Tyke runs with horses, flies with Falcons – aka Port Deposit

(If you would like to view just the pictures only visit here: http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/BlueLilTyke/09-03-07%20Port%20Deposit/ )

Today wasn’t such a big day. I spent most of it wondering how I was going to spring Tyke from the storage complex. Phil has my car today and with that also my key to get into said storage complex (not to mention the means to get there). So I got ready, after deciding where I was going to go, and asked Phil’s dad to give me a lift to the storage unit. Luckily he also has a spot there and so has the access key to get in. He said yeah and I was off!

Of course first order of business once I got there was adding Tyke’s newest bling, her tank bra, fashionably embroidered by my friend Phil (not my s/o) his ma. She does a lot of work like this and she did a fantastic job! Everything was where I wanted it and the color is amazing! I highly recommend her (if you want her info let me know and I will be happy to pass it along!) Anyway the good stuff right!? Enough chitchat lets see the bling!


http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/BlueLilTyke/09-03-07%20Port%20Deposit/DSC_0582.jpg

The back
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/BlueLilTyke/09-03-07%20Port%20Deposit/DSC_0583.jpg

Close-up of the back
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/BlueLilTyke/09-03-07%20Port%20Deposit/DSC_0585.jpg

I followed their directions, confusing as they were, and I think I have it installed right. If not let me know!

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/BlueLilTyke/09-03-07%20Port%20Deposit/DSC_0592.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/BlueLilTyke/09-03-07%20Port%20Deposit/DSC_0591.jpg

So I decided, since we are supposed to be taking it easy we will go for an easy ride. We’ll head up Philadelphia road and hit Port Deposit and then cruse back down Forty. I must say traveling up Philadelphia Rd was certainly ‘faster’ than taking Forty it seemed like time flew by. Either way!

While it is a nice ride there aren’t many ‘sight’ spots that needed my photographic attentions. As we were passing some of the more rural area’s there were two horses in a field just to the right of the street. They must have heard Tyke and I coming for as soon as we crossed into their line of sight they started running! Now I have seen horses run away from the fence but never along side it as these two were doing! It was amazing! I slowed Tyke down a little but their field ran out way to quick! Sadly I hadn’t thought about getting a picture because I was paying more attention to them and the road. It was spectacular never the less. The Conowingo (I think) dam thing was pretty neat. It’s a hydro plant. Alas the picture I tried to take didn’t come out at all so I won’t bother with that one. It was the second time I had been across that one though so I dug that one up..

(From Meeting the Folks)
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/BlueLilTyke/08-08-03%20Meeting%20Folk/DSC01025.jpg

Soon after the dam I took the right and passed by the Union Hotel. Not to many folks there today but I am sure they had a lot come through over the course of it. I saw a lot of people out there! With the amount of groups I “joined” for even a little while it didn’t feel like I was really riding by myself!

I stopped for lunch in Port Deposit here:
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/BlueLilTyke/09-03-07%20Port%20Deposit/DSC_0677.jpg

Tyke parked, resting:
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/BlueLilTyke/09-03-07%20Port%20Deposit/DSC_0601.jpg

It was good food, about average in price. The service was a bit on the slow side but I still think it was a good stop. They had plenty to look at. I sat near the window facing the street and they had a lot of different ‘babbles’ related to ships. So I was getting some photo practice in. A few of my favorites:

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/BlueLilTyke/09-03-07%20Port%20Deposit/DSC_0618.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/BlueLilTyke/09-03-07%20Port%20Deposit/DSC_0621.jpg

I did take a lot more than that of course but those are the ones I liked if you want to see the rest of them check out my Photobucket and you can see all the pictures.

Along with a lot of bits of stuff they had the smallest, ketchup bottle I have ever seen! It’s a regular bottle but like… chibified! (that would be shrunken and pudged out)

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/BlueLilTyke/09-03-07%20Port%20Deposit/DSC_0643.jpg

How ya doing Tyke?
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/BlueLilTyke/09-03-07%20Port%20Deposit/DSC_0653.jpg

Making friends, of course! I should have known!

(This next bit is just to annoy one person… Jason… )
Lunch!
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/BlueLilTyke/09-03-07%20Port%20Deposit/DSC_0654.jpg

A delicious Ranch Burger. Not the healthiest of choices I know but it was a good ¼ lb burger with ham, bacon, and American cheese. The nice thing is that the ranch is optional so I tried it without the Ranch then with. It certainly tastes better with.

Now normally I like to sample the burgers and then the desert menu but this time around the service was rather slow to begin with and none of their deserts sounded original. Nothing that no other place had so I left without a desert… Though the nice lady gave me a life saver mint instead… Not a fair trade but ah well.. Maybe next time.

