Having Liberty at the Elms

At Christmas my kids got me a HD TV. I have been hmmming AND hawing about getting one. I figured I would wait until the Sanyo I got 10 plus years ago to give out before dumping cash on such a frivolous purchase. Well T (my daughter) decided for me, making the decision on how fast a refresh rate, which 1080 this and that and whether I needed to get a new amp with 5, 4 or 2 channels. With this gift it became necessary on upgrading to cable HD. By upgrading I lowered my monthly cost by getting more services than I need, namely a phone. I just know I didn't ask all the right questions and there is a catch some place that will show up on the bill. I don't have a contract (supposedly) and can change at my hearts whim. With that the cable box is a DVR and can record shows. I didn't think this would be a useful feature until one night I recorded a bunch of DDD's (Diners, Dives and Drive- Ins).

I promise this is all connected somehow.

One night I simply could not fall asleep and got up and decided to watch what I had recorded via the DVR. I came across the Liberty Elm Diner in Providence RI. I couldn't believe I have numerous books on diners, have done extensive research all over New England and have visited well over 100 diners over the past 7 years and this one I had never heard of. On P16 in Randy Garbin's book Diners of New England is a paragraph on the La Criolla Restaurant, which is notated as CLOSED. I checked my MapSource Master Diner file and low and behold it is marked as a waypoint.

Today being absolutely beautiful out in NE winter terms, I decided we should go pay a visit to Liberty Elm Diner. On our way down I pulled one of my treasure hunt actions in the middle of RT95 South to get a picture of this guy.



I have been meaning to grab this guy for years, plus it will fulfill a requirement for another waypoint category, surely something to risk your life for. Back into the flow of the traffic to Exit 17.

My recollection this place looked alot less for wear on DDD than in person. This place is a Worcester Lunch Car diner. Alot of the porcelain covered siding has taken a beating and rusting out. Kind of like an abandon car in some urban area. Randy Garbin notes in his book this place is "oft-changed diner in another struggling neighborhood sits on Elmwood Street, the city's oldest gateway boulevard to and from the south"





While I was outside taking pictures, I watched this Camry pull in and make this crunching sound. As the driver got out of the car I said it sounds like you just ran over some really bad. She walked around her car and said to me, "do you own this white car, because I just hit it" I answered "No it is not mine". What a way to ruin a breakfast for someone.

Inside the place had a well patronized look like all these diners do. We sat out back in a built on addition. You could tell the place had South American theme in its past. The room was painted with alot of bright colors on the walls, however I think this was in keeping with the current owners tastes. I did not take pictures of the back room.



Well I finally settled into the reason for coming here the food. Prominently displayed on a chalk board was the featured food on DDD, the Guy Turkey Sandwich. I asked our waiter what he recommended and immediately this was the one. I asked what did the locals eat and he leaned toward the Monte Cristo sandwich with egg. So that what I ordered. MeAsWe had the much healthier omelet with tomatoes and bacon. The menu has a wide range of items and not all of them are the typical breakfast and lunch fare.

The food.





The food was good, even better than average, but doesn't come close to touching the Crunchy French Toast of the Miss Worcester. I have a feeling I should have gone for the Turkey Sandwich. Each meal comes with one of those little umbrellas. It appears there is some kind of ritual you are suppose to do with them, but I failed to ask because it did not dawn on me until I began this writing. I did take a picture



Around the side and back the building has been painted with more than just a roller and brush.





Other objects takes me back to the hippie days of my youth. Just had the 'je ne sais quoi' air about them.





All in all not a bad way to spend a couple of hours in a New England winter. Heres the DDD segment and what Randy Garbins book look like. Oh I also found out this was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

2012 Calendar

At least this year we finished the 2012 calendar for Jan 1. Usually it is into the first couple of weeks when winter really sets in and it gives me something to do. All of the photos are from our trip out west in 2011. All of the pictures are clickable for viewing and enlarging in a new window.


January
Mount Ranier - Washington

Mount Rainer has to be the single most impressive and spectacular object I have seen on our journeys. This place is a must see.

February
Mount Shasta - California

This picture was taken from Lower Klamath Lake Rd. Since Mt Shasta is relatively isolated and is prominent due to its height, I have surmised it to be Mt Shasta. It seems we rode all around this area and never quite made it to the actual mountain.

