2023 was a great year - Read about it here
On to 2024 now!
Started the year off recovering from carpal tunnel surgery on the right hand.
And eating sauerkraut and sausage, of course!
Mid-January and we take a short day trip over to Cleveland area for an errand, and found a castle while we were killing time.
Back to work, and it’s cold! Heated vest for the win!
End of January and we head to a rodeo to watch a client of mine run for the championship in barrel racing.
Starting February by receiving a very large and interesting book! Looking forward to reading this!
First ride of the year was on the KLR on the 9th of February!
A bit more working and we had another nice few weekends so we grabbed out bows and went target practicing.
I’d say I’m getting the hang of this!
March enters with shoes being put back on some horses.
And played around with making homemade butter!
It pairs well with the homemade bread also….
Take the DRZ down to my dad’s garage and get to work tearing it apart and fixing it. From the broken mess I made it after crashing too many times last November. Lol
Farrier clinic for learning and shopping.
Driving along coming home from work one day, and I coulda swore I saw mountains in the distance…
Then I realize I was just dreaming, duh, I’m in Ohio… and instead it turns out to be a storm front coming bringing tornado weather.
End of the month and the DRZ was done. Lots of new parts, and we stripped it back to the small tank. Took the adventure touring out of it, and turned it back into a lightweight trail bike.
Next up is the KLR in the shop to start the month of April.
And while Mitchell and my dad are working on the mechanics of it… I’m personalizing it with paracord.
And with the beginning of the summer season upon us, I get busy making some traction coated horseshoes for my endurance trail riders.
First weekend of April and the KLRs are ready to hit the road for a little adventure.
Off we go to the little bit of gravel a few counties over. Killdeer Wildlife Plains.
Mitchell’s first time riding gravel on the KLR.
And found a covered bridge.
125 miles, not too shabby for a cool springtime ride.
Monday April 8th, was a very big day for us in northwest Ohio. It was Eclipse day! So we went out to a friend’s house in the country for a perfect view!
What a weird feeling it was when the moon covered the sun- for the almost 4 minutes of totality we got to experience.
(this picture taken through the eclipse glasses, see the red burst?)
Did some more working, with some very curious little clients watching…
Mid-April was a large horse expo in Columbus.
And a visit to Nationwide Hospital, the cherry blossom trees were beautiful.
Bit later, and I’m going to pick up eggs from a client. On the KLR. Got 8 dozen out of the almost full 5 gallon bucket from her!
Beginning of May, and it’s off to the Southeast Ohio Ramble! Taking the KLR again.
Lunch stop for bologna at G&R in Waldo.
And a decommissioned covered bridge.
Hangout with FJR peeps on Thursday night and its adventure ride time on Friday! Had a merry band of 7 of us!
As we were stopped one time on a backroad, a bobcat crossed the road behind us!
Of course I had to splash through the mud puddles and the few water crossing we could find.
Back to the hotel parking lot, dirty and happy!
Saturday, decided to pack up and head for home a day early. Due to weather concerns.
Stopped by the Muskie Bucket.
And the geographical center of Ohio.
Read the full ride report here Rambling beyond the pavement
Of course, more work. Work Work Work.
Northern lights were visible from our area the one night, so we drove out to the clearing and sat and watched them.
Working in the next county over the one day, and it just happened to be the area that Mitchell was currently working. So I got to go watch him work and took his crew ice cream.
Garden is coming along nicely, as we’re trying to trap the cats roaming the neighborhood that someone let loose.
Beginning of June, and on a trip to Indiana, found the fudge factory in Uranus!
Mitchell’s KLR went to the detailing shop and came back with a wicked graphic on it! Nicely ties all the stock plastic colors together.
Mid-June and it’s vacation time! Roadtrip! Neat effect on the trailer.
Not as cool doing this in a car compared to the bike, but still fun.
Buc-ee’s sure are impressive.
Landed at Nate’s place! And on our way to the next part, we stopped for some beignets for breakfast.
Nest stop was the cruise port in New Orleans!! Celebrated my birthday by boarding the cruise ship!
Us, my aunt, cousin, sister, and 4 boys make up the group!
Plenty of delicious eating done on this ship…
For you, Pants! Unlimited ice cream, any time of the day!
Got dressed up
Fun shows in the theatre
First port was Roatan.
Beach day for us and my sister and 3 boys!
Snorkeling with a nephew
Windy back on the boat!
Formal night at the fancy steakhouse
Next port was Belize.
With pouring rain!
Then onto Cozumel for the next port.
And more rain, flooded streets.
Did a Jeep tour with all 9 of us in 2 Jeeps with 2 local drivers
Wooo hooo!!
Salsa tasting
And of course, tequila!
It had cleared up for a lunch along the coast
Then to a lighthouse
And climbed the steps to the top!
