We had a snow event yesterday (as did a lot of the eastern seaboard, but that didn't stop some from riding
The first was featured on ulocal and shared by a local news anchor. This was taken in Portsmouth, NH
This was taken from a news report in Fall River. MA and shared to New England Riders group
Last Sunday afternoon:
Yep, sold the bike to a nice guy in Goffstown. Funny how everything worked. On Wednesday, 6/28/2021, I had a 2018 Ford Focus, a 2014 Ford Explorer, and a 2011 Harley Davidson Street Glide. On Sunday, 8/1/2021, by 5 pm I had exactly zero of those vehicles and am down to the new-to-me 2018 Ford Explorer that I picked up on 6/29/2021. None of that timing was planned, just the way things worked out.
Last fall I had tried to sell the bike because of issues with my eyes meant I hadn't rode the bike since putting it in storage November of 109. I only got a couple of bites and those were low-ball offers, so it sat in the garage all winter. I did take a short ride (all of 14 miles - to Henniker and back), but that has been it. I have off and on issues with my left eye, and apparently yesterday had another retinal tear in my right eye which I was able to see last night.
I placed the bike back on CL on Sunday, 7/25/21, figuring it would take several weeks to sell, if at all. Apparently I timed it right. Paul, the guy who bought it, was replacing his 2003 Road King. Funny thing is, when he came to look at it, he said it looked exactly like a bike his son had picked up a couple of weeks prior - and it was a 2011 (same year). Looking at the paint colors available for that year, it was the same Merlot Sunglo as mine. I'm guessing his son's bike didn't have the lowers, so at least they should be able to tell them apart that way :) .
I will certainly miss seeing her in the garage, but it is for the best. I might be able to go to a trike, but that is not something that I have decided on yet and would have to test ride one before being able to tell it would be something for me (they drive differently apparently). Not something I would probably do this year unless I found a deal that I couldn't resist. As it is, with the sale of the bike, I will be paying off the truck loan in short order.
After 37 years of business, and my being a customer since the mid to late '90's (well before I rode my own Harley), Heritage Harley-Davidson was sold, and the new owners are closing it. After the owner's death last year, the General Manager had been trying to buy it and keep it a family business, but instead it got sold to a conglomerate that already owns 6 dealerships in the surrounding area. The same conglomerate also owns dealerships in a variety of states, including Kansas and Colorado.
The HOG Chapter is not sure what will happen as we can't continue without a supporting dealership, and all dealerships in the area already have a Chapter. The current Chapter Director is exploring options and we will have at least 1 meeting with friends (the Chapter will be shut down Oct. 1st so we can't meet as a Chapter) to vote on how those options appeal to the members.
Yesterday the dealership was well attended by customers as they said their goodbys to the staff and store.
I will miss the great management and staff at Heritage.
Almost 2 weeks ago the dealership started encouraging those that used their winter storage to get their bikes out as soon as possible. At that time they were unsure how the pandemic, and governmental regulations would affect them. I arranged to have my bike delivered on 3/24/20 since that was a day that I had few meetings at work (albeit remote meetings, but I still had to attend).
Despite receiving snow on 3/19, by 3/22 there were only a few patches of snow left in my yard - obviously areas that are mostly shaded areas as well as where the roof dumps its load.
Late afternoon on Monday, 3/23, it started to snow
I snow blowed after the plow went by about 9 pm, and at that point we had received about 5" of the white stuff. The snow was so wet that the roof was continuously dumping and I had shoveled the ramp twice before that.
By 4:30 Tuesday morning, we had received another 5" of snow and I'm sure my neighbors were thrilled that I started snow blowing about 5:30 am
Of course I had to shovel the ramp and around both gates too (I didn't snow blow anything but the driveway) so I didn't start working remotely until about 7am (an hour late). I had preiously let my boss know that I wouldn't be available part of the afternoon as the dealership was scheduled to leave their place with my bike at 1:30.
Around 1:45 I got a phone call from the delivery driver stating he was getting ready to leave the shop. He also informed me that this would be a no-touch, no contact delivery. Usually I have to sign, but this time I wouldn't. I asked the driver to back the bike into the driveway and leave it in front of the garage - I would take it from there since it was fairly tight.
Just before 2:30, he arrived with my bike
I was in the garage while taking the pictures and he left the bike where I had the puck at - about 8' away from the garage door. Note that he is wearing gloves, which I was happy to see. After he left, I backed the bike into the garage, and there she sits until the weather and circumstances allow time for me to take her out for the season's inaugural ride.
Went to the storage party at my favored Harley dealer. Visited the bike, ate chili and voted in the Chili cook-off, voted on the best custom bike (and voted for the winner), used the supplied 15% off coupon to buy a couple pairs of jeans, ond chatted with several Chapter members who also store their bikes there. Tried to talk someone into joining the Chapter - it remains to be seen if she does (she balks at joining National HOG, which is a requirement to be in the Chapter). Gratuitous pics of the bike:
This year they didn't have nearly as many bikes stored as usual. I am sure this is a direct result of the owner passing in October. The former General Manager is knee deep in completing the paperwork to buy the dealership. Everyone is rooting for him, he is a very nice guy who has worked there for something like 20 years. And we don't even want to think about an outside corporation coming in and taking over (yes, the sharks are circling). The dealership has been a family owned business from the beginning, and we would like it to stay that way!
