2018- oh what a year!

[FJRfarrier]

Shall we recap?

January. In northwest Ohio, it’s been snowy and icy.

Let’s just put it frankly. It’s cold. I’m cranky.

And then I look at the hand stitch and frame my sister gave me for Christmas… and I realize I am in control of my life and my adventure.

So I pack a bag- FJR sidecase liner bag to be specific…

And go to the airport…

And get on an airplane…

And land in Florida!!!

The beach! The sun! The water! OMG! THE WARMTH!!!!

Making footprints in the sand…

And chilling on the beach.

Got to spend some time with my grandparents, who migrate south during the winter. I joined them for a couple nights, a neighborhood potluck, and a motorcycle club meeting.

Also contacted 2 of my uncles who winter in Florida, and spent some time visiting with them.

And then… I found Rob and Marie!!!

The next day- we went and looked for alligators at a wildlife preserve, went around town, and made our way to Old Town in Kissimmee. I had said I wanted to do something fun and adrenaline pumping… well, they didn’t disappoint!!!!
Rob and I rode the World’s Tallest Skycoaster!! Dropping and swinging from 300’ high!

Unfortunately, I had to come back to Ohio.
It got a little warmer, and I was at least able to get the bike out on February 17th.

But by the next day, we had a couple inches of snow on the ground again. So, I took a friend up on an offer to go for another ride. A different kind of ride, but still enjoyable.

March came around, and I got to get the bike out for another ride. Did some pick-up and delivery services on the bike.

And a couple days later, I was on the bike again and decided to take a ride down to the ski slope. March 18th.

March was also the month to send out a seat and get an actual custom-to-me seat. Terry’s Custom Seats in Tennessee did a great job putting the seat dish exactly where I want it and is super comfortable!!

And was able to make it to Iron Pony finally.

April comes along…
And I head north to Cedar Point!! Not because they are open yet, but because I needed to activate my season platinum pass for the parks.
But they were test running some rides, and it just gives me tingles thinking about the summer to come!!

Couple days later, I jumped in the van with the rest of the family and went back up to the park so they could all activate their passes. We are now a whole family of roller coaster enthusiasts!!!

End of April, means it is time to prep for the SEO Ramble. And I decided to make a change…

Going back to the lightside…

First of May puts me in southeast Ohio hanging out and riding with a bunch of hooligans…

And then there is Tyler… oh, Tyler…

On Sunday, I headed out of SEOhio rather quickly, and headed north. From the river to the lake. Cedar Point, here I come! It’s opening weekend! Park the bike in lovely motorcycle parking, take the suit off, lock it on the bike, and throw the cover on the bike. Keeps the sun off, the peeking eyes, and the small rain blob that came through.

Met up with my parents and we managed to ride the brand-new roller coaster!!!! It was FREAKING AWESOME!!

The next weekend was supposed to be techday in Michigan. Well, it was rainy and crappy up there, and so I didn’t go north. Instead, I went south. Where it was dry.

Not sure where I’m going… but I see a sign… and well, I need to go there. And get a sticker!!!!

They have buffalo there! So I took the boots off, put on the walking shoes, and went hiking.

And yeah, I got a sticker!!!!! Lol.

I had planned on camping somewhere for the night… but neither there, nor any of the state parks in the area would allow hammocks to hang in the trees.
In the meantime, my parents, grandparents, aunts, and motorcycle club friends were on a weekend long poker run. Parents called to say they were at a hotel for the night. I plugged the town into the GPS, and it said I could be there by nightfall. So off I go! Get to the hotel and receive a wonderful welcome from old friends!

The next morning, I saddle up with the folks, and join them on their run adventure.

Riding with my parents is always enjoyable. Mom and Dad ride so well together- which should be expected considering they have ridden together for at least 40 years…

Off we go to an ice cream factory! Ye Olde Mill is the home of Velvet Ice Cream. And yes, I’m riding with a bunch of Gold Wing riders. Most of which are trikes, too. Lol.

And then the geographical center of Ohio…

At the end of the run, talking to 2 of my biggest fans. They love following all of my adventures and are eager to hear about the next trip.

1/5

 

[FJRfarrier]

May is a busy time with work- not much time to ride. But I was able to find some time to hang my hammock and stare at my bike and just relax.

End of May was a tech day in New York. I didn’t attend the tech day in Michigan, and the bike really needs a valve check done… considering I recently rolled over 91k miles.

