Looking for Cheese

[hppants]

“The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you find new cheese.”

Spencer Johnson, author.

It has been a rough year for my wife. An elementary school teacher of nearly 22 years, the profession has beat her down like a sway back mule. What started as a God given talent for teaching young people how to think for themselves has evolved into a glorified baby sitting factory where they indoctrinate people by their test taking skills. The passion out weighed the struggle until this year, when it started making her physically ill. After several months of yelling, praying, and crying, she has finally decided to give it up. We have no idea what comes next and for now, that is OK.

This has turned out to be a life development exercise for Pants. I am way out of my box now. This is absolutely out of my hands and my sole function here is to be supportive. My incentive for this is that I get my wife back and that is a pretty good carrot to follow.

So they’ve moved our cheese. We can either sit in the corner and suck our thumbs, or go find some new cheese.

We’ve chosen the latter. Hope you enjoy the pics.

With the weekend weather looking fantastic, I started hinting about adventurous plans with my wife early in the week. Normally, this suggestion would be met with the obligatory “Nah – I have papers to grade or lesson plans or bla blab bla”. But that is not a concern right now so I was very pleased with the excitement exhibited by my bride of 27 years. We decided to take the scenic route up to Kincaid Recreational Area:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/kisatchie/null/recarea/?recid=34625&actid=82

Our friends Mike and Pam are camping there, and we joined them for a picnic. Ms. Transformer is looking quite well this morning.

I packed lunch shoes, shorts, OTC meds, lipstick, and a partridge in a pear tree into the FJR Sherpa!

After a short ride north into the country, we stopped in Arnaudville at this quaint little restaurant.

The annuals are looking very colorful in the Fall sun.

We grabbed some delicious looking chocolate chip caramel cookies for dessert later.

Tammy caught me working on my jump shot. Swish!!!

Heading north through the desolate rural state highways, we are enjoying the wonderful Gulf Coast fall weather. Humidity and wind are non-existent, the temperature is in the upper 60s, and there is not a cloud in the sky. We stopped in the village of Lebeau to receive gasoline liquid, and to donate some personal liquid.

I stop here every now and then and always enjoy looking at the taxidermy.

This snapping turtle is estimated to be well over 100 years old when it was killed.

This alligator was a smidge over 13 feet long.

My wife asked me what I meant by “Next stop is the BIG cow”. I told her when we got there, she would know it.

Meanwhile, the cookies are doing just fine…

It is getting close to lunch time, so we hop on the slab for about 20 miles to shorten the route. Soon we arrive at the campground and were greeted very warmly by Ms. Pam.

I think they have set up their weekend home very nice.

We sat down and enjoyed our lunch. Ham sandwiches, some kettle chips, and a few grapes. Nothing special except of course the aforementioned dessert.

After some more conversation, we decided to take a walk. A little information in case any of you are interested in where we are.

A quick check of the park map reveals that the multi-use trails follow the lake shore.

And so off we go!

Plenty of cheese our here.

The kids are having fun.

Pam is having fun as well.

 

[hppants]

We walk along the trail stopping every once in a while to sniff.

I found a large pine tree cut down and counted its annual rings. Based on my count, we opined that the largest trees in the woods were likely planted during the CCC days when the Forest Service was getting going. During the Great Depression, the entire area was clear cut for timber. I thought to myself how thankful we should be that the forest was replanted.

I asked my wife if she thought I should grow a Duck Dynasty beard. The response was not very enthusiastic.

We wandered back to the campsite for some more conversation. Around 3:30 pm, Tammy and I decided to head home. Not a bad looking couple if I don’t say so myself.

“Yes Ma’am Ms. Pam, I promise to be careful riding home!”

We rode south through the shade of the Kistachie National Forest. At Forest Hill, we got on the slab for a more direct ride home. The interstate was desolate with the entire State getting set to watch the LSU football game. So I pushed the big girl up to around 85, raised the windscreen, and enjoyed my tunes in peace for an hour or so.

Ten miles from home, our stomachs started growling, so we stopped at one of our favorite restaurants.

We ordered Shrimp Acadiana for an appetizer. Great stuff!!

Very appropriately, we both ordered CHEESE burgers. Tammy picked swiss cheese, bacon crumbles, a cooked egg, some grass, and the same sauce we enjoyed with our appetizer.

Mine had blue cheese, bacon crumbles, grass, and a delicious vinaigrette.

From there, it was just a short skip home to complete a wonderful 275 mile ride. I had plenty of time to put the horse in her stable and catch the game well before the end of the first quarter.

So we didn’t find much cheese, but we know where the dairy is. It’s out there, everywhere.

(Tammy) “Thank you for taking me on your adventure today.”

(Pants) “It was OUR adventure. And it was my pleasure.”

Stay thirsty, my friends..

 

[Frushlorton]

Thanks for sharing. I have recommended that book to several friends. It may be time for me to re-read as well. Best of luck in the search.

 

[gregory]

Congrats on the search for new cheese, life is too short as it is, to be in a place you no longer belong. I have no doubt the search for new cheese will be fruitful. 22 years of inspiring young minds is one hell of a sum to have in the Karma bank.

Enjoy your adventure.

Greg

 

[Geezer]

Mmmmmm, cheese is good, especially new cheese.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Did your wife ask you why you were taking pictures of food? My wife did that when we first started to riding together.

Here's to many enjoyable miles for the both of you!

 

[101stpathfinder]

Last month when I did the Mississippi Headwaters ride I got to visit a close friend in Monroe, LA. His girlfriend is also a teacher and she also expressed very similar thoughts about teaching

there. My wish for your wife would be that she finds the "Cheese" that is right for her. Thank her from most of us for the teaching that she has done over the years.

