Banquet last day of another rally

Friday, Sept. 8

Last day and again it was raining.  Today was listed as a “free day” so while some headed for Harley shops, others went to the falls and others just for a ride; Don and I stayed at the lodge.  I found pictures of the two kids and sent them to Brett at Jett Vinyl then pulled the trailer over there so they could get measurements for the artwork.  Brett had gone to Lake George and might be back this afternoon so we’ll see.  If I don’t get the artwork before we leave they can ship it to me and we can put it on.  I just wanted it on when we got home to surprise the kids.  Then I packed as much as possible.  We have the banquet tonight.  When everyone returned several of the men played quarter knock; I love to see them playing again.  The banquet was at 6PM and the food was very good but the entertainment was over the top.  There was a couple of trivia games which Sandra, Ken and Faye won; then door prizes and then the great gag gifts.  I little difficult this year to spot “dumb stuff” since we were all in cars.  Much easier when everyone is riding together but Ruth and Mina came through with great ideas.  Don and Bernie received “hands” so they can tell their wife to talk to the hand when they start telling them what to do.  I didn’t think I was that bossy!  Ralph received a wig because he couldn’t find a hair dryer (he has no hair).  Dave got a clock because he is always the last person to get on his bike and the group is waiting.  And the list went on and on.  It was a great evening.  We will all finish our packing now and meet for breakfast around 6AM and depart around 7 tomorrow morning for home.  An end to another wonderful rally. 

Bill leading the prayer before we eat.

Get set go you have 3 minutes to take the test

Sandra is a winner

A proud winner

Our two special guests

Ralph needed some hair.

Artwork on The Silver Fox

Three hour ride in the rain and then arts and crafts

Thursday, Sept. 7

OK sun was shining at 8AM even though the weatherman was calling for rain a bit later in the day.  Off came the bike covers and we all lined up for a short ride planning to get back by noon BEFORE the rain.  About two hours into our ride which was very nice over nice roads with good views of the valley and farmland with that sweet earthy smell, the rain started to fall.  Not much at first but then it came down harder.  We kept riding – what else could we do?  Finally it was pouring and the lightening flashed and Gary said we were going to find shelter which was standing under the porch of a store.  Put on my rain suit even though it was a little too late.  In time the rain slacked and finally stopped so back on  the bikes and heading back to the lodge.  The sky got a little brighter but black clouds were rolling in from the west.  We decided to head back to the lodge, change into dry clothes and then head out for lunch in cars.  But it sure felt good to be on the bikes even if only for 3 hours and in  the rain.  I ran over to Jett Vinyl who did the graphics yesterday to see if they would put the name of my bike on the back for me and they did it in  just a few minutes.  The Silver Fox that’s my girl.  Oh and I forgot to mention it yesterday but when we started to go out for dinner Don had his bike (Bessie) covered so he got on  the back of my bike!  I was surprised cause he had said “I will never ride the back seat.”  What do they say – never say never.  LOL

After lunch we came back to the lodge for some down  time.  The guys went to the breakfast room to play cards.  It’s been several years since they have shown any interest in playing cards since a couple of our regular members no long can attend the rallies.  And many of the ladies (myself included) went to our meeting room for crafts; making arrows and/or beaded jewelry.  More participated than I expected and others sat and joined us for some girl talk.  It was a very enjoyable time.

Saw this at our rest stop.  God Bless America (again)

A rest stop. Not raining yet.

Willa, Faye and Bobette 

Lois and Sandra not sure which beads to start with.

Faye modeling her necklace

Gary holding my arrow which is still wet paint

Ginny needs another bead and Gary is assisting Sandra to fix her necklace.

Faye working on her arrow

Just a few shots of the gang

Bernie reading his favorite book - all pictures.  Always the first to get coffee in the morning.

Our lunch stop on Wednesday.

Lunch stop Wednesday

A very old air boat.

The LaDuchesse a 106 foot historic houseboat.  Never had an engine was always moved from spot to spot by tug.

Mina demonstrating how this boat worked.

The sign  said "Do Not Touch".

Ice cream stop at Lickety Split

Bernie and Faye enjoy their ice cream

Ralph - your doctor said to watch it 

Antique Boat Museum

Wednesday, Sept. 6

Rain again!  Today we were heading about 115 miles north to the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton passing the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario.  The ride was through some beautiful countryside with farms to the left and right; small towns with old buildings and little to no traffic.  The rain changed from heavy to light to no rain and then back to sprinkles.  Needless to say we had opt for cars again this morning.  The boat museum had houseboats, cabin cruisers, canoes, speed boats, and more.  Very interesting even for a girl with little interest in anything related to water other than drinking it.  A stop for ice cream topped out the day.  I had made arrangements to have some graphics put on my bike so I had left it at the shop.  I am very happy with the artwork and the price. 

Rain Holds No Threat

Tuesday, Sept. 5

What a great day!  Woke to steady rain even though the temps were not too low.  Talked to Bernadette at breakfast and she was going to the hospital to get George.  All the test came back negative and he is feeling fine.  Our first stop for the day was scheduled for 9AM at the Black River Canal Museum just maybe a mile down the road.  With 4 or 5 vehicles rain is not a problem.   The museum is normally closed for the season after Labor Day but they opened just for us and what a wealth of information.  Even had a hands-on room where we got to test lifting 30 pounds with 3 different types of pullies and a small canal where we could open and close the locks to float boats through the canal.  They had a canal barge built to specs that we could get on and see where and how the family lived and where the mules were kept when not pulling the barge.  Leaving there we traveled a few miles to one of the remaining locks to see the actual size and structure. 