March
Multinomah Falls - Historic Columbia River Highway - Oregon

This picture should be in portrait mode, however that does not do well for making calendars. This is only a small segment of the falls to show the bridge and falls as a backdrop.

April
Crown Point Vista House - Historic Columbia River Highway - Oregon

The Columbia River Highway is a great ride, with many views of the Columbia River. This picture was taken from Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint.

May
Mount St Helens - Washington

The ride to Mt St Helens is worth the trip. This is taken from the Johnson Observatory at the end of Hwy 504. The movie is spectacular, as well as the many personal stories about the eruption in 1980

June
Norris Geyser Basin - Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming

This was our second trip to Yellowstone and we stopped here because the Norris Museum was a National Historic Landmark. This pool that sits right out back of the Norris Museum looks like a giant hot tub. It is appropiately named the Bathtub Spring


July
Shoshone Falls - Twin Falls Idaho

We were looking for the marker for Evil Knievel's jump across the Snake River and never found it. We were told the marker was on private property. Just outside of Twin Falls, where we had briefly stopped for a picture, a guy pulled up asking if we knew where the Falls were. Not finding the marker we side tracked to see the falls. Well worth it.

August
Jupiter - Golden Spike National Historic Site - Utah

This was suppose to be one of those grab and run stamp locations and we ended up spending something like 3 hours here. Who can resist up close encounters with old steam engines.

September
Hotel Nevada - Ely Nevada

One of the places we stayed on our trip. A nights stay is only $35 and you are warned about the varying temperatures when taking a shower. This place has character and well worth a stay for the experience. Parked outside is a long string of HD's with my FJR feeling very loney on the right.

October
Going to the Sun Road - Glacier National Park - Montana

In 2010 the whole purpose of our trip was to ride the Going to the Sun road. This year we got to the ride from end to end on the bike. The views are spectacular and this should be on everyone's list.


November
The Loneliest Road in America - US 50 - Nevada

Not only the loneliest but wind is a factor too. I do not remember any cars that passed us coming the other way for the whole trip.

December
Craters of the Moon - Idaho

I just liked this picture because the yellow line and the slight bump of a curve. Taken on the loop road at Craters of the Moon in Idaho.

The Cover
Hwy 341 - Road into Virgina City NV

Fast Refund FastLane

A couple of posts ago, I wrote about my FastLane account being charged while my bike was in transit to Salt Lake City. It also happened on the way back. Looking at my statements I figured I spend about $60+ on tolls that were in error. The hard part was how I get my money back.

Called FastLane and they told me to write a letter detailing my problem and enclose proof that my FJR was in transit during those days. I asked how should I send it or if they had an email account I could send my documents. The woman told me I could mail it or send via fax.

I wrote a letter, gave them my account, enclosed the FastLane statements and proof that the bike was in-transit. I then faxed it with out any persons name on it. I pinned the letter to the wall where I work as a reminder to check to see if I needed a follow-up letter in the future. I figured I would be writing again.

Sitting at work, my cell phone rings. I generally get very few calls on my phone. For some reason I decided to answer and it was FastLane telling me they had reviewed my account and reversed all of the tolls that were charged to me while the bike was in transit. They said I would see a $39 refund to my credit card and the rest of the credits would reside in my FastLane account.

We always hear how inefficient state workers are or how lazy they are. I do NOT prescribe to this philosophy and that phone call proves why I don’t . Government workers work just like the rest of us; they are given some work responsibilities to execute on a day in and day out basis and for the most part strive to do a good job.


FastLane job well done and Thank You.

Blowing In to Acadia

Not wanting to sit around again this weekend, we decided to head for Acadia National Park for a stamp. A stamp you say, well this stamp shores up the Northeast corner of the US for the National Park Tour Silver Certificate. While we have til August next year to grab this, better now than letting time get the better of us. After all it is only 300 miles away.

We didn't leave early, but we did get under way by 9am. First stop was Giff's garage to check the air in the tires. Good thing because it has been 3 weeks since we really rode the FJR. Both tires we in the 30's.

