| Author | Message | ||
     Pwnzor |
John. Keep the snippets coming. If at some point you need help posting pictures, you can always email them to me and I'll get them uploaded and displayed for you. I expect to be hearing about kangaroos pretty soon! | ||
| Buellish |
Kangaroo?I want to hear about Barber,Beignets and Chicory coffee at the Cafe Du Monde! | ||
| Damnut |
mmmmm Biegnets at Cafe Du Monde. Was there last month and damn those things are delicious. | ||
| 86129squids |
OH. HEEEYULLL. YEAH. SO glad to hear RoadCrust is making it to Barber! Oftentimes the man who created it, George Barber, is there- a very nice and approachable dude. When I was there, I had stopped to drool over the Britten, even touched it, while my two friends had continued on and ran into Mr. Barber. Kinda sorry I didn't get to meet him, but hey. Looking forward to THAT post, Crusticle!  Heck- obviously you're living RIGHT, riding from TWoS and N. GA directly to Leeds AL, and the Barber complex! Color me jealous!!!  | ||
| 86129squids |
BTW, we got there when it opened at 10AM, started at the top floor (there are five), and it took us until about 3:30 to make our way through the whole museum, looking at everything! Make sure you've got enough time, friend! | ||
| Crusty |
The Museum I went to the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum yesterday. The Admission ticket says it’s the Home of the World’s largest Motorcycle Collection, and I believe it. The place is incredible. It’s a building with five floors, that have all kinds of motorcycles every where; on the floor, obviously, but also on the walls and even hanging from the ceiling by wires like a giant mobile. I saw bikes that I’d only read about and bikes I never heard of, and I learned a few interesting things. Did you know that Showa (the suspension people) once made motorcycles? I saw a 1957 250cc Showa. And did you know that Vincent built a personal watercraft (think Jet Ski) back in the 50s? It’s the only boat in the museum. There are more motorcycle brands than I can remember, but I saw some real highlights for me. A gaggle of MV Augustas, Both older and a newer F4. They have a section devoted to John Surtees who won both Motorcycle GP Championships, and Formula 1 Auto championships. Race bikes ridden by the likes of Miguel DuHamel, Jay Springsteen, Dave Sadowski, Kenny Roberts, Jarno Saarinen, Gene Romero, Dale Singleton, and a whole bunch of others. They have a Harley RR 750 built by Bill Werner for Renzo Pasolini with the notation that the Italians loved the sound of the big Harley. They have a large assortment of Buells, and they obviously like and admire Erik They have a RR1000, RR1200, RS, RSS, an XBRR and they even have a couple of EBRs; an1190 RS and an 1190 RX (Serial # 1) There were lots of old bikes there as well. An 1867 Roper Steam powered cycle, a replica of Daimler’s first motorcycle, and tons of early bikes from the turn of the 20th Century. Harleys, Indians and Hendersons, of course, but also bikes that are much more rare. Reading Standard, Pierce, Marsh, Flying Merkel, Ace, Adler, and a sh*tload more. So many I’m blanking out on all the names. Some were restored, but many were not, displaying the patina a century old machine should have. There were other classic bikes as well, a few Vincents (Black shadow, Rapide, Comet and even a Black Knight); A Brough Superior SS100, and an earlier 6-80, a few Crockers (A Speedway single as well as a Twin) There was an ’88 BMW R100 RT that was ridden around the world; aw hell, I can’t remember them all, there were so many sweet bikes. Then there were the military bikes; a Harley-Davidson WLA, an H-D XA (opposed twin), an Indian 841 (sideways V like a Moto Guzzi), a BMW and a Zundapp, a BSA single, an FN and even a Triumph TRW a flathead 500 cc twin that was only sold to the British and Canadian Military. (I bought one in 1971. It was Canadian Air Force Surplus, and was extremely reliable, although a bit slow) And there were all the more modern street bikes; BSAs, Triumphs, Nortons, Matchless’, Royal Enfields (British) Rickmans, Moto Guzzis, Ducatis, Harley Davidsons, Indians, BMWs, Hondas, Yamahas, Suzukis, Kawasakis, and so on. Lots of everything; Harleys of all flavors Flatheads, Knuckleheads, Panheads, Shovelheads, Evos, K models (K, KH, KHK), Sportsters (Iron, Evo, XR1000), Indians both old and new. Chiefs, Fours, Scouts, the Brockhouse singles and twins, Gilroy Indians with S&S engines. There were a bunch of Moto Guzzis as well. Even a Ghezzi and Brian Guzzi. I was there for over four hours and I took a bunch of pictures, but I was overwhelmed. I was walking around totally out in space. I think the proper term is bemused. Overwhelmed is another way of putting it. What do you say after seeing a Hercules W2000? (I once rode one back in 1977; remind me to tell you about it some time) Anyhow, I finally left after I saw how long I'd been there. I was pretty much fried. All I can say is if you have any love for motorcycles and you get a chance to go, jump at it. You won’t be disappointed. George Barber has created something that is truly a World Class Destination. (Message edited by Crusty on October 20, 2015) | ||
