January Run to Medicine Park 1-24-10

Sunday, 1-24-10, was a little chilly and slightly overcast and a few of us got together for a run up to Medicine Park, Oklahoma to go to Lunch at The Old Plantation and then to Chaps My Ass, a Motorcycle Accessories/Apparel Shop. On today's run were: Russ & Linda (Road Captain), Dennis & Moe, Steve & Lacy, Ken & Lori (Tailgunner), Janis, Charlie, Sissy, Doug, Jim, Barry, Wayne and me. Scroll down & join us on this ride and REMEMBER: IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE PICTURES BIGGER, JUST CLICK ON THE PICTURE.

We met at the Wal-Mart on Southwest Parkway & TX Hwy 79 here in Wichita Falls. This is Jim and this is the first time I met and rode with him.

We milled around until all had arrived

This is Dennis & Moe. Dennis runs C ME SHINE, a Motorcycle Accent Lighting Installation Service. He is a professional and he does high quality work.. If you would like your bike lit up with Accents, give Dennis a call at 940-782-6312 or email him at: DPatte6268@aol.com

Everybody arrives and we head out. Today, we had 12 bikes & 16 riders. Here we start North on I-44..

The view behind me as we roll North on I-44.

The view behind me is: Charlie, Steve & Lacy and Ken & Lacy bringing up the rear.

This Russ & Linda, our leaders for today..

Russ & Linda on I-44. Due to chat & sand still being on the roadway from the last snow we had, Russ limited my picture taking (side by side) to 4 lanes only. For safety reasons due to possibility of us running into any of the chat & sand, he didn't want anyone going down. The reason I said Russ limited my picture taking is that the Road Captain/Ride Captain set the rules for whatever ride we are doing. I had no problem with it as I could still take the forward & behind shots..

This is Doug. He rode up from Archer City to ride with us today..

This is Jim on his Harley as we head North on I-44.

This is Sissy. She & Russ put together this ride

This is Janis as we roll North on I-44. Her husband Robert couldn't make it because he had to work today..

This is Barry. He rode up from Archer City to join us today

This is Dennis & Moe Northbound on I-44

This is Charlie heading North on I-44. Charlie is another of the Archer City riders.

That is Lacy & Steve in front of me. Lacy had on a light weight coat and was cold. We would stop in Chattanooga Oklahoma, where she would be given warmer gear to put on.

The obligatory mirror shot.

We get off of I-44 and onto Okla 36 N. We are approaching one of the Casino's up on our left

We are approaching Chattanooga now and are about 1-2 miles from the city limits.

We stop at a gas station and Steve, Ken & Lori fix Lacy up with some warmer gear. The weather was forecasted to be mostly sunny with a high of 59 degrees. We had the mostly sunny stuff but the temperature at this part was only 44 degrees.

Russ & Jim talk as we finish up the break..

Russ is all grins and is having a great time. It's really hard not to have a good time when you go on a run with your friends. Cold weather, hot weather, rain & wind sometimes make it a little difficult, but that's all part of it..

A view down the line of bikes and we can see they almost have Lacy fixed up...

Here is Dennis on our rest stop in Chattanooga Oklahoma

Jim, Janis & Sissy are gearing up to head out

Janis & Sissy in Chattanooga Oklahoma

Moe & Linda in Chattanooga Oklahoma

Linda & Sissy discover that Charlie has one of those heated vests on and attack him to warm their hands...

Sissy, Charlie & me in Chattanooga Oklahoma

Sissy, Charlie & me as we warm up our hands with Charlies vest..

We leave Chattanooga and head straight up to Medicine Park and The Old Plantation Restaurant. Here are the bikes in the parking lot. We had to be careful because that lot was all gravel..

We get off the bikes & head into the Plantation. For more info on this Historic restaurant. see this link: http://www.theoldplantationrestaurant.com/



A view of the bikes from near the Plantation

The bikes at The Old Plantation Restaurant, Medicine Park Oklahoma

Moe inside the Plantation, readjusting her chaps...

We wait to be seated. The Plantation have gifts & nic-knacks for sale also..

