A relaxing Friday in Oneonta.

I began to prep the bike for the journey west today. The front tire needs to be changed due to a strange wear pattern it was showing. While the tire is being swapped, I grab some sushi with my mom for lunch. Apparently the tire had a slow leak and the low tire pressure was causing the premature wear. I’m very glad this was taken care of before departing.

My dad rides to Oneonta to give my bike a test ride. He is curious about my Suzuki V-Strom, so with him on my bike and me on his Harley, we take a ride. He brings me to this great place that makes homemade ice cream in a refurbished barn using locally farmed dairy.

[Pie in the Sky Ice Cream Shop]

After the delicious peanut butter cup ice cream, we ride over to F&M Castings to check on the counter tops for my mom’s house. I figure my dad would be intrigued by the process given his propensity for making things himself. I’m surprised to see that both counters have been cast and Frank is busily grinding and polishing them already. They look incredible and the color, texture and crispness of the edges is very exciting. I can’t wait to see them installed on my next trip to New York.

[island counter]

In the evening we have a gathering at my mom’s new house with my aunts, uncles and cousins. My stepsiblings also make their way to Oneonta after their work days wrap up. It’s really great to catch up with everyone and share a bit about the ride east. They all seem impressed and slightly dumbfounded as to why anyone would ride a motorcycle around the country, but they are all supportive nonetheless.