Christmas Cards

As of Sunday (11/7) my cards are made!
I'm not going to post one here as some of you that read my posts will be receiving one and I want you to be surprised ;-)
Now, I just have to sign and address them.
So, after the holidays I'll post a picture.
I'll give you a little hint ~~ it's a snowman.

7/28/2010

Well we seem to be coming to the last stretch of our journey.

We road Hwy 52 out of Ohio today into Kentucky just to by-pass Cincinnati. From there back into Ohio to take Hwy 74 into Indianapolis.

Would have been to Indianapolis at a decent time if it wouldn't have been for rain, state police rolling blockade and construction.
Yep, first time this trip we had to pull over for rain. A couple of time actually. The first time was in a little town called Calio, OH. By the time we got pulled over to get out our rain gear it was over. Ok, not so bad. Then the second time, on Hwy 46 just south of Greensburg, IN we stopped before it started because we saw the dark sky, lighting and heard the thunder. Pulled over into a BP gas station, got on our rain gear, got the bikes under the awning between the pumps and waiting it out inside, for about 1/2 hr. Wind blew hard and fierce and we where nice and dry inside for a change.

Took off after the rain passed and got to Hwy 465 heading towards Ian's apt. and we get behind a rolling blockade of Indiana State Police and Indianapolis city police going only 20 miles/hr. Why, because someone decided to deliver over-sized I-beams to the construction zone on 465. Now, why did they have to do this during rush-hour traffic instead of in the middle of the night or early in the am? I don't know but not too nice.

But as I type this we are at Ian's apt enjoying the visit, his air conditioning and went to dinner. Mom got her way and we ate YUMMY Skyline Chili.

Tomorrow we will head back home. It's been a great trip!!!

7/27/2010

Well we've made it back to Ohio today. After my last post we where at Monticello, in Charlotsville, VA, rode to WV. Stayed last night in Hawk's Nest State Park in WV in their lodge. Very nice. Decided on a whim to try it and we were pretty happy with it. The views where amazing. The park is inside the New River Gorge.
We actually rode over the New River Gorge bridge. This is the world's second longest single arch bridge.

Crossed over the Ohio River today at Huntington, WV. We are following US HWY 52 along the river. Since last night worked out so well at the state park we found another one tonight to stay in. Shawnee State Park in OH.

Very "rustic" themed. Pine paneling, log bed posts, log furniture. Indian decorations. Sounds weird but it fits. We're pretty much in the woods.

We will ride towards Cincinatti and continue on to Indianapolis and spend the night with Ian. Thursday we should be home.

7/26/2010

We drove Skyline Drive all 105 miles of twists, turns and overlooks but the best part? A black bear, yes, a young black bear on the side of the road just standing there eatting berries. Didn't seem to care about the humans taking his picture. He was amazing.
Saw deer too. Here's my experience with that: I'm ahead of Steve just riding along, come around a curve and guess what I see: 2 deer standing in the middle of the road.
I call to Steve "DEER" flash my break light at him and slow down. Steve had another bike behind him. I honk at them and they just turn around and head up the hill like they were bothered or something.
Got behind some old lady driving an RV about 20 miles and hour. She could bearly see over the stearing wheel and seemed totally freeked out. She pulled over at one of the overlooks and we went around....she's probably still out there, haha.
You can't be in a hurry out there, the speed limits range from 30-40 miles per hour.
And yes, it is patroled so watch your self.
Oh, I forgot to mention $10/bike gets you on it for 7 days.
It was about 90 instead of 105 but the shade areas keep it pretty cool up there.

So, Monticello today, ran out of time yesterday. Will be heading west soon.

7/24/2010

We made it to Virginia!
Today we where in three different states, PA, MD and VA.
Don't ask me how we did it but we did.

The heat was absolutly awfull. The worse yet. The lady at the VA visitor center told us today was the hottest day ever recorded in VA since they started keeping record. OH JOY, thanks for that.
I guess this just makes us appriciate the nice calm 70's weather.
I'm sure I'll forget all about it in January. LOL

Made it to Front Royal. This is the starting point of Sky Line Dr. The "plan" is to get up early, have breakfast here at the hotel and hit the drive before it gets too late and hot. Let's hope that works.

