Moto Trips and Such

January 31, they are calling it Junuary.

2012-02-01T07:35:00.000-08:00

The weather is great, got up to 59 at least. I have been sick with a cold in my chest, but could not resist this weather. So I started Shad up, he didn't want to start at first but then he did. The front tire was low so instead of going out to the shop and using the big compressor, I remember we had bought a small one that you plug into a cigarette lighter. It worked good, I need to use that more often. Then I filled up with gas, geared up and off I went, it felt so good just the freedom of the ride. Some times the fear would try to creep in, so you just slow down and get use to the ride. Loved it. Had to cough a few times in my helmet, did not like that. Rode for about an hour just around here and started to get cold so I headed home. Was great, I look so forward to riding season.

He asked How and Why did I get into Motorbikes?

2011-12-03T13:35:00.000-08:00

Thanks Gary for the invitation of your question.

Years ago as a small child my brothers all had bikes. They would take me on rides and I loved it, but thought that only boys rode these things.
Well in 2007 (many many years later) I came home from visiting my children and grandchildren, out in CO and my husband had bought a Shadow 1100. I enjoyed riding on the back for the summer and then asked if he thought I could handle one for myself. He said sure, so Sept. of that year I found one I liked also a Shadow, a 750 Aero, on ebay. I won the bid and brought it home that weekend. It only had 3800 miles on it. So excited, once we got it home I jumped on without any training and rode up and down my road, but then on our first real ride, all geared up, I dropped it on the first big curve. Och, what a shocker, I decided to back off and I take the class. Got that done in Oct. but still scared when I would get on the 750. I would take to parking lots and ride and ride, but I could not conquer that fear. I found a 250 Rebel, and rode that the next year when ever I went out by myself and the 750 when riding with my husband. By 09 I only rode the Aero. I now have 30,000 miles on it and love the freedom of riding. I would love to hit every state here in the US some day. I am a 51 year old grandma of 9 beautiful grandbabies and 2 more on the way, that loves to get out and explore the roads less traveled.

More back roads

2011-10-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

Nice trip again with many back roads to explore.

Back Tracking

2011-10-26T07:47:00.000-07:00

Add caption

So a few post back I talked about riding past some woods that were a bit strange, but I did not get any pictures of them. Well I went back and found them. The first ones of the platforms in the wood with chairs and benches on them were on Wood Rd. just off of 47 near Richwood. I often have to go up there to pick up parts for Paul, so I checked it out this last time I went up, was in my cage.

These remind me of a game I once played called myst. There were paths in the woods with little platforms for resting.

These other woods are on Church Rd. off of 245 and after showing Paul the pictures he said it must be a Maple syrup collecting woods. This building was near the woods and it was a large woods with these lines all over it.

Here is another holding bin, I would like to know more about how then go about collecting it all. None of the lines seemed to be in the trees, just tied around them.

Just thought it to be very interesting, it took me a while to find these woods. I had ridden past them once before but was not sure where I had seen them. Did google earth to see all the woods in the area I had ridden and then found the biggest woods and headed there on my bike for this picture taking ride.

Fall Ride

2011-10-08T18:56:00.001-07:00

This ride was coming home from our church women's retreat. Was up near Bellefountaine very enjoyable ride home, after a great time with some wonderful women.

At the retreat we were able to ride horses so about 1 hour before this shot I had been on a horse doing a 1 hr trail ride. Was fun coming upon these horse getting refreshed in the water.

2011-10-06T21:15:00.000-07:00

Was a great ride today, I took my camera but forgot the memory card. So this picture is taken with my phone. I rode to pick up a combine part for Paul up near Richwood. I did 47 to Prospect and then down this road, River Rd., it was so peaceful. I used ear plugs today and everything seemed so much softer and peaceful, my pipes, my music, and my attitude. As I drove slowly down this road the leaves were falling, loved it. I so enjoyed this God time. Talking with Him is one of my favorite things to do as I ride alone.
I rode yesterday also for a couple hours in the afternoon and found many new roads. There are so many out there with not much use, just waiting for travelers to pass by. I did saw 2 things that were a bit strange and I should go back and find them. One was yesterday, a forest with lines or strings going all through it. That would have been near Bellefountaine off of twp rd. 187 or Church Rd. or there abouts. The other was today I think it is on Boundary Rd. near Prospect or maybe it was Woods Rd. It had platforms through out the woods and they had white chairs on them. Strange, I should stop and take pictures when I see such things but for some reason I keep right on going and then ponder on it and wished I had stopped. I should try to find them again and get photos.

Triple Nickel for the third time.

2011-09-25T17:04:00.000-07:00

We met at Motohio at 9:15am, I took the freeway there the whole way. 270 south all the way till the east side then onto 70 then to Brice rd. Margaret, Dru, Susan and I. The Officers Ride.
Margaret lead us to Zanesfield traveling mainly 204, was a very nice drive. Once we got into Z we got gas and then decided to eat before we head to 555.
We ate at the Nicol's Resturant, I have wanted to go there a long time because of the name. After lunch they all thought they better get thier rain gear on. I didn't because I didn't bring any. We finally head out and get to 555 going south. I have driven 555 2 times before but always came up north. Going south seemed alot tougher then north. Not sure why but I enjoyed it soooo much. Was so fun. I need to do it again. There were a couple times that I felt scared a bit. Once we got down there we ended up on a small road right along the Ohio river. We found a parking lot to take off the rain gear and check the tires. Susan and I wanted to get back as quick as possible so we took off and got on 50 then 33. Stoped and got gas soon after Athens. Then drove straight home which was a long stretch with out stopping, 117. I usually stop every 75 to 100 miles, so this was long for me, I was hungry and tired and thought as soon as I get off of 270 I would stop but I just decided to push on home. Got home around 5:20pm/ Great ride!!!

