As you are passing through NorthEast Ohio, if you want to meet up, I can bring some tools for fixing your laptop.
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There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.
How I Spent My Summer Vacation
- Thread starter jdgretz
- Start date
jdgretz
Well-known member
Sorry I didn't see this earlier. Thanks for the offer.
I grabbed a small repair set from Harbor Freight and will pull it apart tonight. Fingers crossed
Jdg
jdgretz
Well-known member
Success! Unplugging the battery worked.
Not much happened today, other than stopping off at Niagara Falls and ending up in Toledo, OH. Now that I can look at maps and try different routes, I feel better. Also, I can look at Greg Rice's IBR Weather page and have a much better idea of what I'm going to be running into on the rest of the trip.
First, a look out my hotel window from last night. I've stayed at several aLoft hotels by Marriott and always enjoy them. Each is a little quirky, but fun. All have kind of a hip, minimalist look to them, but always feel welcoming. This one in Buffalo was no exception. Well, actually it was very different from the others in that it is in a mixed use building. The hotel includes a couple of restaurants, a bowling alley next door, and several lounges ,including a roof top bar and lounge. There are several other businesses in the building, and the top three floors are the guest rooms. I was on the top floor (12th floor). If you are in Buffalo, give them a try. Great staff.
Started the day at Niagara Falls State Park. Drove out to Goat Island and saw two of the three falls. I think the third one was where I was standing, and it would only be visible from the Canadian side, or from on the water.
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Video of the third fall from the overlook.
As I was riding into Ohio to spend the night in Toledo, I remembered the last time I was in Ohio. I was shooting in the National Pistol Matches at Camp Perry near Upper Sandusky and getting a little more than a bit inebriated on Catawba Island. But that's a story for another time.
Probably not much other than Interstate Highway miles tomorrow, but you never know.
jdg
Not much happened today, other than stopping off at Niagara Falls and ending up in Toledo, OH. Now that I can look at maps and try different routes, I feel better. Also, I can look at Greg Rice's IBR Weather page and have a much better idea of what I'm going to be running into on the rest of the trip.
First, a look out my hotel window from last night. I've stayed at several aLoft hotels by Marriott and always enjoy them. Each is a little quirky, but fun. All have kind of a hip, minimalist look to them, but always feel welcoming. This one in Buffalo was no exception. Well, actually it was very different from the others in that it is in a mixed use building. The hotel includes a couple of restaurants, a bowling alley next door, and several lounges ,including a roof top bar and lounge. There are several other businesses in the building, and the top three floors are the guest rooms. I was on the top floor (12th floor). If you are in Buffalo, give them a try. Great staff.
Started the day at Niagara Falls State Park. Drove out to Goat Island and saw two of the three falls. I think the third one was where I was standing, and it would only be visible from the Canadian side, or from on the water.
- - Video of the third fall from the overlook.
As I was riding into Ohio to spend the night in Toledo, I remembered the last time I was in Ohio. I was shooting in the National Pistol Matches at Camp Perry near Upper Sandusky and getting a little more than a bit inebriated on Catawba Island. But that's a story for another time.
Probably not much other than Interstate Highway miles tomorrow, but you never know.
jdg
jdgretz
Well-known member
OK, well, it's Friday night and I'm in Dodge City, Kansas. Where have I been since Niagara Falls?
Toledo Ohio. Yeah, that was a thing.
I saw a sign for a National Park right off the freeway, so I stopped by Indian Dunes for a stamp and photo, and continued to Des Moines for the night. Going into Iowa, I stopped at the welcome rest stop for a quick power nap. Those wind turbine blades are large. Yeah, that's pretty much it for Iowa.
Short day down to Brownville to spend the night on a river boat. I don't remember where I heard about this place, but I was like "River boat in Nebraska? Surely you're kidding?" No, I'm not kidding and don't call me Shirley! This had to be part of my trip. Turns out there is a group of Spyder Riders that come down during the summer from Omaha. It was me and another couple last night. We sat out on the deck and watched the fish jumping in the river and chatted. Delightful evening. Breakfast this morning was bacon, eggs, sausage, fried potatoes, coffee, tea, and fresh orange juice. This place is more or less a bed and breakfast. And very reasonable. My room was $160, which I think was excellent - especially considering the unique setting.
They only have one restaurant in Brownville, and it's only open for lunch, so it was suggested to run into Auburn - about 10 miles down the road and eat at Little Ted's, which I did. The place certainly would be easy to overlook if you didn't know it was there. Great suggestion. Good food, excellent prices, and a nice chill vibe. A couple of the streets were paved with bricks. Pretty, but very uneven. I would not want to ride that in the rain on two wheels.
I don't know if you have seen the art projects that some cities have - painted statues - guitars, horses, cows, etc. Auburn has bees. I have no idea why.
And for the history buffs - this was next to the river boat.
jdg
Toledo Ohio. Yeah, that was a thing.
I saw a sign for a National Park right off the freeway, so I stopped by Indian Dunes for a stamp and photo, and continued to Des Moines for the night. Going into Iowa, I stopped at the welcome rest stop for a quick power nap. Those wind turbine blades are large. Yeah, that's pretty much it for Iowa.
Short day down to Brownville to spend the night on a river boat. I don't remember where I heard about this place, but I was like "River boat in Nebraska? Surely you're kidding?" No, I'm not kidding and don't call me Shirley! This had to be part of my trip. Turns out there is a group of Spyder Riders that come down during the summer from Omaha. It was me and another couple last night. We sat out on the deck and watched the fish jumping in the river and chatted. Delightful evening. Breakfast this morning was bacon, eggs, sausage, fried potatoes, coffee, tea, and fresh orange juice. This place is more or less a bed and breakfast. And very reasonable. My room was $160, which I think was excellent - especially considering the unique setting.
