Vol. 20 No. 4 - 29 June, 2016

That moment when you realize the windscreen needs cleaning!

After Memorial Day weekend, on Tuesday, 31 May we loaded plastic pipe in Sanderson, Florida and delivered it the next day – first stop in Marianna, Florida, second stop in Dothan, Alabama, and third stop in Enterprise, Alabama.  All stops were for the same company, but stores in different cities.  Just a short run, but it got us out of Florida.

Loading at Sanderson Pipe, in Sanderson, Florida.

South to Panama City, Florida and loaded TRANE air conditioners on Wednesday afternoon, 1 June.  Twenty-three units, and four deliveries!

TRANE air conditioners from Panama City, Florida to Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey and New York.

Delivered 11 of them to a TRANE warehouse north of Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday morning.
That afternoon we loaded one steel coil in Spartanburg, South Carolina - it was on the way.

LTL - steel coil: Spartanburg South Carolina to Buffalo, New York.

Friday morning delivered one air conditioner unit to a renovation at the Frito-Lay plant in Aberdeen, Maryland.

A quick photo out the window of the truck.

Internet:  Frito-Lay, Inc. is the division of PepsiCo that manufacturers, markets and sells corn chips, potato chips and other snack foods.  The primary brands under Frito-Lay are Fritos corn chips, Cheetos cheese-flavoured snacks, Doritos and Tostitos tortilla chips, Lay’s and Ruffles potato chips, Rold Gold pretzels, and Walkers potato crisps (UK and Ireland).

That afternoon delivered four air conditioners to a new Burger King construction in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.  That took a while to deliver because they were taking them off the trailer and putting them on the roof, also very muddy!

At about 6pm we parked the rig, and were picked up by Jim’s nephew, Jeff and spent that night with the family in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  We had not visited there for several years, so had a great catch up with Jeff, Lori, their sons, Andrew and Patrick were there as well.  Also Jim’s brother-in-law, George stopped by.

The Jeff and Lori had things to do on Saturday, so Jim and I borrowed a car and spent a couple of hours in Main Street, Bethlehem. Lori gave us a list of things to see which was helpful.

Internet:  Bethlehem lies in the centre of the Lehigh Valley in Eastern Pennsylvania.  On Christmas Eve in 1741, a small group of Moravians founded the mission community of Bethlehem along the banks of the Monocacy Creek by the Lehigh River.

Nicknamed “Christmas City, USA”.

Historic Main Street, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

We parked in Main Street, and our first stop was The Colony Meadery.

Brochure:  Mead is alcohol made from honey and one of the oldest beverages in history. It was found in Egyptian tombs and Viking societies, and its presence in Ireland is the origin of the term “Honeymoon”.  It can be dry or sweet, fruity or savoury, and enjoyed cold or warm, or part of a cocktail.

We chose the sample tasting of their five “Flagship Meads”.  The young man serving us was friendly and informative, we enjoyed the tastes and bought a bottle of Straight, No Chaser, a traditional mead (13 %).

Tasting tree!

Trying mead made at The Colony Meadery, Bethlehem, PA.

The Moravian Book Shop: Founded in 1745, located in the heart of Historic Bethlehem, is the oldest bookstore in the country.

It was across the street from Hotel Bethlehem.  There was a lot of renovation or cleaning scaffolding around it, so we did not go inside, maybe next visit.

Internet:  The Moravian Sun Inn was an 18^th-century inn built by the Moravian community to provide accommodations for non-Moravian merchants who had business in the community. Many people prominent during the American Revolution stayed there, including George Washington, Martha Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and the Marquis de Lafayette.

We stopped in at Fegley’s Bethlehem Brew Works for lunch and tried a couple of their brews; Jim had the Steelman Stout, I had the Farmhouse Ale.

Bethlehem Brew Works, Main Street,

Website:  Bethlehem Brew Works, founded in 1998 is one of the premier craft breweries in the Lehigh Valley.  As a full-scale brewpub, it is known for taking pub classics and giving them a modern twist using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.  The menu is high-lighted by a Pennsylvania Dutch influence.

Great food and interesting beers.

