Last evening while in Altoona, PA, I went to see the Indiana Jones movie. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this movie as Harrison Ford is quite a bit older -- maybe I was expecting him to chase guys around with a walker, but the movie was good. I give it an 8. As I was leaving the theatre and went to start my bike, there was no start! The battery was near dead. The only people left in the parking lot were two teen girls.
I think I gave them a little pause, if not an outright scare. Late at night. Two teen girls alone in the parking lot, and this 50 something biker dude comes over and asks them to help out. They were more than gracious and I was able to get the bike started and get back to my room.
Once at the motel, I hooked the battery up to a charger and hoped for the best.
Today as I hooked up the battery, and then loaded my gear. I quietly said a prayer and turned the key -- it started!
I then looked for a Suzuki dealership, cued in the GPS and off I went in my search. Now it may seem to be a pretty sweet deal except that the sun was brightly shinning and I could not see nor hear the GPS. Another fact is the address was wrong in the phone book, and thereby I was searching in all the wrong places.
Upon finding the Suzuki service center (which is actually in Bedford) Carlos was more than helpful in getting me rigs for dinnerht into the shop and testing the system. Come to find out I am grounded on three of my three stater ports (not a good thing)! No parts in stock. Was able to locate one and have it over-nighted and tomorrow at about 10am they will install it and have me back on the road!
So I went down to get gas at the nearby Sheetz and sat down at a table with Mike and Paul (Honda riders) and spent the afternoon in conversation with them. Pray for me as tomorrow we are meeting for coffee and donuts while the bike is being repaired.
Tonight am camping at Sleepy Hollow Camp Ground just down the road from the bike shop. Had a small campfire, and roasted some hot dogs for dinner. Have spent time today reading the Word and now blogging and just catchiung up on some reading.
Tomorrow is bike repair and breakfast with the boyz. Travel to Washington DC to have dinner with BT's girlfriend. More tomorrow as the saga continues -- the Lord willing!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Day Two of the "Bike Trip"
"Listen to the sound of the falling rain" . . . is the song that flooded my thoughts as I woke today. The rain was so kewl hitting on the fabric of the tent -- it almost seemed like a lullaby, so I turned over and catched a few more rays.
Now in this situation, one is faced with a momentous decision. Do I sit the day in the tent, or do I pack up my things and head out into the rain threatened reality of my world? I decided not to let a little water keep me down and headed out. Where to go?
I decided to retrace my steps along Rte 6 and hook back up to Rte 219. What an incredibly beautiful ride. The road winds along shoulders of lush forest geen, the smell of rododendrum tree blossoms pungently fragranting the air. All of this ocurred of course while riding through rain. What a wet day.
I am having a little difficulty with the bike not starting. I'm not sure if the problem is the new battery I purchased before leaving, or some other item. Came over to Altoona PA because another biker said it was the closest Suzuki place available.
So here I am in Altoona drying out from the day. The Suzuki dealership is not open on Sundays so I will have to wait to contact them in the am in order to have the bike checked out.
Alive and well in Altoona -- where do they get these names?
Now in this situation, one is faced with a momentous decision. Do I sit the day in the tent, or do I pack up my things and head out into the rain threatened reality of my world? I decided not to let a little water keep me down and headed out. Where to go?
I decided to retrace my steps along Rte 6 and hook back up to Rte 219. What an incredibly beautiful ride. The road winds along shoulders of lush forest geen, the smell of rododendrum tree blossoms pungently fragranting the air. All of this ocurred of course while riding through rain. What a wet day.
I am having a little difficulty with the bike not starting. I'm not sure if the problem is the new battery I purchased before leaving, or some other item. Came over to Altoona PA because another biker said it was the closest Suzuki place available.
So here I am in Altoona drying out from the day. The Suzuki dealership is not open on Sundays so I will have to wait to contact them in the am in order to have the bike checked out.
Alive and well in Altoona -- where do they get these names?
