Iron indians anyone? northeast iiras?

[Blackdog]

Hey all,

 

1)  I am going to be in DC next week for a software conference and just noticed this item in the "after hours" agenda....

 

Wednesday, August 3

7:00 p.m. National Museum of the American Indian

http://www.nmai.si.edu/index.cfm

 

Does anyone have any recommendations for special things to look for in there?  Or is there anything anyone interested in Indians that has something they would like me to look out for?  They say flash photography is allowed so I will try get some digital photos.

 

2) I have an article in the smoke signals which may not make it out by the time of my trip - where I indicated I may be renting a Harley and riding from DC to Boston area (North Shore) and was looking for riders to ride with.  Those plans have changed and been finalized.  

 

I will be renting a BMW GS1150 in Topsfield MA (North of Boston).  My girlfriend will join me there and we will ride from Boxford, MA to Port Clyde, ME on Sunday 8/7 - overnighting on Huppers Island with friends and Returning Monday 8/8.  Then Tuesday 8/9 we will mount up and ride to the Cape (actually Westport, MA in the RI border) via 128 Beltway with stops in at least Lexington/Concord.  Then returning Thursday 8/11 with stops at least in Boston and probably Fanueil Hall/North End.

 

:moped: :moped:

 

Any IIRA riders along these routes - I'd love to ride part way with you and maybe stop for a refreshment along the way to say hi and meet - let me know.  You can reach me through this weekend by e-mailing me through the site - after that you can try blackdogkayaker@yahoo.com.  Hope to see you on the road.

 

Blackdog Out.

[Scottdog]

The mid week stuff is tough. I would have rode a group out to Westport if it were on the weekend. Too bad you're not coming into Connecticut. You might hook up with Pop on your trip to Maine. He's in Hew Hampshire.

[blackandtan]

Black dog;

             I will be up in maine 8/7 through 13. Will have my ride with me. Will be in Old Orchard beach off rte 1 about 1  hr north of Boston. I own a house up there welcome to stop by for a cold one and a rest let me know. Also if your in Concord Ma. let me know I work for the town as Highway Operations Sup can give you some pointers on what historic sites to see. Dont mind the constuction detours we have a lot of big projects underway. Hope to hear from you. Ride safe B&T  

[Gary2Wheels]

..It is an extraordinary collection of Native American artifacts,and could easily take you a week or longer to fully

review.I visited the museum when it was know as The Museum of the American Indian,and located in New York City,uptown adjacent to the Harlem River Drive.

The underlying tragedy is that our army and government was responsible for the first American genocide of it's native people and that they are still seen as troublesome.When's the last time you heard of  a Native American rising to position of power within government?I've got a Mohawk friend who's a WWII Guadalcanal Marine vet,now in his eighty's....a remarkable man I feel damn lucky and honored to call a friend.He saw action fighting the Japanese in some of the worst shitholes in the South Pacific,and only over the years has told me  any of it in his own quiet and wise way.

Go, and  try to imagine the effort it took to create what you see,without the benefit of electric power,central air,or even eyeglasses.....

When you're up in Salem Mass. check out the Peabody Museum as well.It's another collection of native people from around the world that is astounding....

 

RIDE SAFE.......LIVE LONG :wave:

[Blackdog]

The mid week stuff is tough. I would have rode a group out to Westport if it were on the weekend. Too bad you're not coming into Connecticut. You might hook up with Pop on your trip to Maine. He's in Hew Hampshire.

Thanks Scottdog - sorry we'll miss ya - maybe next trip.  This area (MA) is where I came from two years ago to the left coast so I am sure I'll get out there again. Gonnbe saltwater fly fishin' with an old friend while in Westport - hope I don't hook anyone....benn a coupla years...

