99 All this for a tire?



March 24.  When we started on this winter trip some of our friends had questioned the condition of our front tire.  And now even strangers in grocery parking lots are making comments.  The condition of the tire, the comments of strangers and the thought that the last leg of our journey may involve snow covered roads, I decided to make arrangements for a new front trike tire.  We use a tire designed for the rear of a motorcycle for our front tire. The rear 

tire is designed thicker and with it on the front we can increase our mileage from the nine to twelve thousand miles to as many as twenty-five thousand.   There is a Bridgestone I like to use.  With our tentative travel plans in front of me I finally arranged for a Honda dealer in Memphis to order and install the tire when we arrived Friday at 1pm.  No more 100 mile wandering days like yesterdays.  Time to check out of our Chiefland motel room and get on the road.  

     We continued on Hwy 19 staying as close to the West coast of Florida as possible, I would like to give Ruthie the opportunity to walk the beach at lest one more time.   When we reached highway 30 we turned left toward the Florida panhandle.  Just outside of Medart we stopped for

lunch at Hamaknockers BBQ, very tasty and a nice visit with a motorcycling couple from Canada camping on St Georges Island.   Asking "what's in the area we need to see or should take a look at"  is how we are directed to some note worthy sites.  Today we decided to pass.  They told us if we took a loop thru Sopchoppy we could see the site of the worm grunting contest.  I think we will save that for some future trip. 

      We continued next to the Gulf checking once in a while for camping prices, a bit pricey so we continued on.  Soon we hit Apalachicola Florida, it had the look of a quaint little tourist town.  We checked out some of the local inns but it was obvious they knew the value of their trendy little town.  We settled for a chain hotel on the edge of town and wandered into the village to check it out.  We received a tip on a sea food restaurant overlooking the canal.  The view was nice however we had better fare at the Freezer.  It was a pleasant motel and only the second time we have been called to ask if we were pleased with our accommodations.  

Sign at a little Alabama country store,
pull your pants up!



    March 25  The next morning it was cool as we rode along the gulf, we stopped so Ruthie could have a walk along the beach,  with the wind and cool weather she wasn't to excited about it.  When we mounted the trike we decided it was time to start veering North.  Some where between Panama City and Fort Walton Beach we set the GPS on Philadelphia Mississippi.  For the rest of the day we fought a very strong side wind from the South and by evening I was ready for a rest. 

Casino Barge tied up. 

  During the evening I found a economy room at a Casino by Luna Mississippi.  It would put us in a good position to make our tire appointment at Memphis on Friday.  A little Casino information for you.  The casino is located adjacent to the Mississippi river.  To get around gambling restrictions some of the operators get away with it because of an old law that allowed river boat gambling.  The one we were at was on a barge that was on a bed of water connected to the adjoining hotel complex that was on land.  (who knows if there is actually water under the barge itself any more.)   The casino I worked at by Northwood Iowa was built in a corn field with a layer of water underneath it to get around the regulations.  I have heard that the laws have now been changed and they have drained the water.  We had seen storm clouds rolling in and it looked like we were in for a bad one,  During the night their were high winds, rain and even some hail, it was nice to be in a secure building.



Water was a bit cool, last day for sandals for a while.



    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Friday morning we packed up and headed out to the trike, they had been nice enough to let me park it under a covered entrance and with the high winds and rains we were very grateful.    As I drove the trike up to load it I missed a phone call.  Checking, I

 

found it was the Honda dealer informing me they didn't have the tire and didn't even know if it had been shipped.   They then told me they could have it Monday,  knowing that a lot of motorcycle dealers are closed Monday, I questioned him, yes they were closed Monday so I guess it will be Tuesday, (don't they even think before they talk). Okay I'm a little more than frustrated now.  The hotel let us stay another night (failing to mention that it was at an increased rate because it was now the weekend.) in my present mood it was probably better that I didn't find out until later.   One humorous moment while extending our stay for another evening, finding out where we lived the receptionist asked. "do you all have a summer up there??"   Back in our room I fired up the computer and spent the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon trying to find another tire.  I found my second choice a Michelin rear tire in a Memphis suburb.  Saturday the 29th it would be.   

