Saturday, January 17, 2009

New Wind Shield


The thermometer was showing 9*F during my ride into work, but my new wind shield has made a dramatic improvement in my comfort level.

Friday, January 16, 2009

COLD!

It's cold here in Knoxville, but thank God I'm still able to ride every day. We had a lot of rain last week, but this week the sky has been clear.

Even as I rode my little Bonnie into work this morning in 6 degree (F) weather I felt sorry for my biker brothers (and sisters) who are snow bound just a few hours ride north.

I've just bought a new Parabellum windshield, which will hopefully cut down on the wind chill. I'll try to post a photo as soon as I install it.

Ride safe,
Bodega Bruce

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Devil’s Triangle Rally


It was a small but friendly crowd at Grey Wolf Campground’s Devil’s Triangle Motorcycle Rally [Oct 24-25]. I rode up Saturday, and as soon as I rode through the gate some bikers invited me to share their camp fire and their food. There were vendors selling leathers, jewelry, and food, with some great bargains to be found. Tickets for door prizes well also given out with the cost of admission; a mere $20.

Entertainment was provided by a group who brought a karaoke machine. They gave some great performances, and later in the evening it was open mike. I left shortly after dark and sadly did not get a chance to perform.

On Sunday morning I returned. Some folks had pulled out during the night, and others early in the morning, so it was an even smaller crowd. About 10:00am I announced that I would be doing Bike Blessings, and what do you know, I had 100% turn out. What a thrill! Odie even brought his four-wheeler to be blessed.

If you’ve not been to Grey Wolf yet, I highly recommend it. It’s an absolutely beautiful part of God’s creation, and the roads are a challenge for even the bravest “Dragon Slayers.” Odie holds a rally in the spring, summer, and fall each year. I plan to be there for each one next year, Lord willing, and I hope to see you there.

Log on to http://www.greywolfcampground.net/ for more information. Odie told me that the site would be down for a while as he de-designs it, but I’m sure it will be up again soon. You can also visit Odie on My Space at http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=183882629

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Arizona Ride - 2008 (click pics for large view).

Thomas Case and I had a great ride to Naco, Arizona. Here are a few highlights.
In Oklahoma we discovered that we were following the Mother Road; old Route 66.


We took the infamous "left turn at Albuquerque" and ended up on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere. We weren’t lost. We were taking the scenic route.


In Texas we visited the second largest cross in the world. It can be seen for at least ten miles. There are many life size statues of Biblical scenes and a gift shop. I highly recommend a stop there if you’re traveling out west.



When we reached Arizona we got away from I-40 and road through the Hopi Indian Reservation and some beautiful desert scenery.


Leaving Hopi country we passed through the famous Painted Desert. It was like riding across the surface of Mars.


From the Painted Desert we road the south rim of the Grand Canyon. What a sight!!!



From the Canyon we rode to Naco Arizona. We were received warmly by Pastor Tim & Jennifer Scarbrough. It was great to meet the folks from First Baptist of Clinton TN (Eternal Riders), who had flown in from Tennessee and rented Harleys so that they could ride with us.

(That's Pastor Tim on the right.)

The local CMA chapter, the San Pedro Servants, fed us and treated us like visiting royalty. They turned out for Biker Sunday at Naco Baptist and we had a great service. Two of the San Pedro Servants provided music. After their performance Thomas and I joined the music minister of Naco Baptist in leading the congregation in worship. After the service we had a cook out and great fellowship ride.


One of the highlights for me was our visit to Tombstone AZ.



On Monday (Oct.13), with some reluctance, we started the ride home. We only saw about 100 miles of Interstate Highway for the next three days.


We rode through the beautiful Gila Nation Forest ...

... and visited the Harley Davidson dealer in Roswell NM.


When we reach Iron Mountain we got to meet the founder of the CMA, Herbe Shreve, and help him celebrate his 75th birthday.


It was great to meet and fellowship with CMA’ers from all over the world at the Changing of the Colors rally and to camp on "Tennessee Hill."


Leaving "Colors" I rode to Ward Arkansas to visit my dear friends, Rev. Dr. Tom Jordan, wife Karen, and their two beautiful children, Wee Tom and Camile.


Thomas rode 4,400 miles in 16 days on his custom chopper trike. What a man!!!


