Guys - Fifty-one ROMEOs had lunch today and admired the forty-nine bikes lined up next to the highway in front of the little cafe in Belvue. That's more folks than the place could hold and probably more than it has served since its inaugural opening many a year ago. The food was good and the potato salad was 'great' or so I thought. The lady running the place held up traffic on the highway for a short period while taking a photo that undoubtedly will grace the wall within the establishment for posterity.

Gary and I left Lindsborg on time to meet up in Salina with the ROMEO contingent from there and Louie led us hither and yon ending in a loop De loop of Junction City before finally stopping again at Grandview Plaza for coffee and a roll. Someone (Leonard) suggested that Louie must have a girlfriend because he seems to home right in on this little place every time we get near it.

We headed east on I-70 for a short stretch exiting at #307 which is the Mill (McDowell) Creek Road that took us somewhere. I say that only because I didn't have a clue where I was, only that it was a delightfully twisty little two lane with almost no traffic. Some where we intersected with hwy 18 where we were to have the pleasure of observing a meeting of some sort in a field. Six or seven huge red headed buzzards (they weren't all that big) were huddled around in a circle like in a football game. That's a meeting I felt satisfied to be excluded from, I'll tell 'ya for sure. Those things were huge!

Not many miles down the road another wonder of nature presented itself. Rounding a slow bend in the road, in an area off to the right, was the largest flock of turkeys (they were bigger than the buzzards) this old hunter has ever seen in one field. And it wasn't until I tooted my horn at one particularly close to the fence that the showed any sign of concern from our drive-by. Chalk this location up for next season.

The weather was near perfect at lunch time for standing outside kicking tires and telling tall tales and it continued on after lunch for quite some time. I'm happy to see this trend of eating and taking off beginning to fade some. We need a bit more personal interaction. I've had some folks indicate to me that it's hard to get acquainted with others in our little group. Some folks are a bit shy when it comes to charging right in to tell you about themselves so if you don't know someone, step right up and introduce yourself. I would hate to have to start something as formal as name tags but it may not be out of the question. What do you think?

Our return trip was a continuation of the day of adventure for the six of us. First, we explored the Yamaha shop on the east side of Manhattan, replayed the Mill (he was really lost) Creek road and wound up in Junction City where we all had a 'free' cup of java at the Harley hangout checking out the inventory of Harleys, Kaws and Suzukis. No deal was offered that had us changing bikes so we all left on that same thing we rode in on.

We were only a short distance from another adventure but we didn't know it at the time. Heading in a southwesterly direction on Lyons Creek road, we were into it a ways when I happened to spot a small sign indicating the road was closed 4.2 miles ahead. Apparently the others didn't spot it since they were riding balls to the wall on this neat little twisty section of asphalt. Maybe it just seemed that way to me picking up the rear because as you all know, the last guy always has to run at least 20 mph faster than everyone else just to keep up. That has to be some kind of law or something! Anyway, soon enough we came upon the classic verboten signage. Now, in a car is one thing but on a bike it's a different matter entirely. I feigned ignorance of the law regarding such a matter and offered to 'scout' out the situation and sure enough, there was a service road down and around the new bridge replacement construction zone. I walked it first to ensure that it was indeed dry and firm before setting out on point to prove it could be navigated. All five bikes got across without incident but Gary said that if he had been on his 'big' Venture he wouldn't have tackled it. I didn't tell him, but if I had been on my Aprilia maxi scoot with its higher seat, I wouldn't have either.

We headed back to Salina by a road south of Abilene that must have been unknown to Leonard because he thought the way lead to gravel. Actually it did (hell yes it did, I knew exactly where we were but I followed the herd anyway. The 10 extra miles home really made by butt sore but it was a good ride) but it also turns south at a 90 degree corner that is nearly invisible as you approach it. It take you through the piddly little town of Norway and back onto hwy 4 at Carlton before the twisties of Gypsum.

By the time we arrived back in Salina my kidney couldn't take many more punches from Joyce. She was beginning to get testy from a long day on the bike. By then, Neal had peeled off for home(Niel has good sense), Gary had taken the short ride for home and Leonard had heard the supper call as well. Only Louie, Joyce and I were left to carry on the tradition of the 'End of Ride Frostie'. While we were sitting there, I suggested to Joyce that while we were in Salina I just as well pick up that oil filter I needed to get my V-Strom ready for Arkansas.

I guess that was just too much. Getting home at 6:30 pm didn't make for a happy evening.

Bike of the week this week is the new version of the old theme Triumph. It's a beautiful orange and white T-100 owned and ridden by Don Duncan. Photos hopefully will do it justice.

Don Howell is recognized as long distance rider coming all the way from Sious Falls South Dakota to have lunch with this famous group. He arrived sporting 398 miles to Belvue on his BMW R1150RT. Obviously not an uncomfortable bike. I'm still waiting for the first arrival on an Orange County Chopper!