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Saturday, September 27, 2008

Falls Fest 2008

September 27, 2008
Wichita Falls, TX

Ted (my Dad, yellow shirt) and Teddy (my brother, far right) line up with buddies to ride in the Nuts and Bolts Run which started at Red River Harley Davidson and ends with a motorcycle parade of sorts into the grounds of the Falls Fest in Lucy Park.

Dad, tough ol' son of a gun that he is, rode with pneumonia today.

The weather was bright and sunny and got a bit warm in the afternoon. The ride went well. Dad got home after 7:00 PM.


Mom said she took the following pic when she noticed a girl on a hot-pink Harley in a matching halter top pull into the parking lot with all eyes following her... including Dad and my brother, right hand side of the pic. The brother is sorta in trouble now with his other half who apparently hasn't heard there's no harm in looking. ha!

Saturday Wyoming Ride

September 27, 2008
Fort Collins, CO

About mid-morning we hopped on The Ride with a loose bearing of heading north-west in mind. We thought it might be a fine day for a ride up the Poudre Canyon or maybe Wyoming. As we suited up we noted that the day was somewhat overcast. Clear skies was the forecast. We were thinking the weather man missed on his predictions. We took them along, but chose not to wear our leather jackets, a fact we somewhat regretted a few miles out as the morning stayed gray and chilly.

Poudre Canyon is a ride up in elevation so we opted for Laramie which is also a ride up in elevation but it is also across flat lands. We got weak sunshine and a southerly wind on our backs about halfway to Laramie, but it was a nice ride.

Just inside the city limits is an indoor flea market called Bart's, so we stopped to stretch our legs and look through the booths. Tim found a Marcrest plate in remarkable condition for our collection. They wrapped it well and we slipped it into one of the saddle bags and cushioned it with the bike's dust cover. It made the trip home in one piece.

We were hungry! So we rode the streets of town, looking the restaurants over, filled up with gas and rode back to a restaurant called Shari's situated on 3rd Street in the same parking lot as the Hastings book store where we sheltered a few weeks back during a downpour. Neither one of us ever remember seeing it. We were delighted with the food and the coffee at Shari's which we discovered is a chain restaurant in the northwest. We both had a bowl of baked potato soup - very good! then, Tim had a colossal burger (man was it!) and I had chicken and dumplings.

After lunch, we took a look at the clouds building over the valley we just came through and decided against going back the way we came. We know all too well how quickly the skies can change in Wyoming. We rode east on I-80 to Cheyenne. That southerly wind that was on our backs the trip up was now a stout broadside wind. The gusts nearly took our heads off time and again. The few pics I took along the way didn't turn out well, too much wind to hold your hand up and steady.

By the time we reached Cheyenne, we were ready for a rest and a stretch of the legs and another sip of coffee. We had coffee in a thermos in the saddle bags so we stopped at Holliday Park. There, we were delighted to see hundreds of Canadian geese around the little lake. There was a large domestic gray goose and several domestic white geese and ducks as well. We fed the geese animal crackers, which is the only snack we had with us suitable for them.

A couple of miles on down the road we found Maverick Motorsports, the local Harley-Davidson dealership and some. We stopped to browse the bikes and the clothing. Tim bought a throttle rest to go on The Ride. Afterwards, we decided the wind might not be as bad on Hwy 85 as on I-25 going home so that's the route we took. Basically doing the trip the way we had a few weeks ago, only in reverse. We stopped one more time in Ault to stretch our legs and rolled into Fort Collins about 5 pm.

We spent the evening on the patio with a beer and a fire in the chiminea, talking about the fun we had on our ride today.

Total mileage = 196 miles.


Friday, September 26, 2008

TGIF Ride - Just Out Our Front Door

September 26, 2008
Fort Collins, CO

Today we took a quick TGIF ride up and over Horsetooth Dam and wound our way back on Lory Lake Road and Overland Trail. This amazing ride is literally out our front door, about 22 miles and takes just over half an hour. It was a beautiful morning for a ride.

The weekend plan is to ride (day trip) somewhere tomorrow, we haven't decided exactly where yet. Maybe up the Poudre Canyon, maybe over to Laramie - who knows? We say we'll hang around here Sunday and get a few things done -- but I wouldn't bet on it - if the weather is fine. LOL!

The yard is covered in leaves, it needs weed-eating and mowing and some of the flowers need cutting back. The gutters are full of leaves. the squash and maters need picking. The house needs a good cleaning -- blah-blah-blah. I think it should be written somewhere when you buy a Harley that you should move into a GARAGE so there are no mundane chores to worry about. Ha!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Dad rides over 500 miles

September 24, 2008
Wichita Falls, Texas

Motorcycle Run for the Troops

September 20, 2008 While we were riding around Colorado last weekend, Dad rode over 500 miles in a single day from Wichita Falls to Nolanville (near Waco) in the 4th Annual AT&T Pioneer Volunteers Motorcycle Run. Over 300 riders attended converging from San Antonio, Waco, Austin, Fort Worth, Mansfield and Abilene. Proceeds benefited many military charities.

