Motorcycle | Peaches Prattlings

{August 26, 2026} Day 2: 351 Miles, 4 States, Hello Kansas! Day 3: 494 Miles, 2 States, Hello Colorado!

Day 2: KSU [don’t forget, that’s kick stands up! and I’ll remind you a few more times, and then you’re on your own!] 7a. We were very done with this hotel, it was time to get going!

We packed up the bikes and we were off, first stop… gas, we didn’t get a chance when we got to the hotel because it was raining and we were done. We try to get gas just before we get to the hotel so we don’t have to think about it in the morning, we can just get up and go.

We decided to get on the road and stop for breakfast somewhere on the road. We rode for almost 2 hours, about 140 miles. We took I-70W, crossed into Illinois, you may have noticed that I have screenshots from when we cross a state line, it’s dorky, but it’s something I enjoy trying to catch. I love the icons they use for each state and I just found a site that has all of them!

We were looking for a place to eat and get gas, first order of business…gas, then food. There was a sign on the highway about the world’s largest golf tee in Casey, Illinois, we were SO close, but didn’t go to see it, but…we did pass by the Giant Antlers in Casey, Illinois! One of these days we’re going to visit every silly world’s largest things! Did I tell you a few years ago, when we lived in Missouri, we went to see the world’s largets bottle of Catsup?! It’s actually a water tower, but who cares! It was sooo cool!

Not finding food at that exit, we got back on the highway, found a gas station, then I got a text from DJH, he was at Niemerg’s Steak House in Effingham, IL, holding a table for us! Sounds good! The joint was jumpin’! We had a good breakfast, made up for the crappy evening we had, we are off to a good start!

After breakfast, we got back on the bikes and headed towards Kansas, riding through Missouri. As we were riding, we were passing a lot of the places PSM and I had spent time in while we lived in Missouri, it was bringing back such good memories, we really did enjoy our time there, we made the most of what Covid tried to shut down, we didn’t let that stop us! We stopped for gas near where PSM was headed for the week and here we said see ya, So long. Farewell. Auf wiedersehen. Aloha. Did that sound a little like the Sound of Music, you’re welcome! But sadly…we had to say see you soon to PSM, got back on the bikes, we headed towards Kansas and he was…. let’s just say… outta there!

A few hours later we crossed into Kansas and about 4p we were at the Ramada Topeka Downtown. It was a decent hotel, it reminded me a little of an Embassy Suites, where the rooms open over the center courtyard of the hotel. We got to our rooms, explored a little, ended up in the basement and when we got off the elevator, this statue scared the you-know-what out of DJH and I! At first it really looked like a person! I went to take a picture with it, pretending to sit on its lap and the entire top half moved, no thanks!

We got settled into the rooms, DJH and I took advantage of the pool and hot tub, some took a nap, then showers, I ordered an Uber, we were NOT getting back on the bikes! Let’s just say, when we got to our hotels, if we didn’t eat at the hotel, unless the restaurant was less than a 5 minute walk, it was Uber or taxi for us! It was the start of steaks, steaks, and more steaks! Not for me, no, but the fellas! There would be a lot of steaks on this trip! We went to The Weather Room, for dinner, the guys had steaks, and I had a really good strawberry and spinache salad, not as good as my mom’s but good! and grilled asparagus, I was very happy!

Then it was call an Uber, head back to the hotel for some well deserved R&R! The people in Topeka were very nice, both of our Uber drivers, the wait staff at the restaurant, the hotel staff, but downtown Topeka, there was a lot of construction happening, but not much else, unfortunately. It looked like it would be a nice city to explore, when they finish renovating.

Day 2: 351 Miles, Sunny Skies!

Day 3: Meet at the bikes at 7a, load the bikes, grab some breakfast, then take off by 8a. The woman at the front desk when we checked in, very nice, raved about the breakfast, we think she over sold it! But…we had some food, then it was KSU at 8a, we were heading to LaJunta, Colorado.

One of our stops, about lunch time, was in Hayes, KS. While I was pumping gas, a woman at the next pump started asking me questions about my bike and riding, she was about my height, and I let her sit on my bike to get a feel for it. She was very nice, she actually approached me and said “This might be creepy, but you’re about my height and that’s a big bike! could I ask you some questions?” Of course! We chatted for a while, her husband is 6’3 and rides a much bigger bike, she’s interested in learning and she showed me the bike she was looking to buy for a first bike, a very good choice!

We chatted for a few more minutes and she gave us a recommendation for lunch, Thirsty’s Grill and Pub, that’s where she was going! sounds good. We went and it did not disappoint! In the waiting area to the side, they had a red pickup truck, kids version, of course we had to pile into it! I tried to get in, I was able to get my head in, that’s all, so we piled on the truck bed! We got a table, and it was an eclectic place. Sports bar, lots of tvs, KS Chiefs memorabelia, astroturf looking floor, a stage with a piano, then decorated like a beach hut, driving scenes painted on the wall, and Marilyn Monroe. While we were there, I saw the woman from the gas station, we greeted each other like old friends! The food was as good as she said!

Back on the bikes and a few hours later, we crossed into Colorado! I was home! Some amazing winding roads we were on, DJH knows how to make what could be a boring road more fun. We stopped for gas and finally made it to the Hampton Inn La Junta. Unfortunately, the pool was not available, they were having some issues, no worries, cool showers for us! Then regroup and walk across the parking lot to Felicia’s Mexican Restaurant. The service was good, food was good, wait staff friendly, what more could you want?! Back to the hotel to crash and do it all again tomorrow!