Annie Oakley

2011-08-13T17:57:00.000-07:00

We had a nice ride to Greenville today, there were 6 of us that went to celebrate Annie Oakley's birthday. We visited the Garst Museum then a park monument, grave sight and then her birth monument. On our walk to the museum we came to the Maid Rite restaurant and stopped to eat. They were packed with ppl, and the place was cute with the gum wall, but the sandwich was kinda weird. We could not figure out the attraction. Other then its been there forever.

After all of that we head back since we are north we shoot over on 47 to Bellefontaine and stopped at a DQ which was around 4:00. Jumped on 33 highway for home, I was home by 5:30. Weather was great, good time! Will post pictures later, to tired tonight.

This is the back side of the restaurant, with gum, all the outside walls have gum on it.

The grave site.

Our Guest

2011-07-31T05:48:00.000-07:00

This morning we said good-by to a new friend a fellow traveler that enjoys the road less traveled. We joined a group called Motorcycle Travel Network. Which is all over US and Canada, maybe even other countries, I am not sure. Anyways it is a great way to travel and save on lodging and meet like minded friends. Last night we had our first guest and she was a wonderful person that was fun to get to know. Coralee has traveled 25000 miles or so in the past 2 1/2 years. She came around 5, got her settled and then went out to eat. Came home and visited on the front porch and then I took her for a small ride around the country side to see our covered bridges that are close by. This morning then we had breakfast and then she was on her way. We so enjoyed her stories and hope to continue a friendship. I hope to ride with her someday soon.
Really excited about the MTN, hope to use it a lot. Coralee has used it many times in her travels.

More back roads.

2011-07-13T19:01:00.000-07:00

Beautiful day, the weather was perfect for riding. I planned to meet Annie to show how I do my mapping with my Tomtom in Reynoldsburg. So I thought I am going to make a full days ride out of this so I mapped out a route that took me up into Amish country, through Sunbury and Uttica, then over to rt. 60 out of Warsaw. I really enjoyed to ride, saw horse and buggies and little Amish children. I wish I could have taken pictures of it all. Also at one spot a deer stepped out of the woods and just looked at me I honked my horn a few times and he headed back into the woods. I need to hang my camera around my neck instead of attached to the bike then I could aim it at things I want to get better. Well I was enjoying my ride so much and I thought I was on schedule but I really missed up. And some how with all the turn arounds, missed turns and road closings. I was an hour off on my estimate of when I would get there. I took 70 instead of 40 over and that helped me get there sooner just because I traveled much faster on the freeway. Did not enjoy that part of my ride at all. She had to wait an hour for me, Oh I felt so bad. I hate being 10 min. late, this was really hard, we talked on the phone when I still had an hr to get there. I told her she did not have to wait on me but she was very nice about it and she waited. Here are some of my pictures. Notice the beautiful sky!!

Sat. 6/18/11

2011-06-19T18:57:00.000-07:00

So I went riding thinking I was meeting up with a group, but they canceled due to the forecast. Well here I am on the south east side of Columbus, rode the freeway here and I am not going to back track.

I head south and west and figure I will just travel below and around Cols. I discover nice farm land on small back roads. I really enjoy this kind of travel. Just head south and west. These are the pictures I took as I was driving along.

The sky was starting to look scary, but it seemed much further south and I felt I would make it home before it hits. I drove into known territory between London and West Jefferson. As I get closer to home it starts raining, so I stopped under a car port at Rosedale college. Darn, this is the 3rd time this week of getting caught in the rain, always when I am heading home. Well, I get my suit on and it looks like it is getting lighter, so I take off. Oh my, it is coming down hard, on rt 4 I passed 4 cars stopped because it was so hard. I drive on.

I get home and I am totally soaked all the way through. The suite is no good. Gotta get a new one.

cute little church

look at those clouds

The First Nice Sunny Day!

2011-05-21T06:18:00.000-07:00

This is Smokey Rd. was one lane.

Wow, it has been a while since we have had sunshine, I had seen it coming on weather.com so had planned for a week to ride on Friday. Was planning to go do solo but then Dru txted me saying she wanted to ride. So a trip was planned to go east of Columbus. Then that morning she had to cancel, so that's fine I have been missing the solo ride so I got on facebook one last time before taking off and there Carol and I started talking and planed to meet up in Mt. Vernon. Ten min. later she called and could not make it, so solo it is!
The route I picked out for us, I decided to go with. So up to Mt Vernon, I took all back little roads, I get tired of the usual rt. I didn't get as many pictures as I wanted, I need to stop more, many times when I want to stop it doesn't seem safe.

Usually see these on Freeways, just on a small back road.