98 Leaving TR

March 23. We are pulling out of Travelers rest with a couple of simple objectives.  1.Find out the source of the wonderful fragrance in the area and 2. Start working our way West and North getting in a position to make a dash for Minnesota if the need arises.
     Turning left at the Park gate we are going to stop at St Joseph and see if anyone is at the Kumquat growers.  Suggestions for the fragrance are  oranges, honey suckle or Kumquat's,  A small citrus about the size of your thumb, the peel is sweet while the pulp is sour for some reason you aren't suppose to eat the seeds, I wish we would have known that before we found the tree.   A couple of pictures a taste a smell of the fruit and the blossom and we knew we hadn't found the fragrance.   A few miles down the road we seen a produce stand surrounded by an orange grove.  Maybe we will find the answer here.  A & K Produce 14847 Matt Barthle Road, Dade City Florida had just recently opened for business.  Here the mystery was solved the owner a lifelong resident said it was the orange blossoms themselves that provide the fragrance they bloomt after the fruit has been picked.  A family business, there were dogs and children milling around.  I took a few minutes to sterilize a baby's nipple with a wet one I had in my pocket, now lets get on the road before I see him drop it in the dirt again.   Armed with a pint of strawberry's we hit the road again.   
     Over an hour and fifteen minutes and we are 5 miles from where we started.  We rode the rural Florida roads this is the kind of scenery we have been looking for, overcast but warm.  Farms and ranches, pastures with horses and cattle grazing.    We were traveling down Ponca De leon Blvd (98).  Our plan was to join Highway 19 and travel up the West coast of Florida.   Just South of Homosassa Springs we hit 19,  looks like now we can put on some miles.  There was a fruit stand across from the traffic light and Ruthie was still determined to get some kumquats.  No luck but after sampling melons and oranges we left with some more produce, no more stops.  I think she feels bad if she stops and doesn't purchase something,  Hope we don't stop at a furniture store, we had to rearrange to fit the oranges and melon.  Next door we filled with gas, when I returned to the cycle Ruthie was visiting with a couple and digging in the trunk looking for something.  I said " she's not getting out the slide projector is
she?".   Evidently she was going to show them some of Michelle's blinged out Bandana's.  The conversation jumped from one thing to another, from cycles to riding to children to riding and cycles and of course eating destinations.    Debra and Ken both rode there own cycle, hers was the same model Michelle had just purchased, a Harley Street Glide Special.  It reassured us that she liked it and was able to handle it.   With ride safe wishes we were on our way again.  Nice people!  Leaving them we talked about the destination they were heading for, a place called the Freezer and the wonderful shrimp they served.  I think he said they

Even the median had color.

went thru 3000 pounds a week.  Hard to believe but it sounded good to Ruthie.  I couldn't pronounce the name Homosassa, a little place right on the water.  We hadn't committed yet,  a few miles down the road I seen the turn on the left.  A quick decision as we passed it found the next place to do a U-turn and headed for the bay.   We never

Edith is showing remarkable courage
with Ruthie swinging that mallet!

seen a sign for the Freezer a couple of inquires and here it is at the junction of West Creek Lane and South Boulevard Drive.  Wasn't fancy matter of fact it was hard to tell it was a business.  Just outside they had a boiling pot going full steam.   It is an old looking dive maybe undergoing some construction, rumor has it that it was used by the Indians to store ice.   We seen Debra and Ken ( we are not stalkers,). They invited us to join them at their table, Fresh boiled shrimp, wings, snow crab and beverages, we had to try them all.  To crack the crab they furnish you with a wooden mallet, Ruthie used it to work out some frustration.  It

Ken and Debra

turned out to be a wonderful meal, every thing was great and the best part was sharing with Debra, Ken, Nelson & Edith (they had joined us at the table visiting from Arizona.  Maybe we will see them on a winter trip sometime.)    If we had a mileage goal for today it would be depressing, we had been on the road for almost three hours and had traveled about 37 miles.   On the way to the Freezer we had seen a unique ancient structure.  Stopping to read the information we found out it had been a steam driven sugar cane mill involving the labor of up to a 100 slaves. 
 Back on the road again we turned North pulling into Chiefland Florida for the night.    







  We have had many comments ( some negative) concerning our travel plans. Perhaps this snapshot of todays travel I posted on Facebook that day will clear it up.

B = 9:56 AM Left travelers Rest @ Dade City Florida

A = Search for information on Kumquat's , picture with tree. Sampled one (kumquat, not tree)) Stopped at produce stand looking for Kumquat's. Sterilized baby's bottle nipple, found out about Kumquat's, orange blossoms, monster trucks and produce. Purchased strawberries. Back on the road 10;40 AM  miles traveled 5

C = 11:29 produce stand looking for Kumquat's, purchased small sweet Mellon and oranges. Met Debra and Ken @ gas station next door. Discussed motorcycles, trips, families, bandanas and places to eat. Wished them well and said good bye. 12:19 PM miles traveled aprox 30.

D = Homosassa Florida, the Freezer tiki bar. Seen Debra and Ken ( we are not stalkers,). They invited us to join them at their table, Fresh boiled shrimp, wings, snow crab and beverages, great time.