Do you know those videos ‘tell me you xx without telling me you xx’? Well…look at my picture “Tell me you ride a motorcycle without telling me you ride a motorcycle!” This was just Day 3, more to come!

Day 3: 494 Miles, Sunny Skies, Hot Wind, Hot Weather, and it’s only getting hotter!

Tomorrow… Durango…then the real fun begins! G’night!

{August 25, 2026} 4 Weeks… 11 Thousand Miles… 2 Countries… 12 States… 29 Hotels… 8+ National Parks… 20+ National Forests… Countless Challenging Roads… Great Heights… Amazing Views… Outrageous Temperatures… A Trip of a Lifetime… Ready?… Let’s Go!

Yes, you read that right…the trip of a lifetime! Did we do all those things? Yes we did! Did we plan it all? Yes we did! Was it for everybody? Those that could go… Yes!

It all started almost 2 years ago, DJH mentioned a trip he wanted to take, and knowing him, we knew it would be epic! After all, we did a three week motorcycle trip together 3 years ago. After a lot of back and forth, DJH and his wife, MH came to spend a weekend with us last September, we had a great time, riding, hanging out, exploring, and… while MH and I hung out, PSM connected his laptop to our 30+” tv, then he and DJH planned our route.

The plan was a trip out West and beyond. They had both been to quite a few national parks and national forests and had an idea of where they wanted to go. PSM had been to British Columbia for a work trip shortly before then and knew exactly where he wanted to go. So… they put their heads together and came up with a game plan. Where to start, how to get there, which roads might be the most fun, which states, cities, national parks, forests, rivers, and streams we should visit, how to get the best bang for your buck. We had a plan.

DJH then went and planned the actual routes we would take, approximate mileage we would put on our bikes each day to get to the next destination. The three of us got on a call and started talking logistics. On the 3 week trip a few years ago, DJH and I would coordinate every day, what time were we meeting at the bikes, what time was kick stands up [KSU], I would text the group that information, then I would find a place for dinner each night. They started calling me Julie McCoy! You know… Cruise Director for that amazing sitcom from 1977-1987, The Love Boat, you’re welcome for the ear worm! So… now you have an idea of my role in this cast of characters!

That being said…PSM, DJH, and I got on a call and looked at all the places we would be staying and my job…find and book hotels for 6 people. Yes, you heard that right, find and book hotels for 6 people for a 4 week trip! Ok, well…we started with 6, ended with 4 and I’ll get to that, but… I went on Hotels.com, Hilton.com, and some one-off independent hotels and ended up booking 27 hotels for the trip, yes I know the title says 29, but I’ll get to that as well, later. That only took me 5 hours! And yes, I am in the process of working on becoming a certified travel advisor, after all of that, I definitely need to! Important information: Did they have laundry facilities, a pool [very important!!], did they offer breakfast, free parking?

Unfortunately, after I had booked a lot of the rooms, LGD had to drop out, so I had to cancel all of his reservations, DJH, PSM, and I were sharing a room, MB and VGT were in their own rooms. I had contact and credit card information for them, so off I booked!

I also did research into where we would go for dinner each night, I had to make sure it was something everyone might want and somewhere I could eat. During that 3 week trip, I didn’t have as many options as I would have liked, but I have to tell you, this trip, except for a few meals, we all ate really well! Yes, I’ll get to those too! You know my style!

We had the destinations, we had the routes, the sites, now we needed the people. The message went out to the usual suspects, who might be interested, unfortunately, even if someone is interested, they might not have the time to be away for that long. LGD, MB, VGT, and DJH…all retired, lucky bucks! PSM and I… vacation, so… 4 weeks for them, 3 weeks for us. Three weeks is nothing to laugh at! I was definitely ready for another grand adventure! And some of those amazing roads we took before, we were going to do them again!

I had ridden with all of them except VGT, PSM had ridden with him before, I was excited to get to ride with everyone again! We had a call towards the end of June, for me to ‘meet VGT’, see everyone, go over last minute details, and to talk about equipment and any tools we might be taking, such as air compressors, tire repair kits, first aid kits, gas transfering kit, and other essentials, so that we wouldn’t all have to carry everything for ourselves, since we would be together. During this conversation, while we’re talking about getting our bikes serviced and how excited we all were, they were talking about being retired and I said ‘I’m unemployed!’ It had literally just happened on Monday, this was a Thursday. PSM looked at me and said… ‘why don’t you go with them for the full trip!’ What?! I hadn’t thought about it. Mostly because I had just become a free agent, it didn’t occur to me!

The original plan…The 3 guys would come in from Massachusettes on Friday, they would take off and PSM and I would get our bikes serviced on Saturday, PSM and I would take off from the dealership and head to St Louis so he could work for the week, then we would head out and meet them the following Sunday in West Yellowstone. Change of plans, slightly. We changed the service date for the bikes to Friday, the guys came in from MA on Friday, we met for dinner, hung out at the house, then I took MB and VGT to their hotel, DJH crashed at our place.

Saturday morning, took the pups to camp at Glamorous K9s, I picked the guys up, we loaded the bikes, went to breakfast, and then we were off. One thing I noticed as we were taking off, my bike hit 25k miles!!! So…every day I took a pic of my mileage and I’ll share all of that with you. The game plan…ride 100-150+ miles, and that all depended on elevation how far a tank would get us, stop for gas, hydrate, get the wiggles out, and back on the road.

First stop for the night…Indianapolis, along the way, West Virgina, Ohio, where we hit a wonderul rainstorm, had to pull over and put on our rain gear. We were so wet, I took off my jeans and just wore my rain gear, my waterproof boots, not so much! First major tourist destination…Huber, OH Buc-ee’s! Yes, I finally got to a Buc-ee’s and wow, that’s all I can say, wow!

