Roadside Americana

There is no rhyme or reason why some things take up residence in your imagination. For years now, I have had a hankering to visit the Haines Shoe House. Kenny and I passed it once while heading down Route 30 about 5 years ago but never doubled back to visit ...

Some dreams are gigantic, epic undertakings that take a lifetime to complete if they can ever even be completed. Then there are other dreams that are just simple bits of whimsy. Wishes, if you will. On the surface those wishes may appear to have a small scope but their impact ...

Over the last few weekends my travels have added two more checks in the "Visited" column of my Muffler Man to-do list. There are still plenty more to see but I'm enjoying picking them off one by one. Sometimes I think about those places that I've visited, towns I've passed ...

A few weekends ago I took a ride with some friends who wanted to stop in to the open house at MotoMarket in Acton, Ma. Since I had no interest in buying anything I let the guys know I would be excusing myself for about a half an hour while ...

In the Town of Port Jefferson there is a parking lot that has stalls marked for motorcycle only parking. There are a few picnic tables and benches in this area to allow people to sit and hangout. When the weather is nice the lot attracts many motorcycles. A few months ...

As a blogger one of the things that I often struggle with is how to call back older content. There comes a time when posts reach the point of no return. So - this week while some new posts are cooking, I'm going to be calling back some oldies from ...

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 ...

The Coen Brother's are currently shooting a movie called Inside Llewyn Davis staring Justin Timberlake. Some of the scenes are set to shoot here on Long Island in the town of Riverhead. While out riding today, after an off-handed comment by my friend Ben about an old gas station - ...

As you motor along through life - each turn, each second that ticks by shapes what will come next. I am of the belief that every step, every decision, every left or right brings you to where you are supposed to be. While enjoying our extra day off on Monday, ...

Tikiclown ...

Here is another one from the way back machine - this time from April 2003. Kenny's Aprilia Falco and my Ducati 996 at Long Island's Big Duck. Italian motorcycles and giant roadside animals... love was bound to happen ...

I don't know if I am just a creature of habit, a 1 trick pony or what? But, there are a few landmarks here on Long Island that I cannot ride by without stopping to take a photo. While out for a ride to enjoy the unseasonably warm December weather, ...

Finding a roadside treasure while riding my motorcycle is one of the simple joys in my life. There is a happiness that only spotting a 15 foot fiberglass cauliflower can bring. Am I right? From the Road in 2011: Bigfoot - Happy Camp, California While riding along on CA96, I was ...

I tagged along on a ride to have a cheesesteak lunch in Philly on Saturday afternoon. I couldn't leave town without seeing Robert Indiana's LOVE sculpture while I was there. As it turned out - we got the most perfect parking space! You can visit the Philly LOVE statue at: ...

There are several many people in my life that might argue that I am a weirdness magnet. But, what would that say about them? Am I really a magnet -or- do you think that just maybe when I am riding my motorcycle I try to be hyper-aware of my surroundings? Strangely enough, I ...

When life gives you garbage, make a glass beach When Kenny and I pulled away from the Inn at the Lost Coast a piece of me stayed behind. Spending the night, watching the sunset over the Pacific will forever be in my heart as one of the most perfect, romantic, ...

Unfortunately, you cannot get up close and personal with the Willits, California Muffler Man unless the rodeo is open. I had to peer through the fence at this rootin' tootin' cowpoke. Handsome, isn't he? Anyone know if he wear cowboy boots? My Muffler Man Photo Gallery Willits Muffler Man – ...

Sometimes you're just cruising along and then whammo! Something awesome crosses your path. "I'm goin' down to South Park, gonna have myself a time..." Found at The Peg House -  Leggett, Ca ...

I found this impressive cone laying on the side of the road in the Lassen National Forest. Isn't that something? I was going to make a grossly inappropriate joke about it not being the size but the seed inside that counts - but then I thought better of it ...

Not only does California's Route 36 boast beautiful riding and the world's greatest road sign - it does so much more. It's undulating roadway oozes hope from it's very blacktop. What the hell am I talking about? Well, darlings, I'm so glad you asked. Near Cottonwood, California where a dumpy, ...

Aside from being a great road to ride, California Highway 96 also has a high number of reported Bigfoot sightings. The town of Happy Camp has a great statue to honor the wooly beast. Bigfoot's "hair" is actually made out of what appeared to be chain link fencing. And get ...

This handsome cowboy once stood in Dunsmuir, California but now calls Highway 89 in Hat Creek home. You Might Also Like: ...

I think this may be the smallest post office I have seen yet. I guess there isn't much of a building needed to support the 50 resident town of Topaz, California. Isn't it sweet? ...

You didn't think we were going to go all the way to California and not stop and say 'hello' to some of the neighborhood Muffler Men, did you? This guy was standing outside of a now belly-up business called Tyre Treds. Seeing the building vacant made me a little nervous ...

When you're on the road, it can be difficult to coordinate times and places to meet up with people. This is espcially true when you don't have a set route or plan. Meetings require a bit of flexibility on everyone's part. Kenny and I called our dear friend Ed when ...