December 16, 2012 "Paradise HOG - Here I come!"

Hello all and HAPPY SUNDAY! It is a beautiful day here on Ft. Myers Beach, and my ride to Harley Davidson of Naples to attend my first meeting with the local chapter of HOG was excellent!

Paradise HOG. is one of 1400 chapters of the Harley Owners Group around the world doing GOOD things for the community, and I am a proud new member!

I am not much of a "group" person, have always ridden alone for the most part, and never worn colors for the primary reason that I have friends and acquaintances from many patch organizations and never really wanted to "cross sites" with any of them. For the most part patch organizations are great, with people who care about a cause of some kind and I would trust them more than most other people I know, so when I began to embrace the Harley Lifestyle for more then just a great ride, I started associating with more HOG members. 

Since my wife Sonja works for Harley-Davidson of Naples, and is friends with HOG members, I decided to check it out. My friend Don Z got me excited about the notion of joining and for one reason or the other, today was my first chance to be in on one of the meetings.

I had already met a lot of the members of Paradise HOG but I did not realize how many people were actually involved. Over 200 members, with what appeared to be around 65 or so in attendance in today's meeting. I was impressed! Not only by the numbers but by the things I heard from the board members and members at large.

It is kind of nice to see how our local community can be touched by organizations like HOG. I can only imagine if you multiply times 1400 the involvement and good works being delved out to people from HOG chapters across the globe, how many lives are being touched.

After the events of the week in Connecticut I wonder how groups like HOG could be instrumental to help out in tragic events, or even PREVENT tragic events like the one that happened in Sandy Hook if more and more people became actively involved. 

My hat goes off to Director Mike Antonucci and his Board for putting together what appears to be a class "A" organization.

I don't know how I can plug in, but I look forward to becoming an active member of this organization and sharing some of the rewards of being part of a team of people who care about things and each other in a world that seems to have gone a little crazy.

Someone once told me "Good works won't get you into Heaven". Well, I guess I have to agree with that, even with my little bit of Biblical knowledge I suppose that is true. However, good works maybe can get us through the "hell" we are living in right now. Focusing on community, sharing, helping, laughing together, maybe even shedding some tears, in a place where you feel accepted no matter who you are, it's pretty cool!

Thank you Paradise HOG for accepting me as a member. I look forward to working with you all.

Again my prayers go out to the Families and the Community of Sandy Hook Connecticut for the tragic event that will forever be remembered in a way that is not good. Peace to all the little ones. You are in God's hands now. Love to all 7 of my grand babies. Love you guys.

God Bless America! Ride Hard, Ride Long!

Gator D is headed to Bonita Bills for some fresh air and relaxation! SEE YOU LATER ALLIGATORS!

December 14, 2012 "Hooters and Harley's"

Good Morning world and Welcome to Dyna-Saur Tales!

I would like to start this blog on a somber note, reflecting on the tragic events that took place yesterday in the lives of many who lost their loved ones in a senseless crime involving children at a elementary school in Connecticut. Twenty six deaths, broken lives, broken hearts, so unbelievable that someone could do such a horrific thing. I do not want to dwell on this issue but I do want to say to those who lost loved ones I'm so sorry and my prayers go out to you. 

People keep vigilant and know that there are those out their who are dark and lost and NO amount of laws concerning guns or anything else can solve these nasty mysteries in the world that we live in. When someone gets to that dark place in their mind they WILL find a way to do bad things because that is the  epitaph of their existence and the outgoing act that they hope will solve the lostness they feel inside. I don't pretend to understand this act at all. I do know it will not be the last. Do not disarm Americans Mr. President. It will not keep these nasties from happening. Think about how this incident could have been different if an armed person, a good citizen, a sane man or woman who believes in their right to arm themselves to protect the ones they love and have a sense of peace in a non-peaceful world, were in the vicinity when that man pulled those guns and started firing. Yes there would have been bloodshed, and yes death. But maybe not 26. I don't know, I'm just saying. Don't leave us defenseless in this nasty world. May God Bless you all.

Alrighty then! Tears are drying up now so I will move on!

One of the things I love most about being a part of the Harley world is that these guys have FUN! I mean, around every corner, on every day of the year, you can find a Harley Event to join and have a blast at!

Harley Davidson of Naples (3645 Gateway Lane) and Hooters (3625 Gateway Lane) of Naples teamed up to host the "Hooters and Harley's" event beginning last night and extending through today, December 15th. This has become an annual event here and is truly worthy of a ride!

After a long day working on the tour boat with Cristina and Joe, I hurried home for a quick shower and clothes change to meet my friend Don here at the house. We made our way to the event side which is about a 20 mile ride for us and the weather was perfect. We arrived to find the featured band "Starz" going through their final set up and "tuning" processes and let me tell you when they opened up the show they ROCKED!

These guys are incredible and a perfect match for a Harley event! We hope to see Cindy and her boys in the future at more of these events. I don't dance much but I did "bob up and down" a lot listening to the classic rock and dance music these guys offered!

