After our March meeting, the Sandies went out and found 140 miles of fantastic roads and awesome food, while enjoying great weather. What’s not to like? Really!?! It was a spectacular day. Our humble club enjoys many great rides, you’ve heard it ad infinitum. Today was one of the great ones. Tim W took the lead. Tim knows roads, even better, he knows how to find out of the way food spots. Who would have thought that someplace called Bigfoot Campground would hold such a great buffet? Well Sandy S knew, but we are pretty certain she found out while searching for a certain mythical creature. Munchkin didn’t care who found it. He just wanted people to pick a seat so he could sit down and eat. Speaking of chasing dreams, mine was crushed. I had always wanted to see Pink Floyd live, the 70’s the experience was said to be almost mystical. Well the most well-known tribute band, Brit Floyd is playing at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre on April 23rd. I mentioned how fortunate I was to snag some great tickets to Tommy N. Tommy then casually informs me he saw Pink Floyd back to back one weekend, with the original band members - to include David Gilmore. Then to deal a crushing blow, Tommy tells me he took a train to the concerts! Tommy said it so casually, so nonchalantly, like it was no big deal, rubbing salt in the proverbial wound. The band no longer tours and some of the members have passed; to take a train (one of my top hobbies) to see them live twice, was absolutely devastating. I will recover from the blow, but this shows why we have “The Burt Rule”. You don’t want to be rocking on the porch at the old biker home, mention “I wish I had…”, only to have some guy named Burt say “been there and got the t-shirt”. You never know when the last opportunity will come. The Sandies have gone hundreds miles out of the way on a road adventure just because someone called “The Burt Rule”. Today would have lifted my spirits - it was that good. Check out our Facebook page for Tony G’s excellent videos. Not to be outdone, Tim's are on point too. JoeJoe snapped some pretty darn good pictures throughout the whole day. We are very fortunate that we have JoeJoe, Tony, Sandy, Bobby and Tim to record our adventures.

The weather is supposed to be great for riding Sunday. So lets go for a ride, going to ride and enjoy the day. Cause it will get no fun soon enough 9 am GTD. Look forward to it

Lunch Today Bigfoot Campground and Eatery, actually in Berrydale, Florida. about 65 miles one way . A Sir Timothy White Production https://www.yelp.com/biz/bigfoot-crossing-campground-jay

Sandies have a reputation for Riding, for Riding a lot. Well today proved that beyond a doubt, Sandy S and Sir Tim W both at the end of today had done 700 miles and slept in the home bed. Translation for you math stumped, 350 miles a day or for the really challenged an overnight to Atlanta and back.  That friends is a weekend Ride and both did it via Spyder, for Food. So there are quite a few pretty cool things with those two Sandies. All I can say is SA LUTE !!!! Now the other riders today weren’t exactly slouches in the riding department today. 225 miles to eat, 13 Sandies rode to eat some real and I mean real country cooking. Sir Tim discovered this place and brother it was good downhome country cooking.  To include some very good fried chicken, ham oh and let’s not forget Peach cobbler. Sandies will ride for food, look at the 700 miles Sandy and Tim did this weekend, it was all over food, makes sense, to me anyway. Now on the other hand, yes Sandies will ride to the ends of this earth for food. But, you know we have some that are to be watched and watched closely, Bobby B comes to mind. All I can say is ask Sandy S what Bobby did to Sandy, unspeakable. Well I’ll leave it the less said the better.  We were milling around outside the eatery, look inside and JoeJoe is heading for the table with a pile of Fried Chicken, already. You know you have getting firsts but really, JoeJoe?  Oh and there was a limited amount of Fried Chicken, the first two at the serving table got two heaping plates. I being polite let others go first including Tommy N. Who by the way got off a plane and headed to Enterprise AL, now that’s being a Sandie or a Foodie, wait, that’s the same. Sam was second and saved me a piece of Chicken, mmm good. Being together and best friends for 44 years is good. I had the ham also excellent but the chicken….. I have to commend Munchkin today, Munch waited at the corner, Sam sailed by failing to see Munch. Folks, if you get separated don’t haul butt to catch up. The Rule we ride by, if you get to a corner and the rider behind you is not in sight, wait until such time as they catch up and acknowledge they see you, then you haul butt. Munch also waited at the corner, when Sandy had a Kerfuffle, Munch waited until he got the all clear and then headed back to the Group. That fellow Sandies is how it’s supposed to be done, thank you Munchkin. Joe and Melanie W were on their beautiful Red Spyder. That is a gorgeous good looking color. Sides Joe and especially Melanie are a pleasure to share a Ride with, sorry Joe. Speaking of things, Dennis O or who to me will forever be Chief. His retired rank was Chief and Dennis just seems like a Chief so it will be. Oh Chief was Munchkins boss at one time in the Air Force, damn small world folks.  Now knowing the Munchkin like I do, Chief earned the rank I assure you. It was a fabulous day of great roads, thank you Tim, good friends and good Food. “It don’t suck being a Sandie” Sensei