Started out early Friday morning scraping the old caulk out of the tub and surround. For some reason the plumber had used a clear caulk that yellowed badly. I was finally tired of looking at the dinginess and decided since I didn't have to make it to work for a couple more days, then I could sponge bath on a couple of them to complete this project. Didn't take a shower that morning so it was dry to start with. Scraped, and scraped, then doused with alcohol (rubbing - not drinking), scraped, doused, scraped. Then finally I got out my pet dryer, which is designed to blow water off a pet's coat instead of just use heat to dry. The drier does put out some warmth, so got some more gunk softened and taken off and rubbed down with alcohol again. After 2.5 hours, I had it as good as it was going to get. Used the dryer on it some more then set an oscillating fan to blow on it while I did other things.
Moved the snow blower out of the way and moved the bike in position for the dealer to pick it up that morning. Read while I was eating a mid morning snack of chocolate cream pie (my Thanksgiving hosts had sent a piece home with me) then hand washed some dedicates and hung them on the drying rack downstairs. Then I went outside and took down the windmill in the driveway garden before the snow Sunday since it is in line with the snow dump from the roof - plus I blow the snow in that direction. Instead of ensconcing the windmill in the metal shed as I did last year, I attached the base of it on the stump of the willow tree at the other side of the house.
I had just gotten inside when I thought I heard a car door. Looked out the window and sure enough the dealership van was in the driveway. Opened up the garage door and watched him get the bike in the van. The garage always seems so much bigger when the bike is out of it (today I moved the other snow blower in there, but it still has more room than when the bike is in there).
My Black Friday shopping consisted of going to Tractor Supply (<5 miles from me) and getting cat litter which was on sale for about $5 off a pail. Wandered around looking at stuff and got a pair of Carhartt gloves to go with the Carhartt jacket I was wearing. Stopped and got AA batteries to replace those in the electronic door locks (don't want those quitting on the pet sitter) and D batteries to rejuvenate the motion activated light in the stove room. Last stop was Aubuchon's to get caulk for the tub (10 year antimicrobial - in white).
After about 4.5 hours of futzing around (including installing the batteries I had obtained), I finally decided it was time to caulk. Proof that I did something.
It is supposed to take 24 hours to dry, but this morning it was still tacky (okay, so that was about 15 hours). I put the fan in the bathroom doorway, pointing out, to get warmer air to move in better and help it set up. I'll find out if it is good tomorrow morning when I take my shower before going to my HOG meeting.
And to end this post, here are cute pictures of Rainey in the trash can beside the desk. I heard rustling and couldn't figure out where it was coming from. Usually it means one of the cats is playing with computer cords, or a toy that is entangled in said cords. Finally Rainey popped her head up.
Yesterday morning I looked out the kitchen window and had to go out onto the ramp and take a picture of this contrail. The sunrise lit it up nicely. Unfortunately, I am not a great picture taker, or picture manipulator, so the colors are washed out since the phone was compensating for the low light.
Later I got both snow blowers started because4 they hadn't been run for a month, did some running around in town, then moved some pellets into the basement from the garage.
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Friday evening I went to Eileen's Calling Hours. Although the calling hours were spread over 4 hours, there were at least 100 people when I got there (about 1 hour into the event). As I was walking from where I had to park the truck, I saw loads more leaving. She obviously touched a lot of lives. I learned that she was very involved in the community thru different societies (Daughters of the American Revolution as well as groups supporting women, children and homeless families as a couple examples). She obviously touched a lot of lives. I know her partner, Jim (who works at the dealership) so I exchanged a hug and some words with him.
Yesterday, after dropping off the truck to have the tires changed over to winters, I caught a ride homr from one of the dealr's salesmen, and waited for HOG/LOH member, Darlene, who had recently moved to Hillsboro, to arrive at my place. We took my car to meet the HOG Chapter at the dealership to convoy to the Catholic services. Many Chapter members rode their bikes, but I am too much of a wimp to ride in temps of the mid 20's.
The Mass was lovely and had some moving tributes to Eileen. Then it was the procession, led by the motorcycles, to the cemetery.
After that it was to the Harley dealership for a Celebration of Life. Unfortunately I did not get to stay very long as where my truck was being serviced closed at 3, so I collected Darlene and we headed back to Hillsboro. We dropped off my car, picked up her car, and she delivered me to the Ford dealership to pick up the truck.
I got home and realized I needed to get to the dump (which I normally do Saturday mornings), so I gathered everything up real quick and managed to get there before they closed. When I got home I raked up the leaves from under the ramp to the back door, but decided to leave them piled up - that will be a project for today.
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