So I mounted up and went to NY. Hung my camping gear in the backyard of Mike and Laura’s…

And then we tore the bike apart.

That’s pretty…

And Ray is an amazing Canadian. He even wore his special shirt just for me…

HUGE THANK YOU to Ray and Bill for the valve check! 91.5k miles- and all was in spec even after Ray doublechecked and was spot on with the first check.
But what was said at NY techday should probably just stay at NY techday…

And a couple weeks later, June presented itself with a big milestone. My “twin sister” was getting married. So it was time for me to do my hair, don a dress, put on jewelry, and support my lifelong friend.

2 weeks after that, it is my next weekend off from work. Where do I want to go? My original plan to visit amusement parks has kinda gone out the window. Wherever I decide to go, I knew I was going to need some new rubber. With my work schedule hectic as it is, dad walked down and picked up my bike and rode it back to his garage to change a tire. What a wonderful mechanic I have!!!

And after the tire change, and another day of work, I took off. Met a friend and headed northeast. I had 8 states up there that I needed to color in on my map. I ended up tagging 7 of them. Read more about it here --> The ride with no plan...
New York

Vermont

Maine

Meeting up with Dan

How do you spend your time on Independence Day? Me- I spent the morning working, and then I headed to Cedar Point for the evening. They stay open until midnight on the 4th, and have a great show of fireworks. It’s just fun!

Oh, and what else did I do the beginning of July? I put in my 2-weeks notice at the farm. After 6 years, I needed to make some decisions. I decided to build my business more, and officially become my own boss!! So I hauled my last load of manure, and said goodbye to the horses.

And with that, I started the next chapter in my adventure of life.

Made some changes to my hydration setup on the bike. I have ridden with a camelback under my ‘Stich suit for quite a while, and then just water in closed jugs on the passenger pegs. When I see a set-up from MotoJug, I inquired about purchasing a few of the pieces. So I used my own jugs and mounting rig, and I now have drink tubing with direct access to the ½ gallon jugs.

After a ride up to Michigan, where I hit a GIANT pothole, but luckily didn’t bend or break anything, I noticed I didn’t have any front auxiliary lights. So what’s the problem?

Is it some wires going to the lights? The switch? The skene controller?

Nah, it was just a loose wire clip that goes to the battery terminal. But did we check there BEFORE we tore the rest of the bike apart? Nooooo….. oops.

And also, made a couple more visual changes to the bike. LOL! The trip to Michigan was to pick up some fairing vent pieces and the tank hugger piece that came off a crashed bike. So I got them, and proceeded to glue my awesome material onto them! Can you spot me now?

And now that I am my own boss, I don’t have to work every other weekend anymore! WOO HOOO!!! So I took a Saturday, ran and sold a seat to a fellow FJR rider, and then I headed to Amish area and enjoyed an afternoon of riding the roads. Also sought out Ohio’s Longest Covered Bridge.

A Saturday in August, where I didn’t go anywhere again. Lol. It’s been hot! And I needed a tire change. So dad and I did a complete front and rear tire change. And only AFTER we were done, did I think to wash the bike. Whoops! So it got it’s annual soapy bath.

And then in a couple days, I had a 2 day stint with no clients. I originally had it blocked out for an amusement park trip. So I jump on the bike and rode to meet Bungie and Denny for dinner. While we were eating, my bike decided it wanted to sink into the new asphalt in the parking lot. Oops.

(Wynpro BigFoot was ordered and applied when I got home from the ride.)
The next day, I followed Steve along Rt 26. Stopped at the covered bridge.

And then I split and met Dave for lunch in WV. And then headed north. Decided to message Andy and Susie and see what they were doing for dinner. It’s a Friday, so it was Mexican night. So I headed that way. Came across some dark sky, and heavy lightning.

Decided to skirt around behind the main brutal section and then continue on. Did I get wet? Yup. But not horribly so….

So the next day was a Saturday. I had decided to enter my bike into the Flag City Balloonfest Car and Bike Show.

It’s more of a fun show, and they claimed to have 60+ awards to give out. There was a decent line of bikes. Mostly Harleys, 2 yamaha cruisers, 2 stretched hayabusas, 1 honda interceptor, and me.

I had taken a dress mannequin with me, and displayed the ‘Stich suit on it. Mr Frog Man.

And I enjoyed the smiles from the spectators, kids to adults.
3 of my biggest little fans! Mason holding my boot, Levi who really wants to ride with me, and Owen who knows bikes go “vroom vroom”.