Next stop – lunch then off to see the Oriskany battlefield.  If I can retain only a little of the information Gary shared I’ll be happy.  This was the bloodiest battle of the revolutionary war with British, Indians and Colonist all involved.   The rain was “light” so we got out of the cars to walk when thunder began to sound like cannons and lightening lite the sky and  the rain started to pour.  Dashing back to the vehicles with giggles ringing we headed for our 3^rd and final destination.

We arrived at the Native American Museum in Oneida.  Oneida is an Indian reservation solely governed by the Oneida people.  The Oneida tribe is one of only 2 Native American tribes to not be overpowered by the United States and their treaty is renewed annually.  The reason?  They were diplomatic enough to work with the budding new nation.  This is a tribe run by the women – oh they have male chiefs but they are in charge only as long as the women say they can be.  The women say when they will go to war and when they will stop fighting.  The lady in the museum gave us a short lecture and shared some information in their native language. 

Back in  the vehicles we head for the lodge with a stop at Tops to pick up subs and various food items for our dinner.  I quickly took my bike across the street to Jett Vinyl Graphics for some art work.  Meeting at 7:30 and I have the feeling Gary has a test prepared for us. 

What a group!  25 UTR members

Bernie was taking it all in.

Mina likes the hands on room.

One of the original Black River Canal locks.  The workmanship is amazing.

Just a few pictures of our happy bunch

Checking out the shops in Old Forge.  There is always one in the group!

Relaxing in the Lodge lobby with good friends. 

Lined up and ready to go. 

Our special speaker for the Sunday evening meeting.  Harvey is a local historian who shared lots of folklore and history about the area.  Gary White welcomes him.

Wow big chair at the Adirondack Experience.  This was our Monday destination.

Waitin on a woman!

The gangs all here for a good meal at the Boondocks.

Adirondacks Experience

Monday, Sept. 4

Up at 5:30 in order to be dressed, breakfast and  gassed up by 8AM.  A reporter from the local paper was coming to interview Gary and me for a story in Wednesday’s paper and get a couple of pictures of the group.  Boy it’s tough being famous! LOL  Temps were mid 50s so heated jacket and leather was the attire.  Sixteen bikes total so we had planned to split into 2 groups but we ended up together in a very short time.  I was leading the ride today but Gary had it all planned out even with gas stops.  Got to love this guy for all the hard work he and Ruth put into the rally.  Our destination was the Adirondacks Experience and the ride getting  there was just beautiful.  The roads are a bit rough in places due to the harsh winters, no shoulders, and no stop signs or traffic lights.  You can ride for 100 miles without stopping.  The roads are not the tight twisties we find in WV but rather soft easy curves that rock back and forth.  Wondered around the museum for a couple of hours then headed back to the hotel.  Dinner at the Boondocks but while we were waiting for our meals George Hires passed out and thank God we have Ken and Lois who have medical training.  Ken checked vitals and an ambulance was called.  George is in the hospital as I write having some test run.  Again this group jumped into action with several having prayer as soon as we noticed what was happening, Mike Brittingham riding back to the hotel to get George’s car and trailer and came back to the restaurant, several guys helped load the trike and Mike  brought it back to the hotel.  Ken and Lois have called Bernadette and will go to the hospital to pick her up when she is ready.  Back at the hotel after dinner Gary shared some information about the canal and the revolutionary war battles in this area.  We are having a thunder storm!  Hope the rain stops before morning. 

A little rain but a nice day

Sunday, Sept. 3

Woke to rain but there was no ride planned for the day.  But not wanting to sit in  the Lodge for a whole day the group gathered in  our “meeting room” and made quick plans to visit old Forge.  Several people have trailered their bikes so we have enough cars to travel comfortably in the event of rain.   Ken even planned ahead and brought 3 or 4 walkie talkies so we can stay in touch while riding in cars if the weather requires.  Spent a couple of hours at Old Forge which is a real tourist location with gift shops, flag shops, coffee shops, restaurants, etc. up and down main street.  Back at the Lodge we spent a few hours reading or resting and then ordered pizza and wings for dinner to go along with the beer and wine provided by our host.  The lodge is just beautiful and so gracious.  We have a wonderful room provided for our meetings.  Gary had arranged with a local retired school teacher to visit us tonight and share local and Indian folklore and some history.  He talked for about an hour and was very interesting.  Well off to bed for an early day tomorrow. 

Boonville Rally 2017

Blog Entries Boonville NY Rally

Sept. 2 – 9 2017

Saturday, Sept. 2

The sky was threating to rain and a few sprinkles began to fall just before 7AM so on went the rain suits.  We pulled out of the drive at 6:50AM.  Three bikes; mine, Bernie and Faye and Don.  The route I had picked was the least miles but the longest traveling time because we were going to travel lots of secondary roads.  First stopped was at IHOP in Wilmington for breakfast and that took about 1 hour; rain was coming down harder but still not bad.  Heading off towards Downingtown on great roads; little to no traffic on roads with no shoulders but lined with trees, farms, corn and grain fields.  Lots of go left then go right as we meandered through small towns.  Next town we headed for was Pottstown on route 100; nice road with satisfactory speeds.  Then we headed for Mt. Pocono where we stopped for lunch.  A little girl and her mom were intrigued with my trailer and apparently thought it was a remote control car  (lots of people do) cause she asked how fast it could go and without thinking I said “as fast as my bike goes.”   The rain had stopped but the temps were in the mid 50s so I continued to wear the rain gear and the heated jacket. We arrived at the Lodge at Headwaters at 7 PM; 12 hours after leaving home.  Subtract time for breakfast, lunch and fuel/rest I figure we were riding in the saddle for 9 hours and thanks to my chiropractor no burning in my right shoulder.  In fact I really felt good BUT I was ready to stop.   After we checked in Gary, who towed his bike, took us to the restaurant for dinner where the rest of the group had just finished eating.  Back to the hotel to unload the trailer and settle in for the night.