Blog Entries for Ellicottville NY 2019 UTR 25th Rally

Saturday August 31, 2019

We had planned to leave at 8:30 a.m. and meet 3 more couple in Smyrna but we had to push our departure time off a bit in order to hold mom’s going home to heaven celebration.  The service was well attended but that is another entry.  We did get on the road at 2 p.m. with Bernie and Faye following us.  This year Don and I bought an 18 ft. trailer to tow our bikes.  We worked for a couple of hours on Thursday to get them loaded and tied down.  I began pulling the trailer out of our drive and boy was I surprised at how much I could feel the extra weight.  I mean the trikes are about 1000 pounds each and then the trailer is about 2000 pounds so I was towing a heavy load.  But the RAM did a great job.  I was nervous trying to keep it on my side of the center line but not over on the shoulder.  Going up 896 to Lancaster was a bit of a challenge but I did great; even Don said I was handling it very well.  We reach our agreed upon stopping location, Clearfield PA at 9 p.m. so the last hour and a half or maybe 2 hours was in the dark.  Did fine just a bit difficult to see on the back roads in the dark.  Pulled into a parking spot (well really two parking spots) just fine and this morning there was a car parked so close I could hardly get in the driver’s door but I managed to back the truck and trailer up, move it over some and make the turn. 

Sunday, September 1, 2019

We met up with Bill, Sandra and Ralph and Willia at Clearfield.  Temps were in the low 50s and after about an hour on the road it began to rain.  I was very glad to be in the truck!  Made a couple of stops for potty breaks and for those on the bikes to get out of the rain a bit and then arrived in Ellicottville NY at 11:30 a.m.  No rooms available yet (they were fully booked last night) so we unhooked the trailer, parked the bikes and the 12 people here all jumped in trucks and headed to lunch.  Gary led the way and since we all have CBs it was a pleasant ride with Gary giving us a lot of history along the way.  Back to the hotel, got a room and the rest of the group had arrived.  Dinner was pizza and chips in the breakfast area and then our first meeting at 6 p.m. with a slide show of our travels for tomorrow.  After some time visiting and strapping the trailers down I was in the room and in the bed by 8 p.m. and sound to sleep in a matter of minutes.

Monday, September 2, 2019

Rain!  But with 6 or more trucks/SUVs we made out just fine.  We visited and toured the Dunkirk Lighthouse on Lake Erie; rode around the pier had a great lunch at Demetrius; did a drive-by of another lighthouse; made an ice cream stop and learned some very interesting facts about the area. Gary was born and raised right here in Ellicottville and later in Jamestown just a few miles downriver.    Dinner was on our own and then we had a nightly meeting before heading to bed.

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Up early to take my shower and found there was no hot water.  Went to breakfast and found out no one had hot water.  My day was not starting so well.  We wiped off the bikes and lined up for a nice day riding, but the weather was still cool and cloudy.  We did have a couple of visitors for the chamber of commerce who wanted to take a picture for the local paper.  I asked the president of the chamber what the industry was in this area; where do people work, and the answer was tourism.  That’s it.  The village is about 1500 residents but they “import” about 5000 employees to cater to tourist; especially in the winter because they get over 200 inches of snow beginning in later October and lasting right into April.  He said they actually have more tourist in the summer but need more employees during the winter to handle the two ski resorts located here.  The weather warmed up nicely.  We visited the cultural center of the Seneca cultural center; the Kinzua Reservoir and dam and the Kinzua Bridge skywalk. Plus, lunch and ice cream stops so it was a full day.  Left at 8:30 and got back at 5:30 and traveled 169 miles.

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Heading for Canada and Niagara Falls today.  Weather was rainy when we got up and black clouds were swirling overhead so we were heading out in the trucks.  I was to lead this ride while Gary led a group to Letchworth State Park in NY.  I had 9 in my group, 3 vehicles.  Nice trip up and crossing the Peace Bridge was pretty simply.  We traveled on the Queens Way and when we got into Niagara, we found a decent parking location and walked down the hill to a welcome booth to get tickets to Journey Behind the Falls and a bus pass.  The falls are so magnificent and so much power.  Going through the tunnels to stand behind the falls you could feel the power as the water pours over the rocks.  Spray was washing over everything and everyone.  Grabbed a burger at one of the many shops; did a quick look at the expensive gift shops and then decided to ride the bus to the end of the line and then back again.  Saw lots of the tourist area as well as some of the “regular city”.  Met everyone back at the trucks at 2:20 and headed back to our hotel.  Getting back into the USA was not as quick as getting into Canada.  Not difficult; just had to show our passports and answer some questions but they were pretty slow.  Three went off on their own to find a couple of Harley shops before heading back. I’ve walked 9497 steps so far and we still haven’t gone to dinner yet.

