Winter Adventures around Dayton (February 28, 2021)

Winter came with full fury during much of February, there was the early snow fall in the previous post followed by many days of snow on the ground. We had over three weeks of pretty constant days of snow which along with the near zero as well as below zero cold made for a very interesting period. 

It was amazingly beautiful to see, after all this is Ohio and Ohio has winter. I did enjoy walking around and photographing it, though it was for brief periods.      

Visited the Air Force Museum, where I checked out the new Space display. Had a number of interesting items there including a moon rock, a Mars Meteorite which I touched (in the photo above) and even got a FLIR selfie of me as seen at left. Lots of interesting items there at one of my favorite places to visit and especially on cold snowy days its a lot of fun to go there. To be totally honest on any day its a lot of fun to go there.  

One of the other things I enjoy here is the geese. Not the geese crap which is pretty wild and abundant at times, but fun to see them fly around. I live close to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and often see the C-17's fly over the house (and there are a number of photos of them doing just that on this site) but also enjoy the geese formations. They are amazing and when it comes to formation flying they are also among the most professional in the skies. 

On Saturday February 27, temperature got up into the upper 50's. To be honest it felt like t-shirt weather. I did a little tree trimming around the house, some car washing, moved the Christmas decorations from the basement to the shed and charged up the battery on the motorcycle. 

I did not ride it mainly due to the still very salty streets out there, but I did fire it up, and enjoyed that sound. Spring and rides which will be featured on my "Racing with the Wind" blog site are not far away. The sound of that Triumph vertical twin engine sure put a smile on my face. Looking forward to Spring and the days ahead. Thank you for visiting my page. 
 

Into 2021 (February 3, 2021)

So anyhow, the nightmare of 2020 in the land of the Coronavirus is still continuing. That said, had a very fine Christmas and enjoyed the season though with the social distancing and under the new rules. Worked out ok. Very happy that the former President is no longer in power, hopefully it will be better and do not see how it could be worse. January was pretty good, with reasonable weather and not much snow. That changed a few days ago, and took these photos. Still not a major storm. 

Went to Louisville a few days ago at the end of January for the funeral of my daughter in law who ended her fight with cancer. She put a remarkable effort up for seven years and will be missed. Was the best part of my family, at least the nicest.      

Not much in the way of motorcycling here (as you can see) but have been enjoying the geese and ducks and the snow. Snow I found is like being a kid again when you are retired. I can enjoy it for what it is. As for the birds, always have been fond of things that fly and they really put on the air show here.

I am planning to make a trip to the National Museum of the US Air Force soon, for one its nearby and for another they have a major Space exhibit there for the next few months. A favorite place of mine, if you have never been its highly recommended. If you can not go will be bringing photos here on my next post. 

Thank you for visiting my page and have a great day!  
 

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.