Source: http://www.motorcycle-run-for-the-troops.org/2008/photos_tx.php">http://www.motorcycle-run-for-the-troops.org/2008/photos_tx.php (dead link)

We rode over 600 miles in 4 days. I'd say Dad kicked our butt in mileage - wouldn't you?

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Colorado Weekend - Day Four - Road Home

September 24, 2008
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado Weekend - Day Four - The Road Home

We were less eager to rise this morning, because this was the day we had to return to reality and home.

After a continental breakfast, and a last chat with our new Georgia friends, we packed up the bike and suited up for the ride home. We thought about going back the way we came but, nixed that idea. Been there, done that. We thought about the route through the mountains which would take most of the day, but storms were already building and agreed that wasn't such a great idea. Finally, we decided - ride I-25 to Denver and we'll figure it out when we get there. The ride went well. It was early so the traffic wasn't bad. It was cold at Monument Hill and going over the Palmer Divide.

We stopped for donuts and coffee at the Krispy Kreme just off of C-470 and I-25 in Denver. There, we decided to ride C-470 around the south end of Denver, go through Golden and take Hwy 93 on to Boulder. This was a pleasant drive, one we've made several times - just never on a motorcycle. We stopped for a coke and a short rest in Boulder and made the trip into Fort Collins fairly quick.

It's been a long time since we've had such a good time in the mountains. We have The Ride to thank for that. This will likely be the last long weekend of the summer, but there are plenty of short rides just out our back door and we're looking forward to each and every one of them.


Total trip Mileage = approximately 616 miles

Colorado Weekend - Day Three - Bishop Castle

September 23, 2008
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado Weekend - Day Three - Part Two - Bishop Castle


More about Bishop Castle
http://eagleriverpewter.com/history.html

Monday, September 22, 2008

Colorado Weekend - Day Three - The Ride

September 23, 2008
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado Weekend - Day Three - Part One - The Ride

Once again, there are too many pictures for a single slide show so I've split this day into two posts: The Ride and Bishop's Castle.

We rose a little later than the day before, grabbed a quick bite at the continental breakfast bar at the motel, said hello to our new friends from Georgia and headed out about 9 am. Today, the idea was to head south toward Canon City and San Isabel Forest...

I won't say we were lost (because, as Dad always says, we still had gas), but we spent a while driving the streets at the base of Cheyenne Mountain. We found the entrance to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Seven Falls, noted the direction of Helen Hunt Falls, drove past the vast estate of the Hotel Broadmoor, I saw the statue of Will Rogers on the side of the mountain and more. We finally back-tracked to where we might have made a wrong turn and sure enough found Hwy 115.

It was a great morning to be on the road. By the time, we neared Florence, it was time to gas up and stretch our legs. We stopped at a Shell Station, apparently the best place to fill up a motorcycle because there were about twelve in the parking lot and at the pumps. We filled up, and rested a while at a picnic table while many more bikes stopped or passed by in groups and pairs and singles. One biker we met, pulled in next to us. While chatting, Tim found out he was originally from Wichita Falls. He had been in Colorado about twenty years.

Next stop - San Isabel Forest and Bishop's Castle. The morning had warmed, so we shed our leather jackets, a decision we somewhat regretted a few miles down the road. The road near Westcliffe turns south into San Isabel Forest. We had forgotten the road went over Bigelo Divide (Summit about 8000 or so in elevation) so it got cold quick. Bishop's Castle is about 12 or 13 miles into the forest on the west side of the twisting, turning road. It was a great ride. We haven't been to the castle for several years and were eager to see the progress.

Soon, we rounded the bend in the road and laid eyes on the castle. Across the highway, was a long row of parked motorcycles and lots of people walking around in leathers. The castle has grown considerably over the years and the story is interesting. It is a castle, made from native stone, the handiwork of three generations of the Bishop family over nearly 40 years. The castle started as a stone cottage for the Bishop family in 1969. They lived in primitive conditions for many years. We explored and climbed and marveled like most of the kids running about. We did not climb to the top. It is 160 feet to the top of the tallest tower.

We enjoyed the visit until some liberal left wing lunatic started spouting anti-American hate speech to the crowd. We made the last few rounds and left along with the rest of our fellow bikers before we killed the SOB. We drowned him out with the horn and the sounds of motorcycle engines. Too bad. The castle operates off of donations... they didn't get any money from most of us that day.

The road took us past San Isabel Lake, as peaceful as ever, eventually out of the forest and onto the high plains into Colorado City where we stopped for a stretch at the rest stop beside I-25. We met a couple at the rest stop, up from Austin and on their way to Estes Park for a week. The man graduated from Old High (WFHS) in the sixties.

