It's a Bird, it's a Plane........Part One

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Saturday dawned slightly foggy with the promise of brilliant sunshine here in the Willamette Valley. We had plans to meet for our Saturday coffee with the group and then ride to the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville.

Troubadour and I have been fighting colds for a week and he was a few days ahead of me in getting well. My head was stuffy and it was settling in my chest. I opted to be responsible and ride pillion that day. I didn't think it would be very prudent of me to ride the TU without being 100%. I missed riding my own bike but I knew Troubadour would get us there and back safe and I could zone out on the back of the bike. There is a lot less room on the back of the Tiger than there was the America so once I am on I'm pretty secure between his back and the trunk. Good view of the sticker on the back of his helmet too.

The ride up Highway 99 was uneventful but the sun was shining by the time we left Corvallis. We were slightly chilly on arrival but being out and enjoying a sunny day in January more than made up for it. Our friend Gil took the following photo on arrival.

There were 8 of us on 7 bikes. And once again I was the only girl. I should be used to it by now. I'm almost a mascot at this point.

Check out the Mr. Happy puppet Troubadour purchased for me when he made his last Aerostich order. I am sure it will appear in future ride reports.

By the time we arrived it was noon and we were all looking for grub. Unfortunately the cafe at the Museum did not have any choices for vegetarian fare unless you wanted a really overpriced container of lettuce or a slice of prefab cheese pizza. Good thing we had some protein shakes in the tail bag. While everyone was eating inside we went out and relaxed in the sun and had lunch.

When we went back inside Troubadour took this photo of everyone in the cafe.

RickRick was missing from the photo (he'd just gotten up from the table) as was Todd who chose to wander around outside and then ride home again right away due to obligations.

A day pass will get you in to both the Aviation building and the Space building. You can go to the iMax theater but it is an additional fee. The claim to fame of the Aviation museum is that they house the original Spruce Goose built by Howard Hughes. It was painstakingly restored at the museum. You can see it here through the front window.

They even let you on the big bird. We walked on and looked towards the front.....

and back....

We opted not to pay the extra fee for the tour to the cockpit. Unfortunately the lens on our digital camera wasn't wide enough to get the entire plane in one photo.

Gil managed to go up to a mezzanine and take a pretty good picture of it.

After looking at the goose we proceeded to wander around and look at all the other planes. Brilliant sunshine through the glass windows didn't always make for the greatest lighting for photographs.

A lot of the planes had descriptive histories. This one also had a bit on the pilot...

I thought the colors of this one was interesting even in the engine compartment....

You can't have a museum without at least one motorcycle, right? They also had at least one other Ural but this was the nicest.


We managed to take over 300 photos on Saturday so I am going to divide this up into at least three sections as not to run on too long. Stay tuned for the second part of the Aviation museum......

- Au Revoir

"The desire to fly is an idea handed down to us by our ancestors who, in their grueling travels across trackless lands in prehistoric times, looked enviously on the birds soaring freely through space, at full speed, above all obstacles, on the infinite highway of the air." ~ Wilbur Wright

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Crash and Rug Burn

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Back in October, Troubadour learned of a presentation at European Motorcycles of Western Oregon, the BMW/Ducati dealer in Eugene. The presentation was by Rick Wallace, an instructor of crash scene safety for ASMI - Accident Scene Management Inc. A series of classes tailored to motorcycle riders and their specific needs in a crash.

Our interest was piqued so we hauled butt to Eugene two up on the Tiger in the fog after work on a chilly fall night in November to listen to his presentation regarding a full day class he was holding in January. Rick Wallace is a former Firefighter/paramedic for 35 years and has taught and coordinated courses for EMTs and Paramedics. He has also taught CPR, First Aid and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) courses for the public. He is a certified Lead Instructor for Accident Scene Management, Inc.

From the information we gathered at that presentation we decided it was a good idea to attend the full day class and proceeded to let all of our riding friends know about it and how to sign up. I think we got the word out at Saturday morning coffee, bike night and of course facebook. Within several days of the presentation we were signed up and ready to go. We were told to bring full gear as we would be wearing it for part of the class.