We had to stop, we wanted to do the drive today but couldn't take it anymore. Steve was watching the heat gage on his bike go up and up. He said lets call it a day and give the bikes a rest. Staying in a really nice Hampton Inn. Pricey but worth it. Used the pool, laundry, and cranked up their air.
Too hot and tired to go get dinner, had pizza delivered to the room.

Lots of bikes in the area. People riding, some on trailers. Seeing plates from all over too.

Will have to see how the day goes but we would like to go to James Madison's Montpelier and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. Maybe a little ambitious. After we get to Charlottesville we will be heading west towards WV.

7/23/2010

Many adventures since my last post.
Let's see where did I leave off?
Oh, yes.

We rode to the outter suburbs of Philadelphia. We've stayed at many different hotel chains on this trip and in the post but none as bad as the one the last two nights.
Motel 6 in the town of King of Prussia. DO NOT STAY THERE -- DO NOT RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE! It's a dump and they will be getting a letter from me when I get home.

Now, I have to say we where able to take the city bus SEPTA all the way to downtown/historic Philly for $7/person round trip. Totally worth it. We didn't have to drive in the city and from what I saw of the traffic this was a good thing.

We did ALOT in the historic district. Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Christ Church, Ben Franklin's burial site, Carpenter's Hall, a house where Thomas Jefferson stayed to write the Decloration of Independence. The only thing we missed was Betty Ross' house.
It's pretty strange to think these large and beautiful buildings where there and that the city of Philadelphia has skyscrappers surrounding them.

So, what's the hype about Philly Cheesestakes? I don't get it. We went to Jim's on 4th and South. There was a line outside, the wait about 1/2 hr. It was ok, I personally think a good Chicago Beef sandwich is better though. But that's what you do when you're on vacation, try new things, right?

Today, we went over to Valley Forge national park. Very pretty country. Nothing remains of the orginal encampment as the property that it took place on was owned by local farmers at the time and everything was dismantled. EXCEPT for the house that George Washington rented out for his command post. We got to go through it. We also go to see nps staff doing and excavation of a sight not far from the house where a cabin use to be. We took a trolley tour of the park. Let someone else drive us around this time. Just like Gettysburg there are alot of monuments through out the park. At one of the stops there where re-enactors there to explain what was going on during the 6 months the army was there. They also explained their uniforms and guns.

Just how hot is too hot to ride? Today was the day. I couldn't stand it anymore and told Steve we had to stop. So we went to the town of Phoenixville. We found a real interesting restaurant to stop at. I thought it was mexican when we first went by but when we went in it turns out it was Guatemalan. Oh was it good too. I had steak and Steve has chicken. They where so friendly too. Family run and only open for 1 month. She was surprised how far we were too.

Tonight we are in Chambersbug, PA. not far from Haggerstown, MD then off to VA.

7/21/2010

I had no idea Pennsylvania could get SO HOT!

This morning we got up and out of the hotel to get over to the York Harley Davidson assembly plant for a tour.
Well, a modified factory tour. It turns out we couldn't go down to the line because they are actually making 2011 models and they haven't been revealed to the dealers or public yet so they wouldn't take us too close.
However, we could see them coming down the line from a distance. No details though.
Pretty interesting, we watched them make kick stands, front and rear fenders, running boards and I don't remember what else.
It's a true factory, hot and all.

Left and road some nice country roads in Lancaster County. Yes, we saw Amish. Amish on farms, in fields, in town in buggies, kids, and old men on bicycles.

We stopped at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg. I only did the inside part of the museum because that's where the air conditioning was. :(

Tomorrow the plan is to see historic downtown Philly.
Friday will be Valley Forge and then we'll head south.

Had a nice dinner at Cheeseburger in Paradise, of course I had the mini crabcakes, yummm. We took a break from riding just to cool off.

I'm tired so off to rest. Will try to write tomorrow.

7/20/2010

Done with Gettysburg.
We road the auto tour through Gettysburg National Military Park. But first I made Steve get up early so we could get breakfast and be out of the hotel before all the other tourists.

