F*CK Part II....

It apparently wasn't as good as I thought! And reminiscing about it will only make me cry...you don't want to see a grown woman cry, do you? :)

So...let's move on to the first bike show of the season. Kev-Marv Productions is in its 16th year of hosting the Northeast Motorcycle Expo. http://www.kevmarv.com/

The first show was in Rhode Island on January 7/8.  Last weekend, they held a show in Hartford; this coming weekend (January 28/29) will be in Boston. Several members of the cast of Son's of Anarchy will be appearing in Bean Town, so you know I will be there. Will get some good pics for ya.

  

Anyway,  I went to the Rhode Island show on a Saturday afternoon with a few girlfriends. Had a couple cocktails, listened to some music and met some nice people. The star of the Rhode Island show was Jody Perewitz 'The Fastest Woman on Wheels."

Jody is one bad-ass chick that recently became the first woman ever to go over 200 mph on an American V-Twin at the Bonneville Salt Flats. I just did a snow angel in the Salt Flats...not the same thing but still cool? Salty.

Her bike and set-up is pretty rad. Sucky pic...sorry. New camera and I've lost my photographer...gotta practice. 

Of course there were plenty of bikes...

 

And Vendors

And a few charitable organizations. This ride looks like it would be a good one...Mothers for Daughters is a non-profit riding to help find a cure for breast and ovarian cancer. It is a weekend event held each year in Vermont and has raised several of thousands of dollars for research.

http://www.mothers-for-daughters.com/

Old school bikes are always a fave...

Biker Mani-Pedis??

Along with the bikes and vendors was a moto-cross stunt show. It was pretty cool but I preferred the glass-eating circus freaks and the midget wrestling that they had last year.

And it's not a bike show without the beautiful Dinah Deville...is it? She is normally at all the New England Boston Biker booths and is really quite friendly. Stop by and say hello!

It's a small show, but there is plenty to see and do. Nice way to spend a winter afternoon.

I'm really looking forward to the Boston show this weekend...will keep you posted!

Looking Back - 2011

Well, this has been an interesting year, my friends. When I started to think about what to write, I thought....hmmmm, been kind of a slow year on the bike, for a number of reasons. Broken ankle, old man being relocated across the country...ya know, the usual stuff.

Then I got to thinking and realized, though I may not have been on the back of the bike as much as I'd've liked...I certainly had my share of fun.

Starting with the winter bike shows...Kev-Marv produces the NorthEast Motorcycle Expositions in CT, MA, RI and NH.


   

Began 2011 at their first show in Rhode Island.

This was my first bike show and didn't know what to expect.  Bikes, band, beers....and midget wrestling? (PSA I prefer 'little people', but this is their deal...no letters, pls ;)

And lots of cool displays...

Our next stop was the Springfield Motorcycle Show...much bigger and a bit cooler with the Dead Girls, Dinah Deville and the Boys from OCC....

And the bikes of course.

And that's about all that happened in the cold winter months, shows were over and nothing going on so we headed south to our cabin in the Georgia Mountains...and shot some guns...you can do that in Georgia...anywhere you please. Including off the deck of your house. We ain't in Massachusetts anymore, Toto!

Kind of a wimpy hold, isn't it? Learnin'...

And then this happened...and we had to hibernate for a little bit.

Our 'Special Stick' for sad occasions

  Can't win 'em all, so dried our tears and headed to Vegas.

Had some fun on the strip....

 And off...some of the best places can be found away from the crowds. Vegas truly is...

Let's keep this place quiet...not for your average tourist.
Double Down Saloon cheapest drinks in Vegas...

Dinner and drinks

Rented the last bike in Vegas to cruise to parts unknown

Found ourselves in Valley of Fire...only about a 45 minute ride from the strip, and like another planet. Refreshing change from the city crowds...

Home from Vegas and it was time to get the bike blessed...

  

Broken Chains Biker Church performed the blessing.

 Needed some girl time so took off for Gatlinburg, TN with my partner in crime. It just so happened to coincide with the Smokey Mountain BikeFest...

Apparently everyone left early because of rain, so not much going on...we were kinda bummed

But dried our sorrows on some Hillbilly Hammers at Hawggs n Honeys...

HillBilly Hammers supposed to hit you over the head...

Gatlinburg is very biker friendly...downtown Pigeon Forge Harley Dealer is minutes away

Plenty of cool bars, but this one closed at 9pm and only served beer and wine. Kind of a stretch calling it a biker bar, but still pretty sweet inside. 

Met some riders from home in this Biker Bar at the beginning of the Smokies...

 And you certainly don't see this everywhere you go...I tried a bunch...I think I saw God.

And then my last night in Gatlinburg...Cinco de Mayo Celebration.  Aye Caramba!

The beginning of the end. I will just say this...margaritas (several) + karaoke + group of gay men = broken ankle.  Yup, snapped my fibula? right in half. Ouch...still pains me to think of it.  So, was sidelined for a bit but got the cast off the day that Laconia Bike Week started.  Asked the doc if it was okay to get on/off the back of a bike. 'Well, that's a new one, not really sure...see how it goes.' So...that's a yes....