| 86129squids |
 Yeah, that was my feeling as well! To walk from one bike to another, then you start drooling, then your jaw hits the floor as you read the placard, then you walk to the next one... over and over and over! How about those sweet Lotus cars? When we were there he had several on display as you entered the building. We got a short look around the basement, where they have a full CNC machine shop- basically a surgery center for bikes! I've been wanting to hit Vintage Days for several years now, maybe we could put together a group effort to attend next year? | ||
| 86129squids |
IIRC he was working on a new facility nearby, involving offroading and dual sport stuff... anyone know anything? (This was back in 2007.) | ||
| Griffmeister |
That's curious, the Indian museum in Springfield had some of those more exotic bikes on display before they had to shut down. While some bikes went to the city of Springfield Museum afterwards (mostly the Indians I think), I wonder if some of the others ended up there? Anyhow, that sounds like a great day and definitely a destination to add to my wish list. Thanks for sharing. | ||
| Pwnzor |
John, when you make it to California, you've got to stop in Solvang. They've got a great little motorcycle museum there... if they happen to be closed when you get there, just walk upstairs to the real estate office and tell them you want in. For the same entry fee ($5.00 when last I was there), they let me in by myself to wander amongst the bikes and take all the pictures I wanted to. They've got a 1200RR in there that is a sight to behold.  edit: forgot to mention this little gem: Britten V1000  (Message edited by pwnzor on October 21, 2015) | ||
| Crusty |
The Natchez Trace Parkway I’m sitting in the Clear Springs Campground on the Natchez Trace Parkway. It’s a National Park Campground, but it a free campground. It’s actually pretty nice, but then Nat’l Park campgrounds usually are. At least the ones I’ve stayed in have been. The unusual part is that it’s free. There are no showers or electricity here (but there is water, so I can make coffee in the morning); maybe that’s why it’s free. I’m typing this Snippet on battery power. I hope I finish writing before the battery dies. At any rate, Jackson, Mississippi was nothing to get hot about.The Natchez Trace Parkway (that’s the last time I’m going to type the whole thing out) is beautiful. It’s nowhere as twisty as either Skyline Drive or the Blue Ridge, but it is still very beautiful and rustic looking. It just has good pavement and very light traffic. One of these days, I think I’d like to ride the entire length of it. It’s that nice. I think I’ll save that for next summer; right after I ride the entire length of the Going-To-The-Sun Road. I don’t know how far it is to New Orleans from here. I gave the map a quick look this morning, and it looks like I’ll be taking US Rt. 61 south to Baton Rouge. However, that’s not set in stone. I’m about 60 miles north of Natchez, MS, so I’ll probably ride to the end of the Trace there then find a Golden Starches and look at routes on Google. I saw an Armadillo walking in the woods near the entrance of the campground. That was pretty neat. I’ve seen thousands of dead armadillos by the side of the road over the years, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen a live one in the wild. I know very little about armadillos. I don’t know what they eat, if they’re aggressive or not (I don’t think they are, but I don’t know) Do they carry rabies? Beats me. I just think they look like some sort of Medieval war machine. I can see a bunch of Huns or Goths attacking a castle using giant armadillos. Yeah, I know; I’m weird The weather has warmed up to where I’m back down to just a T-shirt. I had the vents open in my Darien jacket for most of the afternoon, and it was bordering on being too warm to wear. While I’m enjoying the temps, I hope it doesn’t get much hotter; I left the mesh jacket in Fitchburg when I was back there, so I have to wear the Darien. This is called a Quality Problem. I’m bitching just because I can. Jerry Barrons (a Logger friend of mine) used to say that if a man ain’t bitching, he ain’t happy. I guess that I’m just a happy fellow. Well, the battery is getting weaker. I’d better quit before I do something that will make me unhappy. | ||
| Buellish |
"I can see a bunch of Huns or Goths attacking a castle using giant armadillos." That gave me a laugh! | ||
| Crusty |
