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Long time no see on this one. The fairing has been incredibly difficult to source, but about three weeks ago one turned up in the UK in great condition. I bought it and had it shipped over. On Saturday, I rode 2 1/4 hours out to State College, PA, area on my 2019 BMW R NineT Scrambler to test ride some Moto Guzzi bikes. After riding there for a few hours, I rode the 2 1/4 hours back. The seat on my NineT is horrible for long-distance riding and by the time I got home I was exhausted and everything hurt. Some of the Moto Guzzis were touring bikes and were really comfortable to ride, making me think that I might like having a touring bike instead. But wait.... I already HAVE a touring bike. So as soon as I got home, and before I even got my riding gear off, I went and pulled the R1100 RS out of storage, put the battery back in, and it fired up. By Sunday, I started cleaning the grime and grease and finished up like this. Yesterday I ran around getting some bulbs, small parts, and fluids for a fluid change, but you can't do a fluid change on these bikes until they've been ridden for at least 20 minutes and then cooled for 20 minutes.... so, my next step was clear. Put it back together. As of last night: I took it for a short shakedown cruise this morning and it ran great. It still needs the fluid changes, and I'm going to replace the valve covers (I already have them), and a few other odds and ends, but it's getting pretty close to being ready to ride.

Casino's are hugely depressing. Mentally and emotionally I am so done with so much of America and American culture. I want to get on an A350 (not a Boeing product...!) and leave...and never come back. Seriously. Slap the window shade down when the plane pulls off the runway, and never, ever look back.

I was going to mention that casinos are a real turn-off. They border on depressing. If a person has a basic statistics course under their belt, they wouldn't go into one. You don't really even need a course. I heard a story of a kid - about 10 - riding in a car with his parents down the Las Vegas Strip. He commented that if these casinos were paying out jackpots left and right, they couldn't continue to exist. Usually, I periodically stop in at casinos if they have a buffet. All of the buffets at the Stateline on South Lake Tahoe appear to be gone. It started with Covid and it's been used as a reason to not bring them back. Most, not all, of the casino buffets in Reno area also gone. "The Row" - Silver Legacy, Circus Circus, and Eldorado - have done away with buffets. The Eldorado had Italian night on Wednesdays that was the one buffet I'd plan the visit around, with pasta, chicken, beef, and polenta dishes that were really something! The Peppermill, Rail City, the Nugget, and the Bonanza at the top end of town no longer have buffets. Harrah's Reno closed its doors. The only 2 big ones that remain are Grand Sierra Resort (formerly the MGM Reno) and it is prohibitively expensive, and the Atlantis, which is more affordable. I used to go into the GSR for their breakfast buffet in the 2000s ... affordable and filling, and most of the food choices were very good. I found a third one with a good price point at the Sands and went in to eat. You get what you pay for. It was hit and miss. A long drive afterwards is difficult. The bottom line is that my stomach doesn't stretch well to accommodate buffets anymore. I'm now going about once every 3 months. I'm not missing them. They're going the way of the dinosaur ... like I.C.E. cars.

I am so in agreement that just getting away to the mountains is such mentally refreshing. Any where but in a city with political idiots pushing narrow minded agenda's. Lets get back to a more balanced give and take life with folks that realize the world is a wealth of options and those options is what makes life so fun, not a single narrow focus. See ya on a trail in the Mountains my friend!!!

Cathay Pacific aircraft are beauties ... nice understated livery. On that A350, black raccoon paint around cockpit windows, only 14 wheels (total), and it rotated very quickly.

On a more positive note...

That looks fantastic!

Very much a throwback to the 70s but they are more diverse than that. This one here though captures his energy perfectly though IMO. They are featured in a few Chevy commercials too.

Look, it was posted by a certain "Karen."

Went to go out and grab something from the Italian grocery down the street for lunch, and my Jeep wouldn’t start. Hadn’t started it in 2 weeks. Later got out my jump pack, and battery on it was swollen and sticking out of the case. Not good. It was 3 yrs old. Called AAA, they jumped it and the battery was discharged. Got the battery replaced, the old one said Manufactured for. Chrysler, Sept 2013. 11 year old battery! Still had the original battery, longest I’ve had one last.

Back home from my vacation. 9 days, 7 states, 2300 miles. The CT6 performed flawlessly and proved to be a great road trip car. Got a lot of rest and relaxation, a lot of beach time. Enjoyed Myrtle Beach and Charleston, SC, loved the Outer Banks of NC. First pic is in Rodanthe in the Outer Banks after driving through torrential rain (AWD and traction control helped a lot), second pic is this morning in Maryland. Saw a lot of interesting places, lots of good food.