Wait… did I tell you what I packed for the trip? I don’t think I did. Ok, this is not everyone’s cup of tea, and as you can see, Eunice is only carrying this one bag! In said bag: 4 short sleeve t-shirts, 2 long sleeve t-shirts, 2 pairs of jeans, 1 long sleeve flannel, 1 pair of pjs, 4 pairs of socks, 8 pairs of bloomers, one pair of shorts, one pair of sandals, one pair of very light shoes, one small toiletry kit, my Indian Motorcycle sweatshirt, my MS Surface Laptop, Samsung Tablet, and charging cables, 15 laundry sheets, and that’s it. In the saddle bag on the right is my rain gear [rain pants, rain jacket] and cover for my bag. In the left saddle bag is a very light sweatshirt, one long sleeve flannel shirt, deck of cards, snacks, extra batteries. And that is it!

Back to Day 1. We rode through a crazy rainstorm in Ohio, it stopped just as we got to Buc-ee’s, we gassed up, we got some snacks, saw what all the fuss was about, and then got back on the road. Next stop was Indianapolis, Indiana, at a hotel we are not going to name. One of the rooms had been canceled because the hotel overbooked, but told me that Hotels.com had overbooked, it went back and forth. There was a cheerleading competition in town and that’s why it was so crazy busy. Our waitress at breakfast told us she was going to be going to Indianapolis for the competition herself on Sunday, what are the odds!

We got to the hotel, one of the rooms was not available, we were soaked, all the restaurants were closed. What else was going to go wrong? We got into our rooms…finally, the room PSM, DJH, and I were in…only one bed. Got them to give us a cot… it was more comfortable to put the mattress on the floor! We were wet, tired, hungry, so we put our clothes togehter in a dryer and I ordered pizza, it was something…

We decided on KSU, remember, that’s Kick-Stands Up at 730a, we look at when sunrise is and take off as the sun is coming up, but we aren’t in danger of encountering any wildlife. We also couldn’t wait to get out of this hotel, the front desk staff was great, the hotel, not so much! We headed into the sunrise, ha ha, for Day 2 on our way to Kansas. First stop…petrol, then breakfast.

Ok, I think that’s enough for the buildup to Day 1, don’t you? I’m going to post this, then tell you about the next few days in my next post. I haven’t decided if, after we get to Durango for the ‘start of the trip’ I’m going to group the days together, I’ll figure that as I go, but as always…I’ll take you for the ride! I cannot wait to share all that we did and saw, it was amazing! I’ll include our routes, Go-Pro footage, milestone, highs, lows, excitement, terror, triumph, victory, the thrills, the chills, no spills!

Something that’s going to be a little different…I’m going to keep using initials for people’s names, but you’re going to see faces, I know, crazy, right?! We had too many amazing adventures, saw so many wonderful sights, and took pictures in front of some iconic places, how could I not share?! In case you were wondering…now you know what I look like!

Day 1: 4 States, 577.4 miles, 1 rain storm.

Ok friends, here we go! I don’t know about you, but I’ve missed you and I’m so excited to be back! And what a story do I have for you! Ready… set… go!

{January 2, 2026} What a trip! What a year!

Oh, my friends, so much has happened since we last spoke! But where do I begin?!

There were motorcycle trips, family trips, father-daughter trips, local trips, international trips, auntie-niece trips, friend trips, cross country trips, graduations, birthday milestones, college, vow renewal, oh my! We met new people, reconnected with old friends [notice I didn’t say old people!], put some miles on the vehicles, retired other vehicles, dreamed, worked, didn’t work, worked again, all within the span of 365 days. That’s a year, right? We all know math isn’t my strong suit, but I do know that much.

I’m going to tell you some stories of travel, of milestones, but that will take time and I want to jump right in, so… I’ll give you one or two milestones per month and then I’ll tell you more as the year goes on, sound fair?

January 2025: PSM and I spent the last year of 2024 and the first week of 2025 in Hawai’i. GES, ACS, MGS, and EMS joined us on the Big Island for a week, we got to see Mauna Loa erupting, toured Volcano National Park, swam with manta rays, we rang in the new year riding motorcycles up some challenging roads, and before we left, did some stargazing at the Mauna Kea observatory, before biding farewell again to our beloved Hawai’i. ACS turned 54, I always say he’s my older younger brother!

February 2025: I drove to Atlanta to participate in the Hot Chocolate 15k again, and each year I say I’m not going to do it again, and what did I do? Signed up for 2026! I got to visit with some friends and family in Atlanta and on my drive there and back. We took a family trip to NYC with dad, GES, ACS, EMS, and MGS, went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, walked through Central Park, went to a revival of Chiacgo, attended a memorial for a beloved family member. End of February, PSM got a new motorcyle.

March 2025: EMS turned 18! O M G!!! What a celebration! Where does the time go?! We explored Strasburg and discovered so much about the railrold and Pennsylvania’s impact! We even participated in a murder mystery train ride! We rode our bikes to Gettysburg and went to the National Military Park Museum, what an experience! And… they had air conditioning! That may have been the best part! PSM took said new motorcycle to Daytona Bike Week.

April 2025: SDL, Miss A, and I went to Amsterdam to celebrate Miss A’s 15th birthday! What a trip that was! The day I left for Amsterdam was my last day with IBX, I was a free woman! Came home in time to celebrate Passover with the family in Boston. While I looked for a job, I took the dogs for lots of walks at the Reading Arboretum, even got to take some friends with us! Spring was just beginning! We drove our two beetles to Volkfest, VWs for miles! We participated in a Biker Blessing with the Lebanon Valley Motorcycle Club. Not to mention trying new restaurants and distilleries here and there, but that’s every month!