Looks like a one room school

Rt. 60 Awesome road. South of Killbuck

These little back roads are so fun just to mosey along on. Most of the roads were new to me and so sometimes you come onto situations that aren't so good. One such instant was north of Mt Vernon I came to a stop sign that was on a steeeeeepppppp hill. Panic started with that, but I had to turn right and when looking left you could not see down the road because there was a hill. These intersections should be outlawed even for cars it was very dangerous. Well after rolling back a bit, I made it out but my heart was racing big time. Ever since the experience last Sept. at my parents home in NC, where I got stuck on the steep lane, I have been jittery about stops on steep hills. I had to find a place to take a break after that. It does feel good to conquer fears such as these.
Found a small Dairy Shop and had lunch outside of Mt. Vernon on Rt. 3. Was a good break. Loved the ride, I did not take my music on this ride, needed the talk with God. Did 250 miles from 10:10 to 5:10. Was a much needed ride! It is rides like these that keep a hold of me and keep me coming back for more and more and more.

International Female Ride Day

2011-05-06T15:22:00.000-07:00

I think this is our best shot!

What fun we had. Our goal was to get a good picture to enter into the WOW photo contest. First we took pictures in our yard with Paul up on the roof of the house. Then we headed out in the rain for the first covered bridge.

I hope to get some more of the posed shots from the others. I have been just shooting everyone getting ready.

Run!!!!

Smile Sue and Margret

This is my favorite.

Then onto the second bridge.

After this bridge we drove up to Middleburg and got on 287, nice ride . Then on to Highpoint Harley Davidson in Bellefontaine, to get a passport for Margret and roll the dice for the rest of us. Then we enjoyed some warmth and lunch at Homecoming Family Restaurant. The sun was shinning

beautifully as we cam out, we headed back onto Rt. 1 to the Piatt Castles for more pics.

Onto Maries Chocolates in West Liberty and then home to look at the pictures and eat some candies. A great day, great ride, and great friends.

Said Good Bye to Cherry!

2011-05-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

What a nice learning bike, I once thought I would love to hold onto it so I could teach others. But that does not seem to be the way to go so we have sold it. With a couple tears rolling down my check, I took it for one more ride around the block of where we dropped it off. It worked out well the lady who bought it lived close to where Paul found another bike for him. A vintage bike, 1974 Norton Comando Interstate.

Bought it with 12 miles on it. Great bike, she sered me well.

Our Florida Trip There and Back

2011-04-17T21:13:00.000-07:00

We left Dru's house around 7:30 Thurs. morning, with the help of her husband, Rod. He adjusted my highway pegs, gave us glove warmers, helped put on my gloves and took our picture before we left. What a sweetie. It was around 46 degrees out and we were layered big time. I had 3 shirts, a light jacket, my jean jacket and my rain gear. I was fine except my feet even though I double socked.

This was our first place to stop for lunch, which was Paris, Kentucky. Was a great place to stop. Back on the road around 12:30 . We took 627 around Lexington, it was beautiful with large horse farms and all the fencing. Nice country road. Then took 27 down thru Daniel Boone National Forest into Tenn. Our first night was at Harriman, TN at Holiday Inn. Walked down the hill to a mexican place for dinner.

First nights stay, Harriman TN

On the way there to our first hotel we followed the gps and it too us on the back little winding road, very fun but I could not figure out why it took us this way. I think it was cuting off a corner, well I was not confident so I stopped and asked at this little gas station. I went and asked how to get to Harriman .This nice man with really bad teeth told me how to get there and we were on the right road. Then he followed me out and Sue asked where to find the Holiday Inn. He told us exactly how to get there. Back on the bikes it hit me we just told this scary man (because of his teeth) and his friend where we were staying for the night.

Break Time

Next morning we left closer to 8:00, looking for a place to get air for Dru's tires. Hard time finding that, we stoped at three different places to finally get some. By lunch time we stoped at a nice spot. Everyone was really friendly, 2 different groups asked where we were from and wanted to hear about our ride.

Stopped for pictures at Calloway Gardens.

Albany, Ga.

Then onto Albany, GA for the stay over night. We got in around 6:30 and had dinner at cute pizza place called Mellow Mushroom.

Dru and Sue prepare their cameras for a group picture and then run to stand for the shot. This was at the FL line. I need to get our group shot.

My Shad made it to FL, wow hard to believe we are here.

Dru running.

We smelt the honey suckle once we were close to the FL line. Was great!
We were coming down 19 which was a beautiful drive until we hit Homosassa. Then we started hitting all these lights. We stopped at a Subway for lunch and decided to take the Suncoast Pkwy which was a toll road. Nice road but the tolls were $3.75 broken up into 4 different stops, what a pain. This was my first toll rd. on the bike, you have to put in nutural, pull off you gloves, dig out the money, hand it to the attendant, then put on your glove, and take off. We took this rd. till 275 and took it the wrong way, ended up in Tampa. Had to turn around and head west to get into Largo.

We dropped Dru off at her friends house in Largo around 4:00, took a little break meeting them and getting a drink of water. Then Sue and I head for the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. I was a bit nervous because, when I was a child I remember hiding my face as we would go over this bridge in the car. We had a fellow rider travel over with us, he could have easily gone around us, because I was not going very fast, around 55mph. It felt like he was a guardian angel, he followed us all the way over and then waved as we got off to take pictures.

Sunshine Skyway Bridge!

We did it!

See how tiny that bridge is.

Sue crossed it.

I crossed it.

After we got our pictures Sue pulled up her moms address on her phone gps and said she could get there ok, so I could head on down to my brothers.

