Hodges Garden March 19-20 -- Pictorial Ride Report

[dower]

Great ride with great people. Not a drop of rain. Well, no rain while actually riding :-D The weather was perfect for riding, and we only saw a handful of motorcycles. Tourmeister, really knows the backroads. :dude:

Snoopster is ready to get going.
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20001.jpg
The ladies wait for their journey.
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20002.jpg
Alag is getting ready
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20003.jpg
Ear plug issue. :-?
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20007.jpg
Went a whole 2.5miles and he already had to clean his visor!
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20008.jpg
Break Time
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20010.jpg
Don't they look sweet -- It is Deceiving. :twisted:
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20014.jpg
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20017.jpg
Alag and the Tulips. 8-)
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20019.jpg
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20021.jpg
Look, it's a princess in the flowers. The Tulip Princess, Sarah.
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20022.jpg
Those fist look yummy.
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20023.jpg
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20024.jpg
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20025.jpg
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20026.jpg
They are being nice to each other. Something must be up. :roll:
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20027.jpg
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20029.jpg
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20030.jpg
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20034.jpg
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20035.jpg
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20036.jpg
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20040.jpg
;-)
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20041.jpg
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20045.jpg
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20049.jpg
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20050.jpg
The whole Gang and the Boss, the Tulip Princess, Sarah.
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20056.jpg
Alag, saves Tourmeister from what would be certain death, or at least a sprung ankle. No one else knew the way home. :roll:
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20059.jpg
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20062.jpg
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20069.jpg
A beautiful sunset
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20073.jpg
http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20074.jpg

:chug:

[kurt]

I see Debbie and Rebecca have on their "Team Card Shark" uniforms. :mrgreen:

[Thermalser]

I see Debbie and Rebecca have on their "Team Card Shark" uniforms. :mrgreen:

Yep, I was noticing that as well! 8-)

[Squeaky]

Hey, that's the standard issue TWT uniform! Even Sarah had her TWT creeper on.

It was a GREAT weekend; great roads, great friends, and great pictures (although I had a camera/film issue).

Can't wait to do it again when LOTS more flowers and trees are blooming! Less than two weeks to go...

[Tourmeister]

I love this shot! I thought to take the exact same shot and for some reason got distracted, forgetting to go back for it.

http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20029.jpg

This one is cool as well ;-)

http://users.ev1.net/~dower/photogallery/Hodges/Hodges%20062.jpg

I have tons of pics but have yet to resize and get them uploaded. I'll try to get it done soon.

I cannot believe how lucky we got on the weather. It was incredible! :dude:

Adios,

[Alag]

My first out of the state trip on a motorcycle was a blast :-D . Thanks to Scott for leading a great ride :chug: . Also thanks to everyone else for the great company!

Can't wait until the next time!

[buck000]

Hey, Scott, no fair! How come you didn't have four gorgeous women on my Hodges Garden ride? ;-)

Nice pics. Glad everyone had fun... :chug:

[leeroy]

Buck,
"You cut me deep Shrek."

[Gilk51]

four gorgeous women

5

[buck000]

Buck,
"You cut me deep Shrek."

Hehe, yeah, we were so stunning Tourmeister couldn't manage one lousy picture... :shock:

[buck000]

four gorgeous women

5

Oh, the baby's gorgeous, of course, but if Parents Friday are anything like me and the Mrs., they want to defer the term 'woman' for as long as possible.... ;-)

[Tourmeister]

I figure 35 or so... I should be dead by then ;-)

[buck000]

...or in solitary, having blown away the guy that looked at your baby the wrong way...

[kurt]

That's how I used to feel as well. Leigh is almost 14 now and has the same low tolerance for fools and B.S. her daddy has. She rolls her eyes and refers to the the boys as dorks and tells them to grow up. It isn't that she isn't interested, just considers them to be intellectually lacking. She also has a very healthy skepticism about the motives of human beings. :mrgreen:

[Snoopster]

Scott, thanks for leading a great ride. :bigokay: The roads were great as usual. I got to get in front a couple of times & couldn't resist putting a little space between the group. :lol: Unfortunately I did get stuck in front a LEO & had to control my speed down a twisty road while some of the group forged ahead. :angryfir: I bet there were a bit surprised when the DPS came by from the other direction. :shock: We really lucked out on the weather. Can't wait to go back & see the great flowers blooming. Enjoyed the intimate group we had. Lil' sis did wonderful on the first out of state trip & hotel stay. :angel: I'll be posting my pics later.

[Tourmeister]

She rolls her eyes and refers to the the boys as dorks and tells them to grow up.

I hope she doesn't think dating older guys will necessarily help in that respect :-P

Pics forthcoming, I have gotten them uploaded finally...

Adios,

[Squeaky]

I'm still waiting to get my pics out of my camera - of all things, the battery went completely dead AND the shutter is stuck open! After not loading the film in my SLR properly on the trip, I'm thinking I should give up photography...

