November 29, 2006

Future Scooter Girl

Future Scooter Girl


Meet Mary Claire, also known as "Muffy". About 3 years ago I bought the motorcycle for her brother Ryan. He rode the heck out of it. Ryan started driving Muffy around but she prefers to ride alone. My sister, Gina says she rides and rides until the battery is drained. As you an see when that happens she is NOT happy!






November 21, 2006

Rainy and Life *sigh*

Been awhile since I blogged about my scooter rides. A lot of rain and the colder weather has been preventing any rides. I did break down and ride today. Sun is shining so took advantage.

While awaiting better weather, I have run across two WICKED new scooters..

I will get a second scooter in the spring and have had my heart set on the Kymco Xciting 500.

I really dig the IROC blue.






Now I see these two :)


2007 Gilera GP 800



2007 Piaggio Beverly Cruiser




Life is filled with to many choices! I do like the Piaggio MP3 but I keep leaning towards more or a touring bike like the Xciting 500. But the 800cc's of the Gilera is very very tempting!

Ahh well a long way to go till spring!!

September 25, 2006

Three Rivers - Two Ferries



Headed out this morning about 9:30 after the sun was up.. Burrr 49 degrees this morning. Filled up my tank.. all $2.20 worth ;) then headed towards St. Charles through Creve Coeur Lake. After crossing the Missouri River on HWY 370, I took 94 East to Grafton Ferry Road. This road is a straight shot to the Mississippi River and the Grafton Ferry. Along the way is St. Charles County Airport. I decided to stop and look around. Saw some really cool planes on the tarmac.



There were also 3 military planes on display further out near the runways. One looked like an F/A 18 Hornet. They were up on display stands, like a model airplane stand but lifesize planes.


Got back on the scooter and went to the ferry. Crossed the Mississippi River to Grafton, was $4 for the crossing. Once in Grafton, I rode to the top of a bluff off of Main Street to check out some condos and the view.




My friend Jimbo from South Carolina must be opening a franchise. As appealing a the Monday special sounded, I passed.



Headed north on the Great River Road to Pere Marqueete State Park. Drove the scenic road to the top of the bluffs. Click on the link below to see the pictures of the ride up and the views. Once at the overlook, I spent some time with a guy who was on a Harley talking about my scooter. He said he would like to get his wife a scooter.. he rode mine for a spin. Figured it was safe since I had his $16,000 brand new Harley :) Guess now is not the time to consider I probably could not have driven the Harley if need be :)

http://www.stlphins.com/PM/

The view from the bluffs is across the Illinois River into Calhoun County where I was eventually headed.

After spending some time admiring the view, I continue on north on The Great River Road (HWY 100) to Hardin. Hit a couple of construction stops along the way but was ok, allowed me to admire the views of the farms along the way.



On my arrivial to Hardin, I cross the Illinois River. Hardin is a very small town but it has a great little resturant! Mel's Riverdock sits right on the Illinois River. Seating is indoor or outdoor. I sat inside and had the lunch special. Ham and Beans with cornbread and coleslaw.. all for $5.00!!



Met a really nice guy at the resturant who had driven down from Springfield, Illinois. We chatted about my scooter and his Harley. Then a group of ladies came up and asked me about my scooter. Two of the ladies ask if they could sit on it, I said sure. I asked them if they wanted to take it for a spin but they declined ;)

Here is a picture of the bridge I cross into Hardin.



After taking a few pictures down at the Hardin riverfront, I hoped back on the scooter and headed south towards the Golden Eagle Ferry. Was a beautiful day for a ride, the afternoon clouds were big and puffy! Weather was perfect, not to cold, not to hot. I did wear my new Fieldsheer jacket and felt very comfortable.

The ride from Hardin to the Golden Eagle Ferry is 20 miles thorugh some of the most amazing farmland I have ever seen. Midway is a little town named Brussles. I stopped here at a roadside market! Wish I had room for some pumpkins :) $5.00 for these HUGE pumpkins which we the size of a small child! There were some amazing locally made quilts at the roadside market as well.. but alas I had no room.

