Maybe another Birthday ride just like this one

A few years back, I took a ride on my birthday. The Valk had a sidecar and that explains the gravel road. My knees would not hack a gravel road if I stopped. I don't ride gravel anymore on two wheels.

The Strom isn't ready yet, needs some work, cleanup, chain adjustment, etc. (What's a chain?)
However, i hope to ride the 'Strom, this time, on my 87th birthday next month.

Here's the story dating back a few to get everyone in the mood for Spring, warmer temps, and no salt.

Roaming the Indiana Flatlands

It is a nice Indiana Spring day. I push the rig out of the garage, thumb the starter, and the Valk comes eagerly to life. I ride the New Haven streets until I point the Valk at the interstate and accelerate up the ramp onto 469. After a gunk burning speed I am on 69 heading north. My original idea was to head for a state park close to the Michigan border but I decide after a short romp to point the Valkyrie at the Auburn exit instead-
Bringing the Valk’s speed down to a more reasonable level, and getting into a relaxed state of mind, I commenced to meander. Meander means to saunter aimlessly. I substitute riding for saunter and I’m in business.
Meandering through Leo then Grabill, (hey I'm getting the hang of this meandering!) I meandered past Amish farms with the horses out to pasture, and the washing, mostly blue and black, hanging out on the clothelines, on this bright.sunny, breezy Spring Monday washing sort of a day. The air is so crisp it must’ve been washed too.
On to Milan Center, a spot in the road, then across the Maumee river and after a few rare challenging right and left curves, on to Woodburn. Nuttin' happening in Woodburn. Oh well, I resumed my blistering 45 mph pace to the Ohio/Indiana state line road. Turning south, I shifted to 5th and roared south at 1500rpm. It is really
relaxing, , nothing but the sound of the breeze with an occasional bird chirp, and the warm sun
warming these old bones (For me, there are advantages to stock mufflers). The Valk is cruising
along nicely with the throttle lock set at peaceful.
A little interruption crossing Highway 30 and then I settle back down with nothing to do except
relax and look at Ohio license plates on the left side of the road and Indiana license plates on the
right side. Weaving from one side of the road to t’uther, I visualize meandering from Ohio to Indiana in a motorcycle heartbeat. I cross the railroad tracks, turn right, blink my eyes, and I'm through the town of Dixon
Indiana/Ohio ?
I up the ante a little bit, now I'm doing 2000 rpm on Hoagland road. However, Hoagland will be
disappointed………. I'm not going to Hoagland. Instead I turn and rumble through Monroeville, another small Hoosier town, resisting the temptation of stopping at Whippy Dip for soft ice cream (I'm not making that up!)
Making a few easy jogs out of town and heading back to New Haven I decide to stop at an old brick 1870’s era
country church and eat my small lunch. There is a just made for sittin’ rock just off the front and only entrance to the church, a good place to sit,stretch out, eat, and admire the rig.
I must've sat on this little old rock at the church for the better part of 45 minutes and only two cars
went past (I love NE Indiana!). Reluctantly I decide to go.
An interesting old gravel road comes into view so, what the hey, I decide to take it. Lots of dust but also lots of quiet since there’s not a house on this road I bring the Valk to a halt for a break where the woods on both sides of the road encompass the road. It’s very peaceful once the dust settles. No sounds except the occasional bird chirping, sqirirrel talk, and a slight ticking as the Valk cools. An added bonus, a deer crosses the road at the thickest part of the woods and I figure it’s just another thing to enjoy, especially since I’m not moving and the deer isn’t a threat. After a nice sun warming rest.I bring the Valk back to life and head for home. Ninety eight miles in three hours, a new record, but a peaceful one and a great way to end the day.

Jus’ meandering
Wayne