Each year around this time, two things happen.

1. I get my tax return
2. Ponder using some of it to do something motorcycle related

What usually ends up happening is I pay my property tax and some bills with it, leaving me with a few dollars to put gas in the Jeep and make a trip to the Philly Pretzel Factory. This year was a little different. I did pay the property tax and that sucked up a good portion of it. I did pay some bills and I did buy one or two frivolous items (software). But I had also been pondering making a trip back to the Americade Motorcycle Rally in Lake George New York. One of the longest running motorcycle events in the country.

I made a full week trip there in 2015 and then in 2016 my brothers but only managed a Thursday through Sunday trip then. I wasn’t able to make the trip in 2017 but vowed that I would make the effort in 2018.

So here I am.

The other night my wife and I were sitting on the sofa, exhausted from the days work and I mentioned that I was considering going to Americade this year for a couple of days. Within a matter of moments the conversation expanded and the next thing you know where looking at hotels and eventually I made a reservation, for the whole event! We discovered it was cheaper to go from Tuesday to Saturday than it was to go from Thursday to Sunday. At first my lovely bride expressed interest in going as well, she dashed that thought when realizing that it would be likely that our other hobby of wildlife rehabilitation would be in full swing by then. Plus she wasn’t keen on a 300 mile trip on the bike for physical reasons.

I went on the previous trips with my brothers and I had asked them already if they were interested in going. Tim, 4 years younger than I, said he couldn’t get off of work. I asked Chris, the youngest of us and he said he would and he reserved his vacation time.

 

 

This years accommodations would be far better than the last trip from outward appearances and I look forward to a flat parking area with ease of access. I can’t say so much for the last place we stayed. At one point, Tim’s bike nearly rolled completely over from the steep angle of the parking area. Needless to say, I won’t be returning there…. ever.

Now the only thing to do is register for the even and figure out what we’re going to do, what we’re going to participate in, where we’re going to eat and a host of other yet to be answered questions. But I know for certain, there will be test rides. A lot of test rides. I’m sure I will spend a lot of time at the vendor Expo and naturally, there will be a lot of riding.

I’m looking forward to this.