough it was E and V. They followed Rob and I to my place about an hour west of Toronto. They just left not too long ago.

It really was an honor to meet all of you. What a great bunch of super nice and genuine people. I can't wait to be back next year.

[SheepOfBlue]

Video from when everyone was getting ready for the two up.

Oh and if anyone has a still picture of me coming on to the front straight on day #1 or #3 I would be interested (if more than one I want the least slow one )

[maxib]

mrsmaxib and I arrived safely at about 1500 hours today. It took another 30 minutes to back the trailer up to the garage because the neighbor's landscaping crew had heavy equipment and trailers all over the place, but I finally did it without smashing the front of the truck or taking out the mailbox! After unloading the trailer, Barb decided to crash on the couch while I went for a few things for the refrigerator...my son hoovered everything out of it while we were gone. At least the house was still standing. We will let the root beer keg settle and will collect a couple gallons for ourselves and friends before returning it tomorrow. We were very glad to bring it to Grattan and that everyone seems to like it!

abtech asked me in the thank you thread why I did not ride as he did not know that I did not (more properly could not) ride this year. It was certainly not by choice. I had my best year at Grattan last year and was very looking forward to this year.

The bike passed tech with two donated zip ties from Pete (thank you), and the gear all passed tech.

I did not pass tech.

I can live with the arthritis in both ankles, left knee, hip and shoulder. However, I have to stand while doing surgery and I have massive varicosities with dependent lymphedema despite blood pressure being under very good control. In fact, I just took it...121/71 pulse 80.

So I am gearing up for my first session and cannot zip my right leathers completely to the ankle. It was not much, maybe an inch at best, so I put on my boot and could only get it closed to just above the ankle bone. We even tried mrsmaxib pushing the boot together while I pulled with a ViceGrip on the zipper pull. We achieved another 1/8th inch of closure with a ten fold increase in pain. Well, that won't work let's try the other pair of boots I have. No difference...and all the gear fit perfectly two weeks ago!

My feet fit into the boots fine. It was everything above the feet that were way bigger than normal, so I put on some tight compression socks hoping to reduce the swelling to get a boot on for the afternoon session. Good plan, didn't work.

So I watched the sessions, ogled the bikes and let jetbdude take my bike out for the two up.

I wore the compression socks all night with my feet up in the air on extra pillows. The next day, I still could not get my gear on. While shooting the breeze with Sheep I showed him and his reply was "you GOT some water down there". If an Engineer type can see it, it must have been bad. I half heartedly hoped I could find boots, but my leathers still would have been a problem.

So I just resigned myself to enjoying the sights, the sounds, the people and the food. The last time I saw Z was the year I crushed my heel...and I actually got to meet SSG whom I thought really did not exist. (Met his lovely wife as well!) Seeing old and new friends in general is a treat. It was still a very good time for me!

Other notes...I would like my money back from NH and TAZ that I paid them under the table to make me look fast, as I never got on the track. As NH injured himself over a bird, he can repay in installments.

CBRVFR...could not make it to Elderly Music. They open at 1100 which, with all the time I could waste there, would have put us way off schedule. Maybe next time. Also, the echocardiogram came back abnormal.

Timbers dinner is always bittersweet. It is the best of company and food, yet it must come to an end (or we all go to jail!). I feel sad that I did not have a chance to meet all the new people or be able to say goodbye to all I know, but there is always next year!

Now, does anyone know of a source for making custom fit ARMORED boots?

[maxib]

One last thing...

I think it would be a good thing for everyone who attended to report back to let us all know you are safe at home whenever you get home.

Thanks

[DJChyk]

Tornado B8 & I arrived home about two hours ago, where we were met with extremely vigorous hugs and kisses!!! Very nice Guess they missed us as much as we missed them. We split the 11-hour drive back to KC and stayed the night in Pontiac, IL last night, then hit the road mid-morning today.

WOW - what an adventure! It's amazing that the common thread we all share is so very strong & vital. We are blessed indeed. I'm already requesting vaca for next year

[DJChyk]

One last thing...

I think it would be a good thing for everyone who attended to report back to let us all know you are safe at home whenever you get home.

Thanks

Was just thinking the same thing...

[gt702]

HI All,
I made it home safely yesterday afternoon, but got to work on my other tasks, so just checking in. It was a great event.

MaxiB, sorry you had the leg issues. If it happens again, be sure to check around for other people's boots. I'm sure we'd be able to stuff shop towels in a "too big" boot to adapt to the situation. And the root beer was great. Thanks.

[nhfirefighter13]

We just pulled into Olean, NY for the night. Going to finish the rest of the journey home tomorrow. I needed to stretch out for a bit and get out of the truck.

[nhfirefighter13]

As NH injured himself over a bird, he can repay in installments.

For those that may possibly be wondering about it, this is the damn bird that did me in. She's much more vicious than she looks. Part pterodactyl, I think.
bird.jpg

[Firefly]

For those that may possibly be wondering about it, this is the damn bird that did me in. She's much more vicious than she looks. Part pterodactyl, I think.
Attachment 15517

A momma will do anything for her babies...even photographers should know that!

