Just finished this one for a friend.

Bryant Cottage - Bement, IL - 4.14.14

While out riding yesterday we toured thru the little elevator town of Milmine before stopping at Bryant Cottage in Bement. My family on my Mom's side is from the area. An elderly lady that tended to the Cottage happened to be there and invited us inside for a tour. We small talked a bit and she recognized the family names I was dropping, Buckner and Cook. When I mentioned that my great grandparents, Oscar and Wilda Buckner used to own the General Store in Milmine, she said "They used to have the best burger in Piatt County".

Bryant Cottage is a 4 room home where Abe Lincoln and Steve Douglas met to plan a series of debates held in 1858. Francis Bryant settled in the village in 1856 building this small home, that was quite modern for it's time, for his young family. He was active in state and local politics serving two terms in IL legislature, one before and one after the Civil War. He had also served as the towns Postmaster and Mayor.

The home was quaint and tidy, only needing the essentials to live, and only having the space for them too. Some of the items inside the home are original to the Bryant family and are well over 100 years old. If you ever find yourself near Bement I believe it'd be worth your while to take a quick walk through this historic home.

Another little factoid: Marilyn Monroe had stopped by the cottage in 1955 when she came to Bement as THE celebrity guest for the towns Centenary. She spent some time at Bryant Cottage, gave a chat to the townsfolk, and even helped judge the beard contest! Below I have attached a link to YouTube video showing photos from that visit, and you'll notice photos from inside the cottage as well as from the beard contest!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEFRybfLyGM

#abrahamlincoln #marilynmonroe #stephenAdouglas #bementil #historyrules#sofullgarage #illinoishistory

Riverside Honda

Rockers Reunion - Ton Up Indianapolis - May 31, 2014

Friday, close to midnight I saw a post from Dirka on our Flatlanders Facebook page. He and Greazy were running up from Southern Ind. to attend the Annual Ton-Up Indianapolis Rockers Reunion Vintage Motorcycle Show & Party. I'd been wanting to attend the past few years but was not able too and after a few hours of pondering decided "I'm in".

I woke before the alarm, as usual, tossing and turning a bit before rolling off the bed. Grabbed a quick shower and swallowed some blue berries and applesauce, along with two advil for my shoulder. The bike was pretty much ready. I threw a few basic tools in the bag just in case, along with a few fuses and an aluminum water bottle filled with gas. I checked the chain tension and the tire pressure as well. Rear was a little low, but thats how I run it. Having a rigid rear end means no suspension, therefore a few less psi's softens the blow you take from unsuspected buckled pavement and pot holes.

I was entertaining running Rt. 150 to Danville, IL then catching 136 over to Speedway, IN. But I wanted to get there and not dawdle with 30 mph zones every so miles down the two lane. I hit I-74 and headed east. Blazing right along I was watching the mile markers and road signs, keeping track of my mileage in attempt to NOT run out of gas. Riding the Goo Goo Muck is a little different than riding Lulu (my long distance runner). For example, the fuel tank only has about a 70 mile range, 30 or so less miles than the other one.

Me, Greazy, Dirka

I crossed the stateline into Indiana with plans of stopping for fuel in Crawfordsville. Turns out the Pilot at the Covington exit would have been a better choice. The bike started to sputter and I flipped the tank to reserve and breezed into a rest stop a few miles before Exit 58. I added the fuel from my water bottle, hoping it would be enough to get me the remaining 15-20 miles to Crawfordsville. I kicked over the bike and merged back on I-74 westbound. As I approached Exit 58 I noticed a sign for gas. This was the Lebanon/Lizton exit and as I blew past the off ramp I realized that most likely I was not gonna make it to my intended gas stop.

I cut over to the right shoulder and whipped a U turn, riding up the shoulder of the on ramp, the wrong way. Once to the top, after a car went around me to merge onto the freeway, I hung a lou and rode into Lizton. I saw the filling station on the left and as I began to lean the turn into the parking lot, Goo Goo went pfffft and Newton's First Law of Motion took me to pump number six.