Now for the ride Home

Plans were to meet near a small town called Thonotosassa at a Deli Mart around 9:00 am. Well Sue and I meet up at her Mom's and then ride the rest of the way together. We drive by a Petrol Mart but we could not see Dru and that was not the right name so we go on for about 6 miles and then decide to pull over and call her. We could not figure out where this place was. Well it was the Petrol Mart and Dru had been there for about 1/2 hr. waiting on us. So we told her to head on north on 301 and we would join up and it worked. Would have been scary if we had not met up, I think Dru was starting to worry. We followed 301 all the way up into GA. Had lunch at Ted's dinner, beside a small orange store. Our first night was in Vidalia, Ga and wow did it smell of onions. Wish we could have carried some home, just no room.

The onion outside out hotel. That night we ate at a Ruby Tuesdays. Not good service at all, probably the worst of the whole trip. Food was good though.

We stopped at a Lake Thurmond for some shots.

We wanted to get pictures of all the state lines but many time we found it to hard to stop or was it worth going back for the ones we would miss.
Lunch stop was at a place called Guss's hope to get pictures from Sue.

Don't know why I don't take them myself.
Then onto my parents home in Marshall NC. We got there fine around 4:00, parked the bikes and then Nathan my brother said that we could drive his truck up the hill to the house. I had asked him to put it in 4 wheel drive since I am clueless about doing that well he did not do it. We found this out when I got stuck on the lane, at the same place I had done with my bike last year. So I try to back down and I was off and came close to the fence, we tried to put it in 4 wheel drive but did not know that it had to be in nutural. So to not hit the fence I just put on the emergency brake and turned off the engine and called my nephew David. He came and put it in 4 wheel drive and drove right up. So when we went to dinner (Asian place in Mars Hill) I had Dru drive it down and back up again. I hate that drive way.
Had a nice stay there but was raining the next morning, yuk. We had planned to do a bit of the Blue Ridge Pkwy instead of going to the Biltmore. The day started out bad with me missing our first turn off for 19E to the BRP. Once we were on the BRP we realized that we should not have done it. It was so foggy, was a thicker fog then any of us had seen before. We got off and head on 221 at Lynnville Falls and back onto 19 until we got to 23. We traveled in the rain and had lunch at Mcd's then on to Pikeville for the night. Was funny at the McDonald's Dru was sitting there with a whole puddle around her feet, she had put on rubbers and all they did were to collect the water. Had pizza hut that night, brought it back to the hotel and ate in their breakfast area. Nice visit there, they had coffee and fruit juice available all the time. The next morning I woke so early thought I would go down and get some coffee and breakfast was open so I went ahead and ate thinking that would let Dru and Sue sleep longer. I seem to wake up so early every day, no need for alarm clocks. We took off a little after 8:00 and drove in the rain for home. It rained so hard one time it went right through my suit, so I was soaked all the way home. Gotta get better rain gear. We stopped in Waverly at a Bob Evans for lunch and there we took off Dru and Sue communication sets. I then broke off at 207 and headed up through Mt Sterling and London for home. Soon after I was on 207 I had a very traumatic experience. I was driving along and all of a sudden I see two little children running across the road, wearing only diapers. The truck in front of me stopped and so did I. Well the oldest boy came back when he saw my motorcycle, so I got off and asked him where his mommy was. Then the second younger child came running back into the street so I started for him. There were more cars coming, but had stopped, when I turned around the oldest boy had decided he was going to climb on my bike and sure enough he put his foot right on the hot pipes. Oh My I ran to get him off as he screamed from the pain. He just yelled hot hot. I felt so bad, well we had about 6 cars stopped by this time and we were trying to figure out where they lived, still no parents coming out to find them. One guy went to up to a door and no answer. Finally an angry neighbor came out yelling that the lady 3 doors down can't control her children. She finally cam running out, one lady said she was going to call the police. The mother was yelling at the oldest child that he was not to get out of the house like that. I tried to explain the fact that the child had burnt his foot but she did not seem to care. I then carried one of the boys back to her house, she said they had done this before and their father had spent time in jail for it. Oh how do some children survive? As I drove away I cried. Was a sad ending to a very special trip.

Gotta add more of our riding stories. Like the time I was in the back and all of a sudden I look over and there is a car beside me. I look to see, isn't this a one lane road and yes he did not know what he was doing so up he goes right on Sue's tail. Her and Dru pulled over so he could continue to pass in the one lane.

Crazy !

Fingernails

We were riding along in a city, not sure where and up pulls a lady that swerved close to Sue It appeared that she was messing with her hair. So at the next stop light we were all looking at her and she had these really long fingernails, painted very flashy. Then later she was in front of us and on her back window her name Danisha was there with dycal. So we drove a bit further and Dru mentioned that she smelled fried chicken and Sue says probably coming from under Danisha’s fingernails. I have never laugh so hard on my bike.

We had many ppl stop and talk with us. One guy at a gas pump started talking to me and said he was getting gas to go get his Harley Sportester from the shop, he just had bunnys put on it. Humm Easter bunnies?

Another lady talked to us at a stop light saying she wanted to ride one, so I said she should do it and then Dru said that she should get some women to ride with and she said, she wanted to ride with us. You can't we live in OHIO Was cute.

People always asked where we were from and how long it took to get there. I think ppl talked more to a group of us then if we were alone.

The last day I met a couple that ride a Bulevard, she rides the back , they winter in Texas and ride a lot there.
Was nice just to have people freely talk with you with the barriers down.

Great great ride, look forward to the next one!!!