Event's like these are what sets Harley apart from other MC groups. There were a couple hundred people roaming around, socializing, laughing, enjoying the night air, sucking down some brews and just relaxing and having a good night. 

"Starz" getting ready to ROCK!

 Sunglass Doug was also there with his great array of glasses for the biker lifestyle. I actually needed a new pair of clear night riders so I spent a little time speaking to Doug and ended up finding a perfect pair and also walked away with a new pair of motorcycle glasses. Thanks Doug for all your help!

 I met Robin and Ed of "Silver Fantasy land" and spent quite a while looking at their beautiful jewelry before deciding on a ring to add to my collection. What a nice pair of people and some great looking jewelry. Robin and Ed have been hanging out at the events sharing their wares with everyone so check them out at the next event. Some great things to spruce up your riding look!

 Paradise Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) is on its final day of selling a chance to win a new Harley and last night they had their ticket booth set up. If you have not purchased a ticket for this bike yet (the proceeds go for a great cause) get down to Hooters and Harley's this morning and you may still be able to get a ticket. Its a beautiful bike and if you don't want that you can win $15,000!

 Rob with a couple of the Hooters girls! Where's Lisa? Oh yeah, she was with me!

 Sonja and Don

 Sonja and ME! Gator D!

 Oh there's Lisa with Sonja and I!

 Lisa upgraded her bike with a BELL! 

 One of the most important jobs at a Harley event is being at the Budweiser Booth and serving brew! Thanks Girls!

 One of the highlights of the night was the "Slow Race". If you are into the Harley world, you know we are not about SPEED (well not for the most part), but about a pace that is suitable for the enjoyment of a motorcycle ride (OK so I'm stretching it a little with this but I'm building to it). SO, what do we do? We see how SLOW we can race! The first one over the finish line LOSES! Can't put you feet down, can't run out of bounds (could run over someone) and the slower the better! So much fun to watch, so much harder to do then most people think! Over 10 riders entered the race and the winner, for the 3rd (or 4th) year in a row was Danny! Good job Danny! HOWEVER, a sneaky entry came from a young man named Mike who came in second with his "Metric" Crotch Rocket! Boy he put on a show and frankly I am happy, for his sake, that he did not win! I had envisioned finding Mike hanging from the flag pole this morning if he would have walked away from this event as a winner on a metric bike! Way to go Mike!

 Mike, very courageous "Metric" biker who came in second at the "Slow Race"

 Danny the winner of the "Slow Race" with my Bride Sonja! That's all your getting Danny! You ain't Mario Andretti!

 OK, so I gotta tell you this. This TOO is why I love Harley of Naples! The young man, Curtis, who came in 3rd place with his recently purchased "48" sportster had a intermittent taillight and it was dark out. Nothing will get you pulled faster then a taillight that is not functioning right. So, Ryan Schell, the NEW General Manager of Harley Of Naples and Jason Lauer, HD Parts of Naples, worked on Curtis' bike and got it working. Now these guys were not on the clock, were not being paid, were in the middle of a kick ass fun event, and yet, they took time to help a customer. THIS ROCKS! This is what customer service is all about! The employees or Harley of Naples are all about this kind of stuff! Congratulations to Ryan for his appointment to GM and thanks to you and your great people for making our Harley experience a great one!

Well, another wonderful event full of fun, food, bikes, babes, brew and ton's of good people! I better sign off here for now and get ready for a day on the water! If you can make it out to "Hooters and Harley's" do it you will have a blast!

Have a great and productive day! Gator D is out of here! SEE YOU LATER ALLIGATORS!

December 13, 2012 "Tales of an Old Biker begins!"

Hello and welcome to "Dyna-Saur Tales", and adventure blog by me, Dwight "Gator D" Locke!

I live and work in South West Florida where we can ride 365 days a year! No "weekend warrior" stuff for me. I ride daily on my 2004 Dyna Super Glide and totally enjoy my biker lifestyle!

No, I'm not a 1% biker, I am a normal guy who loves to ride. I have been riding for a long time and have owned several bikes, of all makes and models, and although I have nothing against the "metrics" I prefer to ride Harley's! I spent most of my adult life serving this country in the Armed Forces and the Federal Government and find it some what patriotic to set on my Harley instead of a metric! Please do not think I am judging you if you are a metric biker I'm not. But you will not read about metrics on here unless it is a bi-product of my journeys into the heart of the biker lifestyle that this blog is all about. 

My wife, Sonja, works for Harley Davidson of Naples Florida and is as embedded into the lifestyle, maybe even more, then I. We have lot's of friends in and out of the lifestyle but I would say 80% of them ride a Harley. 

I have no idea where this blog will take me but I plan on chronicling my riding adventures and featuring photos and videos of my journeys as they pop up. I hope you join me here as I write about this wonderful passion of mine and share with you the open road and the adventures that come.

This is my first post and I will be working on the actual composition of the site as I roll down the road so right now it is a little bland at best but it will improve!

God bless you and God bless America! Ride HARD, ride LONG!