What's Been Happening 05/02/04

Well after a few days of heavy overcast and droppings from the clouds, today is Sunday, and what a beautiful day it just happens to be. It was a wee bit chilly this morning, but nonetheless, a beautiful sun shinning day. I tell ya, it just does not get any better then this. Today was definitely a day to ride those big ole ponies, which they all were just itching for some much needed exercise. The temps were in the mid 40's by 0830hrs. Needless to say, as the day went on, it would get warmer and much better. How sweet it is!!

Our attendees consisted of trusty Brush Hirsch riding his new cage, roven Robert Sample riding OLD TIMER, sergeant Russ Prichard riding RED DEVIL, jumpin Joe Hughes riding BLACK KNIGHT (his ST1100), Captain Kirk Huot riding RANGE RIDER, doctor Cary Levin riding FLIM-FLAM, our guest Victor Landor riding SPEED BALL and of course, yours truly.

Our selection for fine dining cuisine was the MACHINE SHED in Rockford, ILL. I took the lead and sergeant Russ did his usual fine job of sweeping. Our direction took us north by northwest through all of the back roads that we could find. Our ponies were delighted because there was no road kill, so their hoofs would not slip on the pavement. Naturally, we had to feed our ponies first with some mighty fine 93 Octane boost, with oats and hay as a chaser.

So it off we go, hi ho, hi ho, and away we go. We circumvented all of those major roads and took those skinny, seldom used roads. No siree, no more city dude living of us rough riders. Rolling, rolling, rolling, rawhide, as we snaked through out the greater northwest and into the Rockford area were we increased our travel time by an extra 40 minutes or so, plus added an extra 35 miles to boot. Our ponies were smiling from mirror to mirror with this much needed exercise. Today was truly a motorcyclists delight--cool weather, little wind and absolutely NO BUGS.

Anyway, we arrived at the Shed about 1045hrs. We quickly demounted out ponies and put them in the shaded corral were they would not get sun stroke. Alas, once inside, we were all promptly seated at the big ole round table.

Our waitress was kind enough to douse us all with much needed java. So let the shenanigans commence. And boy did it ever. The socializing was simply at its finest. Yes siree, the defiant swagger was definitely flowing. By now our tummies were growling for much needed nourishment. By now the unexpected happened, low and behold, the unthinkable happened, trusty Bruce was getting pretty feisty and really feeling his oats. He was on a real high this morning, he started to yodel, and sing and serenade the waitresses. I tell ya, can't this guy anywhere. It is a good thing that captain Kirk and sergeant Russ and the head matriarch jumpin Joe were able to keep a lid on him and simmer him down. How embarrassing!! By now the vittles were being served and trusty Bruce settled down to his ole self.

As we all left to retrieve our ponies in the local corral, everyone had to get home for one reason or another. I chose to continue on, and visit a "Civil War Era" which was located in Midway Village on the north end of Rockford. When alas, I could not believe my eyes who I met there. It was professor Damien Shelton and his lovely daughter Becky. So the three of us chose to witness the demonstrations of wood working, candle making, soap making and watching the demos of cooking, sewing and other household arts of yesteryear. We were also fortunate enough to check out the military life of the civil war. Demonstrating camp life, artillery drills and a possible visit by General Ulysses S. Grant.