New Carlisle

2011-04-09T13:55:00.000-07:00

Rosemarie, Susan and I leave the Meijer around 10:15 am. Was a real nice ride with a bit of a nip to it. My feet were probable the coldest but I survived. We got to the Motor Sports of Dayton and we were all hungry so we made a bee line for the food. Hamburger and hot dogs on the grill, and hot coffee. So as we ate, talked and relaxed the rains started. We were going to do demo rides but that was not going to happen it this rain. So we waited and waited and it seemed to not be letting up. We checked the radar and it look like it was going to be a while so Susan and I decided we better hit the road now. Rosemarie said she would wait it out or have her family come and get her. So we got our rain suites on which was good to try, was first time over my chaps, need to tuck them in better. And off we went, up 235 to 55 into Urbana, stopped for gas. Then 29 to 161 then I took 4 and was home in an hour from the time we left Dayton, Susan stayed on 161 and got home about 45 min. later. Was a good experience for riding in the rain, roads did not seem to be to slick and I love my new helmet, so much dryer and I could see much better. And now the sun is out.

March 23,

2011-03-24T05:25:00.000-07:00

I ate a quicklunch and headed out on the bike. They were predicting bad weather by 2:00 so I planned to me back by 1:00.
I rode 245 to the road with Noahs ark (Gilbert Rd.)on it, outside of N. Lewisburg. That road took me to Mingo, took Stevens Rd. to Bump road. Love Bump road it has wonderful scenery, I forget my camera. Then back onto 245 headed toward West Liberty. Took Ludlow there at the Piatt caslte, such a fun rd also with the curves up the hills, so much fun. Then took 5 to Zanesfield then 10 to East Liberty. I went on the back side of the Honda plant, it was starting to get really windy. Got back home at exactly 1:00 Nice ride, really enjoy the roads in the Bellefontaine and West Liberty area. With Bellefontaine being the highest point in OH there nice hills and curves all over the place. The weather was up to 71, wow how nice.

My favorite local ride/ My new helmet

2011-03-18T19:12:00.000-07:00

This is my third ride this season. Yesterday I rode with a new friend to Enon, OH to a leather MC shop. I am not crazy about the roads in that area just north of Yellow Springs. The roads all seem to be at a funny angle. The weather was nice but windy, the computer said about 22 mph. We did not get home when we were suppose to so I had to cancel another apt. which made me feel bad. This ride had some mistakes on my part.

I made one turn to the left to wide so I really had to lean and I scraped my floor board, wow that was fun. I did feel a bit rusty but was so good to get out, we rode 140 miles.

I rode my favorite ride today. I took Inskeep Cratty Rd. to 287, I love this road, my learning road. Then just before you get to West Liberty I took 245 heading toward home. This was only about 40 miles. I stopped at an old grave yard and shot some pictures. Beautiful scenery with the rolling hills and this grave yard is positioned up pretty high. I would have like to stay longer but it was getting cold. I did not wear my chaps and I wish I had. Many of the curves had a lot of gravel but still fun just took them slow.

I have passed this old grave yard many times, I hope to go back to and read some of the stones. Need to check to see if there is a geocach there.

And now about my new helmet, I think I am going to really like it. It is a Nolan, N43 Outlaw trilogy, the cheek pads are not so far forward so I don't feels so closed in as most full faces. I have always worn a 1/2 helmet because of that.

Here I can remove the chin bar and just have a full helmet

I can bring down shades when the sun is in my eyes, no more sunglasses. I can also take off the face shield and put on a visor or put nothing on and just have a straight helmet. I still get cramping around my jaws pretty badly. That has always happened to me in full face helmets. But yes I am going to like this one.

Barns with quilts

2010-11-13T16:48:00.000-08:00

Another beautiful day for riding. I guess because of the nice weather this all I want to do. Ride, ride, ride.

I head out about 2:00 in hunt for some barns with quilt prints on them. I mapped out where a few of them are. Followed 36 close to Piqua and then north on some back country roads.

Most of these were near Fletcher, OH

This is near a Historical farm that was not open today

so I took pictures from a distance.

I wish I could have gotten closer on this it looks really unique.

Kiser Lake

Potty brake.

Was a great ride, explored alot of little back country roads.

2010-11-11T20:37:00.000-08:00

Have been out riding every day this week with the indian summer we are having. This weather is great, I wish it would last longer. Today Pat and I met and headed up to Waldo for that awesome fried bologna sandwich. We took the roads that hugs the river on the right side. Very little traffic, such a nice and easy going ride.

When we get to G & R Tavern it is packed, we have 2 groups in front of us. Hard to believe on a Thurs. afternoon. The couple in front of us offered that we could share a table with them. We had a very nice visit with them. Pat is great with strangers and conversation. After lunch we head north to check out a spot I had found on http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/10847 really interesting. I love the site. The last two pictures are of where a man was killed by a tree and buried in the exact spot. Such a strange thing to see, been there since 1833. We then head back on 257, nice road , newly paved with just a pleasant amount of sweeping curves. I off onto Fry Rd. and Pat goes on into Cols. Fun day.

Is this my last ride for the season?

2010-10-26T21:33:00.000-07:00

Well off for a ride by myself today. I turn off of Rt. 4 just outside of Mechanicsburg onto an awesome little road that is really hilly. The hills are peaked so you can't see what is on the other side. Reminded me of the bear went over the mountain. Was a bit scary because of how narrow the road was. I would love to go fast but not knowing if a cage is on the other side, I took them pretty slow. The sky was doing a number too. Kinda dark but yet not raining. I loved it. I hope this is not the last good ride for the season. Just never know.

