Lunch with some Friends Jan 12, 2009

Lunch with some Friends Jan 12, 2009

A friend of ours Hailee that goes back as far as when we lived in Denver Colorado came into town so another friend Max dating back that far came to lunch with us. Hailee is now from Seattle Wash and enjoying it there other then the weather of course. Max lives here in the HEB area of DFW. My review of Boston’s located in Grapevine at the 114 and 121 exchange is that the service and food is good. It is a sports bar but with unique pizza, I have not ordered their pizza but I have had their French Onion soup and cheese steak sandwich both very good.

Here is a shot of (left to right) Val, Max, and Hailee.



Max, Hailee, and I.



Our server was nice enough to grab the camera and take some shots so here is, Max, Val, Hailee, and I.



Hailee, me, and Val.



Me, Val, Hailee, and Max.



It was a great time and we talked about the cruise we all took together and all of the many good times we have had. It was great meeting with them and hope to see them all soon. I know this was not really ride related but they wanted to see the pictures and instead of just sending the pictures I thought I would put them here.

Pj

Justin Group Lunch at Chili’s Jan 9, 2009

Justin Group Lunch at Chili’s Jan 9, 2009

I got up this morning and the weather was foggy, damp, and fairly gusty. I was half tempted to cancel the lunch today with only 3 folks RSVP’d and the weather looking a bit out of sorts. I grabbed my cup of JO and listened the weather report and they were still forecasting a good day especially out west (which is where we were headed from my home anyway). I logged on to my work computer held a few meetings and stuck my head out the door at 11AM. It was warmer but still cloudy, chilly, and a bit windy but I figured what the heck all is go and it is too late to cancel the lunch at this point. Val decided she wanted to go last night and she was still game this morning so we both started getting ready.

We headed up 121 to 114 and it was windy but for the most part on 121 the wind was to our backs, the traffic was fair and everyone on the road seemed to be behaving themselves so it was a pleasant ride. We pulled into the Chili’s parking lot and we were early so I told Val I wanted to take a couple of shots of Chili’s and the street sign with the Chili’s logo next to it.




After shooting a couple of pictures we start to mossy to the front door and find New York Jeoy waiting for us in his bigger then life Giants sweat shirt. He waved over to us and I looked around to make sure none of my cowboy fan friends were around and I waved back. We all introduced ourselves and then Chilly and Darth Raider came pulling up. Shortly after that came Taz and then Fetch. As it turns out Fetch and I go back a bit. We both are involved in the American Legion and she about a year ago stopped to see if I was ok while I had pulled over to do a little map reading. She owns Cyclone Motorcycle Rescue Towing & Transport and is on the AAA list.

So it was picture time, left to right is Val, Joey, Taz, Darth Raider, Chilly, and Fetch just in front of Chilly.



We stood outside a bit as Joey had mentioned that Terry was coming but then shortly later the manager came out and told us our table was ready. We had what I thought was a very good waitress, Mandy, in fact she even took one of the pictures since I did not get Taz very good in the one I took. But here are both shots. The first one I took left to right is Val, the head behind her is Taz, Chilly, the down the table was Darth Raider, Ethan, Terry, Joey, and Fetch.



Now Mandy takes the next shot. Left to Right is Val, Taz (yes you can see her now), Chilly, Darth Raider, me (just killed this shot), Ethan, Terry poking his head out, Joey, and last but certainly not least Fetch.



We all talked a bit and enjoyed each other company and then the time flew so it was time to beat cleats before the Friday traffic started. On the way home the wind was much worse then going so it kind of killed any crazy notion of riding away from home. The folks are met today are warm, friendly, and very easy to feel comfortable with and it was a very enjoyable meet and greet.

Be safe, have fun, and enjoy the moment.

Pj

LBJ Grasslands Ride 010309

LBJ Grasslands Ride 010309

The weather was fantastic as predicted and it was a great day for a ride. Some of the RUT family went down south but based on their time of departure and the miles they wanted to cover I just had to forfeit the ride and go on my own. When we rode up to Muenster yesterday we had talked about riding down 730 in to the LBJ grasslands but it was just too late for adding those miles and see things to take the trip so I thought I would take that trip today. I needed to get fuel so I stopped at the Shell station across from TMS (Texas Motor Speedway) and when I go off my bike and looked out across the road I noticed the sign with Dale Earnhardt Way so I decided to take a couple of shots.




I then realized I was hungry so I headed up to Justin to get a Sonic and eat it at the little park in Justin. So of course I had to take a couple of shots.





I then headed up 455 to 730 and stopped to rest at that intersection. A sport biker came by and signaled to see if I was ok and I gave him thumbs up and he went on. There is nothing like fellow bikers out there in very isolated areas. We all watch out for each other. Even though I was out in the middle of no where alone I felt quite comfortable knowing that at some point in time a fellow biker would happen along if I needed help.







