Old Boys Toys

My Day with a Toyota Prius

bknysh — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:46:38 +0000

Toyota Prius

I had to take my Toyota Land Cruiser in for service today. After dropping it off, I had the opportunity to get a Toyota Prius for the day. I have a friend that raves about his Prius. I’ve had a Prius rental car twice before, but never understood the attraction. So this time, I decided to spend the day running errands to get more experience with the Prius. After about 200 miles of city and highway driving, I thought I’d pass along my thoughts and opinions.

Traveling Vietnam Wall – Patriot Guard Ride

bknysh — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:18:49 +0000

Traveling Vietnam Wall Memorial - Patriot Guard Ride

It was amazing to be part of the Traveling Vietnam Wall ride, yesterday. The ride was organized by the Patriot Guard Riders. About 200 motorcycles, riding in parade formation, escorted the Traveling Vietnam Wall from Gilroy to Cupertino, California. Lots of flags waving in the wind as we rode along Highway 101 and then Highway 85 to our destination, the Cupertino Memorial Park.

Motorcycle Road Trip 2011 – Days 48 and 49

bknysh — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 05:08:46 +0000

The California Trial - near Winnemucca, Nevada

Day 48 of my motorcycle road trip, and I got up early to beat the Nevada heat. The daytime temperature in Nevada has been in the high 90′s for days. It was still dark as I rolled out of Twin Falls, Idaho, and headed south on Highway 93. I don’t know if it was because I was so close to home, or because of the long and hectic days of the past week, but exhaustion was setting in.

Motorcycle Road Trip 2011 – Day 47

bknysh — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 05:02:00 +0000

Shoshone Falls - Snake River - Twin Falls, Idaho

Day 47 of my motorcycle road trip, and another very scenic day. I left Jackson, Wyoming, heading west on Highway 22 and the Teton Pass. This took me through the southern portion of the Grand Teton Mountains to Victor, Idaho. Victor is a small town of about 2,000 people, at the western end of the Teton Pass and southern part of the Teton Valley.

Motorcycle Road Trip 2011 – Day 46

bknysh — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 05:32:32 +0000

Stagecoach Rides - Jackson, Wyoming

Day 46 of my motorcycle road trip, and it was another amazing day. Not many places as scenic, diverse, and so full of character, as the American west.

Motorcycle Road Trip 2011 – Day 45

bknysh — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 05:01:00 +0000

"Buffalo Bill" Cody statue in Cody, Wyoming

Day 45 of my motorcycle road trip, and it was another very fun day. I left Sturgis not sure whether to take Highway 14 or 16 over the Bighorn Mountains to Cody, Wyoming. The first part of the trip along Highway 90 was typical high speed interstate. It is amazing how quickly you can put on miles when traveling at 75 to 80 mph.

Motorcycle Road Trip 2011 – Day 44

bknysh — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 05:57:29 +0000

Mount Rushmore, South Dakota

Day 44 of my motorcycle road trip, and I got off to an early start. I knew it was going to be a long day. Lots of sightseeing side trips.

Motorcycle Road Trip 2011 – Day 43

bknysh — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 05:22:50 +0000

Highway 29 Closure Due to Flooding - Missouri

Day 43 of my motorcycle road trip, and I probably should have paid more attention to the news last night. I heard something about flooding and road closures, but was too busy posting photos to Facebook.

Motorcycle Road Trip 2011 – Day 42

bknysh — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 05:04:37 +0000

Mark Twain Riverboat - Hannibal, Missouri

Day 42 of my motorcycle road trip. I started the day riding with a beautiful blue sky. A nice change compared to the last couple of days. Today was an unexpectedly fun day. I headed west on Highway 72 from Champaign, Illinois, passing Decatur and Springfield. Late morning I arrived in Hannibal, Missouri. I vaguely remembered it being the home of Mark Twain (i.e., Samuel Clemens), the author of Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, and other classic books. It was probably high school, the last time I’d read anything by Mark Twain. I discovered that Hannibal is basically a showcase of his life and works.

Motorcycle Road Trip 2011 – Days 39 to 41

bknysh — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 05:36:50 +0000

View from hotel in Cambridge, Ohio

Day 38 of my motorcycle road trip, and today was potentially looking very ugly. I’d planned to ride west on Highway 2 to New Hampshire, then Highway 16 and 112 through the White Mountains. After that, continue west to Highway 100, and then south through the Green Mountains. However, massive thunderstorms to my west had me rethink my route.