Left 2:56 aprox 37 miles total traveled

E = 4:06 PM Chiefland Florida days end approx. 100 miles traveled.

Summary: In between points, Lots of great people, photos of old sugar mill, hills, valleys, beautiful trees and landscape. Now it should make perfect sense to everyone. Or maybe you have to be on a cycle to understand.  And we accomplished both our original goals.     As Debra said it was a perfect day

PS: It might take us a few extra days to get back to Minnesota  

97 Dade City FL



Our little Roll-a-home had served us well.

March 17^th 2014 

Sample plate?

     It looked like rain as we packed our 
belongings for the ride.  Michelle was heading back to Minnesota with a stop in Chicago to pick up her own new motorcycle camper.  Soon it would be hooked to the back of her new Harley street glide (now entombed in a frozen shop in Minnesota) and off on adventures of their own.  I had over heard bits and pieces of a two to three year motorcycle ride, we are all anxious to get on the road so I will curb my curiosity until we all have more time.  For now some hugs, well wishes and maybe a few tears and we all depart Nova campground.  We turned left on Nova road to stop by our new Burger King friends from the night before and see the campground they were so proud of.  Fred had gave us a good idea where they were located and we soon seen his big red tow vehicle.  He and Kathie had used it to transport new campers for the manufacturers.  Sometimes Fred would tow one while Kathie drove a motorhome,  seemed interesting, Ruthie and I could do that if we could tow the trike and drive it back from the drop off point. Might have to check into it.  It looked dark at their camper, but they were inside relaxing. Happy to see us they showed us their 5 th wheel camper, evidently their years of delivering recreational homes had served them well in their choice of RV's, laid out nicely this would be a comfortable get away.  They now took us on walking tour of Carefree RV Campground.  It is hard not to respond to enthusiasm and these two were full of it.  They had every right to be proud of their community, we seen the swimming pool, laundry and other amenities and met a couple of the neighbors.  The important things to us was there acceptance of our trike and little camper as both had been shunned at some of the other campgrounds.  It was starting to rain as we finished our tour and our hosts were doing their best to encourage an extension to our visit.  However we had rode in rain before and were determined to put on some miles. We had a plan now.  Head West across Florida to meet up with Paul and Mary in a Dade City RV park.   Before we had traveled very far the rain increased intensity, we had on full rain suits and were quite comfortable.  I’m sure people in their four wheel micro controlled environment speeding down the road look at us with pity, those poor miserable souls they must think.  Out in the cold and rain serves them right they could have bought a car.  Little did they know we were listening to our favorite music on our  XM radio and visiting back and forth on the helmet intercom system. 
Our vehicle equipped with cruise control ( not in use today due to the rain) weather band, CB, air control deflectors, AM, FM and lots of storage suited us just fine. (Contrary to some smart alecs we do not have air conditioning or a cappuccino machine.  At some point the rain became torrential and by now rain was seeping inside and we were getting chilled.  By early afternoon we decided we had enough and started looking for a motel for the evening.  The road dipped down under an overpass, the lower area had formed a pool, when we hit it a wave of water now soaked us from the bottom up.  We were now almost completely soaked and very cold, our radio no longer comforted us and automobiles meeting us were correct in their assessment of those two miserable people on the bike.  We found a room just outside of Lady Lake, moving our belongings inside we both took a very long hot shower and laid down to recuperate with the heat on high.  Evidently I rolled over on the TV remote, we woke up in a room warm enough to be a sauna, the only sound was Spanish speaking people, where was I?  It took a minute to realize I wasn’t in Mexico, reduce the heat and change the TV to an English speaking station.   Not wanting to uncover the bike to travel anywhere we took the receptionists advice and walked next door to the "Oakwood Smokehouse". There was already a line, after all it was St Patrick's day, they gave us a vibrator plate, while we were waiting we seen two places clear  

Mary Paul and myself in the garden.

at the bar and elected to eat there.  We felt like we had the best seats in the house.  The crew was amazing they operated like a NASCAR pit crew.  We could see the entire front kitchen staff.  They brought us drinks and asked if we had any questions.  When our server found out we had never dined there before he said just a minute and I will grab you a sample plate and he proceeded.to put a couple of rib pieces and a small sample of each side, it was amazing I have had entire meals that I didn't enjoy as much as this so called sample.  Of course we ordered a meal to share and tonight we splurged and had dessert.  I don't think we were in a hurry to leave,  Ruthie complimented the staff several times on their efficiency and team work.  Waiting for the weather front to move thru the area we stayed over relaxed and dined a couple of more times at the Smokehouse.  The only disappointment for us was finding out there are only four restaurants in this chain and they are all located in this county in Florida, guess we will have to return.