Our charted course takes us to Portand, ME via Slabs. Having made this trip a million times (a slight exaggeration) and sun time being limited, wanting to ride up the coast after the traffic congrested areas and grab some historic places, the slabs seemed like a logical choice.

Being still Foliage Season (mayber), we called a couple of motels in Ellsworth to see if what the general availability would be. Priceline was no help to us this time. The Ellsworth Hotel was full, but they are only 59 and if you mention you saw them on the web you got 20 off. We ended up making reservations at Jaspers, just in case places were full. As it turned out we would have been fine. Having to go from city to city at the end of the day is no fun and we almost got stuck once in this area. Something about a lesson learned.

The weather was suppose to be sunny, but for the most part on Saturday, it was cloudy.

One very very sad note. I got a call from one of my kids to tell me they were taking my brother in law, John, off his ventilator. John have been fighting various cancers and heart problems for the last 10 years or so. He was placed in the hospital about a week ago. It was indicated then that this was his last go around. I did not go to see him, because I choose to remember John for who he was from the last time I saw him sitting at his dining room table versus him lying in a bed with tubes and machines hooked up to him. Then came the call Saturday night and I knew what it was for before I even picked it up. John died around 930pm Saturday. While I am saddened by his departure, I am glad the pain he was suffering is gone now.

Back to the trip, I didnt even bother to take the camera out until we got off the Maine Turnpike in Brunswick for our first photo op. The US Custom House in Bath Maine was built in 1858.



In Wiscasset we grabbed a few more pics.

Little Red Schoolhouse



US Customhouse



Now this is a first for me. Red's Eats with no lines. Reds always has a line that stretches to almost the bridge. All for their lobster roll. I am glad I am not into lobster roll, so I have not had to wait in line at Red's. You will find this place in the book 1000 Places To See Before You Die.



This could be a new chase object for me. Fort Edgecomb is just over the bridge from downtown Wiscasset. As soon as you get over the bridge, hang a right. It was built in 1808 1809.



Got to have at least one water shot while traveling up the coast



In Waldoboro we grabbed the Town Pound, the Theater and the Custom House. These are all on the National Register of Historic Places.







Had some coffee at this Moody's. Now this is suppose to be a Maine icon. I had one of the worse breakfasts I have ever had here. Today, I bought one of their cups for my Diner Cup Collection and the person handling the register was about as good as that breakfast I had here 5 years ago.





We blew right thru Rockland ME. In Camden, we grabbed this fellow creating some inspiration for someone.



We didn't stop and get a pic of the squirrel with the nuts, but did flic the button for Floyd.



Crossing the bridges over to Bucksport. The bridge behind the Penobscot bridge is on the National Register, the Waldo Hancock Bridge. If you ever get a chance, take a ride up to the observatory and visit Fort Knox. The observatory is the tallest public bridge observatory in the world.



Sun dropping, temps dropping and just wanting to get to our night destination we put the cameras away, I fought my need to keep stopping at places and we arrived at Jaspers about 6pm. Just shy of 300 miles, but set up in a great spot to hit Acadia tomorrow.

FastLane Gone Wild

Yesterday I checked my FastLane account to see how much they have taken away from my account. As I was looking over the bill I see that I got charged 30.00 while I was in Indiana.

INDIANA ????

I haven't been there this year. WTF !!. So now I am thinking Sky, my son, used my car and went to the midwest.I asked MeAsWe where were we on the 3rd. MeAsWe said the bike was in transit on that date.



It dawned on me, the FastLane hockey puck was in my tank bag, which was in the Givi truck, which was on the back of the bike, which was on a tractor trailer.

Each time the driver went thru a toll KACHING, give the governor another 50 cent piece.

I checked August's bill and the same thing. I called FastLane and I have to send them documentation that my bike was intransit to make an adjustment.

Why is the FastLane so effective buried so deep, but seems to only work every other time when it is in the wide open.

A Ride

It is not often that I ride to work because I don't particularly want to think about the traffic, the lights, the cars coming from the right and left, the school buses and I don't really have to worry about the weather either. Today my car is in the shop for new tires and brakes, so I took the bike to work. I have not ridden in about a week and half either.

First experience was starting up the FJR and hearing its purr. No coughing, no sputtering, just a nice constant purr. The first smile.