I filled the beast and decided to roll Rt. 136 the rest of the way to "Holmes" place in Speedway where I was meeting the guys. I breezed through the burbs, crossed under 465 and rode back and forth on Cunningham looking for 18th St. Apparently my mirrored KD's were too dark because I missed it three times and Greazy had to ride out and escort me back in.

We rode down to the Historic Melody Inn, a punk rock bar down in the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood. It is one of the cities oldest bars, dating back to 1935. If I lived in Indy, I would frequent this place. It just oozes cool and hosts all kinds of bands from punk to metal to hillbilly and rockabilly. Historic and legendary!

Across from the Melody the street and parking lot were filled with all kinds of old mo'sickles. Japs, Brits, Americans...all makes, models and styles. The three of us wandered around baking on the hot asphalt while checking out all the rad bikes We stopped at a few vendor booths and ate an overpriced slice of soggy Chi-town style za as well. At 6 o'clock it was time to ride to Flat 12 Bierwerks down on Dorman St. This was where the after show party was and where they'd announce the days winners in between bands.

The Vice Tricks

We stuck around for the Vice Tricks set, a rockabilly band from Louisville, KY. The singers voice constantly reminded me of John Reis of Rocket from the Crypt. They put on a good show and I always dig a woman playing the upright bass. Immediately after the winning scoots were announced Derek and I parted ways with Greazy and headed back west. Stopping at Holmes place on my way out. After shootin' the breeze with his friends a short time, he decided to accompany me back to the 217. Cool enough! By the time we got to the freeway it was beginning to get dark and neither of us had clears.

Dirka's night glasses had blown off the bike sometime during the day and I didn't bring any with me, thinking I'd be back before sunset. We stopped at a few filling stations, and even a Kohl's, searching from some eyewear and struck out. We hit I-74 towards Brownsburg, knowing there was a Wal-Mart there where we could score some safety glasses. It was dark by the time we got to Wally World, but they had what we needed. After a mutual self checkout mishap, Dirka made a new friend, Katie. We were trying to convince her to ride back to Champaign with us, but she politely declined. Good girl. Once back on the freeway we made good time even though we had to stop two more times on the way back west. The first time was so that I could add what little gas I had into my bottle to the gas tank so that I could once again make it to the station a few exits down and fill up. I'll get used to this tank's capacity soon. This has only been the second time Goo's been ridden on an out of town trip, after having set idle for two years while I galavanted around the country on Lulu.

Roberta Sparrow

Greg/Roberta Sparrow as the crowd sings along

Blazing thru Urbana we took the Neil St. exit once in Champaign. As we were turning right on Market St. heading towards Mike n Molly's to catch my friends in Roberta Sparrow, we noticed Paul and Aro walking across the street from Memphis On Main, heading to the same place we were.

As Dirka and I's kickstands hit the asphalt, I heard Greg on the beer garden stage saying "check, check". We made it right on time.

Bikes from the Rockers Reunion

Lane Splitting.The California Coast. The Emmy Awards. And Los Angeles.

Coming back from a job site today we saw a dude on a crotch rocket split lanes between two cars along I-74. My buddy Justin, whom I work for, looks at me and says "You do that shit?".
"No. Well not in IL anyway. I did when I was in California."
I proceeded to tell him this story...

I met up with my buddy Pete along Coastal Highway 1, leaving Big Sur. I had been in California for a few weeks so far with my friend Jen. Her bike started acting up beyond repair and she had to head back West in a U-Haul.

I rode to Big Sur after parting ways with her in Stockton. It was an emotional moment for us both. We had spent the last five months zig zagging our way across the country together. We had overcome many obstacles, some on our own and some with help from dear friends. Circumstances separated us at this point and it sucked.

She headed toward Denver and I headed down the coast. I camped in Big Sur on a Thursday night. Met Pete down the coast Friday morning. We had breakfast at a lil tourist trap roadside diner before rolling down to Ojai to meet up with my friend Dawn. We hung out a bit, had some food and a few beverages before heading to Pete's pad in Piru, just East of Ventura.