Day One of Bike Trip
Today (actually it was yesterday, but this is the first i've had to be on the computer) began my annual bike trip. Decided I would post to my blog day by day - well allmost. . . .
The day began by loading my belongings on the bike and securing them into place. As I was laboring, my brother David arrived on his bike. While he patiently waited I still had a few items left to process before I could pull out.
We then headed to Knead the Dough for breakfast together. Coffee, my brother, and great conversation -- it doesn't get any better than that! We had a tasty fair of steak, eggs, homefries, toast, and for desert, one of KTD's special cinamon rolls. Wow!
After breakfast we stopped to fuel up at Porter Country Mart, and then on to visit with George Bell before leaving town. When we arrived Miguel was there and they had been playing backgammon. If you know what the rules are for rolling doubles, please call George and give him the official scoop. After prayer we headed out to ride along Rte 18. We stopped at Brown's Berry Patch to unload some of the coffee and while there David sprang a leak -- his bike did rather! Bad spot on the gas tank and it was leaking pretty bad.
We headed for David's home rather than riding on. At the house we spent some time just talking and I suggested that David call a "bone yard" to find a used tank.
From there I launched back out and went south on Rte 98, and then connected with Rte 219. I decided that I knew where Rte 219 started, so let's see where it ends! I traveled down Rte 219 to Rte 6 and went into the Allegany National Forest and tried to hook up with my cousin Nancy Stolt who was to be camping in Cook's Forest. I never was able to find them, so I picked a camp site for the nite and set up the tent. Across for the camp there is a restaurant called "Trails End" where I had the most incredible burger! As I retired for the night, the first drops of rain began to gently fall.
On the whole it was quite an auspicious day for the first of this bike trip. The weather was great, and the scenery was exquisite.
As I reflected on the day, I was made aware of how many times we think we have a handle on the direction and effect of our day, but then we spring a leak, or we fall off a deck, or --- you fill in your blank ......................... The good news is, I don't have to completely understand, or be in control -- God is!
Can you simply today "be still, and know that I am God"?
Keepin' the shinney side up!
The day began by loading my belongings on the bike and securing them into place. As I was laboring, my brother David arrived on his bike. While he patiently waited I still had a few items left to process before I could pull out.
We then headed to Knead the Dough for breakfast together. Coffee, my brother, and great conversation -- it doesn't get any better than that! We had a tasty fair of steak, eggs, homefries, toast, and for desert, one of KTD's special cinamon rolls. Wow!
After breakfast we stopped to fuel up at Porter Country Mart, and then on to visit with George Bell before leaving town. When we arrived Miguel was there and they had been playing backgammon. If you know what the rules are for rolling doubles, please call George and give him the official scoop. After prayer we headed out to ride along Rte 18. We stopped at Brown's Berry Patch to unload some of the coffee and while there David sprang a leak -- his bike did rather! Bad spot on the gas tank and it was leaking pretty bad.
We headed for David's home rather than riding on. At the house we spent some time just talking and I suggested that David call a "bone yard" to find a used tank.
From there I launched back out and went south on Rte 98, and then connected with Rte 219. I decided that I knew where Rte 219 started, so let's see where it ends! I traveled down Rte 219 to Rte 6 and went into the Allegany National Forest and tried to hook up with my cousin Nancy Stolt who was to be camping in Cook's Forest. I never was able to find them, so I picked a camp site for the nite and set up the tent. Across for the camp there is a restaurant called "Trails End" where I had the most incredible burger! As I retired for the night, the first drops of rain began to gently fall.
On the whole it was quite an auspicious day for the first of this bike trip. The weather was great, and the scenery was exquisite.
As I reflected on the day, I was made aware of how many times we think we have a handle on the direction and effect of our day, but then we spring a leak, or we fall off a deck, or --- you fill in your blank ......................... The good news is, I don't have to completely understand, or be in control -- God is!
Can you simply today "be still, and know that I am God"?
Keepin' the shinney side up!
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