May 6, 2012
Well our group began to shrink first thing this morning. Geo and Chrissy headed to Milton PA to visit her sister while Renee, Ron and Mina headed home by way of Interstates. The rest of us weren't ready to give up so we headed out to find as many mountains; twists and turns as possible while still working our way home. Clouds and cool temps are again the order but as we climb higher and higher the fog becomes our biggest problem. Pretty soon it is thick enough to cut with a knife; our windshields are covered with water, our clothes are wet; we're cold and you cannot see two bikes ahead of you. We pull off for a break and out comes the heated jacket; I'm cold. On we press and the fog lefts we head for Gap PA with plans to have lunch. Glenn is doing a wonderful job finding great roads with banked curves and sweepers. Then about 20 miles away from Gap we are caught off guard when one of our bikes goes down in a tight curve. As I top the hill and round the curve I see her husband's bike sitting sideways in the road; part of her saddlebag in the middle of the road and her bike on its side slide up against the side of the mountain. This is the kind of scene you hope you never have to deal with but most bikers will tell you if you ride and ride a lot you will go down at one time or another. While this young lady did suffer a broken arm and some road rash on her chin it could have been much worse so we thank God for his protection. But this did put a bit of a damper on the rest of the ride. Her husband and another couple went to the hospital with her and the rest of us regrouped. We switched the GPS from shortest to fastest, and to allow highways and headed home.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Saturday, May 5, 2012
A Day Kissed Wtih Blessings
May 5, 2012
Overcast skies greeted us but the weather was warm enough the jacket was packed in the trunk. I chose to ride on the back of Bessie with Don today for a couple of reasons: 1) to spend time with my husband, we can talk and share the trip and 2) I can take pictures and really enjoy the scenery. I will admit we found a couple of roads I would have liked to rock and roll on my own two wheels but that’s ok.
I expected visiting Bill’s Old Bike Barn to be interesting but let’s face it I was just here last year; but this place is so full of various items that I found lots of things I had missed during my first trip. It was interesting to talk to Bill’s wife and find they have now built living quarters on the second floor because they spend so much time at the museum they figured it only made sense to just live there. Just imagine – living in such a wonderful play land! And they are not done – they are currently working on another extension to fill with more collectables.
After a couple hours wondering around and marveling over this and that Glenn leads us on some great roads to explore the countryside. The sun is bright and the temps are warm. How can I put into words what I saw? Mountains with wet rock faces where they had been split to blast a way for the road and thin trickles of water seeping through small unseen cracks from the belly of the earth. These trickles turn into small creeks and streams tumbling and rushing over rocks creating small waterfalls which feed into rivers lazily flowing towards the ocean. Wild flowers of white, purple and yellow wave in the tall grass by the road as we pass and the air is scented with their smell. Cattle graze on the hills and a few sheep are seen in pastures with grass up to their belly so they appear to be cotton balls on a carpet of green. Fields have been plowed but not planted yet and in some areas the dirt is so dark it reminds me of a cookie sheet spread with dark melted chocolate. We pass houses built of stone and logs with vines clinging to the sides and reaching the roof; not the new fancy ones but the strong sturdy ones built a hundred years ago. The ones that have heard a thousand cries of new born babies, the secrets of a young girl in love and the whispers of the aging husband and wife sitting on the front porch waving to us as we pass. There are barns of all shapes, sizes and state of repair. Some are well cared for and painted red with farm equipment inside and others with boards missing here and there, dark weathered walls that appear to have never felt the smooth caress of a paint brush but still serving the purpose they were built for. We travel through townships like Wolf, Dushore, Picture Rock, Valley and others. We stop for lunch at Pam’s Restaurant in Dushore; having no idea exactly how we got here but knowing we enjoyed every minute of getting here. We had the whole restaurant to ourselves; I mean how much business would a small place in a small crossroads have? We laugh and tease and look forward to more riding after lunch. Glenn leads us out and we travel what I call a four digit road. The road number was 1048 and I told Don I didn’t think this was going to end well. I’ve found that four digit roads in PA many times turn to dirt when you least expect. We were climbing and dipping over the blacktop with no lines and no shoulders enjoying the wind in our face and the constant sway of the bike when Glenn announced it doesn’t look good and we better turn around and find another route to Lewisburg. Oh well no problem when you don’t have a real plan other than to enjoy the ride you’re never lost and never late you live in the moment and what more could anyone ask.