The also have a full sevice bar, for those that partake of the "evil spirits"...

me inside the Plantation.. Photo courtesy of Moe..

me & Charlie in the Plantation. Photo courtesy of Moe

Right side of the table: Jim, Steve & Lacy

The hot chocolate was served and Dennis & Moe are happy to get it. I opted for coffee.. Right side of table

Janis & Sissy finish out the right side of the table

Our table. Right side: Sissy, Janis,Moe, Dennis, Jim, Steve & Lacy Left side: Russ, Linda, Charlie, Doug, Barry, Ken & Lori

Dennis. Photo coutesy of Moe

Moe getting Sissy as Sissy takes a pic of Moe. Photo courtesy of Moe

me trying to figure out the settings on the new camera, Sissy taking pics and Charlie talking to Doug...photo courtesy of me

Doug, Barry, Ken & Lori

me at the table..photo courtesy of Moe




Doug signing the visitors log at The Old Plantation Restaurant

Charlie signs the visitor's log.

Our waitress taking orders. I did not get her name, but she did an excellent job. Did not mess up any of the orders and was quick on the refills..

Russ & Linda as Sissy gets ready to take a pic..

Our table as everyone checks out the menu..

Sissy & Jim talking as we wait on the drinks to arrive...

Wayne, (white cap), arrives and joins us. He is also from Archer City and was running a little late and said he would catch up with us..He did too. He was only,like,10 minutes behind us

Russ, relaxing prior to the food being served

Dennis, Wayne, Jim, Steve & Lacy at The Old Plantation Restaurant Medicine Park Oklahoma

The Group photo from left to right: Jim, Sissy, Russ, Linda, Janis, me, Ken, Lori, Berry, Doug, Steve, Charlie,Moe, Wayne & Dennis

Group Photo II from left to right: Jim, Janis, Russ, Linda, Sissy, Barry, Ken, Lori, Lacy, Doug, Steve, Charlie, Wayne, Moe & Dennis

Getting ready to head to Chaps My Ass. Here is Moe bending over...It's a long story.... lol

Left to Right: Charlie, Lacy & Steve, Ken and Wayne on the end, ready to go..

Charlie ready to go. Charlie is also a fellow PGR member

Looking down the line of our bikes

The line of bikes as we get ready to head up to Chaps My Ass

Here is Linda. She loves riding with Russ and they go everywhere. Russ & Linda are like most of us. They ride all the time and are not what is considered fair weather riders. I can't think of any of the folks that we ride with, that are..

Dennis & Moe pull out to get into position..

We depart the Plantation and arrive at Chaps My Ass a short time later. Here are Charlie & Barry out front of the Chaps My Ass shop. For more info on Chaps My Ass, see this link: http://www.chapsmyass.com/

Charlie going inside Chaps My Ass.. I like going here because they have a large variety of biker apparel and an assortment of accessories for the bikes.

Dennis waits in the parking lot while Moe takes a call from one of the kiddo's...

Wayne's bike (white walls) and my bike in the parking lot of Chaps My Ass, Medicine Park Oklahoma

The other bikes in the parking lot of Chaps My Ass

Sissy in Chaps My Ass

Sissy takes this pic of me in Chaps My Ass. Surprisingly the camera didn't break! LOL

Steve & Lacy at Chaps My Ass. I did not get any rolling pics of Steve & Lacy , Ken & Lori or Wayne due to the batteries in the camera being bad. When I stopped to change batteries, we were on 2 lane roads & normally I would've taken the pics there so I would have rolling pics of everyone. But Ken & Lori, Steve & Lacy & Wayne did not go back with us and I didn't have another opportunity to get rolling pics of them. However, there is always the next ride.. I get everyone I miss eventually. Here is Steve & Lacy at Chaps My Ass

Here is Lori getting ready to head back to Texas. Lori and my wife, Janice, are sister-in-laws and that makes Steve, my nephew & Lacy my niece by marriage...

Steve & Lacy & Lori & Ken at Chaps My Ass in Medicine Park Oklahoma

Lacy & Lori wait for Ken & Steve to come unlock the bikes so they can get their gear...

