Friday, June 26, 2015
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Michigan, Ontario, Toronto, New York, Pennsylvania - Whew; lots of miles, great folks and fabulous food!
I had a great visit with Upland Journal (UJer) member Bill Bosworth (Boz03) in Ann Arbor,MI (Bill doing much better after some recent health issues) Bill showed me his fabulous collection of rare game birds including the elusive Capercaile and a Black Grouse he took in Russia.
I took pictures, I really did, but the camera has digested all the pictures from Ann Arbor through Toronto.
After a great visit and lunch with Bill I departed for UJer John Pomante's in Richmond MI. Did I say Michigan is very flat! Makes SD seem positively hilly.
Arrived at John's just in time for a great Mixed Grill and Salad. We worked on one of his gunstocks a little as well. Up early, off to breakfast with John's dad then on the bike and North to Ontario.
Did I say Ontario is flat, really really flat? Makes Michigan seem positively mountainous.
After crossing the border at Port Huron I rode up the East shore of Lake Huron and met UJer Alan Nielsen (Iver) and his lovely wife Sharon in Owen Sound ONT. Alan is also a motorcyclist and in tandem we headed for his home in Barrie ONT, north of Toronto about 2 hours. Alan Sharon and I shared a great meal and drank a little too much wine. I enjoyed the time off the bike as we took Iver, his 4 year old Viszla on several long walks. The next morning we headed for Toronto to do guy stuff, Guns, Tools, Bikes, Pub Lunch and the Toronto Tower filled the afternoon.
Friday morning I was up and on the Queens Toll Road bound for Niagara Falls and Buffalo NY.
Niagra was fabulous, Parking near the falls was $20 I took some disappearing pictures from the road and crossed back into Estados Unidos without trouble or delay over the Rainbow Bridge.
In Buffalo I met fellow Roadstar Warrior enthusiast Frank Dorogi.
Frank and Therese to his right
Joe with Kat putting on her helmet in the background
Frank was kind enough to put up this weary traveler for the evening. Frank, Therese, his lady, their friends and neighbors Kathy (Kat) and Joe all made me feel most welcome at a well planned and even better executed barbecue. We ate fine and there may well have been a little to drink as well.
We finished the evening at the local neighborhood pub.
Up early on Saturday morning we all five boarded three Warriors and a Sportster and headed East to Syracuse for the annual mid-Atlantic Roadstar Warrior gathering at the famous Dino's BBQ.
I think I counted 27 Warriors present in front of Dino's
There were Warriors present from as far away as South Dakota (Me), Philly, New York City, Montreal and many points in between.
I couldn't keep everyones name straight but it was great to meet a few of the "brethren".
I left Syracuse about 3:00pm and headed south towards UJer "Irish Joe" in Mansfield PA. Got to Joe's about 6:30pm and we had a few beers and discussed the state of Grouse Hunting in Pennsylvania. Up early this morning and am now with old Navy friends Wolf and Helen Thiers in Waynesboro PA.
Tomorrow it is across PA and NJ to Manasquan and a stay on the beach with a dwarf.
Stay tuned.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Motorcyclus Interuptus - or - All's well that ends well
Flew from Milwaukee to California Thursday, surgery was on Friday, he was released from the hospital n Monday and is back in the nursing home for PT and recovery.
I left Sacramento Monday night about midnight and arrived in Milwaukee at 1000 Tuesday morning. Managed to sleep 3 hours on the flight. After packing my stuff at my buddies house I hopped on the bike and headed north to Manitowoc WI to catch the 1400 ferry across the lake to Michigan.
The ferry was cool and watching them load huge trucks hauling windmill pedestal sections was interesting.
25 other motorcycles on the ferry as well.
Found a quiet spot and napped most of the way across.
Monday night in Ludington MI at Griener's Motel, a nice little 50's era wayside clean and quiet and only $50
Regain schedule Today with a lunch at Bill Bosworth's (UJer boz03's) and then on to John Pomante (UJer dogrunner) for the evening.
