Last half year update

Wow, has it been that long since I last posted on here? I really suck at this. The Spyder now has over 18K miles on it of which I've put on over 16K miles. Had the clutch repaired under warranty several months ago. Then I couldn't drive it because I was recovering from emergency gallbladder surgery for over a month. In September my Dad passed away and about three weeks later my sister Ruth passed away too. It's been a real sucky past few months for me. Back in May I had to make the hard decision about Stumpy as his health was quickly going down hill. I sure miss my little buddy. Every time I hear the local train I think of Stumpy. I use to tell him the train was coming when I heard the train horns. He has a Geocache dedicated to him up on Chestnut Mountain in N. GA. I've lived here too long and I'm looking for another house to put my home in, away from the city. Looking for something with woods and some acreage in which to play. I like trees and the critters that live around them. Many photo ops and shade. Wood floors, fireplace for real wood, gas stove, useable garage, work space, extra bedrooms for company and a ham shack. Not looking to mow grass so not a big yard. Small field may be OK, but not to mow. I was planning to do another epic cross country trip starting the end of October. With the surgery after Labor Day weekend, those plans came to screeching halt. I was planning to see some back country areas off the beaten path. Take a course at Front Sight and then head up to see Grant Winkler and meet his wife in Montana. On the way back explore some more out of the way areas. I had bought several guide books on back road areas for reference. Maybe next year I can do a trip? I want to travel more with the Spyder and the trailer I build to pull along behind. Did that for the BRP owner's event this past June to Maggie Valley. I stayed at the Alamo Motel and it was a nice change from camping. There was some camping involved where I discovered I can't sleep on the ground any more. Sleeping in my chair in the tent sucked! I also attended the GWRRA convention in Greenville, SC last July. There were about 5-6 Spyders there out of over 9K Goldwings. Got ripped off at the Traver's Rest KOA on an over priced campsite. Trailered the Spyder up there since the clutch was going out. I have hotel reservations for next year's SpyderFest in April. I'm not going to pre-register in advance and get screwed out of promised goodies like we did at last year's event. I also don't want to deal with camping when it's so far away from most event locations. Cold, wet and camping didn't work well at this year's SpyderFest.