Alas, all good things must come to and end. It was a GREAT ride, and I hope to go again next year for Naco Baptist’s second annual Biker Sunday, which will be the second Sunday in October. I hope you’ll make plans to join us. Cages are welcome. (I may have to "hound dog" the Bonnie myself, as my wife wants to go but doesn’t want to ride that far.)
(At the Great Divide, Elev. 6,030 feet)

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Epic Ride - Back Home


Free, personalized travel maps at mytriplogs.com




I'm back from my 4,400 mile motorcycle trip to Arizona. We (Thomas Case and I) were on the road 16 days. Thomas had a few minor problems with his custom chopper, but my Bonneville ran like a champ! We had a great trip. Highlights were the Grand Canyon, the Cross of Texas, the Gila National Forest (NM), Biker Sunday at Naco Baptist Church (AZ), supper in old Mexico, and the CMA's Changing of the Colors rally. I've been back for 10 days, but I came home to some problems with my PC and am just now getting back online. I think I have all the bugs worked out now. Thanks to all who prayed for a safe trip. It was a blessing.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Ride To Arizona

Hurricane Ike disrupted shipping in the Gulf and the Dole banana boat has been running two days late ever since, therefore our departure date for our ride to Arizona has been moved to Sunday. “Huh,” you may ask? I’ll explain. My ministry is shipping a container of medical supplies and equipment to Guatemala this week. We use the Dole ship, and they just informed me that our container can not be here until Saturday, so now I have to work that day. Welcome to my world. We’re already a day behind and we haven’t even left yet.

Okay, so here’s our new ride plan.

A RIDE TO REMEMBER
(“Bodega” Bruce White - Inspiration Riders; chapter #64 of the Christian Motorcyclist Association.)

(Sun.-Oct. 5) Meet at the Cracker Barrel at Campbell Station Road, Knoxville TN, at 6AM. Depart after breakfast on I-40, and ride till we get tired and sleep wherever we find a cheap motel.

(Mon. Oct. 5) Ride till we get tired. Sleep wherever.

(Tues. Oct. 7) Ride till we get tired. Visit “The Cross of Texas” in Groom, TX. Sleep wherever.

(Wed. Oct. 8) Texas to Williams AZ. Sleep wherever.

(Thur. Oct. 9) Sight seeing ride to the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Sleep wherever.

(Fri. Oct. 10) Ride to Naco. Sleep at Naco Baptist Church.

(Sat. Oct.11) Fellowship ride to the Chiricahua Mountain National Park. Cook-out with the San Pedro Servants, CMA chapter 965, Sierra Vista, AZ. Sleep at Naco Baptist Church.

(Sun. Oct. 12) Biker Sunday at Naco Baptist Church. Maybe another fellowship Ride with Pastor Tim and the San Pedro Servants. Sleep at Naco Baptist Church.

(Mon.-Oct. 13) Depart for “Changing of the Colors” at Iron Mountain, Arkansas. Avoid Interstate. Ride till we get tired. Sleep wherever.

(Tues.-Oct. 14) Avoid Interstate. Ride till we get tired. Sleep wherever.

(Wed.-Oct. 15) Avoid Interstate. Arrive at Iron Mountain for “Changing of the Colors.”

(Thur. thru Sun.-Oct. 16 thru 19) “Colors.”

(Mon.-Oct. 20) Arrive back in Knoxville.

NOTE: On Saturday, Oct. 17, I will leave "Colors" early and ride to Ward, Arkansas (near Little Rock) to visit very dear friends. I’ll spend the night and attend services with them on Sunday, then meet up with others going home from “Colors“ Sunday evening (time and place to be worked out later).

Links
Changing of the Colors: www.cmausa.org/events
Living Water Ministries: www.livingwateraz.com
The Cross of Texas: www.crossministries.net
San Pedro Servants: www.cmaswr2.org/AZ/SANPEDROSERVANTS
The Grand Canyon: www.nps.gov/grca [entrance fee to Grand Canyon National Park for an individual entering by motorcycle is $12.00 per person.]
Chiricahua Mountain National Park. http://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/chiricahua/national_monument.html

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Grey Wolf Rally, Oct 24-26



I plan to be there; hope you will too.