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Beautiful day once the fog burned off.  We pulled out at 9:30 heading for the Allegany State Park which was beautiful riding. As always we were given some history facts and I found it interesting that in NY Allegany is spelled differently than in PA where they spell it Allegheny.  Not sure why.  Stopped at the Kinzua Reservoir and the state park gift shop.  Then off to the Horseshoe Inn for lunch and a much-needed rest.  Back on the bikes and maybe 2 miles down the road and we stopped at the Onoville Marina for ice cream.  Back on the bikes we headed back to the hotel for a potty break and then off again to see some amazing iron sculptures.  Very unusual and it makes you wonder what a person was thinking when they came up with these designs.  Back to the hotel for dinner and then game night.

Friday, September 6, 2019

Last day of the rally; listed as a “free day”.  While some rode in 4-wheels to a lunch destination a couple of hours away Don and I walked downtown with Bernie and Faye.  A nice little town consisting of one block of shops that are very expensive.  This is a tourist town and while many come this time of the year to ride the great mountain roads the big attraction is the 200+ inches of snow they get beginning in late October and continuing through March.  There is no pharmacy, no Walmart or any department stores, not even a real grocery store.  There is a small food market (Tops) but I seriously doubt you could do all of your grocery shopping there.  No one living in the village is allowed to have a mailbox but rather must get their mail at a P O Box at the post office.  Almost every home has a sign listing either a room to rent or listing themselves as a B&B.  As I stated in an earlier post, their only industry is tourism.  After our walk downtown Don and I loaded the bikes on the trailer, packed as much as we could in the room and loaded the truck.  This evening was the banquet and we had a great time.  Food was good (just way too much) and then those that wanted to read their interpretation of the Indian drawings that Gary handed out the first night.  I think the drawings were supposed to mean something but what people said they meant was completely different.  Bill Venable’s was the wildest and he won hands down.  Gary handed out 3 pages from the UTR newsletter from 1997 and a group picture of the rally attendees from the first rally.  He said he got the paper from Brad Carter who has been in the club since the beginning.  Bill Venable received the gift for the only person at the rally who has attended all 25 rallies.  Bernie received a gift for the person who worked the hardest to attend this year’s rally.  As always Gary and Ruth did a fantastic job.

Danville and the Tank Museum

Day 8

June 14, 2019

Off we go to Danville VA to visit the Tank Museum.  Set the GPS for the fastest route which normally would be nice roads but for the first 40 miles we were twisting and winding over some very narrow mountain roads; no guardrails, no paint, the only signs were the ones warning of switchbacks and twisties as we climbed up and over the mountains.  Todd was a bit nervous and Don was getting sick.  Finally, we got to 52 which is a nice dual highway.  The tank museum is very large; in fact, it is the largest single, privately owned stock of weapons in the whole United States.  I think Todd found it interesting.  After a couple of hours walking around and taking pictures we headed for lunch and then our hotel.  Very nice Comfort Inn and Suites.  We’re all getting tired and ready to head home tomorrow. We plan to leave early and make a stop in Gordonsville to the grave and then drive home; 364 miles. It’s been a nice vacation.

