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Independence Day Ride

After watching Warren’s Independence Day parade, we rode to Erie and enjoyed our 4th of July meal at Quaker Steak & Lube.

From Quaker Steak & Lube we began our ride back home. We made a couple photo stops along the way. Our first stop was in Findley Lake, NY.

Findley Lake

Soon after we had parked, a man and woman rode in on a motorcycle. We said hello, and I was reminded what a small world we live in. The man and woman are from Butler, PA and know Cadogan, the town that I grew up in.

Our second photo stop was at Long Point State Park on Chautauqua Lake. This state park is located less than 35 miles from our house, but we had never stepped foot inside the park. Earlier this year we purchased a New York State Empire Passport, which provides free admission to state parks in the state of New York. We decided to check out this park. Long Point State Park is a very nice park! There is a beautiful marina, very nice trails and a beach.

The tiger lilies provided a pretty foreground for the boats and lake.

the Marina

We walked a trail to the point. There were lovely views of the lake all along the trail.

This is the trail leading to the point. I was almost at the point, when I took this picture.

The Point

We returned to the marina, walking on the trail on the left. We enjoyed the lovely views of the lake from this side of the point as well.

If you look closely, you will see a fishing dock.

The beach and beach house are visible in this photograph.

the beach

One last picture of the boats moored at the marina

We are really getting use out of the Empire Passport. I am happy that we purchased the passport this year!

An Unplanned Daycation

When I awakened the morning of Wednesday, October 1, I discovered that Bob had taken the day off work. Bob said that he didn’t feel like going into work, so he called his boss and asked would it would be okay if he took a vacation day. I decided, also, to take off work (editing wedding pictures) so that I could spend the day with Bob. We went for a ride on the motorcycle.

Our first stop was for gas at Kwik Fill. Our second stop was at Tractor Supply, where Bob returned an item that he had purchased yesterday. Our third stop was at Wegmans in Jamestown, NY. While Bob was inside the store buying a couple bags of bean coffee, I was outside taking pictures of the pumpkins on display.

Pumpkins at Wegman’s

Our fourth stop was at Van Tuil Photo & Imaging in Erie PA, where I purchased a camera bag. I have purchased so many camera bags over the years. I can’t seem to find that one perfect bag. I hope that this new camera bag serves its purpose well for some time to come!

From Van Tuil’s we rode to Presque Isle State Park.

We ate a picnic lunch at the lagoon picnic area.

Lagoon

We have visited Presque Isle State Park numerous times in the 16 years that Bob and I have been married. There are still many places that we have not explored on the peninsula. The lagoon picnic area was one such place. What a lovely spot for a picnic!

Lagoon Goose

After lunch, we rode rest of the way around Presque Isle State Park. We then began our way back home.

We made three stops on our way back home. Our first stop was while en route Findley Lake, NY.

We pulled off the side of the road so that I could take a picture of this pastoral scene.

In Findley Lake, after a refreshing glass of iced coffee and a cookie for Bob and a glass of iced tea and a muffin for me, we took a very short walk along the main street.

Swartz Mill

At one time a horizontal water wheel furnished power for both a saw mill and a grist mill at this site. This vertical waterwheel has been constructed near the site of the original. I believe the only purpose of the present waterwheel is that of a tourist attraction.

Findley Lake

Our last stop before returning home was at Chautauqua Institution, where we admired the color Autumn foliage across Chautauqua Lake.

Looking across Chautauqua Lake from Chautauqua Institution

It was a wonderful unplanned daycation for Bob and me. Before too long we will be putting the motorcycle away for the Winter. I am happy that we were able to take advantage of this beautiful day by sharing an activity that we both enjoy!

Memorial Day Ride

We went for a short motorcycle ride with our friends, Susan and Dave, on the morning of May 26 (Memorial Day). We met at 8:00 am at a local fuel station and rode to Findley Lake, NY. The purpose of riding to Findley Lake was to see that village’s Main Street Memorial Day parade.

Findley Lake Memorial Day Parade

We would have watched the parade in our hometown of Warren, PA; however, Warren doesn’t have a Memorial Day parade.

After the parade, we rode into Jamestown. We stopped at Tim Horton for coffee/iced tea and donuts. We carried our Timmy purchases across the street, to Riverwalk Park. After consuming our purchases, we went for a short walk along Chadakoin River.

Located at the base of this sculpture is a marker that reads: “Before white men came to this area the Indians blazed a trail between Lake Erie and Lake Chautauqua over which they, early explorers and settlers, portaged their canoes. At the Chadakoin River rapids the canoe was portaged again. Here is where the explorers rested and started a settlement which is now the City of Jamestown.”

Riverwalk Park
Our friends, Susan and Dave

After our walk in the park, we rode back to Warren. We returned home around 12:30 pm.

