Taggin Along in Rhody

Haven't been out in awhile. Thought about changing the oil for the winter setup, but was too lazy to do that. All the tours have ended and I am really not one to ride around solo aimlessly, so today will be about getting tags. MA tag is up in Gloucester, CT tag is down around New London, neither is that far away but I am getting a late start and just feel like stretching the legs abit.

I lined up the 1,2,3 tag which is a progressive numbering one. The last number was 13 so 14 is up on deck. You have to find the number 14 someplace. The Rhode Island tag is the Providence Zen Center which is not in Providence. Theme tag is finding a BBQ Joint. This shouldn't be a problem since I have almost every BBQ place catalogued from Smoke Chasing. The last one is the Last letter is the first Letter tag. The letter T is in the spotlight.

Loaded up the GPS with some potential spots. Also bringing along my Etrex to capture my walking track. I found a piece of software, GeoSetter, which marks the GPS coordinates into the photo EXIF data by comparing the time data from the photo and and GPS tracks. This is actually a pretty neat piece of software. Best of all it is free. Once you have it in the EXIF data you when you view the data in something like IrfanView, you have the option of seeing it in Google Maps or see it via a GeoHack link which presents a ton of optional mapping locations.

Picked up the T for the Last Letter First Letter someplace in Pawtucket. Actually I know exactly where it is via the Geo Tracker (N41 52.380 W71 24.411)

Next shot was right down the street from the Toys for Tots. I figured I would get a 15 in case I got bruced on the 14 tag.

Next stop I never used in the tagging games, It was my intention to send folks here, but I used a different shot. Still was a nice spot for the day. I drover right up on the sidewalk for this shot.  There were a couple of bus drivers exchanging buses at this location. My guess it was a shift change or something, They never even blinked an eye.

These were taken Slater's Mill is a National Historic Landmark in Pawtucket, RI. The mill in the first picture is Wilkinson Mill built in 1810 next to Slater's Mill. Slater's Mill can be seen to the right, it is yellow with the cupola.

The church in the background is the Temple of Restoration. The dam is located on the Blackstone River. Right across the street from Slater's Mill you can get some INK (National Park Stamp) in the visitor center.

Right around the corner is McCoy Stadium, which is a go to Tag. McCoy is the minor league stadium for the Red Sox's. Life for the stadium began in 1938 and was completed in 1942. I have been to a few games here and it is a pleasure coming here versus Fenway. Fenway may have the nostalgia, history and the Pros's built you have to put up with the traffic, crowds, parking and expense. Box seats at McCoy are $12.

 

 

This is the tag photo at McCoy. The new theme tag is a Memorial to a person in Sports. The statue is of Ben Mondor the owner of the Pawtucker Red Sox.  

Making good time I headed for Boneyard Barbecue in Attleboro, MA. I have been here before but did not eat here. I would grab the Theme Tag picture and have some chili. Perfect day for Chili since the temps has not gotten above 48.

The food

 

 

My company during lunch

 



Up to this point I had not seen any 14's and was beginning to worry I would not come across one before I got home. I figured I could always get a house with a 14 on it, but that seemed a bit cheesy. Before reaching nirvana I grabbed this along the way just in case.

 

It must have been Karma, because not too far away was American Legion Post 14.

 

 

What I posted for the tag for fun. The 14 really showed up on this one thou.

 

 

My last stop was the Providence Zen Center in Cumberland, RI for the Rhode Island Tag. The Providence Zen Center is a Buddhist Monastery and Retreat Center.

Of course I had to post this with some interpretative stream of conscious and a reference back to the 60's.

 



It's about 3pm and I decide to call MeAsWe. No answer, so I called Sky, my son. I get him to log onto GLMC for their tag. I forgot to look this up before I left, It was a full size lighthouse. No problem for us New Englanders, however given the time of day, temps now in the low 40's I simply wasn't gonna chase one down. Looking at my notes, I was confused at what was the Theme Tag. Sky looked it up and said it was a town bordering another state. OSJ had bruced me on the BBQ joint. In Rhode Island heading for home this would not be a problem.

 

Crossed into Mass, do a Uey and grabbed the last photo of the day.

