Pre-Plan for the No-Plan

Ah.  Bloody Marys and AAA maps.  Preparing for the 2014  No-Plan-Plan Roadtrip NPPR.  North and west are a bit chilly… looks like southeast may be the best route.  A chilly 47 degrees will greet us in the morning… may wait until later to begin our trek… Memphis is the most likely candidate… who knows.

Just finished the less than 10 minutes for guy to pack… now I have a better idea of how much beauty care and technology I can cram into the trunk bag… along with the camping gear, rain gear, and Guy’s BIG sandals….

Said goodbye to work and family, and will leave in the morning after a hearty bacon and egg breakfast fixed lovingly by Yours Truly.  Guy is a lucky…. well…. GUY.

Heading to the hot tub to celebrate vacations and our official 2014 NPPR launch.

Oops…. I think Guy’s swim trunks are already packed.  (I hope the neighbors have their blinds closed.)

Road Trip 2012 – Day 5

Spear Fish Canyon provides an exquisite drive from Rapid City, ND to the town of Spear Fish.  A babbling, lazy creek running along the road adds to the ambiance, and offered us a brief respite from the heat.  Guy and I took off our shoes and socks, rock-hopped to a boulder in the water, and sat there sunning ourselves like a couple of … well, animals that sun themselves on boulders.  Our feet dangled in the crisp, cool, clear water.

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Guy:  Good thing I didn’t grow up around here.  I would have been sitting right here with a bottle of Jack in the stream, hoping to wake up before the sun came up… because that is when mom would come looking for me.

Road Trip 2012 – Day 1

Clear skies, 95 degrees, we headed west to avoid Isaac.  We had intended to head  south through Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Floriday, and tthen up the Atlantic coast…. enjoying the ocean and friends along the day.   Apparently, Isaac liked that route as well.  

The ride to Lee Summit, MO was largely uneventful, though we noticed the over 100 degree heat and Guy mentioned the heat was getting to him.  By the time we stopped at the Stonehause Winery,it was clear that Guy had picked up the flu bug daughter had earlier in the week

The Stonehause Winery is a lovely location for weddings, and the wine is good, with the varieties you would expect to find in missouri wineries. I found the Topaz, a desert wine created in the Port method to beoutstanding. A white, with vanilla bean and citrus tones, it was a deliciously unique experience.

Guy was determined to go to the Belvoir Winery (the wine passport, you know), and by the time we arrived there, he could go no further.  But that was ok, because the history and ambiance of this beautiful place is not to be missed.

Quick end to the post.  Guy spent a miserable night, but is feeling better. We are heading out early to miss the rain heading this way from Isaac.

The Grand Journey Begins… 4th Annual NPP

Hurricane Isaac changed our proposed destination. As accustomed as we have become to rain on our trip, we prefer the drier weather for a change. Current direction – WEST.

Our Missouri Wine Trail: #43 Shawnee Bluff Winery

Not likely to return.

Located in the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks, the Shawnee Bluff Winery offered us an opportunity to take a break from the near 100 degree heat.  We had planned to stop for lunch, enticed by the web site that offered oven brick pizzas, but changed our mind when we saw the cluttered dining area and no evidence of a brick oven.  The swimming pool  out front looked dirty and green (though there is a panoramic view of the lake), creating further concern for the overall quality of the food.

Guy liked the sign on the gate to the pool “Swimsuits Optional Past This Point”.  Lucky for all of us, he did not take advantage of that particular opportunity to cool down.

The young woman who helped us with the wine tasting was friendly, and these were our favorites:

Babe:  The Pinot Grigio

Guy:  The red Barbero

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Our Missouri Wine Trail: #42 Summit Lake Winery

In our quest to visit every Missouri winery, we headed for Summit Lake Winery in Holts Summit, MO.

Biker Alert:  Very short gravel drive off the paved road up to the winery. 

We were greeted by the adorable Kayla, who said that she was “delighted to be number 42” on our passport list.  And we believed her!   She knowledgeably guided us through the wine tasting, taking her time with us while keeping her eye on her lunch customers.  While we met many kind, friendly, and informed people at the wineries we visited this weekend, Kayla was our favorite by far.

Shout out to Kayla! Out of our 10 or so winery visits this weekend, she was our favorite and a real jewel!

The winery has a comfortable view from the porch, and boasts a varied menu.  We are told that sometimes Missouri  elected officials take a quick respite from their grueling schedule to take the 10 minute trip from Jefferson City to the Summit Lake Winery.

Wine Favorites:

Babe:  Callaway Bluff.  A semi-sweet white.  Though typically a dry white drinker, Babe enjoyed this sweet refreshing wine on a 100 degree day!  (Guy liked it to… a sit-on-your-back-porch-and-drink-a-wine- cooler type wine.)

Guy:  Ideal With Friends.  A drier red wine, and a real competitor to their St. Martin (Merlot style).

Cheers!

By the Light of the Super Moon

Guy sat comfortably across the picnic table from me.  Behind him the moon was large and shone like a spotlight in my face.

Babe:  I don’t think I’ve ever seen the moon so bright.

