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Getting to Know My Own Backyard

On Sunday morning I was out the door before the sun tiptoed over the horizon. I made my way over to the water in hopes of getting a good spot to watch it come creeping over the edge of the earth.

Because I dilly-dallied along my route the sun sneaked up over the trees before I could get to where I was going. But, that was okay. I’ll catch it next time.

Ara from The Oasis of my Soul tweeted something the other day that resonated with me ~ Get to know your now backyard:

 

That is what I have been doing lately – staying on Long Island and wandering my own backyard, around the little nooks and crannies.

For all of its faults, there are beautiful spots on the Island. Admittedly, I have a hard time letting my guard down here. Sometimes I just can’t give myself over to this place. But, I’m trying.

With the Ural my pace is different.There is something about the nature of the beast that allows me to look around in a different way than I do on the Tiger. I have seen things that I’ve passed a million times before but never noticed.

Does it really have anything to do with the Ural? I don’t know. Sometimes I think we don’t see some things until we’re ready. But when you are ready… there is plenty in the world to be amazed by.

Riverhead Muffler Man Indian – Downed by Hurricane Sandy

The Riverhead Muffler Man Indian whose name I’ve just discovered is “Chief Running Fair,” was downed by the winds of Superstorm Sandy.

When I saw photos of the poor guy, torn in half at the waist shortly after the storm subsided he looked like he was reaching for a lifeline from next to his own still-standing legs. “I’m hit!”

My heart broke a little.

Photo from patch.com
Photo from patch.com

This weekend while we were bumbling around in the Ural, we made a pit stop to see him for ourselves. All that was left when we pulled up was his peeling pants. Insert huge frowny face here.

But… as I looked around, I noticed a few feet of his arm sticking out above a fence inside the grounds of the Raceway. It was kind of like he was waving to me saying, ‘I’m over here. I’ll be okay!” And I sure hope he will be. According to a Riverhead Patch article, the owners of the Raceway do intend to restore him. 

Hang in there, big guy!

The mighty Indian just a week before Sandy brought her havoc to our area:

A Little Thumper Sunset Therapy

Yesterday I took the Husky out for a cruise to help clear the cobwebs away from my mind. With each thump of her little heart my mood brightened.

Sure, I know it doesn’t exactly excel at riding around on the street. But, that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun to use it for that anyway. There is just something about the bikes personality, its sound that I love so much. She’s a sexy beast.

I was already on my way back home when the sky just seemed to have a special look to it. Though home was to the left, I made a right and headed for the water. I had a feeling that the sunset was going to be a doozy.

As it turned out, I was right.

Sights from the Road: Art Car Extravaganza!

On Friday night how could I have possibly known that when I spotted the Cupcakemobile in Westhampton that it would be the …wait for it… waaaait for iiiit… icing on the cake? Oh, yes. I just went there.

The weather here lately has been hazy, hot and humid and the threat of thunderstorms seems ever present. This morning I decided that I would sneak out for a quick ride before things got ugly. Even if it was just for an hour, it would be better than nothing.

My loop back towards home brought me past a place I’ve passed a hundred times before. If you’ve been a reader for a while, you just might remember the fruit and vegetable car. But this time, instead of just a single art car gem parked out front – the gravel drive of the workshop held the mother lode.

Art. Car. Extravaganza!

Queen Smoothie, Yummie Mobile, a rocky pickup and the fruit and veggie car? Be still my heart! Aren’t these fantastic?

Make sure you eat your veggies, Dragon!

As wonderful as each of the cars are, I think I love the Yummie Mobile most:

“Kenny, can we get a big pink donut for my car?”

“No.”

:lol:

Do you think he would notice if I got myself some frosted donut hubcaps?

Photos:

  • fuzzygalore's photo
  • fuzzygalore's photo
  • fuzzygalore's photo
  • fuzzygalore's photo
  • fuzzygalore's photo
  • fuzzygalore's photo
  • fuzzygalore's photo
  • fuzzygalore's photo
  • fuzzygalore's photo
  • fuzzygalore's photo
  • fuzzygalore's photo
  • fuzzygalore's photo
  • fuzzygalore's photo
  • fuzzygalore's photo
  • fuzzygalore's photo
  • fuzzygalore's photo
  • fuzzygalore's photo

Other ‘Greatest Cars in the Universe’

As Seen on TV – The Riverhead Muffler Man Indian

Continuing the tv/movie vibe from my post about the Buzz’s Skelly ~ In the same town of Riverhead is a Muffler Man Indian that was featured in an episode of the Sopranos. I have posted about him before but, every now and again I stop by to say hello.

With these big fiberglass beauties standing outside and braving the elements year after year – you’ve got to check on them every once in a while to see how they’re holding up.

It’s starting to look like the Indian could use a little TLC. He’s got some cracks in his fiberglass that are giving way to holes and he could really use a fresh coat of paint. I hope the folks at Riverhead Raceway give him a little love soon. It would be a shame to watch him deteriorate further.