Once back on the road I headed down to the Golden Eagle Ferry. Same fare as the first ferry, $4.00. Once across I headed towards HWY 370 and back via Creve Coeur Lake and home. All together was 107 miles.. Gas cost about $3.00 :)





September 1, 2006

Kiefer Creek Trail - Day of the Turtle


Today's ride was not so much about the ride as it was the destination. Of late I have not found the time or the right weather for any long rides.

I do know my wardrobe is going to have to drastically change soon as the weather drops below 70 degrees.

I rode out to Castlewood and deceided to take a differet hike today. the Kiefer Creek lowland hike. Was only about a mile out and back but just wanted to get my blood moving before work.

Ran across a very hammy turtle.. he posed for several shots and did not seem at all bothered by me.

Other pictures:

http://www.stlphins.com/kc/

August 15, 2006

Hermann Ride

I finally bit the bullet and made the ride to Hermann.

I followed my normal route along T and Old Hwy 100 to Washington . Once there I stopped off at the Riverfront Park to stretch my legs and go to the bathroom.

I walked down on the riverfront to take some pictures with my new camera...This is my first non Sony digital camera. The batteries stay in the Sony while charging.. With me and my camera in Washington, guess where my battery was.. ARGH!! Ahh well was not enough to alter my disposition for the day.

I hopped back on the scooter and headed back west on 5th street to Hwy 100 West. Hermann is about 27 miles. The speeds vary from 25 to 55 along the route. Majority of the ride is done at 55 mph. Not a long of tight twisties maybe one or two.... A lot of open road so anyone wishing to pass you has ample chance.

I stayed right between 55-65mph and had no issues at all. I am totally impressed how well the Bet&Win handles the higher speeds.

About 17 miles out of Washington you travel through New Haven, speeds drop and vary here. So be aware of the speed limit signs. In the event you would need gas there are a few places in New Haven to fill up.

The ride to New Haven was nice but the ride from New Haven to Herman was amazing. One beautiful rolling hill after rolling hill. The view to the north past the rolling farm hills made me forget what an agriculturally rich state Missouri is.

Once I arrived in Herman one gets the instant feel of coming into a old rural town. The first Winery you see in Herman is Hermanoff, on your left with parking on the right. I went a few more blocks to Hwy 19. I made a left (south) and followed the road through town to pick up HWY 100 West again. My destination was Stone Hill Winery. There are lots of signs to guide to the winery on top of the hill.

Pictures courtesy of the web, not me and camera which was separated from it's battery by 80 miles!!


I walked around the grounds of the winery. I was going to take a winery tour but I knew I wanted to leave Hermann no later than 12:30 to avoid the afternoon storms that were called for..

I stopped in the Vintage restaurant at Stone Hill and ate lunch. I wanted the sausage special but was served over sauerkraut. I was not sure how my stomach would fair so instead I had the smoked cherrywood pork tenderloin.. Yummy! The ride to Hermann was well worth the lunch alone..

I had wanted to go out to the Gasconade River from Herman (about 10 miles) but the pending forecast was still in my mind, so alas I turn back to the east to start my drive home.

Before I left Hermann I visited the Hermann waterfront. Again a very very nice riverfront park. My original plan was to ride across the Missouri River on the Hwy 19 Bridge to 94 East back into Washington. While I was down on the Hermann Riverfront I saw construction work on the bridge as well as some backed up traffic sitting on the bridge. I decided to head back on Hwy 100 East.

I am glad I did, the views heading East are as pretty as they were coming West. Once in New Haven I made my way to New Haven's Riverfront. Talk about a blast from the past! The little downtown area took you back in time. There was an excellent riverfront park in New Haven.


I see a theme running...Maybe that will be one of my day/night trips, the Riverfronts of the Missouri River.

From there I went back into to Washington and followed my normal route home. I pulled onto my street and felt a few rain drops.. Once I parked in the garage the sky opened up..Whew! Perfect timing.. Someone was looking out for me today.

August 8, 2006

Nature Calls


Not only did I go to one conservation area today, I went to three. I was just planning to go to Castlewood for a small hike then back home.