Guy:  Yeah, I was just thinking how nice your hair looks with the light shining on it.

Babe:  You must be kidding.  My hair has been stuffed into a helmet all day.

Guy chuckled.   No.  Really.  It does look nice.  And your face is really pretty in the moonlight, too.

Babe:  No way.

And with that, Guy grabbed the flashlight off the table and shined it in my face.

Guy:  Oh.  I see what you mean.

Ladies… we do it to ourselves. 

Lake of the Ozarks – Good Ridin’

We are not boat people.

Unless you count a sailboat lesson and an aircraft carrier adventure.

But Lake of the Ozarks is only a 3 hour ride for us, and offers some beautiful riding and great eats. The highway construction recently completed around the area keeps the heavy traffic off the back roads for safer and easier riding.

We road up Hwy 5 from Camdenton, MO to Vaersailles – Amish and Mennonite country.  Keep a watch out for the landmines that the horses pulling  buggies leave on the roadways.  Tiny stores and eclectic shops dot the area… at the end of gravel roads.  Gravel roads are just another barrier to shopping, Ladies – no wonder Guy loves travel on the bike.

Took Hwy 52 from Versailles to Hwy 65.  Caught Hwy 7 going southeast that completed the circuit at Hwy 5 and back to Camdenton.

Nice ride.  Quiet Ride.  Get-away-from-it-all ride.  And of course, an evening meal at our favorite Shorty Pants Lounge – great eats.  Best crab cakes ever.

Left Alone

Guy took me out for a spin last evening – perfect night,  a comfortable breeze.  Headed for one of our favorite Asian restaurants to share some-kinda’-curry-coconut-lemongrass-watchamathingy with chicken.  Delicious… with a bit of a bite.  Jumping on the bike, we noticed two little girls in the mini-van next to us strapped into the back seat – alone.  No adult.  We waited a couple of minutes to see if Parental Unit would show up, and when we tired of waiting, I went into the restaurant and called the police.

Just as the dispatcher assured me that an officer would be dispatched shortly, the female PU (Parental Unit) appeared.  It seems she was inside ordering a pizza.  I think she saw us waiting and got a bit nervous.  In any event, the kids seemed safe enough now that she was in the car.

As we waited outside the door, one of the little girls was smiling and waving at us. Had I encouraged her, would she have done a Houdini, escaped her straps, and unlocked the door?  My grandkids are smart enough to do that… and this little girl seemed equally capable. What if the person peering in wasn’t a kindly Motorcycle Gaga, but an escapee from Criminal Minds instead?

PARENTS:  DO NOT LEAVE CHILDREN ALONE IN THE CAR FOR ANY REASON.  They wriggle out of car seats, they open doors, they put vehicles into neutral, they let strangers into the car, they don’t know how to react if someone gets into the car…. they are CHILDREN!

Believe me, I know being a parent is difficult enough- DON’T let it become a tragedy.

Just a tip from your friendly neighborhood Motorcycle Gaga and Papa.

She Isn’t Just a Biker Babe

Sail on!
The exhilaration of sailing in a strong wind and heeling (sailor talk for the boat leaning over) while your backside skims over the top of the water is a real kick. Friends invited us to the Lake of the Ozarks for sail boat races.  The Ozark Yacht Club serves a tasty lunch – and this Babe was hungry after working the sails – yes indeed… only a few lessons and Babe really knows how to float your boat!
Only a 2-3 hour drive from the St. Louis area, Lake of the Ozarks is a great destination for unwinding and spending a weekend on surf and turf! Enjoy pictures of the boats and crew.

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Guy is still out to sea, presumably enjoying his aircraft carrier adventure.  Or, he may be disturbingly sea sick.  Either way, a once-in-a-lifetime happening for a land-lubbing Biker Guy aboard the USS George H  W Bush.

(By the way, it is NOT a sailboat. )

Plastic Bags – Quick, Free, and Low Tech

Plastic bags – CHECK! – a staple on our gear list for road trips and camping. Wet stuff, sticky stuff, icky stuff …. well, we’ve had to transport it all. An empty tissue box holds 20 or so bags for easy storage and quick retrieval.  No more chasing  fly-away bags… and always convenient.

(Thanks Jo Pillmore – check out her blog for more tips on controlling clutter.)

He Isn’t Just a Biker Guy

And he’s off…. to Norfolk, VA.  Lucky Guy.  He loves his motorized toys… and today, he gets to ride the Big Daddy of them all…. the USS George H W Bush.

The joke’s on him, though. I sent him this story on the malfunctioning heads on said carrier.  Ha!

I may not be in the  B*tch Seat for this ride, but I have a lav with plumbing that works! 

Howl at the Moonshine Lunch Run April 14

With this unseasonably gorgeous Missouri weather, everyone is looking for some weekend ride destinations.

Mark your calendar for April 14, 2012 for the Moonshine Lunch Run.

You won’t want to miss it!  …. Unless, of course, you happen to have a family reunion that weekend.  In which case, we will see you next year!

 

 

Last Trip to Clarksville (Part Deux)

Cont’d from Last Trip to Clarksville (Part 1)

Guy attempted to gently reorganize the pile discarded glass and scraps that covered his treasure.