We rode I-25 north into Pueblo. I said we have to stop at The Cracker Barrel to eat. Imagine my surprise, when Tim drove past the Cracker Barrel to The Outpost - Harley-Davidson Dealership. The place was packed with bikes and people. The dealership was having their annual open house, HOG party and bike rally. We mingled in the crowd for a few minutes until the too loud rap music drove us inside. We bought a couple of t-shirts and left soon after. I threatened Tim with his life if he rode past the restaurant again. ha!

After a good meal and a little rest at The Cracker Barrel, we rode I-25 back into the Springs. Relaxing in front of the motel for the last evening, we visited with the folks from Georgia and a biker lady from Iowa who pulled up a chair, with her cigarette and mixed drink and asked if we knew a better way back to Iowa than through Kansas or Nebraska. We thought this was a trick question. Tim showed her the east-west highways out of Colorado on the map. Nebraska requires the wearing of a helmet across their state so we figure they took I-70 east across Kansas. We watched two young deer haphazardly cross the street at dusk and graze for a while in front of the motel. We were still full from our late lunch so we walked to the Subway down the street and had an ice cream in a waffle cone before turning in for the night.

Total mileage - Day three - approximately 195 miles

Colorado Weekend - Day Two - Garden of the Gods

September 22, 2008
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado Weekend - Day Two - Part Three - Garden of the Gods

Colorado Weekend - Day Two - Cripple Creek

September 22, 2008
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado Weekend - Day Two - Part Two - Cripple Creek

More about Cripple Creek

Colorado Weekend - Day Two - The Ride

September 22, 2008
Fort Collins, Co

Day Two - Part One - The Ride

I have too many pictures for this day to put in a single slide show so there are three associated with Day Two: The Ride, Cripple Creek, Garden of the Gods.

We were up early looking out the window at Pikes Peak, wondering how the weather was and where The Ride would take us. We didn't have much of a plan - head west and up - figure out which direction to go once we got to Woodland Park just a few miles away. The morning was chilly and bright.

We had a continental breakfast at the motel before leaving. We met a group of four couples out of Georgia. They have been vacationing together in a new place every year for twelve years. They were friendly and fun, the way southern folk are. We enjoyed their company. They were going to ride the COG Railroad up Pikes Peak that day.

The road north and west out of Woodland Park took us past Divide to Florissant with a good view of the new fallen snow on northwest face of Pikes Peak. We stopped at a point of interest near Florissant to stretch our legs and warm our fingers. From Florissant, we could tell the mountains would be too hazy for good pictures that day. The panoramic view from Hartsell, a little further west is fairly amazing on a clear day.

The road to Cripple Creek is out of Divide so we back-tracked a bit and took one of the most scenic 18 mile back roads in Colorado. We were delighted to see the aspens were beginning to change and there was color in the scrub oak as well. It was a cold drive. Cripple Creek is nestled in the high country on the west side of Pikes Peak. It is an old gold-mining town. Main street used to be lined with curio shops, antique stores, restaurants, bakeries, ice cream parlors and museums. Now, it is a casino town and while many of the original buildings are there, very little remains of the charming old city. Even the Brass Ass is all slot machines now, folks. We looked for a restaurant, finally settling on a mediocre breakfast and decent coffee in Buffalo Billy's Casino.

Nope. Neither one of us cared about the slot machines. Didn't drop so much as a nickel.

We saw some interesting characters on the early morning streets. Notably, a white-haired woman with a heavily painted face, in her seventies if I had to guess, not much taller than I am, dressed in a red mini-dress, white windbreaker (longer than the dress), skinny legs sticking out of black cowboy boots. We saw several men who were a throwback to by-gone days, long hair, handlebar mustaches, whiskers, dressed classic cowboy style. Yeah, they could have been casino employees in costume - but I don't think so.

I took some pictures of a Soldier's Memorial sculpted out of sand. Parts of it have been destroyed but the detail and size and scope of it was fairly awesome. I was glad to see the Old Homestead (whorehouse) Museum on Myers Avenue survived and is nestled up against the parking garage of one of the casinos. The train still runs to Victor, but we didn't ride it this time. We thought we might ride the motorcycle to Victor but as we were suiting up, a soft, slushy hail and rain began to fall. It was a cold, sort of damp ride part of the way back to Woodland Park. The leathers protected us well. Actually, it was all rather exhilarating. The ride to Cripple Creek was everything I thought it would be and more.

As we descended into Manitou Springs, we noticed the sidewalks of town were packed, with school kids sitting on curbs (we honked and they cheered - ha!) and teenagers marching down sidewalks in large groups with green and gold painted hair. The streets were lined with vehicles all the way to our motel (several blocks). We had thought we might walk the streets and window shop but decided against it when we found out it was Homecoming.