Highway 61 Again There’s a lot of wildlife along the Natchez Trace Parkway. When I camped there, I heard all sorts of very vociferous animals (but I didn’t hear any trains!). I heard coyotes, rudely loud owls, and I don’t know what else, but they weren’t quiet. I wasn’t really sure they were coyotes; I thought it might just be a bunch of dogs. But I saw a coyote by the side of the road a few miles after I left the campground. When he saw me, he crouched down, as if to either spring away or to slink off. I also saw deer, Turkeys and an enormous crane, or maybe it was a heron. He was standing beside the road, and when he heard me coming, he took to flight over the center of the road and gradually gained altitude. It looked like he had a wingspan of at least six feet. I got a good look at him as I caught up to him, and the question that popped into my mind is why doesn’t his supply of air get cut off when his neck is pulled into that collapsed “S” configuration? Obviously, it isn’t, but it looks like it should be. Anyhow, I took the NT Parkway to its end at Highway 61, then took 61 to Baton Rouge. From Baton Rouge, I cheated. I took I-10 to New Orleans. I wanted to eat and get out of the city before rush hour. Of course, I got rained on, even though there was no rain in the forecast, (It is, after all southern Louisiana) but it was a brief shower. The traffic was pretty tough as it was. I made it down to the French Quarter and found the Cafe Du Monde. I took a couple of pictures of the Sportster parked in front on Decatur St. Then went in and had Cafe au Lait with Beignets (3). The beignets were even better than I remembered, and the chicory coffee was good. It cost six bucks (with tip), but it was money well spent. After I finished, I managed to get over to Bourbon street and had a nice slow ride following a horse and carriage for several blocks. I didn’t mind the slow speed as it gave me a chance to stare at all the rather, um, Unique people on the sidewalks. In my younger days, I used to hang out occasionally in Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts and stare at the constant freak show. I’ll tell ya, Harvard Square’s got nothing on the French Quarter. There are some very strange looking people there. I liked it. I ran into more rain on my way out of town, and decided to put on my rain pants. That’s when I discovered I left them behind in some campground. I think it was Mt.Pisgah on the BRP, that was the day I was being a space shot and lost my gloves. Either that or it was at TWO. It doesn’t really matter where; they’re still gone. I’d noticed that my left bag didn’t look quite so stuffed, but I attributed it to settling of the contents. That just made my day. So; being wet, with a computer whose battery was almost completely exhausted, (so I couldn’t find a cheap campground) I once again wimped out and hit a Motel 6. Of course, as soon as I registered, the sun came out; which did nothing to improve my mood. I hope I can find some free campgrounds for the next few days to help alleviate the financial drain. I do have enough money to get by as I get my next SS deposit next Wednesday, but It bothers me to be spending on motels so frequently. The good news is that I took a shower last night and another this morning, and my computer, phone, camera and LED flashlights are all fully charged. I’m getting full value for my money. That means that the next McDonald’s I stop at will have plentiful electrical outlets. My next destination is Jacksonville, Florida. Why Jacksonville? Well, besides liking the name, I just need a reason to hug the Gulf coast. I’m planning to take US 90 and 98 to get there. It should be scenic. | ||
| Buellish |
John,thanks for the report on the Beignets and Chicory coffee at the Cafe Du Monde.I'll have to experience them vicariously through you as the last time I was in NOLA,in 1981 we were a little toasted from the herbal cloud and other things at the Rolling Stones show at the Super Dome and never made it it the Cafe Du Monde. | ||
| Britchri10 |
Crusty: PM me if you need anything while in Jacksonviile. (You don't know me but I read your stuff on here and enjoy it) Chris C | ||
| Two_seasons |
You know what I don't like about motels/hotels these days...the poor lighting!!!!! CFL bulbs don't cut it. Every time we travel, as practical, we pack at least two 100W incandescent light bulbs. Makes reading easier. | ||
| Tootal |
Hey Crusty, glad to see you're enjoying yourself. The Natchez Trace is an interesting ride for sure. I rode it several years ago and it's 444 miles without a stop sign. Very cool. Enjoy Florida! Should be warmer than a campground in Suches! | ||
| Crusty |
