The NORFLOK AND WESTERN brought the beautifully restored 611 up to Strasburg, PA for a few days.  This classic locomotive was built in 1950.  
611 was in service until 1962 when it moved to the Virginia Museum of Transportation.  Final resteration was done in 2013.  611 is the only serving locomotive of the production run.

Please remember to  help support this blog by purchasing original photos at the photography site - click the "button" on the right; or make a donation.  
​Thank you.

DAY OUT WITH NORFLOK & WESTERN 611

Life is a journey fought with joy and sorrows.  My absence from this blog is because of the sadness in
losing my beloved Linda earlier this month.  It was almost a years battle with cancer.  With Gods Grace I will be on the road again soon.  I invite you to travel along.  

If you are a reader of this blog you remember I ordered a Leisure Travel Van back in March,  Thought it would be a great way for us to see the Country. I did have a similar RV in 2007 and indeed was great.
Linda's quick decline forced the cancellation of the LTV.  Don't know if I will step up to the plate again.
I mean RV ownership can have an advantage in camping where you wish - boon docking in particular.
But let us explore the financial reality of ownership.  The LTV I had on order was $162,000.  In rethinking the commitment to buy PLUS the added expense in maintenance; I looked at what that cost is compare to hotels - fine hotels.  Not Four Seasons, but rather comfortable hotels.  For the cost alone of the LTV that equaits to over 1,000 nights.  And NO up keep.  Long hot showers, room service and all the rest that goes with a fine hotel.

Still reeling from the loss; but looking forward to continued adventures - 
​Cervantes  might say: "Sancho, my keys!"
​So stop back and see where the road leads us.

God Bless and go hug your loved ones!

The Honda Super Cub. 2019.  The most produced motor drive vehicle in the world - over 100 Million sold since first appearing in 1966.  Amazing!  Honda brought back the Super Cub this year in a limited run.  Upgrades include the engine is now 125cc and electric upgrades such as push button start.
Now it is a bit quirky, having ridden motorcycles for well over 42 years and logged over 300,000 miles; there I sat upon the little red seat, depresed the shift lever and nothing - nothing - it wouln't go!   Ahhhhh, that's right all the way down, where 1st should be is neutral!  Shift pattern is up!  OK, got it!

​As a reader of this blog you have noticed I was considering the Super Cub; but really love my Indian. Just did not want to drag around a trailer all the time.  Well, took the leap and bought the Honda simply to have both worlds.  Hang it on the back of the RV when it arrives later this year. And occasionally drag the Indian on a trailer.

Really bought the Super Cub, not only for the connvinence of being able to carry all the time - you know to pop down and get a bottle of wine or a pizza while camping, but to ride some tails too.
The Indian is purely a "Pavement Princess".

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Not the roughest trail, but one the Indian would never see.  Do look forward to riding the little bike on the trails around Silverton. Colorado.  Done those many times with the R1200GS rig.  MOab too.  I took the 4Runner up Shafer Canyon Trail; won't have the same "pucker factor" riding the Super Cub!

Below, overlooking the town of Silverton, Colorado.
Late this season, or next Summer, will go back out and
run the Super Cub up to Animas Forks and take Ophir Pass over to Teluride for lunch.

​If you have never been to SW Colorado, you really must go.  Search this blog to see many articles on the area.

I don't know about that; but it is a bit of a "pucker" driving it.  On a motorcycle don't believe it quite as
intense.  In the 4Runner there were times you could only see the drop off at your right front fender (going up)   I mean know idea where your tire is relitive to the edge!  Also should you encounter a vehicle desending there are few places to pass.  YIKES!

Last weekend the Rotary Club sponsored a benefit Car Show and open to Motorcycles as well.
Beautiful day and weekend.  Here are a few photos of the car show.  Perhaps two hundred cars were on display

I recommend getting the "Storm Bag" for it gives you all the room to carry the chair and the "Leg Extensions"; and I do suggest you get the Leg Extensions.

Additionally you can have your chair monogramed.
KERMIT CHAIRS  are available in five colors and  proudly made in
​the USA!

​Sunday was beautiful and cool. Thought I'd putt the Amish farms.

As a frequent visitor to this blog you have noticed I have taken a hiatus from posting.  We have been dealing with a medical issue that hopefully is going to be in remission.  I ask you to be patient for the
road trips will once again begin in October with the addition of an LEASURE TRAVEL VAN -Murphy Bed.  This will allow us to travel short trips and Lynn will have the comfort she needs.

So now we  await the arrival in October.  Below is what it looks like.  Just not the colors I choose.

The 4RUNNER; will be missed.  Loved it. Would go anywhere!  LTV will, however, be a welcomed change. No more tent camping.  Done with that!  These bones and bad knees don't do well getting down on the cold hard ground, and squeezing into the Runner was uncomfortable.  Below you can see it did have all the "conveniences" of a motorhome - "kitchen",  "bathroom", "bedroom and refrigerator"

Video below, from one of my favorte musicals, kinda sums up how I feel:

 

But in the end, I do so love my INDIAN and HANNIGAN Sidecar.  So will have an aluminium trailer built and "drag" it around.  

Hope you all had a Blessed Easter.  I attended church and then because it was such a beautiful Spring day, had to go for a putt around the neighborhood.   I believe the best time to ride is early Spring and Fall.  Perfer temps in the sixties.  Today was such a day.  

