First Day of Bike Week

After a delicious breakfast Rachel cooked for us, Billy and Bonnie packed up to move over to their timeshare in New Smyrna Beach. Billy loaded his bike in the trailer and Rachel and I followed on our motorcycles. New Smyrna is approximately 50 miles from the campground. Since they were not able to check in until 4:00 o'clock, we all rode over to Deland for Bike Day and walked around there. We met up with Lois and Russ Hendershot. We left them and had lunch at Firehouse Subs. For dessert, we had some very expensive homemade ice cream - $5 - which I didn't think was all that great. We shared the ice cream!

We left Deland and headed over to Daytona Beach. Daytona was just as crowded as Deland, if not worse. We rode down Main Street which is where all the action is. It was mobbed, both on the sidewalk and in the street. There was no way I could walk in that crowd. It was hot and crowded and, at one point, my motorcycle started to overheat and stall. We decided to leave and go back later in the week in the morning before it gets too hot.

About 4:30, we decided to call it a day so Billy and Bonnie could go back, check-in and get settled. Rachel and I got back to the campground around 5:30.

Temperature was 80 and we rode about 150 miles. Tomorrow, the weather is not going to be too good. There is a storm coming through and should be gone by the afternoon.

2009 Bike Week

I arrived at Rachel's around 3:00. Rachel wasn't home from work so I did some last minute preparations for the trip - my nails! Dante and Maggie did not make it easy for me to get much done because they wanted to play and go in and out of the house. Around 4:00, I was going to go over to G-E but thought I might pass Rachel on the way home, so I decided not to. She did get home around 4:30 and had to pack! We did get everything done and packed - ahead of schedule! Around 6:45, Roger came over to double check that everything was hooked up and the bike was tied down. Everything was good and we were on the road by 7:30 p.m. for our 17 hour drive to Florida.

The ride was uneventful - long but uneventful. We had no traffic, smooth sailing all the way. The only stops we made were for gas and potty stop! Rachel did all the driving except for 2 hours when I drove. She does not make a good "passenger"! I dozed about 2 hours on and off.

Around 10:00 a.m, we stopped at a Cracker Barrel in Florida for breakfast. We felt much better since that was the first real food we had since we left. We just snacked all night!

We arrived at Parramore's Campground at 12:00 noon - 16 1/2 hrs. later! Billy and Bonnie were really happy to see us and, I'm sure, very relieved. Parramore's is located in Astor in the Lake George State Forrest. It is a really nice campground.

After we settled in, Billy, Rachel & I took a ride on Billy's boat on the St. John River over to Lake George. We went looking for the 12 ft. alligator Billy saw when he was fishing. Of course, it was no where to be found.

We decided not to do any riding today since we had been up all night. So, we went to dinner - in the Suburban - to "The Garlic" restaurant in New Smyrna Beach. The atmosphere and food was great. It was a garage convert to an Italian restaurant - really neat.

When we got back, we just relaxed and were in bed by 9:00 p.m. Boy, did that bed feel good.

Hallelujah! I'm out of the office until March 10th. Now it's all about rest, relaxation and RIDING. I am so looking forward to the time relaxing in the "motor home" at the campground. It is just so peaceful sitting around the campfire drinking a glass of wine. The only time I get to camp is when I go with Reen and Al once a year. We sit around the campfire drinking wine/beer and making "s'mores". Now, that's an experience - especially trying not to drop the chocolate or marshmallow in the campfire! I would love to retire, buy a camper and leave it parked at a campground - but Bill does not enjoy that lifestyle. He does not find it relaxing.

Anyway, I'm going to pack my car now and head up to Rachel's. I'm ready to roll - "on the road again" ... !

Well, I'm all packed and ready to go and I am definitely taking to many clothes - I do that all the time. The weather should be warm for the weekend but will be getting cooler during the week. Not that I'm anxious or anything, but I plan to work a half day tomorrow and be at Rachel's around 3:00. She will be working to 5:00 but I'm sure she'll be home before that! I'll get my stuff loaded in the Suburban, check the motorcycle in the trailer. Hopefully, the battery did not die and it starts! The motorcycle has been there since the end of October.
We should be on the road around 9:00 p.m. - right after Survivor - and at the campground around 2:00 p.m. on Friday ... "God willing and the creek don't rise". Daytona Beach here we come!

Getting Ready

I'm leaving for Bike Week on Thursday night. Rachel and I plan to leave around 10:00 p.m. and drive straight through to Astor, Florida. We will be trailering my motorcycle with Billy's Suburban. Towing is a new experience for both of us and I'm sure we will be fine - our Guardian Angel will be riding with us.

We will be meeting up with Billy and Bonnie who are already there. They went down February 1st with the motor home and Billy and Rachel's motorcycles. On Saturday, they will leave to go to their timeshare at New Smyrna Beach, and Rachel and I will stay in the motor home.

I spent today trying to figure out what clothes to take. The difficult part is its cold here and I'm trying to pick warmer clothes. I HATE PACKING! I know I'm taking too many "just in case" clothes.

Mary Abraham

This has been a very difficult weekend for me. On Friday, I had gotten word that a Motor Maid friend - Mary Abraham - was aboard Continental Flight 3407 that crashed into the home in Buffalo.

I had the pleasure of spending some time getting to know Mary at the 2008 Motor Maid Convention in Indianna. Mary was a Red Ribbon - her first convention. She was a very vibrant, outgoing and funny person. Her enthusiasm for motorcycling and the Motor Maids was very evident. Even though I only spent the week with her, she made you feel like you knew her forever.

Rest in Peace, Mary.