Sir Tim is leading the Merry Group of Escapees from Reality . Enterprise AL is the hoped for target and Reds Country café is lunch. Sir Tim says 130 up, more direct back. https://www.facebook.com/redscountrykitchen/ See some pictures from last weeks Adventure thanks JoeJoe

Weather is looking the best it has in weeks. So gather em up at GTD at 9 am and we are riding. Where right now its up in the air. Sir Tim W has shown us a bunch of new places to ride. So we do need a place you folks would like to have lunch. I have a few in mind, no matter, lets enjoy the day, see ya there.

A merry band of eight Sandies on an assortment of bikes rode through Crestview, Milligan, and Florala for lunch. Local residents are left questioning their eyesight, and wondering if the circus was in town. There were three (Honda) Goldwings, a pair of Can-Ams, a BMW, a Harley-Davidson, and a Victory. All eight pilots were bundled in an assortment of textiles, leather, and gasp electrically heated layers of gear. We started the ride with temperatures in the upper 30’s, and because it’s Florida the humidity was still around 50%. George and Sam led the group. They made sure we stayed on the move so we didn’t have much time to think about the frigid temperatures, our bladders, or just how long it had been since breakfast. Tony G was filming the shenanigans of the group, and telling tales of the recently retired. JoeJoe took up residence in the middle of the pack to get still photos of the group. JoeJoe awards bonus points to himself for the most awkward photos he can publish. Mark S was out with us. He was sharing stories of his recent travels and showing off his battery heated gear. “Sacrificing” the convenience and portability, Greg L and Tommy N showed the rest of us how to travel in the cold. Full on heated gear with multi-zone adjustments. Tommy reminded us that it’s always 74 degrees, even at 60 mph under his jacket. After circling Lake Jackson, we stopped for lunch at The Depot in Florala, AL. We had a great meal and super service. Mostly we were happy to be warm, but that doesn’t take away from the great job the staff did at handling us right at opening time. Kudos to the team there, everyone we saw was professional and courteous. If you are ever out that way, I highly encourage you to stop by and give them a try. With full bellies, we headed back to our homes. To change things up a bit we cut back towards Mossy Head instead of Laurel Hill. After leaning into a few curves and feeling the day starting to gather some warmth, we parted ways along the way. It was a good time with friends, and it was great to be out on the bike in February.

The Club is planning a trip to the Mecca of Motorcycling,  Barbers Museum . If you ride you owe to your self to travel about 4.5 hours up the highway  to THE worlds largest motorcycle collection.. This collection is housed at one of the worlds most beautiful race tracks. We are leaving the morning of the 12th of April, home by supper Sunday.  Its two nights and  three days of just pure motorcycling . I have reservations at the Double Tree hotel, Perimeter Park, Birmingham. This is not an inexpensive hotel but there are many in that area.  Reservations for accommodations are up to you. I’m just setting up the trip.  Note, if we get 10 or more folks to go we can have a docent led tour of the Museum. This is a fabulous experience, we did it once, incredible. We will go by car if we have to it is that cool  an Adventure. If you’re going let me know. More details as they become available. https://www.barbermuseum.org/ https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/bhmprdt-doubletree-birmingham-perimeter-park/

The resturant will be closed unfortunatly but we will find something . Important think is we will finally be on the Road.

Well today was a  wash out, hopefully Saturday will be better to ride.  Stay tuned for details.

Again, it looks  like Sunday is going to be a water experience . Just keep an eye on the weather, it’s not looking great.  But next Saturday we have a great ride planned, weather permitting.  There is a super restaurant mentioned as one of Alabama’s best “Meat and Threes” in the state. Yea ,Yea I remember last years “Pirate’s Cove” experience. Hey it was a Sandie Adventure with all the requisite Sandie Adventure box’s checked. Well Saturday I think I can say it shouldn’t happen again, I think. You can say it’s always going to be   a different kinda Adventure. Keep an eye on the weather tomorrow, at this point it’s  looking like a sleep in kinda Sunday.

Well we have the Business Meeting 9 am Golden Corral. Need to figure out some rides for the months ahead.