Instead, we stretched our legs, waited out a rain shower and made the short ride to The Garden of the Gods. We walked the paths, took pictures, watched rock climbers and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon at one of our favorite places while storms built over the mountains and rumbled a warning that echoed off the rocks. The Garden of the Gods is hard to describe and pictures don't do it justice. If you are ever in the Springs - see it for yourself. Entrance to the park is free forever according to the wish of Charles Elliott Perkins, whose children donated the land to the city of Colorado Springs in 1909.

Garden of the Gods: http://www.gardenofgods.com/education/index_175.cfm

It did not rain on us, but soon our legs grew weary. We went back to the motel, and again relaxed in our lawn chairs with a beer while the sun sank low and storm clouds obscured the view of Pikes Peak. Again, we walked the short distance to Savelli's for dinner. We noticed the pasta dishes going by the night before as we were enjoying our pizza. We ordered two spaghetti dishes and split an eggplant Parmesan dish and bread sticks. Scrumptious!

As we talked about our day over dinner, we decided the day and this vacation was not about cities or shopping or any destination - it was about the ride. We enjoyed it thoroughly and looked forward to the next day's adventures.

Day Two Mileage = approximately 109 miles

Colorado Weekend - Day One

September 21, 2008
Fort Collins, CO

We started a mini-vacation otherwise known as a Colorado Weekend (4 days) last week. We had a blast riding to and from and in and around Colorado Springs for four days.

Thursday, 09/18/2008 We left a chilly Fort Collins about 7:45 am. Our plan was to get to the Springs without going through Denver (I-25). So, we rode Hwy 287 south to Longmont and Hwy 52 east to Fort Lupton, stopping for a quick cup of coffee and a brownie snack at a gas station before getting on E-470 (the toll road) which would allow us to bypass the Denver metro area. The $6.75 it cost was well worth it. We stopped at a Village Inn in Parker for coffee after the toll road. From there it was smooth riding into the Springs via Hwy 83.

The ride was great, the morning bright, the weather cool but comfortable since we were in our full leathers. Hwy 83 is a gentle ride through predominately rural areas. Pikes Peak was visible from a long way out.

Once in the city, we had a quick jaunt on I-25 to Hwy 24 and arrived about noon just in time for lunch at The Mason Jar in Old Colorado City. We were hungry! I had a chicken salad croissant sandwich and Tim had a French dip sandwich. Delicious! After lunch, we rode through Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs, looking at prospective motels. We settled on The Silver Saddle Motel in Manitou Springs sitting basically between the two cities. Josh, the host, went through a list of discounts we might qualify for -- when we couldn't come up with anything (AARP, Senior Citizen, Military, Police, Firemen and half a dozen others) - Tim said how about a Harley discount - Bingo! That worked. Yep - we got a Harley discount -- too funny. Josh handed us the key so we could check the room out before booking three nights. It was clean, cozy and did not smell of smoke. You could see Pikes Peak from our west-facing room and the Kissing Camel Rock in the Garden of the Gods from the parking lot. Perfect!

After checking into the motel, unpacking the bike and settling in, I called the folks to let them know we made the trip just fine. We got back on the bike and rode back into Old Colorado City for some window shopping and a stroll to stretch our legs. This was my first ride without a helmet, just sun shades and the studded H-D do-rag the Folks sent me a while back.

Tim dropped me off at the motel and went on a beer run. There was a tiny fridge in the room that needed beer, of course! Ha! We relaxed with a beer in the lawn chairs in front of our room, watched the sun set on Pikes Peak and several more bikers check in. One group of four Firemen bikers stayed in a single room across the way. They were noisily in and out of the parking lot more times than we could count. We found out later that the Traveling Firemen Memorial was in town with a whole weekend of memorial services, a fire truck parade and other related festivities going on. There were lots of Firemen in town from all over the country. I guess about half a dozen other bikers checked in and out over the weekend.

After relaxing a bit, we took a stroll at dusk to Savelli's Italian Deli about a block west. It was chilly and pizza sounded good. It is a small mom and pop hole in the wall restaurant, quaint and not too pretentious -- just like we like it. The parking lot was filled with locals (always a good sign). The pizza was excellent.

We were back in the room by 8:30. By 8:45, Tim was snoozing.

What a great day!

Day One mileage = approximately 166 miles


Thursday, September 18, 2008

Big Girl Panties...

September 18, 2008
Fort Collins, CO

Put Your Big Girl Panties On
and Biker UP!

I just love that saying... it simply screams FUN, doesn't it? I've got to find a vest patch that says it one of these days.

