Home Sweet Home- Pa. to Alaska

I am finally home-six weeks and almost 14,000 miles. It was an adventure of a lifetime-one that will give fond memories for years to come. We had a motel twice and stayed indoors about ll times-the remainder we tented and sometimes went, "tentless in Montana". There is something peaceful and serene about sleeping under the stars-it's something you have to do-as it cannot be described.
We saw many beautiful sights, but better yet, we met hundreds of wonderful people. Traveling around North America renews your faith in people. Watching the evening news on TV gives a negative view. We saw no TV or heard no radio. In fact, we just learned that Michael Jackson died.

I love Nike's Slogan-JUST DO IT! If you hope or dream of doing an adventure-climb A mountain, canoe a river, hike the Appalachian Trail, or take a road trip-JUST DO IT! You'll never regret the decision.

Beat Up-Pa. to Alaska

Not me- my BMW R100GS. I though the bike should have held up better than it did. I bought it new in 1992 and it had 26,000 miles before starting the trip.
I replaced the drive shaft and the seal, plus the alternator. Both front shocks have blown their seals spraying oil on the engine. The front fender vibrated three of the four bolts free- I am lucky to have seen the flopping fender. Both saddle bags are destroyed and my tires are bald.
Bruce's R1200GS needing nothing and ran flawless. It was really loaded as he had an entire workshop in the saddlebags-air compressor, tools,electrical testing equipment, jumper cables battery charger plus two tires on top and a breathing machine with a 100 foot extension cord.
Looks like I will be spending some money at Hermey's BMW. I will also be on the market for a newer bike.
Bottom line- bikes are expendable-especially for memories. My best friend Dave died from cancer a few years ago. At his memorial service a card was given to everyone. It reads: Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely and in a pretty well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, breathless, thoroughly used up, totally worn our and loudy proclaiming, WOW_WHAT A RIDE! ( I wrote a book about my friend Dave-you can read a portion of it in this blog-see "Book of David"- it is at the beginning-the second posting)
That's my philosophy-when I finally reach the rest home, I can say with no regrets, "It's good to sit a spell"!

Sturgis, South Dakota

Sturgis is not for me. There are too many T shirt stands and too many people. I think we had the dirtiest bikes in town

Leaving Conrad-with sadness

"We're Back In The Saddle Again" - I can still hear Roy or Gene singing that song in the 50's. Yes-we are riding again-thanks to the wonderful folks at Bliss Motors. If any of you riders need MC repairs, oil change, or anything, this is the place to go. Paul, the mechanic even called BMW to get the correct torque requirements. The price was great and the work was excellent-thanks so much.

I find this fact amazing-the parts I needed were shipped from Virginia at two in the afternoon and they arrived in Conrad around two the next afternoon. I haven't received the shipping bill yet-but I am prepared.

I want to thank the people in Conrad--you are the greatest The day we were leaving we stopped in the super market to get some fruit ( What are the symptoms of beri beri?). The check out lady asked if our bikes were fixed yet. We said how did you know She said, "Small Town".

I Love Marge! The night before we left I asked her to go out drinking with me-as a date. She said I was 40 years too late She is a feisty character and if you read this blog-you know I am a "Character Magnet". Marge is a good example of not judging a book by the cover. She told me she had a 10,000 acre ranch outside of town. She gave me one of her ram's heads as a souvenir.and I put it on the back of my bike. We are headed for Sturgis so I should fit in (not really-with a BMW).

Goodbye to Barbie of the Chamber, Harold of the Historical Soc and Helen of the Art Soc, to the wonderful folks at the Moose, and especially Paul, Kurt, Larry and all at Bliss Motors. As MacArthur said. "I shall return"!

A Ray of Sunshine-Conrad, Montana

Yup-we're real cowboys-or homeless. I feel we are qualified after spending the night in a drainage ditch along the interstate. Three guys stopped to see the "wreck". They said they saw us lying along the interstate-figured we had an accident as few folks would choose to camp there.
Now, to the Ray of Sunshine-Conrad Montana. When we awoke the next morning, we had to get the bike to a dealer and the closest was in Conrad. We hooked jumper cables from Bruce's bike to mine-charged the battery-unhooked all the lights to save "juice"-and limped into Bliss Motors.
Conrad is absolutely delightful-a small prairie town with the friendliest people you could ever find. The dealer agreed to repair the bike but we had to furnish the parts(he was a Honda Dealer). Bruce called a friend in Virginia and he agreed to ship the parts -next day delivery. We had 1-3 days in Conrad-and we had the best time. For starters , I got a "store bought" haircut for $7 (locals said it went up from five) It was so good and the price was right-I thought about getting another one.. Then off to the library for blogging. I asked the librarian if the computers had a card reader-she said no but I could use the one is her office. I then went to the local historical society's museum and had a great private tour. My guide said her grandparents homesteaded here and showed me pictures of sod houses. It was "Little House on the Prairie". The finale-off to the local Moose for a super time. We met the locals and they were great. People started buying rounds-tall stories and drinks were "flying" There was a great mix of farmers, cattle and sheep ranchers. Stories of the latter are unprintable in this blog. We closed the place. I think everyone in town knows of the two guys from Pa. who broke down in Conrad.

Talking Tumbleweed-I-15-Montana

I've rolled along a lot of prairie in my time, but this is the strangest critter I ever seen.

Could thngs get worse?-BMW -Alberta

We spent the night in our "blacktop suite"- I don't know why our freebie camps are always next to a train. The next day we checked to see if our much needed parts had come in. BAD NEWS! The seal came but the valuable universal joint and shaft were back ordered-16 days-I'm stuck!
What are my options? I could sell the bike and fly home or I could wait a week or two or I could buy a new bike-they had loads of them in stock. More bad news-Canadian BMW Bikes can't be brought into the states, nor can many makes.
We took the damaged part to a commercial bearing and universal joint company. They jury-rigged it to get me at least 1000 miles-maybe. Back to the dealership-had the part installed-and we were on our way. We were determined to not stop riding until we reached the US in Montana-at least I can buy a bike there. At the border crossing around midnight, the guards were quite serious. Bruce went first, then they motioned me to come forward. After they gave me the 3rd degree (maybe 2 nd) they said I could pass. I asked them where I could buy gasoline and they said they had given all that info to my partner. I said, He is not my partner-just my riding buddy. They cracked up!
Things get worse! At two in the morning, my bike stops in the middle of nowhere-along a four lane highway (15) south of the border. We have no choice-we sleep in the grassy ditch along the road. We didn't even pitch a tent. Check or my "partner's veil". As dawn broke a pick up truck pulled alongside by bike with three guys inside. They said they stopped to see the wreck. They saw one bike in the ditch and stuff scattered arouns-so we must have wrecked.

This morning we charged the battery using Bruce's Bike.and limped into Conrad Montana. We are camping awaiting parts for the alternator and a new universal shaft (the one I had repaired is vibrating like........)

West Edmonton Mall, Alberta

Cowboys don't go t malls, but this one is different. It is the biggest in Canada and probably second to the one in Minneapolis. Do you want to skate on a regulation Ice Skating rink.... or maybe ride in a submarine....... or how would like to surf some waves in a large indoor wave pool the size of a football field? Every day at 2 and 4 p.m. you can watch sea lions perform. It is a "hoot".

Argyll BMW Edmonton, Alberta

I "limped" into Argyll and Colin the service manager kindly took care of us immediately. They really go out of their way to help "adventure riders" that are passing through. I went into the shop and Andrew the technician showed me the bad news. The front universal joint on the drive shaft was toast. Now for the really bad news, the whole drive shaft has to be replaced to the tune of $1,220 plus labor.... it is hopefully being shipped in the next day. Since our mobility is reduced to one bike the question became how far do I want to ride behind Bruce. How about if set up camp in the dealership parking lot on the black-top? It is a win-win.. the price is right and we are close.

Grand Prairie, Alberta

"Oh bury me not on the lone Prairie" and the song almost came true. The Beemer broke down, well started breaking down. We had ridden hard from Dawson Creek and coming into Grand Prairie the sky turned blue-black. We donned rain gear and said "what the hell, we are cowboys, let's ride". Four hours later the rain was coming down so hard we could hardly see, we were soaked and cold with temps in the low 40"s. We saw a sign...... Motel Rooms $59. We thought maybe we would be cowboys tomorrow instead. The non- American host said no rooms for $59..... all $99. Both of the cheap rooms were filled. What a come-on. I gave Bruce the "look" and he said in his best Clint Eastwood voice, "let's ride". Forest Gump said, "stupid is as stupid does". We are both "is and does"and so we rode into the night in heavy rain. We finally found a provincial park and set up camp. If you have ever set up camp in a driving rain with ferocious mosquito's.... it is the pits. By the time you get the tent up and the rain fly on, everything inside and out is wet. You get into a wet tent with wet clothes and the worst part is yet to come....... packing up the next day with everything wet.... yuck.... and many pounds heavier.. that is as bad as it gets in motorcycle camping. The rain and heavy cross winds followed us the next day all the way to Edmonton, Alberta. It made us made us break our vow of "no motels". We had not been in one since Indiana but we broke and got one here.
My bike was making "unhappy" noises for the last hundred miles and was getting worse. It is a good thing that it broke down here, as this is the farthest north-west BMW dealership in Canada and is 2,036 miles from the Arctic circle. We were in some extremely remote places since the Arctic circle and any breakdown there would have been disasterous with a long tow job before any work could be done.

Dawson City, Yukon

You reach Dawson City form the north, by driving the Taylor Highway-known as the Top of the World Highway. From, Tok it is 68 miles to Chicken, Alaska- and then another 106 to Dawson-all dirt.
They have a free ferry so you can cross the Yukon River into town. Dawson is neat-it was here that gold was discovered and this was the destination for thousand of hopeful souls. Very few of them struck it rich.
Dawson hasn't change much since the gold rush. The streets are dirt and the sidewalks are boards. Almost all the building are original-zoning has done a good job.
We visited Dredge # 4-a monster mining machine that scoops buckets of gravel from the creek bed-then dumps it into a revolving steel drum perforated with holes-allowing small particles and gold to fall into the collecting boards. All debris (tailings) are pushed out the back. We hit the jackpot on our visit-a man named Bil German was on out tour-he worked on this dredge in 1957-1959. It was great as he explained so much- the tour guide was taking notes.
Later, Alex tried his hand at panning gold-it didn't pan out (groan).

Sourtoe Cocktail-Dawson City, Yukon

It's a real human toe-severed by a prospector because it was so badly frostbitten. He preserved it in a jar and....
This gruesome affair started when a bragging sea captain -new to the area- was set up by the local river captains. They told him that you aren't a real Riverboat Captain until you drink sourtoe cocktail. He did it and that's how it all began.
You get a shot of Yukon Jack and then take it to the corner of the Saloon-Captain Dick reads the rules: the toe must touch your lips; no chewing biting or swallowing of the toe-if you do you must replace it with one of yours. He then places the real toe in your shot of whiskey and the rest is up to you. What kind of fool would do a dumb thing like this?

Chena Hot Springs, Alaska

Located 60 miles from Fairbanks the Hot Springs became famous for curing crippled prospectors of thier aches and pains. Here you can see an old sourdough smooth talking a "sweetdough". I asked Alex to be the lifeguard for Bruce-he said no-he wanted to learn how to meet girls. I placed him on the rock between them and said, "Listen and learn, Grasshopper-on what NOT to say to pick up girls.

