Not on a Hog
This past weekend I had planned to spend watching my daughter’s pets, Tillie and Leroy. Unknown to me, it happened to coincide with the one hundred and fifteen year Harley Davidson anniversary celebration, just blocks from my daughter’s apartment. I had invited a friend to join me for the day and had planned on having dinner before we realized we would be in the midst of the sea of Harley motorcycles. To be honest, I had heard over the years, how big the celebrations were, but for some reason didn’t think it would be as crowded where we would be hanging out.
We headed out, on foot, late afternoon to get a jump on the crowds. However, there were already motorcycles every where you looked. There were bikes of every color, new, and vintage looking their best and hoping to impress. As we glanced around, everyone wore black….black pants, boots, shirts, vests, headbands and any other riding apparel a person could think of wearing. My friend and I were very out of place in our “flowy” pants and brightly colored shirts. Anyone looking our way could tell we hadn’t arrived a hog…..LOL.
As the evening settled in, we somehow managed to find an empty table and chairs; inviting us to sit, relax and people watch. Harley fans and riders of all ages, and colors filled the streets, as scads of motorcycles filed in a single line through the middle of the crowds, along the festival route. There were thousands of bikes lining every inch of curb, running along the eight or nine block span.
At one point I glanced over and happened to see family friends walking through the crowd. I had to take a second glance since they lived two states away. Upon approaching, they asked if I arrived on a bike, as the husband looked me over, shook his head and commented about my outfit not quite fitting in with the crowd, I agreed and we all laughed. They were all duded out in black Harley garb, looking the part and having a great time.
As the night progressed, even though we didn’t look like Harley riders, it didn’t matter. People were friendly and they didn’t seemed to be bothered in the least. It was a festival for celebrating one hundred fifteen years of freedom on a Harley and everyone was part of the family. You never know what fun experience is waiting just around the corner. Even though I was not on a hog, I felt like part of the celebration. What new adventure have you discovered lately?
xoxox…..Sheryl