Drew | BenSpark Family Adventures

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BenSpark.com is about my life through photography. Each image is a gateway to a story about my daily life. Occasionally funny, inspiring, interesting or creative BenSpark.com is real life in photos. With over 4200 consecutive days and many different cameras BenSpark.com has documented images from the mundane to the amazing.

Today Allison and I went with Elise and Charles to the York, PA Harley Davidson Vehicle Operations Plant for a tour. They are in their busy production period, creating the 2007 bikes so we could not see the actual assembly line because dealers get to see the 2007’s first. Today’s photo was taken by the guy at the door who hands out the tickets to the tour. The photo on the top of the page was taken by Elise. You could not bring a camera into the plant but in the tour building you could and you could also sit on all the display bikes. We each picked one or two and gave them a try. Then we spent some time at the giftshop picking up some stuff. Hats and shirts and of course, pins.

After the tour and shopping we went down the road to Laugerman’s Harley-Davidson. They had their own museum with their own family collection, some great stuff. I am surprised that their pin was a very lame one. Oh well.

After that we had lunch at the 83 diner. A good meal. Some strong lemonade though. I cut it with water twice and it was still strong. Here are some additional pictures from the day.

Charles

Elise

Allison

Allison and Elise

A bike at Laugerman’s

One of my heroes, Alton Brown has a new special on the Food Network called Feasting on Asphalt. It is a series of four episodes where Brown and his crew take to the open road upon their motorcycles, (Glad you finally got one Alton – we talked about motorcycles back when Allison and I met him in 2003 at a book signing for his book Gear for My Kitchen)

Here is what the Food network has to say about the show.
Feasting on Asphalt

Get your motor running! Eat out on the highway!

Helmet snug and biker chains dangling, the inimitable Alton Brown is Feasting on Asphalt –a (working) title only he could dream up. Atop his motorcycle, Alton sets out on Route 66 to experience the most colorful cuisine that storied highway has to offer. From secret hamburger hideaways to delicious truck stop diners, he reveals the heartland havens that make up the culinary heritage of America.

This show should be fantastic and for many reasons. First of all it combines two things I love, motorcycles and food. The road trip through back roads to find those places that are not part of some corporate chain is so much fun. Whenever I travel to places I try and find something that is not a major chain, most often I am not disappointed in my meal. Not for nothing, but I had thought that a show that featured a group of riders going from place to place and dining on regional foods along the way would be a fantastic idea for a show. I am glad that Alton Brown has made this a reality. Not a reality show, those are awful.

The show called Feasting on Asphalt is set to premiere on July 29th. Here is the rest of the schedule.

Episode I premieres on Food Network Saturday, July 29, 2006 at 9 PM ET/PT
Episode II – Aug 5
Episode III Aug 12
Episode IV Aug 19
All episodes air at 9 PM ET/PT

During the filming of the show Alton had an accident and broke his clavicle. He is okay but wounded. Be careful Alton, I certainly want you around for many years to come, you’re about the best thing about cooking there is out there.

Here are some articles about the show. I hope you watch it, it should be great.

Press release from Alton Brown’s website.

New York Time’s Article – (Requires free signup.)

Scripps Howard News Service

The Wichita Eagle

Lamar Daily News This story has a few good paragraphs the rest is from Alton’s bio on his website.

Alton’s books
I’m Just Here for the Food
Gear for Your Kitchen
I’m Just Here for More Food