Aurora Ice Hotel-Chena Hot Springs

This was incredible-a complete 4 bedroom hotel built entirely of ice-in 2004. They keep it refrigerated in the summer-the winter speaks for itself. They give visitors parkas for the 20 degree temperature. There is a wedding chapel (for short ceremonies)-a bar that serves Appeltini Drinks in frozen martini glass-you can keep the glass, until you get outside. One of the four themed bedrooms has an "outhouse" non-functional. LED lights are used as they produce no heat.

I have some good news and some bad-Bruce found a woman in there-bad-she was frigid (groan).

Artic Circle, Dalton Highway-Alaska

We did it!We rode our motorcycles to the artic circle-up the Haul Road as the locals call it (Dalton Highway).I am quoting from a brochure on the Dalton Highway: It begins abaout 70 miles north of Fairbanks and ends at Prudhoe Bay-360 miles later.. It is the main supply route for the oil fields. You will be sharing the road with large tractor trailers. Windshields and headlights are easy targets of flying rocks. Most rental companies will not allow you to drive on the road. Trucks speeding along the slippery gravel kick up thick clouds of dust or mud, reducing visibility to absolut zero; potholes take a heavy toll on vehicles.

Haulin A** on the Haul Road-Dalton Highway

I met two "Ice Road-Haul Road "truckers taking a break. They had interesting stories-motorcycles breaking down, animals on the road, deep snow in the winter.

Check out the SUV and the two tires he blew out-plus all the mud. Thank goodness it was dry the day we rode-we only had clouds of thick dust to deal with.

The flowers-Fireweed-were absolutly beautiful- but you couldn't enjoy the scenery much as you were constantly on the alert for potholes, wahouts washboards and rocks-plus oncoming trucks. They were easy to spot-just loook for a large cloud of dust on the horizon.

Once I had to brake hard as a large black bear crossed in front of me.

Burger " restaurant" on Haul Road

We stopped at one of the few places where you can get food on the Dalton Highway. This place was interesting-zoom in on the signs-the one about bears and the one in the outhouse. A burger was 9.95 but it was the only show in town.

Fairbanks, Alaska

We are staying at the University-people are wonderful-we have use of their computer rooms, laundry,and the price is great. Sure beats a tent.

The town folks are really nice, too. I needed an oil change-had my own oil and filter (thought I would have trouble finding one for a 17 year old Beemer). I wen t to Thunder Road MC Shop-then changed it immediately-for a minimal amount. I dare you to try that in the East.

Every shopping center and parking lot has electric outlets-so folks can plug their cars in when the temp is 40 below. Check out Wal Mart.

Fairbanks, Alaska

I like Fairbanks-spent a week at the University in 995. Uof F has a great museum plus they have research farms on Musk Ox and Caribou. Wool from Musk Ox is very valuable-bringing $16 an ounce. I saw a small skein of yarn in the gift shop for 50 dollars. I suspect that a king size bed comforter would cost as much as a Lincoln. The town has real people-sparse on tourists and dogs are everywhere. You can see teams of sled dogs pulling four wheeled carts - preparing for the Yukon Quest or the Iditerod.

We treated ourselves (twice) to a salmon,halibut,prime rib bake-wow-fantastic-especially after meals of granola.

Fairbanks was hosting an Inter tribal Midnight Sun Pow Wow-I had never been to one before so what the heck. There were lots of Native Americans (Duhhhh)-some had stands selling everything from jewelry to drums.

I met a character named River Mike-he lives full time in a tent. He showed me pictures of it in the middle of winter-surrounded by three feet of snow. A stovepipe was sticking out-for the wood stove. Mike was selling engraved wooden slabs -two of them caught my eye: "Only to the white man was nature a wilderness" and "I wonder as I wonder".

No room at the Inn-Denali National Park

We usually "fly by the seat of our pants" and seldom make reservations. I once knew a guy that made reservations at every motel, campground, and attraction on a four week trip out west. That's too much pressure for me-staying one extra night at an interesting place would screw up the entire plan. Anyway, after riding a long dusty.washboard, dirt road (Denali Highway) we rode to Denali National Park. It was five in the evening and we saw the dreaded sign-"All campgrounds full"! I pleaded my case with the check-in person and she looked for "no-shows" but, everybody "showed". Just then, like a ray of sunshine after a storm, a guy walked up and said," Hi Bruce,..............." It was Ed and Sue Reagan from Easton, Pa. They "took us in" and kindly shared their campsite and food. We stayed up late (9:30) and swapped tall tales-they were great. We must be the "stray dogs" of Alaska-with kind people feeding and "housing" us.
I flipped over my "Alaska or Bust" sign-it now reads "Pa. to Alaska-Semi Wild Hogs". If I had some paint I would change it to the "Stray Dogs".
Speaking of a small world-I shouldn't have written any words associated with "Small World". The Disney Song, It's a small small world gives me STS (stuck tune syndrome)-I sing it over and over-I guess it will replace "Kiss and Angel Good Morning"!
How I digress-two days ago we stopped at a little cabin that sold ice cream. We were inside eating a cone when a group came in and one woman asked who here was from Pa. (there were only six people in the store). I said I was and she looked at me and then asked, "Who rode those motorcycles all the way from Pa."? I took off my hat exposing gray hair and said, "Was that a shot? You didn't think this gray-haired guy could ride that far". She turned red and stammered.
LSS(long story short) she was from Willow Grove-knew me -I had taught her brother and another in the family. It's a small world after all-It's a small small world *(I hate that song).

Travel Tip # 7-Pa. to Alaska

Do not try to pick up a porcupine even if you have leather gloves.

Klutina Salmon Charters-Copper Center, Alaska

Ask yourself what were some of the Magic Moments in your life; maybe it was making the winning touchdown; graduation, your wedding, etc. Salmon fishing on the Klutina River was one of mine. It's the kind that will always bring a smile when you think about it-even in your old age.

It's difficult to explain certain things in life-especially if the other person has never done it before. How do you explain a kiss? Fishing for king salmon -and the high y0u get-well.....

Erick Nickell and his wife Donna own the campground and he was my guide. Erick is great-low key-patient and extremely knowledgable. He gave me basic instruction in casting, setting the hook, playingy the fish, etc. We went up river in his jet powered boat-anchored and fished from the bank. The fishing was awesome. I landed four, kept one (the limit) and missed two-one being a monster. When I hooked him, he just kept running-I had the drag set all the way and he couldn't be stopped. He jumped several times and finally broke the line. What a thrill- the strike, the singing of the reel, the fish leaping and "tail dancing" on the water-one gigantic Magic Moment!

The campground is next to the Klutina River and we camped within three feet of the rushing water. As I wrote in the previous post, the fishing was "out of this world". Sometimes I exaggerate in writing this blog-when I hooked, fought , and lost the big fish, I thought I hooked a Hummer but it was probably more like a Jeep Cherokee. I was so tired and hot so I jumped in the river- like lemmings, Bruce followed. Erick said he had never had clients "swim with the fishes" before. He took our pictures-probably post it on his website with the title, "My clients really get into it".

A problem back at camp-how do you cook a 45 pound fish in a one quart boiling pot -we use for oatmeal, tea and gruel. I asked Erick if he knew anyone interested in making a meal for us in exchange for the remaining fillets of prime pink salmon. No problem-his wife Donna was our chef-fresh salmon-five hours from stream to stomach.

No-I haven't been run over-Alaska

I have been carrying the spare tire from Bruce's bike- and it "hits" the back of my jacket. I am sure it won't be long before I get some questions about the tire tread mark on my jacket.

Sasquatch Sighting-Copper Creek, Alaska

The locals were all buzzing at the local pub last night. It seems that there were some rare sightings of a Sasquatch in the creek.

Touring Valdez, Alaska

We broke camp and rode 80 miles to Valdez-famous for the oil spill and the earthquake. Our hosts called a friend who runs a tour boat out of Valdez Harbor and we were booked for 2:00 It was my kind of tour-sea otters, sea lions, seals, puffins and the largest glacier in North America.
The tour boat docked at 9:30 PM and I rode alone the 80 miles to camp-Bruce was hungry and stayed for dinner. I was riding along a swift river when I saw a cow moose with two young calves attempting to cross. By the time I got turned around the one calf was in trouble. The swift waster had carried it into stream side branches and it was thrashing with all of it's might. The mother stood helpless. I walked to the water's edge and the calf scrambled to the bank, exhausted. It walked right up to me and it just stood (probably because I had the scent of the wild). I didn't pet it fearing rejection by the mother. The problem was that the calf was on one side and the mom on the other. It was 11 PM (still light) and I had to leave. I hope they had a happy family reunion.

Striking Gold in Copper Center Alaska

Bruce had some knobby tires shipped to friends of a friend who lived in Copper Center. Our plan was to pick up the tires, install them and then Bruce was ready to do some tough riding on the Haul Road-to Prudhoe Bay-250 miles of bad news.
In Copper Center we met Rose and Lefty-the nicest ,kindest folks you could find. They once lived in Quakertown and moved here five years ago. Their home is what everyone in the lower 48 pictures in their mind- a log cabin in the wilderness. They welcomed us warmly-fed us fresh halibut-gave us use of their shower (nothing need said) and we camped in their yard for two nights. Here's the best part-they have a grayling, trout, salmon stream in their back yard-I struck GOLD!

Subliminal Advertising-Pa.to Alaska

We've been riding 20 days and over 60000 miles. I follow Bruce for two reasons-he has the GPS and he likes to lead. I finally had to remove the sign from the back of his bike. I think it was unconsciously swaying my thoughts in an in-appropriate manner. The mountain tops started to look like women sunbathing on the beach. It got worse! I was starting to "size" them-like, yonder is "D" Cup Pass! (I have been on the road too long)

Mustang Sally-Pa. to Alaska

The song should go," Get on you BMW and ride , Sally, Ride", cause that is all we have been doing. There are riders and there are "posers". Posers buy the chaps and leathers or the 900$ riding suits, and then ride 30 miles for a beer. Here's how to spot a rider-bungie cords. Long rage riders can never fit everything they need in bags-hence the famous bungie cord. I have lots of bungie corded gear. That's because I am too cheap to buy good large saddle bags. I put my stuff in trash bags-then inside old ski boot bags-and bungie away. I doubt if there are too many homeless BMW Riders, but I sure look like one.
Getting back to Ride Sally Ride, we had a hard ride yesterday-almost 400 in remote wilderness (Whitehorse to Tok). Riding long distances is not easy. You twist a spring loaded throttle counterclockwise for 8 to 10 hours. Your hand and wrist ache-plus your right hand increases two glove sizes. The road is bad in spots-frost heaved and you might have to drive an extremely dusty, gravel road for ten miles. Picture driving in the Pine Barrens in NJ at 60-70 MPH. and then hitting a gravel stretch. The top heavy, overloaded bikes tend to "waltz" around.
My windshield looked like it was tie-dyed with IG's (insect guts). Later I found I had third degree "ring around the collar. Another NR bites the dust-literally. The next fun activity is setting up camp in swarms of mosquitoes-not the itty bitty ones in Pa. These bruisers have heart shaped tattoos with DEET inside the heart.
TRAVEL TIP # 6 Don't forget that you are wearing a mosquito net when you take a bite of your granola bar.