In Lewisburg we spend some time in the Street Shops a place we found last year; an old furniture factory building that now houses a variety of specialty shops. Time to head back to the hotel just 40 or so miles away but our tanks are empty so what we expect to be a quick stop turns into an hour or so because one of the bikes decided she just wasn’t going to fire. Now we cannot fault this bike she didn’t give up on a back road or in the small town at lunch – no she gave up right in a gas station’s parking lot just a mile or so from a Walmart and an auto parts store. Several men hovered over the bike to figure out what her ailment might be. A lifeline is hooked to her battery from a Honda Gold Wing and we wait to see if she will revive. No luck so off goes Mike on his bike to Walmart to purchase a new battery. Back comes Mike wrong battery but this time the faulty battery is out and he can take it with him. Off goes Mike again - back comes Mike and again 7 or 8 hover over the ailing patient to monitor the installation of the new battery. A turn of the key and she rumbles; all is well. Ok let’s pull on our helmets and find the Interstate to make a fast trip of the 40 miles back to the hotel and dinner.
We pull in the parking lot at 7:45 and the restaurant next door closes at 8. Someone runs to the restaurant to see if they will still serve us, yes! Did I say this was a great day? Do I even need to say that or have you figured that out?
Overcast skies greeted us but the weather was warm enough the jacket was packed in the trunk. I chose to ride on the back of Bessie with Don today for a couple of reasons: 1) to spend time with my husband, we can talk and share the trip and 2) I can take pictures and really enjoy the scenery. I will admit we found a couple of roads I would have liked to rock and roll on my own two wheels but that’s ok.
I expected visiting Bill’s Old Bike Barn to be interesting but let’s face it I was just here last year; but this place is so full of various items that I found lots of things I had missed during my first trip. It was interesting to talk to Bill’s wife and find they have now built living quarters on the second floor because they spend so much time at the museum they figured it only made sense to just live there. Just imagine – living in such a wonderful play land! And they are not done – they are currently working on another extension to fill with more collectables.
After a couple hours wondering around and marveling over this and that Glenn leads us on some great roads to explore the countryside. The sun is bright and the temps are warm. How can I put into words what I saw? Mountains with wet rock faces where they had been split to blast a way for the road and thin trickles of water seeping through small unseen cracks from the belly of the earth. These trickles turn into small creeks and streams tumbling and rushing over rocks creating small waterfalls which feed into rivers lazily flowing towards the ocean. Wild flowers of white, purple and yellow wave in the tall grass by the road as we pass and the air is scented with their smell. Cattle graze on the hills and a few sheep are seen in pastures with grass up to their belly so they appear to be cotton balls on a carpet of green. Fields have been plowed but not planted yet and in some areas the dirt is so dark it reminds me of a cookie sheet spread with dark melted chocolate. We pass houses built of stone and logs with vines clinging to the sides and reaching the roof; not the new fancy ones but the strong sturdy ones built a hundred years ago. The ones that have heard a thousand cries of new born babies, the secrets of a young girl in love and the whispers of the aging husband and wife sitting on the front porch waving to us as we pass. There are barns of all shapes, sizes and state of repair. Some are well cared for and painted red with farm equipment inside and others with boards missing here and there, dark weathered walls that appear to have never felt the smooth caress of a paint brush but still serving the purpose they were built for. We travel through townships like Wolf, Dushore, Picture Rock, Valley and others. We stop for lunch at Pam’s Restaurant in Dushore; having no idea exactly how we got here but knowing we enjoyed every minute of getting here. We had the whole restaurant to ourselves; I mean how much business would a small place in a small crossroads have? We laugh and tease and look forward to more riding after lunch. Glenn leads us out and we travel what I call a four digit road. The road number was 1048 and I told Don I didn’t think this was going to end well. I’ve found that four digit roads in PA many times turn to dirt when you least expect. We were climbing and dipping over the blacktop with no lines and no shoulders enjoying the wind in our face and the constant sway of the bike when Glenn announced it doesn’t look good and we better turn around and find another route to Lewisburg. Oh well no problem when you don’t have a real plan other than to enjoy the ride you’re never lost and never late you live in the moment and what more could anyone ask.
In Lewisburg we spend some time in the Street Shops a place we found last year; an old furniture factory building that now houses a variety of specialty shops. Time to head back to the hotel just 40 or so miles away but our tanks are empty so what we expect to be a quick stop turns into an hour or so because one of the bikes decided she just wasn’t going to fire. Now we cannot fault this bike she didn’t give up on a back road or in the small town at lunch – no she gave up right in a gas station’s parking lot just a mile or so from a Walmart and an auto parts store. Several men hovered over the bike to figure out what her ailment might be. A lifeline is hooked to her battery from a Honda Gold Wing and we wait to see if she will revive. No luck so off goes Mike on his bike to Walmart to purchase a new battery. Back comes Mike wrong battery but this time the faulty battery is out and he can take it with him. Off goes Mike again - back comes Mike and again 7 or 8 hover over the ailing patient to monitor the installation of the new battery. A turn of the key and she rumbles; all is well. Ok let’s pull on our helmets and find the Interstate to make a fast trip of the 40 miles back to the hotel and dinner.
