Stator, The GSR travelling mascot.

[dpep]

During his stay Stator just pitched right in and was a member of the family. Here is Stator helping me replace the starter on my BMW RT.



And here he is helping my mom celebrate her 90th birthday at the end of July.


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[dpep]

It was eventually time to get out and catch some of the better known spots here in Northeast Florida. That would of course have to include:



Stator does seem to enjoy challenging authority at times.



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No motorcycle bear's visit to Daytona would be complete without a visit to beachside Main Street's Boot Hill
Saloon, the towns oldest and best known biker bar.



By the way the bar derives its name from the facilty directly across the street from it.



Our bear enjoying a cool brew at the Boot Hill.



Our bear checking out the lovely selection of bras donated by past lady customers.


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We then rode up A1A to St Augustine, the nation's oldest city. Here Stator is posing for a shot at the well known Bridge of Lions.






There was of course the obligatory stop at the town's anchor tourist attraction.








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After all of that typical tourist stuff it was time to head for a cold one. Here he is horsing around the way to the bar.



The Tradewinds Lounge is a St Augustine institution that has long provided a haven for locals and tourists alike.



Nothing like a glass of Guiness to soothe a busy bear.



Oh, oh, maybe Stator got a little too soothed.


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[dpep]

Toward the end of July Stator accompanied me to Charlston, SC to attend a ceremony and weekend party for a friend retiring from the Coast Guard. We made a brief stop at Charleston Harbor where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired. Fort Sumpter is just barely visible in the background.



This shot was taken in the back yard of the cabin where we stayed for the weekend. Stator don't worry 'bout no gator.


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[dpep]

On the last days of July Stator and I went back to Indiana to retrieve my scooter that had to be left for repair back in June. That of course gave us the opportunity to get by the world's most famous race track to add to his earlier visit to the world's second most famous race track while in Florida.









Little did Stator know as we pulled away from Indianapolis heading for Sturgis on our Yamaha Majesty 400cc scooter that his adventure was just beginning.
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[Allie]

Ha. Those bras aren't what I wanted to see after spending the better part of a day being poked by a busted under wire. Nice pics Don, I see Stator is accustomed to living the good life.

[earlfor]

Ha. Those bras aren't what I wanted to see after spending the better part of a day being poked by a busted under wire. Nice pics Don, I see Stator is accustomed to living the good life.

Just never have a roll of duct tape when you need one huh? hehe

[max parsons]

Good work,I hope a lot more of you Yanks can do the same.

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The Day The Music Died

In the wee morning hours of February 3rd, 1959 just outside of Clear Lake, Iowa a small single engine airplane crashed into a cornfield killing the pilot and all three passengers--Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. (Big Bopper) Richardson. It was the day the music died as immortalized by Don McClean in his now classic musical tome American Pie.

As one who was a big Buddy Holly fan when he was alive I have long had Clear Lake, IA on my bucket list. Clear Lake happens to be pretty close to the most direct route from Indianapolis to Sturgis--too close in fact for me to resist. And I am happy to report that Stator was there to share every bit of the experience with me.

This particular pilgrimage has two equally essential destinations. The first is the Surf Ballroom where the 1959 Winter Dance Party Tour (Holly, Valens, Richardson, et al) gave its final performance. The second is the memorial at the actual crash site which is located in a corn field a few miles north of town.

Below are shots of the Surf Ballroom which is still in operation as a music venue but also serves as a sort of library/museum/shrine/memorial for the people who performed there that fateful evening and the tragic event that followed. There aren't any floor displays but just about every inch of accessible wall holds pictures, posters and other memorabilia.









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Inside the Surf with Stator




Dance floor and stage.



Back of the hall.





Food & Beverage area.


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More Inside The Surf

The walls tell the tale.


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Stator takes the stage at the Surf



Road buddies sharing the stage at the Surf Ballroom.


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[dpep]

Where the Music Died

At the Surf Ballroom you can pick up a sheet with directions to the actual crash site which is in a corn field next to a dusty, white gravel road a mile or so from the hardtop and about 7 miles north of town. I must admit that the gravel part gave me pause. My basic maxim when it comes to street bikes (forged from numerous previous misjudgements) is that "when the pavement stops...so does my motorcycle." When I leave hard surface I like it to be on a motorcycle model that begins with the letter "K" and has a tall, skinny front wheel. That does not describe the Yamaha Majesty scooter that we were on. But there was no way I was going to get this close and not finish the trek. Besides I knew that Harleys were making it there and back. The road proved to be not that bad except for the dust.



There were a few bikes parked at the gravel intersection where the trail to the memorial starts.



Here is the marker for the trailhead.







The trail is straight, flat, wide, and a half mile long.




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[dpep]

The Memorial

Here are our shots of the memorial itself. Nothing too lavish.















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