Wednesday I cross into Canada and head up to meet UJer IVER for a few days.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Around and About in Milwaukee
The Weather has cooperated so far, a few sprinkles but no need for the rain suit!
Monday I cleaned the bike after the rain storm then rode Lakeshore DR downtown and spent a few hours at the Harley Davidson Museum.
The museum is a definite "must see" if you are visiting Milwaukee. They do a good job of taking you through the creation and evolution of the HD motorcycle. Lots of both restored and unrestored (original) examples of various HD's to see. The Board Track Racing display is awesome. The little ear bud thingey's you can rent are worth the money. I tagged along with some kind of guided tour lead by an older lady that really knew what she was talking about when it came to each bike and/or exhibit.
Quite the spectacle, and lots of Harleys in the parking lot. My Warrior did draw quite a few looks and comments. One of the guys that ran the outside "sit on a Harley and ride it" demo (a dyno thing I guess) came over to find out what I was riding.
First words were "Well you've almost got yourself a Harley there." Too which I replied "Not Har'ly"
I explained that my $5,500 Yamaha is twice the bike that their $20K Streetglide is and although he wouldn't agree even he could figure out the cost benefit analysis.
Tsday i made a nice ride from Whitefish Bay to Mineral Point WI, Mineral Point is one of the earliest towns in Wisconsin, originally settled by Cornish Miners that mined lead/zinc and some other metals there. Cool little village with many restored "Cornish" houses, cut stone etc. Looks rather English Old Chap!
Now an Artsy Crafty kind of place with many sculpturs, potters, Jewelers wtc as well as a restored Opera House and many Bars/Restaurants. Visited with a hunting friend, went to lunch and then visited the Hoks Cheese factory. I went a little crazy at Hooks Cheese purchasing one of every Cheddar and One of every Blue Cheese they make. All really good, we sampled them for supper last night.
On the trip over I rode through some beautiful country, the Kettle Moraine region, Rolling farmland, all very green and corn about 8-10" tall. Lots of dairy farms all well kept, neat and orderly. Seemed strange not to see the typical machinery junkyard behind every barn like is common in South Dakota. Must be the neat and orderly German heritage.
Rode the freeways back to Whitefish Bay as i had to pick my friend up at the airport. One shower o the way back but i waited it out at a convenient Rest Stop 50 miles West of Milwaukee.
Today the sky's were/are threatening so i did laundry, cleaned the bike, did some chores around the house and got my seats selected for my flight to California tomorrow. Dad's surgery is on Friday and hopefully all will go well and I'll be back here to resume the trip East on Monday morning.
Did finally get my Cell Phone power problem resolved, installing a Weatherproof Cigarette lighter socket in my Windscreen Bag wired into the lighting circuit. Adding an additional 1 amp USB Charger draw to the marker lights doesn't seem to bother a thing.
Will post again while making my way across Lake Michigan aboard the SS Badger on Monday afternoon.
John
Monday I cleaned the bike after the rain storm then rode Lakeshore DR downtown and spent a few hours at the Harley Davidson Museum.
The museum is a definite "must see" if you are visiting Milwaukee. They do a good job of taking you through the creation and evolution of the HD motorcycle. Lots of both restored and unrestored (original) examples of various HD's to see. The Board Track Racing display is awesome. The little ear bud thingey's you can rent are worth the money. I tagged along with some kind of guided tour lead by an older lady that really knew what she was talking about when it came to each bike and/or exhibit.
Quite the spectacle, and lots of Harleys in the parking lot. My Warrior did draw quite a few looks and comments. One of the guys that ran the outside "sit on a Harley and ride it" demo (a dyno thing I guess) came over to find out what I was riding.
First words were "Well you've almost got yourself a Harley there." Too which I replied "Not Har'ly"
I explained that my $5,500 Yamaha is twice the bike that their $20K Streetglide is and although he wouldn't agree even he could figure out the cost benefit analysis.
Tsday i made a nice ride from Whitefish Bay to Mineral Point WI, Mineral Point is one of the earliest towns in Wisconsin, originally settled by Cornish Miners that mined lead/zinc and some other metals there. Cool little village with many restored "Cornish" houses, cut stone etc. Looks rather English Old Chap!