January 28, 2024 George clearly took a page from Tim W’s playbook. He led six Sandies on a 125 mile loop through Crestview, Milligan, Florala, Laurel Hill, and back to Crestview for lunch. We headed north meandering through the backroads to check out some fresh pavement. We were fortunate to experience some of the best motorcycling Florida has to offer. Sam kept a watchful eye on us the whole time from the side view mirrors of her Spyder. Tony G kept that white wing of his on rails the whole time. He didn't sweat a second as we rolled along some of the sketchier sections or debris littered curves. The roads were winding along riverbeds and occasionally intersecting. We crossed an old wooden slat bridge and just kept crunching the miles. There were tree canopies collapsing down on us to hide the next bend in the road. They would then opening back up to open vistas across pastures and ranch land. All and all it was a great day out on the road - and in January! There were many jokes and good natured ribbing along the way. I don't think I saw Joe W stop smiling at all, but I prefer to think it was the beautiful weather or backroad curves. JoeJoe ran super six to keep us all together. When we stopped to check out a few food places, his long legs would move him along at near breakneck speed as he’d try the door to see if someone forgot an open sign. Eventually we found Helen Back in Crestview open. All of us ended up with enough food (each) to feed two people. In the case of George and Sam, they had enough nachos to feed all of us! The ride back home was bittersweet. I had a great time and look forward to the next.

Well we are now in our 44th Year of Riding together. Had a nice crowd of Sandies, 12 Sandies and Edna’s Sisters were here visiting from Ohio. Food was good as always and plenty of it. Four different chilies with all the fix’ns and do not forget Edna’s outstanding desserts. David ( Munchkin) B, Helen B brought Chili, Bobby B and Christina Tony G were among the Sandies there. Robert W and his daughter Haley W. Robert by the way rode motorcycle along with JoeJoe and myself also rode, the temp at Chili time was 36 degrees. We talked about old times and made plans for some adventures that become old times. I want to thank Edna for opening her house again for the festivities, thank you Edna. With the Anniversary get together behind us We can now look forward to another year of Riding together and sharing fellowship.

It's calling for rain Saturday so we will meet and ride on Sunday. Same time 9 am GTD, taking a few roads most have you haven't been on. My Thanks to Tim W for the heads up on the roads. One of these I know I have waited my whole riding life to ride on this particular road with a street bike.

I will be at GTD to lead the just plain Bat Shit Crazies at 10:30 am. But its more important that you share our fellowship. Just come in whatever makes you comfortable. But join us at Edna's to celebrate 44 years of Riding together.

Changes to The Chili ( Chilly, get it still got it) Ride Hey, cause of butt chill’n cold Sunday, we will meet at GTD at 10:30 am. We then ride to Edna’s and enjoy food and Celebrate 44 Years of being together. But we have to know if you’re coming or not. We have food to buy and prepare and those fix’ns . So please let us know the information is below. 720 DuBois, Street Fort Walton If you want to contribute something, bring: Chili or fix’ns if you want you can drop it off the day before RSVP TO: Edna 850-865-3140 Or Sam 850-496-1595

If today was any sign of what’s to come, 2024 will be three words fa-bu-lus. It had everything, even Tim ( The Murph) M from that terrific state of Georgia . To double the fun we had The Other Tim, Tim W. Now ya gotta admit with a pair of rather infamous Tim’s it’s going to be a cool day. Speaking of cool things Tony G led much of the day. To think it was because I missed a turn, yes missed a turn. We know that just don’t happen but today it happened, yes indeedie, hard to comprehend isn’t it ? Well Tony came on the radio and said “take Nichols Lake road “. So up it comes, just before the dead end sign. I take a left as per instruction , Tony then says “let me take the lead”, which I gladly complied. Tony took us on some great roads leading up to 90. It was beginning to look like a great first Sunday in 2024. Okay back to the knitting , we had 12 Sandies take a simply wonderful 112 miles that included Blueberry bread pudding ala mode. Oh and A blueberry streusel cookie , it also took the ice cream route. Now all of this because Tony led us to Boomerang Pizza in the Historical section of Milton. Never had a bad dish there in all the times we have been there. Oh to keep the record straight, it was JoeJoe of the Bread Pudding and Tommy (call me vanilla ice cream) N. Sam and I treated The Murph to breakfast and lunch. Being a Sandie that should keep Tim coming back. Now today was a quiet day for Sandy, well as quiet as Sandy can possibly be. Frank W told the story of Munchkin at The Christmas Party trying one of Franks sausage balls which have cheese in them. Munchkins dislike of cheese is legendary. Unfortunately Frank forgot to warn Munchkin before Munchkin grabbed one, It was well , interesting. Today Munchkin made it clear, Munchkin don’t do cheese, which is kinda interesting at a Pizza joint, it’s a Sandie thing. JoeJoe has been under the weather and missed some Sandie events, today JoeJoe was in full plumage and feeling better, welcome back. I need to thank Tommy N for a super job Sheep dogging it. You have to realize why I make a big deal out of our Sandie Sheepdogs. They make the Cat Herding so much easier, trust me they do make a Ride fun for the Cat Herder too. Today was simply a great day to be a Sandie, good friends, great food and fabulous ride. Thank you Tony G and you Tommy for making this a super Sunday for all of us. More photo's on the way

Kick off the Fun with our first Business Meeting of 2024 and the start of 44 years of Riding. It’s at the Golden Corral  9 am. Afterward we head West Or North looking for Lunch. Haven’t been to Boomerang in a while. Maybe there ?