Like this shot with the road in the mirror.

behind me

I took these pictures free handed. I could not find my mount. I don't enjoy doing this makes me ride slower, but can aim better.

Clark Lake

Mt Gilead State Park

2010-10-23T20:43:00.000-07:00

My nephew Austin spent the night last night and was hangin here today. So I thought it would be good day for a hike. We headed north to Mt Gilead, got there around noon so we had to find some eats before hiking. They did not have many places so we did Pizza Hut. Seem to take a long time for our order. But once it came it was good food, we ate, cleaned up and headed for the park.

The trail was lakeside trail, was to be about 2 miles. Was sprinkling a bit but we were not going to let that stop us. We came to a loop called Sam's Creek, I wanted to take it and Austin did not. I told him stay on the Lakeside path and then wait for me were my loop comes back to meet. Sam's creek was a nice added hike of .5 mile straight up a hill, really got my heart racing. Well when this loop came back around to the main path there was no Austin. Oh my, I had forgotten my phone in the car. Do I go back to the car? I called his name and wisheled for him, no response. If I go back to the car and leave him out here in the woods by himself. Wow I was starting to panic. Where was he!!! He is only 11 yrs. old what if he gets lost. Stupid thing to seperate. So I walk on in the direction we were headed and yelled every once in a while. All of a suden I heard the noise of a walking stick banging a tree. What a relief, he was waiting at the next loop. He did not see the first sign and did not remember the name, So we were glad to see each other and headed on around the lake. It got up to 70, nice day even though we had some rain.

2010-10-14T12:01:00.000-07:00

I had sent out an email to the WOW group to see if anyone wanted to take a ride to southern Ohio to do the Fall Festival of Leaves mapped out routes. Had two takers, one canceled and so it was just Susan and I. We meet at Der Dutchman and had cinamon rolls for breakfast. Thought we were going to be so close to Dru, I called her and she would like to join us. She had gotten the email just that morning and thought it was to late. We meet her in London and then head south on 38. When we got to Washington Courthouse we stopped for gas and the got onto 753. In Greefield we got on 41 took it till Upper Twin Rd. Was a great road with beautiful scenery. I just can't describe the enjoyment of taking a new back road that twist around and you have no idea what is around the corner. I love it. On this road we came up a steep hill and all of a sudden it opened up to where you could see for miles down a valley. We stoped to take pictures. Got to route 50 and turned right and headed into Bainbridge to get gas and lunch. We ate at Timbers, was ok nothing real special but was busy with home town atmasphere. Then we did our south loop which took us to Pike Lake, stopped there and enjoyed the lake for bit. Turned left onto Egpt Hollow Rd. There were protions of the road that were completely covered in leaves. Was awesome, but the road kept getting smaller and smaller, it was like hiking in the woods on a motorcycle. Eventually it turned into gravel, which was kind of scary because it was also hilly and curvey. This road came to an end at the top of a hill, my heart was racing, we turned right onto Greenbriar Rd. then to Jester Hill Rd. which took us into Bainbridge. So now we have one more loop and I hope there is no more gravel.
Straight thru Bainbridge onto 41 turn left onto Falls Rd. Left onto Rapid Forge right onto 50, left onto Cave Rd. Sure enough it turned into gravel, I stoped and asked Susan and Dru if they wanted to turn around, I thought by the gps we would have about a mile until we turned again, they were game to continue on. It feels so good after going slow on gravel to hit pavement and take off to normal speeds. We soon hit 41 and take it back into Bainbridge and then head for home. I think I got home around 5:30 but boy was I beat. Nice birthday ride.

Wapakoneta 10-10-10

2010-10-11T11:44:00.000-07:00

Went to church and grabed a quick lunch. Paul and I headed out about 12:00 on the bikes to look at farm machinery. Up to Richwood on back roads was beautiful out. Looked at Parrots driving around on the gravel parking lot. Then down Rt, 4 stoped at a farm house that had a disc out. I ate a crab apple while I waited on Paul. Just picked it up off the ground wow was it sweet. I think that is the first I have eaten one of them. Then we get a call that a guy had something up in Wapakoneta that Paul wanted to see. Was junk but any ways was a nice ride except for the wind was really bad. The gps directed us there on back roads. Took about 1.5 hrs. We got lost in Wapakoneta due to a detour, got that straightened out. Decided we did not want to go 33 back so we caught 29 and took it all the way to Urbana. Really good road to travel between Sidney and Urbana, lots of sweeping curves and hills. Grabed supper and then home. Landed about 6:00. I have gotten about 370 miles in this warm spell.

Exploration Ride/ Holmes County

2010-10-09T20:13:00.000-07:00

Got alot of little things done around the house before I left for my ride at 11:45, so a bit tired already.
I'm headed to amish country, plans are to go up to Millersburg and then ride a big circle up there, going thru the town of Charm. I have a nice ride to Millersburg leting the gps lead the way. Up to Delaware the normal way but then onto 42 north and then off on a little road to the right connecting to 521. Got gas and a snack, called Paul and then on thru Mt. Vernon (which was busy) to 36 then to 62. Millersburg is having a festival tomorrow so they had some roads blocked off. I get to the road 241, which I was to take and missed it so I went on to turn around and oh boy the gps had me turn down this little road that I am not sure if it was a road. It took me right into someones barn yard and apeared to go on but got really small and I think it became dirt. I saw many dirt roads up here, not gravel but dirt. Hard to believe that are so many yet in this day and age. I am going to look on google maps and see if I can find that road. Ok just checked, now I know I cannot trust this gps. The road stops there at that barn yard. So frustrating when trying to get back to a road missed that is when you really need the gps to get you there. ERRRRRRR

My date on my camera is a day off.