[Blackdog]

Black dog;

             I will be up in maine 8/7 through 13. Will have my ride with me. Will be in Old Orchard beach off rte 1 about 1  hr north of Boston. I own a house up there welcome to stop by for a cold one and a rest let me know. Also if your in Concord Ma. let me know I work for the town as Highway Operations Sup can give you some pointers on what historic sites to see. Dont mind the constuction detours we have a lot of big projects underway. Hope to hear from you. Ride safe B&T  

Thanks blackandtan - this one just might work out.  I'm gonna ride NH up the coast from MA through Seabrook, Hampton, Rye and Portsmouth cross on over the bridge and see if my Kittery Indian guys are still around then head north on combination of 95 (or 295)/1.  I was planning to try an early start to my day - not sure what time I'll hit Old Orchard on 8/7 - are you there all day? Or arriving late that day?

 

Thanks for the info on Concord but that is my old haunts - bought my first house in Lexington - Reed Street on the Hanscom flight path - boy was it fun on airshow week - not to mention the first Gulf War.  Man you haven't lived until you have C-5 cargo planes flying in low trajectory right across your driveway.....   Had to take all the china out of the cabinets for the duration of the war.

 

Well either up on 8/7 or return on 8/8 maybe I'll get to    with ya.  If you can PM me or e-mail me a contact number so we can try to hook up out there.  Thanks.

[Blackdog]

..It is an extraordinary collection of Native American artifacts,and could easily take you a week or longer to fully

review.I visited the museum when it was know as The Museum of the American Indian,and located in New York City,uptown adjacent to the Harlem River Drive.

The underlying tragedy is that our army and government was responsible for the first American genocide of it's native people and that they are still seen as troublesome.When's the last time you heard of  a Native American rising to position of power within government?I've got a Mohawk friend who's a WWII Guadalcanal Marine vet,now in his eighty's....a remarkable man I feel damn lucky and honored to call a friend.He saw action fighting the Japanese in some of the worst shitholes in the South Pacific,and only over the years has told me  any of it in his own quiet and wise way.

Go, and  try to imagine the effort it took to create what you see,without the benefit of electric power,central air,or even eyeglasses.....

When you're up in Salem Mass. check out the Peabody Museum as well.It's another collection of native people from around the world that is astounding....

 

RIDE SAFE.......LIVE LONG :wave:

Thanks Gary2wheels - now I know to make the effort to go and absorb - and even take an extra film chip  

[335]

ya got pop  in NH just out side manchester,  an gary ,,  potato potato just no of boston  , they both like to ride  good company too!

[Blackdog]

ya got pop  in NH just out side manchester,  an gary ,,  potato potato just no of boston  , they both like to ride  good company too!

Thanks IndianChief335 - I may have to see Pop - I am planning at some point to visit one of my old hangouts - the "Black Brimmer" in downtown Manchester - kinda near where I used to work.

 

Maybe I can ride with Gary on my way down to or up from the Westport.

[blackandtan]

Blackdog check your pm.

[blackandtan]

BTW invitation is open to anyone else that wants to stop by.    

[buffalo]

Blackdog

don't see how i can get up there but i do happen to know Port Clyde and Hupper island i've got some friends that have owned

a place on the island for twenty years or more i've been there a few times and damn it is beautiful

 hope ya enjoy your trip and if you see Jane and John D.

tell them Buffalo aint dead and will see them soon

                                  Buffalo

[Gary2Wheels]

ya got pop  in NH just out side manchester,  an gary ,,  potato potato just no of boston  , they both like to ride  good company too!

Thanks IndianChief335 - I may have to see Pop - I am planning at some point to visit one of my old hangouts - the "Black Brimmer" in downtown Manchester - kinda near where I used to work.

 

Maybe I can ride with Gary on my way down to or up from the Westport.

