Random Rider

Today was just an average summer day at 69 degrees and overcast, stopping at Dunkin' Donuts for iced coffee, when we met some travelers loaded with luggage and bed rolls. The first two were a brother and sister. She was from California and rode her Yamaha to New Mexico where she met up with him and his Kawasaki. Some 5000 miles later they made their way across the US, all the way to Maine to visit some family and eat the freshest lobsta! They were heading back west.

Then we met Gary, a Harley rider, who quickly noted that it was funny as we get older stopping for coffee is the thing to do instead of stopping for beer. He sat with us outside. We talked. Gary lives in Colorado, and rode his bike to new Jersey and new York to visit family. Heading west back home, he was making a side trip to see a friend in Michigan. He is self employed doing pressure washing work. 

Gary's stop was brief, and he asked about a good way to get to Cleveland (he was traveling like us, without hotel reservations and only the map on his smartphone. We said to take Ohio state route 422. That was fine with him, but instead of explain directions, we rode together escorting him all the way to Southington and taking photos for our memories. There we pulled over, said goodbyes, exchanged contact info, and we departed in opposite directions.  

Be safe.

What Sunsets Are Made For

Dinner. Breakfast. Ride.

Last night after a long day of riding and touring Gettysburg, we headed back to the Rite Spot Motel and rested up. If you're looking for a good pizza, hit up Giacomo's in Fayetteville, PA. Nice thin crust, that means you can eat more! Speaking of things Como, on our next visit we'll be stopping at Johnny Como's Cupcakes & Espresso shop in Gettysburg. The Silver Knight said it's Como's because you become comatose after eating too many cupcakes. LOL

This morning, after the neighboring rooster cock-a-doodle-dooed his morning call, we packed up and went across the Lincoln Highway to the Flamingo restaurant for a fine homestyle breakfast of bacon, eggs, homefries, and toast. Since then we've been riding - hard - up and down mountains, only to stop in Ligonier again, a much needed respite from the beautiful sun and pounding wind. 

Homeward bound,

~ Springer Queen

The Battlefields on a Bike

It's not like we're the first people to tour the battlefields of Gettysburg on a motorcycle, yet for us, it was a first and it was fun. What we thought would be yet another rainy day turned into a gorgeous warm sunny day! 

(thank you Sun for busting through the clouds)

This post could have 50 photos. That's too many, so here are some that show what we saw and present the solemn respect that goes with an important place and event in America's history. Enjoy!

Cannons on the Confederate line.

Pickett's Charge Monument

View From A Tower

New Jersey Memorial

New York Memorial

Pennsylvania Memorial

Little Round Top

Eternal Flame Memorial

Battlefield HarleyDavidson

We finally made it to the Battlefield HD store! Lots of bikes, lot of people.

Here are some pics!

 

Smells Like Poop

Somewhere way before Chambersburg, the air started smelling a lot like, well, poop. Human poop, pig poop, something extremely poopy. The smell is in the air all the way into Chambersburg and then about 5 miles east of there.

Poop. Was it on our boots? Did we run over something? Recently showered, teeth brushed, and deodorant applied, it wasn't either of us. 

We hadn't smelled the foul air since getting to the western edge of Gettysburg. Hell, getting rained on all afternoon (even stung in the face at 55 MPH with raindrops) was pleasant compared to the shitty odor of Chambersburg! But alas, a problem developed: the primary chain adjuster broke and we  had to ride a short distance to the M&S Harley-Davidson store for maintenance - in no other than poopy pants Chambersburg. :-/

Good news though! The bike was repaired. But why, oh why, was the only Dunkin' Donuts located in the midst of Poopersburg? Desperate to feed our iced coffee and donut addiction, we stopped at DD and bravely ate outside. That was stupid, and smelly. 

Back at the motel the air was fine, and we've now settled in for the night. Here are a few random pics from the day.

We Found Our Thrill on Gravity Hill

We found Gravity Hill (and finally some free wifi to upload videos). Check it out; stuff rolls UP THE HILL!!!

http://youtu.be/is7BSct77Qw

http://youtu.be/gIaOtNBtHo0

http://youtu.be/MQbJiCGaRuQ

http://youtu.be/dekaunIpKsU

Sleeping, Sleeping

Well, these Shadow Riders had a great day yesterday. The hills and turns found us as we were beginning our search for a motel. Stopping to grab some Goobers, Smoothies, Mt. Dew, pizza and a Chunky bar, we watched the sun retreat and members of a bike club pump gas. The air was getting moist; it was time to stop.

We came upon the perfect place, the Shawnee Motel.

What a nice motel! The office was closed, but hanging on a hook were keys to two rooms, and a sign that said just to take a key and pay later. What? That was weird. There was one key for a single bed room and one for a double. We grabbed the key for single room 4 and got settled in.

Settling in meant finding a map in our gear of how to get to Gravity Hill, where things supposedly move up hill on their own! Man, Gravity Hill was in Schellsburg, PA - we must have passed the road way back. Bummer. But no!!! Our quiet roadside motel is in Schellsburg!!! Our plan is to start our day with a little junk food or whatever from the convenience store next to the motel an then see what this Gravity Hill is all about.

Fort Ligonier

This is a very spontaneous ride. Stopped to check out the Fort Ligonier Museum. It's closed, but this beautiful day lends nice light to these photos.

Pit Stop in Latrobe

Nice pit stop here in Latrobe, PA. 

On the Road

We just hit the road on our first vacation on Spring Thing (only the most awesome motorcycle in the world!). It's a trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Long awaited for both of us, for me it's a slow ride along Rt. 30, the Lincoln Highway; for the Silver Knight, a first visit to the battlefields and a ride along a less-travelled road.

Gettysburg isn't new to me. My uncle Sib lived there for many years. I visited there often as a child with my grandma and sister. As an adult, I travelled there on my own, spending time with my uncle and cousins; it was a quiet home away from home.

Now I am traveling there in a whole new way, with a wonderful man, living to ride and riding to live.

~ Springer Queen

The cats will miss us. :)