I apologize! RV roof repairs are necessary.
call a professional!
Maybe sunscreen would be in order.

     The nineteenth we were back on the road again.  The heavy rain we had arrived in had
camouflaged  the terrain of the area, we had heard it was a little more rolling over this way.  Our path took us past the Villages.  Originally a Mobile home community.  Evidently the promise of free golf for life had done the job, from a population of 8,333 residents in 2000 It is now the fastest growing small town in the world with 39 golf courses its own Hospital  and a age restricted retirement communities that has grown to surrounding counties.  It looked neat but perhaps a little to "Stepford" looking for us, maybe some day when we settle down.  They seemed to be enjoying themselves as they drove around in their decked out golf carts.  We were enjoying the ride, the tree lined roads comforted us and thinking about our reunion with our friends we had met at Stillwell RV on our 2012 winter trip to Texas.  As we turned down the road to Travelers Rest Resort the air was filled with a wonderful aroma, over the next few days we would fill our lungs and senses many times with it.  We even joked that we were in danger of hyperventilating.  The resort gave us the spot right beside Paul and Mary.  They were in a RV park that would allow us but it was a little spendy, I had seen a website for a campground a few miles away named Sawmill,  We stayed the one night at the RV park and the next day went to check out the other campsite.. Nice location, looked promising, two bars, heated pool and hot tub,  General store, why hadn't we heard about this one.  Stopping in the general store and office we waited our turn asked about rates and availability.   The fella behind the counter hesitated a little bit and finally said “you aren't aware that this is a gay and lesbian campground are You?”. 

Must be a community meeting.

  He said you are more than welcome but this weekend might be a little uncomfortable for you, it will be very busy with clothing optional and a special “fantasy fetish” celebration.  We rode back to Travelers rest, I think we will be comfortable here.   

Mary showing good form, Art the resident on the
right didn't say much but when he made a ruling
It appeared to us best not to dispute it.

  A few days later I received an email in response to an inquiry I had sent to the Sawmill a few days before our visit.   I thanked them for their reply.  Then mentioned that we were the couple on the trike that had stopped by.  I told them I couldn't think of a favorite fetish, they are all good with me.  So we decided to stay where we were.       After the lengthy stay at their home in Kansas last year I didn't expect to have much to write on this visit.  I don't think I will be foolish enough to make that assumption again.  It is always interesting around these two.  Since our visit they have sold there home and become full time RV"ers.  There were many amenities in this park, we made our way down to the snack bar stopping in the garden area for pictures (not the one on the roof)  a burger prepared and served by resident volunteers.  A band recital, a few rounds of competitive bocce ball we found Dee and Art  park residents were sticklers for rules, a Motown review in the community center and a glimpse of practically every interest group you can imagine.  Seemed like a nice place to spend some time.  And now some time with Mr Wiki and the lady, always interesting.  A sight seeing trip of the area all the while being educated about St Joe being the Kumquat capital of the world to orange growers spraying water on the groves to save the produce from freezing, he explained that the spray coats the oranges with ice and insulates them from freezing.
  I don't know, I have

Lisa and Tina

never found him wrong yet.  And then Mary prepared several wonderful meals in there new rolling home, including the best pancakes I have ever eaten.
      March 21st  Mary was planning on attending a sewing class by Orlando FL, it gave us a chance to take a ride.   We have been accused of trying to work to many things into our schedule, today would be no different we hate to miss anything.  We were on the trike early traveling thru the haze filled Florida countryside on our way to Tampa,  you almost expected to see a pair of large antlers loom out of the mist to complete the picture, no wildlife sightings this morning only farm animals
grazing in the their pastures.  We reached the Tampa suburbs as the freeways were starting 

Looks fast!

to swell with morning commuters on their way to work.  A  trip across the Howard Frankland bridge brought us to Largo our first goal today.     We were there to tour the Yelvington Trike factory and take a test ride.  We had met Mr Lavery the president at there display at Daytona bike week and wanted to find out more about their products.  Their main product was a trike conversion kit designed for midsized motorcycles and scooters.  Not willing to promote a product that we weren't confident with we hoped to see their manufacturing facility and test ride the conversions.  We were met by another member of the team, Mr Yelvington himself, interesting man, inventor and responsible for over 60 patents.  He became interested in trike design especially as a benefit to allow handicapped riders to experience the joy of riding.  He has restored antique yachts and Jaguars.  Hearing that he had spent two years researching and assembling over 40 trike conversion kits from different manufacturers it seemed like our trip here was unneeded.  However we had, and the more we seen and heard the more impressed we became.  The manufacturing was state of the art with computerized research and design, the Yelvington

