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Sunday, January 30, 2011

The Ride's New GeeGaws

January 30, 2011
Colorado, USA

Santa was good to The Ride Christmas 2010. Lots of goodies were under the tree for the kid that lives in the garage. Today it was too cold to ride so Tim spent the afternoon installing The Ride's new geegaws (that's hillbilly for "bling").

Windshield chrome

Fender skirt

Rear speaker chrome

Dash chrome

Complete dash and speaker chrome

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Riding to eat...

January 29, 2011
Colorado, USA

Texas -- Dad rode with a buddy 130 miles today in search of lunch. They rode in 70 degree weather along the scarecely traveled roads of the Waggoner Ranch. It's open range out there. Along the way to lunch (in Vernon) they encountered a herd of wild hogs on the road and a herd of calves. You have to know the Waggoner Ranch roads... otherwise, you could be out there riding along behind the little animals til the end of days. Ha! Both guys report it was fine riding weather.

Serious Texas BBQ Colorado -- Tim rolled in from his Saturday work shift about 3 pm. We rolled out of the drive shortly after, determined to get some sort of a ride in before the next round of weather arrives tomorrow. Tim laughed that Dad must have been lost in Texas... because it only took us 60 miles to find supper. We rode with temps in the high 40 degree range. Our ride took us around the frozen south end of Horsetooth Reservoir, to the southern end of Loveland and back to one of our favorite food stops. After a stop at Serious Texas BBQ, a couple of pulled pork with cherry chipotle sauce sandwiches, cheesy potatoes and a couple of creamy root beers we were fortified for the ride home. Riding in at dusk, just before the sun sank behind the mountains was a bit chillier than riding out earlier. No complaints. We were just happy to get a ride in.

Southern end of Horsetooth Reservoir glazed with ice

South Bay of Horsetooth Reservoir a bit more solid but I wouldn't venture out on it

Frozen inlet Horsetooth Reservoir

Me - the eyes in the back of Tim's head

Rock formation known as the Devil's Backbone near Loveland, CO

Sunset makes for chilly ride home

Friday, January 28, 2011

First Dam Ride of 2011

January 28, 2011
Colorado, USA

First ride of 2011 - woo-hoo! The Ultra is nine months old today. Current mileage sitting at 15,893. We got a Vern's lunch ride and a dam ride in before Tim rode off to work. We rolled out of here about 11 am with temps in the mid-50s and rode back in a short while later with temps climbing into the 60s. Lots of sun. Light winds. We did not want to come home.

This week is the first time the ride has been out of the garage since the weekend after Christmas 2010. Tim took The Ride to the car wash last weekend. That ride was about a darn cold mile over and back. Tim rode to work (taking the long way in) and back yesterday. That was about 9 miles. So, today we logged a whopping 25 miles on the first official ride of 2011.

Getting to ride in January in Northern Colorado is something to celebrate - at least with lunch and a few miles. The light was just right on the waters of Horsetooth Reservoir. We were not the only ones thinking we better get a ride in while we can and it was great to see a good many other bikers out and about.

Slide show (26 photos):



Texas -- Word is the MBSC Misfit Biker Social Club (it's no mistake the two middle letters are BS - ha!) is out terrorizing the coffee shops on the roads of North Texas today. They have perfect riding weather with temps in the 70s. Last I heard they had coffee in Jacksboro, lunch in Mineral Wells and ice cream in Graham. The final report is they rode in late this afternoon after 240 miles feeling pretty good about themselves. Ha!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