This is where I first "split lanes". In California, when traffic is slowed on the freeway, motorcycles are allowed to zig zag thru the traffic that stands still or is moving slow. Although, Pete being a native may have made up his own rules on this. I was apprehensive at first, but when in Rome...I just followed Pete and got a feel for the rhythm. Then I was good.

Pete took me on some awesome mountain back roads around the L.A. area. We spent all day Saturday riding and stopped at Neptune's Net along Rt. 1 in Malibu and and The Rock Store (which I remember from the show "The Wonder Years") along Mulholland in Malibu Canyon.

Sunday we drank some day beers so we could get some shut eye before reporting to the Bill Ferrell Company at 10 p.m. This is where I found my taste for Stone IPA. Dude had a kegerator and that was the constant  flavor on tap.

We drove to Sun Valley that night and met up with the BF crew before heading into downtown L.A. to the Nokia Theater. I spent the better part of that week working with dudes that didn't know me from "Adam" and they treated me like one of the gang. A really cool experience.

We worked our asses off tearing down the Emmy set. I was paid handsomely for my work and spent the next week seeking steady work in the area. The Bill Ferrell Co. said they'd keep my name on file, but as a roaming worker I needed more of a commitment than that.

A few days later I headed to Vegas.

The Living Deads Adventure 5/10/2014

I got a call from my old friend Lane last week telling me the band he was touring with was gonna be in Lombard, IL Friday night and Pekin, IL Saturday. He used to play with a local Champaign, IL rockabilly outfit named Jakehead. We became friends about 14 years ago after meeting at one of his band's early shows. Somehow or another I ended up designing most of their flyers and did the layout for their CD. Many moons ago he moved to Nashville and is making his way in Music City. Over the years he'd stay with me when up this way, and likewise when I was passing through Tennessee.

I told him I'd see him Saturday night for certain. I then shot my friend Lisa a message about the show. I knew she'd wanted to see the Living Deads for some time. She was free that night, so we made it a plan. Saturday arrived and I hopped on the bike about 5:30 that afternoon and headed for Bloomington.

I got to Lisa's just a few minutes behind schedule. Only because I stopped at a gas station and had a twenty minute conversation with Ron, some dude that pulled up aside me in a pick up truck. He was diggin my bike and telling me about his pan head chop. He had twelve years on me, but we were cut of the same cloth. You know how it goes.

After figuring out just where the hell we were going, Lisa and I straddled the scoot and headed towards the freeway. About an hour later we arrived in Pekin and after a phone call to Lane, found the venue. The High Note is located in old store front along Court St. It's fairly close to the Illinois River and appears to be in an older part of town. We breezed right by it during our first pass on the strip because it is located on the second floor, and I'm pretty sure there is no sign. I didn't see one. The building was the former home of a Mason's Hall. There is still a symbol on the tin ceiling and a marker in the floor.

The Living Deads

Lane greeted us out front and after parking the bike we accompanied him around back to the RV. We sat and played catch up for about an hour, meeting his band mates Symphonyy and Randee. Truth be told I was not familiar with the Living Deads until last year when Lane mentioned to me that he'd been touring with them off and on. Since then I've been listening to them online and following their photos on social media.

I was singing along like an idiot and rockin' witht the band. If you ever get a chance to see this band, DO. You won't be disappointed. Randee and Symphonyy "kid nap" a different guitarist every so often and constantly tour. So chances are good they will be in your neck of the woods.

The band played for a few hours and the crowd was high energy and attentive the whole time. Afterward, Lane and I chatted a bit more before the RV rolled westward toward Indiana. Lisa and I had planned for the front end of this venture, but not so much the back end. We bid adieu to the band and went out front to where the bike was parked.