And now it’s the end of August. I don’t even know where the summer has gone. Kids are headed back to school, and our county fair is upon us. I didn’t do any of the amusement park trips that I had planned. Why? Because of work changes. For the better! I realized I am so happy right now, that I don’t feel the need to get on the bike and escape! I’m just so happy!!!!

Thursday, August 30th. County fair is in full swing right now. Clients are settled in and showing and winning. I have a free day. So I take the bike and run north to Michigan. Muskegon has an amusement park. My park pass gets me in free, and 2 free meals. Compared to Cedar Point… the park is dainty and cute. Lol. But hey, a ride is a ride, no matter how small!

Oh, and the parking toll booth attendant commended me on riding in full gear. She says she sees so many people ride up in shorts and flip flops. Makes her cringe. She was happy to see me wearing the suit. And then she was also surprised to see me riding up from Ohio. Haha!

So then its back to town. And that weekend, I get a call from a client regarding some chipped hooves at fair. Load the tools up in a backpack, jump on my dad’s dual sport, and off I go to the fairgrounds. I ride the bike because bikes get priority parking near the barn gate!!

So it’s about here in this write-up that I am realizing that this has more than just my FJR adventures….
But whatever, it’s my year… and it’s awesome! So let’s continue!

This is what I do for work!!! And I am loving it!

And a view that I often drive with on the way to or from a barn. Ohio living has its own perks.

So the next weekend, my parents and I drive up to Michigan Adventure again. It’s closing weekend at this park! We have a blast!!

Took my dad for a ride in a tiny car! Lol! He also proceeded to honk the horn the entire way around!! Hahaha!! I think we laughed and giggled the whole ride!

Rode the front seat with both my parents on my favorite ride (at this park)- Thunderhawk… awesome!

And then we closed down the park on the last 2 trains of the mile long, 65mph, hilly wooden coaster ride- Shivering Timbers!

2/5

 

[FJRfarrier]

Bike hasn’t been out for a couple weeks, so I took it down to my dad’s garage for a check-up before I head to EOM and SFO.
I picked up my littlest nephew to watch for a couple hours while my sister did yard work. He had a fun time on “Juey’s vroom vroom!” (My parents, my sister, and I all live within 3 tiny blocks of each other…)

And then he had a good time supervising Dad checking the brake pads.

The next day I headed out towards Maggie Valley, NC to meet up with other hooligans for EOM. The entire RR can be read in depth here--> Mountains, Swamps, and Hot Tubs... oh my!
Swung through the Great Smoky Mtns on the way there…

Rode with friends…

The next day, Sunday- riding roller coasters!!!

Riding 120 mph in 3.8 seconds straight up 420ft into the sky??? YES!!
At dusk in the low cloud fog??? Yes yes YES!!!

(Until I can safely do that on a motorcycle… I will continue to love and ride roller coasters!!!)

And the next weekend, I swung my leg over a horse, and spent the day in the saddle. Second time this year- almost a record! Lol.

Friday October 19th. I head out on an adventure!! Read in depth about it here --> Did that really just happen?

I head to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to LOOK at a truck. Planned on just LOOKING at a truck…

Turned out that I couldn’t stand to leave the truck there- I wanted it to come home with me!
Thanks to Thompsonian for finding this truck online for me!
Thanks to Bob Doppelheuer for housing my bike overnight in his garage and for helping me to strap the FJR to the trailer!

Thanks to gixxerjasen for recommending the rental of a uhaul trailer!

Thanks to FJRPittsburgh for housing me overnight and for running around with me the next morning to gather supplies and the uhaul trailer!

The next weekend is Halloween weekend! And it is also Cedar Point’s closing weekend! So my parents and I head up there and spend the entire weekend in the park!!! It was chilly and wet…

And the park is haunted after dark!

Sunday was dry in the morning…

But wet by the afternoon…

Closed down the season on probably my favorite, least busy roller coaster- GateKeeper!

Huge thanks to Cedar Point for an awesome season! And a HUGE thanks to my parents for the pass to the parks! And for being AWESOME parents who ride roller coasters!!

3/5

 

[FJRfarrier]

Since the day I got the truck, I have been making progress towards moving into it and setting it up how I would like. My dad and I installed a bed slide, and I wanted a larger shoe rack. And my dad finds immense joy in creating things that I think of. Lol. So dad then takes wood that he had lying around, and some that were pieces of my set-up that was in the old vehicle, and creates a shoe rack that is exactly like I had imagined!