In memory of Marine Sgt. Gary S. Johnston

January 23, 2011
Colorado, USA

A moment of respect for our friends
"Nubbin" and Angela Johnston
and the family and friends of
~~~
Marine Sgt. Gary S. Johnston

Marine Sgt. Gary S. Johnston
May 24, 1985 (Windthorst, Texas)
January 23, 2007 (Anbar Province, Iraq)
3rd Reconnaissance Battalion
3rd Marine Division
III Marine Expeditionary Force


Victory's Call
***
Victory smiles for those who see,
There are heroes near - stand tall.
She watches those who would be free
There are heroes near - stand tall.
Some will fight for victory's grace
There are heroes near - stand tall.
Some will gaze on victory's face
There are heroes near - stand tall.
Though tired and drawn they struggle through
There are heroes near - stand tall.
They stood the test and victory knew,
There are heroes near - stand tall.
And though they change we still can see
There are heroes near - stand tall
That these define our victory
There are heroes Here - stand tall.
***
-- Col. Robert R. Donoho, CORPS Warfighter --






Source for poem: Military Quotes.com, Victory's Call

Saturday, January 22, 2011

PMS - stinks

January 22, 2011
Colorado, USA

Still haven't gotten the first ride of 2011 in. Flurries today... sigh!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

WWII Honor Mission: Goodlet, TX

January 6, 2011
Colorado, USA

PGR-Goodlett Wichita Falls, TX -- Dad rolling out on a mission for a veteran. In honor of J.Y. Hammack, age 89, of Quanah, TX. Mr Hammack served with the US Army in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He obtained the rank of Colonel during his service to our country. He was Provisional Battalion Commander Saigon 1964 for 13th Aviation Battalion (formerly Delta Aviation Battalion) He was inducted into the Field Artillery OCS (FAOCS) Hall of Fame in 1952 (Class of 1943).

We want to thank this Veteran for his long and honorable service to our country and extend our heartfelt condolences to family and friends. Rest In Peace Soldier!

PGR-GoodlettLookin good guys... Photo by John "Snapshot" Bailey


Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Texas - Mission Honors Two MIA from 1969 (Vietnam)

January 4, 2011
Colorado, USA
Texas

Mission of honor for Ted and friends

Our thoughts and hearts go out to the family and friends of these brave men. May you find comfort in the knowledge that so many appreciate their brave service to this country. May you find solace in closure as we finally lay these heroes to rest in their homeland.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

From: For the Fallen (1914), Laurence Binyon

Major Robert Leon TucciMajor Robert Leon Tucci
Virtual Wall Page:
http://www.virtualwall.org/dt/TucciRL01a.htm

Col James Eugene DenannyCol James Eugene Denanny
Virtual Wall Page:
http://www.virtualwall.org/dd/DennanyJE01a.htm

Mission: Honoring two aviators from the Vietnam War who were assigned to the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Udom Airfield, Thailand. They lost their lives on a strike mission in November 1969. These two heroes were listed as "Missing in Action" after their F-4D Phantom was shot down while on a escort/strike mission. The escort was a C-130 Gunship and the strike mission was a truck convoy on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. While attacking the convoy under the observation of a Forward Air Controller, their F-4 was hit by antiaircraft fire, crashed, and exploded.

There was no evidence that the crew escaped the aircraft before ground impact and the crash itself was not survivable. In the absence of proof of death both men were classed as “Missing in Action”.

They have now been found and are now being returned home to Texas and their families.

Robert Tucci and James Dennany were among nearly 600 Americans who disappeared in Laos and were never negotiated for through the Paris Peace Accords, which ended the War in Vietnam, since Laos was not a party to that agreement.

Obituary:
Colonel James Eugene Dennany, Weapons Systems Officer, is survived by four daughters; Elizabeth Marchan, Melissa Harrington, Marie Lara, Pamela Tabares and a son; James Dennany.

Major Robert Leon Tucci, Pilot, is survived by his wife; Sharon Tucci and his mother, Jean Tucci.


More Info Denanny/Tucci:
Denanny: http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/d/d034.htm
Tucci: http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/t/t044.htm

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Standing the flag line for the fallen

January 2, 2011
Colorado, USA
Wichita Falls, TX

A couple photos of the Folks compliments of John:
Mom and Dad
Mom
Standing the flag line.

Saturday, January 1, 2011