Not sure if Mr Yelvington was aware this rider
had recently completed the NASCAR ride along,
165 miles per hour in a stock car and there were
rumors of her speeding.

team has done their homework.  While visiting a fun fact came out that we weren't aware of, a breakdown of Yelvington reveals that the (Yel) shows it's of Norwegian descent (a bonus for we Minnesotan's) and the ending (ington) tells us they were from England.   And now for the ride.  Having assembled trike conversions from six different manufactures ourselves and test riding every trike made available to us we expected a controlled and monitored ride.  We have had some test rides where they put you on a trike and you follow a rider or you ride around a parking lot.  Having rode over 400,000 miles on trikes most of them weighing in excess of 1200 pounds and with the conversion kit price averaging $13,000 we know what to look for and what conditions will bring out the weak spots.    The Ride: Controlled and monitored?  Not here!  Mr Yelvington had two trikes ready for us to ride, a Honda Silver wing and a larger Honda motorcycle trike. It was like someone handed me the reins of a reining quarter horse with the invitation give her a ride, I will be back in half an hour,  and ride we did!  You've heard the expression ride it like you stole it!  We rode them single and two up, We accelerated and decelerated sharply while weaving back and forth across a drain gutter.  I hit single wheel pot holes, I ran city streets while swerving in and out of driveway ramps.  And then braked sharply. 

     We were impressed!  The ride and steering,  stable and comfortable, braking was excellent.  I hope we have the opportunity to work with the Yelvington team and install some of these conversions.  Our appreciation to Mr Yelvington, we found ourselves recalling this visit often.  

     We had some time now before our next scheduled event.  A walk on the beach would make Ruthie smile so we headed West to the beach area.  On the way she casually mentioned if I seen a nail salon to let her know.  Well if Ruthie mentions it I try and make it happen.  Crossing thru Seminole I spotted the Salon Mark Hall she went in to purchase some polish while I waited patiently by the trike.   I still don't remember exactly he chain of events, I remember taking a picture of a shuffle board company across the street thinking it was a fitting place for it in Florida with all the retirees visiting here, all I know is we stopped to purchase some polish and a nail file and ended up with a manicure (Ruthie, not me) and pedicures for both of us.(my first)   A friend said they were revoking my "mancard" .  An enjoyable new experience, vibrating massage chair, glass of wine, hot water spa treatment for our feet, I joked that I was going to do it every 68 years, however I think on some future trip it just might happen again.  Afterward we continued on to the beach.  One of the disappointments on the West coast of Florida is the limited beach access.  I thought we might have to rent a room or buy some property on the coast to walk the beach.  Stopping at one of the restaurants on Gulf Boulevard before our beach walk we confirmed our dinner engagement for this evening.   I dropped Ruthie off at a beach access, marking it on the GPS so I knew where to meet her I went searching for a gas station.  I thought this would be an easy task but it turned out to take some time.  I returned to the beach and reconnected with Ruthie.  We thought we were leaving early enough to connect with Shari a friend from a Motorcycle forum. During our phone calls she had suggested we meet at Maggiano's little Italy In Tampa.  The ride over the bridge seemed to take forever, it crept along and at times stopped moving entirely.  We knew we were going to be late, however  our cell phones were useless laying in our tour trunk charging.  When we arrived and drove past the restaurant we heard a shout and knew she had waited for us.  A delightful meal followed, Shari had chosen well.  Originally from Canada she has lived in the Tampa area for years enjoying the riding weather down here.   We cherish these new friends we are able to touch bases with. 

Ruthie, Vern, Shari and her Harley.

     Back at Travelers rest we spent more time with our traveling friends.  Knowing we will be leaving tomorrow Paul's meal blessing meant to provide safe travels turned humorous as he uttered "please avoid Vernon".  After the prayer we all sat there for a minute and finally burst into laughter.  Sometimes it's just better not to try and explain.  Thanks for the thought, I think?  Evidently his avoidance prayer wasn't working as we had lunch at Beef 'O' Brady's in near by Dade City that night.  We were seated at a booth in the rear having a great time.  I reached for something across the table, as I pulled my arm back it caught my 78 once (at least) glass of coke, evidently the table was grooved forming a funnel directly to my crotch.  The entire contents coke and ice landed there.  I don't think I have ever chilled that fast.  Reminded me of a documentary I had seen on cooling packs for fertility cooling.    Uncomfortable I sat while the staff brought several towels to soak up some of the water and trying to decide if there was a way I could get to the front door without everyone seeing the problem.  Oh well, the food and company were great and tomorrow is another riding day. 

