Sunday, October 26, 2008

Georgia Trip & Homecoming

This past week Bernice went to the mountains of north Georgia....Blue Ridge to be exact to hang out with her friend Cheryl. They stayed at the Hawk's cabin while they were there.


Georgia in the Fall can be a place where Bears are everywhere. The key is to be faster than the person you are with. Last year Cheryl pictured here ran by Bernice screaming when they saw a bear. Even though moments before they were told never to run when you see a bear.



They did get to see some wildlife when they visited a Kangagroo farm near Dawsonville.





The fall colors were getting towards their peak and in the higher elveations wer.e pretty. Here is a view off the porch at the cabin




They went to a Pumpkin patch called Burt's it was located in outside of Elijay Ga.










The hiked to Amicalola Falls. It was about 2 mile hike and the views were worth it.






They spent a day in the Cahoutta Wildernes-- this is a picture of the highest lake in Georgia.





Bernice was missing me while there so found somthing else tall and sturdy to hug.





They were able to take in some Panaramic views from Fort Mountain State park. This park is high on a mountain where it is cool even in the summer.







Derek is a senior in highschool it is fall so....Homecoming was on the adgenda. Derek went with his girlfriend Amy and a group of friends. Here are some pics taken before they left for dinner and the dance.









Sunday, October 19, 2008

Cooler weather and Biketoberfest

On Saturday morning I got up early had breakfast then rode the bicycle for 30 miles. Once back and showered I mounted up on the Harley and headed to meet my buddy Jim and off towards Daytona we went.


We stopped for lunch and this Bus pulled in the parking lot... soon the girls (the were dressed) were passing out Playboy Energy Drink samples. It was interesting.



Traffic was not too bad and the weather was GREAT... the ocean was pretty and motorcycles everywhere.



I guess you can not have a party without the Blues Bros showing up.



At Destination Daytona (a HUGE dealership and event headquarters) Jim ran into this young man who used to cut his lawn. He is now in the Army and heading to Afganistan in another month.


There were all kinds of bikes in the Dealership which is as big as a Walmart only 2 stories complete with an escalator.



This is a Boss Hoss Trike --- It has a HUGE powerful V8 engine.



We logged just shy of 225 miles and enjoyed the comfort of the Big bikes.


After a while we got on the back roads and headed home. My first Biketoberfest was in the books.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Riding in the smokies

On October 8th I headed to Lake City Florida to meet my motorcycle friends. We met in Lake City (about 100 miles up the road) there we loaded bikes into Sonny's Trailer and his dad "Vern" was the chauffeur for the drive to Franklin, NC. On the way Sonny, Dennis and I watched some Dvd's. Viola we were at the hotel. Normally I ride up but there was heavy rain predicted (and received) so it was a good choice.


Sonny is the ride organizer and leads the rides....he is fast and safe. I am glad he waits for me at the turns. He & I were roommates and I got the nick-name Captain Early Rise


I rode the Yamaha FZ6 on this ride leaving the Harley at home. This bike is fast, comfortable and corners like a dream. I crossed over 8,000 miles on it in the last year.

We were there to enjoy the twisty roads and the fall weather and colors.We were not disappointed. Each day we covered over 200 miles of twisties.


Charles and Cindy were two of our group on his V-Rod.








On Friday I turned 51 and I rode both the Cherahola Skyway and the DRAGON. The Dragon has 318 turns in 11 miles --- this is a photo of me on the dragon.

We saw great color along the way. Most of the time we were zipping by and staying focused on the many turns and twists the great roads provided--- but ocasionally I would stop and snap a photo

















This is a picture of my friend Willard. He is a great guy and a good rider. His sense of humor gives us all cause to smile while riding and at dinner. Like me he brought his son into his business --- by the way he does not like his picture taken so this was a rare moment





I was able to meet Franco from the FZ6 forum again and he rode with us for a bit on Saturday after lunch


There is a reason they call them the Smokey Mountains --- several times we ran into the Smoke (FOG) ......all in all a very good trip


This is a pic of Sonny's parents (both accomplished riders). They are great people and fun to be around.


After dinner Saturday evening the gang hung out for a bit ..... then we watched the Gators dominate LSU ---- on Sunday I rode the 497 miles home

Sunday, October 05, 2008

Michael's Birthday and a camping trip

Michael turned 23 on the 25th and we celebrated it on Tuesday night with a small party.


Thursday afternoon we headed of to St Petersburg to camp for 3 nights at Fort Desoto.


While there we spent time on the beach enjoying the refreshing salt air and the scenes of the shore.













While there we cycled the length of the Pinellas trail (65 miles)





Bern also did a benefit event for the "Race for the Cure" for Breast Cancer awareness. She did it in honor of my two sisters Nancy & Jeanne.