While I was in Virginia this past month, I took a few side trips to see some new sights.

York, Penn. The Harley-Davidson assembly plant. Very slick tour, but mine was hampered by the workers being on break or something. Very little was in progress which disappointed me as I would have really enjoyed seeing this assembly line in progress. Some operations were in motion. The fender stamping and gas tank stamping and assembly was in operation. Nice use of lasers to cut excess metal from the stamped form. All holes were cut by laser as well. Pretty trick. All motorcycles are built in the order received, and not by batches. This seems to me to be somewhat inefficient, as you need to have more components on hand (inventory) and that runs counter to modern auto assembly where it is done with more JIT (just in time) delivery of components.
All in all, it was an enjoyable tour, very good presentation by knowledgeable staff. Security was high, no cameras, no knives, etc and you had to show identification and pass through a metal detector prior to entering the assembly plant. I'm sure that the workers like that as it protects them from some nut going postal. Free admission, and a giftshop that duplicates most dealership displays.

I also took time to visit the National Firearms Museaum at the NRA headquarters in Virginia. Very posh display with interactive kiosks to allow you to look up info on every item on display. Some very well presented displays and some unique firearms were displayed. Free admission. Nice giftshop too.

I also toured Arlington National Cemetary. My Dad is inurned there in the Columbarium so we visit regularly. The Tomb of the Unkown is a must see. The solemn and dignified Honor Guard trully do pay honor to the Unknowns. This changing of the guard as well as the movement of the guards is a must see. As a warning, do nothing to interfer with the guard or attempt to approach the tomb. The parents of one young toddler got very stern orders to keep their child under control as the guard stopped marching and came to high port arms as he delivered the orders. He then resumed marching as if nothing had happened. The Corporal of the Guard immediately appeared and had a chat with the parents. Must be monitored.

Three completely different visits, all enjoyable on their own merits.

Red

__________________
2005 Titan KC SE, Helwig, True-Track, ARE MX Canopy

Glad to hear that you had an enjoyable trip.

__________________
05 KC SE Smoke
01 Suzuki 600 GSF
88 Fiero 2M4

Sounds like a very enjoyable and relaxing trip. Now if we can just teach you how to take proper pictures.

What IMPROPER pictures have I taken??

As I said, H-D didn't allow photos or cameras and the NFA has everything in glass cases and my Nikon Digital doesn't handle those at all well.

Red

__________________
2005 Titan KC SE, Helwig, True-Track, ARE MX Canopy

Okay scan proper postcards then. Being self employed I never get to go anywhere now so I have to vacation vicariously.

What, you don't see enough of the world through photos of home renovations?!

__________________
05 KC SE Smoke
01 Suzuki 600 GSF
88 Fiero 2M4

yep, we want some pics man...

__________________
Jeremy



JBA Evol Cat-Back's * New Generation Volant Cold Air Intake (thx for the great deal SCMS John) * Airaid TBS Spacer * 2 Degree Timing Advance (thx:RB'sTitan) * AlTezza Custom tinted tail lights * 9006 True Views - Front Low Beams * Foglight modifcation (thx:wakeboarder) * Custom Painted Engine Cover (thx:scottsbro23) * CNC 2.5"Leveling T-6 Kit * 33x12.50x20 Nitto Terra Grapplers * 20x9.5 Axis Titan Rims (thx:vshortt) * Rockford Fosgate System w/subs * (2) 10" Memphis M Series Subs * Custom built 'Firedown' Sub Box * Sirius Satellite System * Viper 560XV Alarm w/ Automatic Engine Starter *

'UpRev - Osiris/Cipher' & Headers coming soon

You guys couldn't leave well enough alone! So here are a few sites to visit and a photo or two:

The National Firearms Museum, is a branch of the NRA. Here are their photos and even a virtual tour:

http://www.fxva.com/files/fairfaxmap/28.html
National Firearms Museum

http://www.nationalfirearmsmuseum.org/
National Firearms Museum

http://www.nationalfirearmsmuseum.org/tour/default.asp
NFM - Virtual Museum Tour

I also toured the Harley Davidson York Assembly Plant. They didn't allow photos so here is their site and it has a few pictures of the tour:

http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/c...1&locale=en_us
Harley-Davidson | Experience | Factory Tours | York, PA

Arlington National Cemetery, what a sobering place of beauty:

Photos of the Columbarium, JFK's Eternal Flame and The Tomb of the Unknown:

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/ima...s/aisle02.html
Arlington National Cemetery:: Photo Gallery_Surroundings
So many niches.

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/ima...mbarium02.html
Arlington National Cemetery:: Photo Gallery_Surroundings

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/ima.../image_69.html
Arlington National Cemetery:: Photo Gallery_Above Scenes
The Columbarium from above, so many souls.

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/ima...S/image25.html
Arlington National Cemetery:: Photo Gallery_Surroundings
JFK's Eternal Flame.

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/ima.../image_62.html
Arlington National Cemetery:: Photo Gallery_Above Scenes
Tomb of the Unknown from above. Notice the small guard shack and walking track going left to right above the Tomb. You can just see the guard there.

Here is a photo of my Mom's house: Well actually it is the family castle in England. We have direct lineage to the former owners. That and two bucks will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks! Oh!, there is also a picture of her real home. Bought in 1956 and lived there ever since, except for three years in Puerto Rico.

Red

Attached Thumbnails

   

__________________
2005 Titan KC SE, Helwig, True-Track, ARE MX Canopy

You guys bust my chops on no photos on this trip and when I go to all the trouble to post photos, you don't even have the manners to look and comment??

Why go to the trouble I wonder?

Red

__________________
2005 Titan KC SE, Helwig, True-Track, ARE MX Canopy

Remember it's Thanksgiving so it's slow........Anyway, When were you in Puerto Rico? I lived there the first time in 1966 to 1968 and then again in 1981. To this day I can still remember the smell of burning suger cane.

Thanks for the photos and links.