96 2014 Daytona Bike Week

     I apologize!  I find myself doing that more these days.  I try and balance the text with pictures however this time it was impossible.  If its any consolation there were over 300 to choose from.

Fifth Ave at night.

   After our sunset view was blocked by the Naples cruise boat.  We parked on 5th Avenue and looked at the shops and restaurants.  Dinner at an outdoor café "Bellini on Fifth".  The waiter impressed us with his command of the Italian menu until we found out he was from Ohio.  He said he had worked at many expensive Italian restaurant's in San Francisco and picked up the dialect.   We inquired if we could split a meal, no one seemed to know, evidently they don't do that a lot in expensive restaurants.  Well we will be the first, we took his advice and ordered a dish with rigatoni.  Very tasty, we will have that again.  When we had finished, yup, all of it, he commented how it was refreshing to see someone clean up there plate.  When he worked in San Francisco he said people would order multiple entrées take a few bites and then leave them, made him sick to see the waste.  After dinner we continued looking at the shops and lights, a pleasant evening for a stroll.   One of the stores I took note of was Hinckley Yachts, we don't see that much back home. 
 March 2, 2014. We bid Naples farewell and started our trip back to Daytona Beach, we were going to meet our daughter Bandana's by Michelle to help with her booth at Bike week. 

Gary and Betty let us use the guard chickens for the night.

   We stopped at our pioneer friends Gary and Betty by Polk City.  Another fun evening with them, There seems to be a lot of laughter when we are around them.  Because of park rules I cannot disclose where we slept that evening, however we did set up our little camper.
  The next morning we took off for our rendezvous with Michelle at Nova Campground in Daytona.  Michelle had to drive for 17 hours straight to get in front of the blizzard that was heading East across the Midwest.  Traveling in her car this time, I think she had every square inch filled with supplies including her vendor tent.

By Disney world, even the
Power poles look like
the little fella.

  We stopped at a Roadside Tavern advertising  5 buck burgers and beer, soon someone had noticed Michelle's blinged out bandana she was wearing, with Ruthie and Michelle now selling Bandanas  I figured over the next two weeks I would probably forget how to talk.  Settled in our little camper we spent the next couple of days getting the permits necessary to sell in the City $600, sat up her booth, five hours, lots of work and detail, Michelle likes it perfect. 
We drove down Main street to get a look before the street gets jammed with motorcycles.   We seen Daytona start the transformation, large production stages and shelters, some looked more like buildings,  local merchants moved out of their stores and vendors moved in for the duration of bike week. 
     With the transients, homeless and opportunists that show up at large gatherings the area local merchants

Michelle (center) with friends

Complete makeover, $80,000 and 9 months!

suggested that we keep an eye on Michelle's booth after hours.   I decided to spend the nights in it, armed with an air mattress with a broken pump, electric blanket and hot chocolate  I crawled under the flap.  I was able to get a little air in the mattress before the battery gave out.  I though it would give me some cushion and gave it a try.  Not even close, kind of reminded me of a hot dog in a bun with me the hot dog resting on the cement and the bun up in the air.  Now lung power, it was close to eleven before I got the mattress blew up enough so that I had some cushion between myself and the side walk,.  Noise, voices screeching tires Harley exhaust and around 4am I believe garbage trucks,  I decided to get packed up and wait in the car for daylight.

David and "The Shack" We had the
Pleasure of meeting the family!

It didn't take me long to find a place that served hot chocolate to warm up with.  "The Shack" a pleasant little oasis on wheels with all kinds of good things.  When we finally got some warmer weather we were introduced to their smoothies.  Delicious and refreshing.  Their friend Mike from the "Jesus surfed apparel shop" helped out in the stand once in a while and took my picture when I filled up my frequent flyer card,  He called me Bandana's by Michelle's Dad.  Nice people, they helped make the rally an enjoyable time.  




Gives the term "flying Nun" a whole new meaning.

      Bike week preparation continues with food tents showing up to feed the hungry multitudes.  The large manufactures show up with their semi-trucks  and professional set up crew, this is their profession setting up for large gatherings and following the rally schedule for the year.
    I slept in the booth for two days until the promoter's security guard armed with a canine unit replaced me.


My replacement,
Security canine unit, "Harley"

   Daytona bike week was a spin off of motorcycle racing event held here in 1937, today as many as 500,000 motorcyclist's may attend.  It started out as mainly a guys trip and get together.  The ladies are now showing up in large number some as co-riders and many riding their own cycles.  With any large gathering their are some negative's,  I remember one year by the second day there were fifty Harleys stolen.   And this year there were fifty trauma admissions with four fatalities.