Hey,Man...just let me know yourplans as they firm up.I'm busy these days..IRREGULARLY ..trying to clear our land a few miles north of here in Earton,NY...but I like excuses to get off the backhoe once in a while!....Best,Gar

[Blackdog]

Blackdog

don't see how i can get up there but i do happen to know Port Clyde and Hupper island i've got some friends that have owned

a place on the island for twenty years or more i've been there a few times and damn it is beautiful

 hope ya enjoy your trip and if you see Jane and John D.

tell them Buffalo aint dead and will see them soon

                                  Buffalo

I just may see Jane and John D. - if I do I'll tell 'em ya said Hi - I stay with Tom and Claire - they been there along wih the family for at least 2 generations now.  And yes it is one of the best places I know of - I just wish I could pull more than an overnight - but it'll be good just the same.  Take care Buffalo - maybe we'll cross paths another time.

 

Blackdog out.

[Blackdog]

Blackdog check your pm.

hey blackandtan - PM didn't come through - I sent you one too but just thout I'd post here to let you know in case it's not working for some reason. :Spanish:

[blackandtan]

Ok I replied to your PM check it out.  

[Blackdog]

Ok I replied to your PM check it out.  

Got it - printed it - I'll call you when I hit the East Coast and ready to ride.  Thanks.

 

Blackdog out.

 

       

[blackandtan]

Oh Black where are you the beers gettin warm!    

[Blackdog]

Oh Black where are you the beers gettin warm!    

OK I am sufficiently recovered from...life…. to publicly apologize to BlackandTan.  Sorry I missed you man.  Normally I would have called just to say I'm not gonna make it. But in addition to the story below - I had lost battery power - on my first AND back-up battery on my cell. And that leads me to what happened.  First, let me say that our trip was absolutely wonderful.  The riding that I did was fantastic and I got to see some old friends and show my girl around some great places but…

 

Here is the story of what happened - and why I didn't get any of BlackandTan's cold beers.  And those who know me know it takes something stronger than a Gulf Storm in the Florida panhandle to keep me from a cold one and swapping lies with a brother...anyway.

 

I fly to Boston.  Rent the BMW 1150 - the same bike I found out that Ewan MacGregor rode round the world.  Well, it liked him better than me.

 

My girl is flying in the next day so I go through my pre-ride checks and take it to the next town to visit my nieces, former mother in law and ex-wife (see, if you start your vacation there - things can only get comparatively better).  Thunderstorms all around - but I avoid them.  Bike seems to stall out as I pull to a stop back at my base camp and can't get it started.   Well, turns out they forgot to tell me that these bikes are equipped with an automatic kill when the kickstand goes down and you can't re-start it when the kickstand is down.  Well after a few calls where no one could help me, I figured it out myself and sure enough worked it like a charm after that.

 

So, my girl flies in (after airlines overbooked her and sent her on the red eye where she arrived 12 hours later than expected).  We take an absolutely stunning ride through my old haunts from Newbury, MA up Coastal 1, 1A and 1B into Portsmouth NH and Maine.  So far so good - let's ride.

 

Next day, we're headed up to Maine. Johnny Jack Booted Law in NEW HAMPSHIRE decides to stop 4 lanes of vacation traffic traveling at 80mph from behind a bridge and up a hill. So, as cars are slamming on their brakes in front of me, I pull out in passing traffic and goose it to avoid any collisions and what does he do?  He "Lasers" ME, JUMPS INTO MY LANE,  and waves me over.  87 in a 55 zone.  216 bucks and 1 driver point later - I am on my way to overnight with friends on Huppers Island, ME as planned.  

 

Had a fantastic time and vacation is getting back on track. So I head south a little behind schedule and we go to South Shore MA near the Rhode Island border and stay with more friends.  I say to my girl - "I would really like to try to meet up with some IIRA riders so let's come back through downtown Boston and do some on the fly site seeing.  Then we'll try to hook up over the last couple of days rental we have left".  "Sounds like a plan" she says,.  

