Now, I know no one is really happy with just a little tease of a video.  So, here are the accompanying photos to my ride in the snow.

So, let's go with the fact that it was cold that day, so maybe it was "brain freeze" that prompted me to do it.  Three degrees is really cold…. That's negative 16 degrees celsius.

So…. it was

Long Johns, under

Leather pants, under

Snowmobile "Farmer John" bib overalls.

Tee Shirt, under

Long sleeved shirt, under

Wool sweater, under

Goose down vest, under

Winter Motorcycle coat.

Wool scarf, under

Balaclava

Wool Rag mitts inside leather mitts;

Wool rag socks inside leather boots ….

And we were good to go….

The worst part of the trip was getting to the main road…. that's what the video from yesterday shows… After that, except for some sandy spots (laid down by the salt and sand spreaders) it was pretty clear sailing - all the way to..

The Portland Headlight..

All, in all, looking a bit different than when Beemer Girl and Oilburner were here….

After a brief stop I decided to move on to another close by lighthouse - actually, two lighthouses - called, interestingly enough, Two Lights.  (There are at least 70 lighthouses in Maine.  You can make a whole vacation trip doing nothing but riding the coast from lighthouse to lighthouse).

Getting to Two Lights was a bit tricky… there was quite a bit of snow… I didn't fall is the good news, I didn't have time to take pictures is the bad news.

Parking at Two Lights is right down by the sea.  It's a fun place, regardless of the season…

A good look around, then off to….

 

Where I doffed everything except what proper behavior requires and settled in with a great sandwich and many cups of coffee…

It's a tough life….

But someone's got to do it….

This one's for 

Bob Skoot

There's More To Come!!

rrrggghh

ARRGGGHHH!

Cabernet and Champagne

and wild, wild…..

well you get the drift…..

It's 2:09:11

PM

Eastern Standard Time

Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh ….

My

Head Feels Like a Caravan….

And then, there's…..

The Sun… The Sun….

Everywhere I look….

Brilliant, Bright, Oh My...

Oh My….

I need to….

See you tomorrow…

Meanwhile….

HAPPY  NEW  YEAR !!!

Martha asked for it and so…

How about 12-inches (Hey! That's a foot!) of new snow?

Is that good enough, for a day?

GOOD NEWS!

SNOW!

GOOD NEWS!

I GET TO TRY AND RIDE IN IT…..

BAD NEWS!

YOU CAN'T GET THERE FROM HERE!

WET SNOW AND STANDARD TIRES

=

YOU AIN'T GOING ANYWHERE BUDDY…

So, I figure, it's just slushy stuff.  Kind of like heavy rain.

And….

I make it to the street, turn to go down to the light and…

Fall down, go boom, go wheeeeee!!!

What happens is the rear of the scooter's body starts to go to the side, but…… you're steering straight ahead.

AH HA!!

So, you're front wheel is going straight ahead, while you driving wheel is going 90-degrees to your front wheel.  Doesn't work, everything just slides out from under you and down, straight down go you.

It took me about 20-minutes to decide that, although doable, it is just too much physical work to ride in this type snow without snow tires.  Unfortunately, no one sells my size.

(Am I being told something?)

However, if you want to try it, here are some suggestions - based upon my very real experience:

Watch for dips in the snow…. they are not friendly. They grab your tire.

You really need to look ahead and read the terrain.  Go for the slushy, soft stuff.  The packed snow is just as slippery AND it allows your tire to dig itself a hole - whereupon, you just ain't going anywhere.

You must ski along.  Both feet out and firmly on the ground.  Ski -- or, perhaps more accurately, out rig -- your legs push, shove, straighten, push up, right, left constantly.  After a while it's really a bit of fun.

Be prepared to be real tired after a very short time-frame.  Never realized how heavy my machine is….

Of course, once you're on a main road, it's just like riding in the rain.  So, unless you wish to join my club, head for the main road --- pronto!

I know it's blurry.  You try and hold a camera steady after wrestling with this monster for an hour….

Wonder if I screwed small screws in……?

Stuff sticks everywhere..

Anyway….

Today's score:

One Fall: slow speed, so scoot's not hurt.

One very sore left hip and thigh.  Scooters are clearly better able to take falls then people are.

1/2 mile trip on snow.

One bemused BRW.

One slush-covered Honda.

One bright outlook for a new attempt tomorrow.

Provided I can walk….. Stay tuned!!

It Snowed!  It Snowed!  A White Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND MAY YOUR DAY BE CHEERY AND BRIGHT.

Welcome to the "What's this got to do with anything?" page.

15,000 folks without electricity.  Not too bad a score out of 1.5 million people in the state.... unless you happen to be one of them.....

Missed getting in.  Having BBQ withdrawal fit....

 "Cap'n, looks bad ahead".  "Yup.  Better get geared up, and be thankful we're not in the vessel on the left."

 Speaking of "gearing up".... the latest apparel for a Bermuda rain squall.... even the pocketbook fits in...

"Hey Cap! What'cha want me to do about this sucker?"  "Miss him if possible... don't want to mess-up his day."

Always a pleasure to meet a well-tended, well-sailed vessel.

My new home town....

My home town....

BRW.... What else to say?

Two favorite Redheads...

First Command.... 65-ft, custom Chris Craft the "Lady Anna"...

15 days in the mountains of Guatemala... I, cook for 17-member team of doctors performing cataract surgery on the poor population..

BRW... Nurse and interpretor... interesting... The natives spoke Quiche, native doctors 

spoke Quiche/Spanish, our doctors spoke 

English..... BRW would translate doctor's 

questions into Spanish, which was 

translated into Quiche and presented to

 patient.  Then the answer was routed 

back via the same pathway.... tiring.

 

Some of the crew... the young ladies worked many long hours as go-fers.  Everyone put in 14-hour days.

That's why we get to have an ice cream.

Okay....

Let's get this done......

Think we can get it in through here?

It'll be a snap, just listen to me.  I've got the whole thing down pat....

Okay, but let's get going.... I've got and engagement later today.....

Okay..... A little right.... hmmmm, maybe a bit left......

No, no, NOOO....

Hang Loose!!  It's coming along!

Tilt it!, Right!  No, the other right!!

Easy!  We're almost there....

Get it centered with the presents.... Easy, Easy...

DONE!!!

Whatcha Think

Perfect!!

We are Ready for Christmas!!!