Strange Dreams

It's my first post of the New Year and it's not about motorcycles. I had this strange dream last night.I was driving an 18 wheeler, with someone,I don't know who,that got me this job.We ended at this mansion.I put the truck where they told me and we got out.I really didn't know what I was hauling,but it turned out to be illegal,either unregistered guns or drugs.In my still trying to wake up haze,I try to remember. I am leaning towards drugs. People there had me park this truck by a sinkhole.I don't know why there was a sinkhole there in this huge yard.The owner or person who lives there comes outside to the truck.He expresses his anger at this sinkhole in the yard. I suggest he turn it into a swimming pool.He just turns and walks away. Now things are a little blurry here,but more people show up to unload the truck,I presume.But the next thing I remember,the shooting starts.A shootout ensues and me and the guy I drove in with run for cover.He starts shooting back and I yell "Hey,I need a gun!" I duck out from behind the car with the .38 revolver he tossed to me.(I distinctly remember it being a snub nose .38 revolver).I immediately feel something sting on my neck as I fire back one shot and hit this guy that was pointing a rifle at me(I don't remember which kind).He goes down,I duck back behind the car and stay there.The battle slows down and the people that I brought the truck to have won. . The next thing I remember is lining up with everyone else involved.I don't know why,either to be paid,or to find out the next part of the job. As I am waiting in line with the guy who rode with me in the truck,I put my hand to my neck and notice the pain .I've been shot, apparently. I ask my friend if "this can get me out of the rest of the job?" He says "I'm not sure,ask when we get up to the front of the line." I'm bleeding,but not nearly as much as I should have been considering a bullet lodged in my neck. We get to the table and seated next to the table, in chairs like they are at an outdoor wedding,are a bunch of criminal types I recognize,but don't know how or why I recognize. I say "Can I can go home early since I've been injured?" The guy says "Yeah,you can go,we don't need drivers today,but you can not go to the hospital" He hands me a wad of cash and gives me an address of a discreet veterinarian.

I woke up and that is all I remember. Without a doubt,this is on the list of the weirdest dreams I have ever had.Just never thought about getting them written down until now. Have you had any weird dreams you remember?

Paul Walker's Death and How It Affected My Life

   

As you all know by now,Paul Walker and his friend Roger Rodas died in a Porsche Carerra GT they  that they owned together.Paul's funeral is today,so he can be laid to rest in a private event for family and friends.Always Evolving were driving while attending a charity event at their garage ,

 I'm not going to go into all the details ,you can look that up yourself,this blog is about how it got me thinking about my life and what I've been doing. I see Paul and his success,not with jealousy,he was a good person who did a lot of great things with his success and money,including his charity ,Reach Out World Wide .
     Seeing his life and how he lived it,I feel that up until this point,I've been wasting mine.I have a dead end go nowhere job.I don't do things I'd like to do nearly as much.I want to move to the Outer Banks NC as I feel that is my home and I was born in the wrong place.I would like to get out fishing more and motorcycle traveling but just don't have the money or the ambition.I work way too many hours for pay that is too low,as does my ole lady.However,she likes her job a bit more than I do.I despise mine,it's a bottomless pit of hate for this job.

The problem is,I just don't know how to get out of this bad career choice.I don't want to be rich,although,that would be nice,I just want to be happy.I want to enjoy doing something.I want to like the people I work for and with.One also gets "pigeon-holed" in this job.Too many times I've talked to new employers and they say "We don't have a position in your field" and I'm thinking "What field?I drive a truck,but that's not the only thing I can do,did you even read my application and resume?"
     The other part of how this got me thinking is ,while his death came way too soon and is a tragedy.For many reasons that don't include his film career,he and Roger died with a smile on their faces.They died doing something they loved.When it's my time,I want to go out the same way,doing something I love.I don't want to die, in my sleep, on the couch, in front of the TV.I want to go out doing something I enjoyed.I don't spend enough time doing things I love and that is my fault. I've lost some ambition and the money and time isn't there because of the job and my laziness in working to get out of that and into something I would enjoy.
 
I just don't know where to go from here.

    Paul Walker was a good actor,but an even better person.I enjoy his films,but I really connected with him because of his love of the ocean and his desire to become a Marine Biologist , which was his major in college.He did much for people,but he also was a supporter of shark protection and conservation as well. Click this Paul Walker Loved The Ocean  to read a nice memorial written by David Shiffman.

                                                   R.I.P. Paul. I'll miss you.