Moravian Stars, and Bethlehem Stars.  Internet:  An iconic symbol of the Christmas season, the Moravian star takes on special significance in the Lehigh Valley, particularly the Moravian-founded communities of Bethlehem and Nazareth.  The ornaments, which traditionally have 25 or 26 points, can be found hanging in windows and above porches.

Moravian Star.

Bethlehem Stars.

Saturday afternoon, Jeff and Lori’s son, Patrick played baseball at Dimmick Park, Hellertown, we watched the last few innings. A close 2-3 game.

Saturday night we stayed with Jim’s niece, Elieen and her son, Danny, they live on the other side of Bethlehem.  The rest of the family were at a tennis competition in Pittsburgh.  We had a great visit with both families.

Back in the truck late Sunday morning.

We arrived at the Keuka Park delivery Sunday afternoon and parked in the lot next to the new construction, across from Keuka College, not far from Keuka Lake.

Internet:  Keuka Lake is one of the major Finger Lakes.  It is unusual because it is Y shaped, in contrast to the long and narrow shape of the other Finger Lakes.  Due to its shape, it was referred to in the past as Crooked Lake. Keuka means “canoe landing” in the Irogquois language and “lake with an elbow” in the Seneca language.

The Finger Lakes are a major tourist area in New York State; boating, fishing, wineries, etc.

Monday morning, we had to wait for a crane to unload us.  The appointment was made without notifying the truck driver!  Ugh!  We sat in the parking lot until Tuesday morning!  There was a restaurant half a mile away, so we ate at least.  Also walked through the College and along Keuka Lake on Monday afternoon.

Keuka Lake, New York.

First thing Tuesday morning the crane arrived and all the air conditioners were unloaded by 8.30am.  Delivery four for the TRANE air conditioners.

Did a quick swing by Joe’s place to unload his motorbike off our truck, because after delivering the coil in Buffalo, we had to drop the truck off at Empire Truck & Trailer Service.  While there we took out our motorcycle gear, and everything we needed for the Western New York Moto Guzzi Rally, and a week (plus) without the truck close by.

That afternoon, we delivered the coil to Soltek/Beltrix Industries near Buffalo.

Dropped the truck and trailer at Empire Truck and Trailer Service, and Joe and Michele picked us up there.

Jimmy got in later that afternoon.

Weather had changed to much colder temperatures!  Joe left for the rally on Wednesday with all the rally supplies, Jimmy headed down on Thursday.  Baillie was bridesmaid in a friends wedding that weekend, so she and Michele did not attend the WNY rally this year.

On Thursday, Jim and I met his cousin, Marguerite and her husband, Mike - we had a great catch up and lovely lunch at The Black Thorn restaurant.

Friday, Jim and I left on the moto guzzi ‘stone’, for the Western New York Moto Guzzi Rally. Stopped a couple of times and found Ellicottville Brewing Co., in Fredonia, NY.  We didn’t know they had an outlet there, so those that for lunch.

Outside Ellicottsville Brewing in Fredonia, NY.

I always order the Blueberry beer, with real blueberries!

We got to the rally site, the KOA Campground at Westerfield, NY mid-afternoon, Friday.  Fifty-odd people were already there, with others rolling in.  We set up our tent among greetings to our guzzi friends.

The Buffalo moto guzzi dealer was set up with parts and merchandise, and some of the new moto guzzi’s.  Jim test rode the V9.

Jim taking the new moto guzzi V9 for a test ride.

Friday evening we had awesome chilli, Buffalo style chicken wings, and the campfire.

Bob Walters and Danny cooked the chicken wings.

WNY moto guzzi rally with Bob's Ford.

The pond at the KOA Campgrounds.

Sunset at the Rally in the Vineyard, campfire lit.

Saturday morning Art, Jim and I rode to Erie. Pennsylvania to The Brewerie in historic downtown Erie, in the old Union Station building.

Website:  Erie’s Union Station was dedicated and opened to the public in grand fashion on December 3^rd, 1927.  It was built to replace Union Depot that occupied the same area from 1865 to 1925.