Here are the pictures I took at Castlewood.

http://www.stlphins.com/castlewood/

The air felt so clean in the park even smelled good.

The hike I took along the Meramec must have energized me because when I got back on the scooter, I did not want to go home. So I followed Kiefer Creek out to St. Paul to Ridge Road to Old State to 109. Headed North on 109 to Rockwood Reservation. Did not get off the scooter here just rode around a bit. Then headed back out Melrose to 100, then back east to T. Took T out to St. Albans.

At St. Albans I went to Mae Head's store and got some water and cheese. And a nice clean bathroom to boot :)

From there headed back west on T to Englemann Woods Conservation Area.

Englemann Woods is a little hidden jewel just off Hwy T. I have ridden by it many times without stopping. Today I decided what the heck.. I locked up the scooter and my helmet and I went on the trail.

I consider myself to be in reasonably good shape but this trail is one hell of a test. The trail is about 2 miles. Up, down and all around!

If you dislike spider and snakes this is not the trail for you. I encountered 100's of spider webs and several snakes. Now the snakes would have probably not come into view but I was moving downed trees to find them. I saw 5 nests of hawks & 4 deer. I suprisingly saw no squirrels. (Edit: I was thinking abou tthis last night..maybe the number of hawk's nests as well as hawks I saw in the conservation area keeps the squirrels away?)

Information on Engelmann Woods:

http://www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/natareas/p57-1.htm


I would like to go again after a really nice rainfall and see if the runoffs I crossed are filled with water.

Pictures I took:

http://www.stlphins.com/englemann/


I came back T to Ossenfort to Wildhorse Creek to Kehrs Mill to Clayton and home.. to a nice cold shower!

All and all a nice morning..

Today was the first time I scootered with shorts on... I did feel tons cooler.

August 7, 2006

It's too damn hot for a penguin...

...to be riding around St. Louis.

The past two weeks have just been way to hot for any rides of any substantial value. I have been riding back and forth to work, changing my route each day.

July 27, 2006

Well....

I did not do 1,000 mile but 1,000 kilometers.. seems Kymco does mph for speed and km for odometer! Thanks to the gals at Scooter Diva for pointing this out to me :)

July 26, 2006

Boom 1,000 miles!!!


Here it is, I turned my first 1,000 miles today. Was perfect setting, was tooling along listening to LA Woman by the Doors. I was able to pull over and take the picture. I was on Mo Route 94 headed towards Augusta.

Here is what the bike and I saw at 1,000 miles :)




MY LONG RIDE


Was an awesome day to ride, I left the house at 10 and headed out the backroads to WildHorse Creek to Ossenfort to T. I went for a short side ride through Babler Park before I got to WildHorse Creek. Was a perfect day to ride, no traffic at all. Plenty of horses were out by the fences.

Was hard not to pull the scooter on and play a round of golf at St. Albans Country Club, was the perfect time for golf too! So many hobbies so little time! Back on Hwy T heading west. Took a small side trip down to the Ameren UE Labade Plant. Not sure why a huge coal burning electric plant intrigues me but it just does.. it is freaking huge...

Came into Washington on Old Hwy 100. Sat down by the Missouri River for a bit.. was going to eat in Washington but wasn't hungry so headed back to Route 47 to cross the Missouri River. I was going to take Augusta Bottom Road into Augusta but quickly changed my mind. Augusta Bottom is the first right after the bridge.. started out paved road and quickly was 1/2 gravel 1/2 pavement with a whole lot of potholes thrown in for good measure. I thought to myself, No... HELL NO.... and turned around to go back to 47 to pick up 94 East. I have no idea if the gravel would have stopped but I wasn't going to find out.. Was hard not to turn left and head West to Herman when I go to 94, but alas I did come back East.

I am glad the road was gravel because 94 was incredibly beautiful today...hardly any traffic to speak of. I just happened to looked down and noted my odometer reading.. after I took my 1,000 mile picture I headed into Augusta.. now I am getting hungry.. but no winery restaurants were open. So I walked around Mt Pleasant Winery for a bit. In the tasting room I was offered some samples but politely declined. ..LOL was quickly approaching 90+ degrees.. So I bought a bottle of Port and Harvest Red. Headed back onto 94 East, I drove through a few other wineries making my way back to Highway 40.


