HeadLines

Sometime in the last months of my employment as Director of Transportation for a local school district I heard about a conference being held in Keystone, Colorado. It was sponsored by AMA and held by Women on Wheels. Since I would be retiring early August, and turning 60 at the end of August, I decided it was time for me to spread my wings and make a journey on the open road. Alone. I needed this time to decompress from having to deal with parents, kids, 85 employees, a school board and a union!!

Jeff, my husband, was supportive while a bit apprehensive about me taking this on alone. All my friends thought I had lost my mind. I did some investigation to find if anyone else in our area was heading to Colorado, and couldn’t find anyone. So be it. I’m still going.

August 15, 2009, sitting astride my trusty RK, I found myself on Highway 99 heading north on the first leg, of my first solo, out of state journey. I was very excited and anxious to get this trip underway. I hadn’t yet had the thought “What the heck am I doing?”... (see the rest of this story in the May/June Voyagers Voice magazine!)

See the USA with the AVA!
More and More Enjoying the Latest AVA Activity.

Posted 6/9/2010

A “Fun Run” in Overdrive
By Dennis Beattie

The See the USA with the AVA program is a "fun run" for motorcycle junkies who see destinations as mere excuses to carve through twisting, forested roads, sail along bluffs, putt near lakes and rivers, cruise through the natural beauty of rural farms and ranches, explore small towns, or to absorb scenery entering big city attractions. If you love to ride, if you like planning your routes and can't resist a good road whether riding along and spotting a rustic road with a visible bend, or seeing two inches of curvy line on a map (yes, some of us still don't have GPS), then this kind of tour is a perfect match.

I've been riding for years and still can't resist the urge to find something new. There is still wilderness out there (state lines, national parks, state parks, national and historic monuments and endless museums) still places undiscovered. I A “Fun Run” in Overdrive

The See the USA with the AVA program is a "fun run" for motorcycle junkies who see destinations as mere excuses to carve through twisting, forested roads, sail along bluffs, putt near lakes and rivers, cruise through the natural beauty of rural farms and ranches, explore small towns, or to absorb scenery entering big city attractions. If you love to ride, if you like planning your routes and can't resist a good road whether riding along and spotting a rustic road with a visible bend, or seeing two inches of curvy line on a map (yes, some of us still don't have GPS), then this kind of tour is a perfect match.

I've been riding for years and still can't resist the urge to find something new. There is still wilderness out there (state lines, national parks, state parks, national and historic monuments and endless museums) still places undiscovered. I...(see the rest of this story in the May/June Voyagers Voice magazine!)

See the USA travels with Phil Griggs

When the "See The USA With the AVA" was first announced I couldn't wait to get my hands on the passport book. When it finally came, I had to get on the old iron horse and get started. There was still some snow on the ground from the 8 inches we had 2 days before, but this did not deter me. It was 40 degrees when "BEAR" and I head out. Our first stop was the Green Wood Historic district

(As the Greenwood District began to emerge in the early 1900s, rigid segregation held sway. Segregation, ironically, gave rise to a nationally renowned black entrepreneurial center. In the spring of 1921 underlying social and economic tension in Tulsa sparked the worst race riot in American history. As many as three hundred people lost their lives. Property damage ran into the millions of dollars. Greenwood District, a thirty-five-square-block-area that comprised the city's entire African American community, lay in ruins. Tulsa's African Americans ultimately turned tragedy into triumph. They rebuilt the ravaged Greenwood District, which by 1942 boasted 242 black-owned and black-operated business establishments.)

From there I rode over 4 blocks to the Historic Cain's Ball Room (Built in 1924 by Tulsa entrepreneur Tate Brady, The Cain’s Ballroom has gone from a garage, a dime-a-dance joint and a dancing academy until it became what is known by artists and patrons alike as one of the top performance venues in the world today. As The Home of Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys from 1935 to 1942, the ballroom was especially significant for popularizing a new sound of western music called western swing, a form of country and western that combined jazz, hillbilly, boogie, blues, big band swing, rumba, mariachi and jitterbug music. Bob Wills played...(see the rest of this story in the May/June Voyagers Voice magazine!)

John Diel has been Seeing the USA!
Depew, Oklahoma – The Town That Even the Mother Road Forgot!