Our vision was lofty and ambitious. To help revitalize downtown Erie and the historic Union Station … one pint at a time.  The Brewerie opened its doors back in 2006 as Erie’s lone brew pub and restaurant

Internet: As Pennsylvania’s only Great Lakes port city, Erie was a prime destination for railroads once they had crossed the Allegheny Mountains.  Erie also benefitted because it sat on the shore of Lake Erie between Buffalo, New York – terminus of the Erie Canal – and the bustling cities of Cleveland, Toledo, and Detroit further west.

We met Don and Ginger there for a couple of beers and some lunch.  It is a beautiful, historic building, we had a wander around it.

Art, Ginger, Don and Jim at The Brewerie, Erie, Pennsylvania.

A quick stop at Southern Tier Brewery in Lakewood.

The weather forecast for the weekend was for rain, severe thunderstorms with small hail on Saturday afternoon.  The storm and hail did not eventuate, but there were strong wind gusts.  Our tent lifted up and the tent poles unhooked and the tent fell down. This is how we found it when we got back!

Jim put a bungee between the bike and the tent in preparation for a windy night!

Saturday evening was the chicken barbeque dinner, the awards, then a stroll to Lake Erie to watch the sunset on the cliffs.  Because of the strong winds, the lake was very choppy, with waves crashing against the cliff and wetting us.

The sunset watchers from a cliff at Lake Erie.

Caleigh, Grace and Cammie in the lake.

The choppy water and waves in the lake were something I had not seen before - I took a lot of photos!

I could not decide which one I liked the best!

Panaramic.

No rain for the whole weekend!  Packing up Sunday morning is often in the rain.  Headed back to Attica and cleaned the camping and rally supplies and stored everything until next year.

Monday was cold and overcast.  Jim and I were on the motorbike and met Aussie friend, Stephen in Rochester at Duff’s. A place for wings for over 40 years and famous in Western New York with several locations.  Had a nice lunch and catch up with him.

Some wildlife at Joe and Michele's: several hummingbirds frequent the feeders, and a luna moth was on the porch for a few days.

A hummingbird.

A luna moth  (large, about 4 inches long).

InsectIdentification.org:  This large, pale green giant silkmoth can be found in hardwood forests.  Luna Moths are unique to North America. Wild populations are threatened due to environment sensitivities – extended light at night, pesticides and parasitic flies. Though they are not on the endangered species list.

Tuesday was much nicer weather.  We met long time friends, that we don't get to see as much as we would like, Bob and Janice. They took us to downtown Buffalo.

Had lunch at (716) Food and Sport Restaurant.  It has only been opened for a couple of years.  Wow, a very cool place!  A sports bar with a huge TV screen behind the main bar and televisions all around the walls.  There are televisions incorporated into the mirrors in the restrooms.  This is for serious sports fans!  The bar tops are plastic, but made to look like the ice on a hockey rink.

Bob, Janice, Jim and Lesley at (716), downtown Buffalo, NY.  (716 is the telephone area code for Buffalo.)

Huge television at (716).

Televisions in the mirrors in the restrooms.

The bar tops look like ice on hockey rinks.

It is located in the Harbor Center, first floor of the Marriott Hotel, next to First Niagara Center, a multipurpose indoor arena (where the Buffalo Sabres Hockey team play), and concerts are held there.  Across the street from Canalside and near the Peace Bridge that goes to Ontario, Canada.

Checking out the hockey rink.

From the top floor of the Marriott, looking at Canalside, and the Skyway.

There is a unique Tim Horton’s Café and Bake Shop there to honor Hockey player, Tim Horton.

Wikipedia:  Miles Gilbert “Tim” Horton (January 12, 1930 – February 21, 1974) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player, a defenceman for 24 seasons in the National Hockey League.  He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Buffalo Sabres.  Also a successful businessman, Horton was a co-founder of the Tim Hortons restaurant chain.

Wikipedia:  Canalside is a historic redevelopment district within Buffalo, New York that was once the western terminus of the Erie Canal.  The site includes the Commercial Slip, historically reconstructed Erie Canal and Main-Hamburg Canals.