     This is my video log on Paul Walker and How his Death Affected Me.

The First Ride by A.H. Rosenberg - A Book Review

    I just finished reading The First Ride  written by A.H. Rosenberg. It is a true story from the experiences of the author himself.He is a rock climber and has traveled before and therefore isn't afraid to try new things.This story is an unapologetic look at traveling by motorcycle.He tells it exactly as it happens and does not sugarcoat anything.
     When his friend,Nick, asked him to go on a multiple country ride to Panama with him and two other friends,he is a little hesitant,as he has never ridden a motorcycle,nor does he even own one.His friend,lends him a bike,he takes the safety course and practices for six months before the trip.For all intents and purposes,he is still a new rider,and his adventure begins the moment he picks up the bike at his friend's house and rides it home.
     I won't give any specifics away,but his story describes the highs and lows of being a novice rider.He writes in great detail what it is like,as a new rider,to not only go on an extensive road trip through 7 countries,but also what it is like to travel with three other experienced motorcyclists.he talks about trying to keep up with them, the arguments,and especially the danger of not "riding your own ride". He tries to keep up with his traveling companions as they take risks he isn't experienced enough to do yet,as well as some risks no rider should take,no matter how experienced.
     He almost is killed multiple times as he takes this "crash course" in motorcycling,but he prevails to tell his exciting story.
   
     I highly recommend this book to any motorcyclist,non motorcyclists,adventurer, or armchair adventurer.I guarantee you won't be able to put it down.After I finished his story,thought about the first time I rode amotorcycle,not as a kid on my Dad's Harley,but as my own rider,back in 2001.I didn't take the adventurous trip the author did,but I was scared for the longest time as I learned how to be safe.I have been on many trips as far as Atlanta and the Outer Banks.It is also my main mode of transportation,mostly in the summer as I just don't want to deal with the cold anymore at 3am.I used to though.
     I want to take a summer long or even year long motorcycling trip but the money is a factor.After reading this book, it both scared me and excited me to travel through multiple countries on a motorcycle.I also am not a big fan of group riding because of many reasons,the author,Alex,found out for himself in his tale.I also know ,though,I would never want to travel the countries he did alone.This book has reiterated that it is important to have like minded and similar skilled riders in your group.
   
This book spoke to me and brought out a wide range of emotions about motorcycling and what it means to me.
 

      The First Ride by A.H.Rosenberg is a must read.You will not be able to put it down.I hope you will buy it,not only to share in his adventure,but to support indie authors as well.
It is available on amazon for the Kindle and the Kindle computer and phone app. Click the title in this blog to buy the book.

This is my First Ride and my first motorcycle in 2001

Hurricane Sandy

     This blog is coming a bit late but right before Halloween ,Hurricane Sandy came north up the east coast,hitting the Outer Banks NC yet again roughly a year after Hurricane Irene hit it.They have,yet again, a lot of work to do to clean up the sand,rebuild sand dunes,houses,and the only road in or out,highway 12. Unfodtunately, they have been largely overlooked by mainstream media.People who know me,know I have a passionate love for the Outer Banks almost borderline obsession.I am okay with that.My favorite fishing pier,the Rodanthe Fishing Pier has lost about 50 feet off the end of the pier.They were going to remodel anyways,but now they have to change the design a little bit to offset cost to extra repairs.
    New York and New Jersey also got hit hard in some places along the cost. here,in my part of Pennsylvania, we didn't get it as bad.We lost power for 2 days,and a power line pole,but that is about it.I have some photos of our little bit of damage,as well as a short video of some flooding of a nearby stream.

My beloved motorcycle parked safely in my storage garage.

Using water from rain barrel for flushing the toilet

Washing up in cold rainwater after fixing kerosene heater.

Downed Power Line that caused only a 2 day outage

Using my trusty Zippo to light the way

Boardgames to pass the time(Electric JUST came on)

Replacing the power line.

      As you can see,we got lucky.As I've said I love the Outer Banks of NC.I also have a fondness of NYC as well as some people I consider friends living there,a couple in particular in lower Manhattan.They are all okay and everyone I know in both Hatteras and NYC have great positive attitudes.
I will leave you with a short video of some flooding that occurred in the stream beside our trailer park.

Zippo/Case Knives Museum and Factory

568 miles roundtrip

    July 22 2012,we got up at about 530a for the purpose of riding out to Bradford PA.The intent was to visit the Zippo Lighter/Case Knives Factory and Museum  and purchase a lighter right from the factory where it is made in Bradford,Pennsylvania.