Back onto the boat for a decent weather day (finally)
Did some putt putting
Our dining table we sat at every night
With our amazing waitstaff!
Got to enjoy 2 of the Carnival chocolate melting lava cakes for dessert on the last night!
Back into New Orleans and we explored the town on foot
Big difference between those 2 bikes right there (and the mule in the background)…
More beignets in town
Walking down Bourbon street
Walked to the other end of the district in 100* weather just to see this bar.
“Oldest bar in the USA since 1772.”
Of course, had to have a Voodoo Daquiri while I was there…
Found a seafood boil restaurant for dinner. And they were having a buy 1 get 1 free deal!
Enjoyed every bit of that dish!
Next morning we headed out early to walk around the area a bit more. 10am on a Monday and the daquiri bars are open and running!
So yes, we got one. They’re nice and cool! Hot out already this morning…
Made our way to a Mardi Gras museum.
Got to try on pieces of their elaborate outfits!
Nate picked us up and took us across Lake Pontchartrain
Thanks to Nate and Lauren for hosting us!
Lunch was boudin balls and little meat pies!
Drove along the river and went over and under some massive bridges!
Found the “Leprosy” museum at Carville.
Made our way to Redfish’s and he fed us a feast!!
Beautiful trees in the area and his backyard
Pants came over the next morning to hangout and socialize
Then we started to make our way north, with a stop at Barber museum
Cars out on the track
Home, and got caught up on work. Then up to Cedar Point for the day for Mitchell’s work!
Beginning of July, and the garden is thriving!
Went to the drive-in movie with my sister and her man, to see Twisters.
2 of the nephews finally had the chance to cash in their Christmas presents- with a trip to Legoland!
I think we did good- it was a quiet ride home!
Harvesting the cucumbers, and making pickles!
Beginning of August, and we gather as a family for a motorcycle ride.
My mom’s mom and step-dad, along with my mom’s sisters and brother, and their children, and their children. 4 generations.
Of course, there was an ice cream stop on the ride!
Then Mitchell and I continued our ride for a bit more.
Time for a new helmet- decided on the Klim Krios Pro.
Wanted the lightweight, adventure style, convertible, and pinlock and transition lens.
Mid-August and I was off on the KLR to Milan, Ohio, to meet up with a friend. We chose Thomas Edison’s birthplace as our meeting point.
Laura on her WR!
I had put together a leisurely stroll along the lakeshore…
which of course includes lighthouses
Cool lake breeze felt good on this hot day.
Stopped at another beach, hoping for a good view.
Tried for a good view of Cedar Point from the marina in Sandusky. Found another adv rider who took our pic.
Technically, he took about a dozen photos of us. Lol
Then moved on down the lakeshore…
To another view of Cedar Point
Marblehead Lighthouse. Where we ran into an FJR rider!
Peaceful, and refreshing
On into Port Clinton
And then riding along 105, and we found a lovely, perfectly in bloom, sunflower field!
So of course we stopped for photos..
Happy happy!
202 miles!
Laura stayed the night with us, and then in the morning, Mitchell saddled up with us and off the 3 of us go! Gilboa Bull
Well, if we are technically speaking… not actually a bull…
Found a gravel road along farm fields.
Stopped for a Tyler pic.
Having fun!
Went to Defiance, and stopped by an old fort site
After lunch, we said goodbye to Laura as she continued on with her ride as she was heading to meet up with other friends for a ride around Michigan.
Mitchell and I found some bugs stacked on top of each other…
120 miles for the day.
Farther along in August and we load up Mitchell’s mom and 3 four wheelers, and off we go to Wayne for trail riding
First time riding these trails on 4 wheels
Had fun and got muddy!
End of August, and it’s time for our county fair. And a rodeo!
This ain’t our first rodeo…
And a storm front moved through and the wind whipped up a nasty sand storm!
But the barrel racers continued on!
And then Labor Day weekend and we head to the AMA museum to meet up with Wendy Crockett and have my book signed!
And met and chatted with other legends also!
Did some archery target shooting while down in the Columbus area. At the state park walking range.
I’m the green tip, he’s the red. Not too shabby!
Back home and installed some grow lights for our plants we are growing for our wedding
Following weekend, and we headed to Dayton to explore the Air Force museum.
I enjoy the presidential planes
Mitchell enjoyed the massive trucks
Stopped by a 9/11 memorial that was outfitted with lots of flags
Harvested some red potatoes from our garden!
It’s EOM weekend, and we decided to forgo EOM this year – due to certain circumstances
But we still took the 4 day weekend and went for a ride!
Mohican Covered Bridge
Mohican Fire Tower
Back roads of Holmes county
Covered bridge in Amish area
View from behind Der Dutchman
World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock
Met up with Laura for lunch!