Full Day Shopping and Rode to Galax

Day 7

June 13, 2019

We had no real plan for today other than go to Mt. Airy and let Todd get a haircut at Floyd’s but the day ended up pretty busy.  Todd brought me coffee while I got ready for breakfast then we spent some time at breakfast talking to 7 bikers from Quebec and a nice couple traveling from Indiana to Nashville by way of the Blue Ridge Parkway in a jeep.  Leaving the hotel we headed for downtown and found Floyd’s did not have a barber today so we stopped at another local barber who has been cutting hair in Mt. Airy for 51 years; same old chairs, clippers and cash register.  Then off we went to the Antique Mall for one more sign for Todd’s room.  A stop at Robby’s to get new cowboy boots but they didn’t have any his size.  So we purchased a couple of nice denim shirts for me and Don (75% off); some slippers for Don and I purchased a hammock with a stand.  It was suggested we go to Harmon’s Western Wear near Galax for boots. Wow I cannot believe we never found this place when we were here with the club; 3 large buildings and more boots and shirts than I’ve seen in one place.  Todd found boots, a shirt and a vest; and Don purchased 2 shirts.  Now it was lunch time so we headed on into Galax to Porky’s for a very nice buffet lunch.  Time to head back to the hotel and on the way to Galax we saw a huge traffic backup.  I knew route 58 would take us directly to Mt. Airy but I set the GPS for shortest and oh my goodness the roads we ended up on.  Great for the motorcycles but a little bit tight for this big truck.  Up and over the Blue Ridge mountains on a back road with no shoulders; straight down the mountainside; no paint and the road barely wide enough for two vehicles.  One switchback after another; tight turns heading down and then right back up.  I was very concerned about riding the brakes and I knew I could shift the truck into manual but wasn’t sure how to do it.  I remembered burning up the brakes in the van on our trip west so I was concerned.  Figured it out and put her in 2^nd gear and still had to hit the brake some because the grade was so steep.  Todd was getting a little tight and while Don wasn’t saying much I think he was ready to get off that road.  It would have been fun but tense even on the bikes.  Like most mountain roads there was no way off until I finally saw a sign to exit for route 77.  When we go off we were just a few miles from the hotel and no one got sick on those switchbacks.  As soon as we got in the room Todd changed into his bathing suit and we headed to the pool for almost 2 hours.  We’ll head out for dinner soon and then pack for an early departure heading for Danville tomorrow to the tank museum.

 


 

Walk All Day Around the Town

Day 6

June 12, 2019

Dwayne and Sherry arrived at 9 AM to spend the day with us.  After hugs and kisses we all pilled in the truck and headed for the Andy Griffith Museum.  I thought Todd knew a lot about Andy Griffith but Dwayne and Sherry have him beat.  After about an hour or so touring the museum we headed downtown and I think we went in every store there.  I purchased a few T-Shirts and something nice for Grandmom Yowell’s grave.  I saw a book that looked very interesting in an antique mall and ordered it on Amazon for half the price.  Todd purchased 4 metal signs to hang on his bedroom walls and Don purchased one he liked.  We ate lunch at Snappy Lunch where hot dogs are $1.50 and bologna sandwiches are $1.25.  We wondered into the Mount Airy Region Museum which was very nice for a small town; I was surprised.  Ice cream at Walkers Soda Fountain and by this time it was close to 4 PM so we headed for the hotel and said our goodbyes to Dwayne and Sherry.  Todd wanted to get in the pool and by the time he got out it was 6:40 PM so we are eating crackers for dinner. 

Where is Andy Griffith

Day 5

June 11, 2019

Left Danville around 8 AM and took the “shortest” route but probably longest time since it was mostly two-lane country roads.  Beautiful country!  Beautiful weather!  Only had 80 miles to go so we actually arrived in Mt. Airy at 11:30 AM way too early to check in at the Comfort Inn.  So we headed down town and stopped first at Wally’s gas station for a tour of the court house, the jail, Sheriff Andy Taylor’s desk and we took a tour around town in the squad car.  Lots of information about the town, the granite quarry, Andy Griffith, and the show.  We learned that the Ford Motor company told Andy they would supply a new squad car every year if he would agree to use only Ford vehicles on the show.  Ford knew the show was going to be a hit and Andy knew a deal when he saw it – couldn’t get much better than free.  Brand new Galaxy 500 rolled off the line, repainted in a flat black; then after a year Ford took the car back, put it back on the line repainted it in the original color and sent it to a dealership as a used car.  No one knew they car they were buying had spent one year on the Andy Griffith show.  The man who gave us the tour allowed Todd to sit in the driver’s seat and blow the siren when we go back to the garage.  He was so proud.  We stopped at his home which is a very small little house where he lived from the age of 8 until he moved away as an adult.  His folks lived there until 1966 when he was doing very well in Hollywood and moved them out to be with him.  The house is now owned by the Hyatt (hotels) and can be rented.  Bet that price is hefty.  We parked downtown and walked around; went into Floyd’s Barber Shop but no barber was on duty.  The man there (Floyd’s son) said he hoped they would have a barber by Wednesday or Thursday.  Gave me his number to call because Todd really wants to get his hair cut at Floyd’s Barber Shop.  We then walked over to Snappy Lunch and ate lunch; stopped at Opie’s candy store and each of us got a small bag of candy from the various candy jars just like we did as kids.  All new to Todd but it brings back memories for Don and me.  Back to the hotel and Todd spend an hour or so in the pool and then we headed across the street to a Mexican restaurant.  Todd was a bit hesitant, but he really like what he got.  Back to the room for the night.

