The Festival of Trees

As I blogged awhile back, we have a "Festival of Trees" every year in our valley. This is a fundraiser for the Primary Childrens Hospital. The PCH is considered one of the top childrens hospitals in the nation.

At the Festival of Trees, a person decorates a tree or other Christmas decoration, and displays it at the Festival. The Festival people auction the decorations and all proceeds go the the hospital. There are many trees dedicated to the memory of a loved one, or some are themed around an important event of a person's life. There are many unique and beautiful trees at this event. My tree is, welllll.....unique.

No such cherished memory for me, I simply like motorcycles so that's my theme.

Gathering some of the items needed for the tree.

I would cut these tires to be the 'branches' of the tree.

The 'trunk' is three abs pipes with some expando insulation between the two small pipes and the largest one. I hoped this would give the strength needed to hold up the tire/branches.
Three neighborhood cuties come over to offer some advice.

Finally the decoration day is here. On November 28, all trees must be put up before 7:00 pm. The doors open at 7am. We got to the South Town Expo center just after 7 Sunrise found us, (wife Beverly, son Fenton, and I) toting our supplies into the building.
I can't believe how much sssch...tuf we took.

Starting to put together the tree.

It's going together... I can't tell you how hard it was to put this Benelli on the tree. I wanted it for myself!

A salute to our riding brothers and sisters 'down under'......(get it? down under the tree...)

A huge thanks to everyone who contributed to this project!

And.....here it is my unique tree! We received numerous compliments and positive remarks about the tree and almost all of them were said with a straight face.........

Some more pics

It was a good experience, The huge Expo center is filled with beautiful trees, ginger bread houses, quilts, etc, etc. But more importantly it is filled with a giving spirit, and the true meaning of Christmas. This might be the most Christmasy Christmas I've ever had, but, there is no sense going overboard. I'm done. At least until next years Festival of Trees!

Seven bikes in seven days!

Somebody, one of my blogging buddies (Sonja maybe?), started the "seven day challenge" - outfit your stable of bikes by choosing a bike for each day of the week; a fantasy motorcycle collection. Money is no object....sounds like fun, lets play! You might notice that I prefer Adventure Touring machines.

For a nice relaxed Sunday ride what could be better than a Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Electra Deluxe? The Bullet inspires images of jacket, tie, and beret clad riders off on a Sunday ride out to the country side, stopping at a green meadow for a picnic and tea.
Monday's ride; start the work day week off right on a sassy Triumph Scrambler.

Tuesday take a ride on a sexy looking, very sexy sounding Benelli Tre - K. The Benelli has a triple, if you search you tube, "Benelli TreK test" you will hear and see what I mean......

Wednesday, another beautiful Italian with a LoveLy set of twins, the Multistrada 1200 S

Wednesday yet another sweet Italian is in store for the spoiled rider. Can you see the pattern here? The Moto Guzzi Norge, a good looking bike, with a sweet sounding V but the Goose has the engine mounted cross-ways with its jugs sticking out on each side.

Friday has to be the V-Strom, a bike that is actually in my garage. Since I've owned two Suzuki V-Stroms, and I absolutely love the Strom I would be remiss to not include it in my stable. The V-TWIN engine, and the comfortable ride make this bike a winner! I've put a combined 98,000 miles on the stroms and have no real complaints. It will be a sad day when this bike leaves me...........

Saturday is for the Triumph Speedmaster. I have no idea if I would enjoy riding this bike, I've never even touched one, but I've always loved the drop dead sexy look of the Trumpet Speedmaster.

There you have it, one thumper, one triple and 5 twins. Sounds like party time in Tombstone's garage!

Thanks for reading! :)