Biker UP! That's exactly what I am doing... my big girl panties are ready to go! Ha! Coming right up is our first over-nighter on the bike. The Ride is taking us to the Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado that is, for a Colorado weekend, otherwise known as a four day weekend. There's plenty to do in and around the Springs both on and off the bike. Just being in close proximity to Pikes Peak and all that history and hanging out on the streets of Old Colorado City is fun. No trip to the Springs goes without a stop for some good food at The Mason Jar. Then, there's Garden of the Gods and a couple of dozen tourist traps and several rides that are a must do. The big decision is which ride to do first and how many more can we squeeze in... life is good.

The Springs is about 130 miles due south of Fort Collins straight down I-25. We're not taking the interstate though -- been there -- done that -- too hectic and boring, so we'll add a few miles taking the toll road (E470) for a stretch, then Hwy 83 south, traveling the eastern, somewhat scenic route around Big-D.

The folks in Texas have plans, too. Mom will go to visit with family in Henrietta, Texas for the Pioneer Reunion. Dad will likely ride in a Motorcycle Run for the Troops sponsored by AT&T. He'll ride from Wichita Falls to Nolanville (near Waco) About 177 miles, one way.

Stay tuned... Ill be posting pics and more next week.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Sarah - Is She or Is't She?

September 15, 2008
Fort Collins, CO

UPDATE: Remember this pic? I posted it a few days ago and said I would try to confirm its authenticity.

Well, the pic is real. A representative at Q 99.7 Valley Radio says: I can verify that the picture of Gov. Sarah Palin on the motorcycle is real and was taken at our station booth at the Alaska State Fair last year. We were giving away a Harley and she stopped by to say hello and take a picture on the bike.

The question is - does she ride? The radio station couldn't confirm it. Stay tuned... I'm working on it...

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Ted and Inez - Out and About

September 13, 2008
Fort Collins, CO

Wichita Falls, TX -- Photo Courtesy John Bailey

Tim and I were not the only ones out running around Saturday. Here are Mom and Dad, looking a little frisky at the Red River H-D Open House and Harley-Davidson Demo Ride Day. You look great folks! Nice shirt, Dad. ha!

Word is: Dad had a deep connection with a blue Ultra Classic sitting on the showroom floor. It didn't follow him home - yet.

Peak-to-Peak - Part 4

September 13, 2008
Fort Collins, CO


The weather in the high country can change quickly. As we were leaving Nederland, we noticed clouds gathering in what had been a clear blue, sunny skies. There are two or three routes down from the high country along Hwy 7. We had thought to drive back closer to Estes Park before heading down, but decided against that and went down and down and down from Nederland to Lyons, CO. We didn't remember that route having quite as much of a downhill grade or having quite that many twisties. Ha! Yes, it was fun. We shared the road with about ten other bikers (riding as a group) and one idiot on a crotch rocket on the way down. By the time we hit the lowlands at Lyons, we felt like we had been on one grand adventure.

We stopped and stretched our legs (a polite way of saying rest our butts) at the little city park in Lyons. We've been there many times before. We shared a cup of coffee and reluctantly pointed The Ride toward home. Looking over our shoulder we saw where we had been that day... the mountains that had been so starkly white against the horizon this morning, now dark with deep shadows... what a great day!

Wish you had been with us Dad - you would have loved this ride and we would have loved riding it with you!



Total Mileage this trip - about 145 miles. Woo-Hoo!

Peak-to-Peak - Part 3

September 13, 2008
Fort Collins, CO


Nederland is a tiny but bustling mountain town, a mecca for wannabe, non-bathing hippies up from the college at Boulder. It is still the home of many old and very real hippies. Because of its pristine mountain location with a lake, it is also a favorite spot with bikers, cyclers, hikers, and tourists. Nederland probably has more bars per capita than many of its larger neighboring towns. It used to have a great antique store called Off Her Rocker. The name of the store is the same except they added Mercantile but sadly, the contents are not. It is now home to an artsy-fartsy collection of weird furniture, abstract gallery art and sculptures (not for regular folk) and Tiffany-like light fixtures. Did I say weird?

Never mind all that, it is still fun to walk the length of Main Street (about 2 blocks before it turns residential) and that's exactly what we did. You can see the lake from Main street. We watched bike after bike pull in to assorted bars. We watched low-landers huff and puff up the stairs of the boardwalk. Nederland sits at an elevation of just over 8000. You have to take it easy, if you aren't acclimated. We watched the locals, a diverse population, some of them from a time gone by.

Before heading out again, we stopped at the New Moon Bakery for coffee, a scone and a cherry turnover. Not pie, Dad - just pastry - but it was tasty. We sat on the patio and watched part of the day and a couple of dozen bikes go by.

Time to ride again. See part 4

Peak-to-Peak - Part 2

September 13, 2008
Fort Collins, CO



The ride south out of Estes Park to Nederland and beyond is known as the Peak-to-Peak Highway. A favorite tourist stop along the way is Lily Lake, a lovely mountain lake, nestled in a picturesque valley. It is always cool at Lily Lake. There's a picnic area, and a walking path around the lake. There's also a nice visitor center across the highway. We didn't stop this time but we did pull over at the The Old Rock Church. I've written about the Church before. This was one of the rare days when a wedding was not in progress.

