Powersports.Honda.Com

17 November Ride to the Motorcycle Museum, Vanderpool

We woke to the surprise of moisture in the air and on the ground...another "iffy" forecast in south-central Texas and considering how far it is from the chapter meeting point to the Motorcycle Museum in Vanderpool, you always wonder how much you will be needing your Frogtogs!  We thought the roads would drive and we would have a break in the weather and, spurned on by the fact that Bill and Jane Johnson had gotten up at 5 am and were calling us from the pick up point at 46 and 281 one and a half hours before the pick up time...we headed towards the chapter meeting point and a biscuit at McDonald's.  Not surprised that we were the sole Gold Wing in the Wal-Mart parking lot, we headed towards 46 and 281 where we were delighted to see not only Bill and Jane, but also Dale and Diane Goree!  As we chatted and checked the weather forecast, Mike and Ako Mills rode in from New Braunfels.  We know had four GoldWings...one from Poth, south of Floresville, one from San Antonio, one from Boerne and the last from New Braunfels!  Mike Mills said he showed up because he wanted to see what kind of turnout there would be for a ride on a day with "weather like this...."  Dale and Diane had a rare weekend in town and Bill had been disappointed twice before when the museum ride had been scheduled only to be cancelled due to weather.  Jane was just being a good sport accompanying Bill (and she had on a wool muffler to keep her warm!).  Me...I just came along to supervise Brad from the co-rider chair!

      One 1000, one 1100, two 1500's and two 1800's!!                         Getting ready to go in.

    Nice backdrop for the bikes!                                   Trying to decide which one he wants!

Heading north and west, we wound our way over first damp and then dry roads, some of which none of us had been on before.  Good job Brad finding us new roads to discover!  After a comfort stop in Comfort, TX, we soon left the darker clouds behind us and delighted in driving through the maple-lined roads near Vanderpool, and found Jack Dowda and his brother Tommy just parking their Hondas in the Motorcycle Museum's parking lot!  We soon found our way into the museum to check out the classic motorcycles, and of course, we had to rearrange a couple tables to seat the 10 of us.  Yummy hamburgers, fries and pie soon followed.  A few of us did get up and look at the motorcycles and the rest of us sat and chatted and relaxed both in the museum and out on the front porch as the sun had decided to shine for our visit to Vanderpool!  A few jokes were swapped which is becoming a hallmark of Chapter U gatherings!  Soon enough we decided we needed to "mosey" down different roads to head home.  Fortunately we "zigged" when the showers "zagged," and we "zagged" when the showers "zigged."  Only a few sprinkles all day and we parted in good spirits after experiencing another day of Chapter U FUN!

                               Ordering up!                                                      All 10 smiling faces!!     

Lots of great bikes at the Motorcycle Museum!!

Two  great looking old Harley's and an Ariel Square Four

              Great looking old Indian!!                               Rest a bit to let the burgers & frys settle!

   Bill with Jack Dowda and his brother Tommy!                                Gettin' ready to go!