Findley Lake, NY

Bob and I went to Erie, PA this past Saturday. Yesterday I shared photographs that I took in Waterford, prior to our arrival in Erie, and at Presque Isle State Park. On our way back home, we stopped in Findley Lake, NY.

Swartz Mill

Findley Lake Anchor

After leaving Findley Lake, we made a grocery stop at Sam’s Club in Jamestown, NY. When we left Sam’s Club, sunset was drawing near. Not far from home I captured a couple nice sunset photographs.

Yankee Bush Rd. Sunset

Bob’s Birthday

Yesterday was Bob’s birthday. As is customary on Fridays, Bob worked until noon. When he came home from work, we drove to the casino in Erie (Pennsylvania). The casino had a birthday promotion in which $10.00 in slot money was given to the birthday celebrant. Bob didn’t win anything playing the slots. Neither did I.

From the casino we drove to Findley Lake (New York) for lunch. We ate chef salads at a bar & grill located next to the lake.

After lunch we drove to Jamestown (New York), to Southern Tier Brewery. Bob drank his first IPA since February (Bob is on a low-carbohydrate diet), while I enjoyed a root beer.

From the brewery we drove to the casino in Salamanca. The casino had a birthday promotion in which the birthday celebrant spun a wheel to win slot money. Bob spun the wheel and won $25.00 in slot money. He didn’t win anything playing the slots. I did, though. I came away from this casino $8.30 richer.

We returned home around 8:00 PM. It was a good day. I’m happy that Bob and I were able to share the day together on his birthday.

Mother Nature Dampened Our Weekend Plans But Came Through in the End

Our friends, Susan and Dave M., and Bob and I planned to spend this past weekend (2 nights) in Olcott Beach, NY, which is located on the shores of Lake Ontario. The weather forecast calling for rain and thunderstorms, which could be severe at times, dampened our weekend plans. It rained off and on throughout the weekend and, as the weatherman predicted, there were instances of severe weather.

The weather was supposed to be better on Sunday. We made plans to ride with Susan and Dave to Letchworth State Park, also in New York, but half the riding distance of Olcott Beach. Again, Mother Nature did not cooperate. The rain came down in buckets, then would stop, then come down again. It finally cleared up around 2:00 PM. Susan telephoned. Did we want to go on a ride to Findley Lake, NY? We wanted to, and we did. In addition to riding with Susan and Dave, another couple (Shelly and Bob H.) accompanied us. Shelly and Bob are Susan and Dave’s friends, a very nice couple as we soon discovered. We arrived at Findley Lake in about an hour.

Mama duck and her babies

Aren’t the baby ducks cute!
(I like the markings on the babies.)

Fish are Plentiful in Findley Lake!

While we were at Findley Lake, we watched two women reel in fish after fish. They caught at least 10 fish while we were there!

Susan and Shelly on Findley Lake Anchor

Findley Lake Anchor

While I was taking this picture of Shelly and Susan, Dave was taking a photograph of me taking their picture.

Susan, Shelly and I on Findley Lake Anchor

The boys got their turn, too, to be photographed on the anchor.
Bob, Bob H. and Dave

From Findley Lake we rode to Pine Junction, a tavern/restaurant, which was only a short distance from the lake. Luckily, Dave and Susan had visited Pine Junction before because according to Pine Junction’s website, part of the fun is trying to find them. Dave and Susan led us straight to the restaurant.

Pine Junction is located 800 feet off the main road in a wooded area.

We enjoyed dinner, sitting on the outdoor patio. The evening was gorgeous, with warm (not humid) temperatures and a cool breeze. The restaurant is known for its Black Angus burgers and steaks, chicken wings and homemade desserts. I can’t recall everyone’s dinner selections. Bob and I ordered Black Angus burgers with fries. Bob chose regular fries; I ordered sweet potato fries. Susan had butter & garlic wings with a tossed salad. We tried some of the homemade desserts as well. Bob ordered a slice of raspberry pie. I ordered a slice of coconut cream pie. Susan did the same. Shelly ordered a moose ball. A moose ball is a peanut butter ball dipped in chocolate. It is a frozen dessert. All six of our meals were delicious. I’m sure that we will return to Pine Junction one day.

Oh, I almost forgot. Did you notice the orange-colored motorcycle parked in front of Pine Junction in the photograph displayed above? The motorcycle is a Ural, which is a Russian sidecar motorcycle. After dinner, we checked out this unique-looking motorcycle.

Bob, admiring the URAL

After checking out the Ural, it is time to begin our ride back home. Our ride home, however, was delayed about 1 1/2 hours. Our motorcycle wouldn’t start. Bob turned on the ignition; the lights went on but turned back off. Then they wouldn’t turn on again. The motorcycle had no power.