Randee, Lane, Barry, Symphonyy

We talked to a local yokel about a nearby motel but his demeanor made me think I was in a scene from the movie Gummo. When someone says "I've lived here all my life and never really been out of town." Adding to it "I don't even know my way around Pekin that well." it sort puts me on guard. Regardless, one way or another we got a little turned around. We zig zagged the streets of Pekin never finding a place to stay. We figured Gummo's directions were a little beer influenced and not exactly accurate and eventually ended up at Rt. 9. We took it. Thinking we'd just head back toward Bloomington and if we saw somewhere to stay the night we'd stop.

About 15 miles or so out of town we breezed by an old timey roadside motel. The theme of the place was log cabin influenced and their was a restaurant called Boss Hog's on the lot as well. I grabbed the brakes and made the second entrance, doubling back to the front lot. We parked and walked toward the office. Closed. There was a phone number for "after hours" but we weren't certain of what we wanted to do just yet.

I took a stroll to relieve myself behind a dumpster before meeting Lisa back at the bike, under the Banner Inn sign. While standing there fumbling with our phones, realizing we did not have cell service, we were discussing our options. About that time we heard a few voices in the darkness and noticed one of the motel room doors had opened and three individuals were exiting.

"Hey! Ya'll alright? Bike break down?" said a high pitched voice from across the lot.
Now given the time of night this was, and that we were in the middle of nowhere, there's always a certain level of "on guard" feeling you have.

I responded, "Nah, just taking a break." The three then began to walk towards us. So I began to walk towards them. Lisa followed. A little chatter across the parking lot ensued until we were face to face. Josh, Manuel and Annie were employees of the Inn and restaurant and had just gotten off work a few hours earlier.

Annie and Josh said "Nice bike" and Josh added "Is that a CB750 Honda?" I was thoroughly impressed. And I told him so. This kid had to have been in his mid twenties and I said "Man, how in the hell did you recognize that across the parking lot (the bike was about 60 feet away) in the dark?"

"Ah man, my dad had one of them. I recognized the four pipes coming out of the front" he answered.
Granted there are other bikes that have four pipes out front, but, he knew it, or was right anyway. Again, I was impressed.

We sat and shot the breeze for a few minutes, them telling us of their night and us of ours. Annie said "Ya'll wanna beer?" I responded, "That depends. You gotta room available?" Turns out she was the manager and they did indeed have a room so we took her up on the beer. During our conversation with our new found friends we realized that Banner, IL was actually not on the way back to Bloomington and that we had headed West out of Pekin instead of East. We had gotten more turned around than we initially thought. But all was good. If we hadn't, then we would not have ended up in Banner.

We stood and talked for quite awhile about bikes and life and just whatever. Then I revisited the room issue. "So what do ya need for one of these rooms?" She sorta stood there with this look in her eye and said, "Nothin.". I told her "No I can't do that. I have to pay you something." She retorted, "I tell ya what. We're having a Mother's Day Buffet in the morning. You come to the buffet and have some breakfast, I'll give you a room, and just pay it forward". With that, she was speakin' my language.

Eventually 4 a.m. had crept upon us and these three had to be up in just a few hours for the buffet. We were all pooped and agreed it was time to hit the sack. We again thanked them and retired to room number 12. Annie told me to park my bike up by her's, under the awning, in case it rained again (glad we missed that).

Annie's Shadow. Room 12.

The next morning we strolled across the lot to Boss Hog's for the Mother's Day buffet. Damn, the food was killer and the staff was awesome. Annie had said they had over 200 reservations that day. Pretty impressive for a town of 149. I didn't see the breakfast section of the buffet so I had fried chicken, salad, mashed taters and coffee for breakfast. Lisa mixed it up a bit. She was smarter than I and paid attention to the rest of the line and not just the first four tubs of food available.

After we filled our bellies we met Annie at the the register and paid the buffet fee. Which was damn cheap considering there was a room included. We slipped her the key and headed out to the bike. We hit Rt. 9 and headed west. There was a strong wind blowing but the sun was shining and it was a nice two lane cruise back to where we came from.

Some added pics from Saturday via Michael McMillen Photography with permission

Dude does good work, check out his page (https://www.facebook.com/michaelmcmillenphotography)

The latest.