It’s fantastic! He’s done that many times with things for the bike too! Like the water jug holders on the passenger pegs!!!

And oh my goodness, it’s gotten cold quickly. And I’ve been happy with work. And I haven’t felt the desire to drag the bike out of the garage and go ride somewhere.
And with the time change, the sun is usually setting and down while I am still working in a barn. I was able to head out of a barn mid-November to catch this beautiful sunset. It’s like I do with the bike- step back from the vehicle and take a picture! Lol.

Spent Thanksgiving with my family. Had a good time eating lots of food and playing games. The next day, my dad and I were on babysitting duty for my nephews… so we took them downtown to the tree lighting ceremony!!

December rolls around. The bike isn’t getting out of the garage any time soon. Hasn’t been out since that weekend in October when I went to PA. I even went so far as to push it closer to the wall, and plug it into the battery tender. And I took the suit off the rack in the back room, and hung it in the closet. The rack is now holding my Carhartt bibs.

December 8th, my parents, my sister, the 3 nephews, and I jump into a van and go down to King’s Island for their Winterfest. At an amusement park in our snowsuits? Awesome!

We then had a hotel conjoining room sleepover that night…

And pool time the next morning…

And then we visited the National Museum of the United States Air Force. What a fabulous place!!! So much history and quite an enjoyable and fun experience for all ages!!

Got to go into an Air Force One, from Kennedy’s time.

Spending time with the little ones was nice- but it was also REALLY nice to have the peace and quiet without them at the end of the weekend!! Lol!

And just because I left the farm back in July, doesn’t mean I lost the friendships that were made over the 6 years I worked there! At this point, all of us have left the farm and are working other jobs… but Saturday mid-December, we got together and had a wonderful time hanging out, catching up, reminiscing and laughing! We call ourselves the rejects. The exes. The outlaws. Lol. We were not the brown-nosers and we weren’t part of the family; we worked the job because we liked the job duties.

Now, they might not be the hooligans that I hang out with at FJR gatherings… but these guys fit into my other lifestyle. And intelligent conversations can be had about the horse industry.

Christmas is almost here. The FJR got dragged out of the garage for a short ride, on December 24th. Dad was taking his Wings for a short ride, and told me to suit up and we would go “blow the dust off the bikes, and let them sing.” And boy, did we do that!!! I didn’t even put in the effort to put the aux tank bags or the water jug holders back on, that had been removed for the trailer ride home from PA.

And the next day, dad and I completed our Christmas day tradition!!!! 9th year in a row!!!! WOOO HOOO!!!!

Rode around town, and went downtown to see the city’s Christmas Tree.

What a nice ride we had. About 30*, and the sun was shining!!

And after Christmas… my parents and I decide to take a roadtrip. Let’s get 2 more park visits with our passes before the end of the year! So, we first head to King’s Dominion, in Virginia. Decided to run into the park on Friday evening to get a meal, and ride a roller coaster. Lol.

We’re just so happy! Considering we left cold Ohio in the morning, and 10 hours later we are walking around in light jackets, riding roller coasters, and looking at Christmas lights!

And who do we know in the area? Well, it’s Bob! Meet up with Bob and Janet for lunch on Saturday. It was great to talk and hang out with them for a bit. And mom and dad got to meet another one of the “men from the internet” that I meet along the road.

Also found out that Secretariat (the amazing racehorse, Triple Crown winner by 31 lengths in ’73) was born and trained at a farm just down the street from King’s Dominion. So of course, we had to stop there! The farm was closed, tours by appointment only; but there was a sign out front.

And that evening we go to King’s Dominion to enjoy their Winterfest activities.

Sunday morning we drive to Charlotte, North Carolina. And we go through the light exhibit that the Charlotte Motor Speedway puts on.

It’s a 3.75 mile drive thru light show, and it takes place ON the track and in the infield!! Awesome!

The steep embankment felt so weird to drive on!!

Coming around the track and headed in front of the grandstands!!!!

I pulled over in a pit block on pit lane!!!! We sat there and watched the light show that was set up in the seats of the grandstands.

The route looped around the track, and wound through the infield! It was so neat! Eventually it went under the track through a tunnel, and wound us up onto the level with the grandstands. So now we are driving underneath the seats, where the concession stands and bathrooms are!!! Also gave an overlook area to admire the lights and track.

