I have had the opportunity to hang out with some pretty damned cool people over the course of the last two months. I always try to surround myself with cool people, but some events toward the end of the riding season, ABATE BOD meeting, my own ABATE District 2 meeting, the MRF Meeting of the Minds, ICOC quarterly meeting, and then just some in-person and phone discussions that were pretty interesting to say the least. Some of these discussions were with some pretty cool cats and kittens from outside of our state, but many of them were from very knowledgeable and influential people right here in Iowa. There is a wealth of knowledge about motorcycles, motorcyclist’ rights, and the history of riding right here in front of our faces that we need to capitalize on. Like all of us, these state and national treasures may have limited time to share their wealth of information, so take advantage of that whenever you can. We are all running on a finite amount of time on this earth, but some of these people may be closer to not being around to share their input with us, so take advantage of the time to glean their perspectives before it is too late. The sharing of information and working together is the key to moving forward and maintaining our ability to ride free and gather with whomever we please. Take some time to listen with two ears and talk with one mouth to those that have traveled this freedom fighting, motorcycle riding, love of the open road type of people and learn what you can. If you are in my age group, it is imperative that you grab what you can from those older and share that with those in the younger age groups. Passing on of knowledge, traditions, stories, warnings, and all things motorcycle will ensure the survival of our way of life.

Also, in my travels I continually try to make connections with people from other aspects of life that I normally would not hang with. Sometimes they ride different things, or don’t ride at all even. Sometimes they are of a different age group or different background.  Sometimes they are people that have different political ideas than I. Sometimes they could just be some random in the most random of places that you meet and make a connection with. Almost everyone you come in contact with has something that you may benefit from. I understand that sometimes you need a large excavator to dig deep enough to find benefit from some people, but it still is there, whether you like to admit it or not. Point being don’t just write someone off as worthless until proven as such. Humans have the ability to be able to listen, learn, and move forward.  And no two humans need to agree on 100% of things to get along and be friendly and beneficial to each other.  That is how relationships and friendships are formed; coming together and agreeing to move forward on items that are agreeable, and to agree to disagree on items that you don’t see eye to eye on. When a disagreement occurs, it certainly does not need to end everything all together, just respect the difference of opinion and move on. Labor Day weekend, we got to hang out with Dan Gosa for a spell at the antique swap meet in Davenport.  He is a lawmaker that has some things that he stands for that I agree with, some things we are polar opposites on opinions, and some things in the middle of the road, politically speaking. I now consider Dan a friend and have a lot of respect for him. Also in Davenport is lawmaker Mike Vondran. He has also been out to the swap meet to hang out in the past and had a wonderful time with him. He and I also have some things that we agree on, and some we don’t, but able to still be friends and able to talk honestly and openly and agree to disagree when we do and move forward with no hard feelings. Nothing polarizing, no lines in the sand, no anger and name calling, but simply different perspectives not aligning. Being people and getting along is one of the coolest things we can do. Being a civilized society has to have some civility.

Thanks to every one of you reading this, and thanks to those that just look at the pictures too! We are thankful for the advertisers, the readers, and our loyal followers and friends! In this month of thanks, we are truly thankful for all of you helping us keep this going for so many years. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa and Thunder Guns West!

Vernon

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Proud Editor/Owner Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa

Proud Owner Thunder Guns West and Thunder Guns

IMDA Board Member

Iowa COC Legislative Officer

ABATE of Iowa State Legislative Officer

MRF Assistant State Representative