May 2025: MGS turned 15! Just wow! Another great celebration! Dad and I flew to Edinburgh, Scotland to meet GES there for our first father-daughters trip! Dad even got to hang with the pilots on the way back! I finally got to pet a Scottish Highland COOOO!!! We toured Edinburgh and Glasgow, what an AMAZING trip! So amazing, we decided we needed to do another father-daughters trip again in 2026! I’ll keep you posted! We did a ladies carnival motorcycle ride with friends, a memorial day ride to the National Cemetary, then we had one of our trees cut down in our backyard. Went to Boston to…help throw my BABY sister a 50th, yes, I say BABY SISTER FIFTIEITH birthday party! That’s a WOW! And boy was she surprised! The same weekend, we took pictures with MGS after she got ready for THE PROM!

June 2025: Rode my motorcycle to Boston, first solo trip on a motorcycle that far! MUCH to celebrate! MGS graduated high school! We had a graduation party for said graduate! We got to celebrate my sister’s 50th birthday! I got to hug and kiss her on the date of her birth, and remember when we brought her home from the hospital in 1975! Then I got on my bike and rode home in the rain, as soon as I got to New Jersey, the sky cleared up, go figure! We had a new roof put on ourhouse, part of the reason we had to remove the tree in May. A classic car show and more motorcycle rides. Towards the end of June, we drove to Boston to surprise our friend’s son-in-law who was being deployed, it was great to spend time with friends and family, on the way back, we stopped at Tree House Brewing Company to bring some goodies back to one of the guys at Hernley’s Indian Motorcycle.

July 2025: Did I mention one of the great things about being between gigs…being able to meet dad for lunch during the week, exploring new places to meet and eat! PSM had a birthday, not telling you any more about that! I rode to spend a weekend with CWB, then rode my bike in the blistering heat, no thank you, then I rode into Manhattan to see Jinx Monsoon, one of my favorite drag queens, in The Pirates of Penzance, a show my grandmother took me to as a kid! And…I found vegan NY style pizza at Zillions Pizza! OMG! At home, we had our 4th bay cemented and finished out the blacktop on the driveway. I also got to swim in our neighbor’s pool, loverly! And best of all, well, so much is great, but…July 31, 2025, just over 3 years since I bought Eunice, my 2022 Indian Super Chief Limited, she hit 20,000 miles!

August 2025: We rode to the Berkshires in Massachusettes to spend dad’s 83rd birthday with him! It was great! We went to the Normal Rockwell Museum, The Clark Art Institute, Ventforth Hall, Chesterwood, Tanglewood for a concert, The Red Lion Inn for his birthday dinner, the Berkshire Botanical Garden, Frelinghuysen Morris House & Studio, and Williams College of Art. We were only there only 5 days! At home, we had the entire area where the tree had been done over into a beautiful landscape. K&D N came to visit for a weekend, PSM got DN on the back of his bike and KN rode mine, first time DN had been on a bike in a long time, she enjoyed it and felt safe! Here’s hoping for a weekend trip! We rode up to Wellsboro, PA, the Grand Canyon of PA with the Lebanon Valley Motorcyle Group, got to walk on the Kinzua Creek Skywalk, wow! The last week of August, I drove with a friend I met recently at the park with her dog, Oscar, across country to help her move from PA to Shelton, WA. We loaded up the trailer, suv, the dog, and the cat, and we were off! We even got to celebrate her birthday when we got there! We became fast friends and travel companions, and I’m happy we’re still friends! And JM, our nephew, started veterinary school in St Kitts! Good luck to him! We’re coming to visit, promise!

September 2025: First weekend of September, PSM and I rode up to Jim Thorpe, PA with some friends and took the scenic railroad to see the fall folliage, it was stunning! Unforatunely, I got some heartbreaking news the same day, it was rough riding home and for a while after that. Second week of September, we rode with RC to Ocean City, MD for Bike Week. Great ride down and back, some fun rides in between, and RC’s son joined us for part of it. I got to put my feet in the ocean on many beaches, we went to Assateague State Park to see the beach and wild horses. We got back and went to the famous Hinklefest, then discovered a new place for dinner. PSM started a new position at Bayer! Wahoo! He’s going to be traveling from time to time! Our friends D & M came for a weekend and we did some riding, went up to Hawk Mountain and saw some amazing birds, took them on some fabulous back roads, truly spectacular. I snuck in an interview for a long term training gig. Towards the end of September, we went to Boston for the holidays, then a car show in Myerstown. Since we’re adding birthdays, I turned 54, seriously?!

October 2025: I drove to Boston for the holidays and the Jimmy Fund Walk. I got to see PSM’s family that were in for the holiday, split my time between my our families, I represented! While I was there, I got the call that I got the gig! I will now be commuting from Lebanon, PA to Long Island, NY! Got to see EMS play in a college futbol game, she was great! Did the Jimmy Fund Walk with ACS’ Pink Warriors, and found the placard that dad and I were quoted on! Went out one night before I left and celebrated September and October birthdays with my sister’s friends, they’ve adopted me! I started the new gig by spending a week in NYC watching some training classes. On the way home one Friday, I went to a celebration of life for a friend that I had lost, his birthday is coming up in February, smiling. PSM and I went to the Golden Age Air Museum and took a ride in a bi-plane! I am SO proud of him! His brother and s-i-l drove their RV to PA and we met them in Bethlehem for brunch and then we toured the National Museum of Industrial History. PSM got a new truck! She’s pretty!