At the end of November we received an information booklet in the mail titled "A Crash Course for the Motorcyclist, by Vicki Roberts-Sanfelipo, RN," to review prior to class. A lot of the information was included in the prior presentation so I admit, I barely glanced at it. In my defense, Rick Wallace told us beforehand that he covered it page by page in the class.

This is how we found ourselves last Sunday in Eugene, at a closed dealership with 5 of our riding friends. There were 16 of us in the class but 5 worked at the BMW dealership and another and his wife had taken the class the day before in Tigard so were assisting. That left 9 actual participants and we numbered 7 strong; 3 gals and 4 guys.

The first part of the class was reviewing the basics of PACT. P-Prevent further injury; A-Access the Situation; C-contact the EMTs; and T-treat the injured with life sustaining care using the ABCSS of trauma.

We learned the ABCSS of trauma are: A-airways; B-breathing; C-circulation; S-shock; and S-spinal immobilization.

After reviewing we did some role playing. I've never been a fan of roll playing in classes and I almost didn't sign up for the course because of that aspect. I find I have a hard time with this type of interaction. It is like my brain doesn't function that way and I feel like a dork in front of all the people. Luckily I knew most of the people we were working with so that helped.

One of the things we learned was how to lower a rider to the ground while keeping their neck straight. Here is a few pictures of me lowering our friend Stacey to the ground. Stacey forgot her helmet so I let her borrow mine when needed. - in case you wonder why it matches my jacket. Notice the hand placement to keep the neck and spine aligned.

We also learned the proper way to remove a helmet. I found this to be the most valuable part of the class. Of course you only remove the helmet if absolutely necessary, i.e. if the person is unconscious and you need to performing rescue breathing or their airway is blocked and you need to clear it.

We also learned how to put someone in the recovery position and the correct way to roll someone over if you need to put an emergency blanket under them to move them. We then proceeded to learn the correct way to move someone, both by dragging on the blanket and by the armpit drag.

I learned that when Troubadour is in full gear and I have to drag him somewhere it can be accomplished, but (1) it isn't' a pretty sight; and (2) to drag him by the armpits I can only go as far back as I can straighten my legs and my butt hits the ground. Then I have to do it all over again about a foot or so at a time. But at least I know I can.

I learned that after crawling around and kneeling on the floors for a good portion of the day you will get rug burn on your knees through your jeans.

We were also taught what we should carry in a trauma kit as opposed to a standard first aid kit with band aids and acetaminophen. Things like gloves, waterless hand wash, cold compresses, emergency blanket, gauze, tape, burn gel, trauma shears, CPR mask, ace bandages, and triangular bandages to name a few. He showed us how to use a lot of the things he recommended. Here are our compadres and husband and wife team Erik and Dani trying things out.

Here the owners of European Motorcycles, Scott and Madeline, along with their son, are trying to make a figure eight around Scott's shoulders to hold an imaginary dislocated shoulder in place.

Here is Scott (on the left) and the instructor Rick Wallace (on the right) after a triangle bandage demonstration.

All in all it was a good day. We learned a few things we hope we never have to put to use. We each came away with a patch....

and a certificate....

(Yes, I erased my last name in the photo)

More than what I have covered here was taught in the basic class. I just touched on a few highlights.

Rick Wallace is planning on teaching an advanced class in the series in the future. At this point, I don't know if I will attend or not. While we did get some great information last Sunday, I feel that some of the information taught clashed with what Red Cross is teaching and I found that he skipped around a lot as opposed to following the order of the procedures described in the booklet.

I did feel it was worthwhile and I am happy we participated and were able to attend with good friends and fellow riders.

-Au Revoir

"I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught." ~ Winston Churchill

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Road Tripping Day Two....

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After last Friday's journey to Salem on the TU, in near freezing temperatures, I haven't been back on the bike. The weather has finally warmed up a bit, but I don't think plans will coincide with riding this weekend.

While looking through iPhoto this afternoon I realized from the pictures that I'd neglected to posted up about day two from our road trip to Seattle for the International Motorcycle Show in December. Since it is already January, I thought I'd better take advantage of this slow riding time and share the tale now.

