2019 Purple Martin Season

We added a new rack for the 2019 season. We currently have 70 pair, with a 72 pair capacity. Almost full capacity. About half of the babies have already fledged, so there is quite a racket out in the yard, specially just before they come pack and land for the night, roosting in the gourds.

They will be all gone in another month and a half, headed back to Brazil, where they spend the winter, and will be back in February next year. Most of these pair will return to our colony, even to the same gourd sometimes.

 

Mammoth Cave NP, Ky.

On my way to Lebanon, TN from SC via southern OH and KY for the 2019 BMWMOA Nationals. Just had to drop by Mammoth Cave NP, KY for a couple of days of some nice camping. This is a beautiful place, with cave exploration opportunities. I highly recommend taking one or more of the parks cave tours.

 

 

Great Smokey Mountains

Had to get away for a few days and took my BMW S1000XR up to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. Stayed at Cades Cove campground for 3 nights. For the first time in about 30 years, I got on a bicycle and rode the entire length of the Cades Cove Loop.
Rented the bike from the campground. Lots of fun. Somewhat unsteady the first few minutes 🙂

Somewhere on the Parkway

S1000OXR

Somewhere on the Parkway

Cheoah Dam, where Harrison Ford jumped off in “The Fugitive”

Cheoah Dam

Cades Cove Loop. Early in the morning. No cars 😀

 

2019 BMW 1250 Boxer Engine

Brand new video featuring the 2019 BMW 1250 Boxer Engine, The new boxer engine will feature variable valve timing to increase the power and torque. Although the best-selling big adventure motorcycle on the market, the big GS is facing a tough competition by KTM and Ducati, who come up with 160 hp, while the R1200GS features only 125. Most GS owners say that 125 hp and 125 NM of torque is enough for an adventure motorcycle, but there’s serious pressure from the competition.