November 2025: We started November off by dancing the night away at the LVMC Halloween Party! PSM had his runes read at The Drunken Smithey’s Faerie Fest, we had some of the absolute best pancakes we have ever had at The Brickerville House, then drove to New Hampshire for the week of Thanksgiving, enjoyed some snow, baked several mock apple pies, visited his uncles, spent part of Thanksgiving with his side and the other part with my side. We also got to see K&D N, we love spending time with them, even got to see one of their kids while we were ther, where does the time go?! PSM was traveling so I had the dogs with me in NY before we left for Thanksgiving, they kept me company, they were great in the car there and back. We’re not sure what happened on the way to NH, but it turns out Bee might not be great for long car rides anymore. They were definitely happy to be home!

December 2025: Back and forth to Long Island, some of my travel days were awful! 4 hours there, but 5-7 hours home, no thanks! All good, we worked out a decent travel schedule for me! The best part about going back and forth, I stop at dad’s on the way there or the way back home. Sometimes it’s for lunch or dinner, sometimes it’s just to say hello and get a hug, whatever it is, it’s worth it! GES & ACS celebrated 21 years of marriage, I can’t wait for them to see what we got them! It didn’t make it in time to send to them before we went on vacation, but dad is taking it to them this weekend! Speaking of leaving…PSM and I drove to a Doubletree near JFK on Friday, December 19th, and VERY early Saturday, December 20th, we started our annual 2 week end of year holiday in… Grenada! What an amazing trip that was! The weather, the sand, the surf, the ocean, the fish, the people, both the locals and our fellow vistors, and the food. I will tell you all about it, promise! We brought in the new year at the top of a hill and it was spectacular! Some of you who are reading this as we speak are new friends we made when we were in Grenada. The funniest question I got from someone…what’s in Grenada besides you two?! Well… I’m gonna tell you…but not tonight!

For now, I am going to sign off and grab a few winks, it’s late, I’m a little knackered, my fingers are a little sore from ‘talking’ so much! I have to tell you, I’m excited to be talking to you again and I look forward to a long, happy, and healthy relationship!

A Happy, Healthy, and Wonderful New Year to you my friends! May 2026 bring you all you hope for and more! Good night!

{August 18, 2024} Mother Nature, what’s up?!

Alarm was set, yes, I know, it’s Sunday JJ, why?! Well, I’ll tell you…

The alarm was set for 7a, I got the dogs up and fed, I didn’t have enough time to take them for a walk, I’m sorry to say, and the weather later, didn’t encourage an evening walk either. Got them fed and settled in the crate, I got dressed, jumped in Annie, the beetle bug, and headed out, got about half a block and realized I didn’t have my phone, what?! Turned around, went back, got my phone, then back on the road.

Top on the car was down, it started sprinkling, but I didn’t get wet, it’s the magic of a convertible! I made it to the Lebanon Valley Motorcycle Club clubhouse on time, about 750a. There was a ride today and that meant breakfast and lunch and I was taking orders for breakfast, second time I’ve done it. They start serving breakfast at 8am, you need to be there before 8 to get set up. I wasn’t cooking, so I didn’t have to prep food, I just had to make sure the till, or money drawer, was open and had money in it, I had to make sure I had order slips, a highlighter, and a pen. I also had to know what the specials were, good thing they were on the board!

People started coming in about 8am, not many, the bigger rush was about 930a. I was going to ride today, but yesterday, the weather app said 68% chance of rain, then this morning, it said 15%, but I looked at the sky and nope, not taking a chance! I messed a few orders up, but then I got the swing of things again and I was good to go!

It’s fun taking orders, you get to hang with other members in the kitchen, get to know them better, get to know the members coming up to place orders, a bunch of them know me, well, know us, of course, we’re some of the newbies, so haven’t been around that long, when you join, people remember you, I’m getting there! Turns out, people have their own coffee mugs in the stack! I have a lot to learn!

Breakfast is decent and reasonable. They have set orders, you just have to ask particulars, like how do you want your eggs cooked, what type of meat, toast, do you want the special? The special today was 2 peach pancakes, eggs, and meat for $8.00, that is a good deal to me! Everything is made fresh to order and comes out relatively quickly. All the money goes back to the club.

I’m glad I didn’t ride, it was ok where we were, but some areas, deluge! Confident in my decision! Breakfast is usually done with they run out of things, like the pancakes. So…I helped a little with the cleanup and set up for lunch, said my goodbyes and headed out.

I went to CVS to pick up a prescription, then the grocery store for some supplies, then back home. I made myself a very good breakfast burrito and then as I was taking care of stuff and all of a sudden the sky opened up… yup, there it was. So I went into the living room, got onto one of the dog beds and the two fur beasts curled up with me. I think I’ve told you, Ruby does not like storms, she is freaked out by thunder, she can hear it from a few miles away! I thought my hearing was good!

The rain came down in sheets and buckets on and off for the rest of the evening. I was going to go to a movie, but I did not feel like getting out in that! So, the girls and I hung out together and now I’m talking to you.

Not an exciting day, but a good day. And now… I bid you g’night!

{June 6, 2024} Our next great adventure…open road style!

It’s been two weeks, why wouldn’t we go on a new adventure?! This time…open road style means…vroom vroom, motorcycle style!

This trip has been in the works for some time. Last year, while we were on the trip out west, we all started talking about next year’s trip, and we ketpt coming back to Canada. Keep talking and visualizing, and here we are!