We pull in the parking lot at 7:45 and the restaurant next door closes at 8. Someone runs to the restaurant to see if they will still serve us, yes! Did I say this was a great day? Do I even need to say that or have you figured that out?
Friday, May 4, 2012
Off We Go
May 4, 2012
Pulled out of the drive at 7:30 a.m. heading to Sudlersville to meet the rest of our group but first we need breakfast at Parkside Deli and as we suspected Bernie was there drinking coffee and telling stories with his buddies. Sneaking in I placed a kiss on his neck and startled him and gave his buddies something to talk about. In a few minutes Andy and Bonnie joined us and then by 8:45 a.m. everyone arrived. We had 19 bikes; 24 people all excited about heading north. I noticed we had 6 women riding their own bikes; that’s a good number.
The morning is cool and fog has settled around us; the moisture in this cloud which engulfs us coupled with the wind chill of riding at 60 mph makes the 58 degree temps feel much colder. I had packed my heated jacket but wasn’t sure if I wanted to put it on since I was betting it would warm soon and I wouldn’t be able to take it off. I decide to leave it in the saddlebag. The fog lifts in about an hour or so but where is the sun? Nowhere to be seen! As we snake our way through the countryside highway signs warn of sharp curves or hidden entrances. Most riders have a CB but there is no chatter other than the occasional “got the light” or “we all cleared the intersection”. I’m listening to the best music I know; the hum of the V-twin engines and the rumble of the “bad boy pipes” on several of the bikes and the shifting of gears as we climb and descend the hills. The smell of sweet wild flowers and trees mixes with the earthy smell of the farms; manure from the barns; chemicals being applied to the fields and the smell of the earth being turned as an Amish man works with his team of mules. The fields are so organized; I know why they plow and plant in plots so the dirt doesn’t wash away on the side of the mountain but how do they plow and plant each plot with such straight edges? And the clothes hanging on the line are organized with all the dresses together, then the shirts, the pants next and so on. All of life seems to be in order today. The route Glenn has picked is not the fastest or the most direct but that’s exactly the way we want it as it wonders beside Wolf Creek or other rivers and streams. We top a mountain to see a couple dozen windmills slicking the air in a slow rhythm planted on the ridge like tall, straight soldiers guarding the mountain.
We pull into the restaurant parking lot at 12:30 and the sun is now shining. By the time we mount the bikes I debate if I should wear the black leather jacket; yes I’ll put it back on. Just 30 minutes later I realize this was a bad choice. As we pull into a parking lot to regroup I shed the jacket and the gloves like a snake sheds its skin. Back on the road the wind whips around my arms and face while the sun warms my skin. A small drop of rain hits the windshield then another; a quick glance at the sky reveals a very dark cloud just ahead of us. Then we turn right and leave the cloud behind us as we climb higher on Gordon’s Mountain.
We arrive at the hotel by 5 p.m. the odometer registers 202 miles; dinner at 6 at the restaurant next door and the lighten flashes and the thunder rumbles while the rain pounds the pavement. Our prayers were answered today; no rain while we were riding.
Pulled out of the drive at 7:30 a.m. heading to Sudlersville to meet the rest of our group but first we need breakfast at Parkside Deli and as we suspected Bernie was there drinking coffee and telling stories with his buddies. Sneaking in I placed a kiss on his neck and startled him and gave his buddies something to talk about. In a few minutes Andy and Bonnie joined us and then by 8:45 a.m. everyone arrived. We had 19 bikes; 24 people all excited about heading north. I noticed we had 6 women riding their own bikes; that’s a good number.