    I know I can purchase a Zippo Lighter at the local Walmart but what is the fun in that?.
 The ride up was fairly uneventful,with some stops for food and gas.Once one gets off the highway,the scenery is really nice.We saw some deer in the woods alongside the highway
    Riding on 219N North to Bradford is a scenic ride and I recommend everyone add it to their motorcycling trip wish list.It isn't really twisty,but it is a nice ride.Along the way,we passed a pet cemetery,complete with headstones.I didn't get a picture,but it was a definitely an interesting sight.
   This is roughly the route we took,the beginning leg of the trip,we avoided the PATP but on the way home,in the interest of time,we took the Turnpike.We got home around 730p and with the stopping for breaks,gas,food, and the museum visit,it was about 13 and a half hours,568 miles round trip.
      

My 2003 Honda Shadow parked out in front of the museum

                                            

Click for the history of the Zippo car

Old Glow'ry

            When one goes into the front door of this place,you walk into the store and head immediately to the back where the museum entrance is located.You are greeted by the sculpture and flag called Old Glow'ry.That flag is entirely created out of over 300 Zippos.The photo doesn't do it justice.You must visit this for yourself.
             Turn right and you will head into a history buff's mecca of Zippo history of ad posters,and antique Zippos.There is entire sections of vintage posters of yesteryear.There is a section dedicated Zippos used in war,including lighters that have saved a soldier's life by taking the bullet.There is a section dedicated to movies that Zippo has starred in such as Die Hard,JFK,many many more,and more recently,the hit TV show The Walking Dead .

Carl saves the day with a trusty Zippo on The Walking Dead

                                          
          

Motley Crue Special Edition Lighters

Music of all genres have been immortalized on the Zippo.

Sculpture by Ce'sar for the Grand Opening in July 1997

                                        
                                          

It's a must visit place on any motorcyclists trip

  

There was no internet for ad campaigns.Eye catching posters were important.

Advertising

Ronson cigarette holder and lighter

Zippo starred in many movies

There is also a large Case Knives collection

A quality,American made product

                             
                                

This ad is on the wall in the living room of my house.

 I love the Zippo lighter because it is a quality American made product.I am not a smoker,but I always have one with me.In my opinion,everyone should carry one,(along with a Swiss Army Knife).In 1995,we drove up to the factory,and I had bought one on that trip.I had since lost it for many years,and I thought it was about time I got another one.

The Zippo that came home with me

2012 Authentic Zippo Lighter

                                  Just recently,we found my original Zippo in a box in the back of the closet.It sits on my shelf now,but it does still work.It had an Outer Banks NC theme,of course,since that is my favorite place on earth.

    The ride home was also uneventful.We stopped at a Sheetz for gas and some cheap food.While we sat there and rested,a real life Motorcycle Club was at the other end of the parking spaces.They had a guy in a green Jeep blocked in ,but he wasn't going to say anything.There was also a pick up truck with a garage built,but very cool chopper in the back.Apparently,it had broken down.He was also blocking the lot.Eventually there were a lot of man hugs and they took off in along "bike train" down the road.
            That is my blog about the Zippo Museum in Bradford PA.I'll leave you with a couple of videos from my visit.

                     This is a short video featuring a lighter from D-Day during World War 2

                                   
                                 This is a longer,more in depth vlog about what you'll see at the museum.There is much more to see then what is in this video.            
                                                                 

Pilgrimage to Motorcyclepedia Museum

    I opened the front door and looked out to overcast skies about 730a on July 3 2011 and what looked like rain that had just passed.The wife,even though she has a fractured rib, and I decided we were going to ride the motorcycle up to Newburgh NY (again) to visit Mikey Teutul's Wolfgang Art Gallery and Motorcyclepedia Museum . We did NOT stop at Orange County Choppers ,but we made a quick drive by at Paul Jr Designs .
    We decided to go on the trip because it looked like the rain had passed.It did not. We cruised up 222N to 100N to 22N and 33E with no problems.We hit the exit at Wind Gap PA as it started to come down heavily.We pulled into the McDonald's at about 900a and had breakfast and waited for the rain to stop.We waited until about 1015a and the rain did stop,so we took off to our destination.Fifteen minutes later it started coming down hard again with no break in the downpour.