Danville Science Center and more

Day 4

June 10, 2019

We watched out the window last night as dozens classic and hot rod vehicles pulled into the hotel parking lot.  This morning we walked around admiring the shiny cars and trucks.  Breakfast at the hotel and then off we headed to the Danville Science Center.  A large 3 story old building in the old part of town with everything hands on from how gears work to electricity.  Todd got in a “hurricane simulator” which went to 78 MPH wind; a category 1 hurricane.  He said it was hard to breath and felt like little stones hitting his face.  We went in the butterfly building. We walked over to the train station and climbed in a caboose.  The train station is still being used twice a day as Amtrak passes once north and once south.  Then we watched a movie in a huge dome of many of the National Parks – and it was awesome knowing we had been to most of them.  A little picnic lunch on the tailgate of the truck of crackers and slim Jim and then we walked over the bridge of the River Walk.  The whole trail is 9 miles long, so we opted for just a short distance crossing the river.  We noticed that locks – lots of locks – were hanging on the wire on the bridge.  After looking at several closely it was a way the kids were “tagging” the bridge.  The locks had names on them or important dates and/or events.  A nice idea. Back to the room for showers and then dinner.  No rain, thank God for his blessings. We had two or three calls from Zoey and even this morning I “dropped in” to her Alexa (my Kindle is also an Alexa).  She said it freaked her out a little.  Dinner at Golden Corral and over did it again.  The food is so good.  Now to watch TV, read and go to sleep.

Country Roads to Danville VA

Day 3

June 9, 2019

Had an early wake-up call from Zoey.  She talked to Todd a bit and asked him how long to cook a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit for.  She seemed happy but I know she misses him; called him two or three more times – well hangout face time.  We packed and left the hotel around 8 AM heading for Danville, VA about 189 miles.  Heading out of Williamsburg we were on route 31 and suddenly the road stopped at the water’s edge and we had to board a ferry to cross the river.  Pretty cool – stayed in our vehicle for the 2.5-mile trip.  Then for most of the ride we were on 40 which is a very nice back road with lots of hills and curves.  Great on the bikes.  It is still raining; not hard but enough that it would have been miserable on bikes.  Stopped once for a rest on 85 and then arrived in Danville around noon so we grabbed lunch at McD and then tried to find a Walmart.  All they have here is a Walmart Neighborhood Market which we found out to be only groceries.  Next, we headed for our hotel which is very nice, but I had booked on booking.com a room with 2 beds and when the reservation came to the hotel it was a room with 1 king bed.  And the hotel is full – in fact ALL the hotels for 100 miles are full so I understand.  The lady at the front desk was so nice and I’m not sure what she switched but she got us a room with 2 beds, and it is very nice.  At lunch I realized I didn’t have my grocery credit card.  Not like me to lose a card.  When we got in the room, I checked the account and the last charge was to Pat’s Pizza.  I just called them and yes, it is there.  The manager said Shawn can pick it up, so I just texted her; I know she and Zoey are at the movies but hope she calls me soon.  She called and yes, she went and got my card.  Zoey was excited to tell us about the movie.  And then they were going to get ice cream and oh the cone she got!  Large covered with sprinkles. We went to Medos for dinner.  A small local Italian diner; didn’t look like much on the outside but my goodness the food was so good. 

