First Snow of Fall, 2020 (November 30, 2020)

Just a few days ago this week, I was out riding the motorcycle. Late fall though normally gives the area snow and this season is no exception. Had rain followed by many hours of snow on November 30. As I went out on this first day of December to get these photos there is still some light snow falling and some bone chilling temperatures (below freezing) as I went out. Still, its a beautiful sight to see. I used to dislike snow as an adult as I had to drive in it, being retired, that is no longer an issue. Can almost be a kid again and just enjoy its beauty.

 

Pandemic Adventures (November 4-6, 2020)

Got out on a short trip to Rocky Gap, Maryland. Beautiful drive to the mountains there. Went with my wonderful wife Debbie. We stayed at Rocky Gap (at left) and toured Cumberland, Maryland first two photos below). On the 5th we drove to Wheeling, West Virginia (bottom two photos). Thought of staying an extra day but was concerned. In Maryland the social distancing and mask wearing was really common. Not so much in West Virginia so we decided as planned to return to Ohio. While relaxing on the 7th Joe Biden won the election for President of the United States. Debbie and me both are very, very pleased.   

 

Return to the USAF Museum (October 25, 2020)

Saw Endeavour today (Aka Apollo 15) at the National Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton. Remarkable place and a favorite place to visit. Saw quite a few things from the extensive collection, but have a few things of the items below. Thank you for visiting this page. 

X-15 one of my favorite aircraft. In fact you could list this as a Spacecraft!

X-29 and a row of aircraft. Some of the most interesting you see by looking up

XB-70 Valkyrie. Never went into production, Mach 3 top speed

YF-23, flew against the F-22

Mig-29, Russian aircraft

B-52, still in use today. 

F-4 shot down 2 Migs under the control of Robin Olds 

Modified Wright Model B

Memphis Belle, Boeing B-17

 

Fall Color, the joy of Flight, and a Bunny (October 22, 2020)

A few photos from the motorcycle ride today, first in a few days but worth the ride. Saw this display in Fairborn, it really does a great job celebrating Halloween. Second photo below is the beauty of Fall at George Rogers Clark Park, third photo is a Piper Cub landing at the New Carlisle Airport, and finally a visitor in my yard...a bunny! Have seen some of them of late, they had been scarce for a while but good to see them coming back. It was a beautiful day to get out and enjoy the wonder that is Ohio.   

 

Highway Hikers Toy Run (October 18, 2020)

 

Watched this last year and on a rainy day in Ohio watched this police escorted ride from Medway, Ohio to Springfield, Ohio to deliver Christmas toys and money for the needy in the area. Ride was put on by the Highway Hikers which has done this for 41 years. The number of motorcycles in the ride was officially (according to their site) 1,503 and saw all of them during the 50 minutes we watched them roll by. A few photos of the group can be seen in the photos below.       

Not bad considering there is a pandemic going on, plus the fact that it was a rainy day. I have been on a few Toy Runs (back in North Carolina while riding the Kawasaki Vulcan) and they are a lot of fun. Made me feel good to see all these motorcyclists giving to help the needy. Proud to be one of those who ride. My wife and I enjoyed watching them roll down the road to the fairgrounds where the toys and money were dropped off.    

Fall Color (October 13, 2020)

Ride today around the area, beautiful day to get my knees in the breeze and enjoyed seeing some more of the fall color around the area. Storms last night blew a lot of things down, and wanted to see the leaves while they are still on the trees. 

It is a very colorful October and sure enjoying the season here. Last few days were pretty bleak but now with the color its a beautiful thing. This time of year I used to go for rides on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and in past photos either on this or the Racing with the Wind motorcycle blog page there are sure to be some photos from those trips. This though has been a lot of fun and very beautiful. 

Anyhow, got some for you to enjoy. Did add some cow photos which I also rode past today. Cows are sure interesting animals, fun to watch them from time to time. Lived in cities for the last few years, this country life thing is a really nice change. Good here near Dayton in that we can get the best of both worlds.   

 

Fall Drive on a Friday Afternoon (October 10, 2020)

Debbie had some ideas for exploring, wanted to visit some areas she had been in growing up. One of the places she wanted me to visit was The Hairless Hare Brewery. Very good stop in that the beer was excellent, had a very nice Pretzel with Beer Cheese, and the view was remarkable. Watched planes taking off from the Dayton Airport which is across the road. On top of that with my wife there, could not beat the company. It was a nice place to visit with some excellent people as well as the previously mentioned beer. I have no doubt we will be back in the very near future.    

Wandered down the road where I came across this Civil War Monument. Interesting in that it was a Union monument, which figures as Ohio fought in the Union side on the Civil War. My family members during that time also fought in the Union Army so I thought this was very cool. From my days living in the states of Kentucky (which sent people to fight in both armies), North Carolina and Virginia the monuments there are of the Confederate side. Those monuments are under a lot of controversy due to what the Southern Army fought to preserve. The preservation of slavery was not a cause to build a nation on, but that is what they tried to do. Thankfully, they failed. 

During the ride there was a lot of fall color, and some you can see to the right of the photo in the background. I will do better in an upcoming post with some more color. Found an interesting old cemetery along the way. The old gravestone is very interesting and was the building and of course what attracted me to to the cemetery...the cannon !     

 

Adventures on the Road (September 28-30, 2020)

Got down the road for a while with Debbie, and we went to a few places as September came to an end. Took the photo at left in Pennsylvania, the three photos below were in Maryland. Back to Pennsylvania for the photo of  Major General Braddocks grave. Last two photos were taken in Wheeling, West Virginia. Note that Coleman's Fish Market has one of the best fish sandwiches I have EVER had. All the states and places we visited required masks which was a definite plus in our book. It was a great time and a nice adventure plus as you can see a beautiful drive. Wonderful; to see a little light during these dark times!   

 

Waco Fly-In (September 19, 2020)

Great time yesterday, took my wife Debbie to Troy, Ohio to the Waco Fly-In. A number of planes from across the country flew in to the city where the aircraft were made in the 20's and 30's. Really beautiful both on the ground and in the air. Mostly all Waco planes but a few non-Waco aircraft were also there. I have a  homebuilt Mustang type aircraft (as a theme, not a reproduction)  third from the bottom, and an old classic Cessna as the last photo. It was remarkable to see these historic aircraft and really enjoyed this event on a beautiful Saturday. I went by there on Friday also and have more photos on my "Racing with the Wind" page.