January 2009 - Posts

Thursday, January 29, 2009 5:05 PM

Winter Schemes and Dreams of Spring: LB105, Parks, Permits and Travel Plans

It’s that time of year again... only a few days until February and not much longer until Punxsutawney Phil predicts the end of winter.  The cold winds may be howling, but spring will be here before you know it.  Our winter checklist is almost completed, and this is one family that will be ready to ride!

 ✓ Mount New Front Tire for RR’s Gold Wing

Over the last couple of years, we’ve learned that it’s much easier to get a quick appointment with our motorcycle repair shop of choice in January/February... come March and April the bikes are usually lined up outside his shop door.

✓ Go to Destination Nebraska’s Web Site;  Order the 2009 Nebraska Travel Guide

The postman delivered our 2009 Nebraska Travel Guide this week. This is our favorite resource to use when planning spontaneous trips or to find something to do along the way to break up a long trip. This year, I also went on-line and ordered the free travel guides for states I know we will be traveling through on the way to Gold Rush XXII and to Region C’s rally in Chippewa Falls. There is nothing worse than watching a travel show on television and finding out that you whizzed right by a “do not miss” piece of our great nation.

✓ Purchase Two 2009 Nebraska Park Permits

Since we live an hour from civilization and our shopping trips to town are complicated enough, we usually purchase our permits on-line and let the postman deliver them to our door.  Doug has already removed the old stickers from their Plexiglas frames and mounted the 2009 stickers and locked them in the bike cubbyholes... that’s one less thing to remember come spring and a spontaneous camping trip.    (By the way, LB 105 opened for debate in the Nebraska Legislature Wednesday, January 28, and continued today. This Legislative Bill would make way for the park permit price to be increased from $20 to $25. According to the Commission, Nebraska currently has the lowest-cost annual park permit among the 37 states issuing permits. The last increase was in 2007.)

That’s it; Three Wheels West is ready to hit the road!  Hopefully, we'll be able to grab a February ride next week before another storm hits.
 
Listed below are the web-site links (just click) to some resources mentioned above:

Visit Nebraska               (to order 2009 Nebraska Travel Guide)
 
Nebraska Park Permits
 
Kentucky Travel Guide
 
Wisconsin Travel Guide  (Also check out the GWTA Region C Forum and Blog for more info.)

Chippewa Falls Visitors Guide


In the mean time, think SPRING!

posted by U2Farmer with 0 Comments
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 7:27 AM

2009 Family of the Year

This month, Three Wheels West began their term as Family of the Year for Chapter NE-W (Frenchman Valley Riders) and for GWTA Nebraska.  We’ll never forget the day we found out that our Chapter W family had selected us for this honor.  It was in the middle of an extremely tiring and prolonged corn harvest.  RR was talking much ado about something via the telephone with our Chapter Director Jim Bryant, when U2 came into the kitchen with tears streaming down her face, clearly upset.  This completely threw RR for a loop as he tried without success to get U2 to explain what was wrong.  When she left the room, RR told Jim there was a problem and asked him to hold for a moment.

The big problem wasn’t a problem at all... U2 had just read the e-mail containing a copy of NE-W’s nomination of Three Wheels West for state Family of the Year and was overwhelmed.  The nomination was one of the most beautiful things she’d ever read.  What made it so special was that it was written by a small group of people that we’d shared so much with... and to whom we’d become very close in the last two years.  By the time RR finished reading the nomination, U2 wasn’t the only one choked up.  To be selected Family of the Year by our GWTA chapter will remain one of the most cherished moments of our lives.

So how do you top that!  We don’t, but we found ourselves taken to the next level in November.  GWTA of Nebraska's Fall Follies was a much needed break from the “we’re almost done“ stress and harvest fatigue.  It was great to see all our friends and to share with them our memories of all the good times together during the past riding season.  Hammy had a blast preparing her costume for the toga party -- especially after reading about two toga-clad kids at Pompeii in her beloved Magic Tree House books.  We were proud to represent Chapter W amidst the other great Family-of-the-Year nominees.  We never expected to hear the State Director announce our selection that night.  This time, it was RR’s turn to be overwhelmed.  GWTA has opened up a whole new world for us in these last two years.  We’ve found a family that we can turn to in good times and bad.  We’ve found joy in meeting friends on the road among strangers bonded together by one simple thing -- their love of riding and motorcycles.  A bond that strengthens and holds friends together even after the bikes are gone and the riding skills have faded.

Three Wheels West is proud to serve as Chapter NE-W’s and GWTA Nebraska’s 2009 Family of the Year.  We look forward to spring and a new riding season.  Our goal this year is to participate in at least one event with each and every chapter in our great state.  In the last two riding seasons, we’ve been able to visit every single county in Nebraska.  We’ve eaten hamburgers grilled by Mayor Elsie in Monowi (a town of one) and been warmly welcomed by our eastern GWTA Nebraska family at a ”Get Acquainted“ dinner in the big city of Omaha.  We’ve traveled from one end of this state to the other along the historic Lincoln Highway and other great by-ways, encountering nothing but the best that Nebraska has to offer.  We hope to offer nothing less than our best to you in the year to come.  To GWTA of Nebraska and all of our Frenchman Valley Rider family, thank you; it is truly an honor.  Here’s to 2009 and Destination Family!
posted by U2Farmer with 0 Comments
Wednesday, January 07, 2009 8:26 AM

Happy NE-W Year 2009!

January 1 marked the beginning of a new year...  and for us a new riding season.  That’s right, Three Wheels West has made their New Year’s resolution for 2009: Get the bikes out of the garage for at least one ride each and every month of the coming year.  And what better way to begin than with Chapter W’s Cold Tush Challenge.

This year, the Frenchman Valley Riders challenged all their GWTA Nebraska family to hit the road on New Year’s Day and ride... distance, location, and ride time didn’t matter, we just wanted to see our family doing what they do best... sharing some good times together. 

Results:  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!  Judging by the pictures turned in and the number of faces, we succeeded.  You don’t realize just how much your motorcycle family means to you until winter comes and you don’t get to see everyone for a while... the pictures bring back all the joy.... kind of like a virtual supper run!  Now that’s what I call a good beginning for GWTA Nebraska and 2009!  Hats off to all those who participated, especially those who braved Nebraska’s winter weather.  (Three Wheels West took their NYD ride a little further south while enjoying Christmas in Kentucky, but that's another blog post.)  Thanks, Chapter G, for "bringing it" and including your Cold Butt Run in the Challenge.

Pictures of the event are available in U2’s on-line photo album.  If you’d still like to have your NYD ride included in the event’s final count, click here to contact U2.

The Cold Tush Challenge also marked our first official act as 2009 Family of the Year for GWTA Nebraska and Chapter NE-W.  We're sure this is only the first of many fun times ahead with our motorcycle family.  From RR, U2, Britters, and Hammy:  Best wishes and Good Health for 2009!
posted by U2Farmer with 0 Comments