Ken & Lori and Steve & Lacy head back to Wichita Falls. Enjoyed the ride with ya'll. Ride Safe and we'll catch at the next run..

We leave Medicine Park and head down Okla Hwy 49 to get gas prior to getting back on I-44. For more information on Medicine Park Oklahome, see this link:http://www.medicinepark.com/

Barry on the trike behind me as we head to gas up..

As we head South on I-44, after gassing up, behind me are: Wayne, Doug and Jim...

We get on Bus 281/277 to bypass the toll gate. In front of me now are: Dennis & Moe, Sissy on her trike, Charlie and Russ & Linda up front...

Off to our left are the dome roof tops of the new Geronimo High School, Geronimo Oklahoma

We get on US 70 and head West. Just prior to getting back on I-44, (the overpass in the backgroud), we stop for waste water removal at the grocery store. This is Russ talking to Linda before we start the final leg of today's ride

This is Janis, Charlie (back to camera) and Barry as we prepare to leave....

Jim, Dennis & Moe and Barry listen up as we figure out who is leaving the ride and which point on I-44. Some were getting off in Burkburnett Texas, some at US287, some on US82 and the rest of us were going in on Southwest Parkway

Behind me now on I-44 were Charlie & Barry

Charlie & Barry are still behind me as we continue South on I-44. Several people ask me how I get the pics of the riders behind me when I am riding solo. The shadow tells it all. I turn the camera around, get a firm grip on the camera, raise the camera up and shoot. It took awhile, but I finally have it down to where I can get those shots on one take.

Last pic from the ride are as we go under an overpass.This was as you start down the hill with the Texas state line 1 mile in front of us. Where the road straightens out in front of us, is where we cross over the Red River and Texas is on the other side of the river.


Today, Monday 1-25-10, I took the Harley out for my last ride until June. I then took the Vulcan out for it's last ride and then parked them in the garage.

The Harley, SO, and the Vulcan (Ms Clone) sit in the garage for a 3-4 month rest. SO is my nickname for the Harley which is for "Significant Other" and the Vulcan is "Ms Clone" for obvious reasons

I enjoyed yesterday's ride immensely and enjoyed riding with my friends and I look forward until the next ride, whenever it occurs and wherever it takes us.

I will be out of commission from tomorrow, when they cast my right leg & foot, until they remove the cast and do the major surgery on my foot. The Doc says it will be 3-4 months before I will be able to walk & ride the bike again. Surgery is set for March 8, 2010. Dustin, my son-in-law, will be riding the bikes every week for me to keep the batteries up & the juices flowing...

Scroll down for more rides, events & posts and don't forget to click on the "older posts" link at the bottom of EACH page for more rides and posts. Check out North Texas Bikers (1) at http://www.jjskewlstuff.blogspot.com/ for rides, events & posts from January 08-November 08. and North Texas Bikers II at: http://www.jjskewlstuffii.blogspot.com/ for rides, events & posts from Nov. 08-July 09. Until next post, ya'll be careful out there, ride safe, keep the rubber on the road & pray for our Troops & Pattie & Manuel & Steffanie................JOHN

ALL RIGHT!!!!!! 1-17-10

The other day when we rode down to Henrietta, I saw a business that caters to MOST of you and definitely to me. So, today, Sunday 1-17-10, I rode back and took a pic of the business. Also, a good friend & former co-worker, Manuel, sent me something from Afghanistan. Scroll down and check out the brief post. REMEMBER, IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE PICTURES BIGGER, JUST CLICK ON THE PICTURE..




My good friend and former co-worker, Manuel, is a Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army Reserves, and is currently stationed out side of Kabul, Afghanistan. Imagine my surprise when I got a package from him with this cap inside. I will wear this with pride in honor of him and the rest of the troops over in the Middle East fighting in the War On Terror. I sure wish I was there with him..

I am always mentioning CRS and most of you email me back & you also suffer from this terrible disease. (CRS, for those of you who don't understand, stands for Can't Remember Shit). While on a ride to Henrietta Texas with Bud & Curtis last Monday, we passed this business. Apparently, they cater to us CRS folks.... This was taken facing West on FM 1954, in Clay County Texas, just short of Lake Arrowhead Estates.