Skagway Alaska-We Made IT-No BUST

We made it-arrived last night around ten. It is the 4th of July and Alaska is celebrating 50 years of being a state. We will leave today for Homer. 1145 miles away-then to Denali, Fairbanks, Dawson City and back the Alcan Highway. Distances up here are great-going from one town to another is like going from Pa. to North Carolina or Florida.
We went to the Bonanza Bar in Skagway on the eve of the fourth. It was here that I met Sourdough Sam. He told me all about himself. People tend to do that . Peggy said they take one look and figure that I wouldn't remember anyway. Sam said that he was third generation sourdough. He asked me if I knew what a sourdough was-one who is sour on Alaska and doesn't have enoough dough to get out. He bought me a drink.
I saw him the next day-we sat and talked. He said they have a long 4th of July parade in Skagway. It goes throough town-stops and turns around-you see it twice-he was right. The parade was interesting and so was Sam.
Sam and I have something in common-we both had the same clothes on for several days. I love characters.

Ride the Big White Bus-Ferry

The ferries in Alaska are like buses -stopping at each coastal port. Alaska has more coastline than the rest of the US combined, and more than 50% of its coastal cities are "water bound"-only reachable by boats. As a result, everyone rides them; you can see an entire soccor or baseball team on board-riding to the next town for a game.
The have a cafeteria, a lounge, and a bar. The barmaid's name was Shirley and I knew she would be fun as soon as I read her name tag- "Shirley You Jest". I called her "Miss Jest"!
As for sleeping you have a few choices: you could rent a small stateroom (cabin), or sleep anywhere-top deck, lounge floor, etc. It looked like refugees going to Ellis Island. It was summer camp all over again. (Guess where we slept)

Variety is the Spice of Life- Prince Rupert BC

For spice, stay in a hostel. Staying at a Best Western or La Quinta is kinda sterile-you usually don't interact with other guests-just check in -sleep-and leave-kinda boring. Hostels are usually large houses with sleeping and cooking accommodations. Some have individual rooms but almost all have a dorm style-rows of bunk beds some co-ed and some not. We had a single room. It was small, had bunk beds (guess which one I got), shared bathroom living room and kitchen. This one had free computer, exceptionally clean bathrooms, baskets to keep your food and a fridge for beverages.

We met Christy who runs the place, super person, got settled and then met some of the guests. A group of young people, the "tree planters" had just moved in. They stay in the bush, live in tents, and plant seedling on clear cut land-for the lumber companies. They had been "out" for a long time and were ready to party. The one guy (I nicknamed him Blackfoot) had his foot propped up exposing the bottom of his socks-YUK! Alex wasn't happy when he had to pose for the picture. They invited us to go to a local watering hole and as Paul Harvey would say, "Stay tuned for the Rest of the Story".

The Eagle Has Landed-Prince Rupert BC

We did it! We crossed the continent of North America-arriving at the coastal town Of Prince Rupert, British Columbia. I've traveled lots of roads but the one to Rupert-along the Skeena River-is the # 1. Coming into town we were excited-saw an eagle. In town we almost flipped- they were everywhere-hundreds of eagles- like sparrows in Quakertown. Apparently there is a recession in "eagleland"-an old timer said, "if ya really gotta see them birds-go to the city dump". Sure enough, the food pantry was open.

Another bonus was that July 1st is Canada Day-like our fourth of July. They celebrate breaking away from British Rule. The town was alive with bands, booths and First Nation Dancing (Native Americans). We tried a lot of native foods-fry bread (wonderful) seaweed (good) but nothing like "Shady Maple"!

Silence is Golden- Pa. to Alaska

I've ridden over 4000 miles so far and most of it done in silence. My I-pod stopped after too much "Kissing an Angel Good Morning", and although we have intercoms, we don't use them that much. (I would love to hear what Bruce's wife is telling her friend Diane- about that last sentence).
Bruce's BMW is state of the art-Fuel Injection, ABS Brakes, GPS, Satellite radio, Ipod, heated grips etc. Mine is 17 years old-if these bikes were cars, his would be a Land Rover on safari and mine would be a Model T Ford (not quite). But...so far.....so good!
Anyway I have no entertainment so I have a lot of time to think and contemplate things in my life-like why all three gilrls I asked to my high school prom had to wash their hair that night. Or, why our wives told us,"Don't even think about coming home early"!
I think of inventions-ones that might improve motorcycling trips. A neat item would be cycle pants for hot days-velcro a little screened funnel in slots at the knees, directing much needed air. I even have a catchy name for them- "Happy Boys".

Ice Road Truckers-Pa. to Alaska

That's what we felt like -the temp was 33 degrees and I figure it's a wind chill of - 50 (seemed like it). We left Jasper early in the morning and shivered for many miles. I hadn't bolgged since Jasper so we stopped in McBride, British Columbia at the combination visitors center and Beanery Bistro. We struck gold with food and computer access. As the Pa. Dutch say, we ate ourselves full.

We met owners Donna and Andy plus all the locals. I was blogging and Bruce was "bulling". He said it was the best food he had since we have been on the road. I told them yes, but we only started yesterday. He topped the meal off with a giant piece of home made pie. I had trouble getting him to leave- kinda like a stray hungry puppy that you feed.

Andy was once a logger like the ones you see on TV's "Ax Men". He is certified which you have to be in BC or work commercially. If Andy's tree cutting was as good as his cooking-then he was "Paul Bunyan".

We always seek the local Diners, Dives, and Drive-ins- that's where the characters hang out. Bruce and I tend to meet folks easily and it is a lot of fun.

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June 28- Banf-Lake Louise- Jasper

Rode to Banf and Lake Louise and on to Jasper. The scenery is beautiful but the towns are packed with tourists. We did 280 miles in the mountains and it was bitter cold. I stopped and put on so many clothes that I became "restroom challenged".

Bruce and I set up camp in the National Forest in Jasper. This is the sixth night that we have comped-and do you know something- Bruce is becoming cuter ever day!!!

Sat. June27-Alaska Trip-Radium Hot Springs, BC

Arrived at Radium Hot Springs in British Columbia-set up camp-and soaked in the hot springs. It reminded me of when the old cowboys went into town and had their clothes boiled-getting off trail dust.It was our first contact with H2O for a while. Clean NR's and into town for any food but granola and jerky. The prices here are terrible-4.19 for gas-9 for a burger-breakfast around 11.00-makes me really appreciate a # 1 at the Powderbourne.

June 27-Quakertown to Alaska

We have covered 2674 miles and still have a long way to go. If the entire North America is analogous to an elephant, and you eat an elephant one bite at a time-then I've just worked my way up the tail and I don't like what I see. Remember, we have another 2585 to go 'till Alaska and then we get to do it all over again.

We have camped five straight days -no shower and my NR's are depleting rapidly. We had granola bars and jerky for the past several nights- I feel scurvy is just around the corner.

Now the good news-I LOVE IT! I believe everyone needs a little physical adversity in their lives - to appreciate and be thankful for what you have.

Glacier Park is beautiful and the day we arrived, they had just opened the Highway to the Sun. The road had been closed by a severe avalanche-check the pictures as it was a mess.

Travel Tip #$- Make sure your Master Card still works in a foreign country. I always use Discover and was I ever shocked when it was rejected at a gas station (no one takes Discover up here) I call the to free number and I was told that Peggy is the primary person. I'm screwed- till she gets back from the Mediterranean). I either hang out by toll booths or charge to Bruce.

Alex making yellow snow

Alex getting scolded for soiling the snow

Big Sky Bars- Nashua, Montana

Bruce and I stopped at the Wagon Wheel Bar and Casino-just wanted directions. Four hours later we met great people-owners Ron and Julie, plus a lot other local colorful characters. Ron escorted me to the town's convention center where we had free camping on the lawn plus private shower , bathroom and picnic area. Living the good and frugal life.

PS Michele the barmaid was easy on the eyes!

Interestin People-Alaska Trip

We met a waitress who was about 22 years old-named Josie. Her home was up near the USA-Canada Border and she had 9 students in her graduating class. That made for tough decisions at prom time

I me Pauling who told me she was full blooded Native American. Alex wanted to sit on her lap so I took a picture. She "took a likin" (I am talking local already) to me and told me she gets upset with people asking her dumb questions (about being Indian) She tell them she has to get back to the reservation before they lock the gate. She then asks if they would like to see her Indian Tattoo-she rolls her lower lip inside out(for you folks from the East-that is where they tattoo horses)

Travel Tiop # 2-Alaska Trip

Travel tip-If you buy a new I-Pod and get it loaded with songs-read the directions before taking it on a trip. I jumped on my bike and put on my rain gear and helmet and took off down the highway. It played great except Old Willie sang "Kiss an Angel Good Morning" for the next 83 miles-till I stopped and shut it off.

Travel Tip # 3- Some of my clothing are NR's and others I wash. Often they won't dry overnight but hanging "your wash" on your cycle while having a beer is great!

Alex had to drink outside the bar

Day 6-Alaska Trip

North Dakota-Montana Line. This is the first time I've had access to a computer since Auburn ,Indiana. We left there Sunday Morning and drove around Chicago where the traffic is always nasty. We stopped and visited old friends in Oswego, Ill. and struck gold. They were having a combination Father's Day and birthday party-shrimp, salmon,ribs and all the trimmings. I'll remember that meal when I am eating a granola bar lying in a soggy tent. Speaking of granola bars- don't pack them on the bottom of your saddle bags-they don't like that.

The next jaunt was to Dodge Wisconsin and a visit with our Norwegian Friends. Driving conditions were great- straight roads and the drivers were much friendlier. There is nothing like the open road on a cycle- the smell of new mown hay-scent of flower blossoms- the stench of decomposing deer.

I hop to give you travel tips as I travel. Tip #Toll Booth Thrift. We arrived at an unmanned(or unwomaned) toll booth that needed exact change of an Ill. I Pass. We had neither. I stopped the bike and checked around the basket-there was change everywhere. Apparently the locals are "basket challenged:- I paid our tolls and had 2.25 left. Tip-when down and out-check toll booths!

Tomorrow, we ride across the top of Montana and then on to Glacier. My butt and shoulders are a little better-they don't throb as much as before. When I told Bruce, this is a long, long way- he said you eat an elephant-one bite at a time. bul*/^+

Two Bad Days-leaving for Alaska

We Left Quakertown in pouring rain-arrived at the Pa-Ohio Line-had a great time with relatives- and spent the next day riding in rain. Looking on the bright side- it can't gt any worse-unless we get hail.

We had lunch on Thursday at Red's Diner in Lewistown It was operating in the 50's and going strong today. I are a lot of meals there in the 60's.

Lunch today was at Lesters in Ohio. You can't beat the old diners for atmosphere and good, good, grease!

Packing for Alaska

Bruce and I have been planning this trip for months. The first major concerns were the motorcycles. We had them gone over completely-new tires, fluids, plus checking and adjusting everything.
Clothing is another problem as space is limited. I’m a big believer in NR’s (never return). My pack is loaded with clothing that will find a new home in Alaska and the Yukon.
I bought some rash creams plus a special type that triathlon athletes use- Belgium Butter. It is supposed to be excellent in preventing chaffing. You know the old saying, “When the boys aren’t happy-no one is”. (maybe that was Mamma).
We have some pretty neat electronics. I broke down and bought an Ipod and Bruce loaded it with 2000 songs-I hope they aren’t Rap! We also have intercoms for bike to bike communication. No longer will we have to make questionable and inappropriate hand gestures to signal each other-when we pass a shapely female or need fuel or a “pit stop tree”.
As for food, we hope to eat out as often as possible-avoiding the chains, seeking out local diners and dives. We will have to cook in remote area and for this, Bruce is the man. He is like MacGyver-give him a pocket knife and he will make a boat. I think I will be looking forward to a meal at Shady Maple in five weeks.