Originally built in 1825 the Erie Canal Harbor served as the terminus for the passage of goods and passengers from the East Coast across the Great Lakes for much of the 19^th century.  The commercial activity fueled by the harbor helped transform Buffalo into a thriving metropolis.

Buffalo Memorial Auditorium was an indoor arena in downtown Buffalo.  Opened in 1940, it hosted Hockey, Basketball, concerts and events.  The Aud was renovated in 1970 and 1990, and it closed in 1996 after the Sabres’, Bandits’, and Blizzards' seasons ended.  It remained vacant until the city demolished it in 2009.  Some of the seats have been positioned at Canalside.

Original seats from Buffalo Memorial Auditorium.

Shallow pools freeze in winter for ice skating. Entertainment and concerts are scheduled during the summer.  Lots to see and do throughout the year.

The 21-acre park offers history, art and culture, exercise, concerts and kids’ shows, water sports, boardwalks, food vendors, and simple lounging in Adirondack chairs.

Jim, Bob and Lesley at Canalside, and Buffalo River.

Shark Girl and Lesley. 

There is a widespread tradition at cancer centers throughout the USA that when a cancer patient finishes treatment, he or she celebrates by ringing a bell.

Canalside Bridge of Hope represents the spirit and celebration of cancer suvivorship.  People put silver bells on the bridge to celebrate life.

A fabulous day we had with Bob and Janice at Canalside, Buffalo.

On Thursday the work on the truck was complete, and we rode the le mans to Empire Truck and Trailer Service and loaded it on the truck.  Work to the truck - the rear differential had been replaced - the old one was original with over 1 million miles on it, replaced king pins, trailer wheel bearings, did oil change, checked other components for preventative maintenance.

Loaded Friday afternoon at Republic Steel in Blasdell, south of Buffalo. Several  businesses are located at the old Bethlehem Steel Lackawanna Plant.

Website: Located on the shores of Lake Erie, the Bethlehem Steel Lackawanna Plant was once considered the 4^th largest steel mill in the world.  Opened at the site in 1902, Bethlehem Steel closed most of the plant by 1983 due to rising operational costs and decreased demand for steel. 

Steel rods from Blasdell, New York to Richmond, Kentucky.

Only a 530 mile run from Blasdell, New York to Richmond, Kentucky, but it got us moving again.  

Stopped at a truckstop north of Richmond, on Saturday afternoon and unloaded the le mans off the truck.

Internet: Richmond is situated among the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the Kentucky River is the border of Madison County.

We went to Dansville, to Brothers BBQ and Brewery for dinner.

Danville, Kentucky.

Then back to the truck via Lancaster, and Paint Lick, Kentucky (I liked the name of the town!).

The town of Paint Lick, Kentucky.

Sunday, we got going about 10am, headed south through Richmond and then east on one of the recommended motorcycle roads, great winding country roads with very little traffic.

Until we came to a road closed sign.  OK, that was a surprise!  No detour signs.  Other than turning around and going back, there was a road that seemed to be heading in the direction we wanted to go (to the mountains), so we chose that.

Road Closed sign.

The scenery is mostly Appalachian foothills, though the road got narrower and less maintained, though only short stretches of gravel. The old buildings, and old barns are fascinating.

Travelled through Red Lick Valley, some small towns and farm communities, like Jinks, Kentucky.

We eventually got to Irvine which is where we wanted to go.  We crossed the Kentucky River and into the mountains.  The road climbed upwards, lots of twists and switchbacks, sheer cliffs, rivers and streams, very scenic.

Crossed the ridges of Daniel Boone National Forest to Beattyville,

Internet:  Daniel Boone National Forest is the only national forest completely with in the boundary of Kentucky, it was established in 1937.  Named after Daniel Boone, a frontiersman and explorer in the late 18^th century who contributed greatly to the exploration and settlement of Kentucky.

Beattyville, Kentucky.

We stopped in Booneville for lunch.  A monument to Daniel Boone is at the northern entrance of the town.

Daniel Boone monument at Boonesville, Kentucky.

