Branson, MO

Once of our First Great Adventures

I am sure this is one of those stories that is going to get me into trouble, but what the heck, it is one of our great adventures. At the time of this trip, Renee' and I did not own the Gray Goldwing, we had a beautiful Wineberry 1982 Honda Interstate that I loved dearly. Our good friends Jim and Connie own the Grey Goldwing and it was brand new with only a few miles on it. The pair of us had made a few over night trips to Tulsa and Harrison and Jim had experienced some difficulty with the 1500. He had a bad knee which had been operated on and sometimes that knee would just give away. Well anyone who has one knows the 1500 is top heavy and requires strong legs to keep it upright when coming to stops. Jim had the bike fall over twice with Connie on the back. He like the bike but was very unhappy with with it because it caused him trouble.

Jim had purchased a "Springer" Harley-Davidson and want to test drive a Tour Glide. Harley Davidson was putting on a promotion in Branson, MO where riders could try out the new HDs. Jim want all of us to go and he wanted to ride his Springer. It had no bags, and we did not have a trailer for our Interstate, so Jim asked me to ride his new 1500 Goldwing and pull the his trailer. I agreed, and we meet at Jim and Connie's home and loaded our stuff in the trailer, and they did the same, and we set out.

Jim and Connie rode in front and Renee' and I brought up the rear. I felt sorry for Connie because the Springer only had a small square seat on the rear about the size of a book and it had no rear shocks. I could see her poor butt was taking one heck of a beating but she was a good sport and complained very little.

We took the back highways from Springdale to Branson and arrived there in about 2.5 hours. Remember, I had very little time on the 1500 which was much more top heavy than my Interstate, and when we arrived in Branson the traffic was so bad that Jim recommend we take a short cut. The short cut took us around the north end of Branson and brought us up to the main highway by a hugh hill. It took all my skill to stop on this incline which also sloped to the left and taking off again was even more difficult. When we finally arrived at our room, I was ready for a rest.

We had a wonderful meal at the Outback (I had my first taste of gatortail) and the next day we took the ladies go cart riding while we waited for the HD demos to open up. Jim tried out a Tour Glide and was pleased. It set very low and put very little strain on his legs and knee. He also like the tune that the Harley engine plays as it purrs down the road.

When we got ready to return Connie suggested that Renee' and I ride the Springer and she and Jim ride the Goldwing, but Jim had already been converted and he was not going to ride that "Jap" bike when he had a Harley-Davidson to ride. Jim could be difficult at times. Of course the ladies also said the same about me or was it all men, but the again, what do they know. Connie once again had to withstand the return ride on the back of the Springer.

A few weeks later Jim located the Harley he wanted and discovered that Harley-Davidson was not impressed with his new 1500 Goldwing as a trade in. They would only allow him about 60% of what it was worth (that did not take into consideration that Jim had added about $2000 in extras). Without my knowledge (anyone who knew Jim, knew he was a deal maker) Jim asked them about a trade for my 1982 Interstate. They would take it for only $1500 less than they would allow for his new 1500, so the next thing I knew I was getting a call. Jim made me a deal that Renee' would not let me turn down. My Interstate was traded for Jim's new Electric Glide, and I had a nice new 1988 1500 Goldwing with trailer. I couldn't complain but sure did love my Interstate. Renee' on the other hand like the ride of the 1500. It had a hugh bucket seat for the passenger and the Interstate could not compare. I did get to keep our new Wineberry Honda Stag helmets which looks very nice with our gray Wing.

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