 

Did whirlwind tour of Lexington/Concord (my first "hometown" in Massachusetts).  Zakim Bridge was not open before I moved from there so we did that - got rerouted all over creation.  Charlestown, Bunker Hill, Harvard square, Charles River and the Hatch Shell (where the Boston Pops play 4th of July on TV) and my college - Northeastern University campus - so far so good.

 

Head downtown past the Public Gardens and Commons and climbing Beacon Hill where the Gold Domed State House is.  Plan was to go past there and late lunch at Fanueil Hall, walk to the Old North Church (Paul Revere's ride and all) - call it a day with 2 days left to go on my week's rental and call BlackandTan to hook up - that was the plan.

 

As I climb Beacon Hill, "two-up" in Boston, we are 1 block from the top (32 1/2 Beacon Street to be precise - I know this because that is what I wrote on the towing slip).  All of a sudden the traffic all around me starts honking wildly at me.  Since I was doing nothing wrong I look around and then down.  White smoke flying out the back of the engine. Quickly assessing the situation I look a little further and OIL is spewing in a high pressure stream out the left of the engine as seated on it and spray painting my left Jeans leg with hot oil and filling my boot.  Being the intelligent biker that I am I figured - this is not good.  Nor was the hot oil very comfortable.

 

Knowing that at that rate in a matter of a minute there would be no oil the engine and it is likely to blow - I turn it off.  As I do, the contents (well most of them) of the engine oil release and gush to the ground in one huge puddle on the corner of Beacon and.........."Joy" street (I kid you not).  I am in pre rush hour traffic and need to get out of the road.  There is only one direction to go - with no power mind you .......UP HILL. So, I push and park.......in the State Senators special parking zoned curb........hmmmmmmmmm.   As I put the kickstand down and lean the bike the rest of the oil comes out.

 

2.5 Hours later the rental agency got the tow truck to us and then we got to load and ride back to the base camp.....through Boston rush hour traffic.  Those of you who know Boston rush hour will understand.  Those who don't..... well..... picture being in purgatory.... flames constantly licking at your feet as you are suspended over a fire pit in the middle of a desert with no food or water and.......Roseanne Barr, Rosie O'Donnell and Jane Fonda as your......... only companions sitting in chairs around your suspended shell of a body as you roast.  That would be heaven compared to rush hour Boston Traffic.  Oh and the tow truck they send has…bucket seats…and no air conditioner.  It was in the 90's with near 100% humidity that week in Boston.  My gal (who is a lean 6 feet tall) sat on a small "Playmate" cooler on the floor of the truck with the stick shifter between her knees - I'm sure she was enjoying the ride - but wouldn't say a thing.

 

We get back to the rental agency and they said - and I quote 1) "Well, I am glad that we were moving our offices and didn't take your call - I would not want to have heard what you had to say".  2) "This is the second time in just a few weeks this happened to a BMW of ours."  3) "We will NEVER buy another BMW because of this - and we buy 50 of their bikes a year for rentals nationally." 4) We are so sorry - don't worry we will take care of you.

 

The good thing is…so far they have taken care of me.  I received NO charges on my credit card so far - in fact they returned my deposit charge.  They haven't called me or returned my calls…they just did it.

 

Apparently what happened is the engine overheated so much in rush hour traffic that it melted the oil level window in the engine block and it "blew out" - sort of like blowing a bubble with bubble gum - and got to a point when it failed and broke and spewed oil. - This SHOULD NOT have because I had what appeared to be a good digital temp gauge and when it got hot - we got off and let it cool. In the hot muggy weather we needed to do this a few times.  Well apparently the gauge didn't work this one last time literally 3 blocks from our destination where the bike would have sat for a couple of hours in a cool garage while we played tourist.

 

So, I do apologize to BlackandTan that we couldn't hook up.  On a more positive note, we had so much fun otherwise that we are likely to do this again - just will probably go for the "Goldwing" or something.  So hope to see you next trip - or if you head Cetral Coast CA way - give me a jingle and we'll show ya around.

 

Blackdog out.

:veryangry: