Lisa's Ride

[Zrexmark]

When I was a kid my folks rented camp on a lake in Louisiana year round for about 20 years. In that line of camps, about 10, there were several families, all with kids pretty much in the same age group. About 5 doors down were the Primeaux family, Ray, Carolyn and their daughter Lisa who was 5 years younger than me and her little brother Scott who was another 5 years younger than Lisa.

Lisa was this beautiful little girl who all of us boys wished she was just a little bit older so we could enjoy her company but we knew better than risk the wrath of Ray, her father. Not that Ray was mean, just that we knew right from wrong and respect. I used to fish with Ray and we always had a good time. These people were really a second family to me when I was growing up. And Lisa's mom Carolyn was the prettiest mom on the lake, she's still a beautiful woman at 66. I really love these people.

Lisa has confided in me recently that she always had the biggest crush on me and she once told her mom that I looked like the boy from the movie Blue Lagoon. LOL!

By the time Lisa was old enough to date I had married my first wife (who she hated) and as the years went by I moved away and out of contact with a lot of old friends.

Flash forward 30 years, I built a MySpace page and start searching around and come across Lisa's page. I email and confirm that she was the pretty little girl of my youth. She's now 43, a grandmother to twin boys by her daughter. We get to chatting and the next thing I know they are coming here to TN on vacation and they want to see me. They book a room in Sevierville for this past week. I took Friday off work and get a room for Friday and Saturday night so I can see my extended family last seen 30 years ago.

On Friday we went to Dollywood and Lisa and I rode all the good rides and some of the lesser ones with her dad. We had a wonderful day catching up and having a ball.

Saturday was the highlight of the trip. Lisa and I loaded up on the bike and headed out of Wears Vally road to Townsend, then Foothills Parkway, Deal's Gap, Cherohala Skyway and lunch in Tellico with a side trip to Bald River Falls.

Lisa had only been on a motorcycle once and that was 20 years ago on the back of sportbike with an idiot that scared the life out her. I assured her that her safety, comfort and pleasure were my top priorities and that if things got to be a little too much to reign me in, it wouldn't be a problem. She was an excellent passenger and only reigned me in twice (I still had a lot in reserve).

When we got to the store I introduced Lisa to Ben, the general manager of Deal's Gap Motorcycle Resort (handsome devil and a sweet guy according to Lisa). Ben assured her that she was in good hands and paid me the highest of compliments. Thanks Ben (checks in the mail).

In all we covered 274 miles 2 up without any near misses or drama. Lisa told me that that ride was the highlight of her trip and a lifetime memory that she will be talking about for a long time. She also confided that I was still that handsome guy she had the biggest crush on so many years ago, just with a lot less curly hair.

For me, well what can I say, it's hard to beat a day being wrapped up with a beautiful girl all day, it was great and I didn't want it to end.

Above all I want to thank my wife for being open minded and trusting enough to let me spend the weekend with another woman and was really glad when I got home that we all had a good time. Laura is the best!

Lisa, lets not let another 30 years go by before we see each other again, I'll miss you dearly until then.

[FishWitch]

What a great reunion of old friends!

We just had a Victory meeting and one of the guys said he had his first date since his divorce with a gal, so we persuaded him to bring her along. Might as well find out if she was going to enjoy riding before getting to involved I say. Anyhow we were talking and they had been good friends 20 years ago and had just run across each other after several years last weekend at a party. Julie is a great sport and had a ball on her first ever motorcycle adventure.

Just goes to show you what great folks and friends riders are.

[JeffeVerde]

Originally Posted by FishWitch

. . . so we persuaded him to bring her along. Might as well find out if she was going to enjoy riding before getting to involved I say. . .

I like your date screening, Syd -- "Who cares if you like her. Does she get along with your riding buddies? That's what matters!" :P

[demenshea]

What a GREAT tale Mark! I love this sort of fortuitous meetings of old friends and what a bonus she loved riding with you.

I do hope you are able to go again a bit sooner!! Oh and btw, your wife is a gem. There are many women who would NOT be comfortable with this sort of thing. Kudos to her!!

[Zrexmark]

More pic from the weekend with Lisa and her parents, Ray and Carolyn.

[Zrexmark]

We spent a day at Dollywood riding coasters and having a good time.

[demenshea]

More wonderful shots of everyone having fun!!! Those are excellent!!

[Zrexmark]

Thanks Donna. I'm going to be headed out to Reno sometime soon, not sure of the dates yet, and plan on renting a bike and riding to the coast to meet my wife's nephew for a ride. I'm hoping to meet some of the Cali crew when I do. Maybe we'll have a chance to get a ride in, I'll need a good tour guide.