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| Map of Travels |
My early years were spent in Bayside and Great Neck, Long Island, N.Y. At age 20, with raging hormones I moved to New York City seeking education and adventure. In 1953 I moved back with my family in their new home in New Jersey. Working as a draftsman for the engineering firm of Gibbs and Hill, I became interested in photography and soon realized it would become my life’s work. I applied for a job as a news photographer with the Bergen Evening Record in Hackensack, NJ. I was hired at age 23, and for the next 20 years honed my craft. I met and fell in love with a woman I’d photographed on assignment. Bea and I were married within seven months and three years later I’d fathered three wonderful daughters. I bought my first motorbike, a 350 Douglas in 1953 and a year later a 500 Triumph. When my first child arrived, I left two wheels for four. Ten years later I bought my third bike, a Honda 305 Scrambler followed by an S90 that I customized with a tubular frame and racing fairing. A few years later I was riding a Honda 350 to and from work, a 70 mile round trip. One fateful evening I made the 35 mile ride home in a snow storm. That ride was the most difficult, scary experience I’d had riding a motorbike. When I arrived home I was close to hypothermia and that put paid to my riding for a long time. It would be 20 years before I rode again. Living and traveling for ten years aboard our 36 foot sailboat, finally found us in Florida. Unfortunately my wife became ill with cancer and died a year and a half later. Retired, with time to reorganize my life, I returned to motorcycling and bought my first Suzuki, an 800 Intruder. Then a Suzuki Bandit and finally several Honda sports bikes, a VFR 800 and VTR 1000. Life was simple, but lacked excitement and adventure. I sold my home in Stuart, and flush with funds bought a Gold Wing and Hannigan sidecar. A rocking chair is not an option for this 75 year old grandfather. I can’t image a more wonderful way to live my final years than blasting down a motorway or riding slowly along country roads surrounded by God’s exceptional beauty. Is there a better way to fill one’s rice bowl? If so, I’d liked to hear about it. |
| A Brief Personal History |
| FOLLOW THE YELLOW LINE Motorcycle Touring with Stuart Davis and His Side Car www.followtheyellowline.com |