Alaska by Motorcycle

“North to Alaska-Go North the Rush is on”! This old Johnny Horton Hit Song will soon be a reality for Bruce and me-only, there is no rush. Bruce, my good friend for 34 years is like MLK-“I have a Dream!” It was to tour Alaska by motorcycle and is number one on his “bucket list”. When he approached me with the idea, I was somewhat hesitant. Alaska and the Yukon are about 12 to14,000 butt pounding miles from Quakertown. But, as Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living”-I’m in!
Bruce and I are compatible riders-we have done trips to Canada, Blue Ridge Parkway, etc. and we both get 72 miles to a cup of coffee. We also ride BMW Motorcycles-adventure touring models that are historically dependable. However, I am taking my bike’s title along-just in case…. We pack tents and sleeping bags which give us a lot of freedom and eliminate the necessity of having to find a motel. You can camp almost anywhere in the national forests. Concerning camping in the wild- I am taking extra precautions. I am packing a jar of homey to pour on Bruce’s tent-but only in bear country. I hope carnivore’s sense that he is much younger and more tender than I am.
We always put signs on the back of our bikes when we take a trip. The last trip sign was – Semi-Wild Hogs. For this one I made a sign for my bike-ALASKA or BUST. I made one for Bruce- I’ll TAKE a BUST.
One other fun item that is making the trip is Alex the monkey. I’m taking him for my grandchildren with the intention of me sending back pictures of Alex in different places-totem poles, camping, etc. It is like the teddy bear the guy takes from his briefcase on TV. We have a lot of fun!
I will be making periodic postings from my cell phone to my blog-so please check on our progress and adventures. Just Google “thrushtails” or bookmark thrushtails.blogspot.com , or place a shortcut on your desktop. (that last phrase sounds like a country song) Keep in touch and “Happy Trails to All”!

Hatfield McCoy Trail System, West Virginia

When life gives you a lemon-make lemonade. That kind of thinking produced the greatest system of ATV Trails on the east coast- The Hatfield McCoy Trail System. They are located in the southwest corner of W Va. close to the Kentucky Border. It's a place where craggy mountains, curvy roads, and a long history of conflicts come together. It is not "Almost Heaven"- it is Heaven to a trail rider. The area was hit with "hard times" and community leaders decided to promote the rugged terrain with a trail system. And, what a trail system they produced-the trails are marked like a ski area-green are easy to ride; yellow are more difficult and black diamonds are "white knuckles"! My two good friends from high school and I spend two days riding 84 miles . That may not seem like much to those of you that don't ride off road- but those miles are going up and down very steep mountains, complete with large rocks and washed out trails. It is an adrenalin junkies paradise. Did I mention that the scenery is absolutely beautiful! They should change the state motto to: West Virginia-it is Heaven!

Hatfield McCoy Trail-Gilbert, West Virginia

When our ATV Group drove to Gilbert, W Va. we found complete disaster. Torrential rain had caused extreme flooding which closed most of the town. Trailers were washed downstream; roads were impassible; restaurant and motels were closed. It was a real mess. We had a difficult time finding lodging as visiting Red Cross and Disaster Relief Workers utilized all facilities in the neighboring towns. It is unbelievable the destruction that Mother Nature cane cause-you stand in awe!

Mercer Folk Festival

Peggy and I plus our friends Roy and Anne demonstrate how colonists carved primitive duck and goose decoys. We also have examples of decoys-from as early as 2000 years ago (reproduction) to later wooden decoys of the 19th century.

Cruising the Caribbean-Cozumel

I always get asked the same questions before we sail on Caribbean cruises. Should I book excursions on line? What should I see? If I don’t sign up early will all the tours be filled? Here are my suggestions. If it is your first time, book a ship excursion-one that interests you. The Mayan Ruins are interesting and fun to see-ONCE. If you like to snorkel, the crystal clear water along with the many reefs makes an ideal trip. You might want to buy an underwater disposable camera and be sure to “swipe” a few dinner rolls from the ship. Crumble them underwater and be prepared to be surrounded by dozens of beautiful fish. (You will only see lots of fish on the reef)
I find it best to book my own excursions-on shore. You can negotiate a much better price then on the ship, plus you are not locked into a prepaid tour in case of in climate weather.
However, once you have seen the ruins, swam with the fish, plus other “touristy” things- it might be time to do what we like to do-relax and have some fun in the sun. Find a place where you feel comfortable. In Cozumel, we like the Bar, Mosicoz- off the square and adjacent to the clock tower. It is owned and run by Bianca-she has good food and courteous waiters. Get a table on the street-order some munchies-sing with the mariachis- and best of all, order buckets of iced Coronas, six for 5 US Dollars.

Montego Bay, Jamaica

In Montego Bay, Jamaica, we like to hire a local driver and have him stay with us for the day. This year we were so fortunate to have hired Jack (Lincoln)- a local tour guide with a ten passenger van. He was courteous, honest and had a wonderful sense of humor-His fee of 80 dollars for the day was a steal. He took us to Doctor’s Cave-a great private beach. It is well worth the fee of 5 dollars as the amenities are excellent. Jack then drove our group to Scotchies- an out of the way bar that caters to locals and serves some of the best jerk chicken in Jamaica. The beer of choice is called Red Stripe-at 1.50 a bottle, our group, including Jack, was becoming very “mellow”.
So- find a beach-find a bar-and after a few Red Stripes, you’ll be singing, “This is my Island in the sun…………..

Guatemala-Touring Eastern Coast

It is a small central American Country-squeezed between the Pacific ocean to the west and the Gulf of Mexico on the east. To me, it is one of the best Caribbean destinations to visit-especially the river, Rio Dulce. Along the river it is like finding a lost civilization-a place where time has stood still.

Looking for nightlife-glitz-upscale shopping-forget it, in Santo Tomas de Castilla! Stay in Cancun. In Santo Tomas, you won't hear much of, "Senior, come in- I show you my shop".

Guatemala, especially along the Rio Dulce River is the unspoiled "Jewel of the Caribbean". Tourism and cruise ships are new to the area-starting in the year 2004. The people are very friendly-non pushy-having not yet succumbed to the crass commercialism seen in most ports. When your ship departs, all people involved in tourism-cab and bus drivers,tour guides, police and many others stand on the dock and wave, dance and warmly wish you bon voyage and thanks for visiting their country. (I know what some of you are thinking-they were cheering as they were glad to see me leave).

Rio Dulce-Guatemala-River Life

If you visit the port of Santo Thomas in Guatemala, I strongly urge you to take a river tour on the Rio Dulce. I also recommend that you go with a tour company called, "Go With Gus"-you won't be disappointed.

The river trip was truly wonderful. We traveled upstream in a small boat -through a river gorge in the jungle-seeing Howler Monkeys, birds of many colors -unfortunately, no toucans.

We stopped at a local family's house-a thatched roof house on the river- and went inside for an unbelievable visit. The house was built on poles-had open walls and a rickety board walk to the outhouse-which consisted of a toilet with no plumbing-just a john.

The clothes and dishes were washed along the river in a "scrub box" using river water. Food was cooked on a steel plate over a wood fire. The woman made homemade tortillas and I couldn't resist eating one-really good-however I am very hesitant as to what I eat in certain countries. I lucked out on this one!

I was fascinated by the little children. The river is their playground and they are totally at ease and "home" in their aquatic environment. They paddle their own small dugouts canoes around like a kid from the "burbs" rides a big wheel. Some of them looked to be about three or four years old. They didn't beg or try to sell anything-just gave us a big smile and seemed anxious to see us.

Guatemala-School on River Dulce

The owner and guide of the tour company was Gustavo Turcios (Gus). He was born in Guatemala, educated in the states, lives in New York, and runs the "Go With Gus" Tours in the winter. Gus also promotes a humanitarian cause-the acquisition of school supplies for the local children living along the river. Here a pencil and paper are scarce- a hand calculator is rare and a computer practically non existent.

One of the tour's highlights was a visit to a boarding school for kids ages 12 to 20. It consisted of thatched roof huts and buildings-looking much like a Tarzan.n movie The "kitchen" hadn't changed for ages with pots cooking on open wood fires. Beans and rice were served for three meals a day. I couldn't believe it was February, 2009. Peggy and I are planning to collect writing supplies and take then to the school on our return cruise next year. It would be great if American Students could see the adverse conditions that these students have-yet they are happy to attend and eager to learn.

Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

The children are all nestled in a nice suburban home

The gifts in the garage are wrapped just so,

And Santa loads his pack and yells, Ho , Ho, Ho,

The children are excited and look in awe,

As he gives the presents-wrapped by their "Ma"

Some of the "big ones" faces turn red,

As he asks them questions that they so dread,

This happy event has gone on for years,

When it finally ends, it will give Santa tears!

May the Joy and Love of Chrismas be with you always! Merry Christmas

Easton Waterfowl Festival

The Easton Waterfowl Festival in November is the Super Bowl of Carving, Painting, or any art dealing with waterfowl. You can find decoys made by famous carvers like the Ward Brothers, Charlie Joiner and hundreds of others. The prices range from 50 dollars to 150,000 or more.

The Canada Goose if by Len Ward. The display of small birds perched on many object is very unique in that every item shown is carved from wood. Yes- the "metal pots" are carved from wood and painted- so is the steel trap and the pulley-everything is wood.

The one picture shows two carvers-one famous and the other a beginning amateur-a "wanna-be". The famous one is Captain Jobes.

Antique Automobile Club of America-Hershey Fall Meet

How Sweet It IS (pun intended)! This is an old Jackie Gleason phrase. It is true as Hershey is so so sweet. It is the Mecca for car nuts, gear heads, curiosity seekers and best of all- it is free.

There are thousands of vendors and old cars at Hershey-and thousands of people-from all over the world. Some are seeking old car parts, some are buying tools, and some are here for parts and partying. At night the generators are buzzing-some powering the instruments for small bands. A lot of folks just relax-gather around a fire with their friends, Bud and Miller.

The mornings bring wonderful aromas of coffee, ham and bacon. You can even find a rare breakfast of sourdough buckwheat pancakes-a southern delicacy.

Hershey is not only for cars as old toys, mechanical game and wooden boats and outboard motors abound. If you have never attended a Fall Meet- please place it high on your "Bucket List"!

Carlisle-Fall Event

Oh give me a home-where the buffalo roam-and the ........................ so the old Gene Autry Song goes! This time we are not home on the range. We are in Carlisle, Pa. - at the annual fall event-gigantic automobile flea market- car corral and auction. Thousands of vendors set up their stands, sleep in their cars and vans, and have a great time.

The best part is the unexpected- you never know what trash or treasure you will find. You might find an 82 year old retired Chevrolet-Cadillac Dealer unloading a truckload of NOS parts left over from the dealership-things that are difficult to find.