So we were off again and though there wasn’t anything exciting happening between there and home we did cross a nifty bridge..

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/BlueLilTyke/09-03-07%20Port%20Deposit/DSC02589.jpg

I was frantic for a while because while I got onto the bridge I saw tollbooths! All my cash was in my backpack and there was no way I could stop before reaching the other side to fish out some cash… So I kept watching ahead for the tollbooths and the inevitable delay I was going to cause getting my bucks. Well luckily there was no toll going in my direction! Whew! That was a moment I tell ya!

Our next adventure in the small things was we were riding and I was looking about. Those of you who have been on route forty know it’s not much to look at. There wasn’t much traffic. As we past this clusters of trees I happen to notice a Falcon. Just sitting there. It seemed intent on something. It was a nice sight to be able to see it sitting still. Of course we weren’t so we soon passed it but it didn’t seem satisfied with that. Perhaps it could read minds and saw a chance to impress someone with it’s grace because no sooner had we past than it launched itself to follow in our wake. It turned heading towards the meadow so... Perhaps it was after something after all. Hehehe..

So we were pacing along Rt 40 minding our own business when I thought.. Hey… Gunpowder Falls State Park should have it’s marina open today. We should go play photographers… So we did! Detour from the route of course set Zumo off on a whole different argument. I swear I heard him, under his breath, mutter “Women and their mind changing” Hehehe! It’s alright Zumo I still love you!

So at the Marina we did take a few pictures, again all of them can be found on the Photobucket account here I’ll post a few I enjoy:

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/BlueLilTyke/09-03-07%20Port%20Deposit/DSC_0686.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/BlueLilTyke/09-03-07%20Port%20Deposit/DSC_0687.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/BlueLilTyke/09-03-07%20Port%20Deposit/DSC_0691.jpg

The docks were empty there weren’t as many people as I thought would be out today. Well it was later in the afternoon so I suppose all those that were to be fishing had already gone. So I got to do a little photo shoot out by the launching area…

No Tyke you can’t go out there
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/BlueLilTyke/09-03-07%20Port%20Deposit/DSC_0698.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/BlueLilTyke/09-03-07%20Port%20Deposit/DSC_0701.jpg

Stop looking longingly, I said we can’t go, sorry…
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/BlueLilTyke/09-03-07%20Port%20Deposit/DSC_0703.jpg

No puppy lenses for me missy! Lets go!

On our way out of the marina there was a good little spot that might be able to capture bike and rider

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r290/BlueLilTyke/09-03-07%20Port%20Deposit/DSC_0708.jpg

No Odo picture today. We traveled about 90 miles. We are 112 miles into our break in. While I am not completely loving it I know it needs to be done.

After that we headed home. It wasn’t a long journey but it was one that got us outside and got Tyke on the full road to recovery! After all it is not everyday you get to run with horses and fly with falcons.

Today was indeed a good day to ride in Maryland. The Carroll County (appropriately pronounced CowCounty by us Marylanders) road conditions report is as follows: mostly dry, with lots of salt and new gravel patches. Some wet areas where large snowbanks are still melting. New potholes and pavement deterioration are common. Plan on washing your baby after the ride. The temperature was perfect- it got to 70F today, after a blizzard on Monday!

Sunny, you and your pals should ride up to Thurmont and Catoctin Mountain Park sometime. You will find the ride much more pleasant after you get past the beltway on the west side of town, and if you check the map, you can find many fine backroads to get you there. There is a lake at Cunningham Falls State Park , and of course the waterfall. Not too far away to the North is High Rock, where, on the right day, you can watch the hang gliders take off and fly into the valley. In the fall, Pryors Orchards, just off Route 77 to the West of Thurmont, has a wonderful apple harvest.

Tomorrow is supposed to be even warmer.

Chris

First off, I really like that tank bra! That's a super job :thumbup:

Looks like it was a fun trip too ... Nice captions on the photos ( you crack me up sometimes :D ) i laughed out loud at the ketchup ...

I wish I could have gotten out for a long ride today, I'm so jealous!

Keep on cruising!

Sunny, you and your pals should ride up to Thurmont and Catoctin Mountain Park sometime. You will find the ride much more pleasant after you get past the beltway on the west side of town, and if you check the map, you can find many fine backroads to get you there. There is a lake at Cunningham Falls State Park , and of course the waterfall. Not too far away to the North is High Rock, where, on the right day, you can watch the hang gliders take off and fly into the valley. In the fall, Pryors Orchards, just off Route 77 to the West of Thurmont, has a wonderful apple harvest.