Sometimes I’m a Hippocrite When I started this trip, my plan was to stay on secondary roads as much as possible. I want to see America, not just the Interstates. For the most part, that’s worked; I never realized that Nebraska and Kansas were so beautiful until I crossed them on secondary roads. The same holds true for the Dakotas and even New Jersey has a good bit of very beautiful scenery. Yesterday, I saw some of the negatives of that philosophy, and it caused me to reconsider a bit. I left Slidell, LA and made my way down to US Rt.90. 90 was a beautiful ride through Louisiana and into Mississippi, but then the beauty began to fade. 90 runs right along the beach for quite a few miles. It’s a beautiful beach; nice white sand, Palm trees, Pelicans - all the elements to make me feel I’m close to Paradise. However, beautiful beaches become Tourist Destinations in the Summer. There were endless traffic lights, souvenir shops, fast food and slower food restaurants (My favorite name was Mother Clucker’s Chicken and Rib Joint), Bars, Pubs and Bistros, motels and Casinos. Even though tourist season has been over for a while and traffic was mostly light, I don’t think I was averaging 20 MPH with all the traffic lights; and they were not synchronized to make for a smooth flow of traffic. Once I got into Alabama, things started to get better. Then, I got to Mobile and Rt.90 went right through the center of the city. I had enough. I saw an I-10 sign with an arrow and I turned to get on the Interstate. Then came the next insult. A couple of miles later, US90 ran along side I-10, them went right by the Battleship, US Alabama. From the Interstate, I could see the battleship, submarine and there was even a B 52 there. I saw it from a distance as I went by at 75 MPH. If I’d stayed on 90, I could have seen it up close. In spite of that, I stayed on the Interstate for a while. I was just relishing the sensation of being able to crank down the throttle lock and cruising at a steady speed for a while. The Gulf Coast is really beautiful with its evergreens, palm trees Spanish Moss and pristine beaches, but I don’t want to live here. The humidity is way too high for my taste. I wonder how laundry ever dries down here. I like this area, but only to visit for a short while. Right now, if I felt the urge to settle down, I think I’d choose to land in western Colorado. I prefer a dry climate. I stopped in a little BBQ joint for dinner, last night. M&W BBQ in Bonifay, Florida. They had friendly waitresses, and good pulled pork and BBQ Beans. I liked their sauce, as well. I think I’m going to get my fill of good Q while I’m in this part of the country. I just crossed, or I’m about to cross, back into the Eastern Time Zone, so I just lost another hour. I might not make it to Jacksonville tonight, especially if I stay on secondary roads. (Message edited by Crusty on October 23, 2015) | ||
| Hootowl |
"I wonder how laundry ever dries down here" Maytag  | ||
| Tootal |
The other statement about the deep south is, "How can there be this much water in the air and it still doesn't rain!?" | ||
| Crusty |
Then Came Bronson I just rode through the town of Bronson, FL and I couldn’t resist using the title. There isn’t much to the town; it’s just a series of reduced Speed signs on Alt. US Rt. 27. I’m heading for Ocala to find a Barnes & Noble bookstore. I need to get some reading material. Then again, one of my LED lights is getting schitzy and likes to quit working after a few minutes, so getting something to read at night might be a waste of time. Yesterday, I stopped at a WallyWorld, and the only motorcycle magazine they had on the shelf that even remotely interested me was a copy of Motorcyclist. I bought it, but it didn’t many pages to remind me why I don’t like the rag. Hopefully, B&N will have a book I’ll enjoy, and the other light holds out. The flaky light works fine for a while, then suddenly goes out. If I try to turn it on again, nothing happens; but if I wait a while and try again, it works fine for a while, then suddenly dies again. I also need to find a Laundromat. I’m wearing my last clean jeans and I need to wash my sleeping bag again. I hope there’s a campground nearby that isn’t full, too. I camped at Manatee Springs State Park near Chiefland last night. It was very pretty, and it was nearly full. I got the second to last available tent site. After weeks of finding nearly empty campgrounds, I wasn’t prepared for one that was almost full. That caught me off guard. I have to say that even though the place was full, the bathroom was clean and the shower worked well (and didn’t require quarters). I liked it and would recommend it, even though it cost me twenty one bucks and change. Riding across the Florida Panhandle yesterday was interesting. I guess there’s a Biker Rally somewhere this weekend. I had a couple of people ask me if I was going to Thunder Beach at fuel stops and I saw quite a few bikes heading west as I was going east. I see so much more when I stick to the secondary roads, and yesterday, I saw a lot of beautiful country. If it wasn’t so humid, I wouldn’t mind spending some time here. However, I really hate putting on a clean T shirt in the morning and having it feel damp. (Message edited by Crusty on October 24, 2015) | ||
| Crusty |