We packed last night, yup, before we were leaving! ha ha. Since we were packed, easy to get out about 4p. PSM got home a little after 3p, I was still getting some work done, and just before 4p, took my bags out to the barn, strapped my bag to the back of my bike, Eunice, the 2022 Super Cheif Limited and we were good to go!

Paul was taking the Challenger, he calls it Challenger, sounds about right!

The big reason we wanted to leave around 4p was the weather, it rained last night, it rained this morning, and it’s going to rain this afternoon, potential, it’s going to rain this evening. It did…

We were going along, when we started out, it was 84 out, then it got up to 88. It was toasty, but…PSM routed us a great…well, route, that would take us away from a lot of highways and more importantly…away from Connecticut, which, I believe I’ve said this, it’s a lovely state, but the traffic is awful!

So…we realized he routed us for no traffic, but into the rain. If we had stuck with traffic, no rain… go figure! We got almost 100 miles and pulled into a rest stop, stretched our legs, checked the weather, and most importantly…put on our rain gear! Good thing we did, it started raining. Now, one of the guys in we ride with says…’put on the rain gear…no rain’, that didn’t quite work!

I’m just a wee bit short for this bike, I need a little bit of a heel or platform so I am flat footed when I come to a stop, unlike Charlene, my Scout, where I can wear my Converse sneakers. I found a pair at a Walmart near Sturgis, SD when we were there two years ago, I fought getting them, but I actually like them. They used to be a sandy/tan color, now…after almost 3 years of riding in them, through all sorts of weather, not so much. the real issue with these boots…rubber soles, ok, the rest…canvas. Can you guess what happened in the first few minutes of riding in the rain? Yup… I’m walking with a puddle in my shoe…fun!

We thought we would pull into a gas station, we were both at about half a tank, and get some respite from the rain. Couldn’t find a gas station and it was coming down harder, so Starbucks it is. We got some food, tried to dry off a little, as much as we could. We watched the rain come down hard, then let up, then come down hard, then let up. When it had let up enough, the sun broket hrough the clouds, really?

We decided it had cleared up enough to start riding again, but we weren’t taking off the rain gear, not taking chances, and it’s raining all over the PA/NY region. As we were riding, the sun was coming out, it was nice, but I started getting a little chilly, very glad for my rain gear, but brrr…

We ended up stopping at another rest area to check the weather one more time and take a bio break. At this point, the sky looked like it was clearning up, we were even chasing a few rainbows! I’m sorry i couldn’t take a pic whilewe were riding, they were bright and one of them had a friend, right next to it!

PSM said if we keep to a slower speed, we might be able to stay behind the rain, as well as the wetter the road, the more hazardous conditions, hydroplaning and all, which as you can imagine, would be bad!

Were we lucky? Nope, not a chance, why would we be? ha ha. I was in the lead at this point and kept it to about 55/60, if I got up to 65, I would slow it back down. When we left the rest stop it was about 8p, we had booked a hotel about an hours ride from where we were, we just needed to get there and crash for the night.

We were doing great, sky was clear, water from the road, but so far so good, and keeping that speed. Alas…the rain started again, and then it started getting dark, and darker, and darker, and now we’re riding in the rain, my windsheild, which as you may or may not know, on a motorcycle does not have wipers like a car! and why hasn’t someone figured this one out?! ha ha. I only think about this when it’s raining!

So… my windsheild is very rainy, my goggles are very rainy, and it is dark! A few times, I actually had to lean to the right to see the road! This was so much fun! lol. I’m glad I had my headphones on, that helped. Finally, I look in my mirror and see PSM has his signal on, I also saw the sign for the hotel near the exit.

We pull off the highway and ride for what seems like forever, only about a mile maybe, but…dark and rainy, great combination! We finally pull into the hotel, under the entrance, a nice guy who works for the hotel told us we could park there for the night, to avoid the on the bikes. Every little bit helps!

We got into the room and stripped everything off! Everything that was wet went on the heater, and we cranked that sucker up! We changed into shorts and sandles/slippahs, and headed down to the bar for a much needed drink! PSM had a Woodford Reserve bourbon, and I had Disorono, an amaretto, on the rocks. I have one a few times a year, when I want to pretend to be a grown-up. I have yet to finish one, but I like it because it’s a sweet liqueur.

After we closed the bar down, we headed back to the room so I could talk to you and we could crash.

Tomorrow…is the official start of our trip. That’s what PSM said, I’m good with that! So…I say bon nuit to you and sign off for the night, tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and bright and hot, I’m planning on drying off as we ride!

G’night!

{April 20, 2024} A Bike and Biker Blessing

Say that 10 times fast! Today was a great experience, I told you last night I would tell you all about it today and here it is!

A biker and biker blessing is a truly moving event, we participated in our first one in Hawai’i. It was held at a church, it felt like every bike on the island was there! We met, there was a blessing, in Hawai’ian and we went on our way, knowing we were, well, blessed!

Today, we were with the Lebanon Valley Motorcycle Club [LVMC], there was also the biker/bike blessing with our Indian Motorcycle Riders Group [IMRG], it wasn’t an easy decision, but we went with the LVMC because we haven’t ridden with them yet and last weekend we had our first IMRG group ride of the season. I also needed to be closer to home, after the blessing and lunch, I high tailed it to Boston for a few days!

We got to the clubhouse at 1030a and there were already about 30 bikes and people there, by the time we left, I think we were somewhere between 50-60, maybe, I couldn’t tell, but there were a lot of us! It was fun meeting some new people in the group and seeing what everyone rides, that’s always the best part.

