A friend's taking his last ride

After getting out of the ARMY in the early 70’s I met Dave Peterson while working at Carrow's Restaurant at the corner Camden and HWY 17 where he hung out on occasion and we became friends. Dave and I got an apartment together creating the classic bachelor pad. Dave talked me into going to going back to school taking advantage of the GI bill and later received my degree. I met my first wife and moved in with her leaving Dave alone with the bachelor pad. Dave promptly had a party that got him kicked out of the apartment.

I got married and we kind of drifted apart till I divorced and Norton motorcycles brought us back together and we spent many wonderful hours terrorizing the Santa Cruz mountains.

Once Dave and I were riding our Norton Commandos through the Santa Cruz Mountains with our fishing rods tied to the back of our bikes and it's beginning to mist, but we ride on because we're going fishing for steelhead trout! We're fishing a tranquil mountain stream catching small steelhead thinking we hit the mother lode and up walks a ranger who informs us we're catching freshly stock baby steelhead out of season! He takes our fish and gives us a ticket, but lets us keep our rods. Not to be deterred we ride on getting soaked from the steady drizzle. We stopped downstream and Dave spots a huge steelhead in a small pool and promptly jumps in after it! I'm rolling on the ground watching Dave up to his waist chasing that damn steelhead. We were both soaked and have a great time. That's how I remember Dave Peterson!

Dave and I have always kept in touch, sometimes more than others. If I was having a hard time I would go visit Dave and Cheryl (his wife) or if Dave needed a boy’s day out we would go for a motorcycle ride together.

Dave planned life out like no one I know. His plan was to retire at 55 and enjoy life. Life’s plans don't always work out and cancer took his life, but Dave's plan set the stage to make sure his family is taken care of.

Friday I’m an honorary paw bearer and will be dressed in kakis, black jacket with my Norton t-shirt! I still own his old Norton.

Dave will be missed!

sorry to read. it is tough to lose a REALLY close life long friend as there is truly few of them.

Thank you for the memorial story. Perhaps you might have glimpsed a White (with Blue/Red stripes) MKIII circa 1982 in and around Santa Cruz.

Don't know that we met, but perhaps a bit of his spirit lives on in my happy thoughts riding that territory. Sometimes just enjoying the scenery, sometimes scaring myself silly in those hills.

Wonderful saga of life well lived. Part of my attitude on the ever increasing noctices is the Irish saying "we ain't her for a long time, just a good time."
Safe Journey's till the magic ends. hobot

Sorry to hear about your best mate, but what you say about him he had a good life riding his beloved Norton and to hear you have his beloved Norton, hope it stays with you for ever and every time you ride it I am sure he will be there with you, whispering in your ear telling you how far to push it.

I still have mates that I grew up with and we all still ride bikes, some I have converted to owning Nortons, but most ride British bike, but sadly a few ride the ones we don't talk about, but we all have a great time enjoying our motorcycles and the way our lives have gone (good campany, great Motorcycles, plenty of beers and all the memories, what else could you ask for in life)

Hear to remembering your best mate

Ashley

What a wonderful story and touching tribute to your friend.
I'm sorry for your loss.

Thanks for sharing a bit of Dave with us bmwbob. We should all be so lucky to have such a friend. Cj

Sorry to hear Bob, I think most of us have lost good riding buddies by this point in our life. Words cannot help much but we always shall keep our memories close and remember them as we ride, The fact you own his bike may help as time passes. Family and friends are the only things we have. Best wishes and ride safe, Chuck.

Keep a fire burning in your eye
Pay attention to the open sky
You never know what will be coming down
I dont remember losing track of you
You were always dancing in and out of view
I must have thougt youd always be around
Always keeping things real by playing the clown
Now your nowhere to be found

I dont know what happens when people die
Cant seam to grasp it as hard as I try
Its like a song I can here playing right in my ear
That I cant sing - I cant help listing
And I cant help feeling stupid standing round
Crying as thay ease you down
Cause I know that youd rather we were dancing
Dancing our sorrow away
No matter what fate chooses to play
Theres nothing you can do about it anway

Just do the steps that youve been shown
By everyone youve ever known
Untill the dance becomes your vary own
No matter how close to yours
Anothers stsps have grown
In the end there is one dance youll do alone

Keep a fire for the human race
Let your prayers go drifting into space
You never know what will be coming down
Perhaps a better world is drawing near
Just as easy it could all disappear
Along with whatever meaning you might have found
Dont let the uncertainty turn you around
Go on and make a joyful sound

Into a dancer you have grown
From a seed somebody else has thrown
Go on ahead and throw some seeds of your own
And somewhere between the time you arrive
And the time you go
May lie a reason you were alive
But youll never know


Written by Jackson Browne

Dave Peterson is a testament to our legacy. We shall pass but our machine live on in our name due to our love and dedication for this wonderful motorcycles.

My condolences.

Pall bearer for a close friend is tough duty.

Keep the bike, and the memories, alive.

Great story, nice memories for you.
Sorry for your loss.
MikeM

Sorry for your loss, but thankful for a great life story...even better to know that you both lived it.

-simpson

Saddened to here that Bob, all the best for Friday.
AC.