Babe, you should really see this.  There against the wall stood an 8 foot long, 5 foot tall wooden carving.  Fellow junk scroungers stepped over to investigate, jealous that we had been the first to uncover this golden object d’art.

... enticing all young riders to join her gang.

 Wow.  A red-headed Babe, carved and painted on a gigantic sign – a true novelty of hillbilly art.  We could imagine this  Babe gracing the walls above a bevy of shiny new motorcycles, enticing eager male riders to join her gang.

I’ve gotta’ have her.  Guy was ready to buy her – as far as I know, this was his first time to buy any Babe – so I knew she must be special.

She had obviously been through a rough spell where she nearly lost her head, and the desert sky was missing a patch of brilliant blue.  We figured with a quick swish of paint brushes we could fix her up good as new.  The challenge was getting her onto the trailer for the ride home – all 200 lbs of her.  UGH.

She'd gone through a rough spell - but everyone is having work done.

Anyone see this Babe before?  Been to Moonshine Cycles?   Would love to hear more about this glitzy Babe.  We’re considering letting her preside over the pool table.  She doesn’t exactly fit into our decor, but Bo will want her, and Guy loves to make Bo drool.

Divine Wine in Cape Girardeau, MO

The Missouri Wine Passport motivates wine lovers to explore the wineries nestled in the rolling landscape of Missouri.  Since last summer, we had visited 32 wineries, earning bar towels and cork screws and wine carriers free of charge.  Well, free if you don’t count the investment in Missouri wines that now populate our “wine cellar”.

We’ve taken the bulk of our wine and riding excursions with  Bo and Allie.  Allie loves a good dry red, and Bo loves a Coke with extra ice.  But for this trip, Guy and I were on our own, relishing some alone time that -in this crazy economic climate – has become a treasured commodity in our daily life.  Still a bit cool for a weekend motorcycle trip, we took the convertible (top up!) and headed for the wineries near the Cape Girardeau area.

While in Cape Girardeau, don’t miss the painted Missouri Wall of Fame and the beautiful riverfront views.  Hard to believe that this peaceful riverfront was once a bustling center of transportation for the region.

Tower Rock nature area boasts an interesting formation in the middle of the river with some historical significance.  It is worth the short drive from the Tower Rock Vineyard and Winery; in fact, a small fire pit and rustic table overlooking the river provide a relaxing picnic site.

Although the wine is often good, our favorite part of winery running is the enthusiastic welcome of the owners and staff.  The bonus is a beautiful venue, a microbrewery, outside seating with an inspiring view, and delicious meals under 8 dollars.

Guy and Babe’s area favorites:

River Ridge:  *****    Favorite by Far! Jerry Smith – the owner, parking attendant, wine master, and resident comedian – greeted us.  Jerry gave us a winery tour, complete with Jokes of the Day, Jokes of Yesterday, and Jokes of …  well, he is sure to ask the “ladies” before offering the more colorful of his repertoire.  His personal journey from aspiring astronaut to wine maker in the Commerce, MO countryside is most intriguing.  The premises is lovely with indoor and outdoor seating including a beautiful new terraced area.  The gift shop in jam-packed with unique “stuff” that is functional, decorative, and humorous.  The wine is delicious, with several options to choose from – and a real treat for the dry wine lover.  Guy enjoyed the Cynthiana with Oak, and I particularly enjoyed the Chardonel with Oak.  We also purchased a unique Chambourcin desert wine – a subtle sweetness.

Thank you, Jerry.  Just like you thought…. when you do your thing right, people come back.  We certainly will!

Steele Crest:  **** The wine was good, and the service was outstanding!  Plenty of room inside for a few large parties or several smaller ones, Steele Crest is known for its wood-fire  pizzas.  Guy is determined to get back there  to try the pizza.  Our favorite wines?  With 13 or so wines to choose from, and a free wine tasting, Jackson, MO  could become a favorite stop in the bootheel.

Speaking of Jackson, MO, you won’t want to miss Tractors restaurant for a delicious, well-priced food – and great service to boot!  Guy first noticed the restaurant in a local electric co-op magazine, and pegged this place for our dinner:  Classic American Grill – delicious hamburgers, wings, and salads.

Rothbrick:  ***  If you are looking for a family friendly winery – this could be the place.  Playgrounds and Trail Rides and Log Cabins and Pond Paddle Boats – all available for your enjoyment.  The friendly young woman who poured our wine tasting was attentive and informative.  The Traminette is the best I’ve had at any Missouri winery, and by far my favorite.  Guy thoroughly enjoyed a glass of the Porter Vanilla beer that is made by a local microbrewery.  The barmaid assured us that the beer choices were bound to increase as the winery grows.  Rothbrick has been open since July 2011, and we believe it can be a strong contender for  an “area best” as it expands.

Congratulations to us.  We have achieved Level 5 rewards for the Missouri Passport:  A private food and wine pairing at a winery for 10.  We know Bo and Allie will go (after all, it is free!). Sure hope we can dig up…. um, find…. 6 more friends.

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