I Would Have Never Taken Another Motorcycle Ride

Broccolli, received surgery from the bullet wound in his shoulder a few months ago. Ed, his buddy showed up at Broccolli’s house with his 2021 Harley Davidson Road King in the fall of 2022. “Hey Broccelli, are you ready to ride through those beautiful maple trees in Vermont? I know your healthy now to take the long ride after a few months of the shooting at the Slip and Dine Restaurant. We need about 2 days riding to make our destination of Montpelier. Can I see that scar on your shoulder?” Broccolli, proceeded to take his shirt off to show the wound. “Ed, as you can see the scar is a centimeter thick and about 8 inches long. The bullet was lodged in my shoulder, but as you can see they took out the bullet and stitched me back. The perpetrator used a Glock 43 which is a small firearm. Give me 30 minutes and I’ll be ready. I got to tell Mary I am leaving for a few days.” “Hey Mary, I am driving my 2022 Harley Davidson Road Glide to Vermont and back for 4 days. Can you get my bag ready?” “Broccolli, 20 minutes and your ready with the overnight bag.” “Thanks Mary, I need this trip after a few months of physical therapy.” Broccolli, how does the shoulder feel after the surgery and physical therapy?” “Great Ed, Echo therapy performed therapy on my shoulder 3 times a week, an hour each day for 6 months. My exercises at home were 2 hours each day, 7 days a week and for 6 months.”

Broccolli and Ed motored down Pelican Avenue toward the traffic light at Sealine Drive. ” Greenlight Ed, 1 mile to the highway 31 North.” “Broccolli, I see your bike has some shinie new leather saddlebags.” “Yes, they cost me about $500 for the pair Ed.” “Ed, I see you are wearing your new Bluetooth helmet, protective mesh shirt and motorcycle riding jeans.” “Yes, and I still wear my Harley Davidson jacket.” “Since we entered highway 31 north how many miles do we need to go?” “Broccolli, 400 miles on 31 north and then 100 miles on 24 west to Montpelier, VT.” “Ed, we need gas in about 300 miles I figure and that puts us right around the Tom Brady Truck Stop which is in Massachusetts right before the Vermont state line.” “Great idea Broccolli, remember riding side by side in the far right lane is the safest.”

As the bike riders followed traffic on north 31, the side of the road showed farms of vineyards, horses and even maple trees having golden-yellow, yellow-brown, or chartreuse foliage in autumn. “Ed look at the sign up ahead. Big Maple Winery since 1850, 3 miles on the right off Sweet Charles Blvd. “ “Sounds good and they probably serve food also. “

Ed and Broccolli turned into the Maple Tree Winery. “Ed look at the people sipping wine out on the deck area. Maple Tree is famous for Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.” “Broccolli, lunch is being served and I am starved.” The bike riders moved swiftly toward the lunch area and found a seat outside on the deck area. “Broccolli, let me get us a taste of Cabernet Sauvignon before we order.” Carol, a white haired hunched elderly lady approached Ed at the counter. “Can I help you young man? Do you want a taste of some Cabernet or Sauvignon Blanc?” “Thank you for the young man comment, please give me 2 small taste cups of the Cabernet.” After getting the cups, Ed went back to the table and the bikers eventually ordered roast beef sandwiches with glasses of Cabernet. “Hey Ed, there are rooms available at the front desk.”  “We should stay here and have a couple bottles of wine.” Ok, and the bikers went and received rooms and headed to their rooms for the night.