We were very organized, not us personally, the group. There were several people who would be blocking traffic, that means that they block traffic at lights and stops so we can all ride together as one big group. The idea, which I liked the analogy when we rode in Hawai’i was we should function like a tractor trailer, everyone stays together.

We left in one big group, I know someone was taking photos, I can’t wait to see them! I have to tell you, it is such a site to see all the bikes riding in one long procession, it sounds wonderful and it looks beautiful! We rode to the Lebanon VA Medical Center, what an honor! There were some residents who were outside watching, some in the lobby, and many from their rooms. We did a tour around the perimeter, came to park in front and we all got off our bikes and walked towards the chapel.

Father Paul was waiting for us, he was wearing a long white robe, full regalia, with sunglasses, a baseball cap, and sneakers! LOVE IT! We all gathered around and Father Paul read from his prayer book, a few prayers I recognized, what I loved was he added motorcycles in there! He talked about being able to ride was freedom, reminding us of what we can do, and to keep each other safe. It was a lovely ceremony.

We all received badges/pins, oh yeah, before we left the clubhouse, we all received an American Flag with the Biker Blessing on it to attach to our bikes! After we received our pins, we got back on our bikes and rode past Father Paul, who then blessed us each with holy water! SO cool!

After we were blessed, we made our way back to the clubhouse for a fine feast of picnic and comfort foods and good conversation. We met some new folks and really just enjoyed ourselves. I know we would have had fun with the IMRG folks, this was fun getting to know the LVMC folks!

After lunch we headed back home, played with the dogs a little, I loaded up my car and headed out and here I sit at my sister’s house writing to you. I’ll tell you more about that tomorrow! I need sleep! After getting up about 6am, then the biker blessing, then a 7 hour drive to Boston, I’m beat!

Vroom Vroom…God natt (goo nat) [Good night in Norwegian]!

{January 26, 2024} It’s Friday Night…What to do? A new place and a Motorcycle Club? Sure, let’s do it!

Friday work day is done, now what? PSM called from work and said he’s going to pick me up and we’ll go out to a new place and maybe check out the local motorcycle club, sounds great!

He picked me up from work about about 6/630p and we went to the Gin Mill Restaurant & Tavern, finally! I say finally because we have tried to go on several occasions, but their hours aren’t great. They are open Monday-Saturday until 9p and on Sunday until 8p, not great if you’re out late or riding around and hungry later, and the kitchen closes about 30-45 minutes before the doors, no shade, just hard in the summer when you might want to go out later. But tonight, we got in there in plenty of time!

Did anyone have the fog we did here? It was cr-azy! You could barely see in front of your face! This is what it was like when I was walking the dogs, it was worse for PSM on his way to pick me up! It took him an extra 15 minutes to get home because he couldn’t see!

It’s a lot larger on the inside than it looks from the outside. Great atmosphere, huge bar, two sitting areas off of each side of the bar, not a lot of room to walk behind each side of the bar, but enough to get buy, one of those places where servers kind of have to raise the plates to get buy and not hit you. The place was pretty packed, PSM had been there one other time and it wasn’t this full, it definitely has a different feel when it’s full. There were people of all ages and families sharing a meal together, definitely a local type of place. The decor was fun, a lot of brewery and beer logo signs, things made out of beer/brewery labels, sitckers, and bottle caps, just what you want to see in a pub/local brewery.

I will say, if you’re not a meat eater, it won’t be easy for you, but if you’re going for drinks and a few apps or sides, you’ll be fine. PSM ordered a few mixed drinks, I had hot tea, always happy when a bar/pub has hot tea! It came out in a glass mug, my favorite! I had a Caeasar salad and a side of broccoli, and PSM had their Chinese Takeout Burger. Think…Chinese takeout on a bun with a side of fries, I know right?

We sat at the bar, as we do almost everywhere, which, as you know, we love. Chatted with the bartenders, one of the chefs, which was who convinced PSM to get the burger, from his description, and had a great time on our date night! What more could you want?!

Now…motorcycle club time! We were about 15 minutes from there, but it took a little longer to get there because of the fog! Ugh, should I be drinking London Fog tea? Should I be wearing a London Fog coat? Wow! We got there about 730p, the doors open at 7p, meeting is at 8p. The Lebanon Valley Motorcycle Club has their own clubhouse, very cool! We went to one door, no go, we went down around back where we saw other people heading and score! Just outside the door we met the president and treasurer of the group, the president opened the door, led us in and announced we were there, to a great big welcome, it was grand!

We walked towards the bar and met a lot of people, they have drinks, water, beer, soda, they have coffee cans for the money because they can’t exchange money by handing it to each other, so they put the money in the cans, love it! They have a pool table, currently out of commission, waiting on repairs, they have tables and chairs, places for people to sit and chat before the meeting begins.

There were people of all ages and with different types of bikes, this is a motorcycle club, all bikes welcome. It’s similar to the other groups we ride with, but the primary bike in those groups are Indians, because they are the Indian Motorcyle Riders Groups [IMRG], all riders are welcome, but to join you have to have an Indian Motorcycle, same with Harley Davidson groups, that’s fair. This one is ‘come one come all’, you just have to have a bike! At least I think so!

Several people asked who told us about it, I wish I could remember! I was at White’s Harley Davidson, the dealership near our house and someone told me about it, they knew who I was talking about. Apparently you have to be recommended to join, among other rules, they are serious. With our IMRG groups, you only need to pay your dues, for this club, you have to be recommended by a current member, you pay an application fee, then you’re on a 6-week probationary period where you have to attend at least 1/3 of the scheduled meetings/events, then after the 6-week period, the board either votes you in or not. I kind of like it, you need to attend events or meetings to show you’re interested, not just join and don’t do anything, every group has their rules, I’m ok with that!