The morning is cool and fog has settled around us; the moisture in this cloud which engulfs us coupled with the wind chill of riding at 60 mph makes the 58 degree temps feel much colder. I had packed my heated jacket but wasn’t sure if I wanted to put it on since I was betting it would warm soon and I wouldn’t be able to take it off. I decide to leave it in the saddlebag. The fog lifts in about an hour or so but where is the sun? Nowhere to be seen! As we snake our way through the countryside highway signs warn of sharp curves or hidden entrances. Most riders have a CB but there is no chatter other than the occasional “got the light” or “we all cleared the intersection”. I’m listening to the best music I know; the hum of the V-twin engines and the rumble of the “bad boy pipes” on several of the bikes and the shifting of gears as we climb and descend the hills. The smell of sweet wild flowers and trees mixes with the earthy smell of the farms; manure from the barns; chemicals being applied to the fields and the smell of the earth being turned as an Amish man works with his team of mules. The fields are so organized; I know why they plow and plant in plots so the dirt doesn’t wash away on the side of the mountain but how do they plow and plant each plot with such straight edges? And the clothes hanging on the line are organized with all the dresses together, then the shirts, the pants next and so on. All of life seems to be in order today. The route Glenn has picked is not the fastest or the most direct but that’s exactly the way we want it as it wonders beside Wolf Creek or other rivers and streams. We top a mountain to see a couple dozen windmills slicking the air in a slow rhythm planted on the ridge like tall, straight soldiers guarding the mountain.
We pull into the restaurant parking lot at 12:30 and the sun is now shining. By the time we mount the bikes I debate if I should wear the black leather jacket; yes I’ll put it back on. Just 30 minutes later I realize this was a bad choice. As we pull into a parking lot to regroup I shed the jacket and the gloves like a snake sheds its skin. Back on the road the wind whips around my arms and face while the sun warms my skin. A small drop of rain hits the windshield then another; a quick glance at the sky reveals a very dark cloud just ahead of us. Then we turn right and leave the cloud behind us as we climb higher on Gordon’s Mountain.
We arrive at the hotel by 5 p.m. the odometer registers 202 miles; dinner at 6 at the restaurant next door and the lighten flashes and the thunder rumbles while the rain pounds the pavement. Our prayers were answered today; no rain while we were riding.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Bloomsburg Here We Come
Ya’ll ready for the 2012 riding season? I am so hold on to your hat – ah helmet – and prepare to enjoy the north, south and west as we ride through valleys and over hills and climb some mountains. Tomorrow will be our first extended trip for this year as we head to Bloomsburg, PA to visit Bill’s Old Bike Barn. A small group of us found this amazing place last year and Glenn offered to lead a group from UTR this year. While the destination of any trip is good it is the getting there that makes the trip a ride – am I making any sense to you folks on 4 wheels? I have and do on some occasions travel interstates and turnpikes but only by necessity; my true passion is the byways and back roads that lead through little towns that might be nothing more than a dot on the map. The back roads go up and over mountains with sweeping curves while the interstates have blasted away the mountain in order to keep the highway as straight and flat as possible to allow for speed to reach that destination quickly and thereby missing the heart of this great nation.
Ok let’s begin – the bikes have been checked and the saddlebags cleaned out and ready to prepare for this coming season. Rain gear, check; tool kit, check; two pairs of gloves, check; a couple of hats to cover the helmet-head when we stop, check; battery tender, check and this year I’ve added a complete spare CB system; when mine gets wet it stops working for a day or two until completely dried out. Bernie had a great idea to keep your hands dry because no matter how good the leather gloves with enough rain your hands get wet and cold. I’m packing a few thin rubber gloves like the doctor’s wear and I can put them on first and then pull on the leather gloves. Now for my feet got to cover the boots with waterproof silicone spray tonight. Wonder if that Flex Spray advertised on TV would work? I normally keep bug spray and sunscreen in the saddlebags as well and a set of binoculars.
My packing list isn’t too long for clothes, I’ve learned how to limit the number of jeans, shirts, socks and so on but it seems the bag of meds, make-up, and gadget cords is getting larger every year. Got a cord for the cell phone, a cord for the Kindle, one for the digital camera and of course got to take the laptop with its cord. Oh don’t want to forget the GPS – Gabby goes with me everywhere, and I cannot forget the trip folder. I have been working on these trip folders for months and they consist of maps; hotel reservation information and printouts of interesting places to visit in and around our destination or on the way. Now Don’s packing will also consist of a cooler with water, really need to stay hydrated when riding, a container of snacks to consume at the rest stops and a small bag containing $5 worth of quarters for the card games the gang plays in the evenings. When I first started riding I said if I couldn’t carry it on my own bike then I wouldn’t take it! Wow how stupid! I pack as much as possible on Don’s bike and we now have a trailer but seldom need it for just a 3-day trip.
I’ve been praying for good weather and no rain for the next 3 days but I’m prepared for wet weather. Is this a lack of faith? I don’t think so because I’m sure there is someone in the area where we will be traveling who is praying for rain just as fervently as I am for no rain. Let’s see if God works it out so we both get what we’re askin for!