They only have one restaurant in Brownville, and it's only open for lunch, so it was suggested to run into Auburn - about 10 miles down the road and eat at Little Ted's, which I did. The place certainly would be easy to overlook if you didn't know it was there. Great suggestion. Good food, excellent prices, and a nice chill vibe. A couple of the streets were paved with bricks. Pretty, but very uneven. I would not want to ride that in the rain on two wheels.
I don't know if you have seen the art projects that some cities have - painted statues - guitars, horses, cows, etc. Auburn has bees. I have no idea why.
And for the history buffs - this was next to the river boat.
jdg
jdgretz
Well-known member
Tonight I'm in Dodge City. The hotel is on Wyatt Earp Blvd. And for those of you who remember Gunsmoke
On my way here I had another bucket list thing to check off - a visit to The Hooptie Lot in Newton, Kansas. Tyler Hoover's used car emporium. If you're a car person, you may have heard of Hoovie's Garage on YouTube. I've been following Tyler, and his supermodel wife, April, for several years. I didn't really expect to see Hoovie, but wanted to stop by the shop anyway. Fortunately the fanboi gods were smiling and I got to meet and chat with both Tyler and April. They are both very friendly and welcoming, and April is even better looking in person than in the videos. Tyler certainly married up. GiGi is the lady at the desk who keeps the place running and makes sure Tyler does what he needs to do to sell those cars.
Between Newton, Kansas and Dodge City, I stopped off for a snack at this little place. The no longer sell beer, so they have taken the "Bar &" off the sign. Way more food than I wanted, for way less than I expected. I love finding little places like this.
Tomorrow I'll find Route 66 and continue toward home. Looks like it's about 1600 miles from here. I could do that in about 36 hours, but I'm going to turn it into two and a half or three days instead.
I have no idea yet where I'll lend up tomorrow night.
jdg
On my way here I had another bucket list thing to check off - a visit to The Hooptie Lot in Newton, Kansas. Tyler Hoover's used car emporium. If you're a car person, you may have heard of Hoovie's Garage on YouTube. I've been following Tyler, and his supermodel wife, April, for several years. I didn't really expect to see Hoovie, but wanted to stop by the shop anyway. Fortunately the fanboi gods were smiling and I got to meet and chat with both Tyler and April. They are both very friendly and welcoming, and April is even better looking in person than in the videos. Tyler certainly married up. GiGi is the lady at the desk who keeps the place running and makes sure Tyler does what he needs to do to sell those cars.
Between Newton, Kansas and Dodge City, I stopped off for a snack at this little place. The no longer sell beer, so they have taken the "Bar &" off the sign. Way more food than I wanted, for way less than I expected. I love finding little places like this.
Tomorrow I'll find Route 66 and continue toward home. Looks like it's about 1600 miles from here. I could do that in about 36 hours, but I'm going to turn it into two and a half or three days instead.
I have no idea yet where I'll lend up tomorrow night.
jdg
jdgretz
Well-known member
Saturday night and I'm in Tucumcari, NM. *sigh*
Well, on the way here I discovered just how flat Kansas really is. How flat is it you ask? I traveled approximately two miles at 70MPH on cruise with no hands on the handlebars. Yep, she tracked perfectly straight for two miles on her own. I think I found all four sharp turns in Kansas as well as the three in Nebraska.
In Fritch, TX, I saw this. I have no idea why, but there it was.
Further along was Perryton, TX, the ToH bonus and this mural. I wish I had been able to get a photo of the whole thing. Pretty cool.
Also, while driving along Highway 136 I saw this sign. Yep, it counts toward the National Parks Tour. The office was closed, but the foyer was open and I got a stamp for my National Parks Passport.
Arriving in Tucumcari, I bagged the ToH bonus, picked up some dinner (I had lunch at a Schlotzsky's in Amarillo) and headed to the hotel for the night.
I've been looking at the Butler Route 66 map and trying to think of a good reason to visit some of the stuff along the way. Fortunately, or unfortunately as the case may be, I've ridden 66 a number of times and have stayed at some "iconic" Route 66 motels and stopped in many of the regular spots. I'll probably end up in Flagstaff for the night, which means I'll also probably stop at the Corner in Winslow Arizona and take the mandatory photo there.
jdg
Well, on the way here I discovered just how flat Kansas really is. How flat is it you ask? I traveled approximately two miles at 70MPH on cruise with no hands on the handlebars. Yep, she tracked perfectly straight for two miles on her own. I think I found all four sharp turns in Kansas as well as the three in Nebraska.
In Fritch, TX, I saw this. I have no idea why, but there it was.
Further along was Perryton, TX, the ToH bonus and this mural. I wish I had been able to get a photo of the whole thing. Pretty cool.
Also, while driving along Highway 136 I saw this sign. Yep, it counts toward the National Parks Tour. The office was closed, but the foyer was open and I got a stamp for my National Parks Passport.
Arriving in Tucumcari, I bagged the ToH bonus, picked up some dinner (I had lunch at a Schlotzsky's in Amarillo) and headed to the hotel for the night.
I've been looking at the Butler Route 66 map and trying to think of a good reason to visit some of the stuff along the way. Fortunately, or unfortunately as the case may be, I've ridden 66 a number of times and have stayed at some "iconic" Route 66 motels and stopped in many of the regular spots. I'll probably end up in Flagstaff for the night, which means I'll also probably stop at the Corner in Winslow Arizona and take the mandatory photo there.
jdg
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