Today may be the last ride of the season...Not!

It's a clear day in Michigan with little or no wind.  Still cold but supposed to get into the 60's later.  This may be my last day to ride before the "witch of November" arrives signifying the arrival of winter.  The predictions are calling for snow in the middle of the week.  I'll see if I can get any photos of the remaining colors.

We got the ride in and it was gorgeous.  Are there any sweeter words than your wife asking "is it too cold to ride?".  We only went about 40-50 miles but the weather was crisp but sunny and the fall air is full of the aroma of  cut crops, turned soil and burning leaves.  I love this time of year and with luck there will still be a few more rides to take before winter.  If not, then at least we didn't let this day get away from us.

After today the blog may go silent for long periods (sort of like being on patrol) but as I dream up anything I think is interesting I'll add it.

Don and Brian don't hesitate to add any "pearls" you may come up with. 

Safe riding; see you in Sturgis

Doc

The Doldrums of Winter

It's been raining here for well over a week and the temps are struggling to get out of the 40's.  Riding season is about over and the time between now and next spring will be measured in months, weeks, then days.  Over the winter I plan to make a few more modifications to my bike to be ready for the ride to Sturgis to meet Don, Bonnie and Brian.  I'll be adding a sound system and a safety light bar to my brake and turn signals.  I like how the 3 flashing lights get the "cagers" attention when you're stopping or slowing down.  Around here (Detroit area) you can't be too careful when out on the road. 
I'll probably also put some new tires on and maybe replace the brakes.  That should put the bike in top shape for the two major trips next year; Sturgis and Norfolk.

I still plan to play around with this blog a bit to "spice" it up but that will be on days when I'm really looking for things to do.  Maybe I'll see if I can add a "countdown" calendar to it.

Hope you west coasters are all doing well.

Outta here; there's coffee to be consumed

Note the license plate holder

In about a month the background will be snow covered; this photo was taken the first day we were snow free in 2010.
Looks like the photo doesn't show the license holder; it says "USS Skipjack SSN 585" on top and "Submarine Veteran" on the bottom.

I'm getting the itch to start packing it up and heading west.

Reporting for Duty

Needless to say, when I was invited to Breakfast at the Testy Chef, next August 1st, it took all of about three seconds to realize what was up.

Having known Don for the past few years, I am looking forward to meeting Fred, Doc, on next year’s adventure. I am honored to be riding with the two vets through some of the best motorcycle roads and beautiful country I have had the pleasure to ride in.

Although, with a couple of submarine vets, and my lack of standing in such a prestigious crowd, I have to hope that I do not end up as the sacrificial cabin boy. Though it would not be unwarranted I suppose.

But all kidding aside. I look forward to the trip with the two prior gentlemen. Bonnie, who I have known for close to eight years now? And enjoy every moment of it. I also look forward to seeing the Midwest crew I was fortunate enough to meet last year and share camp with.

Yes, will be my third trip back, and I already can’t wait. fluid levels are checked, and will be numerous times again before the trip.

Thanks for the invite, looking forward to the year of preparation. Just 297 days until opening ceremonies. Let’s Ride.

Having some fun with the photo options in the blog.  When I get my helmet camera I'll try loading some videos just to see how that option works

A Road Trip with the Diesel Doc

At long last, Doc and I will get some serious road-time together. I missed a lot of Doc's time in the Northwest due to pressing needs in the family but we are certain to completely tire of one another's company this time around! :)

My Sturgis memories are only a few months old and the last of the hail-stone wounds have finally healed ;) That last trip was my second and very different from the first. Trip three will be a new adventure with a slightly different cast of characters - yet many the same and it will be good for the soul too see them again.

Well Doc, here's to life on the road. Bonnie and I can't wait for that morning breakfast at the good ole Testy Chef just before we throw the kickstands up and fire up the big v-twins. Oh yeah... just found out last night that my very good friend and hockey teammate (not to mention Harley transmission specialist) Brian will be riding out with us - his third voyage as well.

Road trip anyone???

Time to survey the camping gear

Since it is going to rain for the rest of the week I think I'll amuse myself by breaking out all my camping gear and making sure I have everything I need to spend almost two weeks in a tent.
Doesn't take much to amuse a sailor

Loaded the campsite into my GPS

Now the Garmin Lady keeps telling me to "drive to the highlighted route"  Sure is tempting but I'll have to wait until next August.

The trip is on

Doc and Don in Seattle

Yesterday I got an e-mail from Don Gentry asking if I could make Sturgis in 2012 instead of waiting for 2013.  I wasn't sure if I could swing two big trips (I also plan to ride to Norfolk, VA for the 2012 Submarine Veterans Convention in September) so I checked with CinCHouse and she immediately gave the OK.  I think she wants me out of the house. 

Don and I first met via the internet somewhere between 8 and 10 years ago.  We are both former Submarine Sailors from the Detroit area.  Don is a youngster and I'm an old pharte but that doesn't interfere with our ability to relate to each other and get along.  We have a love for riding Harley's and reliving some of our escapades when we served in the Submarine Service of the U.S. Navy. 

I first communicated with Don when he had some kind of secret surgery that all Nukes get.  I'm not sure if they put a brain in or took it out; it's all that secret stuff they do so they can work on nuclear reactors and then return to the real world of non-nuke people.

As a former Navy Corpsman (also nuclear trained) I know I gave him great counsel on how to behave in the hospital, how to relate to the medical staff (particularly the nurses since I'm married to one) and how to handle the rehabilitation process.  He would probably tell you that the advice I gave him was out of date, not worth a crap and that as a nuclear trained, qualified submarine sailor, he could handle anything the medical profession could throw at him.  But, I'm in the Eastern Time Zone and he's in the West so I get to tell the first lie, I mean story.  He can tell his version when he wakes up and logs in.

We finally met in person last summer (2010) when I realized a lifelong dream and rode cross country from Michigan to the Pacific Northwest and met up with Don and a number of other former submarine sailors for some great riding, great stories and memories that will last a lifetime.  You can read all about that adventure on the Ridetothenorthwest blog.

Now we're going to do it again in 2012 at Sturgis.  Don has promised to show me some of the outstanding rides I missed when I passed through area last year but didn't allot enough time to see.

That's all for now; this blog will grow over the next 10 months as we continue to plan for the trip and culminate when we link up at the Katmandu Campsite near Sturgis in August 2012. 

Don will be bringing his girlfriend "Bonnie" who I had the pleasure of speaking with last night while they were preparing to make a batch of beer.  She sounds like just the kind of person to keep the young whippersnapper in line and I'm looking forward to meeting her.  Anybody who makes beer is somebody I'm going to be nice to.