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An Eye Opener

Never forget

Never forget lest history repeat itself. Make no mistake about it, these people want to kill us. They need no reason. They want us exterminated.
There were a total of 2,993 deaths, including the 19 hijackers: 246 on the four planes (from which there were no survivors), 2,603 in New York City in the towers and on the ground, and 125 at the Pentagon. An additional 24 people remain listed as missing. All of the deaths in the attacks were civilians except for 55 military personnel killed at the Pentagon.
All were civilians except the 55. All were innocent people just going about their daily lives. Just in the wrong place that day. Where were you? What if you had been one in one of the wrong places that day. NEVER FORGET. 343 were Firefighters just trying to help.
Say a prayer for the families of those lost today.

New Bride

A friend and fellow Firefighter/soon to be Paramedic married his best friend today. Good Luck and all the happiness in the world to both of you.

Sturgis SD for vacation

Finally, I got to go on a lengthy vacation. I purchased a Road King last July, and have been really enjoying it. I have rode it all over the area and as far away as Bristol, TN last March then to Washington DC in May.
A trip to South Dakota has been planned since last fall. Sturgis South Dakota.
We left from Newark Ohio, on Friday at 16:00 and spent the first night in Indiana. Up early on Saturday and stopping the second night in Iowa. Arriving in Rapid City, SD at about 1 7:00 on Sunday evening. Stopping at a local Pilot truck stop for a break before heading to the reserved campground. One of the three of us was a little concerned about a rear tire on his bike. After inspection he found a nail in it and the tire was going down. Since we were at a local truck stop, I suggested getting a plug for it just to get us to the camp. Then we could get it to a shop in the AM for a new tire. It seems bike tires are not the same make up as auto tires. After plugging the tire and airing it up, off we went. After about 4-5 miles the tire went flat again. Another plug was placed in it. The bike is a gold wing and it has a compressor on board. Again, 4-5 miles and another flat. A third plug and then a forth and fifth, we finally arrived at the campground at around 22:00 hours 35 miles from the pilot. Now here we are at the camp and trying to put up tents in the dark. The next morning, after a new tire was installed, we were off to see the sights.
For the next 4 days, we rode to all the local attractions. To include a quick trip into Wyoming and Montana. We had such a good time, even if it rained nearly everyday. Most of the time just for a quick storm then the sun was back out.
Leaving on Friday again to head home, we decided to travel somewhat South into Nebraska and then Kansas, through Missouri to see the Arch in St. Louis. Then arriving back at home on Sunday afternoon at around 17:00.
All in all we traveled nearly 3700 miles. Saturday on the trip home we started at 09:00 and went until 02:00 in the morning traveling 680 mile that one day alone. We were in 10 states in 9 days. One would say I have been getting my money's worth out of my bike. I got it last July 20 with 3400 miles on it. To date, after our trip out west, it has 16,400 miles on it. Just a little over a year I put 13,000 miles on it. Good thing I have a comfortable seat.
It was a good time, but it is always good to come home again.
I can't wait until next year. The plan is to do it again.

Never Forget

Never Forget
If we forget, History will repeat itself and we cannot allow that to happen.
Click to watch.

Th Great Allagheny Passage on a bicycle

A few weeks ago, two of my buddies and myself went on another great adventure on our bicycles. We left Cumberland Md. and traveled over the Eastern Continental Divide. From Cumberland it is an uphill trip from start to finish and is approximately 22 miles across the Mason/Dixon line to the top, in Pa. It took us 5 hours to arrive at the top. Then another 20 miles to the town of Rockwood Pa, this time on the downhill slope. It only took us another 3 hours to reach our destination from the top. A total of 8 hours and 42 miles in the saddle. It was nice to get a camping spot, build a fire, cook and eat, relax and discuss the day. On day two, after another campfire and breakfast of pancakes cooked over the fire. We weren't sure about making the trip back to the same camp so we decided to pack our gear. We continued on the down slope another 20 miles to the town of Confluence Pa. We had our lunch at noon in the town square. I would like to personally thank the guy who was mowing the grass, while we were trying to enjoy our lunch, especially after 4 trips up and down the sidewalk past us to blow the grass off. I guess he never heard of a broom. I didn't know that city workers had to work on Sunday.

After lunch we began our trek back towards camp. The return trip is now on the up slope. It took us quite a bit longer to return than it did to arrive. We did make it back 20 miles, to the same campsite. Another evening around the fire and a good night sleep, Except for the never ending train whistles that blew every couple hours all night long. At 6 in the morning the train was so loud, I actually thought about getting up to make sure it was not going to run over my tent. After breakfast, we were packed and back on the trail at about 8:30. The climb back to the divide was just as long and just as gruelling. But after getting to the top, it was smooth sailing all the way to Cumberland. The return trip after going over the crest was mostly coasting. Only peddling now and again to keep pace with your buddies. Three days and a total of 120 miles on the trail, a couple side trips into town brings the odometer to 138 miles. What a good time.
The trip was a nice retreat and getaway.
Anyone on a fire dept. can tell you, especially if you volunteer, the pager can go off at anytime. You have to be "ready" at all times. When you get a chance to get away, you take it, even if just for a couple days. Then you can truly relax and not "be ready". And everyone needs to relax once in a while.