 

 

Not alot of miles, just under 64 miles, but it felt good to get out and chase some stuff

 

 

Splittin Spokane, Knockin on Kalispell's Door

It's Sunday and we decide to head out for Glacier NP today, well to get within strikin distance. We are growing way to comfortable at the Econo and don't want to end up like the patrons of the Peppin Motel in VT. Not much on the agenda in the way of sites to visit.

This was parked right out side the lobby. While I doubt I would go back to a cruiser, I still appreciate an old one, especially with the SU carb. My TR-3 had 2 of em.





We stopped at Knights Diner on the other side of Spokane. When I told them I eat at their competitor, she simply stated we have no competition. I got a chuckle out of that statement. Breakfast was very good.





It was pouring out for most of our trip to Montana. Since we got into Idaho at night picked this one up on the way back out of Washington. Turned around to get the Washington





The rain. While riding in the rain is to be expected, I am not missing the bike right now.



Passed this place, maybe I can use it in a theme tag. Oh no bike..sigh



Hittn some mountains in Idaho



Montana



Sun starting to peak out of the clouds



I am a sucker for cars on pedestals. I don't have a clue what kind this is





Another pedestal thing. Libby MT





The State of Montana memorializes those killed along their highways. The American Legion has been placing these markers since 1953 as a reminder to us drivers it can be dangerous out there.



Clearing skies finally



Really straight roads



Kalispell



Whenever a deer comes up in conversation, MeAsWe has this reaction...



We will hang here for a day and then head to Glacier. We are only 33 miles from the west entrance.

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As the Duck Flies

Its Sunday and I am really really bored and I have heard motorcycles off in the distance but none of them approached me until 5PM. I heard voosh coming up the mountain. It got a little louder and then it suddenly stopped. I heard voices saying it should be right behind one of the wood posts. I felt a hand and she grabbed me, pulling me from the spiders and their webs. They were gonna try eating me, but I am not what they think.

MeAsWe and Willie introduced themselves and told me we were gonna go for a little ride. I asked to look at the mountains one more time. MeAsWe came with me. She has the same color feathers as me.



We stopped here for some water for all of us. I was really thirsty and wanted to swim



We be shopping



Oh the shopping was worth it, but this pond is a little to small to swim in.



We went to see one of my tall relatives.



Then Willie brought me to see one of my SQUID relatives. Fast Freddy Falcon is really fast. Willie keeps taking this blanket out for me to sit on. I am gonna have to ask him why. I wonder if it is a spirtual thing with him ?



We stopped here for dinner. I was a little nervous they might serve duck here and they we gonna sell me



The Mario Brothers were in town. We had a blast



I was promised if I watched the bike I wouldn't be put on the menu.



I was diligently watchin the bike, when MeAsWe said are you hungry ??



After dinner we went outside and I decided I liked my new friends so much I got another tattoo.



Check out this neat 82 Honda 900 Custom



Willie said we needed to get a move on. He said he has a special surprise for me. So off we went. I really like the FJR, it is a great touring bike. PhatPat scared the QUACK out of me on the way up the mountain. Willie doesnt drive as fast, but he's not slow either.

I am seeing an awful lot of these and I don't even like coffee.



I feel asleep and when I woke up we were here. Willie told me my Aunt Red owns a chain of these places and is really really rich.



Even thou she was really busy she wanted to see the motorcycle. She's really big compared to me. Maybe too much of her own food.



It was like a family reunion at her place. These are cousins somewhat removed and I hear they play hockey too. I don't know what the guy in the back is cheering about, I don't even know him.



Well after we got over the initial hugs and kisses, Aunt Red said "Why don't stay here for awhile and learn how to wait. I am learning how to host, take customers names and seating customers. I am safe, NO WAY would Aunt Red Robin serve duck. So ask for me by name Duc and you have to have your helmet with you when you ask. I will be at the hostess station waiting for another ride. Thanks MeAsWe and Willie for the ride



I gotta go, I gotta get QUACKING before Aunt Red fires me. I just quack myself up. AFLAC. Oh I am at the Blackstone Vally Shopping Mall in Millbury, MA