Another view of CRS Motors facing West.

The last picture on this post is of CRS Motors facing East. I was surprised I remembered where it was at...

The weather here right now, is clear and 58 degrees, Perfect riding weather. There are a LOT of bikes out today, so those of you that drive a cage, no matter what country you live in, watch out for my brothers & sisters that are out enjoying themselves on their motorcycles.

Scroll down for more rides, events & posts and don't forget to click on the "older posts" link at the bottom of EACH page for more rides and posts. Check out North Texas Bikers (1) at http://www.jjskewlstuff.blogspot.com/ for rides, events & posts from January 08-November 08. and North Texas Bikers II at: http://www.jjskewlstuffii.blogspot.com/ for rides, events & posts from Nov. 08-July 09. Until next post, ya'll be careful out there, ride safe, keep the rubber on the road & pray for our Troops & Pattie & Manuel & Steffanie................JOHN

Quick Run To Henrietta Texas 1-12-10

Monday, 1-11-10, Curtis called me and wanted me to ride down to Four Stars Motorcycle Ranch in Henrietta Texas, with him. He bought his Harley Ultra Classic there and he wanted to go see Charlie, the manager & salesman he bought the bike from. I called Bud up and then rode over to his place and met him and then we rode out to Sutherlands at Hwy 79/Southwest Parkway in Wichita Falls Texas to meet with Curtis. Join us for this short 68 mile ride and REMEMBER: IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE PICTURE BIGGER, JUST CLICK ON THE PICTURE..





Here is Bud as we head East down Southwest Parkway, enroute to Tx Hwy 79. This is the first time Bud's been out since that snowstorm we had on Christmas Eve.

We get to Sutherlands & meet up with Curtis. This is Bud & Curtis. Bud is a member of the Blue Knights TX XX, Curtis is the Blue Knights TX XX Chaplain and I am currently President.

I had given Curtis my Blue Knights sticker when he gave me his application & dues and he already has it in place on his back fender.

We decided to go down TX 79 to FM 1952 and then East to FM 2606, across the dam at Lake Arrowhead and then up FM 148 and go to Four Stars from the South. As we head out South on Hwy 79, here is a pic of Curtis (blue bike) and Bud bringing up the rear.

As we head East on FM 1954, I try to keep the speed between 60-70 mph, because Bud is still getting his confidence back after totalling out his other bike on August 31,09. I watched him roll and get thrown off his bike at 70 mph in my rear view mirror. He was banged up, his bike was totalled but thank God he is still with us. Check his wreck out at the following link: http://jjskewlstuff3.blogspot.com/2009/08/pgr-mission-purcell-oklahoma-8-30-09.html

We cross the Lake Arrowhead Dam on FM 2606. The water is fairly calm today. There are many Oil Derricks in Lake Arrowhead near the dam

A view of Curtis & Bud behind me on the Dam

There are still some piles of snow here & there, from the snow storm on Christmas Eve 2009, as we make our way to Henrietta Texas

We get to Four Stars Motorcycle Ranch and this is Bud, Curtis & Sissy. As most of you regular viewers know, Sissy is a salesperson at Four Stars. For more info on Four Stars Motorcycle Ranch, click this link and then click on motorcycles. They have motorcycles there for every one's taste. Sissy's Yellow Harley is there & for sale. She now rides a 2009 Red Harley Tri-Glide http://www.fourstarsautoranch.com/

Bud, Curtis & me at Four Stars Motorcycle Ranch, Henrietta Texas

There are many used bikes for sale at Four Stars, including this yellow 05 Harley Road King of Sissy's. See this link for the info on Sissy's Harley: http://jjskewlstuff3.blogspot.com/2009/11/larry-picks-up-scooter-in-henrietta.html

Some of the other used bikes at Four Stars.

The 105th Anniversary Medallion on the front fender of an Ultra Classic for sale..