230 miles for the day
The next morning and we go to take a tour of an old prison!
Cafeteria
Outside, warden’s apartment at the top
Some small, tight cells
Graffiti from the prisoners. He’s not wrong…
Prison yard, and chapel
We got to be locked in a cell! That was creepy hearing the doors slide and lock!
Old Sparky
On down the river to Keidash Point for lunch
And then onto the Sisterville Ferry!
Backroads on our way to Marietta
Covered bridge…
And another…
And another…
106 miles for the day
Up and at ‘em for more adventuring the next day!
Sure is pretty back in the trees!
Stopped to find a sticker stash…
Old strip mining land south of the Muskie Bucket
And the Bucket!
Lake Hope state park
Moonville Tunnel… they say it’s haunted…
Into Chillicothe to find a unique candy shop, Grandpa Joe’s!
They have a candy buffet!
And some weird soda pop flavors… hot dog water, anyone?
207 miles for the day
A covered bridge, the next morning
And another!
Piatt castles… Mac-A-Cheek
And Mac-O-Chee
Bellefountaine, for the highest point in Ohio. Campbell’s Hill
Indian lake, for a break
Forgot the hit the tracking device that day. Bummer!
Back home, back to work. Was able to swing by another job site of Mitchell’s and bring him a hot lunch.
First weekend of October brought us to a tech day at the Geeks!
And football, watching a 7th grade nephew win the championship!
Client’s barn driveway is so enchanting
Middle of October brought sadness, as we mourn the loss of Mitchell’s brother.
As I was wondering what I could do with an order of wood flowers that I received that were not the right colors… I realized they would go great for a checkered flag for the NASCAR loving man we had to bury.
We had lots of fun together in the year and a half that I knew him… I only had 1 picture of just the 2 of us- and it’s the very first photo we put on his GoPro as we were setting it up and figuring it out the year before. So he could record his RZR rides.
End of October, and friends gathered with us for a camping trip. They stayed for a weekend, we stayed for 10 days.
Campfire
Stars
Peaceful moments
Wonderful food
And another friend who joined us for a night.
It was just what we needed. Refreshing.
Family came out and joined us for dinner one night.
I got to poke the fire with a big stick. It was perfect.
Beginning of November and we got dressed up for a fancy dinner with friends.
More work, this time involving a sore horse, a vet, and multiple X-rays.
PS, that is NOT how the inside of hooves should look…
Thanksgiving is upon us, and we decide to runaway. We had planned and hoped we could do what we did last year- camping and trail riding. But the weather threw a kink in those plans, so we decided to go to Cincinnati and the Newport Aquarium.
Big walk under tanks!
Walked across the purple people bridge and saw a paddleboat and a series of barges. Downtown Cincinnati in the background
Tree all lit up in the Newport Levy Commons.
Then we went up and explored Jungle Jim’s the next day.
And to King’s Island for the evening, to enjoy their Winterfest.
Festive Parade
And some rides were open, so we rode them! And in a snow flurry!!
Back home, beginning of December, and we get snow. Ugh.
A few weeks before Christmas, and we use our Zoo pass to go to the Toledo Zoo’s Lights Before Christmas.
Saw some bald eagles. Glad they are all safely in their enclosure and not flying into the bike… *shudder*
The centerpiece tree of the zoo.
Thanks to a client’s recommendation for a silk wild rag, and the extra tip to be able to get me one of my own.
Then a drive with Mitchell’s family to a fairgrounds in the boondocks for Central Ohio's largest drive-through Christmas light show.
With a stop at G&R on the way home for a fried bologna sandwich and fried pickles!
And the Friday before Christmas, and it’s back to the surgery center for carpel tunnel surgery on the left hand this time!
So Christmas rolls around and I’m riding pillion with my dad for our annual Christmas tradition ride. 16th year in a row!
Mitchell and my cousin Nathan joined my dad and I on our ride this year!
And then it’s Christmas with my families!
And Christmas with his families!
Oh, and was gifted a new snarky shirt for EOM… this is the back. Lol
And with that, the year is over.
A pretty small Spotwalla map this year…
More videos on my youtube channel
Saw this on facebook, and thought of y’all.
End of the year stats:
FJR odometer- 118,329
FJR miles for 2024- 126
FJR states ridden in 2024- 1
DRZ odometer- 9,785
DRZ miles for 2024- 5
DRZ states ridden in 2024- 1
KLR odometer- 2,745
KLR miles for 2024- 1,914
KLR states ridden in 2024- 2
States visited in 2024- 7
And 3 extra countries!
New states this year- 0
Total states gathered- 47
New stickers- a few
Memories- MANY MANY MANY!!!
Favorite pictures from the year
Thanks for following along! See you on the next adventure! Onward to 2025!