Ruthie liked this Bagger, $150,000 anyone?

      Now that Michelle's bandana booth was ready for patrons we settled in for the event.  We have the perfect spot for viewing.   Practically every bike will come by this corner on their way across the bridge or they turn and go down Beach street.  Since you are already aware of the stock cycles you see every day on the highway, I decided to describe and show some of the extremes.

      Most of the bikes going by carry some modification to express the individuality of the owner.  With Harley Davidson the most prevalent the majority of them having loud to extremely annoying exhaust pipes.  On this

corner they seem to love to twist the throttle as they move down the block.   The trail bikes have an annoying little ring to them and the crouch rockets sound like a chain saw that is on the verge of blowing up.   Looking out I see a cross country bike, lots of ground clearance you can ride it down the highway or leave the road and travel a dirt path thru the woods, they usually have square metal carriers to carry their gear, one even went by with a extra tire, just in case.  A Gold

Wing  (I try and point them out to my neighbor.) goes by with a couple dressed alike.  Most of the riders are wearing black, lots of it and leather.  Some with vests sporting pins and badges from the rally's they have attended.  From just adding chrome or something shiny, we have the modifiers who with welders, tube benders and paint artistry, create some amazing machines,  one that went by had a 30 inch front wheel and when parked lowered itself to sit right on the ground.  The owner had passed on $150,000 to sell it.  If you buy the beauty beside it you have to sign a waiver that you aren't going to ride it.   The rally draws the extreme.  The first day I seen the token half naked fat guy on a Harley ride by,

Trivia, what do you call the pooch's eye protection?

his belly resting on his gas tank.  It was far to chilly to be riding like that, If it was fall he would be the one you see in the football grandstand using his frostbitten chest as a billboard to support his favorite team.  Fifty degrees feels a heck of  a lot colder than it does back home. (more hot chocolate please.)



Lots of riders carry little friends, some
Are large enough to occupy the rear seat.

A V-8 automobile engine.

Helmets:  half, full, closed face, flip shield.  Some painted to match the bike, airbrushed with beautiful scenes or perhaps a skull, they seem popular here.  Some call them event or rally helmets and glue some antlers, horns, fur, any thing to be unique.

Parrot?

One with antlers on his helmet had decorated his cycle to look like the rear of a deer it made quite a site with it's white tail in the air.   Spikes will work for anyone.  I still don't understand the little broom glued to the top.  Female helmets, lets add a suction cup blond pony tail or perhaps one on each side and instant pigtails.   Something

Hand made event helmet.

you are starting to see more helmet mounted camera's to record your trip especially if you ride alone.  Other wise it is the co-riders duty to record the trip.  One couple went by and she had her tablet recording the trip, didn't seem to convenient.       Guy riding a motorcycle with two ladies on with him.  Rider dressed like a banana, a hamburger.
Three wheels, the standard trike, the backwards one with two wheels in front and one trailing.  Engines, some are so quiet you aren't sure they are running, some are huge, boss hoss's are big this year, a large V8 engine on a cycle or trike, one was 385 horsepower and I heard a rumor of one that was 1000 horsepower, where will it end?
     The riders: they may be a professional and have responsibilities back home, but here they are a rebel. Lots of facial hair, mostly grey, interesting to see it split in the middle and blow back in the wind as they ride.  Handlebar mustaches, face masks protecting from wind and sun.  Some look like skeletons.  Hope they remember to take it off before going in the post office.  How about the large group sporting kilts. (keep your legs clear of the hot pipes or you'll be sorry)

     Rear seats: some plush recliners like the gold wing with a speaker on both sides and maybe add an armrest for comfort, some just a small cushion big enough to call a seat, and then the extreme.  I have heard the small ones described as wrapping a towel around a 2X4 and then sitting on it for an hour.  On the stretched out chopper types it may be just suction cupped to the rear fender so you can remove it for show. One I seen 

No comment!

was about the size of a bar of soap with the young lady hugging her driver to keep from being left behind.  I'm afraid some of the young ladies didn't pass the mom inspection before they went out for the evening, remember you are representing this family young lady.  Oh well, it makes a great show.

No dog sitter available?

