It was a crisp autum day, the sun was shinning, breezes were light, and I was sitting on back porch enjoying a cup of coffee. Suddenly (as it happens to most of us), I felt the urge to go for a ride. Justified this (as if we need too) by thinking I need to check out a route for a day-ride, for the riders who are coming to the International Rally in 2005.

When I first heard the rally would be held in my hometown I thought why in the world would they come here? After mulling it over, it came to me Why not!! after all Ohio has many things rally goers may have never seen:

• Air Force Museum
  
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  
• Pro Football Hall of Fame
  
• Mid Ohio track
  
• Motorcycle Museum
  
• Amish farmlands
  
• Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum and College Football Hall of Fame in nearby Indiana
  
• Scenic and twisty rides in Southern Ohio and Indiana, as well as in Pa.
  

So much for the deep thinking, time to ride! After 5 seconds of begging, the spouse agreed to accompany me and we saddled up. As I said it was a perfect fall day and we planned to make a day of it.

The plan was to find a circular route about 75 miles long. It should wind thru some of our small villages with things to see and admire, quaint little gift shops to stop at, and good places for beverages and food. All in all not hard to do in this area.

We rode thru a village with a park displaying military items and a train display, so we stopped for a picture. Down country rodes surrounded on both sides by farms and all types of housing. Went to Indian Lake (we like to think the songwriter had it on his/her mind) stopped for some lunch and enjoyed the cool breezes off the lake and watched some boaters enjoying the beautiful day. Saw a multitude of Harleys around the lake, and yes in this area they do return your greeting. There are few BMW's in this area so we were a curiousity of sorts. Not hard to differientiate as they were in their leathers and we were in our customary jeans and jackets with helmets on. Around the lake we rode stopping at a few gift shops and for gas.

Heading back towards Lima on some country roads, we noticed the fall colors were just starting to emerge. Farmers were busy in their fields harvesting and no doubt wishing they were in our shoes. Turned west and went to Wapakoneta,Oh. home of Neil Armstrong (1st man on the moon), and the Space Museum that bears his name with an actual moon rock as well as space capsules, and rocket displays. Arrived at inlaws home where we enjoyed a beverage and enticed them to mount their Harley and join us. We rode thru the countryside to a State park with a memorial to the war of 1812 and a cemetary where many military men were interred. After a short walk around and as we had ridden about 120 miles we headed back towards home.

We rode past our famous Kewpee Hamburger place ( established in 1928) and enjoyed a piece of homemade pie, After we arrived safely at home. we decided it was once again " All in all a great day on the bike".

After contemplating this ride I realized their is no such thing as an uninteresting area of this great country. Every area has things to see and do. And on our reliable BMW's we can all enjoy the ride.