When the “See the USA with the AVA” Passport program was announced a few weeks ago, I was trying to figure out a trip to Colorado. Well, as “Murphy” would have it, that trip has been put on hold for now due to a few budget crunches. “Hey! This is the ticket!” Both my wife and daughter looked at me like I was a crazy man (This happens quite often). With this ammunition available, I started my quest. Then… Out of nowhere, comes this challenge. The GEM State Voyagers throw down the gauntlet and put out a challenge. Something about the group with the most points wins! Heyyyy… I can eat this up. But I’m not a member of any AVA Sub Chapter. Ok, Take up the challenge anyway! Yeah, I can show these Idaho folks a thing or two on Oklahoma Ingenuity. So begins my tale of mis-adventure.
I began this with several small trips around my hometown of Ponca and slowly moved to the surrounding communities and searching out facts and oddities. Living in Oklahoma, one simply can’t ignore the fact that a good chunk of Route 66 cuts right across this state. Here we go! (see the rest of this story in the May/June Voyagers Voice magazine!)

Exciting addition to “See the USA"... Passport Program
Individual Point Champion Prize!

Thanks to the many excited passport participants, AVA has added another prize to the pot: An AVA satin jacket to be awarded to the winner of highest individual points. The winner will pick the color of his or her jacket and have his or her name embroidered onto it along with “See the USA With the AVA Individual Point Champion”.

Here’s what one participant has to say about that… David (N. Alabama) This little contest [individual point champion] has opened up a whole new experience for me. I've always enjoyed riding and photography, but somehow the urge to keep on riding has kept me from enjoying the locations I pass by. I am learning so much that I am going to be unbeatable in Trivia Pursuit!

Back to HeadLines

Adventurous Ellen

By Don Kimble

Complete Article
Posted 6/9/2010

While most articles in the HeadLines section are abbreviated, this article was just too sweet about what no doubt was a special lady. Therefore, it is published here in it's entirety. However, you really need to see the pictures that went along with it in the May/June issue of Voyagers Voice, Gary- AVA webmaster.

We are speaking of Ellen Courtright, a wonderful, caring lady who lived her life helping and doing for others. She was approaching her 100th birthday and her family wondered what special event, party, or activity she would like to celebrate on this special occasion.

You see, Ellen may need a walker to get around, and, sometimes, a wheelchair if on a field trip. “So I don’t slow down the young ones,” Ellen said. But Ellen was still that lady who has a twinkle in her eye and was always ready and willing to try something new.

In answering that question, “What would you like?” it went like this:

“There are a couple of things I have never done, and now is the time!”

“What might that be, Grandma?” Ellen instantly responded, “How about skydiving!”

“Oh, wow! We will have to discuss this further,” was the family’s response. It was decided to seek out another activity. “How about a motorcycle ride, instead, Grandma?” Ellen, with that girlish smile, responded, “You bet! That would be wonderful!” And, that’s how it happened.

Being an old friend of the family and having a Kawasaki trike, I helped make the plan fall right into place. On a brisk fall, north Jersey day (September 26, 2009), the big day had come. The family had a surprise party going on, and I showed up with my trike. “Where is Ellen?” I asked.

“Oh, she is out back in the big bouncy hut.” That was also on her “to do” list. “You’ve got to be kidding!” Sure enough, there Ellen was in the big bouncy hut, sitting down while her grandchildren were jumping, maker her jounce up and down, just laughing and enjoying life.

The afternoon was passing… “Time for your ride Ellen.” My wife had ridden over with me, so all her gear was just transferred onto Ellen. Leather chaps, vest, jacket, dew-rag, and all.

I said to Ellen, “It’s cool today. Hope you don’t get too cold.” Her response, again with that twinkle in her eye, “We are not going all the way to Alaska, are we?” I responded, “Just part way!” And we were off, camera’s flashing.

Now, we have an old guy and his girl, both with hearing loss, so we didn’t communicate the greatest, but sure did enjoy the ride. Concerned after a few miles, I made a stop to see how she was doing. “Do you want to go back, or go downtown to Stillwater for a picture in front of the old station and gas pumps?”

“On to Stillwater!” was her command. We had a great ride; short but sweet.

The following Tuesday, I took Ellen for another ride. It was another celebration to honor her for all her dedication, her labors of love. All she has done for our town, county, state, and nation. We made the front page of our paper to boot! What an honor to be part of this.

So, as you can see, nothing is impossible in this life. Be positive like Ellen and live your dreams. I dedicate this writing, this story, to Ellen. She is no longer with us. She passed into a beautiful life with our Creator in Heaven on February 20, 2010.

When I am having a bad day, I remember Ellen… and her love of life! Keep riding and having fun…