[Tourmeister]

Okay, here are my pics:

The DS bikes: Note the nice weather...
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03247.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03248.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03249.JPG

Heading into the Garden area from the parking lot:
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03250.JPG

The Tulips are already opened up and a little past their prime, but still pretty:
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03251.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03252.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03253.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03254.JPG

And here is our little angel... Sarah Nicole
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03255.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03256.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03257.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03258.JPG

More Tulips
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03259.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03260.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03261.JPG

The Friday family
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03263.JPG

Sarah is like this more often than not, we are very fortunate!
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03266.JPG

Scenes from the Gardens
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03267.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03268.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03269.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03270.JPG

The ladies
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03272.JPG

The whole gang
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03274.JPG

Another couple of family shots ;-)
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03276.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03277.JPG

More general pics of the Gardens
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03278.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03279.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03280.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03281.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03282.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03283.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03284.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03285.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03286.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03287.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03288.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03290.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03291.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03293.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03295.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03297.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03299.JPG

The private residence of the owners on it's own island
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03300.JPG

Looks like there used to be a ferry that went back and forth
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03301.JPG

Squeaky, Alag, Snoopster, Blue Bomber and Sarah
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03302.JPG

Yours truly again...
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03303.JPG

Strollers and steps... Great workout!
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03308.JPG

Without a flash...
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03310.JPG

With a flash...
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03311.JPG

Dower suffering the wrath of the Angry Little Asian Girl (Alag)
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03313.JPG

The last tulip shot, I promise...
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03314.JPG

Playing Phase 10 outside on the porch in a rain storm
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03315.JPG

Debbie coaches Will, who has no idea what he is doing
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03316.JPG
:tab Of course after those drinks at dinner, she might not have a clue either! :-P

Does this look like the face of an angry little asian girl??
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03317.JPG

An overcast morning, but the rain has passed
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03318.JPG

The Clubhouse Bar & Grill at the golf course where we stayed
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03319.JPG
:tab Good food, stiff drinks!

Some of the fun stuff!
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03320.JPG

It is much sharper than it looks, trust me...
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03321.JPG

Dower on his tiny Dakar 650 in the shadow of the Big Pig!
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03323.JPG

A better view of the curves - posted at 30mph
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03324.JPG

Snoopster getting her game on!
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03325.JPG
:tab She's loving the new SV :dude:

Squeaky going by so fast she's bending the light rays!!
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03326.JPG
:tab Or my photo skills really suck sometimes... :roll:

Alag keeping her eyes up through the corner
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03327.JPG
:tab She did great all weekend!

See!! She's bending the rays again!! Must be the paint job on the bike :scratch
http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03328.JPG

And that's it!

We had a blast. Did about 217 miles the first day, and around 270 on Sunday. The weather was great all weekend, except for some storms Saturday evening after we were done riding and visiting the Gardens. We even found a new little place to eat with good homemade rolls!! Sarah handled her first long car trip out of the state just great. I can't wait to go back in a few weeks because there were so many bushes and trees just covered with big fat buds waiting to pop open! It should be much more colorful then.

Adios,

[buck000]

Awesome pics, Tourm...!

[dower]

This is a great picture!! :-D

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/031905-Hodges/DSC03266.JPG

[Gilk51]

That IS a very nice pic, but...

I think Scott robbed the cradle - Beth can't be much older than 16... :-P

Susan and I were really interested in this trip in April but we don't have the highway gear ready. The other problem is to & from Huntsville.

Oh well, maybe next spring... :-(

[pinecone]

What neat looking place. I'd like to go there.


Can't say when just yet though. :oops: :lol:

[Tourmeister]

Chuck,

:tab What sort of gear are you thinking you need? If you need something for Susan, we have extra helmets, jackets, etc,... If you could come down Friday evening, spend the night at the local Comfort Inn (or anywhere else), then you can go out to dinner with us Friday evening and be here for the departure Saturday.

Adios,

[Gilk51]

What sort of gear are you thinking you need?
More like storage and luggage - we have never strapped anything on more than a backpack (and a pie!).

I have a seat pad on order. We are looking at a bigger scooter for Susan - wish someone in the area had an Aprilia Atlantic 500 - I really think that is the one but we would like to make sure.

*** possible alternate removed ***

Well, it is a moot point now - one of my TARC (Team America Rocketry Challenge) teams (Weatherford HS) is launching on Saturday (4/2) & I have to be there to witness their flight.

Susan & I will try to get our acts together & get what we need for the ride next spring (and hopefully something else sooner).

[Snoopster]

I've finally found time to post my pics for the trip. Here goes ....

Me, the morning of the trip

http://img124.exs.cx/img124/4341/deb0319059ls.jpg

Squeaky posing at a stop

http://img227.exs.cx/img227/1623/becca0319056xe.jpg

Here's ALAG on her GS

http://img192.exs.cx/img192/5826/lauren0319059dg.jpg

Dower with his Dakar. Nothing has shaken loose :-P

http://img207.exs.cx/img207/3752/will0319053cr.jpg

Tourmeister & Squeaky resting at another stop

http://img38.exs.cx/img38/2015/scottbecca0319056bl.jpg

Guess who

http://img130.exs.cx/img130/3489/scotthodges0319052gy.jpg

Another mystery rider

http://img227.exs.cx/img227/2536/willhodges0319058lp.jpg

Isn't Sarah just adorable

http://img46.exs.cx/img46/4867/sarahhodges0319057ip.jpg

http://img214.exs.cx/img214/4602/sarahhodges031905026ye.jpg

Here's some pics from the gardens

http://img41.exs.cx/img41/2639/debhodges031905039cu.jpg

http://img124.exs.cx/img124/7904/willbeccahodges0319054rv.jpg
http://img232.exs.cx/img232/880/grouphodges0319059rt.jpg

http://img198.exs.cx/img198/4240/beccadebhodges0319052vs.jpg
http://img65.exs.cx/img65/9426/grouphodges031905029ce.jpg

http://img108.exs.cx/img108/7776/debhodges031905011nb.jpg

Squeaky getting artistic
http://img199.exs.cx/img199/1517/beccahodges0319052yu.jpg

At the club house

http://img213.exs.cx/img213/2070/grouphodges031905044id.jpg

Blue Bomber & The Tulip Princess

http://img111.exs.cx/img111/485/bethsarahhodges0319050lx.jpg

http://img182.exs.cx/img182/3438/debhodges031905024tx.jpg

http://img14.exs.cx/img14/8554/grouphodges031905054rk.jpg

Wonderful trip ..... looking forward to going back this weekend. :lol: