Katie and I rode up to the Oregon State Fair. We hadn't been in over a decade. Crowds and I don't mix well. Katie wanted to go, though, so we did. Saying "I love you" often demands more than words. I stuffed the D40 and a couple of lenses into a saddlebag and off we went.
I came home with over 300 photos. Some of them are even somewhat good. Here's a few that are motorcycle related. Including a few that I can only tenuously connect!
The enthusiasm in young ones starts early, doesn't it? Actually, I had a photo of the kid's face with a huge smile. It was taken from the side. The shot was perfect, with his face lit up like a lighthouse and a mile wide grin on it. Unfortunately, when I uploaded the photos later, I noticed his mother had chosen that moment to bend over and look at something on the side of the ATV. For the sake of decency I chose not to share it.
A Yamaha Raptor was perched on the roof of a shed. Where else would you expect a Raptor to perch, anyway?
This Hodaka belongs to the City of Athena Police Department. Athena is in eastern Oregon about halfway between Pendleton and Umatilla, if I remember correctly. I'm told a citizens' group restored the bike and gave it to the police department for parades and public affairs events. The electrical system on the bike is 6 volts. Housed in the big box on the back seat is the battery for the 12 volt police lights and such.
Speaking of Athena, I guess there is an annual festival called the Caledonian Games held there each July. There's a Scottish background to these, if you weren't aware. There was a performance by a couple of bagpipe players. Seeming to remember that Troubadour has a connection and interest in that direction, I included a few shots in his honor. See, it's bike related, if only just so!
After watching some folks trying their hands ( and their butts ) on the mechanical bull, I found myself glad that we don't have to ride bulls to work. Granted, it's a toss-up at times which is more stable under certain conditions. But I'm pretty sure most of us don't grimace as much on our bikes.
No matter which we ride, ending up on our backside on the ground is not a desired outcome. Unless, of course, somebody in a support vehicle is following and ready to throw a big cushion under us.
Here's a passenger waiting for Charlie6 to return and fire up the Ural. He likes these kind of passengers. They are never "sidecar drivers" and they never scream no matter what he does. Like driving the sidecar rig onto a trailer with an unsecured tongue. ( speaking of tongue, mine's firmly planted in my cheek right now!)
When a passenger "dummies up" it's one thing. What happens when the the rider does it? I wouldn't ride with this guy. Passenger or otherwise! I've also heard that he has a very unbending personality.
Miles and smiles,Dan
I don't care for crowds either but I do like state fairs and have stopped for many while traveling across the country over the years. And it's not just fair food but all the stuff being hawked and just the regional "feel" fairs usually have.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand the last reference to the individual with the Yamaha shirt on.
Richard My blog
I have yet to puzzle this one out.
ReplyDeleteIt mite be a question for the ages,
but can anyone really tell if a set of bagpipes are in tune? ; )
aka Old F
Richard,
ReplyDeleteI, too, like the "feel" of the fair, just not dodging people all the time.
What my photo failed to show clearly, I guess, is that the figure on the dirt bike is a mannequin. Thus the joke.
Dave,
Now you know the real reason for the kilts. They serve as distractions from the tuning thing!
Take care,
Dan
Dan
ReplyDeleteI hear that only works in areas of high wind. : )
aka Old F
Children are great photo subjects. His face says it all. That boy needs a bike/ATV of some kind don't you think.
ReplyDeleteBagpipes, love them or hate them. What can I say, I love them.
The hands photo, especially the woman's, great intensity there. Nice capture. Hands are incredibly expressive (even the ones using all fingers), and one of the hardest things to draw.
Per my science instructor at LBCC...don't go skiing in a kilt, or at least don't fall down while skiing in a kilt. Risk of frostbite too.
I've never been to the Oregon State Fair, had I known there would be bikes and bagpipes I too would have reluctantly tolerated the crowds.
ReplyDeletePipers a' greeeat when ye hear 'em playin' something otha' than Scotland the Brave 'or Amazing Grace, but alas I canna' read muusic nor play d'pipes.
Irondad
ReplyDeletehate crowds, love bagpipes!
I suspect Mr Riepe wouldn't have minded you including the original shot of the boy and his mom.....: )
More pics of kids riding sidecars coming up soon, doing the Ride for Freedom Service Dogs tomorrow....
Redleg's Rides
Dear IronDad (Dan):
ReplyDeleteI love state fairs, especially those in rural Amereica where 4-H groups are firmly entrenched. I love to see the poultry exhibits (exotic chickens and ducks). But I love bagpipes under any circumstances.
I only get to hear the pipes around March 17th, but I missed the local state fairs this year. It was too hot to do a lot this summer.
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads