Different Kind Of RV Trip

As much as I love traveling in our Journey motorhome, sometimes a special occasion arises to do a different kind of trip.

I set out this morning with my two brothers on a four day motorcycle trip through NY State.

              

We did a leisurely 309 mile ride from Northern NJ up through the NY State Catskill Mountains into the middle of the Adirondack Park.  We stuck to back roads and avoided highways and summer traffic.  It was a wonderful ride and the scenery was breath taking.

              

We stopped for the night at a motel in Indian Lake, NY. 

              

We’re a little bit stiff and sore, old bones and tired butts are being dealt with by copious amounts of Motrin.  Been a long time since I sat that long in a saddle.

Since I look like a giant Minion with my bright yellow helmet and jacket, what better thing to add to my motorcycle than a fellow Minion?

               

I now have a Seeing Eye Minion to keep me company.  :c)

We’ve three more days to spend together, we’re looking at wandering further North and crossing over to Vermont to ride the back roads to enjoy the scenery, the companionship and the great MPG our motorcycles get:  45 MPG! 

If only our Journey returned figures like that, I’d think I died and went to Heaven!

Thanks for visiting and feel free to leave a comment.

                     

Baptism And A Birthday

My shoes squished as I walked.  But this time, it’s not what you think, unlike that other time.

I bought a really nice, low mileage second hand motorcycle that my son Corey told me about, it was turned in at his car dealership as a down payment on a new car.  After Corey had carefully checked it out and gave me two thumbs up, I made the deal long distance. 

             

It’s a 2003 Honda VTX 1800R, a really (really) big bike.  I’ve been riding motorcycles for years and have put many a happy mile on them, including a honeymoon trip to Disney World with my long suffering bonnie bride, Marti.

When we arrived in NJ and got all set up at the Navy campground, we headed over to see Corey, Amanda and our two Jersey granddaughters, Anabelle and Lizzie (Elizabeth).  After the initial visiting died down, Corey showed me the motorcycle that he had been keeping in his garage for me.

                

I didn’t know how old the tires were, so to be on the safe side, I had ordered two new ones to put on.  I’ve plans to do a four day ride on the motorcycle with two of my brothers next week up through the NY State Adirondacks, they both have big Harleys.

Not having the facilities to change out the tires (good thing I planned on it, the date codes showed the old tires were made in 2005) I drove my car over to the nearest Honda motorcycle shop, about 15 miles from Corey’s house.  The service manager said he could change the tires for me, to bring the bike right in.  He’d try and get it done by Friday, Saturday at the latest.  Good thing because my trip with my brothers starts Sunday.

Now the fun part.  It had been raining on and off all day.  Sometimes little drizzles, other times the proverbial cats-n-dogs.  I watched and watched, both the skies and the clock.  Finally, I saw the rain stop for a bit, but the skies still looked ominous.  I decided to chance it, I had to get the bike in the shop. 

I pulled on my new bight yellow rain suit and rain boots, donned my helmet and set out for the very first ride on my motorcycle.  Marti followed me in the car for a ride home.

Of course, with my luck, the rain started in while I was about half way there.  I thought to myself, this ride is a Baptism by sprinkling.

By the time I was within a half mile of the shop, the heavens opened and my ride was now a Baptism by total immersion.

I looked like a day glow yellow blob as I sloshed my way into the service manager’s office.  I left quite a puddle on his floor.  Despite the rain gear, I was pretty wet inside and out, no rain gear will keep you totally dry and lots of water had found it’s way down into my shoes.  They squished when I walked, but at least this time it was clean water.

Now how does this adventure end, you ask?  If you guessed clear sunny skies by the time I got home, you’d be correct.  I guess I have to work on my timing.

No matter, we’re here and Lizzie has just turned 1.  We had a party for her, right down to the ice cream cake adorned with a #1 candle.

                 

She thoroughly enjoyed her cake.

                 

How does one clean a one year old after enjoying making a mess of her cake as she ate it?

                

Thanks for visiting and feel free to leave a comment.

                    

Simply Rolling

After numerous hugs and goodbyes, we left Marti’s sister and her brood in Ohio and headed out at the crack of 10:30. AM.  Yep, nothing like an early start, eh?   ;c)

Meandering along, complete with our annoying dash whistle, we completed a measly 255 miles, including one stop for diesel fuel and another for lunch.  No rush, our reservation at the Navy Base campground in New Jersey is for tomorrow and we have less than 200 more miles to go.  Maybe these short hops aren’t so bad after all…

We stopped for the night at another Flying J, actually our very favorite one that we’ve stayed at many times over the years.  Don’t worry, we’re not mooching here, in fact we’ve left many pretty pennies for fuel bought here.

              

Why, you ask, is this our favorite Flying J?  Here’s why:

              

Still can’t figure it out?  Here’s a closer view:

              

Dunkin Donuts right next door.  Marti can get a nice cup of her favorite coffee (I don’t drink that foul and evil liquid) and we both can start off our day tomorrow with a nice sugar rush!   ;c)

Thanks for visiting and feel free to leave a comment.