The last pic of today's post is of Curtis as we head back North on US 287 to Wichita Falls. I thoroughly enjoyed today's ride and seeing Bud, Curtis & Sissy again. I also got to meet Roy, the Pastor of the Broken Chains Freedom Church in Wichita Falls Texas. See this link with a story on the church: http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2009/apr/27/wheeling-and-kneeling/. The Broken Chains Freedom Church is located at 5200 Old Jacksboro Hwy Wichita Falls Texas 76308 Phone: 940-636-9615. Services are Friday Nights at 7:00 p.m Bikers are Welcome!! I hope to check it out when this foot thing allows me..

Also, it looks like my riding days are numbered for this Spring. I will more than likely be getting foot reconstruction on my right foot in February and will be off the bike for 3 1/2 months while it heals. I shall keep ya'll advised on operation.

Scroll down for more rides, events & posts and don't forget to click on the "older posts" link at the bottom of EACH page for more rides and posts. Check out North Texas Bikers (1) at http://www.jjskewlstuff.blogspot.com/ for rides, events & posts from January 08-November 08. and North Texas Bikers II at: http://www.jjskewlstuffii.blogspot.com/ for rides, events & posts from Nov. 08-July 09. Until next post, ya'll be careful out there, ride safe, keep the rubber on the road & pray for our Troops & Pattie & Manuel & Steffanie................JOHN

Steffanie Deployed.... 1-5-10

Today, Tuesday, 1-5-10, my niece, Steffanie, began her deployment to the Middle East. She is a Captain in the USAF and she is a RN. If ya'll would, please add her onto your prayer lists as you have Manuel & Patti and as you did for my nephew, Paul when he did his tour over in Iraq. Thank you all, and God Bless you all!!! Steffanie, keep your head down and instruments sterile.

Scroll WAY down for more rides, events & posts and don't forget to click on the "older posts" link at the bottom of EACH page for more rides and posts. Check out North Texas Bikers (1) at http://www.jjskewlstuff.blogspot.com/ for rides, events & posts from January 08-November 08. and North Texas Bikers II at: http://www.jjskewlstuffii.blogspot.com/ for rides, events & posts from Nov. 08-July 09. Until next post, ya'll be careful out there, ride safe, keep the rubber on the road & pray for our Troops & Pattie & Manuel & Steffanie................JOHN

Keith's December Visit 1-1-10

Tuesday, 12-29-09, my friend Keith & his wife Sheila, from Tulsa Oklahoma, called and said they were making a run down to Wichita Falls Texas to see me and pick up some flag mounts & flags from Russ that Keith was going to mount on his Harley Ultra Classic. They also brought their 80 lb German Shepherd, Tina, with them. So, scroll on down and see what we did Wednesday. Unfortunately & uncharacteristic of me, I did not get any pictures of Sheila or Tina, as I did not have my camera with me when we were all together. I hope Sheila forgives me & Tina doesn't bite me, next time we are all together, for my oversight. REMEMBER: IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE PICTURE BIGGER, JUST CLICK ON THE PICTURE.





Wednesday morning, 12-30-09, Keith came by my house & picked me up in his truck and we went over & met up with Russ and picked up the bike flags & mounts and then went to breakfast & then down to Red River Harley Davidson...Here are the flags & mounts that Keith bought from Russ. I think Keith opted for two American flags instead of the Texas flag, he being from Oklahoma... Also, this is Russ's former Ultra Classic. He has a 2010 Harley Ultra Classic Limited Edition now. You can see it on some of the past blogs as you scroll down.

After breakfast, we all went down to Red River Harley Davidson to check out the after Christmas sales. Here is Keith with Choyce. Choyce is one of the great salesmen at the dealership. For more info on Red River Harley Davidson, see this link: http://www.redriverharley-davidson.com/

They still had the blue/silver Road King on the show room floor.

As well as the bike I really like, this 2010 Heritage Softail Classic. Although, my Heritage is black, I still like the blue/gray or blue/silver paint schemes.

Some of the other 2010 Harley models on the showroom floor

A 2010 Harley Ultra Classic Screamin' Eagle

The Screamin' Eagle logo on the Air Cleaner of the 2010 Ultra Classic. I think the Screamin' Eagles come with a 110 cu. in. motor

I went looking for my favorite sales girl and found her hard at work. This is Wendi. She and the rest of the folks were getting ready for inventory.

