It had been a long time since I had last seen my very good friend Allan Karl…
I had last visited him in Southern California in February 2009, and since then we have been in constant touch, planning our ride to Alaska together… From the outset of my journey, it had been one of the things I most looked forward to. We had ridden together through Southern Africa in January and February of 2008, and Allan was in part, my inspiration for undertaking this ride around the world…
Reunited after a two and a half year absence…. The irrepressible Allan Karl and “RonnieB”, as he calls me….
His advice and take on life was a refreshing change from what I was used to, and we developed a very special bond that saw us through many situations that I would otherwise have struggled to deal with on my own, during that ride… We drew strength from each other while riding through some of the wildest and sparsely populated parts of the world, and during that time developed a bond that remains strong…
Our reunion at his home in Encinatas was a joyous one to say the least… His long time partner, Angie, was there too, and we spent the remainder of the day either reminiscing about our ride and bringing each other up to date with more current news…
And the Big Fella got to chat to Doc again… They had last ridden together four and a half years ago…!! They had more to talk about than Allan and I did…!!
“So RonnieB… How will your impending marriage affect our plans to ride across Russia… They’re about due for another revolution, and we are the guys to get that party started, Dude…!!”
The long-suffering Angie prepares dinner while Allan and I get the BBQ going….
I was saddened when Allan confirmed that due to various work commitments, he would be unable to make the ride north with me… With him around, the opportunity for mischief would have been enormous…!!
Allan is an avid writer and photographer, and always has his camera at hand to snap off candid shots of people and events he is in contact with… He is also never far away from a bottle of wine or four, and by the end of the evening, we had managed to polish off a number of bottles of his finest reds…
Together with Angie, not only did we celebrate both the 4th of July and our reunion, but we enjoyed a BBQ-ed Tri-Cut steak and a fine dinner; an impromptu dance session that lasted until well after midnight; and the usual combination of thoughtful conversation and raucous laughter, something I had missed experiencing with Allan…
His irrepressible nature does not allow one to remain too serious about anything for more than a few minutes…
Allan is never far from a glass of wine, and still has a very impressive collection, which he delves into on special occasions…. This was one of them….!!
I had hoped to spend more time with Allan, but my timetable would not allow for it… The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, we repaired the wiring on my spot-light, which had “gone blind” on me the day before… I packed up and prepared to leave, hugging my old friend and wishing him well…
I wondered as I did so, when next I would see him again…
Then I remembered that it would be in just two months time…!! September in Jersey…!! Not too far away…
©GBWT 2012
Nice to see Allan again. He looks very well. Pity about him not being able to join you for Alaska trip. Mind you…..the two of you together…!! Anyway glad you got to spend some time with your old friend.
Take it easy,
True frienships are not manipulated by time. You take off where you ended off, happily filling in the gaps. Glad you had a little time with Allan.
I just saw him this afternoon in the Radio Shack store here in Port Angeles, Washington, he sure is getting around. And I didn’t have my damn camera to take a picture of the bike.
Great stuff and so good to see you Ronnie! Damn shame I’m not heading into the Great White North with you!!! Good god! Well, I’ll save some wine, some time and some rubber on the two wheels for the upcoming opportunity to tear up the scenery and the world again!
Rock and Ride On My Friend. You’re a legend!