Yes, much has changed since our last post. We have had many travel experiences and adventures but none recorded here so we will do our very best to share some of those with you in the upcoming weeks.
We no longer ride “Black Betty” or any motorcycle though it is still in our blood to do so, Maybe again at a future time and place? Our last ride was not good. We were riding late afternoon, back roads of course, nice highway, cool breeze afternoon with not a worry in the world when suddenly came a few deer that felt a need to ruin our day.
Saw the deer up ahead crossing the road in front of us, on a slight curve, slowed down some to avoid a head on collision. When you see one or two deer you naturally look out for more that might be following. They crossed, felt safe and suddenly my wife screamed that she had been hit. Apparently a lone deer decided to run squarely into her left leg. Pulled off the road as soon as possible as she was definitely in major pain. After stopping jumped off the bike, helped her off and sat her down in the grass on side of the highway. Deer had hit her leg so hard that it burst open a couple of wounds that were bleeding badly. She could no longer ride with that much pain so we called 911 for an ambulance.
Took a while for the ambulance to arrive since we were several miles from any cities or locations that have emergency care. They finally arrived, took her to the nearest emergency room in Crestview, Florida which was about 35-40 miles from our mishap. It’s totally dark now, so I need to take the bike home (approximately 30 miles) get our car and head to the hospital. Many deer were out that night, must have seen at least a dozen or more on the way home.
Good news is she had no broken bones but her left leg and thigh were bruised badly with a couple of puncture holes. Doctor said they weren’t punctures but rather places where the impact caused explosions from the inside out. She had several weeks of infectious prevention care with a specialist plus plenty of days with aching pain and soreness in her left leg and thigh.
Oh, by the way, bike had no marks, scratches, or bruises. That deer only hit her leg in that small narrow space without touching anything else. It didn’t knock us over, in fact I barely felt the impact only knew it happened when she screamed with pain, and I could hear her well since we always used blue tooth communications in our helmets.
Video below is the last video she took while we were riding together. Within thirty seconds after she stopped filming the deer happened. She never rode again and declares she never will, don’t blame her, totally understand.
I rode a couple of times after the incident but only very short rides. No longer felt right to leave her at home while I rode, knowing how much she loved our rides together. We later sold the bike and have not ridden again.
Though we don’t intend to ride motorcycles again doesn’t mean we have stopped living. We still love adventures traveling and camping. Purchased a neat little camper that we intend to use quite often to visit places of interest in this country. We love camping and we love traveling. Seeing things we never seen before especially places with historical value.
Hit that follow button to see what happens next. Just an old man that loves to ride motorcycles, travel, and experience new adventures.
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Keep the shiny side UP!
Ray's Motoring Travels 