    We just kept going,soaking up the water as we made our way onto 80E and 209N through Delaware Water Gap. As we cruised in the rain through the forest,other die hard motorcyclists passed us headed south.My RAF style perscription goggles kept fogging up and I could barely see.I kept repositioning my head so I could see through a clear spot on my goggles. It was a chaotic ride,but we made it to a gas station in Matamoras,PA.
     We pulled into the pump and the wife,Kelly, got off as did I to stretch our legs,and to discuss if we should continue. Our clothes were thorughly soaked through and our leather jackets will have taken on 8lbs of water at the end of the day,or so it felt.

It was still pouring at this point but we decided to keep rolling since we were more then halfway there and already wet.We go by a minimalist code so we rarely pack alot to bring on a trip and we don't even own raingear.                                                                                                        

So,we head back out into the rain for a few miles on 209 N and turn left onto I87 E.The rain,of course does not let up,but we ride at 70mph into it like it's nothing.Rain is spraying off our tires,dripping off the fenders.It's found a way in and is running down the front of my leather jacket now,creating a wet stripe down the center of my T shirt.Our pants and shoes are completely soaked through.                     

We get off at exit 4W and head north on 17 W to 211 E and ride the last soggy 9 miles

to Mikey Teutul's Art Gallery.We turn into this unassuming street and there is the art gallery on the left between some other businesses,in a small, one story building.We park in the lot across the street,with only one other car occupying a space and walk across into the strange world of Mikey's mind. Unfortunetly,I did not get the curator's name,but she was extremely nice and helpful.She explained which was Mikey's art and which was art created by other local artists.

Mikey Teutul's Wolfgang Art Gallery (and the author's motorcycle)

Mikey's Studio

Mikey's Work

It is definitly interesting although I don't really understand all of it.She told us Mikey comes in and works whenever and doesn't really have a schedule.He was at the gallery the day before for a while.He also has a studio at his house and at his brother's shop.So,we didn't get to meet him.Perhaps next time.

We say goodbye and walk out into the rain like it's nothing,get on the bike and take a couple short side roads to Route 17K and turn right for Newburg,NY.It's already 200p,so we skip Orange County Choppers and drive right by,turn left on route 300 and stop at Walmart so the wife can buy dry jeans.

We then get back on 17K and ride into the town of Newburg,which sort of looks like downtown Reading PA....yeah really,I know.... but,most times,off the beaten path, in the most unexpected places,away from the mainstream,are the best places to visit. I am increasingly getting away from mainstream everything,although I hope this museum gains popularity and is around for a very longtime,forever.                                                                                                                                            

We make a right onto Lake St and about a mile down on the right is a the Motorcyclepedia Museum in an unassuming building that used to be a lumberyard/hardware store.One would drive right by it if one wasn't looking for it.We almost missed the driveway.                                                                               

 We park,walk in the door and are greeted by three Arlen Ness choppers.We pay the more then fair $10.00 admission fee per person and are greeted with warm and friendly staff.He allows us to leave our helmets and jackets,wet and dripping,in the lobby at the front door.The majority of the staff are volunteers.If I lived closer,I would most definitly put in time here as a volunteer.                              

I could go on and describe what you'll see,but I will just post some pictures and video to give you a small part of what you'll see here.

Motorcyclepedia Museum

Two others from Vermont braved the rain for a visit

                            Here is a video of just a small part of this amazing museum

                                            
                           
                            Here is a link to all of my pictures
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v37/mrpeabdy1974/Motorcyclepedia%20Museum/?albumview=slideshow

     We left the museum at 445p in light rain,on and off,it rained on the ride back.We stopped in Matamoras for Dollar Menu Dinner at Wendy's and then headed back down 209S. In Delaware Water Gap, we saw a young deer eating alongside the road.The experience of that is enhanced on a motorcycle.It is like we were up close.One can't get that in a cage on four wheels.
      We did about 90 miles to Allentown PA and got gas,headed the rest of the way home.
      We had aching muscles all over from being wet all day.We wouldn't change a thing.We didn't regret not taking the car.Riding a motorcycle is an experience that you can't get in a box on wheels with canned air,what you do getis a FALSE sense of safety. It was a great ride and a great destination. I highly recommend Motorcyclepedia Museum in Newburg NY.We will be going back again,possibly in November,when the original owner of the Wall of Death will be there to ride the wall.This time we will take the car and let the kids experience a great and historical museum and I would hope they learn,as I did, the important part motorcycles play in American,and World history. You don't have to ride a motorcycle to experience Motorcyclepedia,but after visiting and learning,you will be inspired to ride and feel what I feel.
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"If you have to worry about the risk,you're dead already." - Paul Newman