We headed north again through Beattyville, and through Natural Bridge State Resort Park, it is surrounded by Daniel Boone National Forest.  We did not enter the park tourist areas, but the highway had a lot of cliffs, outcroppings, and rock formations.

It was a hot day, so we stopped ion Winchester, Kentucky for ice-cream.  Is a larger city and county seat of Clark County.  There was a beautiful County Courthouse, and the historic downtown was elevated, with stairs from the street to the footpath and store fronts.  A bit different!

Clark County Courthouse in Winchester, Kentucky.

Downtown Winchester, Kentucky.

Winchester, Kentucky.

On Monday, 20 June, we delivered the steel at ASAHI Forge Corporation, on the south side of Richmond.

Planning on attending the Moto Guzzi National Rally in John Day, Oregon on the weekend – 2200 miles (3700 kms) away.  No loads that would work, so we loaded two LTL’s.

Loaded a military truck at the Kentucky Army National Guard Headquarters at Frankfort, Kentucky - Boone National Guard.  Daniel Boone, frontiersman and a map of Kentucky, flags at the entrance.

Entrance to Kentucky National Guard, Frankfort, Kentucky - Daniel Boone, a map of Kentucky, USA and Kentucky flags.

Over to Sunman, Indiana and loaded a Farmhand hydraulic-lift hay rake from Batta Farm Machinery.  Looked well used, antique.
Could not find any more LTL’s that would suit our schedule, so started heading west.  We still had 15 feet of trailer space, and could scale approximately 12,000 pounds.

Truck for Idaho, Rake for Colorado - two LTL's for a trip west.

I monitor the Internet load boards all day. We have to consider length/size to fit in available space, weight to be legal on all axles, out of route distance to pick up and delivery, and time to be able to make the rally in time.  Don’t want to arrive on the last day!

Had to keep moving to deliver the hay rake to a farm near Greeley, Colorado on Wednesday morning.

Spent the night at Sterling, Colorado Tuesday night. Very hot and ready to get out of the truck.  Walked from the truckstop to Harold’s Liquor Store to get a six-pack just on sunset.

Harold's Liquor Store in Sterling, Colorado.

The South Platte River runs through there.

Up early and driving through the farmland of eastern Colorado.

Farmland in Eastern Colorado.

We ended up on gravel roads to the farm.

Mostly irrigation in use in the area – rivers, snow, equals lots of water.  I use Google Earth a lot with navigating – interesting seeing circular fields.

North west then through Colorado, into Wyoming, Utah and to Idaho.  Hot days, but scenic.  We have not been up this way for about 6 years, so we enjoyed the varied landscape.

Early Thursday morning we got the truck washed in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Blue Beacon Truck Wash, one ahead of us.

Delivering the military truck was interesting!

Turned off the Interstate highway at Hammett, Idaho and followed the Snake River for a while.

Snake River.

The Snake River supplies the water for irrigating the desert.

Then south to the small community of Bruneau.  Continued south on a much narrower road and then it turned to gravel.  Scenery was spectacular! 
The Bruneau River is to the northwest and Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park to the east, canyons, deserts, etc.

Then the gravel road.

At the end of the gravel road we were met at a gate to the Saylor Creek Range.  This is the bombing range used by Mountain Home Air Force Base.

Internet: Saylor Creek is a 100,000 acre bombing range in southern Idaho.  It is used by air crews from many bases.  The range is used by flying forces, training for air to ground warfare, and is covered with simulated hostile radar facilities.  Many impact craters and other interesting items can be found here.
Photo stolen from their website, because too difficult for me to take one!

The military truck we delivered will be used as a target… a bomb will likely be dropped on it.

On into Oregon, to John Day for the Moto Guzzi National Rally!  We attended the rally held here in 2010.  Good to catch up with moto guzzi friends from all over the country.

First glimpse of the Strawberry Mountain Range.

We arrived at John Day, Grant County, Oregon late Thursday afternoon.  Parked in the same spot at we did for the Moto Guzzi National Rally there in 2010, held at the John Day, Grant County Fairgrounds.  A lot of moto guzzi friends were already there, a lot of greetings and we unloaded the le mans.