We went looking for t-shirts & hats. Here are Keith & Russ back by the leathers

I introduced Keith to all the sales staff and this is Keith & Amber. Amber is the Motor clothes supervisor.

And here is Keith with the rest of the staff working today. All of the girls are knowledgeable, friendly and know their job inside & out and I enjoy visiting with them. Luckily, they all tolerate me. This is, left to right: Ginger, Keith, Ashley & Samantha. Wendi wasn't in this pic because she had gone to lunch just prior to this.

Russ departed to take care of some honey-dos and Keith & I ran out to Surle's Loans, down from the main gate of Sheppard AFB. I had to pick up two of my vests that Sheila had sewn patches on and Keith dropped one off for Sheila to sew on his American Legion Riders Patch. Here is the front of Keith's vest. For more info on Surle's Loans & Sheila, the greatest seamstress Goddess this side of the Mississippi River, check this link: http://jjskewlstuff.blogspot.com/2008/07/update-on-sheila-at-surles-loan-7-30-08.html

Here is Keith & Sheila as Sheila prepares so sew some other patches onto Keith's Vest.

I had taken a new vest down to Sheila before Christmas & she had sewn all the patches on it and it was ready to go. I call it my Harley vest, as this will be the vest I will be wearing as I putt around on the Harley. This is the back of the vest with my HOG patch. And yes, the "Jane Fonda Bitch" patch is supposed to be upside down..

The front of my Harley vest. Russ picked up the POW patch while at Andersonville Prison in Sumter County, Georgia. Andersonville Prison was a civil war prison where the Confederates put Union POW's. for more info see: http://www.nps.gov/history/seac/histback.htm So, I had Sheila take off the commomly seen, black/white POW patch and put on the slightly bigger black/gold patch. Thanks Russ, I appreciate the patch..

I also had dropped off my Blue Knights TX XX vest and had Sheila add on a couple new patches. This is the front of the vest. For more info on the Blue Knights, see this link: http://www.blueknightstxxx.com/main/

The back of my vest

As I have been losing weight (gastric bypass), my other leather vest has become too large. I took off most of the patches but it is still in great shape. It is a 3x with laced sides. I have worn this for 2 years and the patches still on it, have that used look.. There are small holes here & there that are a result of having taken off some biker pins. Some of the vest has faded a little bit. Remember, here in this part of Texas, the sun is relentless and the heat has softened up the leather and in my opinion, it feels a lot better than a stiff new leather vest. Anyway, if anybody is interested in it, drop me an email. I will let it go for $20. And, I might add, this is a heck of a better deal than if you go hunting on Ebay for a vest. Again, my opinion only..

The Back of the vest. The patches still on the vest are: on the back: Route 66, Ride Free, These Colors Don't Run, and the Eagle. The front has: USA & Freedom Isn't Free. The vest is Diamond Plate Buffalo Leather.

This will conclude this post. It was good seeing Keith & Sheila again and meeting their German Shepherd, Tina. Tina is a beautiful dog. Perfect colors. Also, and I will post this on my next post, I want to thank Russ for the Gremlin Bell for my Harley. I had left the one that was on it when I bought it. I was so informed of my grievous error, when Russ presented me with the Bell. The new bell in now on my bike, on the left side at the bottom of the crash bar or engine guard as you youngun's call them these days.

I hope everyone had a Happy & Safe New Years Eve & I wish happiness & prosperity to ya'll in 2010!!!

Scroll WAY down for more rides, events & posts and don't forget to click on the "older posts" link at the bottom of EACH page for more rides and posts. Check out North Texas Bikers (1) at http://www.jjskewlstuff.blogspot.com/ for rides, events & posts from January 08-November 08. and North Texas Bikers II at: http://www.jjskewlstuffii.blogspot.com/ for rides, events & posts from Nov. 08-July 09. Until next post, ya'll be careful out there, ride safe, keep the rubber on the road & pray for our Troops & Pattie & Manuel................JOHN