Two weeks back we rolled into Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area in Gilmer, TX to do some wheeling with North Texas Jeep Club. We’ve been putting the Jeep through different scenarios to determine what type of driving and level of off-roading we want to do with it. At this point I have to admit my pride may have been a decisive factor in the upgrades we have the Jeep in the shop for right now. This post has moved to https://ourjeepadventures.com/barnwell-mountain-recreation-area-march-2020/
Visiting the Houston Space Center, What you Need to Know
I can finally mark visiting the Houston Space Center off my list of places to see. Houston is about a five-hour drive for us so we started out around 6:00 am. Our first stop was at Buc-ee’s for gas. While we were there we had to look around and Scott found a little stuffed Buc-ee for our granddaughter, Samantha. We decided it would be fun to take Buc-ee with us into the Space Center and let him pop up from time to time to say high to her. Tomorrow I’ll get Buc-ee in the mail to her and she can sit and watch the video with it. All of the spots you see Buc-ee pop up are places that the general public can touch. We didn’t put him anywhere off-limits or where there were signs not to touch. This post has moved to https://ourjeepadventures.com/visiting-the-houston-space-center/
Regency Suspension Bridge San Saba, Texas
Last weekend we took a ride that we’ve wanted to take for five years! We finally made it out to ride the Regency Suspension Bridge near San Saba, Texas. This is the last suspension bridge in the state that is still open to automobile traffic. We tried to find this bridge almost exactly five years ago when I first began riding. After being given bad directions on a day that was around 100 degrees we gave up and headed home. [Read more…]
First On The Scene Of A Motorcycle Accident
First On The Scene Of A Motorcycle Accident: How To Help
Two weeks ago today while out riding Scott and I found out first hand how very important the Accident Scene Management class took was. We attended the 2-day class several years ago and learned a lot. You never want to think that you may have to use that knowledge but we had to.
Rider Down
We came upon a very bad bike accident on the curvy area of FM-51 by Glen Rose, TX. The rider went off the road on a curve and ended up wrapped around a road sign. His friend was calling 911 but didn’t know what else to do. We quickly got off the bikes, Scott and Steve pulled his motorcycle off of him so we could get him off the sign post and onto his back. Angie and I began rendering first aid and treatment for shock. Scott and Steve ran traffic control to provide safety from vehicles for the accident site. Eventually, local police and an ambulance arrived to take over.
He was so bad they didn’t want to move him in the ambulance so he was Care Flighted out. I am still feeling a bit off I guess you could say and can’t stop thinking about the situation. It really brings the reality of what can happen while riding to the forefront of your thoughts. The Accident Management Scene class was extremely helpful and gave us the knowledge we needed to take control of the accident and stabilize the rider until EMS arrived to take over.
Our prayers go out to him and his family for his recovery. A Go Fund Me has been set up to help them and can be found here:
Help for John Lusby
Keep A First Aid Kit On Each Motorcycle
Scott and I have each kept a first aid kit in our right saddle bag since we began riding which frequently come in handy. Often for simple things like bug bites and bee stings. On this day I was thankful for how well stocked they were. If you don’t have a first aid kit on your motorcycle get one. The kit below includes all the basic and more. You never know when having it may save a life.
Two Weeks Later
I am still feeling a bit uneasy and find myself frequently replaying the events over in my head. Yesterday was the first time we rode since the day of the accident and I’m not going to lie I felt a little uneasy at times. I know that staying alert and riding at my comfort level is a priority and I’m thankful for all the time Scott has spent encouraging me to be a better rider. I’m also thankful that he is great about planning out routes, advising me of situations in the road, he rides in the front and even pointing out ways I can improve as a rider. He is a great riding partner!
Accident Scene Management Class
ASM is the leading Motorcycle Trauma Training Organization in the world. It is the only accredited non-profit Bystander Program in the USA. The key to reducing injuries and fatalities to motorcyclists is education. Road Guardians encourages all motorcyclists to become lifelong learners and to do all they can to avoid a crash from occurring. We go one-step further than many other safety programs – we connect motorcycle trauma first response as part of the solution.
Out of the 18 million motorcyclists in the USA, ASM has taught 25,000. That leaves many more riders who need to know how to help a friend in a time of need.
What Can You Do?
I wrote this to encourage riders to take CPR, First Aid, and any other courses you can. The knowledge you gain from them could save someone’s life
A Go Fund Me has been set up to help them and can be found here:
Help for John Lusby
First Ride Of 2017: Horny Toad Bar & Grill
Our First Ride of 2017!
It’s January in Texas, that means you can never really know what to expect for weather. Scott and I have been watching Wunderground with great interest all week in hopes of getting out on the motorcycles for a ride. Then, there it was, 75 for the high! Of course, it was a Friday and normally that means he’ll be working. As the week drew to an end Scott ended up with a short day on Friday!
I spent Thursday and early Friday morning clearing my schedule and getting all my work done. I kept a close watch on my phone for the text saying he was on his way home. I made sure I was geared up and ready as soon as he got home!
Destination
We headed out around 1:00. I had no idea what he had planned but it didn’t matter. We’d be on the road together on a beautiful day! Once we got past Godly and were at a stop sign Scott gave me two options, of course, I took the longer one!
We took some back roads out To Cranfills gap to Horny Toad Bar & Grill for lunch. When we arrived there was only one other person there and he was finishing up. That meant we had the entire place to ourselves, that’s a first. The service and food was fantastic as always. If you get a chance to try the taco salad it’s my favorite!
Since it was still warm we took a semi-long way home. We did opt to take the Chisolm Trail Toll road once we got into Cleburne to avoid the congestion. Although we spent a couple buck each bike it was worth it. We had very little traffic and no stop signs or red lights. Not to mention irritated cagers on their way home from work ;).
Round trip we road 186.4 miles.