We socialized with the group downstairs in the bar/pool room, turns out one couple lives on the street right behind us, how cool! then at 830p, we all went upstairs for the meeting. They are very official! We stood for the pledge of allegiance, then they asked if there were any visitors, we were, we stood up and introduced ourselves, then it was on to reading the last meeting’s minutes, then on to new business, including announcements and updates on how some members who were ill, a very caring group!

The couple we sat with, who are the ones who live near us, gave us the lowdown as everything was happening, as they made announcements, talked events, and happenings. There is a banquet next weekend, unfortunately we won’t be able to attend, but it was nice to be included right off the bat.

After the meeting we spoke with a few people, got more information about the group and joining,turned in our applications and money, got a calendar of events, it’s actually a pocket calendar with the events stamped in, love that! Their first ride is in April, so ready!

We headed home, it was a long day and we were done! Tomorrow…new adventure, I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow!
Night! Dreaming of being on the bike, when is the fog, rain, and snow going to stop! Vroom vroom!

{March 2, 2021} Wearing a mask…

It’s been quite the year, hasn’t it?

When everything started, many of us were on the fence about wearing masks. I’ll be honest, I fought it as long as I could, I just didn’t want to wear one or be told I had to. No one likes to be told what they have to do, and we still weren’t at critical, but we were encouraged to wear one. I carried one with me and always asked when I entered a store if I needed to put it on and if they said yes, I complied.

As things progressed, PSM started to wear his more consistently and shortly after we had a conversation and I decided that I would wear my mask full time. I kept one in my pocket and put it on when I got to the door of wherever I or we were going. Now, it’s the new normal, as they say. And people not wearing masks is more noticeable to me, it reminds me of former smokers who sometimes get more sensitive when someone around them is smoking. I’m not here to talk about people wearing or not wearing masks.

One thing that hasn’t been bad is wearing the mask keeps my face warm in the winter, so that’s been a plus. What hasn’t been a plus is having to wear a mask when we do yoga, it gets hot, sweaty, wet, and it’s hard to breathe, especially when it’s hot yoga. When I said it gets hot, sweaty, and wet, I wasn’t kidding. The mask itself is wet, and when you’re sweating, the straps get wet, ick! Ha Ha! I always wear a different mask into and out of the yoga studio, and if I forget, ugh.

PSM and I both have multiple masks, he’s bought a few, I’ve bought a few, PSM works for Bayer, and they sent us a set with their logo on it and those are the ones we wear for yoga. They are soft and silky and fit just right, soft enough to wear when we do yoga. I’ve tried the cloth ones, they don’t breathe as well and wearing the disposable, medical masks with the metal bridge get wet during yoga and when I bend over, they ride up into my eyes. We’ve definitely tested!

With all the safety precautions at the ski resorts, I believe I told you, masks are mandatory. Actually, in Colorado, when you step out of your car, you should be wearing your mask. I wear a mask that my sister got me, a Beatles Hey Jude pattern and a Turtle Fur neck gaiter. I was talking with a friend who said it must be great, the mask keeps my face warm while I’m skiing, but…it’s like when I’m doing yoga, and it’s actually the same on the motorcycle when it’s cold and I have to wear a face cover to keep warm…when you ski you breath out of your mouth and nose, which is covered, and when it’s that close, and you’re active, you’re breathing heavier and guess what happens? It gets wet. ick. So…as it gets wet and cold, and the temperature drops, sometimes it freezes, how’s that for ya?!

I know there’s an end in sight and I look forward to it. Until that time, masks up!

{February 21, 2021} It was almost like Spring!

For about an hour…

We went to yoga a little later today, there weren’t any early morning hot yoga classes, so we took the 11am hot yoga class with a powerful instructor. She changes her routine, goes a little faster than some instructors, and makes us sweat…wow! The thing I like is that she is doing most of the poses and moves with us, which made her sweat…a lot!

When we went to yoga it was about 35 outside, we only wore sweat shirts over our yoga clothes, as opposed to our big winter parkas, and I wore a pair of chucks, no socks, yeah! The snow is starting to melt, it should be gone by the end of the week. Do I hear a vroom-vroom of a motorcycle?

Oh! I forgot to tell you that yesterday, I was running errands, it was about 35 out and I put on my winter coat and hat and…dropped the top! Oh boy, Annie II was so happy, and so was I! I cranked up the heat, turned up the butt warmers and away we went. It actually wasn’t too cold, so I turned the heat down and just enjoyed the sunshine and the crisp, fresh air. Something people don’t realize about convertibles is that if you have the windows up and you’re going at a good clip, you don’t feel the cold or even the rain, if you happen to get caught in it, it’s marvelous!

But, back to my post! After hot yoga, we changed clothes, walked outside and I never put my sweatshirt on, just jeans and a t-shirt, and it was fabulous! We couldn’t believe it! Is it Spring already?! Yes, it was 47, and while to some, who live in much warmer climates, 47 may sound like chill fest, when it’s been in the single digits, 47 is a heat wave!

We went to brunch, which too much longer than it should have! [Possibly like some of my posts! ha ha ha] Apparently the restaurant had a rush of people…anyway…I was very excited about the drive home, I was going to drop the top and enjoy the sunshine. Let’s just say…in the almost 2 hours we were at the restaurant, I know, I know…the clouds came out to play and the sun said…buh bye…so we drove home, top up.

So…it was almost like Spring…for about an hour… But…it gives me hope, I know it’s coming! Wait, does that mean…Hope Springs Eternal? MUWAHAHAHA

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