The following occurred during the club's regular business meeting, which was held on Thursday, March 15th, 6 PM, at the PD:
- "Cash" reported that the club has approximately $1200 in its bank account.
- "Ace" made a motion to make a $200 donation to the East Hillsborough Law Enforcement Appreciation Association in support of that organization's banquet honoring law enforcement officers in the east Hillsborough area. Motion seconded by "Preacher". Discussion ensued with the consensus being that this was a worthy effort and that the club should support it. Motion passed unanimously.
- "Ace" reminded all about the club's Web site (this page) and the need to check it often for updates. "Ace" also asked members to leave comments so that he can track site usage as a means of determining the justification to contract for a full-fledged domain for the club.
- "Ace" discussed the 2007 Fall Colors trip that is scheduled for this coming October. "Ace" asked for input regarding the dates and interest in participating on the ride. It is not too early to get the planning process underway as "Ace" has to get hotel rooms and arrange other logistics that are dependent upon the number of people who will be participating.
- "Ace" told the club about a potential new member.
- Dinner at Snellgrove's followed the business meeting.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Monday, March 12, 2007
Club Ride - March 10, 2007 - Parrish, FL
On Saturday, March 10th, club members rode down to Parrish, FL, to visit the Florida Railroad Museum. The museum is an operating train and rolling stock that takes visitors on a 12-mile ride through some of the remaining wilderness of west central Florida. The ride takes about an hour and a half to complete and costs $10 per adult. Let me say right off that the experience is well-worth the ten bucks. The museum staff are all volunteers who have an obvious love of railroading.
Along for the ride were President Ace, Big Ed, Preacher, and Gunny. After the train museum, these members rode north to Ruskin where they ate lunch in an open-air roadside restaurant called "The Fish Hut". The food was outstanding. Of course it would be simply because this was one of Big Ed's little secret food places that he so often springs on us while traveling.
The pictures tell the rest of the story about the train ride. Be forewarned, though, there were some unexpected developments as the museum experience progressed!
Here are the member's bikes parked in the museum's parking area. From left to right it's Preacher's Harley-Davidson Road King (interestingly, the same bike he rode as a motor officer before retiring), Ace's Honda ST1300 (the most awesome bike ever built!), Big Ed's GoldWing, and Gunny's GoldWing.
This is some of the rolling stock used by the museum to carry passengers along the route.
The conductor and another museum volunteer. These guys were very friendly and didn't mind posing for pictures, answering questions, and generally making your visit enjoyable.
Here you see the conductor guiding the engine into place to couple to the rolling stock.
The engine is now coupled to the passenger cars and things are gearing up for departure from the main museum station.
Here's Gunny and Ace hanging out in the Kentucky Club Car before departure.
And here's Preacher hanging out in the Kentucky Club Car. This was Preacher's first club ride in while and it was good to have him along on this adventure.
Okay. Now things get really interesting. You see, Big Ed and Ace managed to get their ride upgraded so that they were allowed to ride in the cab of the engine. How cool is that!?! Ace has always wanted to ride in an engine and it finally happened for him. Ace reports that this was a lot of fun, not to mention a great learning experience. Here is the engineer, Steve Wonderly. He proved to be a very nice guy and was very generous with his time and knowledge. Big Ed and Ace say they had a great time riding up front and talking with Steve during the trip.
Here is a shot of Glenn sitting in the Club Car during the switching process at the turn around point. You can just see the look of envy in his eyes as Ace rolls past him on the walkway of the engine.
Here's Big Ed riding in the engine cab.
Big Ed really liked standing out on the front of the engine as it rolled northward toward the switching point. He spent quite a bit of the first leg of the trip standing out front enjoying the scenery.
Speaking of the scenery, here is a sampling of what the views are like along the train's route. You also see a lot of agriculture, oak hammocks, and other assorted views of wild Florida.