You might find a buffalo-life sized and made of aluminum. Buying one of these monsters can pose a problem-especially if you only have a mini van. The rooster is priced at 1500 and is about twelve feet tall. Even is you're not into cars- this place is fun to walk around.

Racquette Lake, Pine Knot, Adirondacks, NY

Seashore or mountains-which do you prefer? It's a good thing that we all don't have the same "likes". If this were true the mountains would be more crowded than they already are.

You guessed it- I love the mountains and the Adirondacks are one of my favorites. A person probably should not reveal his favorite fishing spot, hunting area, or Adirondack Lake-but, what the heck-spread the joy.

Racquette Lake is one of a number of "hidden jewels" in the Adirondacks. The general store and tavern have not changed for over a century-simplistically beautiful-like a movie set from "On Golden Pond".

Some of the world's wealthiest men (and women) loved this lake- spending vast fortunes building lavish "Great Camps", with many of them still standing today. Men like the Durants(Golden Spike and the transcontinental railroad), the Vanderbilts, Carnegies and Colliers played at roughing it- along with dozens of servants.

The wealthy first arrived by stage and stayed in primitive camps. Soon they were bringing private rail cars-loading them on steamboats and "parking" on the shores of Racquette Lake. Durant even built a three quarter mile railroad-needed to gain access to the lake. In 1870 he built Pine Knot-a beautiful great camp which is still in use today

What's so great about Racquette Lake? Other than indescribable beauty, there is seclusion and silence. Most of the "camps" have only water access-no motor traffic. The only sound in the morning mist is that of a loon-wailing a pitiful sound. Paddling quietly along the shore you may see deer, waterfowl, and possibly a bear, eagle or moose.

The song, "West Virginia-Almost Heaven" might be true, but Racquette Lake is right up there in the running!

Adirondack Museum, Blue Mountain Lake, NY

This is probably the finest museum in America-depicting mountain flora, fauna, and culture. Every fall they host a rustic furniture fair-the quality and price are mind blowing. Speaking of mind blowing, each of these artists would no doubt fail the Rorschach (inkblot) test as they think outside the box. They see a table in a tree root; a night stand in a branch or bark (traditional Adirondack furniture and dwellings were covered with white birch bark).

Daytona Beach may have, "Girls Gone Wild", but the Adirondacks have , Furniture Makers Gone Wild.

ACD Club's National Meet and Reunion

You may think the year is 1935 as you park at restaurants and hotels in Auburn, Indiana, during the week of Labor Day. Over 300 Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg Owners bring their cars to town, giving the illusion of days gone by- especially on 9th street. Here, outside the Auburn Hotel the faithful congregate. They greet old friends, kick tires, and examine and scrutinize the restored and unrestored.

Almost every year a special "treat" arrives - some finds an old original ACD Car hidden in a barn or garage- and drives or tows it to town. The club's motto is: "For Those That Don't Relish the Commonplace ".

At the Awards Banquet, Peggy received the "Woman of the Year Award".

Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival

I love the Festival and their activities - and truly appreciate all their hard work- they make fun things happen. Two of my favorites are the Hoosier Tour and the Parade of Classics. ACD Members drive their cars through the streets of Auburn and end the parade by parking around the courthouse square.

Each year we have a different theme-usually centered around women in World War Two. This year it was, "A League of Their Own"-The Rockford Peaches Girls Professional Baseball League. What fun it is to have the crown clapping, shouting and giving the thumbs up sign as we drive by.

Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club Ladies Tea

The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club's Weekend is not only savored by the men, but activities abound for ladies and children.

Several years ago a club member, Karen Parker, started one of the most popular events- the ACD Tea. It is an elaborate and exciting event held in the ACD Auto Museum. Vintage fashions are everywhere and trophies are presented for the most original vintage hat.

Over 140 ladies enjoy a fashion show, elegant table settings, gourmet food, and best of all-warm camaraderie.

Auburn, Indiana

Brigham Young once led his group of Mormon Followers across the plains to Utah. He looked down at the Salt Lake Area and proclaimed, "This is the Place". If you are an automobile enthusiast, once you enter the beautiful tree lined streets of Auburn, Indiana, you will know- This is the Place. Old historic homes, friendly and courteous people, plus auctions, auto events and great museums make this town the automobile mecca.

The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum has had over two million visitors since opening in 1974. This National Historic Landmark occupies the company's national headquarters. The building alone is absolutely stunning and one of the most amazing examples of Art Deco in the country.

Labor Day Weekend is the "Superbowl" of automobile activity including ACD Club Functions, ACD Festival Events and the world's largest collector car auction at Kruse International.

Auburn Cord Duesenberg Hoosier Tour

Recipe for a wonderful time: Take fifty, 72-82 year-old cars, pack them with luggage and about 115 fun folks, and drive around the states of Indiana, Michigan, or Ohio for three days. Stop at interesting factories, speedways, parks, museums, theaters, restaurants, etc and every evening gather in a hospitality room for a "party". Driving old cars is a hoot. Some car owners have "Trailer Queens ". They move the cars in and out of a trailer and are never driven and enjoyed. It would be like having a fine coconut cream pie made for you -then keeping it in the freezer-never trying it- just taking a peek now and then (my favorite pie).

We have been going on the Hoosier Tour for many year. It is the closest thing we have to a family reunion. Once a year, owners of Auburn, Cords, and Duesenbergs bring their cars to Auburn , Indiana to participate in the tour. The ACD Festival does an excellent on organizing this massive undertaking. Every year we say it couldn't be as good as last year and it isn't- it's better.

Penn State University Ag Progress Days

Want to talk dirty- do some grass- No, I'm not talking about a heavy metal or rap concert. I am referring to Penn State's Ag Progress Days. PT Barnum once had a circus called , The Greatest Show on Earth. Ag Progress Days should be called , The Greatest Show on Dirt. Here you will meet soil, turf, insect pest and dozens of other professors and experts. All of these specialists are available for questions and consultations on any agriculture question you may have. The best part is that all is free; free advice-free demonstrations-free admission-free parking!

Not only can you see every type of new yard and farm implement- you can actually see them demonstrated. My favorite is a full size farm tractor that is remote controlled. They run the tractor along the side of a small hill and purposely roll it over by driving it over a rock. It is quite impressive to see how easily it rolls on a small incline.

There are dozens of different kinds of plants and animals, new types of hybrids, bio fuel exhibits, and acres and acres of exhibits . There are many big ag shows around the country- but few that actually demonstrate the equipment. This one will not disappoint!

Goschenhoppen Folk Festival

Take a step back into time-to the 18th and 19th century. Visit the Goschenhoppen Folk Festival held at the Henry Antes Plantation, Colonial Road, in Frederick, Pa.

This is probably the most authentic festival in the United States, depicting the early Pennsylvania Germans. For over 40 years they have recreated their folk culture, trades and home skills.

It is a non-commercial, family oriented event. I am amazed that one can find three generations working together making up over 500 skilled and apprentice craftsmen, giving live demonstrations of more than 150 skills of early American Life.

Goschenhoppen Folk Festival

Early America had its share of homeless folks and characters. Two of the folks depicted in the pictures actually did exist in times gone by. Mountain Mary and Penny Charlie. The tramp in the black coat is just depicting tramps-nothing else. For your edification, there are Hobos, Tramps and Bums. Hobos did not exist in the 19th century-they came later, when the trains were numerous. Hobos would work for a living-just using the rails for transportation. Tramps might work or they might not. Sometime they received food and lodging in the barn for doing some menial tasks like carrying or splitting wood, fetching water, etc. Bums wouldn't work. They were scoundrels, stealing, carousing, etc...

The tramp with the beard stubble and black coat is called Willy T. He whittles little birds and trades for handouts. He seldom works, always on the move, and eager to partake of a meal. Stay clear!

Goschenhoppen Folk Festival

Waste not, Want not -I love this old saying. This is exemplified in the life of the early settlers, especially the Pennsylvania Germans. They say they used everything from the pig but the squeal. Scrapple was made from the head and meat scraps on the bones. They used the stomach as a casing for holding onions and potatoes-a dish called pig's stomach-which is quite good. I love the cracklins-a crunchy deep fried delicacy made for the connective tissue in fat-a result of making lard. I'll bet you are thinking, Yuk, Yuk, Yuk!
One of my favorite quotes if from Socrates: The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living!

Bryon Bodt Decoys

I believe Bryon is one of the best hunting decoy carvers and painters in the US. He is also a great person-always willing to help struggling carvers with their problems.
If you are ever in need of a gift for a friend or relative, one of his decoys would be treasured always. He lives in Churchville, Md. and can be seen at most decoy shows around the Chesapeake Bay.
Bryon began carving a few duck heads in 1977. In the early 1980's he spent three years in apprenticeship under Jim (Jimmy) Pierce, a renowned Havre de Grace decoy maker. Now Bryon produces in his own style, birds native to the Atlantic flyway. He carves the hen and drake of about 16 species of ducks. The Canada goose, snow goose, blue goose, and swan are the larger species that he makes

The decoys are made from white pine logs-split by hand and dried for two or more years. The wood is then placed in a turning making-removing most of the excess wood. In the old days, this was done with a hatchet and drawing knife. They are they shaped, sanded have the heads attached, primed and painted-a long process.

Bryon is one of the best painter I have seen-what do you think?

Watch It Grow

My best friend Dave, had a VW that he had driven for years around Washington, DC. He eventually stored the car and had great plans for its future restoration.. Dave died from cancer in 2004 and the car remained in an old barn in Houtzdale -as it had done for the previous 18 years.

About two years ago his wife Alice phoned and asked me if I would like the car She had offered it to her kids and they weren't interested. I didn't need another project but decided to take and restore the car-in memory of my friend. It will be a long slow project and I couldn't do it without an old childhood friend , Bill Dillon. He is a "VW BUG" expert, having worked on many of them in his youth.

In the glove box, there is a note in braille and the handicapped decal is still on the rear. As soon as I get some time I will "decode " the note. I think it might read, "Bill-lots of luck in putting this baby back on the road-you'll need it".

I intend to post on the blog the progress I am making- keep checking in so you can: "WATCH IT GROW"!

Beautiful Bermuda

There is a paradise about 570 miles off the coast of North Carolina. The place is Bermuda and it has it all-one of the finest cruise destinations around. Why is it so great: fantastic beaches with pink sand and clear blue water; quaint houses painted in pastel colors surrounded with flowers and lush gardens; and a population of friendly mannerly people-a win win win.

We recently sailed there on one of the largest cruise ships in the Royal Caribbean Fleet- Explorer of the Sea. It had 31280 passengers- an ice skating rink-an open center with a street, complete with shops, restaurants, and views seven stories high-very impressive. You could sit in little cafes and people watch,eat, drink and watch daily parades. You didn't realize that you were on a ship.

Buying a transit pass is the best way to get around. The cost twelve dollars a day and the price is even better buying for several days. It entitles you to unlimited rides on buses and ferries. Since tourists aren't permitted to rent cars, the only two alternatives are cabs and scooters. Public is the way to go.

Snorkeling is excellent and we always take our own gear. One of the best kept secrets is Tobacco Bay. It is a small bay protected from the ocean by a ring of rocks. I always take some rolls from the dining hall to feed the fish. At one point we had so many fish feeding around us- they started to nibble on our hands-awesome!

