Kermit Chair

I wanted to show the red chair next to the bike

so I plopped it right down in a big shadow.

This is a very comfortable chair.

I am still in the organization mode…getting a few things done around the homestead so I can enjoy a hiking/car camping trip with some friends next week.

I have been looking at comfort items that will be beneficial on my road trip next year, and one thing I have looked at numerous times is the Kermit Chair that is advertised as the perfect chair for motorcycle camping. Because of the cost, I have been researching and investigating every alternative option to the Kermit Chair…to no avail. I finally made the decision to cough up the extra money for the Kermit, and hope for the best.

UPS brought it to my doorstep today, and I immediately jumped into putting it together. It went much better than I had anticipated, and it is easily as comfortable as any other director style camp chair I have sat in. The leg extensions I purchased brought the height of the chair up to the perfect fit for me (I am 5 feet 10 inches tall with a 32 inch inseam).

I am always hesitant to spend more money than necessary on gear and equipment, but when I end up with something that works well, looks good, and is built from quality materials (like this chair)… I know I made a good purchase.

Now to get it back into the carry bag…

We are having exceptional weather in the Pacific Northwest, and I am stuck in the middle of a garage cleaning. Tomorrow will be a better day.

Getting Organized

This was an overnight stop at the KOA Campground in Winthrop, WA in June 2008 on the way to NW STAR-B-Q in Post Falls, ID.


The Gold Wing is in the shop getting the post-break-in service, and I will be picking it up later today. Had I been organized at this point, I could have joined the hordes of other Memorial Day Week-end campers setting up a tent somewhere out in the wild. However, I have some gathering, sorting, and packing to take care of before I can even think about heading out. Part of the next few days will be spent getting to the level of preparation that will allow me to pack and go at a moments notice.

I do a lot of car camping because my dog enjoys the peace and quiet as much as I do, and there is something to be said for packing along firewood and an assortment of other items that contribute to the overall comfort of luxury camping. I also have a notion that I will get a few backpacking trips in before I no longer can, so I am in possession of a lot of gear that will be useful for motorcycle camping later this summer and next. Small and light is never an issue for car camping, but will become a large issue for backpacking and/or motorcycling.

My good friend, Sondra, sent me a link that introduced me to the world of teardrop campers, and I have been enthralled with the idea of towing a summer home around where ever I want to go. I still have to reconcile all my other desires for wandering, but I have a feeling that a teardrop trailer is somewhere in the future for me.

The morning is slowly moving on, so I am going to get started on the organizing plan as soon as I finish this cup of coffee.

Ride to Ocean Shores

Dick Lamphere's new Harley is also red...

Gathering before the ride...

My new Gold Wing is a good place to rest...

Quinault Casino parking lot

Having our Chapter Meeting at lunch...

Ready to wander the shops of Ocean Shores



I was up early on this beautiful mid-May morning, and rolled out of the driveway in plenty of time to gas up the Gold Wing and make it to Brother’s Power Sports ahead of the rest of Chapter 403. Dick Lamphere was already there with his new Harley. He was unable to join us on the ride, so he showed up for the meeting (which we didn’t have until later in the day) and to wish us a safe ride.

After milling around Brother’s parking lot until we were sure we had everyone accounted for, eight members headed out on six bikes for Little Creek Casino where we met up with the members from Port Townsend (another three bikes with four members). We finally hit the road with twelve members on nine bikes. We left Little Creek in two small groups, and enjoyed the two lane back roads through McCleary, Elma, Satsop, Brady, and Montesano before we were funneled back onto the main highway into Aberdeen.

Traffic was moderate through Aberdeen and Hoquiam, and fairly light along Washington 109 all the way to our turn off to Ocean Shores. We made one short pit stop just prior to the turn off, and then headed for the Quinault Casino for lunch. At this point, I have to say something about motorcycle clubs that exist as a social outlet for members who are generally older than younger… we ride to eat! We have discovered (in Washington State) that Native American Casinos will always serve you a meal to be remembered for a fair price. Some do a better job than others, and the word gets around in either case. We currently have ten chapters of Star Touring and Riding Association throughout Washington State, and every member knows which casino within a couple hundred miles is worthy of the RTE (ride to eat). To be fair, I haven’t found a bad one yet.

After lunch, we rode into Ocean Shores and wandered through a few shops…used the public facilities…gassed up our bikes…and headed back toward home. As we were headed away from Ocean Shores, a long string of bikes and riders were turning into the small community. It was an impressive parade, but I would not have enjoyed being the cage driver behind them trying to get somewhere quickly. It is almost as frustrating as being held up for construction, and as more and more motorcyclists join clubs…it will only get worse.

We found a different back road into Shelton, and then stayed on Highway 3 through Allyn and into Belfair. Doug Mountjoy and I turned onto the Old Belfair Highway, and made our way into Port Orchard where, close to home, we stopped for a cold beer before calling it a day. I closed my garage door around 7:00 PM, and gave up all thoughts of making it to the Pool League Banquet I was already two hours late for. I was much more interested in a nap (because I am old…).

Hoping for sunshine

I have been a collector most of my life, so making room in the garage for another motorcycle was an adventure in itself. I couldn’t bring myself to trade in the V-Star when I purchased the Gold Wing (and I still enjoy riding the V-Star) so there was little choice but to move out a few of the larger items that were hogging floor space. Having two motorcycles to choose from in favorable weather is a little overindulgent, so I will most likely give up the V-Star within the next few months.

I am a dedicated member of the local chapter of STAR Touring and Riding Association, and the major trips planned for this summer are Star Days in Billings, Montana…and the NW STAR-B-Q in Medford, Oregon. My long ride last June was in conjunction with the NW-STAR-B-Q 2008, which was held in Post Falls, Idaho. It was a wonderful event hosted by the Star Chapter in Spokane, Washington who made it the best event I have attended so far. I have never attended Star Days because previous events have been far enough away to make it difficult for me. Billings, Montana is close enough to make the difference, however, and I am looking forward to seeing STAR members from all corners of the USA and parts of Europe, and participating in some local rides that are bragged about by friends who have done them.

My greatest dilemma regarding motorcycle travel is not being able to take my dog (Starr) with me. Making arrangements for her care for short periods of time is not an issue, but extended travel will require some planetary alignment. She is most comfortable roosting in one of two corners of her yard where she can keep an eye on the neighborhood, and there are certain neighbors who sneak her treats on a regular basis. She knows their schedules as well as they do, and demands to be outside when they are due home from where ever they go during the day. I can always find someone to check on her and feed her while I am gone…if the neighborhood is not also on vacation (which does tend to happen).

I am off to prepare for a chapter ride to the ocean tomorrow…pictures and story will be forthcoming.

Digger

Every story has a beginning

Here in the Pacific Northwest, the motorcycle riding season can be year round...or it can be short. Mine...up to this point...has been fairly short. I have been riding a Yamaha V-Star 1100 Classic since July 2006, and it has seen less than 6,000 miles of travel. My longest ride with the V-Star was 1876 miles through Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon last June with a couple friends. Most of my rides since then have been 100 miles or less on particularly sunny days when I had no excuse not to ride. Sad but true...

I recently purchased a 2008 Honda GL-1800 Gold Wing in preparation for my "running away from home" tour in 2010. I have a couple road trips planned for this summer to get familiar with the new bike, and I will practice packing to camp on the road (which I have done very little of in the past).

I will also practice sharing my experiences with those who would like to join me, but don't have the luxury of time and/or circumstance. I truly enjoy reading the exploits of other free spirited travelers, and I will try to make my journey as interesting as I find theirs.