Now an Artsy Crafty kind of place with many sculpturs, potters, Jewelers wtc as well as a restored Opera House and many Bars/Restaurants. Visited with a hunting friend, went to lunch and then visited the Hoks Cheese factory. I went a little crazy at Hooks Cheese purchasing one of every Cheddar and One of every Blue Cheese they make. All really good, we sampled them for supper last night.
On the trip over I rode through some beautiful country, the Kettle Moraine region, Rolling farmland, all very green and corn about 8-10" tall. Lots of dairy farms all well kept, neat and orderly. Seemed strange not to see the typical machinery junkyard behind every barn like is common in South Dakota. Must be the neat and orderly German heritage.
Rode the freeways back to Whitefish Bay as i had to pick my friend up at the airport. One shower o the way back but i waited it out at a convenient Rest Stop 50 miles West of Milwaukee.
Today the sky's were/are threatening so i did laundry, cleaned the bike, did some chores around the house and got my seats selected for my flight to California tomorrow. Dad's surgery is on Friday and hopefully all will go well and I'll be back here to resume the trip East on Monday morning.
Did finally get my Cell Phone power problem resolved, installing a Weatherproof Cigarette lighter socket in my Windscreen Bag wired into the lighting circuit. Adding an additional 1 amp USB Charger draw to the marker lights doesn't seem to bother a thing.
Will post again while making my way across Lake Michigan aboard the SS Badger on Monday afternoon.
John
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Menomonie WI to Whitefish Bay (Milwaukee) WI in the rain :(
Left Menomonie (I-94 exit 45) this morning about 10 am. Sky was greay and threatening. Weather chanmnel showed that squalls had blown through, WRONG! About 30 minutes doen the road it was raining cats and dogs. Luckily i had worn the raingear from the git-go. Gloves proved not to be waterproof and hands were quite cold. Turned into intermittent showers near Wisconsin Dells and by the time I got to the I-90/I-94 split it was almost 70 and clear.
A lot more traffic here than in SD, lots of left lane "patrollers"so folks pass on the left and the right. Lots of texters and cell phone takers too. You have to watch every car all the time.
Trip plan adjustment required as my Dad is scheduled for hip replacement surgery in California Friday June 14th so i will fly to California for the weekend then back to Milwaukee to continue the adventure. Plan is to cross the lake on the last coal fired ferry then across Michigan, up to Toronto and then down to a Warrior event in Syracuse on June 22nd.
Harley Davidson museum tomorrow! Maybe some picture of that.
A lot more traffic here than in SD, lots of left lane "patrollers"so folks pass on the left and the right. Lots of texters and cell phone takers too. You have to watch every car all the time.
Trip plan adjustment required as my Dad is scheduled for hip replacement surgery in California Friday June 14th so i will fly to California for the weekend then back to Milwaukee to continue the adventure. Plan is to cross the lake on the last coal fired ferry then across Michigan, up to Toronto and then down to a Warrior event in Syracuse on June 22nd.
Harley Davidson museum tomorrow! Maybe some picture of that.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Depart tomorrow morning about 10:00am.
Slight change in plans, a friend wants to attend the Upland Journal Midwest UJFest, a Shooting, eating and drinking event I organize in Menomonie Wisconsin,
so the bike is in the back of the Honda Ridgeline and the first 700 miles will be in the truck. He'll bring the truck back to Spearfish on Sunday.
Had a minor setback today when the USB port I bought online would not produce the appropriate voltage to charge my Cell Phone. Apparently the USB Power supply I purchased has just a skosh too much voltage for my Samsung galaxy cell phone which rejects the charger as non spec. They are sending me another power supply, we will see.
More tomorrow from somewhere in Minnesota.
Slight change in plans, a friend wants to attend the Upland Journal Midwest UJFest, a Shooting, eating and drinking event I organize in Menomonie Wisconsin,
so the bike is in the back of the Honda Ridgeline and the first 700 miles will be in the truck. He'll bring the truck back to Spearfish on Sunday.