Tomorrow is The Last Ride of The Year in Stockton AL. Hundreds of bikes from all over the USA will be there. Been many times loved all of it. Tim W is leading a Ride from GTD at 8 am. Tim knows roads so it will be a good Ride Sunday at Midnight The Sandies do a very special ride. Ride from one Year to the following Year 2023 to 2024. Sandies been doing this for over 30 years. Meet at The Shalimar Waffle House, leave around 11:45 and Ride into 2024. Pelican Plunge, not a motorcycle ride but it’s fun anyway. Around 10:00 am Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island. Free coffee and Gumbo going to be a bit chilly. Around 11 am head for the ocean and start 2024 The Sandie Way. https://www.facebook.com/groups/521324844733867

Well 20 Sandies made the Dinner , food ,Sandies always a winner. We then did a Grand Tour of Northgate Lights. I can say they did not disappoint.  Thank you Mark S for the reserved space it was well appreciated. Mitchell and Dawn joined us for Dinner. The big treat was “The Pretender to The Scottish Throne” or Dave McAulay  as he is known by his not so loyal subjects, graced us ,with his Royalness. Now the real treat was a visit by Nicole McAulay, David’s lovely daughter. It is very  obvious who Nicole takes after, Clue, it isn’t Dad.. It was so very good to see Tony G out with us. Tony survived North Dakota in the winter glad to be back with the sunburned. Robert W and his lady friend Alethea came out  to Dinner and Lights. Last year it was butt cold and Robert and Alethea came out on the Harley anyway. At least it was a much nicer night this year.  Joe and Melanie W came out on their new Ride tonight. Sharp, sharp it is.  Lorna S was with Mark to enjoy the Lights also. Now for the story of the night, Sandy S was going to ride her ride tonight. BUT the battery finally said adios. So Sandy had to car it, the upside was Sandy got some cool pictures. Tommy N graciously chauffeured   Sandy around. It was a pleasant night , the weather was just right and there was a lot less traffic. The Lights were outstanding, the company simply first class. Next Sandie Adventure is either or both  The Last Ride and or Ride into the New Year. If you’re going to The Last Ride can you let me know when and where your meeting, please. Pictures from Sandy ?

First let me say 2023 has been quite the year for me, hoping 2024 is a bit better. The Sandies have been busy and to think this is our 44thyear of riding together, WOW ! A few facts we have ridden 981,456 together this year , at last count 3,894, 547 miles together. Remember this is from 2001 when we started counting. JoeJoe, who is remarkable at estimating, figures somewhere in the 5,000,000 miles in 43 years. Sandies I dare say we Ride a lot more than other Clubs. That’s our main reason for getting together, well the parties and the other fun things even make it a bit more fun. Another congratulations goes to Tommy Nieft. Tommy is the longest continuous member of The Sandollar M/C , since 1988. Okay enough history, let’s get caught up, it’s going to take a few stories. We have a bunch of great pictures by Sandy S and JoeJoe to catch up on also. Check Presentation to Elder Services Meals on Wheels Dec 13 We presented Meals on Wheels with a check to defray expenses for the Seniors that can’t afford to pay for meals. Kim Fraley the look on her face was priceless. It costs $5.50 to per meal with Government subsidies. Our donation will go a ways to help those Seniors that need it. We had Robert W, President , Mark S, Melanie Woods, of course Sandy S . Sam and the great pictures by our own JoeJoe and Sandy S Three days later we had the 39th Sandie Christmas Party. Special thank you to Edna for opening her house and providing such incredible food. It wouldn’t have been a Sandie Christmas without our own Michael ( Sensei) M as the Dirty Santa , thank you Michael. It wouldn’t have been complete without the help of Elise M . Had a good crowd of Sandies, who all had a super time. Great pictures by Sandy and JoeJoe . Pictures by JoeJoe and Sandy S. Check Presentation to Meals on Wheels Pictures by JoeJoe and Sandy S

Just a reminder, fellow Sandies, dinner and Christmas Light Ride tonight. Meet 6ish at Golden Corral for dinner then a jaunt around Northgate. Come in the car to enjoy. I ‘m taking advantage of the nice weather and riding. It’s all about fellowship and enjoying the season with friends. Just think in a few short weeks it will be our 44th year of riding together . We start by jumping into freezing water, it’s a Sandie thing.

https://emeraldcoastpokerrun.com/pelican-plunge IT's On Time to get Semi Naked and introduce The those OMMPA LOOMPAS to some refreshing err Freezing Intro to 2024. Details to follow