[nhfirefighter13]

Of course, Hammer decided to play with this one:
hawk.jpg


And really, what's up with you iphone people?!
iphone.jpg

A certain Red Sox fan didn't find this funny:
AROD.jpg

[08silvercbr]

Video from when everyone was getting ready for the two up.

Oh and if anyone has a still picture of me coming on to the front straight on day #1 or #3 I would be interested (if more than one I want the least slow one )

Did you get the following 15 min of footage out of the cam yet as well? When you do post it up. MrsSilver says get crackin'

[nhfirefighter13]

MCADX Magazine at work
mcadxatwork.jpg

[SheepOfBlue]

Did you get the following 15 min of footage out of the cam yet as well? When you do post it up. MrsSilver says get crackin'

PM me your address that file is 1GB for the whole session I will burn it to DVD in a couple of formats for you

[Jetbdude]

We are just 1.5 hours way from home. We stoped at my brothers place for the night. We'll talk to you all later, I'm toast.

[bwhip]

14 hours and 40 minutes today, finally in Laramie, WY for the night. This is how I feel .

Gotta make a slight detour tomorrow to drop off a certain smoking Aprilia at Salt Lake Motorsports, so that'll make it about 12 hours of driving tomorrow. I'm sure kwhip has a nice long list of honey-do's for me, with one of them being new dog photos I'm sure.

[RR_MIKE]

For those that may possibly be wondering about it, this is the damn bird that did me in. She's much more vicious than she looks. Part pterodactyl, I think.
Attachment 15517

that there is a killdeer i do believe sir..i thought i heard some when i was eat'n lunch monday..i have tons of them damn things around my house in the country..they nest on the ground.they do the fake broken wing thing,and try to lead you away if ya get close to there nest...noisy bazzzzztids they are..bummer about the knee man..sorry to hear about that...hope its nothing serious..

[nhfirefighter13]

A Killdeer? It kills deer?! I'm lucky I made it out of there alive!

[maxib]

Take care to get home safely bwhip.

Yes indeed, that was a killdeer. I think SoB got it stirred up before you got there NH. I hope you feel better soon.

[RR_MIKE]

A Killdeer? It kills deer?! I'm lucky I made it out of there alive!

hahahahahahahahahaha..thats funny right there....but im be'n serious man,thats really what there called lol....you should see what my neighbors attack chickens with there ninja like skills do to'm lol......but actually im really suprised that hawk or whatever it was didnt wig out and come scream'n down at us lol..theres a bald eagles nest the road behind mine along the river.. its pretty cool see'n them out soar'n around..we usually see them at least 2-3 times a week when me and the ol'lady are outside.. really beautiful birds..

[nhfirefighter13]

A little Killdeer messed me up good...I'll leave the Bald Eagles and Hawks alone.

[maxib]

WOW - what an adventure! It's amazing that the common thread we all share is so very strong & vital. We are blessed indeed. I'm already requesting vaca for next year

This really says it all. I would really like to hear a recording of what djchyk has to say about this on the radio! Then again, it might be best to keep this our little secret! It was very nice to meet in person at the last moment when we left Timbers chyck!

HI All,
I made it home safely yesterday afternoon, but got to work on my other tasks, so just checking in. It was a great event.

MaxiB, sorry you had the leg issues. If it happens again, be sure to check around for other people's boots. I'm sure we'd be able to stuff shop towels in a "too big" boot to adapt to the situation. And the root beer was great. Thanks.

Thanks gt702. Someone suggested I try Depo's boots, but I was not certain if I could handle boots that went up to my knees... Frank!

All in all, it was a very good time, and I thank all of you for making it so.

[seamus]

...You cali boys have no excuse next year!...

There's a Cali boy who owes me $37k for a phone....

[HondaGalToo]

Sorry I didn't get a chance to say good bye to you and HG. I was so preoccupied with getting my car unlocked (yes...keys were inside ) I forgot to look for you guys before I left. Hope you have a safe trip back home!

No worries! We saw the guy with the flatbed truck pull in and ask about keys locked in a vehicle, and directed him down your way! Great seeing and riding with you again! Can't wait to do it next year!

[HondaGal]

A Killdeer? It kills deer?! I'm lucky I made it out of there alive!

We'll vouch for you NH, we saw the entire event. We were surprised to see you on the ground. The male kildeer that swooped in and tried to carry you away must have been mighty angry. Who knew those birds were that vicious.

[RR_MIKE]

We'll vouch for you NH, we saw the entire event. We were surprised to see you on the ground. The male kildeer that swooped in and tried to carry you away must have been mighty angry. Who knew those birds were that vicious.

lol im still laugh'n about him get'n his azz kicked by a bird hahahaha... not laugh'n about the knee, just the bird call'n him out hahahahahaha...

[MrsStrangeGuy]

Are we there YET?!?!?!

We followed NH and Firefly to Olean, NY and will be having breakfast with them shortly before heading out. Should be home this evening sometime...I frikken hope.