Had a minor setback today when the USB port I bought online would not produce the appropriate voltage to charge my Cell Phone. Apparently the USB Power supply I purchased has just a skosh too much voltage for my Samsung galaxy cell phone which rejects the charger as non spec. They are sending me another power supply, we will see.
More tomorrow from somewhere in Minnesota.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Final Preparations in progress!
Finally have the trip lined
out and arrangements finalized.
My bike, a 2003 Yamaha Roadstar Warrior is equipped with Hard Bags, a Memphis Shades Batwing Fairing, Foot boards, a modified saddle and backrest, a rear fender rack.
Most days are relatively short rides on the order of 300 miles (4-6 hours) in the saddle. Though last year I did 789 miles in one day from Marysville CA to Coalville UT including a few side trips.
It will be real interesting to place some faces to Upland Journal and Roadstar Warrior Forum names along the way.
My schedule:
June 6 Depart Spearfish SD, Overnight in Fairmont MN
June 7-9 Menomonie WI - Midwest UJFest
June 10-12 Milwaukee WI
June 13 Lake Zurich, IL
June 14-16 Libertyville IL
June 17-18 Richmond, MI via Ann Arbor MI
June 19-20 Toronto, CANADA
June 21 Buffalo NY - Roadstar Warrior BBQ prequel
June 22 Syracuse NY noon BBQ and then to Mansfield PA
June 23 Waynesboro PA
June 24-26 Manasquan, NJ
June 27 Newport RI via Long Island and the Ferry to CT
June 28 Hanover MA
June 29-30 Manchester by the Sea MA
July 1 - July 10 New England/New Brunswick by car with my wife.
July 11 Someplace in CT
July 12-14 Long Eddy NY - UJ Catskill Shindig
July 15 TBD Western PA/Ohio
July 16 Cleveland and then TBD Indiana
July 17-19 Indiana Sprint Week (USAC Sprint cars at Terra Haute, Putnamville and Bloomington IN)
July 20 Wilmot, WI (Sprint Car race)
July 21 Brandon SD (Sprint car race)
July 22 Home - Spearfish SD
Thanks to the UJ'ers and Roadstar Warrior folks who are putting me up along the way.
This will certainly be the motorcycle trip of a lifetime.
My bike, a 2003 Yamaha Roadstar Warrior is equipped with Hard Bags, a Memphis Shades Batwing Fairing, Foot boards, a modified saddle and backrest, a rear fender rack.
Most days are relatively short rides on the order of 300 miles (4-6 hours) in the saddle. Though last year I did 789 miles in one day from Marysville CA to Coalville UT including a few side trips.
It will be real interesting to place some faces to Upland Journal and Roadstar Warrior Forum names along the way.
My schedule:
June 6 Depart Spearfish SD, Overnight in Fairmont MN
June 7-9 Menomonie WI - Midwest UJFest
June 10-12 Milwaukee WI
June 13 Lake Zurich, IL
June 14-16 Libertyville IL
June 17-18 Richmond, MI via Ann Arbor MI
June 19-20 Toronto, CANADA
June 21 Buffalo NY - Roadstar Warrior BBQ prequel
June 22 Syracuse NY noon BBQ and then to Mansfield PA
June 23 Waynesboro PA
June 24-26 Manasquan, NJ
June 27 Newport RI via Long Island and the Ferry to CT
June 28 Hanover MA
June 29-30 Manchester by the Sea MA
July 1 - July 10 New England/New Brunswick by car with my wife.
July 11 Someplace in CT
July 12-14 Long Eddy NY - UJ Catskill Shindig
July 15 TBD Western PA/Ohio
July 16 Cleveland and then TBD Indiana
July 17-19 Indiana Sprint Week (USAC Sprint cars at Terra Haute, Putnamville and Bloomington IN)
July 20 Wilmot, WI (Sprint Car race)
July 21 Brandon SD (Sprint car race)
July 22 Home - Spearfish SD
Thanks to the UJ'ers and Roadstar Warrior folks who are putting me up along the way.
This will certainly be the motorcycle trip of a lifetime.
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