Nothing says guide like perfect directions and of course the same desire to ride... So... When we going? I have no specific people I ride with... Infact more often than most I am riding by myself so... bring it on! I would love to see the waterfall. It sounds exciting!

First off, I really like that tank bra! That's a super job :thumbup:

Looks like it was a fun trip too ... Nice captions on the photos ( you crack me up sometimes :D ) i laughed out loud at the ketchup ...

I wish I could have gotten out for a long ride today, I'm so jealous!

Keep on cruising!

Only sometimes! I must work harder at this!

I laughed at the ketchup too and the waitress looked at me funny!

Nothing says guide like perfect directions and of course the same desire to ride... So... When we going? I have no specific people I ride with... Infact more often than most I am riding by myself so... bring it on! I would love to see the waterfall. It sounds exciting!

Well, it's too late to do it today, lol, but we can see what the weather looks like for next weekend if you like. I live right off of Rte 26, which is Liberty Road, which is Liberty Heights Ave. extended. If you went straight out Liberty Heights to Eldersburg we could meet at my house and go on to Catoctin from there. If the weather looks good, and you are up for it, PM me during the week sometime and we'll set it up.

Chris

Really good pictures Sunny, glad to hear that the weather has finally broken and you can get out and ride. I, too, crack up at your captions. One thing though, you mentioned the Union Hotel, that sounds familiar, it is famous for something?

nb

Thanks for sharing your day with us Sunny - it looks and sounds like you had fun.

looks like a great day Sunny!

Really good pictures Sunny, glad to hear that the weather has finally broken and you can get out and ride. I, too, crack up at your captions. One thing though, you mentioned the Union Hotel, that sounds familiar, it is famous for something?

nb

Union hotel (http://www.unionhotel-restaurant.com/index.php)... Not that I know of. It is a well known Biker stop it has a bar and a hotel.

sunny, your ride makes me so jealous D=
Wish I had scenery like that within a comfortable ride of my apartment. I'll have to get outta the city one day this week. you have inspired me :D nice leather tank bra btw, did she free hand it all? if so, she has some skill like non-other

I am glad I inspire! Whoo hoo!

I am not sure how she did the font (I just said surprise me on that) the bike on the other hand is from a pattern. I purchased the bra and pattern she did the rest!

I don't want to sound redundant but Great Pics!

Union hotel (http://www.unionhotel-restaurant.com/index.php)... Not that I know of. It is a well known Biker stop it has a bar and a hotel.

Thanks, now one more question, the blue flag out front of the place you had lunch. what did it say? I can read "airborne" and what looks like the insignia of the 101st airborne division and the symbol for air assault, which looks like a helicopter with wings, or has been called for decades, the bullwinkle badge.

nb

To be honest... I wouldn't be able to tell you Chris. I am not very familiar with Military/Airforce aspects. I looked at the other picture and the flag is bent over in that one as well.

To be honest... I wouldn't be able to tell you Chris. I am not very familiar with Military/Airforce aspects. I looked at the other picture and the flag is bent over in that one as well.

Ok thanks. I was curious. No big deal.

nb

Ok thanks. I was curious. No big deal.

nb

Chris, I think you are right--does look like 101St Airborne Air Assault. I believe they flew Cobras in Nam and are now raising hell with the Iraquis in their Apaches. Great bunch of folks.

Sunny, Love your pictures and the tank bra. I am tempted to send her my tank bra and have her do a green Ninja and the name "Kermit"

She has the pattern (well at least of the flat nosed bike not sure if you would want the other angled nose)

Thanks, now one more question, the blue flag out front of the place you had lunch. what did it say? I can read "airborne" and what looks like the insignia of the 101st airborne division and the symbol for air assault, which looks like a helicopter with wings, or has been called for decades, the bullwinkle badge.

nb

I know this comes late but just got the chance to read this thread. Here's the flag you're talking about.

http://www.embassyflag.com/flag/airborne2.jpg

You can even order one from here. (http://www.embassyflag.com/militaryunits.htm)

Thanks Mike!

I venture up into your area a lot. And there are a few other PA riders. Mayhap we can get together sometime! :)

That was an excelent ride report. Loved all the pictures and the naration.
Have you ever thought abought being a writer? you use very descriptive langage.

I know this comes late but just got the chance to read this thread. Here's the flag you're talking about.

http://www.embassyflag.com/flag/airborne2.jpg

You can even order one from here. (http://www.embassyflag.com/militaryunits.htm)

Thanks, I saw the edge of the 101st patch, and was curious.

nb