Eureka Springs AR
– an adventurous sort tootling along the historic Main Street of a town that drew late 19th Century Americans to try the healing waters. Now it has fudge shops, t-shirt stores, trinket emporia, among other tourist attractions. Today also had the cacophony of open-piped Harley riders thundering up and down the traffic jammed narrow streets.
– unpacking a 1960 sled once owned by racer Buck Smith. Acquired by Ace Classics in Lewisham southeast London. You can still see the grit and dust from the Big Bear SoCal arid hinterland.
– Today saw the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States along with his Vice President Kamala Harris. Becoming the first woman in that role. After how long? She’s also the first of African and Asian descent. Thulasendrapuram, her grandfather’s village in southern India celebrated her elected success and today is certainly partying with the swearing in of one of their daughters.
.. although the legacy of The Great War is of death and pain some of ‘the lads’ did find camaraderie with the mundane tasks to keep the military machine running. Here are despatch riders from the Royal Signal Corp having a jolly old time keeping their Triumph Model H’s on the road.
– a 16th Century Catholic conspirator became the symbol of postmodern anarchism with the mask of anonymity. The individual biker is an appropriate use of the effigies face.
– halfway along Fairfield Road a little north of Volo sits this ragged red clapped barn. I’ve passed by it numerous times so decided to stop today and memorialize its presence on the Lake County outings.
Near my garage where the bikes are kept is this old garage and loft. The old doors, siding and shingle are great time worn vintage features that are only seen along this Evanstonian alley.
– lovely ride up to Winthrop Harbor this evening . Quiet roads with few cars and perfect temperatures.
The oldest known celebration honoring the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger led thousands of federal troops to Galveston, Texas to announce that the Civil War had ended, and slaves had been freed. Everyone needs to Ride Free!
– here’s something that will keep me out of trouble for a few rainy afternoons. A 1/9 scale WW2 era Triumph 3HW. The ubiquitous single cylinder workhorse of the British forces. Indeed it is the motorcycle used by my grandfather George in his duties as a Military Policeman in the North African theatre.
Crated Glory | spied at the Russell Military Museum near Kenosha WI is this spotless wartime Harley Davidson WLA. It was just the tip of the iceberg… acres of tanks, aircraft, helicopters, armored personnel carriers… fascinating place.
Gate Ajar | The Meriden factory gates closed permanently in August 1983 after final bankruptcy was called. I wonder what happened to these main driveway gates after demolition a year later… probably sold for scrap. However the Phoenix arose!
50 Years Ago | We ventured, only a small step in the vastness of the Universe, beyond our earthly home. A journey of 3 days over a quarter million miles to our neighbor the Moon. A scheme so daring and difficult it gave us a glimpse of what was possible as a race when minds and courage come together. This iconic photograph taken by Neil Armstrong of Buzz Aldrin shows a man standing on a grey dusty plain under a black sky lit by a bright sun. We really are amazing… it’s just a shame a a civilization we’re quite dumb some of the time too…