Here's a bit of the story: It is actually called: The Chapel on the Rock. Monsignor Joseph Bosetti, had for years entertained an idea that one day he would build a chapel on this site. In 1916 he and two friends observed a falling meteor during the night and in his search for the remnants the next morning, he came across a large rock. The beauty of the land inspired the priest and he remembered Jesus’ words to Peter: “Upon this rock, I will build my Church.” (Matt 16:18). Msgr. Bosetti prayed for nearly 20 years to acquire the funds. During that time, he found himself in a constant battle with the Colorado Highway department which had plans to dynamite the enormous piece of granite to both widen and straighten the curve in the road. Eventually, Msgr. Bosetti won the battle and the chapel was built in 1935. Native stone was hauled in by mule carts from the surrounding area to use as building material. In 1999, Boulder County designated the chapel as a historic site.

We're glad the Monsignor was so persistent, it is a lovely place.

Time to ride again - next stop - Nederland. See part 3

Peak to Peak - Part 1

September 13, 2008
Fort Collins, CO


Always a fun trip, Estes Park as a destination on a motorcycle is even better!

We pulled out of the drive at 8:45 am. The day before was rather chilly, so we lingered a little longer over our coffee before heading out and dressed warmly. Much to our surprise and delight, the view of the mountains from the grasslands between Loveland and Fort Collins revealed snow-capped peaks.

The drive was perfect. Big, blue sky, sun in the canyon, the Thompson was running clear and it was not too cold. The Chief was standing tall in his meadow. The view as you enter Estes Park on Hwy 34 is always breath-taking, no matter what time of year or what time of day. Our favorite parking and rest stop is on the far west side of town. We were pleased to see an Art Fair in the park. So, we had a cup of coffee, secured The Ride and ambled down the street in our leathers. We shopped for a few minutes in the park before Tim spied a big sign touting breakfast. There wasn't much conversation about it, we immediately turned in that direction, deciding without actually saying it, we could shop better after consuming eggs. The breakfast at Claire's on the Park, was good (eggs were cooked as ordered and the coffee was hot) and reasonably priced for a mountain town. Afterwards, we strolled through the cluster of art tents, enjoyed it all, found several things to our liking, but didn't bring any of it home with us.

I always shop Granny Gingham's, a moderately priced gift shop and I usually find something. This time I brought home a couple of small Hallowe'en decorations. We stopped in Simply Christmas, one of three or four Christmas shops in Estes Park, but passed on packing breakables since we were on the motorcycle and the whole day was before us. We window shopped our way back down the street. Neither of us was really interested in shopping... The Ride was waiting, after all.

Since the last time we were in Estes Park, the Danish Cone has added Blue Bell Ice Cream to the menu. As far as we're concerned, that adds a gold star next to one of our favorite destinations. Alas! We had just eaten breakfast, there was no room (even Tim said so) for ice cream this time.

Time to ride - see part 2

Friday, September 12, 2008

POV = Priority One Vehicle

September 12, 2008
Fort Collins, CO

The Ride is officially registered.

In Colorado, they have this asinine temporary paper tag system that requires one to drive around with a ratty paper tag about 60 days, sometimes longer (as in this case because of a dealer paperwork glitch), before issuing a permanent metal tag.

The tags are in place, housed in the Eagle license plate frame I bought Tim for his birthday. They sit under the new luggage rack purchased with birthday money. We don't care much for the chrome button covers, so we'll be looking for chrome-head screws I imagine.

Priority One Vehicle is the acronym Tim assigned to the letters POV in the tag number. Ha!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Is Sarah a Harley Girl?

September 11, 2008
Fort Collins, CO
Here's pic that's circulating in email and popping up on blogs all over the internet. With all the photoshop'd images out there, it's hard to trust what you see.

What did I see besides our perky Alaska girl perched on a really nice ride? I saw the banner for Q 99.7 in the background. So, I'm waiting on a reply from the station. I've asked if they can confirm the authenticity of the pic. I'm not holding my breath... with all the media up there trying to dig up stuff, I'm sure the whole area is bombarded with irrelevant-to-the-issues questions.

Thankfully, this inquiry has nothing to do with politics. As a Harley-Davidson enthusiast, I just want to know if our girl rides. Don't you?

Patriot Day 2008

There are those, I know,
who will say that
the liberation of humanity,
the freedom of man and mind,
is nothing but a dream.
They are right.
It is the American dream.