Pulling out of the driveway where I live can be a real challenge. First are the cars that park close to our entrance so they block the view of on coming cars. Second is the traffic. Most of the time there is enough of it, that you need to be cautious. This morning no car parked on our side of the street blocking any views, no traffic. I simply was able to pull out of the driveway and hit the road. The second smile.

Right turn onto Hartford Ave and I find myself accelerating and having to back off of the throttle. I am sure I was doing 50 in a most certainly a 35 and most probably a 25. The temperature is 63 and should be a bit cold, but it seems much warmer than than indicated. First stop sign no traffic and ease on thru the intersection. Hit the first traffic where RT 16 meets Hartford Ave. There is quite a bit and the line forms for getting thru the stop sign. For some reason it doesn't matter this morning. I have alot of patience and not in hurry to get any place.

Next foray is thru Bellingham making my way to I-495. A bit of traffic as usual, but no texters, sextexters, cell phoners, eye makeupers, combers that I see. Just people like me on the way to work and paying attention to the task at hand. No drama.

Right turn signal on, enter the entrance ramp to I495. One car in front of me, that is going slower than I want, but still making steady progress. We merge onto 495, my eyes looking forward, not looking to blast out into the second lane yet, after all I would have to look back and the car could all of a sudden brake. Eyes forward, we are comfortably merged and traveling the slow lane. I see my opening, in second gear, crank the throttle, 4, 5 , 6k 7k on the tach, slip into 3rd and move to the fast lane. Glance down and we are moving along at 90. There is nothing like the unbridaled power of a FJR. Smile number three for the morning.

Look down at the on board thermometer, its hoverng around 68. Almost perfect temperature for riding. Running in and out of lite fog, sun breaching the clouds and then covered back up, blurs of yellows, reds, auburns on the trees, fall is definitely in the air. Throttle back to a comfortable 70. Exits fly by, the road is smooth, traffic light and well dispersed. I start thinking of Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. What a great day this would be to simply ride the road to somewhere and no where.

Pass I95 South then North, next exit is about 2 miles away and mine to take. Exit right, twist the throttle, shift to 4th. I could have downshifted without the clutch. Another blip and we are into 3rd. The exit is mine and mine alone. Shift my weight slightly to the right, drop my right elbow, push with the left hand and the bike falls right over into the decreasing turn. Throttle steady, engine purring, eyes looking thru the turn, no debris, no sand, just a smooth exit ramp. The ramp becomes a road and that road is straight marking the ride is almost over, well at least the good part. Smile number four.

As I pull into Subway for my Black Forest Ham, Egg and Cheese sandwich, I say to myself I really should ride to work more often. I am sure I had a smile on my face.

An Affair with Water - Final Standings

Just this past weekend GLMC announced the preliminary standings on their season long grand tour, An Affair with Water. Below are the top 20 riders for the GT. MeAsWe came in 11th. 3 more towns would have put her in the top 10. I finished 6th down 3 places from last year, however the point spreads between the top 10 were alot closer this year than last. As I suspected the number of town captured by the top people were also lower. Looking forward to our T Shirts and next years tour.

2011 Water Grand Tour
Rider # First Screen Last State/Prov Total RotY
1 207 John JohnF Frick OH 388 50
2 333 Debbie Korolchuk FL 347 49
3 329 Annette Korolchuk MN 283 48
4 287 Beth TBONE Madson MN 273 47
5 371 Mike MikeH Heitkamp IA 262 46
6 439 Bill Collins MA 230 45
7 467 Robin Edkin NY 207 44
8 466 Wayne Edkin NY 207 44
9 208 Jim Unplugged Weatherhead MN 205 43
10 382 Keith Carlson MN 201 42
11 457 Crystal Consolo MA 199 41
12 372 John JohnL Langan CA 176 40
13 214 Jeff LSGiant Kerkow MN 167 39
14 339 Dawn Williamson WI 149 38
15 385 Ingrid Wessel IL 143 37
16 332 Kevin Morris NJ 120 36
17 470 Jeff Perkins WI 116 35
18 61 Jayd Cruzin Lindom MN 115 34
19 363 Del Del Brisson MN 105 33
20 458 Jim Masters MN 95 32