Nice story with some good pics!

One question though… Is your wife tiny or are you Tall ? … OR a combination?

 

[bluesdog]

 

[Redfish Hunter]

^^^ Excellent parody of Annie Lennox, I think she was still with the Eurythmics when that song was released. Good Stuff.

Well my friend, now you have a problem. Or rather, you have problems.

Unless she finds another job soon you had better pick the direction your spending will take. I know that your disposable income just dropped but this is no time for half measures. You need to by a new motorcycle. You owe this to your wife.

You NEED a new electronic suspension FJR. You NEED to buy a larger top box. You will probably not be tent camping as often with the wife along. She will be much more comfortable and happy on the Gen3 with its larger, roomier passenger accommodations. She will enjoy the smoother, more controlled ride of the new suspension.

Without the crushing weight of her teaching responsibilities and with new found freedom of vacation timing you and Miss Tammy can start taking motorcycle trips to beautiful places.

If my wife would ride with me and there were no other way... I would be willing to ride a Harley Ultra painted pink towing a trailer. Seriously, I would do damned near anything to get Mrs. Redfish to do this with me. You are fortunate in many ways.

 

[hppants]

Thank you for reading my report. Admittedly, this one was a little therapeutic for me.

Frushlorton - Spencer Johnson is a genius. While I read constantly at work, I usually don't care for anything fiction.

Wheaton - I've been doing this ride report thing for a while. SWMBO is quite familiar with the concept of food ****.

101STpathfinder - I do remember your recent coast-to-coast-to-coast-to-coast (etc) journey. I was regretful that I couldn't meet you up there in Monroe for a little Louisiana hospitality - maybe another time. I was amazed at how many teachers in our State (and really nation wide) are going through this same challenge and struggle. My wife is 5'-0" (and a good hair day) and I'm just short of 6'-1". Quite a bit different in height, don't you think?

R/H - my good friend, as of this month, my spending habits have been considerably altered indefinitely. There's not going to be a new 'ES in my stable any time soon, but I'm quite fine with that. At 55K, my Gen I has plenty of life left and honestly, I really do like my motorcycle. In the grand scheme of things, one of my old grandmother's (RIP) sayings holds true.... "Son, like any good virus, this too shall pass."

Cheers.

 

[BkerChuck]

hppants, my wife and I always enjoy reading your ride reports. We had a similar situation in our lives a few years ago when job cuts took my wife's job and we spent a period of about 7 months with her not working. Thankfully, and I'm quite sure it will be the case for you as well, it all worked out. Life sometimes throws us curves like that and the only thing we can do is continue onward striving for the best.

I'm very fortunate in that my other half loves to ride and has had her own bike for almost 20 years now. Occasionally she'll get on the back but most of the time prefers to ride her own. We love to take off on those sort of one day excursions to clear the mind and refresh the soul.

Best of luck to your and your wife in whatever direction you head.

 

[Top_Speed1]

Thanks 'Pants for the report. I enjoyed it and my g/f Debbie is a school teach as well. She has the very young'ins, but, this years group has been the worst for her. I think she is due for a stress reliever as well.

Thanks for the tip and, I vote for the Duck-Dynasty beard!

 

[Uncle Hud]

Sympathies to the Pants family. For 30 years, I've been able to make a living doing something I find fun, rewarding, and a benefit to society. I cannot imagine how Mrs. Pants feels, having her inner light slowly snuffed. The silver lining is that you -- Mr. Pants -- have an opportunity to recruit your own Biker Babe and riding partner! Don't blow it!

Safe rides, and I hope she finds something soon to re-light her candle.

 

[FJRBandit]

You've had some good'uns through the years Pants, but this report makes me smile the most! The two of you could have just sat around the house and sulked all weekend. But like you said, you got your butts up and headed out looking for some new cheese. Right on brother!

My wife and I had a very similar ride on my Veeee-strom Saturday. Except we rode down to Auburn to visit friends tailgating before the game with the Cocks. We picked up some fried pies along the way as our contribution to the festivities. The gang had done soup and sandwiches as their pot luck food theme that day, so the fried pie with vanilla ice cream fit right in (when does fried pie not fit right in, right?). We enjoyed our visit then saddled back up for the 2 hour trek back home. Made it just in time for the kick off of the game that took place at the stadium five blocks from where we had just been. My dumb azz didn't even take any pictures!

I wish you and your lovely wife the best in the days and weeks going forward. The most important thing is that she is happy and enjoys life instead of stressing over it. The best part about it is it sounds like you are developing a regular riding partner to enjoy your adventures along with you.

 

[mikep1300]

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

 

[steveoreno]

Thanks for the ride report and good luck on your adventures. Me and the sweetie look forward to the time when every day is a Saturday.

 

[hppants]

After considerable discussion, and even a little humble begging, my wife's principal has convinced her to stay at least until Thanksgiving. She would not have left those kids teacher-less anyway. Regardless, the transformation over the past couple of weeks has been remarkable. There's a clear gitty-up in her hitch lately and it's very good to see her smiling and laughing again. Where there was recently an air of tension and stress in our home, now I get the old sense of peace and relaxation. I have to work the football game all day Saturday, but we've been discussing possibilities for Sunday. Good stuff.

Oh - and this new attitude has been extended to all of the rooms in the house. All of them.

She continues to search for other career choices. She is keeping up with this thread and wishes to thank all of you for your well wishes.

 

[FJReady]

Nice report, Pants. Very inspiring. Thanks for sharing! Good luck to you and your bride on the next chapter...

 

[BigOgre]

Great post to start the morning with 'Pants. Good on you all and thanks for the laugh.