Solvang, the 18th

Cat, Howard, Sandy, Linda, and Sue. The first evening getting started

Wes, Penmaker, Ray, and Ed

Across the street from the Motel.  We have coffee, milk and pastry every morning compliments of the room.  

Nest door is this VERY nice restaurant.  Not cheap (nothing in California is cheap) but the food and service is excellent.  Lots of VROC folks will remember this place.

Should have put a hand or something in front of this pastry pretzel, just to give a relative size.  It's HUGE!!!

You can have one of anything off the 2 upper shelves in the case.  Sandy is having a hard time, since she has to choose 2.  I'm donating my daily ration to Skid and Sandy.  After eating Cat's biscuits and Jam yesterday, I'll have to be good for awhile :-)

The 3 pastries weighed over a pound.  They will go in the room refrigerator for later.  (but not for me:-) 

California is big on being "Green".  Plastic works for me.

My California Omlette.  VERY tasty!!!  Good coffee too.

Probably my favorite in the Museum.  A 1940 Crocker. We're the same age, this this bike has held up better than me.  And, it worth somewhere over $500,000!

After three years, this intersection has become a traditional stop on some a Solvang ride

"Little Thunder" at the Lavender fields.  Due to the extremely hot weather they had here last month, the blossoms aren't as bright as they have been in past years.  

Sentry Sandy.

We had several bikes make it to the museum this morning

Peter, Ed Sandy and Penmaker

Cat made the arrangements to have the Museum open for us this morning.  The did a nice job again of planning activities

Although pretty much in the heart of Solvang, the Museum is in a little shopping center that could be missed unless you know where it's located

Skid patiently waiting for the doors to ope

A pleasant sunny morning 

1940 Crocker.  The factory only made about 100 of these to compete with Harley Davidson in the late 30's, early 40's.  They advertised a full refund if any stock Harley ever beat one in a race.  No one ever claimed a refund.  Since we're the same age, I really like this bike :-)

Jay Leno was recently in a U-Tube clip with this bike and the owner. A rare rotory engine front wheel drive

Another very expensive race bike.

With all the exotic bikes in the room, you could walk by this Honda without a second glance.  But....the owner has turned down an offer of over a million bucks for it, making it one of the most valuable in his collection.  Mike Hailwood races it.  The engine was in the bike that won the 1966 Isle of Man race.  Honda made this and only two other similar bikes and engines like this.  A lot of motorcycle history in this little 500cc race bike

Took many pictures in here, but only posting a select few

Saddle bags back in "The Day"  didn't hold as much as a modern touring bike 

Except for the one room with the car, this courtyard is all vroc people.  I accidentally set off the SUV alarm when I fired up "Little Thunder" this morning.

Last year Wes was riding a 1200 Sportster, he's moved up to a Vaquero

A Trumpet vine in front of the Walmart in Santa Maria, CA.  Natural Hummingbird feeder

We were slightly lost on our way to Foxen Canyon, but Skid found it.  We always have a good time, and you're not really lost unless you run out of gas, :-)

Many roads around Solvang, but in the last 3 years, we've always managed to end up here at least once

As soon as we stopped you could smell the Lavender

The line up for a "photo op"

Everyone know the right way to go!

"Little Thunder" stopped to smell the Lavender

Remodeled Gift shop here this year as well as improved grounds

A quaint and comfortable place to visit

An improvement over the furniture we've seen the last couple of years

Smaller and not as cluttered as the old gift shop

One of the few posters that was moved over from the old shop.  This one's for Romy!

Under the old and Spreading Live Oak Trees

Gold Wings, Vulcans, and one token Harley

They aren't as grumpy as they look

The Skid Sled

We lost Lanny for awhile.  He's hiding his helmet hair

VROC to the rescue!  A lady hollered for help at the other end of the motel.  Her 76 year old husband had fallen down the stairs.  Skid called 911, Lanny rushed to the scene and kept the man stable and not moving until the EMT's got here.  He had struck his head and way bleading, and had other health issues.  Lights and sirens, and the whole thing, he was scurried off to the hospital.

First responders are leave as the medical professionals arrive

Lanny was about ready for the shower when the excitement started.  He pitched right in with his walking shorts on! 

Skid, Linda, Cat and James and Wes look on

These two bikes have shared miles on the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans, and several places in between.

Cranky make the Grand Entry!  After a flat tire, several items falling off his bike, lost keys, almost ran out of gas, and various other travel misfortunes, he arrives in Solvang none the worse for wear

His last mishap is a burn from a hot exhaust

I "high stepper".  He's still smiling

Now that Bill is in his cut off sweats, he's a happier man

The driving light fell off in Deadwood.  Lanny bought a bracket and repaired it for him.  I see he left the broken bracket connected with a nylon tie wrap.  Maybe a souvenir.....:-) 

It's getting an evening chill already.  Time for me to go inside and work on this blog

In case we forget.....it IS a Vulcan rally!