This was the view from our hotel room:

Sunday morning we woke, combed our hair, and went down to the lobby/breakfast room of the hotel in search of coffee. We figured we'd fill our travel mugs and take them back to the room to drink as we got ready for the day. Bobskoot was already downstairs and had a table so we sat with him and visited while he ate his breakfast. We managed to score a few mini muffins to tide us over to dim sum. Unfortunately the coffee was too weak. I think I drink tea stronger than the coffee was that morning. Wait, weren't we in Seattle, you know, the land of Starbucks? Apparently our hotel had not learned how to make proper coffee but we survived.

After visiting for a while I headed back to our room to get ready. Troubadour followed and stated we had to meet downstairs to head to dim sum at 10 am. Armed with a map and an address from the front desk we managed to find the great place we ate last year - Jade Garden Restaurant. After sampling their wares last year we were hooked on dim sum. We even tried 4 places in and around Portland but they just weren't as good or as inexpensive.

We parked and made our way to the restaurant. Bobskoot dropped off Mrs. Skoot and went to park his car. Troubadour took a picture while we waited under the canopy out of the rain.

(Mrs. Skoot on the left, me in the middle, and Rick on the right)

He also snapped this pic of Bob as he was walking to the restaurant tripod in hand.

Tbolt had plans with family for breakfast that morning and was meeting us at the restaurant. We figured we'd best get in and get a table. We were promptly seated at the back of the restaurant at a big table with a lazy susan in the middle. Tea was served and the carts started arriving with the goodies.

We enjoyed a nice leisurely meal. We visited, we chatted, and we told stories. Just as we were finished Tbolt arrived. We then sat around for another half hour or so and drank more tea and chatted even more.

Before long it was time to leave. We made our way through the restaurant and outside. Bobskoot set up his tripod and managed to get a few pictures of our group before we parted ways. We are still waiting to see how those turned out. Goodbyes were said and hugs were given out.

Bob and Mrs. Skoot headed north and the four of us headed south. As we were leaving the International district I snapped a few pictures out the window.

A couple of lefts and rights later and we were on I-5 heading home. Our first stop was in South Tacoma where Rick introduced us to Eagle Leather, Motorcycle Gear & Accessories. The place was huge. You could tell they catered to a cruiser market but at the same time they had brands of helmets and gear we'd never seen in person only on the internet. We probably wandered and looked around for about an hour. Troubadour bought some orange reflectors for his license plate frame. Not sure if any other purchase were made.

Oh look - there is a Starbucks across the way. Rick was driving so I thought I'd best offer a bribe. I offered to pay for his drink if he would stop at Starbucks. The bribe was sufficient and as if by magic the Trooper headed in that direction. I so needed a real cup of coffee after drinking the ick from the hotel that morning. Yeah, I know we only drink decaf, but my brain needed the aroma and taste of real coffee. Grande soy latte please.

We chose our drinks, paid some money and soon our drinks were made. Back outside we went. As we got back into the vehicle I noticed my mug was only half full. Not cool. I asked everyone to wait while I headed back inside for a remake. When I asked the staff to remake the drink they said no problem.

It took a little longer than anticipated. Not because they made it a second time, but because I asked them to make it a third. That's right, their second try was only 2/3 full. Third time was a charm and I headed out a happy camper. Back in the Trooper, good natured teasing ensued about me being a Starbucks hard ass. I didn't care, I was euphoric from my full mug of real coffee. Sufficiently in a coffee stupor we once again headed South towards home.

As we were passing Lacey, Washington.... wait, what's that? A Cabela's store to the west? Must go to Cabela's.....

For those of you who don't know Cabela's, they call themselves the "World's Foremost Outfitter." They have everything you ever need for outdoor activities and a lot of things you don't. They have a guns and ammo section, camping, boating, clothing and outerwear, housewares for the rustic folks, patio lights made from real shotgun shells and even toys and games for the kids.

They even have really big chairs....

Two entire floors of backwoods redneck fun. Good for wasting time and getting some exercise while travelling. They do have some very nice displays though.

It was dark by the time we made it out of the store. We headed south once again and dropped Rick off in Portland since he had some business to attend to the following day. Troubadour drove us the rest of the way home.

It was only a two day adventure but somehow it made the weekend seem so much longer. Good times.

-Au Revoir

"No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow." ~ Lin Yutang

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