Now, for something really cool and totally unexpected... Steve let Eddie and Ace DRIVE the train!!! Here are shots of them at the controls. And, yes, the train is moving. And, yes, Big Ed and Ace are in total control of the entire train at this point.
Wrap-up: This was a great day and a totally enjoyable experience. And it would have been so even without the cab ride and driving the train. Ace highly recommends a visit to the Florida Railroad Museum. In addition to the normal weekend rides, the museum also does specialty rides at Easter and Halloween. They also do three battle re-enactments with the train: a Wild West version, a Civil War version, and a WWII version that Steve said is simply incredible. You can get more info about the museum, their schedules, and their activities from their Web site at the following address: http://www.frrm.org/about.shtml
Along for the ride were President Ace, Big Ed, Preacher, and Gunny. After the train museum, these members rode north to Ruskin where they ate lunch in an open-air roadside restaurant called "The Fish Hut". The food was outstanding. Of course it would be simply because this was one of Big Ed's little secret food places that he so often springs on us while traveling.
The pictures tell the rest of the story about the train ride. Be forewarned, though, there were some unexpected developments as the museum experience progressed!
Here are the member's bikes parked in the museum's parking area. From left to right it's Preacher's Harley-Davidson Road King (interestingly, the same bike he rode as a motor officer before retiring), Ace's Honda ST1300 (the most awesome bike ever built!), Big Ed's GoldWing, and Gunny's GoldWing.
This is some of the rolling stock used by the museum to carry passengers along the route.
The conductor and another museum volunteer. These guys were very friendly and didn't mind posing for pictures, answering questions, and generally making your visit enjoyable.
Here you see the conductor guiding the engine into place to couple to the rolling stock.
The engine is now coupled to the passenger cars and things are gearing up for departure from the main museum station.
Here's Gunny and Ace hanging out in the Kentucky Club Car before departure.
And here's Preacher hanging out in the Kentucky Club Car. This was Preacher's first club ride in while and it was good to have him along on this adventure.
Okay. Now things get really interesting. You see, Big Ed and Ace managed to get their ride upgraded so that they were allowed to ride in the cab of the engine. How cool is that!?! Ace has always wanted to ride in an engine and it finally happened for him. Ace reports that this was a lot of fun, not to mention a great learning experience. Here is the engineer, Steve Wonderly. He proved to be a very nice guy and was very generous with his time and knowledge. Big Ed and Ace say they had a great time riding up front and talking with Steve during the trip.
Here is a shot of Glenn sitting in the Club Car during the switching process at the turn around point. You can just see the look of envy in his eyes as Ace rolls past him on the walkway of the engine.
Here's Big Ed riding in the engine cab.
Big Ed really liked standing out on the front of the engine as it rolled northward toward the switching point. He spent quite a bit of the first leg of the trip standing out front enjoying the scenery.Speaking of the scenery, here is a sampling of what the views are like along the train's route. You also see a lot of agriculture, oak hammocks, and other assorted views of wild Florida.
Now, for something really cool and totally unexpected... Steve let Eddie and Ace DRIVE the train!!! Here are shots of them at the controls. And, yes, the train is moving. And, yes, Big Ed and Ace are in total control of the entire train at this point.
Wrap-up: This was a great day and a totally enjoyable experience. And it would have been so even without the cab ride and driving the train. Ace highly recommends a visit to the Florida Railroad Museum. In addition to the normal weekend rides, the museum also does specialty rides at Easter and Halloween. They also do three battle re-enactments with the train: a Wild West version, a Civil War version, and a WWII version that Steve said is simply incredible. You can get more info about the museum, their schedules, and their activities from their Web site at the following address: http://www.frrm.org/about.shtml
Thursday, December 07, 2006
The History of Challenge Coins
Since many of us carry PD challenge coins, I thought this story from Harley-Davidson's Enthusiast Shop Talk newsletter was worth sharing:
"One story about the origins of challenge coins takes place during World War I. American pilots based in Europe received coins bearing their squadron insignia from their lieutenant as mementos of their service together. One pilot placed the coin in a small leather pouch attached to a necklace. This pilot was captured by Germans, who confiscated all personal identification. They allowed him to keep his necklace and leather pouch -- it was of no value to them or the pilot, they thought. He then escaped from German captivity, only to be recaptured by the French. Thinking he was a sabotuer, the French prepared to execute him. When one of his French captors recognized the squadron insignia on the medallion, the American's life was spared. Instead of shooting him, they gave him a bottle of wine.
