63rd Trip Around The Sun I want to thank all the people that joined me to start my “63rd Trip Around The Sun”. I had no idea I’d ever make it this far and a few times I almost sealed that doom myself but I did and I’m happy to say it’s been a blast. I have lots to be grateful for starting with my son and his wife and my brothers, Pete and Ed. Running a close second to my family are my friends. As you get older you realize that family, friends and staying regular are a few of the things that really matter the most. Friends may come and go and you hope you can too.
We had a very nice ride out to 41, up to 52 and back to NPR. Roads were clear, sky was bright and the thunderous roar of Harleys could be heard for miles. We saw some Sandhill Cranes, a buzzard holiday outing and of course the occasional Armadillo who had tried unsuccessfully to show the chicken how to cross the road. We finally pulled into Hooters and after a tour of the deck we settled on some seats in the covered patio that had some fans blowing the air around. It was actually comfortable after we got seated and a cold drink in hand.
Service was quick, orders were fairly accurate and it quieted down as people started filling their cake holes with food. Of course they eventually got around to that shouting thing the waitresses do when someone is celebrating a birthday. Yes, I had to stand and be made great sport of by my friends and these little cuties in their pushups.
It seems I was to stand with my pecker, perhaps I should say “my beak”, sticking out for everyone to see and flapping my wings as they sang some variant of “Happy Birthday” with my friends snapping away with their cell phones and cameras. Oh well, someone had to entertain them so it may as well be me.
Following lunch we climbed on our trusty Harleys and headed south on 19 and to our respective homes. Well at least I did. It was time for my nap. Mike Rieker