For the Birds- Wood Ducks

Some folks volunteer for Habitat for Humanity-building homes for the less fortunate. Our group does it for a different tenant-Wood Ducks.

They usually nest in hollow trees on or near lakes , streams or ponds. Unfortunately, hollow trees went the same way as two dollar gasoline.

Our duck boxes are better than the originals. If a "Bird Real Estate Agent" were listing these, the ad would probably read: Beautiful single located on the water with breathtaking views. An oval entrance opens to a spacious .9 square foot family room-perfect for starting your first brood. You and the young ones will feel secure with a waterproof vinyl roof plus the added precaution of several holes drilled in the basement allowing any unwanted liquid to escape. When the young ones are ready to "test their wings", you will really appreciate the wire mesh "ladder" tacked from basement to entrance-enabling the pitter patter of climbing feet.
Act now as the nesting season is fast approaching. And, most important, remember this is our all inclusive model-made for living, laying, hatching, and rearing--Luxury Living in a Lovely Location.

Bill"s Best Cruise Travel Tips

Travel Tips:

1. Air Fare No-No: Do not book plane travel for the same day the ship is leaving-especially in winter. I've heard too many stories of being snowed, iced, fogged, etc. in.

2. Do you see our bags? Most luggage is black or blue or green-It all looks alike. There was a popular song in the seventies, Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree. This is good advice for luggage but not a colored ribbon or a piece of fabric as everyone does. Tie a piece of ," Do Not Cross Police Ribbon" on the luggage. When 200 pieces are in the hotel lobby, port or airport, you will spot yours easily.

3. Where have you been? I've been looking everywhere.Sound familiar. Buy a set of walkie talkies. They work on ships, remote foreign countries, everywhere that no cell phone service exists.

4. You're wearing that? If you're a married man I am sure you have heard that before.This next tip is not for newlyweds or young or old romantics. It is for practical folks who want comfortable clothing and a light suitcase. Pack a long sleeve cotton T shirt and lightweight cotton jog pants. Us them for sleeping, exercise, or a pool cover-up.
Another tip that is probably more for the men is about underwear. Select and pack your leas favorite or worn ones. Each cruising day, discard the used ones-it makes your suitcase happier. Take along a pair of sandals. They are great for everything including pools, lounging and most important- sock saving.

5.Booking Shore Excursions. If you don't feel secure you may want to book on ship. We seldom do. Instead of taking the ship's 70 dollar excursion, we usually get off the ship and look for cabs and tour vans. There are usually several dozen waiting in a long line. Walk to the end of the line and talk to the driver. You are testing his command of English as he will be your tour guide. Plus, as he is at the end of the line he know his chance of getting a fare is slim. His is willing to bargain. Take along another couple to share the expense. Four people at the ship's price of 70 is 280. The cab ride might be 75 total and I offer a tip if the trip is good. What kind of tour do you think we get?

6.Where's my Wallet? I always take a spare wallet on a cruise. It is my"town wallet". In that one I will place three items; my cruise card, a photo ID (driver's license), and 20-40 dollars. I have never been robbed nut we were pick pocketed in Spain. I can easily lose the spare wallet. Losing my regular one is a nightmare of calling and canceling. This might not be a concern to you but we venture off the tourist path in most countries we visit. Besides, a boy scout never forgets the motto.

7.Take a laptop computer and a universal card reader. In the evening you can get together with friends and plug their camera cards into the computer and watch slide shows.Some went to the ruins-some went to the coffee plantation, etc. I take along some blank CD's. You can burn the contents of the cards and then erase the cards and you can now take a few hundred more pictures. You can also take the computer to coffee shops, libraries, motels etc. and check your emails. If you do this on the ship it costs about .75 a minute.

8. Tote you own bag. Most ships allow you to carry your own bags off when you return to port(Walk Away Departure). If you have the crew do this you must place all luggage outside your cabin the night before arrival. There are two negative factors here. One is that you still have to retain sleepwear,toothbrush, etc for the next morning and then carry them off. The second and worst is that you are given a time slot to depart. Those with airline connections will leave first. Others will leave last which can be an hour or more. By carrying (pulling-no one carries anymore) your own luggage you get off immediately. This enables you to have first access to waiting cabs, shuttles, etc.

9. Travel light-Travel frugal-But most important-Travel Often! Bon Voyage

Waikiki Beach

If your idea of a fun vacation is crowds, upscale shops beautiful hotels and beaches-Waikiki is for you. It is a mix of Atlantic City (with crystal clear water) Rodeo Drive, along with the street performers of Bourbon Street and Key West. I prefer the other islands-same water-same beaches-no large crowds or traffic.

USS Arizona

I was almost one year old when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor The battle ship USS Arizona is a memorial to those men (over 1000) who died and are still entombed in the hull.

One of the main gun turrets still protrudes from the water. An amazing phenomenon is the oil still leaking from her fuel tanks-it produces a multicolored slick on the water’s surface. Legend has it that the oil seepage will cease when the last soldier from WW II dies.

Whale of a Time

They come to the warm waters around Maui and other Hawaiian Islands to have sex. No-not the tourists- the whales! They (whales) swim from their “dining Hall” in the Bearing Sea to their “bedroom and nursery” in the island waters.

When we arrived at Maui, it was “spring break” and “Whales gone wild”! There was a major party going on-it was high season for whale watching as they were everywhere.

We went ashore and booked a whale watching tour hoping to see few up close. Wow-they were almost within touching distance of our 50 foot boat (providing you wanted to lead far out over the rail). It was so good that even the captain and mate were taking pictures.

We had a female with baby and a large male escort, circle our boat for 30 minutes-turning over and diving under the boat, putting on the best whale show I had ever seen.

Ze Plane, Boss, Ze Plane

King Kong, Jurasic Park, Blue Hawaii Magnum PI, Hawaii 50, Fantasy Island and dozens of others were made in the islands- especially Kauia. The tropical beauty of Kauia makes it one of the world’s premier filming locations.

Here are the falls seen in every opening scene of Fantasy Island. The gated dirt road guards the entrance to the cliffs of Jurasic Park.

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is unique with its 558,000 acres comprising two different ecosystems.....the Colorado and Mojave deserts.

Joshua Tree iss located in the arid area of Southern California and is a short distance from the famous playground of the stars, Palm Springs. The Rat Pack played in one of these and the kangeroo rat the other. The latter sustained life from moisture derived from seeds, the other from "moisture on the rocks".


If the picture of rock formations look familiar to you.......they should! Dozens of westerns were filmed in this area. Outside of the Park entrance a complete "cowboy town" still remains. Gene Autry, the Cisco Kid, and many other stars made film, TV shows here. The National Parks are our national treasures.

Texas-Big-Big Big

EL PASO 876 Miles-Was this mile marker sign located in Kansas, Colorado or Mississippi? Howdy partner-welcome to the big state of Texas-this sign was located on the interstate entering from Louisiana.

I like Texas-rural Texas-Levis, boots, trucks, cattle, horses, and folks with manners-No Maam- You’ all come back!

About 30 years I met Elyse and her husband-owners of the 3 Springs Ranch. It’s a great ranch, located in the Hill Country west of Austin. This is cattle country-with some open range and cattle guards everywhere. For the edification of eastern dudes. cattle guards are shallow pits in the road with pipes or rails placed ever 3-4 inches. Livestock won’t cross the “threatening bridge”.

Creek crossings are also interesting. Each low area of the road has a water gauge located on the side. It is marked in increments of one foot-preventing “drive throughs” from becoming “float throughs”.

Vocabulary changes here: stock means cattle, not IBM; fix a little something means cooking; a big pond is a tank; you get the picture-RURAL! It’s a wonderful place to visit-peaceful, interesting, picturesque, and best of all, you can drive a “short piece” to Round Mountain and get the best chicken fried steak in Texas –so their sign reads.

As we headed west on I-10 towards El Paso, I couldn't help wishing I was driving a Vette. The road is straight as an arrow as far as the eye can see. Traffic is light-what a pace to "put the pedal to the metal (or fiberglass)".

One song was "stuck in my mind". It was the old Marty Robbins Hit, " Out in the west Texas Town of El Paso- I fell in love with a ....................".

New Orleans-Lodging

. . Lodging

Our favorite area to stay is the Garden District. The action centers around St. Charles Street-a main Mardi Gras parade route with old beautiful, classical New Orleans houses. Transportation is easy and fun with streetcars of the 1940’s vintage, whose routes terminate on Canal Street, a stone’s throw from the French Quarter.

This year we splurged for one night in the “Quarter”. Actually, we got a super mid- week deal at the Place d’Armes, a beautiful old hotel one block off Bourbon StreetWhat’s better than a second floor private room with balcony overlooking St. Anne? It’s a 50 yard line front row seat (more like a 40 yard-Bourbon St. is on the 50) with the “street stage” below-featuring vendors, street performers, drunks; you get the picture – a people watchers’ paradise.

New Orleans

Dining

Po Boys and Beignets-two famous gastronomical treats from “Narlins”- as the locals slur it. Po Boys are like our subs- a French roll swathed in mayo and stuffed with delicately battered fried oysters, shrimp, etc. A beignet is like the “heroin of pastry”- consumption producing a feeling of euphoria and extreme, well-being (I can only vouch for the beignets). I can’t figure out why some enterprising entrepreneur doesn’t start a “Dunkin Beignet” chain`

Mardi Gras

Lodging

Quarter.

Mardi Gras

Philadelphia has its mummers- New Orleans has its Mardi Gras or Carnival, as the locals say, Both are steeped in deep tradition To me, no visit to New Orleans is complete without a visit to Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World.. Blaine started making floats from day one-and today makes almost all of them. Some figures are paper mâché and some are fiberglass. Kern also makes all the figures and props you see in casinos and theme parks. Take the ferry across the Mississippi River to Algiers-named for holding slaves captured in Algeria. Kern has shuttle buses waiting to take you to his warehouses and workshops. Wow-Wow Wow-what a sight—like an ant colony with workers scrambling around making last minute preparations for the upcoming parades. Some are building and painting floats; others are stacking floats with beads to be thrown to the “partygoers”.
A float consists of a captain and a krewe (crew). Each person pays to ride and pays for their beads-300 to 600 $ each. Visiting Kerns is like being in the locker room before the superbowl.

French Quarter

French Quarter

Margaruitos-20$ for all you can drink-Big Ass Beers-a full quart ; these are some of the signs on Bourbon Street- in the heart of the party. Here you will see it all-another people watching paradise. What is more fun- the tourists or the street performers? The latter consists of musicians, dancers, singers, jugglers, and my all time favorites-the statues. They paint their bodies and clothing gold or silver-assume either a regal or physically challenging pose- and remain motionless like a statue. They usually break character-sometimes in a startling manner- if you make a deposit in their tip bucket.

“Narlins” is the magic kingdom for party animals. I don’t exactly know what it is but people tale on a different persona in this city. The quiet, demure librarian from Des Moines, Iowa, is suddenly flipping her top to a bunch of drunken conventioneers tossing beads from a balcony (so they tell me).
Bars and clubs abound and finding one to your liking is like finding your favorite food on a buffet. All the doors are open – step inside and check it out-from deafening hard rock to 50’s Rock-A-Billy! Laissez le bon temps roule’.

Bucket List

Bucket List

Other than fun, the new movie, Bucket List, has a message that has always been important to me-These are the good old days- have fun while you can! If you’ve never cruised, please put it on your Bucket List-it’s a must.