We will leave around 7:30 a.m. tomorrow so ya’ll come back and visit my blog after we’ve traveled about 230 miles on the ribbons of asphalt.
Ok let’s begin – the bikes have been checked and the saddlebags cleaned out and ready to prepare for this coming season. Rain gear, check; tool kit, check; two pairs of gloves, check; a couple of hats to cover the helmet-head when we stop, check; battery tender, check and this year I’ve added a complete spare CB system; when mine gets wet it stops working for a day or two until completely dried out. Bernie had a great idea to keep your hands dry because no matter how good the leather gloves with enough rain your hands get wet and cold. I’m packing a few thin rubber gloves like the doctor’s wear and I can put them on first and then pull on the leather gloves. Now for my feet got to cover the boots with waterproof silicone spray tonight. Wonder if that Flex Spray advertised on TV would work? I normally keep bug spray and sunscreen in the saddlebags as well and a set of binoculars.
My packing list isn’t too long for clothes, I’ve learned how to limit the number of jeans, shirts, socks and so on but it seems the bag of meds, make-up, and gadget cords is getting larger every year. Got a cord for the cell phone, a cord for the Kindle, one for the digital camera and of course got to take the laptop with its cord. Oh don’t want to forget the GPS – Gabby goes with me everywhere, and I cannot forget the trip folder. I have been working on these trip folders for months and they consist of maps; hotel reservation information and printouts of interesting places to visit in and around our destination or on the way. Now Don’s packing will also consist of a cooler with water, really need to stay hydrated when riding, a container of snacks to consume at the rest stops and a small bag containing $5 worth of quarters for the card games the gang plays in the evenings. When I first started riding I said if I couldn’t carry it on my own bike then I wouldn’t take it! Wow how stupid! I pack as much as possible on Don’s bike and we now have a trailer but seldom need it for just a 3-day trip.
I’ve been praying for good weather and no rain for the next 3 days but I’m prepared for wet weather. Is this a lack of faith? I don’t think so because I’m sure there is someone in the area where we will be traveling who is praying for rain just as fervently as I am for no rain. Let’s see if God works it out so we both get what we’re askin for!
We will leave around 7:30 a.m. tomorrow so ya’ll come back and visit my blog after we’ve traveled about 230 miles on the ribbons of asphalt.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Riding Season 2012 Is Upon Us
Well it is spring of 2012 and I’ve been busy planning trips galore. We have a 3 day to Bloomsburg, PA; 2 weeks in Nashville; a day in NYC; a week in Paintsville, KY and the final one for 2012 is a 3 day to Cass, WV. I’ve planned the routes over and over making small changes to take the most motorcycle friendly roads I can find for each trip. I’ve also planned another cross-country for 2013 (this one’s been in the works for about 2 years) and I’m working on a trip to Alaska which is a few years down the road. Bikes are ready for the 2012 season and so am I! Let the fun begin.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Slow start today; we left the hotel around 9:45 traveling about 10 miles to Fancy Gap where they were having an Apple Festival with Bluegrass music. Shouldn’t have been surprised when we arrived and found it was about 6 vendors since Fancy Gap is about 1 mile on one road. We began to walk around the vendors and one was spinning Alpaca hair into yarn. Several of us gathered around and began asking questions and the mother said they had a farm about 4 miles south on the Blue Ridge and she would be happy to go home and give us a tour if we would like. Would we like? Oh yes! So in about an hour we headed for the farm. She was a wealth of knowledge; they currently have about 47 Alpaca and several of them are blue ribbon winners. Each is named and they have the most beautiful black eyes and curious looks as they tried to figure out who we were. And anything made of Alpaca hair is so soft and expensive. After leaving we headed back to Fancy Gap for lunch and then off to meander back mountain roads ending at the hotel after about an hour or so. We packed the trailer for the trip home tomorrow. I don’t understand how we traveled for 11 years without a trailer and we did just fine but now we can barely stuff everything we need in this oversized trailer. Banquet as usual was good food and lots of fun exchanging door prizes and gag gifts given to match issues experienced during the week. Ken received a coonskin hat with a tail and a gun for being the tail-gunner all week; Ginny received glasses because she is always borrowing someone’s glasses to read the menu; Don received earplugs because he had me as a passenger all week (wonder what that’s all about) and the list goes on and on. Winners of the 50/50 were Ken, Glenn and Willa. Back at the hotel hugs and kisses and goodbyes are said as we each decide our routes home and two or three join up in small groups to travel together. The rally has ended for 2011.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