So I turn around and head back onto 62 into Millersburg and the road it wanted me to take was a small road that could not be what I was to take. So I pass it again. I relize that the real 241 was blocked off. I felt so frustrated with this whole thing I thought I will just head home. It was also about 2:30 or so, I headed out of town on 83 going north I thought it was headed west. Then I took Co rd. 1 west to 514, this was my favorite road all day. Plenty of hills with nice curves. Went thru the small town of Nashville. Any ways I got home about 5:45 I saw lots of Amish. One guy was just sitting with his team of horses in the field, must have been giving them a break. He smiled and waved. No other contact with anyone else. Did about 250 miles today.

Sept. 25 Athens, OH

2010-09-26T08:48:00.000-07:00

Laura and I contacted each other in the morning and checked out the net of what to do and where to go. We really enjoy hiking so we headed down to Athens to go to the Strouds Run State Park. We got down there around 12:30 and it was time to eat. Laura did college at OU so she knew of this great little spot with great chicken, Millers Chicken. Real small place that was constatly busy the whole time we were there. Very good and moist chicken, I heard so many gizzards ordered that after we had eaten I oreded a half of an order. Wow they were good. I brought them home for Paul to enjoy.
Now for the hiking, we get to the park and find the map. Well that did not look to hard, the trails were not named on the map except for 1 or 2 but we thought we could do it in about an hour or so. No need to bring the walking sticks with the compass, the trails won't be to ruged. Five minutes into it we relized those sticks might have been handy, we were headed straight up. We talked with a guy that said that we were about 1/2 way up and when we get to the top if we go left it would level out and take us back to the parking lot. We decide we will go right to see if we could find the scenic over look.

Well 2 1/2 hrs. later, after many spider webs, we are trying to figure out were we were headed. We both hate to back track so that kept us going forward. We took a path that we eventually relized it was a horse trail by the large droppings in the middle of the trail. So we finally caved into the whole thing of back tracking since the sun was starting to get lower in the sky and headed back the way we came. About 3 hrs. from the start, we are back in the car, drinking water and enjoying the air. Oh what fun, we survived!

September 21, 2010 Yellow Springs

2010-09-22T12:17:00.000-07:00

Susan and Kim met here at my house and we headed south to Yellow Springs. Was a bit chili but we were fine. I was to lead but sure enough I almost took off with a pair of sandles (which I didn't use) sitting on my saddle bag, that is exactly how I lost my rain pants. Thank goodness Susan caught me and I stuffed them away securely. So we headed out on rt 4, to 161, to Catawba Mutual rd. and then to 54 to the Speedway in South Vienna. There we met 3 more, Dru, Lynn and Margret. On down 54 to 41 to 42 then over by Clifton were we took 343 to 68. Was not a long ride but was nice and peaceful, with leaves falling into our path, very enjoyable. We pulled in around 10:15 and meet up with Carolyn and Lisa from Cincinnati (Susan and I had bunked with Carolyn at Hocking Hills). Carolyn rides a Shadow 600 and Lisa is on an Indian, wow that thing was cool. We did brunch at a small coffee shop and then walked around till the Cinci girls had to leave. Did a bit more shopping and played with hats, then headed to Young's Dairy for Ice Cream. We headed home by way of 68, Lynn and Dru broke off at 70, Susan and Margret at 161 and Kim and I came on to my house. We had a nice visit on the front porch sipping water and rocking in our chairs. Was a great day!!

September 17, 2010

2010-09-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

I have enjoyed sharing a part of my world of back roads and farm lands with friends. I had a friend come last week on Sept. 17 and we rode to Urbana for lunch at a wonderful little cafe, and then to West Liberty for Maries Chocolates. On the way there and back we pass through 2 covered bridges and drove by 2 others. We had a great time and the weather was beautiful.

Solo Trip to Ashville, NC 9-1-10 return trip 9-6-10

2010-09-16T17:05:00.000-07:00

I left at 6:45 am, heading south through London, Mt Sterling took 207 to Chillicothe and then 23 and 104, I had alot of fog in southern OH. Once I got into Kentucky I got off of the 4 lane road and onto more back roads, Rt.7. They were beautiful and fun, then I came to a road block which had a turn off to the left but it was so small and crossed a single laned covered bridge, seemed like a lane more then a road. I stopped, no signs directing for a detour.

A farmer came along in his truck and instructed me which way to go. I followed him and he led me out of it. I wish I had got off my bike and took pictures, it was like another world. I found a picture of the bridge on google, it is called Bennett Mill Covered Bridge. So I get back on Rt. 7 and sure enough again it was closed with no detour signs. I turned left but did not know where that would take me so I turned around and got back on 7 thinking that my next turn may be before the block. Well sure enough there was a little gas station and sure enough there was my farmer. We laughed and he told me how to get back on 23. I stayed on 23 until I got to Big Stone Gap, got off for gas and a break, bought some caffine and headed to a Jefferson National State park. Theses pictures are where I ate my lunch.

