Another blog for catching up

July 15, the Big Apple calls – how many states did I go through?? Lots!!!

I'd asked David to map a route for me using Interstates since I figured I'd be running 500+ miles toward New York and stopping to see Richard, a friend I'd met at the HOG rally in Alaska a few years ago. It was easy, I-95 to the New Jersey Turnpike.

David got in his vehicle and led me to the highway and then waved me on … setting me on my pace and the right road that would lead me to New York City. Richard lives in Queens, so once I got close I was to give him a call.

All day I rode, gassed up, used the restrooms, and got back on the road. I stopped once for a salad, and then it was back at it, running anywhere from 55 mph to 85 mph, depending on the traffic. The first 250 miles went by quickly, 3 hours and 20 minutes I'm told.

You can sure make time using those roads, but there's a lot of traffic and you have to have your mind on the game at all times. I know that but I had had a reminder of that on Friday when I was heading up to Raleigh.

I'd gassed up and was coming back to the highway when I accidentally ran a red light. There were cars coming from both sides of me, and thank you, they slowed down and I weaved right through them. Them honking and me waving my thanks at no one hitting me. I was grateful those folks were paying attention because mine had been distracted. There were two lights and I saw the one that was green. Pay attention!!!!!

The second one not long after was going down the road and a car ahead of me had a turn signal on. The road he would turn on was a little ahead so I started slowing down, but he slammed on his brakes and pulled a U-turn at the end of the median. My ABS brakes work really well, I've discovered.

So, folks, keep your head in the game. Once again the luck of the Irish has kept me safe and I felt grateful.

At Exit 4 on the New Jersey Turnpike, I stopped to gas up before the final push into New York City. A guy riding came over to me and told me the turnpike was closed at Exit 6, and it was down for two hours so I might want to consider another route. Not me. Straight lines on a single road for me. So I called Richard and told him where I was. He put Kim on the line and we figured out a route for me to run, off the turnpike, and I would meet up with him somewhere and he'd get me to his mom's.

Richard's been around a HOG block or two.

I raced to a place to meet and texted him. He was a block away and we met up. Big hug, and on the road because the sky was looking mean. Black, black, black. Richard and I took off and it seemed we rode for miles, guess it was 50 or 60.

It started to sprinkle, then rain. I was in a T-shirt, but it was warm so we didn't need to stop for jackets. We were running along, crazy roads, crazy drivers, and then the sky opened up and Mother Nature showed what she was capable of. The rain was pounding down so hard it looked like it was bouncing back up from the pavement a foot. Lightning, and then New York streets, riding down through the Central Park area, where the ball is dropped on New Year's Eve. Lightning was easily seen through the gaps in the tall buildings, light displays from the buildings made it light up like the Vegas Strip, and I WAS THERE!!!!!

It was splendid, a ride to never be forgotten, and I was like a kid craning my neck in all directions trying to take it all in. People wandering and moving like the middle of the day, bags of garbage stacked at the corners, the delightful smells of food seemingly unlike anything I've smelled before. I took it all in, my senses were overloaded and I was fascinated. We passed through the city and over a bridge, or two. The lights gleamed over the water. The wind was blowing the rain sideways and it got cold. The rain was so sharp, it was like a tattoo needle puncturing my skin. It was like something out of a movie and I was in heaven. Now I wish I was going to be here for a few days; there's so much to see and I only had a tantalizing little sliver of it for my memory bank.

We arrived through narrow streets, potholes filled with rain, buildings crushed together. Then it was down another street and into an alley and stopping in front of what looked like a storage area with a gate across it. I was home for the night, in Queens. This was the storage for the bikes, and it's even carpeted. How appropriate … nothing but the best for the motorcycles.

Parking for Harlow and her new friends, Queens, New York City.  Who knew she'd ever get there?

Richard grabbed my bag and we walked a block or so to his mom's place, and my bed for the night. I think we woke her up, so I felt bad, but was soaking wet and tired.

July 16, I'm in Joyce's back yard

Richard and his mom.  She was nice enough to put me up for the night.

Richard took the day off to escort me to Peabody, Massachusetts. He said he wanted a bowl of chowder. Was he making sure I was out of the Big Apple, out of the state, or just being nice? Richard is a nice guy, and I wanted to meet his girlfriend, Kim. I'd heard so much about her and figured we'd hit it off.

I've never seen a sign like this anywhere but in NYC.

We packed up, took a photo of him and his mom, and then off to Kim's place. She's got an apartment that is very nice, up a few floors and even a patio. I understand it's a great place in a large city, and I understood. But the best part of all, she's got animals … two cats, a parakeet and a super nice black lab mix named Brooklyn. I fell in love with that dog. So I took lots of photos of her, completely forgetting to take one of Kim and Richard together. How dumb!!! So now Richard has to send me a photo of them. I also forgot the Queens photo … too enthralled with being in NYC.

Who would have guessed they're bikers?  They clean up really nice.

How could you not love this face?  Brooklyn's her name; pathetic is her game!!!

Richard, Kim and I went to breakfast, and then it was time to say goodbye. We didn't have nearly enough time, but we talked as much as we could, kissed, hugged, said goodbye and then Richard and I were on the road, heading north.