Pictures of Day 2

Williamsburg and Jamestown Here We Come

Day 2

June 8, 2019

Well the day didn’t start too good – my back was out of sorts and I couldn’t get out of bed.  Don and Todd had to help me and then the pain was so bad.  Got moving around, took a shower and had breakfast.  The rain has stopped for now – I’m praying it stays rain free all day because everything is outside.  Todd keeps saying “aren’t you glad I didn’t want to come on the bikes?”  We will head for the Williamsburg Visitor Center in about 30 minutes to get tickets.  Got our tickets, watched a video about John Fry that told some history about how and why the colonies began the separation from England then headed to the shuttle to take us to historic Williamsburg.  Started our tour at the capital and learning about the system of government setup by England.  We learned that Virginia was the first colony to write its own “bill of rights” and it became the model for the new country.  Leaving the capital building we walked up Duke of Gloucester stopping at various houses and businesses to meet some interesting people like Thomas Jefferson.  A turn on Palace Green and we arrived at the Governor’s Palace in time for a guided tour.  What a beautiful place for a person who thought they were as important as the king!  There were hundreds of weapons on the walls; rifles, pistols, swords.  It was a requirement for everyone over the age of 16 to own a rifle or pistol.  Just imagine, now our government is trying to take that right from us. But the budding new country had a different opinion.  Every time I read or learn about how our country began it brings tears to my eyes.  We might be a long way from our founding fathers dreams but we are still the best nation in the world. After leaving the Palace we walked back down Duke of Gloucester and stopped at the Kings Arms Tavern for lunch then back to the visitor’s center to get the truck.  Now we headed to Jamestown Settlement.  After purchasing tickets, we headed to the outside exhibits since we only had 2 hours before closing time.  First stop was the Indian village (the real first citizens) and then down to the wharf to board the Susan Constant.  That was the largest of the 3 ships bringing people from England.  It was really a cargo ship, so people were stuffed in the second deck with cargo.  The ship could only hold 71 people (51 were passengers) and they had to stay below deck in order to stay out of the way of the crew.  It was dark and smelly, and it took them 5 months to reach the strange land.  It is amazing that they didn’t all die.  Next, we walked to James Fort and wondered around it and then we went back to the visitor center and walked through the museum just a little before going to the gift shop.  Back to the truck we headed back to the motel for an hour and then out to dinner.  We are so tired!  According to the fitbit we walked over 12,000 steps (5 miles) today.  Hot shower for me and then to bed.  Talked to Zoey just now on the phone and she was laughing and giggling; she is so much happier than she would have been on this trip. 

Mt. Airy Vacation 2019

Day 1

June 7, 2019

Today is my birthday, 71 years old.  On 60^th birthday I said all I want from that point on was to be traveling (preferred on the bikes) on my birthday.  This vacation was planned all around Todd’s interests.  He has become very fond of Andy Griffith and when I said we had been there he was excited to go himself.  So after months of planning we headed out this morning at 8:45 AM for Williamsburg VA.  We will spend 2 days touring Williamsburg and Jamestown then head to Danville for a couple of days and then over to Mt. Airy (Mayberry USA) for 3 days.  Zoey has no interest in touring these locations so she is staying home with Mom Mom Shawn and they will do fun stuff like the beach, movies, Chuckie Cheese.  We are traveling in the truck, I wanted to do it on the bikes but Todd voted for the truck.  Well just crossing the Chesapeake Bridge Tunnel it started to sprinkle.  Then maybe 3 miles more and it down poured to the point I could hardly see and had to put the flashers on.  I was glad we had not come on the bikes!  We only made one pit stop and arrived at the Econo Lodge in Williamsburg around 2PM.  Got our room right away and it is a nice efficiency with 2 beds, large room, hardwood floors, kitchen area, second floor (outside stairs) on the corner.  Since we had not stopped for lunch we headed to the Cracker Barrell for a late lunch/early dinner then back to the room.  But it is raining so hard Don doesn’t want to take the cover off the truck to get our luggage.  Hope it stops before bed!  Tomorrow we will head to the Williamsburg Visitor Center and make plans to visit Williamsburg and Jamestown.