-- Archibald MacLeish --



September 11, 2008
Fort Collins CO

Today, and every day I want to voice my sincere appreciation to all branches of our Armed Forces, at home and abroad as well as people in Law Enforcement, Firemen and anyone in the service of our country who maintain our liberty and security at great personal risk and sacrifice.
To my DAD and my husband, TIM who have served their country with honor and dignity, my special regards. Thank you for protecting that which we hold so dear. -V-

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Kickapoo VFD Ride

September 6, 2008
Wichita Falls, TX

Dad rode Saturday in the Lake Kickapoo Volunteer Fire Department Fun Run. One of approximately 80 riders burning up the roads of north Texas.

Here he is on the phone before heading out -- Hello Punk -- can you hear me now? (Punk is Dad's affectionate moniker for Mom).

Dad says the weather is fine in Texas for riding. It sure looks like it was a nice day and certainly warmer than it was in Colorado -- don't see any sunflowers though.

There's just no hiding from that buddy of yours with a camera -- is there, Dad?

Sunflower Saturday

September 6, 2008
Fort Collins CO

Bright and early Saturday morning, we had a quick cup and a half of coffee, donned our leathers and hopped on The Ride.

I don't know what the actual temperature was when we set out at 7:45 am. Suffice it to say, it was dang chilly. I'm guessing it was in the high 40s, low 50s. Trust me, those temps at highway speed make for a significant wind chill.

East was the destination. This [heading east] is unusual for us. We prefer the front range and mountains. But, we thought an already cool day would be too cool for a ride at higher elevations. As it turns out, the first leg of our trip was nearly too cool at a considerably lower elevation. I opted for full fingered driving gloves. I was soon wishing they were leather. Tim did not opt for full-fingered gloves. He regretted that decision a few miles down the road. At the first stop, I adjusted my new leather jacket to close the neck opening. We both tried to thaw our fingers out, made a decision that before the day was out, we would have warmer gloves. Ha! Ride and learn.

Anyway, we had thought it would be interesting to see the Pawnee Grasslands and the Pawnee Buttes. The grasslands bordered the highway, the buttes were 20 or so miles, due north down a dirt road. We passed on the buttes. The grasslands brought to mind a vacation trip with the folks years ago. Mom, our official, brochure collector, map reader and tour guide announced exuberantly that The Petrified Forest was just a few miles out of our way. When we arrived at the park... a desolate, peace of desert in the middle of nowhere - an exasperated Mom said - Well! It's just a bunch of rocks! LOL! I don't know what Mom expected other than what we saw, maybe huge trees still standing in aged splendor. Other than registering her disappointment, I don't remember much about the Petrified Forest. As far as the grasslands go, I think Tim and I envisioned waist high grass undulating in the breeze with buffalo roaming or something like a scene out of Little House on the Prairie. Well! Laura Ingalls wasn't anywhere to be found. The grasslands were just a vast expanse of short stubby grass. We did see a few antelope. And very little else. I think I prefer the fiction. haha!

Hwy 14 between Fort Collins and Sterling is bereft of any civilization to speak of, meaning there was one un-manned gas pump, one closed cafe, one rest stop with a table. The road is dotted with farmsteads and barns, cornfields and sunflowers, silos and defunct farm equipment, much like any remote, rural road anywhere in America. It is a looooong, mostly flat, straight shot. Many of the roads marked as other and not as dirt on the map were indeed - dirt. I guess there are degrees of dirt we did not know about. I've decided if a road is not on the map in the Harley-Davidson Tour Guide - then one must assume it is dirt.

The bright moments along the way were the sunflowers! Some were being cultivated for seed. Some were obviously being grown to attract dove for hunters. But, the vast majority were wild, dotting hillsides and roadsides in a golden blaze. I loved it.

Briggsdale and New Raymer were marked as towns on the map. They are not. They are a cluster of unoccupied farm buildings and grain elevators sitting at dusty crossroads. We pulled off at Briggsdale, beside a closed cafe, to have a sip of coffee, stretch our legs and warm our numb fingers. A lonely dove sitting atop a telephone pole cooed a welcome in the silence of the chill morning.

While we were stopped I asked Tim to snap my chaps... I'll snap your chaps says he, rather lasciviously. Ha! Henceforth we have a new catch-phrase, that I'm sure will catch on much like you-go-girl or blow-me-down or shiver-me-timbers! LOL! Snap-My-Chaps!

The first leg of the trip was about 130 miles. We saw two other bikers, one on a really nice red and white custom, loaded with skull chrome turned off at the Greeley exit as we were heading out. One was having a sip of coffee at the lone picnic table. We would have missed the table if not for seeing the bike. He gave us a friendly biker-wave as we went roaring by.

I didn't take pictures between Fort Collins and Sterling. It was too cold and I likely would have fumbled the camera in gloves. Nope - you didn't miss anything.