As I headed down 730 which was a very nice road to ride I saw this little sign that said Black Creek Lake and Park so I thought what the heck I would check it out. It was a nice park with camping. I did not go around the whole park as after the very windy narrow road getting to the park and then the gravel road into the park I had enough of gravel so I decided to stop and park it. I would recommend extreme caution on the road into the park as it is a lane and ½ at best and has lots of curves. When I met up with a car going in the opposite direction he was nice enough to partially pull off the road a bit and stop so I could get by. Most of the folks I met down at the park where nice but seemed surprised to see a biker at this park.







I then got into Decatur and down 730 it is quite a neat little town with a cool looking town square. I did not stop in the square since I plan to go back there this year for a good day trip to further explore the area. As it turns out I should have since I had to stop to do some map reading as the intersections I found did not match how I remembered them from my last map reading so down a few blocks I stopped to read the map. I found 81/287 after realizing I was on the correct course and headed down to junction 407 and 287. My plan was to take 407 to Justin. So I stopped at the local gas station and liquor store.







After leaving the gas station liquor store to ride the 407 to Justin which is only 9 miles I went about 6 miles and had to turn around due to a very bad accident. The road block was set up far enough away that I do not know what type of vehicles where involved I hope no one got seriously hurt but it did not look good with the road being blocked by cops. I stopped to talk to the cop about a way around it and it was a gravel road so I went back to 287 and took it south to 114 and headed to Boston’s Pizza place to meet Val and later Philip joined us. After that Val drove her car home and Philip and I road until we split at our neighborhood. It was a great day for riding and I had a lot of fun. It sounds like everyone else who road Jan 3rd did as well.

Pj

Muenster Ride 010209

Muenster Ride 010209

The weather forecast was set for some good riding weather and Scooter Express (Jim) had set up a ride with Tank and then called me. I got a hold of Philip and we decided we would get a ride together. I woke up to a somewhat brisk morning but it was good enough to ride so I call Jim to get details on the ride. We at this point still did not really have a destination planned, Philip was thinking PK, I was thinking East, and Jim was thinking Muenster. Jim seemed a bit more set on the destination then Philip and I so we went with Muenster. Jim called Tank and he had to pick up Debbie in Argyle so we all decided to meet at a small park in Justin. Philip came to my house and we headed towards Justin and just before the park stopped for a subway sandwich to eat at the park while waiting on Tank. As we pulled up Jim took a couple shots of us pulling in.

Philip in front and me behind him, thanks for the shots Jim.





So Philip and I finish our sandwiches and Philip takes off for some camera batteries while we wait on Tank and Debbie. They were not expected until noon but showed up early while Philip was gone. It was a pleasure meeting Debbie for the first time.

Here is a shot of Tank and Debbie.



Here are some general shots of the park.










Philip comes back from the store so I shot one of him coming in. After this we start to saddle up and take off.



Tank wanted to top off on fuel so we decided to stop in Krum before heading up 1173. The little corner gas station was quite a busy place.





We head out with the next planned stop at Forestburg. Philip and I once passed this town on a ride with the Kawasaki group we took a couple years ago and always wanted to go back. As it turned out it was a very friendly Duke’s of hazard kind of town. In fact when I was in the store a pick up like the Duke’s of Hazard drove by. Parked along side the store was fast looking newer Mustang. Tank and another biker struck up a conversation and we talked about RUT and Tank gave him a card or two. He said he would check the site out.




There was an old abandoned house across the street.





We take 373 north to Muenster and Philip wanted to get some stuff from Fischer’s Thriftway.






While Philip was still in the shop I went walking and took some shots of the area.







While in Muenster we decided to grab a bite to eat at one of the most popular spots and I will need to get the name of it and update this story. Everyone liked what they ordered and the service was very good especially since we were the only ones eating outside.






Here is a shot I took across the street from where we were eating.




After we had our late lunch and fueled up, we decided we still have time to see the famous Sacred Heart Church Muenster is known for. It is said and we heard them that the carillon bells can be heard for miles. They really sounds quite soothing.

Here are some pictures of the church and the grounds. The first shot if across the street not part of the church grounds from what I could tell as a sign indicated it was dedicated as the “Governors Courtyard”.



Ok, here are shots of the church and grounds.









We headed back and stopped in Slidell at a Historical Marker, cemetery, and church. This is the site that John Slidell a confederate officer during the “Trent Affair” set up.





We then stopped at the park in Justin and we all split up. It was a great day and a great ride. Philip and I stopped at Duke’s just before heading home and I was going to take a shot of the decorations Duke’s had set up and Philip offered to include me in the shot.





You all be safe out there and enjoy 2009!!

Pj