Bob and I are thankful that Dave and Susan and Bob and Shelly stayed with us. We are thankful that complete strangers stopped and asked if there was anything that they could do to help, as they were going into or coming out of the restaurant. Several people checked their tool bag for suitable tools. Bob had the tool bag that came with the motorcycle, but he didn’t have a socket set with him that is used to remove the seat. He needed to get under the seat to check for a blown fuse, a loose cable or a dead battery. One man, whose name was Dave and also the owner of the Ural pictured above, rode home (7-8 miles away) to get his tools. While waiting for Dave to return to Pine Junction, Bob telephoned one of our friends from the Vulcan Riders Owner Club (VROC), to ask if he had any ideas what could be wrong. Our VROC friend had Bob check several things, indicating that the worse possible situation would be that the ignition went bad.

Dave returned, with tools. Within a few minutes, the seat was off the motorcycle. Dave had a battery tester with him, which he used to check the battery for power. The first test showed no power. He did the test a second time; the battery definitely had power, lots of power. Dave, then noticed that a couple cables were loose on the battery. After tightening the cables, the motorcycle started. I’m grateful that the problem was a simple fix.

We returned home around 9:00 PM. A day later, and I am still thinking what WONDERFUL friends we have. I’m thankful for old and new friends and for strangers who helped us yesterday. I’m thankful that we made it home safely and that the motorcycle is mechanically sound. I’m also thinking if perhaps it was God’s intervention that resolved our mechanical problems yesterday, as Bob H. said a simple prayer over our motorcycle shortly after we realized it had no power.

A Day of Riding

Our hometown held its Independence Day parade on Saturday, July 3. We didn’t attend this year’s parade, opting instead to go for a motorcycle ride. It was such a gorgeous day, too beautiful not to ride! I hoped to see a parade in one of the towns that we drove through, but we did not see one.

We left Warren at 9:00 AM. We rode to Erie, PA by way of Findley Lake, NY.

First Glimpse of Findley Lake from Shadyside Rd. (southern terminus)

Findley Lake
It was a picture-perfect day.

Bicycle with Baskets of Flowers

a Bottle Tree

Findley Lake Anchor at Northern End of Lake

According to a plaque found near the anchor, the schooner “Mauntenee” was shipwrecked in Lake Erie near Ripley, NY during a gale storm on October 20, 1905. In 1906 George Fox transported the one-ton anchor using horses and a log cart to his Findley Lake home on North Road. He hung the anchor from the schooner’s life boat davit in his front yard. The Dunlap family later purchased the home and anchor. The anchor and davit were moved to this site in 1993.

From Findley Lake we rode to Presque Isle Downs & Casino. Earlier in the week Bob received a brochure from the casino, which stated that he had earned $35.00 in free slot play. Bob could use $7.00 free slot play each week for the next 5 weeks. Sunday, July 4th, was the end of the first week. Bob played the $7 in free slot play and lost. At one point he ran his winnings up to $14. Bob used only the free slot play; he didn’t spend any of his own money. We were at the casino for less than 30 minutes.

From the casino we continued on into Erie. We ate lunch at Steak ‘n Shake. Bob ordered a Frisco Melt with fries and a chocolate shake. I ordered a cheeseburger with fries and a chocolate shake.

After lunch we rode through Erie to Route 5, which we followed alongside Lake Erie to Rt. 394. By the time we reached Westfield, NY we were ready for for a break. We sat in Moore Park on a bench under a shade tree. The farmers market had ended shortly before we arrived. We watched as vendors took down canopies and loaded them and unsold merchandise into their vehicles. A short while later we walked across street to another park — The Lincoln-Bedell Statue Park. I have photographed this park in the past; however, I was always in a moving vehicle when I did so. This was the first time I was able to photograph the park standing still.

The Lincoln-Bedell Statue Park in Westfield, NY

This statue depicts a meeting between President Lincoln and Grace Bedell. In October 1860, eleven-year-old Grace sent Abraham Lincoln a letter urging him to grow a beard to improve his appearance. President Lincoln later met Grace.

Westfield Clock

We’re supposed to be at a friend’s house for a picnic by 4:00 PM; it’s time to leave Westfield!

We arrived at our friend Don’s house in Kennedy, NY around 4:15 PM. The turnout was smaller than expected. Ten of us enjoyed a picnic dinner of deviled eggs, marinated chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, and various desserts. I took a few photographs, but only Jank was in the mood for having his photograph taken. Because the others didn’t care to have their pictures taken, I will share only Jank’s picture with you.

Dog with Firewood

This is Jank. Isn’t he a beautiful dog? Jank belongs to Don, who hosted the picnic.

We returned home from the picnic a little after 8:00 PM. By 8:30 PM we were back on the motorcycle, en route Saybrook, PA. Saybrook is a small community located a short distance east of Warren. The reason we went to Saybrook was to see fireworks.

Please click on image to enlarge

This fireworks display was put on for a neighborhood block party. It was an excellent show, and we enjoyed sharing the event with Bob’s daughter, Stacey, and her boyfriend Mike.