Women on Wheels Ride In banquet, July 8

The Vermont State Motto - "Freedom and Unity "


We've seen a lot of patriotism, memorials, flags here in Vermont. Being that this country started on this coast, it's pretty neat knowing that we are in the heart of where it all began, and that people still feel strongly about and love their country and those who have fought and will continue to fight for freedom.

One memorial dedicated to the memory of men in previous wars. See the plaque below.

Many folks use these buntings to display on their homes.  We've seen many going across the front of the balconies or porches.

Another beautiful home with its patriotic drape.

Today was the WOW ride/parade to Manchester for s h o PP I n g. The parade was 20-miles long, spanned several communities and was well-organized with a police escort and police from each community at all the major intersections holding back traffic. The parade was probably more than a half-mile of bikes … nearly all female riders … riding their own … various makes and models … being proud … and doing what they should be doing … riding!!! Best of all, no wrecks, no collisions, no problems, no incidents. The ladies all deserved kudos for riding well, for having a great leader and for parading in proper style.

I didn't get photos of the parade but before I did go around and take a few photos of bike license plates.

I guess the plate says it all ... a girl from Massachusetts.

Every frog has its day.

It's another great plate.

And from my Kansas friend ...

This is the WOWGIRL from New York.

Massachusetts chapters hosted the Ride In this year.

Jaz, Ruth and I weren't really into the shopping thing. It was way too hot and humid. We were dripping like we'd just come out of the shower. We did go into an Orvis store, looked around but decided to eat instead. Too hot to shop. We found a little Mexican restaurant, had lunch and headed back. Ruth went ahead of us as we wanted to take a few photos … beautiful old homes and buildings.

There are so many homes with large porches, and I had to have some photos of them. They are magnificent. There are a lot of big homes, and some have separate garages. There are also lots of large, old trees and they make for some very impressive property.

This is a garage ... I could probably live there.

Windows with fancy lace fit very nicely in these homes.

The court house, established in 1822.

The Equinox Hotel, and this is only part of it.  It's huge.

The sign says it all.

A lot of these homes, and bed and breakfasts have rocking chairs out on the porch.  Makes you want to just wander up, sit and rock a little while, in hopes someone brings out a nice cold lemonade to you

By the time Jaz and I left Manchester we were drenched in sweat. The only redeeming quality was that as soon as we got on the bikes and took off, the air hit us and we had a few moments of being cool. It was some better as we came back up the hill, though, to the resort. We decided that we needed to get in the pool when we returned to the hotel, and it was great. It was as warm as bath water.

I'd called my new friend, New York (Rich), to see if he could come meet up and ride with us for a bit. He's out of Queens, near New York City. He called tonight to say he's been to the doctor and ill … so can't meet us. Some of us met him when he rode up to the Alaskan rally, and he rode with us for a few days. I'll have to give him a hard time about rather being sick than riding with Alaskans again.

Blanket being raffled off.  I bought tickets, but once again ... LOSER!!!

Tonight was the big final event of the Ride In. I knew I was getting my most miles in my category of motorcycle award, with 30,114 miles for year ending 2009. But there was another award of the longest distance direct rider, and I obtained that award this year as well, riding 4,545 miles to reach the Ride In. In reality, I'd ridden nearly 6,000 to get here, but it was a rather roundabout way. So, that was that.

For the most miles in my category of bike, which is  "big" ... over 1399 cc's.  More than 30,000 miles, and I also broke my personal record with this number.

For riding the most miles, direct route, to get to the ride in.  Mine was 4,545 miles.

I was able to deliver a package to one of the ladies here from one of my WOW ladies in Anchorage. That mission was finally accomplished. I renewed some acquaintances I'd not had a chance to visit with earlier, and finally had to say good bye to my wonderful Kansas friends who I'll most likely not see again until next year's Ride In, which will be in San Jose, California, a hop, skip and a jump from Jaz's mom's house. Cool, Guess we'll be going again.

Delivering a package to Anne from Anchorage WOW member Jo Ann, who was the first member of the Michigan chapter Anne is with. She thought it was great to get a package delivered and figure to deliver one to Alaska now.

Next year will hopefully find a casino for Ruth and me to spend our entertainment money. We've each brought a hundred dollars for last year and this ($200 each) to put in a machine at a casino. It will go through one time, and whatever we have at the end we split. We'll either hit the jackpot or possibly have enough for dinner. So, next year it will be $300 each. We should hit something, right? Yep, there's a sucker born every minute, so must consider this entertainment … and it is. I LOVE to gamble.

Sylvia is really into "bubbling up" the joint now.  She kept up a nearly constant stream of bubbles during the event, bringing smiles to the faces of many of the ladies.

Finally, I saw a friend who has been suffering from an illness, and is fighting it hard. She isn't riding anymore, and her friends brought her to the rally. You've got to love them for making that happen … that is friendship to the fullest … and the kind of friends you want to have. The best to her and that lovely group of friends of hers.

Mickey is from Texas, and you just gotta love that big old smile of hers.  I do.

Mickey was wearing this really cool frog hat, and I had to have a photo with her in it.  She looked so cute, and is always so well put together.  She's a true lady, and I wish her the best of luck in her battle.

There were a few tributes at the banquet of riders lost, riders who will be lost soon due to illnesses. It brings home how fragile we really are, but that in this group there are friendships and families formed that last forever. The women are very special and they take particular care to show others that they, too, are special. While Women on Wheels may not appeal to everyone, it stands for many things … independence, integrity, and so much more. They're some great folks.

But now this chapter of our ride ends, and tomorrow starts the traveling anew, back to the West Coast for Jaz, and to Montana for me. I'll leave my bike there for a few weeks and fly home, only to return about the first of August, and go on my next adventure. I'll keep on a blogging, though, as I believe I've become addicted to it. It's fun and I'd certainly not want to lose track of all of my goings on.

Taken near the memorial to the wars.

Another day, another follower.  Welcome my dear friend and former co-worker, Dianne.  I've not seen a single bead store.

And so with that, a gentle good night, and we're all in.