Here was the big test.. Highway 40, the Daniel Boone Bridge and traffic... :) Once on the highway I stayed 60-65mph and crossed the bridge. Whew!

Took the Chesterfield Valley Exit, made a short side stop at Red Robin for a pineapple teriyaki burger then wound my way though the backroads to home :)

July 17, 2006

Dale Chihuly - Glass in the Garden


Rode down to the Missouri Botanical Gardens this morning. Before hitting the Gardens I dropped by Extreme Toys and scheduled my first maintenance visit.

Basically took Clayton to Lindbergh to Manchester. After I left Extreme Toys, I took Manchester to SouthWest all the way to Shaw. Parked under a tree in the Garden's lot.

I have seen Dale Chihuly's work before in California, it was in a gallery setting. At the Garden it is housed in the Climatron as well as through out the grounds. I was amazed at the way the exhibit looked in the Climatron... ones imagination can run wild! The glass fit in perfectly!

I found Monday early a great time to be there. Was not crowded at all and allowed me a slow move through the Climatron while I gawked and took pictures. I am already planning a trip back down one evening, I was told the glass at night is awesome!

Click on the link to see the pictures I took:

Click on any picture on the lefthand side to advance or sit back and enjoy the slideshow.

http://www.stlphins.com/BG-II


July 16, 2006

Sunday Night Heat

Still another hot one... waited till late to ride. Rode out Clayton to 109 and into Babler. After tooling around Babler Park, I went back to 109, then WildHorse Creek to Kiefer Creek to Catyon then home. Hoping tomorrow to get out early. Didn't take the camera out with me.. Should have.. I was awestruck by the 1.5 million dollar homes going up on Kiefer Creek.. These homes crack me up.. no land just a big freaking house..

Saturday Night

It was wicked hot all day but I did manage to get out :) I rode out the back way to Hog Hollow, then through Creve Coeur farm lands into Creve Coeur Park.


On way back, I got brave and went across the Missouri River on the new Page extension bridge. Bike handled well at 65mph. Came back over the bridge, hit Olive Road to 141 and home.

Came home pretty much soaking wet.

July 14, 2006

Friday Night Ramble



Started out to Castlewood to warm up.. not that I needed warming up but Castelwood seems to be my starting point. Parked the scooter and took a walk by the river.


The pictures tonight are as the sun is going down as opposed to my morning visit the other day.






I was going to come back in Big Bend to Sappington to see a friend but decided before that I would take a side trip back out to Sherman Park. So this found me back on St Paul Road.



I love this shot from between the grass. I wish I could grown my grass this long.. I hate manicured lawns! However I am sure my neighbors would not appreciate it.






I found this cool spot where the tree line breaks open on the side of the road and a huge field of long grass appears with a farmhouse. I parked and took a picture. This so much reminds me of the French countryside.






I can not begin to say enough about Sherman Beach Park. I want to take the bikes out and ride the longer trail up to Glencoe...one of these days after I get over my new scooter itch!



After I left Sherman Beach Park, I rode Big Bend east to Sappington. After a stop at The Emporium, I rode Manchester Road back home to West County. My first experience with Manchester Road and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Sherman Beach Park Pictures














July 13, 2006

My Beautiful Day


Well, I got my first ride in the rain.. umm nice call weather man.. no rain on Thursday... NOT! As soon as I left work it started to rain. I came home via Clayton Road.. the rain was not really to bad.. just more nerve racking since it was my first ride with wet conditions. Got home and my new wicked helmet was waiting for me! (No it is NOT pink)

My day was not a complete washout, Susie finally got to sit on the scooter! She looks like a natural!


Check out that smile!


My Scooter






Thought I should post a picture of my scooter. I added a butterfly decal on the back.. yeah I know a girly thing to do. But hey, I am a girl. I know Don is waiting for me to paint the scooter pink ;)