Monday morning we wake up and have some time until the park opens in the evening. So we look for cheap/free things to do in the area, that sound interesting. Found there is a museum near the airport that has the “Miracle on the Hudson” plane and artifacts on display. Sounds interesting!

And it was!!! Now, the museum wasn’t as large at the one in Dayton we went to earlier in the month… but this still has interesting things!!
What a display they had for the events that unfolded on January 15th, 2009. And the days, weeks, and months that followed. A commercial flight took off from LaGuardia Airport in NYC, struck a flock of geese, lost power to both engines, and the captain made an emergency landing in the Hudson River. 155 people were on board, and everyone survived!

We then went around the airport and found an overlook for the airport. Could surely hear the planes! But the dense fog made it very hard to see anything. Only a couple were visible in the section in front of us. Across the runway, was also supposed to see the terminals. Nope, not today!

So Monday evening comes around, and we go to Carowinds. They are also having a Winterfest event. And that night they are open until 1am so that we can ring in the New Year at the park!! And this park straddles the NC/SC border!

What a fun place to be!!

Nothing like riding roller coasters and crazy rides in 65* weather on New Year’s Eve (and really, until 1am, when the park finally closed)…

Happy New Year Folks!!

And on the way home…. we came across the Blue Ridge Parkway. So we jumped onto it for about 8 miles. Lol

And then to route back to the interstate- we followed a road. That went through the Crooked Creek Fish Management Area. And it went from paved and marked… to lightly paved… to dirt road… to dirt trail… to an almost 4x4 muddin’ trail!

It was awesome!!! The truck did fabulous!! Mom was cheering me on in the passenger seat… and dad was hesitantly watching from the back seat. Lol.
Made it to the other end!

Truck was muddy and I was smiling from ear to ear!!!!

4/5

 

[FJRfarrier]

And with that… 2018 is a wrap!

Now, I know I didn’t get out much this year- on the bike. My yearly mileage is the lowest it has been since I got the bike. But I still had a fabulous year. Both on and off the bike.
My parents and I are not getting park passes next year. It’s not something we can do every year. Why? Because it takes dedication to make time to get up there and enjoy the park, or to travel to the other parks to visit. I ended up going to Cedar Point 11 times, Soak City 2 times, Michigan Adventure 2 times, King’s Island 2 times, King’s Dominion 1 time, and Carowinds 1 time.

Other hobbies suffer when we have park passes. Exhibit A- my motorcycling!

The bike never made it across the Mississippi River this year- I did, in a truck, but just enough to turn around and come back. Check out that map of tracks…

Some number stats for the year:
Bike odometer- 100,590
Miles for 2018- 12,350
States ridden in 2018- 20
New states this year- 10
Total states gathered- 45
New stickers- a couple….
Memories- UNLIMITED!!!

I’ll leave you with a song….

“Making your way in the world today
Takes everything you got
Taking a break from all your worries
It sure would help a lot

Wouldn't you like to get away?

Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name

And they're always glad you came
You want to be where you can see
The troubles are all the same
You want to be where everybody knows your name

You want to go where people know
The people are all the same
You want to go where everybody knows your name”

I want to thank each and every one of you for making this year memorable.
Whether I met you in person or just through the power of the internet- thank you! And here’s to more!

5/5

 

[dcarver]

Holy ****!

Guuurl..

You RAWK!

Love your zeal for life!

Keep on on shoeing and riding and loving life..

Hope to hug you in person some day...

WooHoo 2019 let' RAWK it harder and better than EVER!

 

[escapefjrtist]

For not getting away on the bike much, you had an awesome year Julie!

Thanks for sharing your adventure(s)!

~G

 

[TripperMike]

hahaha Reading your RR makes me realize I need to get out more.

What a fantastic write up.

 

[Hudson]

So much joy and happiness in this post, I gotta meet you. Come out west and visit the PNW crew!

 

[Mihalis fjr]

E X C E L L E N T ^^^^^^

Thanks for sharing with us!!!

 

[Mr. BR]

Thank you for posting.... ALWAYS a pleasure to read! I MUST get out there more in 2019.

Mr. BR

 

[BigDogRaven]

Very nice job. Congrats on the fantastic year! Well done!

 

[brady]

Awesome write up!!

 

[owsley]

Wow!

 

[El Toro Joe]

Nicely done, Julie...wish I had your energy...I think I'll go take a nap, now.