I wanted to get to the visitors center before 9am to take the first shuttle to President Eisenhower's farm -- success, we did made it to the first shuttle.
Pretty interesting but not too old. Looks like a house from 1950's. The property (500 acres) is owned by the National Park Service but some of the fields and cattle barns are rented out to a local farmer with the agreement that he farm it exactly as it was.

Back in the visitor's center we saw, guns, canons, amo, and relics.
The auto tour was interesting but there are ALOT of monuments, statues and signs to read. Passed fields where actual battles occured, still standing houses and barns.
Some of the tour goes through the town of Gettysburg, right through residential areas, downtown and past historic homes and buildings.

To my friends who know how much I "love" round-a-bouts over the last two days, I've done three of them! Ok, I have to admit, they are wider and better marked than the ones by us and the people know how to use them the right way so, not so bad.

The weather was hotter today, over cast and just a couple of sprinkles.
I did get a sun burn.

Went to two Harley dealers. Battlefield Harley was pretty neat. And the other is in York.

Tomorrow we are going to tour the Harley Davidson manufaturing plant.

When we where in the parking lot of the visitors center we meet three other riders from Indiana (South Bend) and one was a woman :o)

Now, sitting in our hotel room and glad that it has a working laundry room!

7/19/2010

Hi all, we're in Gettysburg. Made it in to town about 6pm (local time).
We took US 30 all the way. Lincoln Hwy seems appropriate.

Let me tell you it's NOTHING like US 30 at home. When we were in the mountains we saw elevations around 3000 ft. Today was a real workout for us and the bikes. Temps varied from hot to warm to cool and enjoyable depending on how high/low and shade.
We went through Mt. Alto State Forest and there was a tiny little sign that read "Appalachian Trail" -- look right and there it was a little walking path coming right out of the woods.

Sometimes taking back roads will reveal things you forgot about or didn't reolize was there. While riding we saw a sign to turn down this pretty un-descript road. Could have been anywhere. This sign and road took you too a pretty somber place.
This is the location of flight 93 that crashed on Sept. 11, 2001.
There is going to be a visitor center and formal memorial, eventually. Currently there is a make shift visitor center and a walking path fenced off from the crash site. You can see it.
The building they are using for the temporary visitor center was once a building used for a company that was for strip mining. Right after the crash this was the location for police, ems, fire depts. to set up command. Afterward they used it for invistigation and press. I've not been to a national memorial that wasn't actually built so maybe someday we'll go back when it's finished.

Tomorrow the plan is to ride to the Gettysburg National Park visitor center, pick up a map and ride the auto route. We saw some of it on the way into town. We are also planning to visit President Eisenhower home and farm.

After that ~~ on to York for a factory tour of the Harley plant where Steve's and my Road King where made.

All is going good except for the fact we can't find any hotels will a laundry room (at least a working one). grrrrrr Have one more day of clean clothes, then I don't know, mail home the dirty and buy new? LOL

I'll keep you all updated when I can.
Hope you are enjoying the ride with us. :o)

7/18/2010

It's Sunday a day for rest for some. Kinda like our day today. We didn't crank out the miles but the roads we took where just beautiful. The scenes are unbelievable, that is after you work to get to the tops of ridges or mountains depending on your perception.

So, the road out of Washington, PA (for those of you following on the map) was 40 down to Uniontonw, PA over to 381 to Mill Run, PA where we stopped to tour Falling Waters the house desinged by Frank Lloyd Wright.
It has always been something I've wanted to see. I was worried that I would be disappointed ~~ I WAS NOT! It was totally awsome. Simply amazing.

Though I have to say I would have much rather have gone there after they finished paving the parking lot. Other riders will understand this one!


We continued on 381 to 653 to Somerset, PA.

It doesn't look like many miles but it was a workout. Up and down, twists and turns.
Pennsylvania's own dragon-tale (haha).
Saw a waterfall in Ohiopyle, a covered bridge in the middle of nowhere and even crossed a grated bridge.

Tomorrow we should be in Gettysburg.

No dealer stops today. The one in Washington was closed (what dealer closes on a Sunday in the summer?) We will hit the one in Somerset in the morning.