This isn't much of a blog post; but I hope you enjoy the ride.  Looking forward to this years travels.  So
stop back often.  The next planned trip is to the WARBIRDS AIR SHOW  in Virginia Beach.  Go every year - if not raining.  Last year it rained.   This years show is May 17 - 19 - VIRGINIA BEACH MILITARY AIR MUSEUM.  Always a great time!

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Stop by my photography website to see more aircraft and so much more.  If you like buy a couple to help support this blog.  Thank you.

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Then this Jackass wanted to see my ride....

Unfortunatly I left without the intent of photographing anything; but it was such a beautiful sky I did.
The photos above were shot on the IPhone 10 and are not bad; however the video below is HORRIBLE!   Best to view on a smaller screen.  Time to change to an Andriod.  

The March 3/4 storm that brought so much devestation to Alabama. Georgia and elsewhere brought us only about six inches of snow and by mid-morning the sun's radiant heat warmed your back and melted the snow off the driveways and streets.   Left just beauty.

The photo above was the evening of the 3rd.  snow just beginning to fall.  There was already a few inches on the ground.  Weather report indicated we may get wholloped.   Turned out we didn't. 
​I, though did not know that and was up at 5AM ready to "plow through the snow" and get some photos.  Sun rose around 6:10.  I could already see the snow was only about six inches.  The streets plowed and glistening.

I fed the pride - have six cats -  tossed down a cup of coffee and left.  Drove the immediate area around my home.  Not much of an adventure; but was a pretty drive.

The 4Runner in front of Rockford Plantation.

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Drove around the park where the "Plantation" is located. Then out "Amish Jagger".  And found a couple of buggies.   Also  a heard of about eight deer.

After this snow we are seeing very cold temps.   I can't wait for the warmth of Spring to arrive.  Break out the motorcycle and seek out the next "adventure".  So do return and find some more interesting places, great resturants and hotels.

Can't wait to roam about after being couped up for a rather boring Winter.   Come on Spring  -  it's time to hit the trail!

Above my BMW R1200GS with a Freedom Sidecar
Below, my current ride, Indian Chief  Vintage and a Hannigan rig.

utilitarian too.  Sure you can ride with three people on board; or you can carry a bunch of stuff in it.
Make yourself very popular by bringing that keg of beer to the camp site. 

As stated in previous postings here, the R1200 GS was an adventure rig - it would go anywhere.  By contrast the Indian rig is simply a "gentlemans" rig for this only sees paved roads or hard packed dirt. and the adventures are fine hotels and dining.

At any rate. should you ever think of a sidecar rig; ran across this excellent video today.  Helge Pedersen is a world class world rider!  You can find more about him on the web and Youtube.  So sit back and enjoy this presentation:

Hoping you all have had a Blessed Christmas and will have a wonderful New Year!

Now we are soundly into the New Year Looking forward to the adventures that await.  Discovery of new destinations, food, and hotels and camping.  Will also return to a few of the favorite.  The decision will be to take the motorcycle or the 4Runner.

Currently there are no trips planned until later in the year.  Locally the weather has been fine; however the lack of snow and the trees being bare present a flat and boring photo opportunity.  So we shall wait.  Thinking of going to DAYTONA BIKE WEEK, in March; but we may be experiencing snow then.  Have made my resovations for AMERICADE in June. 

Will be attending the WOODEN BOAT SHOW in July at Mystic, CT.  Should you wish to attend this event it is held at MYSTIC SEAPORT and that is a wonderful place to visit.
​Below is the link to the WOODEN BOAT SHOW:

Mystic Seaport

This year  hope to get back the the VIRGINA MILITARY AIR SHOW in May.  Last year it was rained out.  Keep your fingers crossed.  May is the World War II aircraft and in October step back in time to'
World War I.   If you search the blog you can see the videos and information on these air shows.

No idea, other then above, what adventures my be in store this year.  perhaps back West.  I am always drawn to Monument Valley and SW Colorado.  Perhaps back to Jackson and beyond.  Photo below is my BMWMOA "PEAKS ACROSS AMERICA " back in, I believe 2006.  From Boise, ID to Vermont.  Photo below was a stop in Jackson Hole, WY.  This ride was about 6.300 miles in two weeks.  Great trip!

So this year join me for  great destinations, fine dinning, and great hotels.

MADONNA INN, San Luis Obispio, CA was one of the more unique fine hotels. Each room is a different decor:

Near the Four Corners                                                 Road to Rico, CO                                                        Road to Rico, CO
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Anytime is a great time; however Fall is spectacular!  Colorado's MILLION DOLLAR HIGHWAY located on CO 550 between Silverton and Ouray is truely a must drive or ride.  I have done it many times both driving and riding. Will do it again.  

As you can see here snow is possible in the Fall. Thus if your interest is to drive the many trails in the area best would be late June and the Summer months.  Whether you start in Ouray or Silverton the drive itself is only about 25 miles in length; but can easily take a couple of hours or all day.  Although there are some great "sweepers" if on a bike  BEWARE  most of the highway has no guard rails!

Whenever I am there usually stay in Silverton.   Don't know why, fine camping, RV and motels in both
Silverton and in Ouray.  My day starts out with breakfast, perhaps at THE BLACK BEAR CAFE; although have grabbed a coffee and just hit the road to capture the early morning light.  However should you sleep in and get into Ouray for lunch or dinner I would recommend O'BRIEN'S PUB for great beer and full menu of fine selections 

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Now on the other hand if you find yourself in Silverton and looking for a wonderful and fun resturant
I suggest HANDLEBARS.   Be it lunch or dinner you will not be disappointed!  And don't forget to top off with the homemade Peach Cobbler.
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Silverton

Town of Ouray