Back at his squadron, it became tradition to ensure that all members carried their coin at all times. Members would challenge each other to show their coin. If those who were challenged could not show it to those who challenged them, they had to buy a drink or another mutually agreeable reward. If those who were challenged showed their coin, the challenger had to buy. This unique military tradition lives on today.
Are you ready for the challenge?"
As stated above, this is an interesting perspective on the tradition of carrying a challenge coin. And, as the last line of the article states, are you ready for the challenge? Given that Blue Knights FL XXVII is the distributor of our PD challenge coins, it is only fitting that every member have one. If you are one of the few who don't have your challenge coin, just see "Cash" Bergau to remedy the situation.
"One story about the origins of challenge coins takes place during World War I. American pilots based in Europe received coins bearing their squadron insignia from their lieutenant as mementos of their service together. One pilot placed the coin in a small leather pouch attached to a necklace. This pilot was captured by Germans, who confiscated all personal identification. They allowed him to keep his necklace and leather pouch -- it was of no value to them or the pilot, they thought. He then escaped from German captivity, only to be recaptured by the French. Thinking he was a sabotuer, the French prepared to execute him. When one of his French captors recognized the squadron insignia on the medallion, the American's life was spared. Instead of shooting him, they gave him a bottle of wine.
Back at his squadron, it became tradition to ensure that all members carried their coin at all times. Members would challenge each other to show their coin. If those who were challenged could not show it to those who challenged them, they had to buy a drink or another mutually agreeable reward. If those who were challenged showed their coin, the challenger had to buy. This unique military tradition lives on today.
Are you ready for the challenge?"
As stated above, this is an interesting perspective on the tradition of carrying a challenge coin. And, as the last line of the article states, are you ready for the challenge? Given that Blue Knights FL XXVII is the distributor of our PD challenge coins, it is only fitting that every member have one. If you are one of the few who don't have your challenge coin, just see "Cash" Bergau to remedy the situation.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
More Fall Leaf Ride Pics
Neat tree on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
BRP at the Linn Cove Viaduct. Shot at sunrise.
Ice along the road as we crossed Roan Mountain.
The Kona Valley along NC 80 heading for Mt. Mitchell.
This guard duck approached us and demanded food.
Eddie found a "Carve Your Own" country ham buffet.
This is a scary wardrobe malfunction!
The tour group near the peak of Mt. Mitchell.
Taking a break along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Backbone Rock in Tennessee, just feet from Virginia.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Club Fall Leaf Trip Report
The Fall Leaf Trip was a stunning success. We timed things perfectly and the colors couldn't have been better. In fact, as the days progressed the colors only got brighter and more beautiful. And, despite threatening weather reports, we ended up having a great week in which we were able to log about 1200 miles of mountain riding.
By the end of the week our very own "Cash" was a demon on those mountain roads. The day we rode a stretch of US 421 that has been dubbed "The Snake", "Cash" managed to file off the edges of his boots just from the amount of lean he was putting into those awesome curves.
Here are some pics from the trip:
By the end of the week our very own "Cash" was a demon on those mountain roads. The day we rode a stretch of US 421 that has been dubbed "The Snake", "Cash" managed to file off the edges of his boots just from the amount of lean he was putting into those awesome curves.
Here are some pics from the trip:
The colors seem endless in the view.
The Linn Cove Viaduct at Sunrise
You meet the darndest people in the wood of Virginia!
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