I took 23 the rest of the way until I got to Kingsport and wanted some more back roads. I stopped at a gas station and 4 different people came up to talk with me. They all asked where I was from and were amazed that I came that far alone. One women use to ride and taught herself how to ride by reading library books. Another old guy that was toothless talked with me for awhile. And then a sweet older lady who said her husband rides and she rides with him a bit, was picking up her cigarettes. And then a younger man came along and talked awhile and helped me with directions. They all complemented me on my bike and all had sweet southern accents. I really enjoyed that stop, was the friendliest gas station, on the corner of 23 and 224. I took 224 and then 93 was a great curvy, hilly country road.
So I finally get to my parents home around 5:45 and because I had driven the steep gravel drive last year I thought I could do it again but I did not know about the new gravel put on in Dec., OH MY. So I get half way up and I stop, my tires spin. I grip the brake and gather myself and try again. I go a little ways and my tires spin again. I freeze squeezing the clutch and the brake, I think what do I do now I try again and I start to go backwards and then I almost dropped it. Oh the images of my Shad sliding down the hill on his tank. I use every muscle and keep it up. Ok now my legs are rubber, I can't move so I lay on the horn. My dad comes up on the mower from the barn and my brother comes down from the house. Oh what a relief to have help, my brother climbs on as soon as I climb off and my dad and I help him turn around and he walks it back down to the barn and that is where it stays until it is time to come home.
My ride home was nice I rode 23 most of the way home. Katie, Laban, Renee, and the girls where behind me all the way even thou we did not travel together. They never did catch up with me except when we meet for lunch, was nice they could call me as I was driving with my blue tooth Scala rider set. I got home around 7:00 they came in about 1/2 hr. later.
Nice trip!!!!

Piatt Castles

2010-09-16T06:54:00.000-07:00

Rode with Susan and Dru to West Liberty to tour the one Piatt castle and then on to lunch at Sugar and Spice tea shop. We rode my favorite ride 287 there and then 245 back, fun roads. We got there early so we had to wait for them to open the gates. Was great to hear the history and stories of the family that built the Castles.

Then on to Maries candies for some chocolates. I think I had 4 samples, good dessert and of course we all bought some. I got to quit going there.

2010-08-25T17:00:00.000-07:00

Great day riding to southern Ohio

We got up early but did not leave until 7:00, went thru Mechanicsburg to London, avoiding 38 because of the chip and seal. From London we took 56 to Mt. Sterling and picked up 207 which took us to Chillicothe where we got on 104 then a small rd 3 Lock or something like that and then to 335. That was my favorite part of the trip(3 Lock and 335) constant hills and curves. So much fun. We got to the farm, to look at machinery, about 9:20 and did not leave until 11:20. I am thankful I have a camping chair on the back of my bike now a days, so I sat and read most of the time. It was a cloudy, fall looking day so it was not to hot to just sit there between the bikes. The farmer, Jason was a young, good looking man that has a large farm and no one to share it with. He is devoriced and has no children. Kinda feel for the guy. He seemed very nice and content though.

When we left there we took more back hilly roads over to Peebles and ate at a nice little place called The Village Inn. I really like the small dinners. Everyone seemed to know each other. When we left there we headed north on 41 which took us to 73. We stopped on the way to see where I use to live many years ago. Was back a long lane and the trees are hiding the house. We did not go back but we drove around the grave yard that was right across the street. Maybe that is why I have a thing for grave yards.

We went through Locust Grove. I would have liked to stop but Paul just kept going, he seemed to be in a hurry. We turned at 73 and took it north till we came to Serpant Mound. We walked around there and I took some pictures. Then back on the bikes and up to Hillsboro on 73, caught 62 to Washington Courthouse, then 38 to London and then home. In London we stoped for an Ice cream. We landed in the garage about 6:00. Was 287 miles. Great Day!!!!

Sidney, Ohio 8-22-10

2010-08-23T05:39:00.000-07:00

After church Paul and I rode to Sidney, by Rt. 36 to 29. Was a beautiful day with the high of 82. Paul lead the whole way and there was no need for the GPS, kinda nice not to have to watch that thing. We ate at a small restaurant called Clancys, they had all you can eat chicken. Our ride back we caught Rt. 47 there in Sidney and rode all the way back to a small town called York Center and took 739. We went by the chicken farms were Paul has hauled manure from. Then onto Raymond, we took Raymond Rd to Paver Barns, followed that to Collins and then home. We left around 1:30 and home by 4:30. Took awhile to clean off the bugs, lots and lots.

My solo trip, the Triple Nickel

2010-08-21T20:36:00.000-07:00

I would leave Logan at 10:00 am, after a great weekend with a bunch of other women on wheels. I got gas then I took off, I wanted breakfast but everything was crowded so I went on down to Nelsonville and stopped and got a breakfast burrito was good, had to go potty already. Then I head on, took 33 to rt 50 which turns into 7 then left onto rt 555. I loved the road, I think I smiled the whole way, surprised I didn't have bugs in my teeth. Great curves and hills with beautiful scenery. There was some gravel and surprise curves. I slid once and had one scary turn that I took to fast. It took me 1 1/2 hr. to finish but the last part I had to take a detour, which was a bummer. So I stoped and got gas and a sandwich and a Dr. pepper and water. Then found a place to eat under a shade tree by the hospital in Zanesfield. I headed up to delaware and then I thought I could go a different way, back roads but it just made it longer. I finally got back onto 36 and went thru Delaware and then home. Got home at 4:00 went straight to the shower, leaving the unpacking for tomorrow. Fell asleep at ten. Great ride, I hope to do it again soon.