This year we sailed on the Norwegian Spirit out of New Orleans. It’s a beautiful ship with a crew of 850 and a passenger load of about 1800. The Spirit has something I have never seen on a ship-a glass viewing area of the captain’s bridge in the ship’s pilot house. The view is impressive-thousands of gauges, switches, monitors, and computers;-it is truly the “Starship Enterprise”.

Ship-Norwegan Spirit

Ship’s Dining

Why do I write so much about food? You Know! Ships have superb chefs (tongue twister) and the food is excellent-both preparation and presentation.

Almost as important is the wait staff-they can enhance or reduce your culinary experience. We were so fortunate as to meet Gabriela from Romania. We tried to sit at her table every evening. On the last day, I wrote her this note along with a generous tip (I know- I can read your minds).

Dear Gabby,

You are the best “waiter” we’ve ever had. We usually sail on ships with organized seating-sometimes we get the magic princess-sometimes we get the frog.
Freestyle dining is like gold mining-you mine in different areas-sometimes you find a nugget or two-infrequently, you hit the mother lode. Gabby, you are the mother lode.

Guatemala

I'm always getting the same cruise question-each year friends ask what ports we are visiting. I politely answer- I don't know-and I really don't-nor do I care. The cruises are reasonably priced (thanks to Carol Kasper) and we are escaping the boring cold sleet and snow. It's a win, win, situation.
Guatemala was one port that was new for us. Cruise ships have just started stopping there in the last few years. The country is rough, virgin, and very tourist friendly.
We seldom take the ship's excursions-I enjoy bargaining on my own. Our group of six headed to the mountain rain forest. It was one of the best I have seen-dense plant growth with numerous cascading waterfalls. The jungle was so thick-even Tarzan would be challanged to have a "swinging time"!

Guatemala

Guatemala

You would think a retired school teacher would never visit a school on vacation. I saw this “compound” fortified with razor wire and being, “Spanish challenged”, I finally figured it was a school. I walked to the barred door and peered inside-smiled at the receptionist and asked her, in “gringo sign language” if I might come inside and take a look. It’s amazing what you can see and do if you don’t fear rejection. The inside was austere but clean; devoid of pictures and posters, but functional (I must stopping watching wine tasting shows).
The kids were typical kids-waving and wanting their picture taken. After disrupting their classes, I’m sure the teachers referred to us as Pendejo Americans.

Tired Volkswagon Bug

This is my latest project- a tired VW Bug -1973 vintage. I kind of inherited the car from my best friends widow. After Dave died, Alice was cleaning out Dave's years of collecting and hoarding. I can say that because I suffer the same problem-hating to throw things away.

Anyway, Dave had stored the VW in his dad's barn in Houtzdale. None of the relatives wanted it and the car was offered to me. Dave and I had discussed its restoration many time in the past. It will be kind of a challenge and a memorial- for me to restore the bug. I will post my progress so, "Watch it Grow"!

Receipe for a Helluva Halloween Bash

Have you ever noticed that someone's persona changes once they don a costume? That's what makes Halloween Parties so much fun- Clark Kent becomes superman-librarians strut as playboy bunnies and science teachers become nerds, wearing taped glasses and pocket protectors (oops).

The recipe for a great Halloween party begins with a big old house-the bigger and older, the better. Next are the decorations- cobwebs, spiders, rats, fog and weird sounds.

We just attended two "super bowls" of parties. They met all of the above criteria and then some. The decorations were fantastic - moving ghosts, talking heads and skeletons, more weird noises than a cheap motel- so much fog/smoke I thought I was back in the boy's room in high school.

Now for the cast! Every Halloween Party must have a few well endowed cheerleaders and some scantly clad nurses. Throw in a portly priest and a naughty nun along with an assortment of ghouls and goblins. Check out Egore, Shegore, Vincegore, Kategore and Uncle Fester. There were so many capes I thought it was either an Elvis or Liberace Convention. No party is complete without the Village People plus the cast from, The Wizard of Oz. Four of the guests came as pall bearers carrying a coffin with a real skeleton inside!

Top it off with super food and drink-Wow, Wow Wow!

Hershey-Sweetest Spot on Earth

Every fall, like migrating geese, thousands of antique auto enthusiasts head for Hershey-the largest gathering of antique autos on earth. They come from all over the world-they buy cars, parts, show cars and motorcycles and have one heck of a good time.

I'm into characters and they abound here. They express themselves in their clothes and their rides. All makes of cars are represented-their clubs having tents for recruitment and fraternization.

Cars, motorcycles, and parts are for sale - everywhere. Check out the neat Ford woody wagon-with a mere $175,000 price tag. How about the cartoon character car with thousands of cartoon characters painted on the body.

One couple dressed in antique motorcycle clothing, received a lot of laughs and applause as they drove their 1949 Indian Service Cycle on the shoe field-the sign read, "World's Slowest Indian".

Need some horsehair to stuff an old seat? See Mel -he will sell you the hair and the hide. If you need it -you will probably find it at Hershey.

Fall Carlisle

Ladies-want to meet men - thousands of them? I have bad and good news: bad is many are unshaven, have mechanic hands, and are shower challenged; good news - they can be resurrected. They get that way by spending five days at Carlisle.

It is here that men bond-no razors - no etiquette - no rules. It is a beer swilling, tall tale telling, gaseous group-analogous to "deer camp" but that is another story. It is a world of characters and an a lot of fun.

When you get that many people in a small town like Carlisle, sleeping and eating become a problem. Some sleep in Motel Chevy or Ford - some in tents and other ingenious shelters (check out the cardboard box "house" and the beer barrel stove).

Everyone eats man food: peanuts, chips, cashews, jerky, cheese and bologna-washing it down with Coors and bud. Broccoli, celery, and carrot sticks are a no -n0. That would be like wearing sandals to a Harley Meet. It is a gigantic tailgate without class.

What exactly is Carlisle you ask. They are 10 ft wide and 30 ft deep and there are about 8000 of them-at 95$ each. They are vendor spaces. Do the math-it is not small change-plus there is a gate attendance of 100,000 spectators. it is one of the largest automobile events in the world- Hershey could be larger.

In the 70's there were no flea markets that catered to late model cars, muscle cars, etc. Two guys from the Harrisburg Area rented the Carlisle Fairgrounds- and had their first meet. Bingo- ten years later they bought the fairground.

A Fairy Tale

Once upon a time, forty one years ago, in a humongous suburban school-there was a first year biology teacher- Science Guy. Taking a break from his test tubes, microscopes and frogs he caught the sight of a young, new dance teacher in the physical education department. Her name was Dancing Queen.

Suddenly Science Guy was forming a new hypothesis-how to date the queen. After doing extensive research-reading “Dating for Dummies” and “Even Science Nerds Can Score” he made his move. It worked- she gave him the time of day-an afternoon date in the middle of the week.

One September weekend a year later, Miss Dancing Queen became, Mrs. Dancing Guy. For three years they were so happy in their home in the “burbs”. Then unrest started to appear. One day the queen proclaimed, “Green Acres where I want to be”. Guess what happened next?

Ten years later the family expanded with the addition of little Shiner Boy and Kay-J Girl. Time flew and everyone grew- the young grew up and Sci Guy grew out. Life was good.

Forty years later, Shiner and his wonderful wife, Angel, invited the “Guys” to a pig roast/picnic. There the most marvelous event unfolded-the Little Guys had organized a surprise 40th anniversary party for them. They were elated. Kay-J had flown in from Phoenix- friends came from far and wide-and for once the Sci Guy was speechless.

Later, exhausted and beaming with pride and appreciation, the older Guys reflected on their life. Their conclusion: In life, good health is so important-but equally important are your family and friends-they make everything worthwhile.

The moral of this story is: true happiness is having a wonderful family like Shiner, Angel, and their children, Eyeque and Kantstan-Pop-plus daughter Kay-J and the best friends a couple could have. We love you-No No-WE TREASURE YOU. Thank you-Thank you – Thank you.

Rocky Horor Show

Are you annoyed by people in the audience talking during a movie? What if they shouted during the show? What if they shouted obscenities?

Does the movement of people during a show bother you? How about folks running around, throwing stuff, dancing, etc.---

If this appeals to you, see a midnight showing of the Rocky Horror Show. I had always wanted to see this (Socrates said . "The unexamined life is not worth living") and I tend to follow that creed. A group of us went last night-dressed in part- and rented a private box in the theater. Everyone loved it -except me- I thought it was so, so.

Anyway, experience the "unexamined", sometimes you have to kiss a lot of toads the get the prince.

Heart Walk- Philadelphis Sports Complex

As you all know, we spent this beautiful Sunday morning at Citizens Bank Park for the Thrush's first annual "Heart and Sole" walk....we walked for team CHOP on our own team, "Miles for Morgan"! We all donned our "Morgan's Crew" t-shirts and hats and hit the pavement bright and early!!
It was a spectacular morning spent with our family, among thousands who gathered to recognize the ongoing fight against heart disease. Before walking the 5K, we listened to three heartwarming stories....one told by a father with heart disease who lost his 20 year old son in his sleep to a cardiac arrhythmia, one by a mother of a 3 year old little girl who has undergone and will require lifelong open heart surgeries for multiple severe heart defects, and one by a sobbing 50+ gentleman who has survived a heart attack at the age of 41.
We were there for our Morgan Hope, who was among the many survivors given a red Heart Walk hat, and who was entirely too energetic, bounding up and down the stadium steps more times than we could count, to sit and listen to the above stories. A 5 year old cannot comprehend the enormity of the situations surrounding her, she was just thrilled to meet the Philly Phanatic (and the men happy to stretch with the Sixers dancers!!)!!
Shane and I are SO grateful for the love and support surrounding our family!! Morgan continues to grow strong, and we owe SO much to CHOP for helping her do so!! For those of you who were able to join us this morning.....THANK YOU for taking the time to walk with us. For those who could not make it this year, this will certainly not be the last year "Miles for Morgan" walks for Team CHOP.....the Thrush's plan to make this an annual event!!!
Enjoy the pictures and have a great week!!
Love to all,
Andrea

Semi-Wild Hogs

Every year my good friend Bruce and I try to get away for a "Wild Hog Week" (see the movie if you haven't). We pack our bikes with tents and sleeping bags, some tasteless shirts, and a bag of munchies that would be forbidden on any healthy diet.

It was ironic that we had chosen this 9-11 week as we did the same about six years ago. We had camped on the Blue Ridge Parkway and rode into a small town diner for breakfast. A group of old guys were huddled around a radio and one of the said, "Hey boys- America is under attack". We looked at each other and said, yeah-right. We soon realized the terrible news was true.

I consider myself so fortunate to have Bruce as a friend and especially as a cycle companion. He is easy going, funny, and has one quality that I especially admire-No Mind Barriers. Raining hard-not a problem-we'll ride slower; lost-lets follow this road-it's bound to go somewhere- and the beat foes on. Bruce says that there is no such thing as bad weather- only bad gear. My only complaint about Bruce is the same one he has for me-loud snoring. We always pitch our tents quite a few decibels away from each other.

Saturday morning we headed for Happy Valley and the Penn State-Notre Dame Game. It was a beautiful day- our tailgate party was super and PSU won.