We were on scenic roads, but it was a four lane, so there was a lot of traffic, then the Massachusetts Turnpike. I was using what's called an EZ pass to get through the toll gates so it made it easier instead of digging into my pocket with hot, sweaty hands trying to get money out, and knowing people behind me were unhappy with how long I was taking. Oh well. Damned tourists!!!

It was a wild ride again, and hard-core for someone used to two-lane roads, and not a whole lot of traffic. Lots of those rides on this trip. Then we got into Boston and stopped for chowder on the waterfront. Another beautiful skyline and this time I got a couple of photos. Chowder at the Barking Crab, a call to Joyce and we were on our way.



City skylines are beautiful.

We were only a few miles away now, and I know Joyce is EXCITED!!!! And waiting … IMPATIENTLY!!!!

Into the driveway, easy to get to … and Joyce comes running out. A REUNION … how I love these people!!! Mike was still at work so Joyce and I went out for a bite and some girl rebonding time. It's been nine months since we met and had seen each other. Oh joy!!!

Joyce, Richard and me. 

And it's been non-stop talking since then … and will continue til I have to head out and home to Harlow's barn in Phoenix.

July 17, there's a lighthouse is in my near future

Mike, Joyce and me, ready to ride.

Joyce, Mike and I headed north … to visit the Nubble Lighthouse at York, Maine. Yep, a couple of states today … Massachusetts to New Hampshire to Maine. Didn't take long at all … maybe 60-80 miles one-way. And I got to go to a Harley shop, too. Yahoo. Another shirt!!!

The lighthouse was erected in 1879.

You can only photograph this one from afar.

Goofy girls.

There are beautiful buildings everywhere.

Then we rode by some beautiful homes on the beach, riding up the coast. This is beautiful country, with some wonderful things to see, but there sure are a lot of people, and a lot of roads with lots of people on them, too. I'm fascinated by the characteristics of many of the homes … little gables, turrets, verandahs, weather vanes … the homes are lovely and there were so many I didn't know which one to photograph. But lunch called first, and I couldn't stop. We were starving.

We hadn't eaten so we went to one of Mike's favorites … the Clambox. They have different plates, and Mike's is the clam one. Joyce and I chose the scallop and clam combination. I like fried clams, but the scallops were awesome. Couldn't eat it all anyway, so Mike got lots of clams to take home.

Gotta add flower photos here and there.

The Atlantic Ocean ... beautiful all over.

The U.S.S. Albacore.

Who knew what the aft of a submarine looked like?  I do now.

I did find a couple of houses to photogaph although they weren't quite as grand as some of the others we'd seen along the beach road. But they're still very attractive.

There's not enough film in the world to capture all the gorgeous homes.

Here's an interesting weather vane, a mermaid.

It's so much fun riding wheel-to-wheel, knowing you're riding with someone you can trust, who won't swerve or put you in the path of danger. How I love it … it's like synchronized swimming, or a choreographed dance, with perfect moves, as you dance left and right, hearing the pipes and speeding up, slowing down, passing as one. Throw in a little hoodlum riding, and it's perfect. It's exhilarating! Richard from New York was another who is so easy to ride with … and he and I really were riding under some very intense conditions.

Mike demonstrates floating in the pool.

Oh yeah, it's lobster time anytime.

But back to the barn after a great ride, then a little hanging at the pool, lobster with melted butter for dessert and some dog-bonding time.

Willy, the aristocratic hound.

Mike and Joyce have a dog named Willy, part hound and who knows. He's a big boy and talks a lot. He also gives love nips, so you gotta watch him. He knew I was watching him and then it became a game for him to follow me. I fell in love with him, and their daughter's dog, a Puggle … a pug/beagle mix. Her name is Bella and she's just a baby, but oh so sweet. I took photo after photo of both of them … lots of doggie photos on this trip. Makes me heart swell.

Bella, the puggle.  Sweet face.

Willy and Bella ... she's so annoying.  Well, she is a puppy, after tall.

July 18, Massachusetts to Connecticut to New York to Pennsylvania

Joyce and Mike escorted me to the Massachusetts Turnpike. It was a teary departure. I'm always sad to leave my friends, even ones I've not known long. But it's always best to leave after a night or two … to leave them and me yearning for more. Besides, my mom always said fish and houseguests both smell after three days. Time to rock and roll.

Time to say goodbye.

My beautiful Massachusetts friends, Mike and Joyce.  I'm so glad I met you.

However, I am starting to wonder … David escorted me to the interstate to get me out of North Carolina; Richard escorted me door-to-door, New York City to Peabody, Massachusetts. Joyce and Mike took me to the turnpike. Are these people trying to make sure I get out of their state, or just concerned friends who realize I'm directionally-challenged? Ha ha. I know, I know. They truly are concerned … who has better, more considerate, kind and caring friends than I? And I love all of them, too.

Off I went on my merry journey today, riding the slab. How I hate it, but I wanted to get as far west as I could and away from the New York City area so there'd be no way I could accidentally get in the middle of that town by myself.

So, slab it was. It got hot, but I put on a neck snake and that helped. Then it started to sprinkle and since I'd not eaten, I stopped for lunch. Perfect timing on my part as it started to pour!!!

By the end of the day it had dried up, as had my pants and T-shirt, and it was a most pleasant ride, putting me near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. And, near Hershey … CHOCOLATE!!! Guess where I'm going tomorrow!