Working My Way North I stayed in Silver Springs State Park, last night. It ’s another expensive State Park. This time , it cost $25.00. Like the park at Manatee Springs, it was very nice and had a good shower. It also had a coin-op washer and drier, and a nice kitchen sink for washing dishes. This park was sparsely occupied, which I like; it also had squadrons of large mosquitoes, which I don’t like. I had to break out the Avon skin-so-soft and rub my arms and neck down. After that, they didn’t bother me unto after I took my shower, so I retired to my tent and read for a couple of hours until I fell asleep. I hadn’t gotten a lot of sleep the night before, as Linda had kept me up until the wee hours, so I slept like a rock. I got a solid ten hours of sleep in, and this morning, I’ve come up with a tentative itinerary for the next few days. I’m heading North to Jacksonville, then continuing into South Carolina to check out the BBQ at Sweatman’s in Eutaw. I got an E-mail from a close friend who recommended it, and I want to check it out. Then, it’s west to the Atlanta area to see Stone Mountain. From there, it’s north to TWO and the Tail of the Dragon, then east to Fayetteville, NC to Steve and Grace’s place, where I’ll do a little R&R before I head to Washington, DC and the Australian Consulate to get my visa. After that, it’s back to Massachusetts to let a doctor run a camera up into places a camera was never meant to go. I hope the weather is cooperative; when I checked yesterday, it was in the 40s in Mass. (Here in Florida, it was mid to upper 80s). I also hope I don’t have to buy a set of rain pants until I’m back in the Northeast. We’ll see how that goes. | ||
| Two_seasons |
re: your LED light. Probably your batteries. For whatever reason, LED lighting really sucks up the batteries. | ||
| Akbuell |
Don't hesitate to drop by if your travels take you near Waynesville, NC and you need anything. Tune up, service, iced tea, washing machine, ect . . . . Dave | ||
| Hughlysses |
Plenty of good BBQ in SC besides Sweatmans: http://top100bbq.com "BBQ Trail" map: http://scprt.widencdn.net/embed/download/253c1b1d5 307fb37da8de63600a3aff1 | ||
| Aesquire |
Pity you missed the U.S.S. Alabama. It was a nice museum last time I was there, before the flooding. I'll have to go there again. I was lucky enough to go down to Mississippi with a lady friend of mine, and she was a joy on a trip. We'd stop at each state line at the tourist rest stop, and she'd grab the hotel & tourist papers, and start looking for the best deal to spend the night and most fun place to stop & stretch legs. We got a great deal on the U.S.S. Alabama hotel for the night, pulled in at about 2 am, and crashed. When I woke up the next morning I went out on the balcony to have my morning nicotine fix, and when my eyes focused, there was a frigging Battleship in the back yard! ( well, duh ) Great time, toured the submarine & museum as well. We also got hungry and pulled off the X-way in the middle of Birmingham. I think we were not in a normal tourist area. We saw a small BBQ place, and stopped for pepper poppers and wings, and got to chat with some locals, who were a bit surprised to see a couple of New Yorkers eating in a local joint and being friendly and curious about local life. As one person said, "the last time we saw someone from New York in this neighborhood, they were carrying tv cameras and filming the fires, then ran away." Stay safe and enjoy. Do you use Kindle? I have the ap on pc & phone. I still much prefer a real paper book, but the ability to instantly buy a new one for 99 cents and read it at once is seductive. plus I use the ap to read books I download from the Gutenberg Project. Free books out of print and with expired copyrights. An awesome selection. https://www.gutenberg.org/ | ||
| 86129squids |
What AK said. Crusty, feel free to holler at me if you're passing thru Maryville/Knoxville! FWIW, the weather's gonna get wet for a few days- if you care to see any of downtown Knoxvegas, at noon on the corner of Gay and Summit they have a live radio show every day at noon called the Blue Plate Special... the space houses both the Knoxville Visitor's Center and the WDVX radio studio! One block up and over walking south, Market Square is chock full of neat places to visit/eat. My current fave is Stock and Barrel- garonteed an awesome burger! And Local Motors is a neat place to inspect... they're doing some cutting edge R&D... and don't miss Scruffy City Hall! I'm likely off Tuesday and Wednesday, would be happy to show you around. If you need a free but fuzzy (2 dog house) place to crash, that's fine too, friend. | ||
| Pwnzor |
John, I work in Norcross, not very far from Stone Mountain. six-seven-eight four-zero-four zero-two-six-four | ||
| 86129squids |
Ummm... John, Holler if ya wanna. VIII VI V, VII I IX, I IV VI VI. Be safe otherwise and take your time, peak leaf season is upon us. Lots to look at, and lots of looky-loo idiots. My sweetie likes to go from here to Cherokee and back for a girl's day/nite out... she was delayed HOURS because IDIOTS had to stop and look at baaarz! She cussed them as she passed, finally, and let them know that THEY would be part of the cause of them baaarzz being euthanized one day.  Anyway, be safe, rubber side down. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Oh yeah... leaf season... The leaves are on the ground, where they were not two weeks ago... Be careful in the wet, and watch for all the crap on the ground. |