     I don't know if it was the cool weather, the economy or just the times, the vendors didn't do well this year.  Some of the food vendors didn't earn enough to pay their set up fees and closed down early.  It was great being with Michelle in her booth, she works very hard.   It was an interesting couple of weeks although it seemed like a month.   Jim in the booth next door made it interesting as he was selling his "Cyclone blowers" , he had his personal cycle on display and used it to demo the blower to dry the cycle, wet it down, dry it off, repeat.  (an embarrassing note: Michelle told me later it took about 10 seconds to blow up an air mattress with a cyclone she took back to Minnesota with her.  I had a tent 

Ruthie moonlighting next door with Jim,
evidently the bike wash ladies were on a break.

full of them next door and I blew mine up the old fashioned way. Pity poor light headed me!)  When he was on some of his information gathering missions (some may call it gossip) Ruthie and Michelle pitched in to sell his blowers.  Some times when he was gone the passerby's would use his poor hapless demo blower in lewd ways.  All types of people here!  With time on our hands sometimes we might have gotten a little out of hand, I was accused of pole dancing and Jim tried to get Ruthie to take the bikini wearing wash girls place while they were on break.  A good neighbor we called him the social butterfly, before we left we all went to Caribbean Jacks to eat.   Nice spot we had dinner in swinging glider booths.     One night we took Michelle to the Ocean deck, we had bragged about the great rice dish, unfortunately they had changed the recipe.  It was still fun.  When we entered a lady started yelling across the restaurant "It's Bandanas by Michelle" over and over again.  It seems she had
purchased some of her bandanas in Texas and was excited to see her there.  It's fun traveling with a celebrity.  We had noticed several people that had sought out her booth just to see her, kind of fun.   However the best part at the restaurant was a dialect snafu.  Michelle had recently  had a beverage that had Rum Chata and root beer, she said it tasted just like a root beer float.  Okay we will have one.  Michelle to waitress "Do you have Rum Chata"?  (in what we have been told is our northern accent, although we swear we don't have one.) Waitress, in her deep Mississippi draw "No, we have Clam Chaa".  



Got the heat press going, might as well bling some Bandana's!

     We had a couple of visitors our selves, Harveyletsride from the motorcycle forum, a

Antique john Deere ice cream maker

friend of Charles and Joyce form Midland Georgia and Dale (the photographer) and Leigh Ann.  It was good to see all of them.   I walked around with Dale and Leigh Ann to show them the sights.  As usual his photography was amazing.  On our tour I pointed out the little motorcycle trailer that had lettered on it's rear "I go where I'm towed."  Cute!  We spent some time at the "Zack's Poppin Johnny Ice Cream" they had rigged an old John Deere "popping Johnny" to provide the power to churn home made ice cream into a delicious treat.  Later we went out to dinner with them.

  With vendors leaving early Michelle made a decision to wrap it up on Saturday so we could do something fun on Sunday before she went back to Minnesota.  We spent 5-6 hours packing and dismantling her wares.  The next morning Michelle rented a Harley and the three of us rode to St Augustine.   Michelle fell in love with the area immediately and pledged to return.  We met 

Even the money man
showed up, I think he was
interviewing for "Gecko"

Not ours, probably the reason for the
Noisy nights

two of her friends from the vendor circuit from Arizona at a bar and grill.  They had picked a great meeting place.  They had a local 3 piece band that rocked, one of their members played a washboard, that he had adorned with all sorts of musical accessories. 
 

Tammy, Larry and Michelle in St Augustine!

     The last night in Daytona, Michelle rode the Harley off to say good by to rally friends and we tried to find a sweet treat before we headed back to the campground.  We had given up on McDonalds, they sucked us in with their wonderful chocolate (of course) dipped cones and then they stopped carrying them.  Bummer!  We stopped at Burger king in Port Orange and I went in to check on treats.  When I came out a lady was standing next to the trike and a man was laying underneath the trike.  How does this happen?  I leave Ruthie alone for two minutes and strange things happen.  Turns out it was Fred on the ground trying to look at the trike suspension (guys do that) and Kathie.  When they found out where we had been camping they turned up their noses (in a nice way and I might add rightfully so) and told us about "Daytona beach carefree RV" where they were staying.  They were so excited about their experience they tried to get us to come over that night and look around, 

Uno

and besides there was a ice cream shop close to them.  However the long week in Michelle's booth had taken its toll and we took our little ice cream treat back to the campground and told them we would try and stop on the way out of town tomorrow..    The Next morning we packed up to leave the campground.  Due to the noise in the campground we were a little sleep deprived.  We had seen everything imaginable this week and I had pictures of the majority of it.  I had once thought I had a picture of vehicles with four, three and two wheels and then I seen our camping neighbor, my photo journal is complete, out came the unicycle.     Goodbye Daytona, it was fun, it was interesting, it was noisy, we met many nice people, we met a few on the edge (compared to where we are) There may have been a couple that had actually fallen off the edge.  Lots of memories,   Michelle is on her way back to Minnesota and we have a general idea where we are going.