This is a secret that the old man doesn't want anyone to know about so, shhhh...please don't tell. We trailer-ed the bike from Mass to NH! SHHHHH!!! I know...his riding privileges should be revoked. But really couldn't chance it with my heeling ankle. On the way up, we passed many bikers taking cover under overpasses because the rain was so heavy. I don't know about him, but I was silently thanking my ankle for a warm ride in a pickup.

Weather was awful and I wanted to curl up in bed but tried to be a good sport. Headed to Looney Bin to meet some friends and have a few drinks....until ankle was the size of a football and had to head back...through sleet and freezing rain. Good times....

We ended up at the Wolfeboro Inn. This is what happens when you bring the old lady along to bike week...instead of cramming 5 guys into a small hotel room, you end up at an Inn.

I didn't hear any complaints though while it was raining outside and we were in a nice, cozy tavern drinking beer by a fire.

So, this is kinda even worse than trailering to Bike Week. I couldn't walk on the ankle but didn't want to miss out on the fun so I had the old man drive his pick-up truck to the Weirs. I know...awful. The things you men do for 'love'. I know it pained him but don't feel too bad...he took off again midweek with the guys and had plenty of fun...as the pictures I just found can attest.  Someone's got some 'splaining to do....

 

Anyway, spent the day at the Weirs..always a good time.

Came home to news that the old man would be temporarily moving to Utah for work? Say what????

Well, ya gotta do, what ya gotta do....so the next half of 2011 was spent exploring the Midwest. Trips to Utah, Sturgis, Jackson Hole, and Colorado. Part 2 of 'Looking Back'...stay tuned!

Hot Day with Some Fiery Rocks...

This past summer we spent a great weekend in Grand Junction, Colorado.  Travel there and back...not so great. It was SO freakin' hot...driving thru the desert in temps over 90 degrees. I know bikers are tough and ride in all types of elements, but me? Not so much. Well, I do...but I bitch and moan a bit about it. This trip was no different.

After a full day of work, we ventured on the 300 mile ride from Salt Lake to Grand Junction.  On the way, we passed a sign off the highway for Moab, Utah, and Arches National Park.  Looked intriguing but it was getting late so decided to hit it up on the way home.

Here's the route we took from outside of Salt Lake City to Grand Junction. Scenic ride...

View Larger Map

Last night in Grand Junction was a doozey, hit a couple of the local wineries and found a nice Italian restaurant within walking distance of hotel, so...more wine. Sunday morning woke up with a bit of a wine-over, the last thing I wanted to do was hop on the back of the bike and ride through the desert for over 300 miles. And add a sidetrip? No way. But my inner conscience was yelling at me. 'When will you be out this way again?' 'Suck it up, cupcake!', 'You wanna play with the big boys, act like one.' You know...that type of stuff.  Not really sure if that was my conscience or the old man...sounds like stuff he would say. Anyway, put my big girl panties on and gave the go-ahead. Arches National Park...here we come.

Ride in was fine, we left early enough that it was still warm...not yet blazing. Admission to get in park is $10.00, no discount for bikes like other parks we had visited over the summer. Well worth it, just making a point.

The change in scenery from flat and barren is quick and the flaming, vivid colors that contrast against the blue sky is intense. Breathtaking. There is said to be over 2,000 arches in the park in varying length from one to ninety-three meters. Lots to see...

 Roads were awesome to ride on but slow going. A lot of traffic on a long weekend.

Have you ever seen such a blue sky? Wow!

 
Keep your eyes peeled for the BigHorn Sheep. I nearly strained my eyeballs right out of the sockets, but no luck.  I just read on the Park website that there are only 75 BigHorns in the park...sounds like a needle in a haystack.

Below is the Court House Towers formation.  Apparently, there is a trail around here that leads to a swimming hole. The trail is about 5 miles long...no thanks. Did I mention it was hot?

This deep red color comes from minerals in the rocks. 

Back of Towers?

The old man particularly liked this rock below...not sure why...

Think this particular arch may have had a little bit of help from the man...

Other arches and formations are developed from the strong winds and rains crashing against the rocks.

 

Long weekend traffic...wasn't too bad, but would definitely go at another time if I went again. Parking was sparse at the pull-offs and it was difficult to get good pictures without Japanese tourists in them. Did I just say that out loud? I kid...

I think this might be the Turret Arch...not sure

Definitely is the Balancing Rock below...looks a bit like Yoshi from Super Mario Bros. No? ET?

Look close....that is a person on the top of that rock!

Owl Rock is located in the Garden of Eden area of the Park. There were several people making their way up to the top...according to most sites, this is an easy climb. Really?

Temps were starting to heat-up into the 90s and with barely a quarter of the way home completed, we had to leave. It is a beautiful park and I am very thankful that I did not let the fun from the night before keep me from such an amazing place.