Semi-Wild Hogs Road Trip

Sunday we rode 450 miles to Westport, Canada-about an hour south of Ottawa. At the end of our ride was a " pot of gold"-The Roberts Bed and Breakfast- owned by Mariann and Rob Roberts of Quakertown. What a wonderful place-beautiful rooms-superb food and hospitality-we were spoiled. We ended our trip sleeping in tents and eating granola bars-like going from a Rolls to a Pinto.

Semi-Wild Hogs Road Trip

The White Mountains of New Hampshire are a treat especially for motorcyclists-scenic mountains and curvy roads. We decided to ride up Mt. Washington-although it was 34 degrees on top. The winds are so strong, they have chains over the building.

Semi-Wild Hogs Road Trip

Camping-you either love it or hate it.Guess where I fall? It is difficult to explain-kinda like a kiss. There is something magical about sitting around a camp fire-thousands of stars overhead-and the neat sounds of night animals (excluding wolves). It is also reassuring to know that camping is available in all National Forests-no reservations needed.

Semi-Wild Hogs Road Trip

Where are we anyway-Atlanta, Detroit, Philadelphia-around America, All cities are the same: there is a Circuit City, an Applebees, a TGI Fridays, etc. To really savor (no pun intended) we avoid the chain restaurants and visit the diners. The locals gather here-solving political and economic problems; critiquing the football team, and just plain socializing. Old men are eating oatmeal; mature ladies are having soft poached eggs on white toast; the young and bold are devouring plates of eggs, sausage and mounds of ketchup covered home fries.

Some watch us ride in and they seem enviable either recalling days of yore or longing for the freedom of the open road. Others look at us like we are totally nuts-riding motorcycles-especially when it is cold and raining. The diners are the last of Americana.

Auburn Cord Duesenberg Reunion-2007

Every year the week before Labor Day finds hundreds of Auburns, Cords and Duesenberg Automobiles heading for Auburn, Indiana- The Home Of The Classics. The ACD Club holds its annual reunion and what a time it is-thousands of people flock to this area. Some watch the Kruse Auction (see on ESPN); some visit antique and quilt shows; others, like ourselves, go on tour with 50 antique cars. It is called the Hoosier Tour and we spend about three days travelling to Ohio, Indiana or Michigan.

There are many parties, banquets, car shows, and a large parade of classic cars. The women enjoy an elaborate tea-wearing vintage clothing and hats.

The following picture shows George- our past president- in a past time- touring with his pedal car. The other picture is our friend , Bill, flashing his, Shitty Restoration Shirt. Bill sold his car and was looking for a project. He bought an antique manure spreader and restored it like new and placed it in his front yard. During election years, he attaches a sign reading-Political Machine. Around Christmas a new sign is poster-Spreading Good Cheer. I couldn't resist sending him that shirt.

Auburn Cord Duesenberg Continued-The Tea

Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club- Part 2

Peggy and I wanted to see more ACD Members dress in period clothing so we sponsor awards and trophies- with both adult and children's divisions. Somehow it doesn't seem right for beautiful classic automobiles to be driven in a parade with their drivers and passengers wearing t-shirts and ball caps.

Every year we have more and more folks joining in the fun and dressing in period clothing. Plus, you can spend large amounts of money for a classic car or wear period clothing and get about the same size trophy'

Peggy, Kate, and Connie dressed as the Andrews Sisters and I was Bob Hope. Wow- what a reception we received along the parade route.

Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club-Part 3

After all judging and parading is done, it is party time. Our favorite bar in on the square and called the Retreat. Like migrating birds, we flock to this establishment every year- for our, Let Off the Steam Party.

The Andrews Sisters stole the show-dancing on the bar-while patrons slipped them money. The owners were so pleased that they constantly fed the jukebox with old tunes like, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy-plus they kept the beverages flowing.

Next came our songfest which was really pretty good-only because we had a few excellent voices in the group. The entire bar was on their feet when we sang , God Bless America. The crowning blow (or glow) was when bar patrons lit their lighters and swayed them overhead. Who said Seniors don't know how to party

Rubb A Dubb Dubb_Four Folks in a Tub (dinghy)

Our friends- Del and Bruce have a beautiful sailboat on the Chesapeake Bay-Rock Hall. They invited us down for a weekend sail to Annapolis. We tied up to a mooring at the Annapolis City Dock- and had to use the dinghy to get to shore and back. The sailing was exciting as we had brisk winds-but not near as exciting as putting four "healthy" folks in a very little dinghy and motoring to shore. Every small wave soaked our rears. As Socrates once said, "The unexamined life is not worth living".

Of course, we had to tow some toys plus we met Tali and Lynne-a great mix for a super time.

Goschenhoppen Folk Festival

This is one of the great festivals around. They have crafts and trades there that you will not see elsewhere. Everyone dresses in period clothing and all demonstrations are done with authentic antique tools. They butcher a pig-dress it-make about everything you can make from a pig: scrapple,sausage, cracklins, bacon, hams,etc.

They have cigar making, wheel wrights, tombstone and stone cutting, German Bird Trees, cooking on open fires Eighteenth century) and cooking with wood stoves for the 19 th.

Please note two exceptional open fire cooks-Peggy and Kate. This is truly, "slaving over a fire"! They make apple and corn fritters,which are delicious-but how can they not be-cooked in lard.

Best Little Garage in Penna.

Merv and Dave run one of the best garages around-especially their work on antique cars. The garage was started by their father in the stone age. The two brothers continue the tradition. It is an interesting place to visit-you never know what kind of vehicle you will see: maybe a WWII Command Car of a Korean War Missile Launcher; all sorts of antique cars; plus all the trucks used in the trades and services (ambulances, firetrucks, etc)

They are also the local historians and philosophers. I often place a sign on the window of my cars when they are being serviced. The sign would read," Please Do Not Talk To Merv or Dave While They Work On This Car". I quit doing that-I figured that caused More BS than anything.

Das Awkscht Fescht

Das Awkscht Fescht means the "The August Festival" or something like that in Pennsylvania German. It is a large, widely attended show held the first weekend in August in Macungie<>

You never know what you will see. A young couple drove a 1920 something Graham Paige (antique car) from Alaska to South America. They started out as a couple and now have two children. Their next trip is across Europe and ob to China. I can't imagine doing this-especially with two children and an ancient car. The husband told me that he runs farm tractor tires on the car as they are readily available in any country.

Clarence, the clown, our good friend from Bethlehem, always shows up to trick and dazzle us. This is one of the best and "funnest" meets in the USA<

Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club

Want to have more fun than you can imagine? Want to meet all kinds of interesting people? Want to have a hobby that you can really enjoy plus the good possibility that you will have a monetary gain? If the answer is yes-then buy an antique car. Better yet, buy one and join a car club. Better, better, better yet, join the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club.



Peggy and I just returned from the ACD Spring Meet in Saratoga, NY. "Non Car" people always ask me about meets. What fun are they-what do you do at a meet-sit in front of your car all day-sounds boring.



I am the wrong (or right) person to ask about cars. I absolutely love anything with wheels and a motor-cars, motorcycles, scooters, etc. The old ones are especially fun to drive and tour.

A car meet consists of tours to interesting places, sometimes judging, meeting old friends and making new ones, and most important-eating, and partying.



A great fun part of the weekend is the Vintage Clothing Costume Ball. Did you ever notice how folks change their personality when in a costume? The shy get bold and the wacky get wackier. It is a fun fun time.

Mercer Museum Folk Fest

There is " hidden treasure" in Bucks County, Pa. - and very few residents know or visit. I know there are dozens of historical places and buildings, but my very favorite is the Mercer Museum in Doylestown.

Henry Mercer was quite a wealthy man and collected tools as a hobby. Wondering what to do with over 40,000 tools from more than 60 early American crafts and trades, he decided to build a museum and share them with the public.

Did he build an ordinary structure-No Way. Henry built one of the first all concrete buildings- six stories high-fireproof-made entirely of reinforced concrete. It was build in 1916 and today is on the Historical Register-with over 80.000 visitors a year.

Peggy and I are members and every year, we , along with our friends Cork and Anne, volunteer at their Annual Folk fest.. We set up a tent demonstrating decoy carving and the history of water fowling. It is a lot of fun and helps the museum -showing an aspect of colonial life that is not frequently demonstrated.

18th Centurey Crafts and Trades

One of the great aspects of the Mercer Museum Folk Fest is the authenticity of the event. Period clothing is required as are all tools and equipment.

A cooper is making barrels using a shaving bench.

Another shows a tinsmith-complete with a period hair style.

The baker was really interesting-she had a genuine bee hive oven in which she had heated with a wood fire. She then scraped out the coals and baked for five hours. Just hauling and setting up this display was a mammoth task.

The real purpose of the Fest is to educate. In the one picture, My friend Cork is "holding court" with a group of young folks. Cork is good with the kids-demonstrating carving techniques while throwing in tall tales and humor.

A Walk on the Wild Side

I recently visited my hometown in the mountains of Clearfield County. The area is sparsely populated with lots of woods, streams and mountains. If you love malls and shopping, this is not for you. If you love the outdoors-fishing, hunting, canoeing, hiking, this is paradise.

My favorite activity is either hiking or riding my ATV around the mountains. You never know what you'll find around the next bend: maybe a blacksnake or rattlesnake; it might be a deer with a fawn; it may be a fox or coyote, hawk, snapping turtle-and the list goes on.

At the turn of the century, the mining of coal from deep mines (tunnels into the sides of mountains) changed. The industrial age brought heavy equipment that was able to strip the earth's surface-exposing the valuable coal.

There were few laws in the1920's to the 1970's and coal strippers played havoc with the land. Huge ravines were cut-coal was extracted-and the area abandoned. The result was a ravaged landscape with huge open pits with high walls. It was a mess.

Then along came the beaver. They dammed the ravines and created beautiful lakes and ponds. Local men privately stocked these waters with bass and sunfish -on their own-with no state assistance.

In the one picture you can see where the end of the beaver dam was recently washed out by heavy rains. The dam height is about 18 feet-the water level dropped considerably. Note how the dam was built in a coal stripping ravine.

The one problem with hiking in the mountains is that there are no bridges- you just tie your shoes around your neck and wade through the ice cold water.

The green, green fields of Ireland

Peggy and I just returned form a wonderful trip to Ireland. We ate, drank, toured, met new friends and had a great time. Speaking of time- it is something that is so precious.

Peggy danced with some Irish Dancers (her maiden name was Peggy Shane) and made it look easy.

She also found her "happy place" in some Irish Thrift Shops. She totally amazed our waitress at the castle one night. The woman couldn't believe that Peggy had Purchased an Irish Knit Sweater for about 6 dollars. See the picture with her examining the label.

The Buce

The buce is how our bus driver pronounced the word, bus. His name was Mickey Nolan and what a colorful character he was. We disliked him at first but soon found him to be a wealth of knowledge, a great storyteller, a humorist, and most important, a good organizer and leader.

He would give instructions at the end of each day: "Now listen up- breakfie at sex terdy-ya hare- sex terdy, sex terdy, sex terdy. Buce leaves one orr later-if yer late-I'll ave yer ass".

Driving the large buce on those narrow, winding roads was no easy task. Mickey was quite skilled and very accommodating, stopping frequently for photo opps.

One interesting part of the bus was the location of the toilet-it was located below seat level. Not only was it difficult to access, but it was extremely small. Needless to say it was used infrequently.

Irish Pubs

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