2014 winter vacation

[RACNRAY]

I close my shop this time of the year and went up to north Fla to surprise my childhood buddy for New Years. He is in really bad health and I wanted to be there for a few days. He did not know I was comin and was really surprised, I had to putt putt onto his property so he would not here me comin in.

Here's some pics from on the way up...

On the first day of my vacation I knew I was on the right road and the right path...



And another mileage milestone...



And after getting back home I am only 56 mls away from 71,000 mls!!!

RACNRAY

[a340driver]

That's awesome .. I plan on pulling a visit on my old buddy. Don't think I'll take my bike though, he's moved to Texas. I'd love to here more of your reunion story.

[RACNRAY]

I was up there last Christmas and as this past year transpired I had a feeling he was not in good spirits, we talk just about every day. My heart told me to surprise him. About 20 miles from his house I called him and we talked, I spoke as if I was down in my area (Hallandale Beach) and told him I was thinkin bout heading down into Key Largo for lunch, then I showed up at his house shortly after that. The look on his face was utter surprise, and confusion!!!

He lives with his 33 y/o autistic son who is a hoot with his sense of humor. They both live with Billy's mom, who was like a second mom to me when I was growin up.

I am glad I went as it was a shock to see how his health had deteriorated over the past year and me being there brought his and his son's spirits up. I took them to the movies NYD as they have not been to the movies in years.

Best part is how I sneaked up there to surprise him, i'll never forget the look on his face1

RACNRAY

[blowndodge]

Memories Ray. That's all we take with us.

[canuckrider]

There is nothing quite like seeing old friends!

[strpipe]

mr ray i just joined the forum. i had been reading about your throttle mod and would like info about it. i would like a pm , whatever that is. i have a new 2014 vaquero. rbtbond
@live.com. yhanks, robert

[redjay]

A PM is a private message. If you click on the name of the person you want to send a PM to a dialogue box will open for you to type in the message.

Find one of your posts, click on your name (strpipe) and you will see what I mean.

Find a post by Racnray and click on his name to open the Private Message dialogue box.

[robjob]

That's awesome Ray. There is nothing like a good surprise - Lord knows we all get enough bad ones. Must have been really hard to coast into his place and not be heard. Good job

[JPB]

Great read and good on you for going. I lost contact with my best childhood friend (and best man) and finally located him 8 months ago. Called and we planned a reunion but unfortunately 2 months later he went to the ER with stomach pain and died of cancer a week or so later.

[RACNRAY]

Originally Posted by robjob

That's awesome Ray. There is nothing like a good surprise - Lord knows we all get enough bad ones. Must have been really hard to coast into his place and not be heard. Good job

I really had to putt putt in, it helped that he did not expect me as I was headin down to Key Largo!!!

[RACNRAY]

Originally Posted by JPB

Great read and good on you for going. I lost contact with my best childhood friend (and best man) and finally located him 8 months ago. Called and we planned a reunion but unfortunately 2 months later he went to the ER with stomach pain and died of cancer a week or so later.

WOW...so sorry to hear. The two of you are blessed in that you did have that last contact b4 he passed.

[RACNRAY]

Originally Posted by strpipe

mr ray i just joined the forum. i had been reading about your throttle mod and would like info about it. i would like a pm , whatever that is. i have a new 2014 vaquero. rbtbond
@live.com. yhanks, robert

pm has been sent.

THANX

RACNRAY