Once I got back to the states, life turned into a mad rush for a little while. In my typical fashion I didn’t tell many people I was coming home. Papa & Nanny Hill were two of the first ones I surprised. I worked out great, they were both caught off guard. It was great. That night I was able to set up a surprised with one of my buddy’s girlfriends and surprised him as we made our triumphant return to trivia night. I was glad to also be able to see my youngest brother play in one of his football games. Needless to say, everyone was way caught off guard by the mustache and long hair. After the showing everyone I wanted to show the mustache to, it was gone. I know more than a few people were happy about that.
After being home for a few days I had to leave again. I had classes in Alabama at the Fire College I had signed up for a had to attend. Always constantly trying to make myself a more sought-after candidate in this competitive field. I was an excellent class. One of the harder classes I’ve taken at AFC. I was also able to make a couple more contacts in the contracting realm.
After 5 days in Tuscaloosa, I had to rush back. It was wedding time in Tennessee! I had the honor and privilege of being one of Tom’s groomsmen in his wedding. Friday night consisted on rehearsal and rehearsal supper. After that, we went back to Luttrell’s house. We sat around a fire, had some adult beverages and just bullshitted. I’m sure it was Tom’s dream night before a wedding. The next day it was showtime. Some how of motley group of friends were able to get through the wedding without in problems. Afterwards, we went to an outdoor place for the after party. Plenty of good food and good times proceeded to take place. Once it got a little later though, we decided to take the party back to Tom and Julie’s house. More shenanigans took place there. All in all I had a great time and I hope that Tom and Julie did too.
After that. I had a couple weeks of downtime. Well downtime for me anyways. I got to hang out with Catfish in Chattanooga a couple times in that window. I got to met his family and have some motorcycles adventures. I also got to go with Richard and watch him race. It was great getting him to do his thing, and definitely made me wanna take my dirt bike and join him. I got to see and surprise lots of my friends. I even dressed up for halloween. I went as a greaser. I had long hair and all the clothes at home already to fit the part so it worked out quite well. Jesse went as Pickle Rick and took one of the spots for the costume contest.
After the couple of weeks of downtime, it was finally time for something I had been waiting MONTHS for. So during the month I had been home running around like crazy, I was also searching super hard for two minibikes. Why? Because me and Kevan were going to the mother fucking War Run 5 in North Carolina. So War Run is a chopper show/ride and more importantly the place for the “World’s Biggest Minibike Race”. There was several states represented, and even Antarctica. I had signed up while still working and the organizers had asked me to sign up as racing in Antarctica. I fully embraced it. I wore a McMurdo Station shirt, and had a bumper sticker that said “I brake for Penguins”. The organizers loved it, and I actually got a round of applause from the crowd. It was super dope. Friday night was the preparty. We got there, saw the track for the first time and met the organizers. We also both got a tattoo on Friday night, in a trailer, in the middle of a field. It was less sketchy than it sounds. I promise. More importantly though, Friday night I was able to meet some people that I had never met before but knew well enough to feel like they are close friends. ChopperFisher, Astroman, Chicken Rick, Fatman, Emmanotgoldman, and The Real Rolly Polly. We knew each other through Instagram and The Lowlife Chopper Podcast. I think that may have been my favorite part of War Run. Saturday was filled with beer and boonie bikes. I was able to race several times and made it to a main race. Kevan did decently enough, he didn’t have the right bike for him though. He decided after the second race his time would be better spent with his true love in life, Coors Light. Luckily the alcohol and good times flowed all night long. I only wrecked once, and Kevan twice. After all the racing was done, it was time for the Raffle. I usually never win anything, but I actually managed to win something for once. The best part is that part of my raffle prize contained a painted sign by Loctite, who happens to be one of the host from The Lowlife Chopper Podcast! As Saturday night was winding down, I said goodbye to the homies and gave out all the Antarctica stickers I had to them. After all the fun and excitement of the weekend, I slept pretty damn good that Saturday night.
I had packed a lot of fun and excitement into my first month home. The adventuring didn’t stop with the War Run though, November started with the War Run and didn’t let up at all. It was another busy month, but I’ll go over it in the next post.
-Tyler
Artist of the Post – Tyler Childers
Pitre's Peregrination 