By the time we got to Sterling, we were ready for hot coffee, eggs and a seat to warm chapped butt cheeks. We looked for a cafe but finally found breakfast at The Village Inn which is chain restaurant/cafe in Colorado similar to an IHOP but the price of a meal and the coffee is better.

There's a biker saying that goes... If the person in the next lane at the stoplight rolls up the window and locks the door, support their view of life by snarling at them. I was sitting in the booth at the Village Inn waiting on Tim to return from the restroom when I noticed an older lady in another booth throwing some rather ungracious looks my way. I smiled in a polite way, like my Momma taught me to do. She snorted and rolled her lips up in distaste. I locked eyes with her for only a moment before she became rather uncomfortable and started fidgeting. Poor lady. She left quickly after that. I hope she was done with her coffee. You know, even with our leathers on and helmet head, we hardly fit the scary biker stereotype. I was glad the scar on my arm was not visible and the one on my eye obscured by my specs. I repeat - poor lady. I told Tim we were scaring the locals. Then I told him about the biker saying. We both bust out with a pirate-like argh and clawed the air like Captain Hook! We decided should the occasion require it, that would be our biker-snarl in the future, although it would be more effective with a black eye-patch. LOL!

We stopped at a Shell station on I-76 outside of Brush, Colorado for gas. While we were standing there, a man in a pickup at the pump just across from us, drove off with the nozzle still attached. OOPS! An ear-piercing yell from another lady standing at another pump, got his attention. He stopped. He brought the nozzle back to the pump and tried to put it back on. Then he carried the nozzle and hose into the store, then brought it back out and sheepishly laid it beside the pump.

We made a mental note that there was a diner attached to the truck stop, with lots of locals filtering in for a meal - always a good sign.

We took the old road (Hwy 34) out of Brush to Fort Morgan and into Greeley. It was a leisurely drive. The traffic wasn't heavy, the sun was out and the day had warmed. We still wore our leather jackets but open-finger gloves were comfortable. The road here was lined with sunflowers. On the way, we saw more pastoral scenes, smelled a couple of feed lots well before we saw them and migrant workers bringing in the potato harvest.

By the time we got to Greeley, it was time for a good stretch of the legs. We found city park one block off of the main drag, downtown Greeley. We stopped, got out the thermos of coffee and walked the park and window-shopped an antique store. The fountain in the park was finished in 1907. It is constructed of rocks bearing fossils. Allegedly there's a petrified snake in one of them, but we never found it. The bronze statue depicting pioneers in the park is called The Promise of the Prairie notated with the following Proverb: Where there is no vision, the people perish. I liked that.

We took Hwy 85 out of Greeley, back to Ault where the trip came full circle.

The view of the mountains on the way back was hazy. They are always a welcome sight. We were tired, but both of us had a great time. After coming out of the leathers and chatting with our neighbor Al, we headed to the army/navy side of the local sporting goods store and found a pair of lined, leather gloves for both of us.

We rounded out the day with burgers and sat a spell with a beer and a warm fire blazing in the chiminea on the patio.

This trip = 246 miles, approximately eight hours.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Detail Job

September 1, 2008
Fort Collins, CO

After our weekend adventures... the ride gets a much-needed bath.

Labor Day Ride to Estes Park

September 1, 2008
Fort Collins, CO

Labor Day Morning Ride to Estes Park

I made the comment a few posts ago that Tim was not getting out of the driveway again without me if the destination was Estes Park.

He didn't. We were both tired from the ride yesterday, but the call of a bright Colorado morning was too strong.

Our ride took us through Loveland and up the canyon that borders on The Big Thompson River to Estes Park. This is one of my favorite destinations. We've made this drive countless times in a vehicle but this was a first on a motorcycle. I have no words to describe what riding through the canyon with the big sky overhead and the road roaring by below is like.

  • I can tell you this. This ride has ruined every road we've ever driven in Colorado until we get to experience each one on a motorcycle. Ha!
As we left Loveland, I finally got a little more confidant with my comfort zone and braver with the camera. We made the canyon drive without stopping until we made the Visitor Center in Estes Park. We stopped the bike, had some coffee and rested our butts (mostly my butt) a while. We picked up wind just before we arrived. And on the horizon were the type of clouds that are the harbingers of wind preceding a cold front. Normally, we would stop and walk main street, shop a little, snack a little and enjoy the mountain atmosphere. This time, we opted to move on. We planned to take the road through Lyons on the way home, but the road was blocked (still don't know why) and we had to return the way we came. That made the trip a bit shorter but still very pleasant.

I learned being a passenger on a motorcycle is a little more work than one would think. But defying gravity comes naturally! Ha!

Tim and I had a blast over the weekend... we're already planning where the road will take us next weekend. I can hardly wait to take a Fall Foliage ride, except I will be patient because aspens turning means Fall has arrived and winter is on our doorstep.

Below are some photos, the majority of which were taken from the back of the bike.