Holy Mackeral BATMAN, it's "BATE-Man"

Well, I took a chance and lost. I didn't really have a plan so I couldn't make arrangements ahead of time but I was looking for the allusive IronMan, aka: IronDad. He's been AWOL for about 5 months now and everyone has been worried and sent out a search party, ie: ME

I mean who in their right mind would set up a blogger's meeting in the hottest spot in Oregon (ie: Hell's Canyon) during the summer and then change his plans so he couldn't make an appearance.



I was relaxed and got off to a late start from Waldport where I spent the night. I took the more challenging Hwy 34 and input the Team Oregon co-ordinates into my GPS navigator and I was rushing to get there by 12 noon in the hopes of sharing a meal with the best instructor on the planet. I was a few minutes off target as I stopped a few extra times to snap photos of cows and wheat fields along the way

I was getting excited now that I had arrived but as I rode around the building I didn't see his trademark FJR. I finally opened the main door and



asked the lady at the front desk if Dan Ironman was in. She looked at me like she didn't know what I was talking about and then she said she didn't know where he was, but perhaps checking the range down in Eugene. He had to inspect the asphalt or something like that



She went down the hall to find someone else who would know his schedule. I did ask if he was in town but they didn't know, either that, or they wouldn't devulge

I was poking around when no one was looking and I think I found his office



Before I left, I rode around the building again and noticed the Eye Tracker. He did write about this bike before. How I wanted to swing a leg over and just try it on for size, but I didn't



It reminds me of the old cowboy movies of the 50's. The good guys wore white hats, with the crooks wearing black hats. You always knew which side they were on, just like we have a black bike and a white bike

I left disappointed that he wasn't there. He is being missed by all of us. His blog has been dormant for months. He has disappeared and we wished it could be like it was before he stopped selling builder's hardware

Eventually I dried my eyes and left, headed for downtown Corvallis through the wheat fields. I didn't realize how many fields they had down here so I posed my bike



Notice that the stalks have been cut/being harvested. I also notice the lone tree in the background. It reminded me of Steve and his solitary tree photos . If I had a Vespa, or something much lighter than a V-strom I could have made my way over to that tree for a photo

But I didn't dare to trespass. Troubadour recently mentioned that he travels on these roads on his way to work and waves at all the farmers on the way, so he was able to wiggle his Tiger for some awesome shots which you can see HERE . But the farmers don't know me so I had to stick to the side of the road



Recently I was very fortunate to have spent some time with Trobairitz & Troubadour for which I am very grateful. To be able to have such gracious hosts far from home is just priceless. As a result of my short visit I managed to edit this video

I am following Troubadour to work, the twisty way.