The weather was pretty good today too as long as you kept moving. Walking around Falling Waters in jeans was warm while everyone else has on shorts. Guess we should have changed in the bathroom at the visitor center. :)

7/17/2010

We are in Washington, PA

So, lets see where did I leave off?
We went to the house and museum of President Hayes. Huge house and beautiful grounds.
He and his wife are buried on the grounds.

Nice ride into Akron/Canton area. Hit a couple of Harley dealerships. Haven't really bought too much since space is limited.
Did make a last minute decision to stop at one and it was a good thing since my front fender was loose. Steve fixed it and off we went. :)

Rode down to Dover, OH stoped at a dealer and they recommened a great place for lunch ~~ HOG heaven. Great pulled pork sandwiches.
From there took two of the most awsome roads. 250 and 9 small, low traffic roads. Stopped in a town called Tappin and there was a large lake with boaters and water skiers to watch. Nice break.

Crossed the Ohio river and into Wheeling, WV and from there into PA via 70.

Lots of up/down and twisty roads, it's so much fun.

Day 1 7/15/10

Well, we left Westville about 9:30am. All packed and ready to go.
We took Hwy 6 all day.
Stopped for lunch at Amish Acres, yummy. Nappanee decided to do road constuction right in the middle of town. Not good. Got hot waiting for the flag man to let us go.

Got as far as Kendalville and thought I was going to melt!
You know it's hot in Indiana when you stop for gas and decide to go to Rual King to cool off in front of the barn stall fans! Have a pic of this, will post when we get home.

Drank more water today than I would normally drink in a week.

Stopped at a HD dealership in Napoleon, Ohio just ahead of the rain. It rained while we where inside cooling off and were lucky enough to ride away from it when we left.

Spending the night at the Best Western in Bowling Green, OH across the street from Bowling Green State University. Had dinner and drinks in a bar and we where the oldest people in there! LOL, the bouncer didn't even ask for ID, how dare he.

Planning to go to Fremont in the morning to tour the Rutherfor B. Hayes house.

Here's hoping tomorrow is a little cooler but it's not looking good.

Getting ready to go!

So, as of this writing, we are planning to leave again. This time off to OH, PA, VA and WV. Currently that will make one big circle. Some places we plan to visit: Gettysburg, York, Valley Forge, Historic Philladelphia, and Skyline Dr.
I have planned this trip with options to change depending on weather, time constraints and how our butts fell during the ride!
Two weeks to see everything. We shall see.
I wonder if these 90 degree temps will slow us down a bit?
The next few days will find me pulling out things to pack. Not to be left behind, my camera and cables for the camera and laptop. Here's hoping for lots of photo opts and WIFI.
Looks like we will be leaving Thursday 7/15.
Steve needs to change my oil and double check both bikes through out.

varoom...........

Birthday card I made

I made this birthday card for my niece's 16th birthday.
I used the cricut cart Zooballoo happy birthday card feature at 4 1/2". Cut base of the card with Bazzill cardstock. The balloon paper was some discontinued paper I found at Hobby Lobby. It's somewhat hard to see but I used Stickles over the "Happy Birthday" part of the front.
Turned out pretty cute I think.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 2010 Scrap weekend

 

 

 

 

Lots of fun was had by all this past weekend. 10 of us girls went away for a scrapbooking weekend. We scrapped, laughed, watched movies, played games, punk'd Cindy stayed up late and had an absolute wonderfull time.
Pages were layed out, mini albums completed and cards created. Tape runners used up, ink and glitter applied.
Various themes of baseball, wedding, high school and motorcycles just to name a few.
Afer packing, hauling and unpacking it was suggested we need a bus!
So, while preserving precious memories more where made.

Thanks guys, another is a must.

HUGS,
Julie

Pages

Well, since I was snowed in today I decided to scrap.
I got six pages done. Pretty good, hu?

Went out and took some pictures too.

This weather is crazy. I guess we shouldn't be that surprised it is January after all.

Happy New Year

Ok, well, it's a week late what can I say?
Snow, snow, stop already! No work for me and the poor dog can't believe it.
I went out and took some pictures today.
Since I don't have work today (closed for snow) maybe I need to get into the scrap room and play some.

I joined Facebook yesterday. It's all my family and friends fault. They were keeping pictures and info hostage from me in an attempt to get me to join....they won. Shame on them and they know who they are too.