Website:  John Day was named for an obscure pioneer trapper who never set foot within 100 miles, it has a population of about 2,000, is a hub of a diverse region at the foot of 9,038-foot Strawberry Mountain.

Our camp set up at Grant County Fairgrounds, John Day, Oregon.

Dennis's old Ambassador is still going!

The Fairgrounds are a short few blocks walk to Main Street, John Day.  Thursday evening, we went to the new micro-brewery in John Day, 1188 Brewery.  I had the Huckleberrry Wheat Ale, Jim enjoyed the red ale and stout.

Chris and Judi's side car rig outside 1188 Brewery. 

The Brewery is next to the Dirty Shame Saloon.

Grant County Tourist Brochure:  The source of Grant County’s fortunes has been many things over the years – gold. timber, ranching.  Spanning 4,500 miles of the Blue Mountains and John Day River Basin, the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness and the John Day Fossil Bed Monument – every corner of Grant County brings a new scene – from rugged alpine mountain tops into tall, piney forests and sagebrush-dusted high desert, down to rolling grassland valleys, all held together by mile after mile of rivers, creeks and lakes and ponds of all sizes.

The town of John Day is in the centre of Grant County – a great small town with all the facilities and a starting point for incredible roads and motorcycling adventures.

Friday we went with a group of six other bikes on the Strawberry Mountain Loop about 110 miles.  Awesome scenery, but it was a cold day!  Stopped in Prairie City for lunch and a warm up.

Lunch in Prairie City.

Prairie City.

Look out over the Strawberry Mountain range.

Took a ride to the lookout over the Strawberry Mountain range – still a little snow at the top.

Back to the Rally for a chilli dinner and talk around the dinner tables and campfire.

Saturday, was much warmer and activities were organised for the day.  We didn’t go riding – just hung out at the rally site.

Best tent - Roadkills!

In the morning a photo was set up for all the “Stelvio” model moto guzzi’s at the rally – about 26 (I didn’t hear the final count).

The photo started with them all in a line, but as more and more rolled up for the photo, they had to reconfigure into a two row “V”.

The Stelvios.

More Stelvios!

Field Games from 11 am to 3pm were fun.

I watched the first couple of hours, then walked into town to the Grant County Ranch and Rodeo Museum.

Tourist Brochure:  If it weren’t for ranches, There’d be no rodeo.  Since the founding of Grant County in 1862, ranching has contributed culture, social structure and an economic base.  Grant County also hosts Oregon’s longest running Fair which has bought people together for fun, excitement and competition.  Because of ranching Grant County continues to produce world class rodeo competitors and representatives of this unique western culture including  crafters, saddle makers, silver smiths, western artists and poets.

It is a great museum.  I grew up in a rural area of Queensland, Australia - so had many comparisons, and questions.  I was the only visitor, and had the full attention of the host and guide, Howard.  He took me into each room and showed me the many unique items, and collections of ranching and rodeo equipment.

Pack saddle on the floor on the right.

Howard is a 50 + year resident of Grant County and had many interesting stories and information on all areas. He asked me if I had any idea what these were ….

Snow shoes for horses.

The long piece of steel high on the wall, below the brands - with one pointed end (and a hook at the other that is not in the photo).

That is a haystack needle - used to shift hay before ‘bales’ were invented.  The point was inserted into the base of a haystack, and pushed through.  A cable was attached to the other end and the cable thrown over the haystack. By pulling on the cable, the haystack could be moved or loaded onto a wagon.  Apparently, many of the haystack needles were lost, because ‘finding a needle in a haystack’ became a much used phrase.

Howard had the answer for another mystery.  On our trip around the Strawberry Mountains, Jim and I noticed the different fence posts.  Three wooden posts in a tripod shape, with a pile of rocks at the base – there were a lot of them.  I asked Howard about them.  "Rock Jacks" are used when the ground is too hard to dig a hole to put a post in.  Ingenious!  More cost and labour required than a regular fence, but they work!

I spent almost 2 hours there!  I thoroughly enjoyed it and Howard’s knowledge of the area and I learned a lot of Grant County and ranching in general.

I met Jim in town for a late lunch at OutPost Restaurant, with Ricky, Jodie and Judi.  I had been told of the Huckleberry Margaritas, so Judi and I had to try one!  Nice!

Huckleberry Margaritas.

'Huckleberries' are a popular ingredient at OutPost.

Wikipedia:  In North America, the name was applied to numerous plant variations all bearing small berries with colours that may be red, blue or black.  Huckleberries can be processed into food products including juice, tea, soup, syrup, jam, pudding, candy, pie, muffins, pancakes, and salad dressings. (And margaritas!)

Trivia:  The huckleberry is the state fruit of Idaho (next to state of Oregon).

Back to the rally for the Bike Show.

Then it was time for dinner, awards, raffle drawings and closing ceremony.  303 people registered, a lot of guzzi friends from as far as New Hampshire, Texas, Alberta Canada, California, Wisconsin, Iowa, Louisiana, Nevada, Washington, Hawaii.

People were up early Sunday, packed and headed out - many had a long trip ahead.  Jim and I stayed for the good-byes.  Then we headed out on the le mans.

Through Picture Gorge to John Day Fossil Beds and Visitors Center.

The Fossil Beds contain extensive deposits of well-preserved fossils from various periods spanning more than 40 million years.  The visitors Centre is worth the visit.

Sheep Rock near the Visitors Centre.

Did a loop to Monument, had lunch at a café/convenience store in Long Creek.  Had a very tasty sandwich and salad, then a piece of marionberry pie!

Lunch in Long Creek.

Found some rock jack fence posts on our way back.

Back to John Day to do a few things around the truck and laundry.  There were seven moto guzzi people left at the Fairgrounds.  We all met at Matt and Jeannie’s camper for dinner and drinks.

Monday morning the others left, we loaded the motorbike back on the truck and left the Fairgrounds for a parking spot across from an auto parts store on the western side of John Day.

Walked back to the OutPost Restaurant for Huckleberry Pancakes with Huckleberry syrup.

Spent most of the day in the truck checking the computer - looking for a load going east.

That afternoon we walked back into John Day for dinner and a beer at the 1188 Brewery.

Tuesday morning, 28 June - we walked to the Kam Wah Chung museum in John Day.  Jim and I enjoyed the interpretive centre, prior to the tour of the museum.

Internet:  The history of early Chinese settlement in Oregon is a tale of perseverance.  In the last part of the 19^th century, lured by the need for labour in the mining and railroad industries, thousands of young Chinese men came to the United States to escape the poverty of their homeland caused by overpopulation, war and famine.  They were willing to work long hours at low wages. The Chinese were honest and industrious, but were almost mercilessly derided for the cultural differences.

John Day had the largest Chinese community in eastern Oregon when Ing “Doc” Hay and Lung On arrived in town.  The pair met in San Francisco after travelling from their native Canton.  Hay had briefly studies and practiced traditional medicine; On worked as a bilingual translater.  The friends purchased a building that had been constructed around 1870 of locally quarried volcanic tuff.  The young Cantonese men, both in their mid-twenties, opened Kam Way Chung and Co (“The Golden Flower of Prosperity”), as a general store and medical clinic.

Today, at Kam Wah Chung, a tour can be made of the rustic, seven room building.  A fascinating story of a house that was a post office, library and spiritual centre as well as a general store, doctor’s office, boarding house and, clandestinely, an opium den.

Ing Hay (1862 – 1952) and Lung On (1863-1940) grew to become well-respected by whites as well as Chinese.  Their legacy – the Kam Wah Chung State Historic Site – has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973.

$23,000 dollars in uncashed cheques were found.

Building and Museum.

That is a very interesting Museum and life of the early days in John Day.  I enjoyed it.

Jim found a load for Wednesday in Redmond, Oregon, 140 miles west of John Day.  There were no truckstops, or anywhere to park near Redmond, so we stayed where we were parked in John Day.  Walked to 1188 Brewing for dinner that night.

Old church in John Day.

This is where we stayed the extra couple of nights in John Day.