Monday, October 12, 2009

Hot Wheels .....and a lot of 'em!



Saturday I visited the Barber Motorsports Museum for the very first time. The occasion was my grandson Davis' fifth birthday party. Interestingly enough, Davis' dad, both grandfathers and his great grandfather were huge motorcycle lovers so I guess he might come by all of this naturally. As the "family photographer" I was anxious to tag along as I've heard about this place for years but somehow had never made a visit. In the words of the six, 5 year olds, "AWESOME". I agree!

This is a world class facility and their webesite states: "We are dedicated to the presentation, exhibition and interpretation of the history of motorcycles, vintage vehicles, and motor sports."At any given time there are over 500 of the 1200 vintage and modern motorcycles on display, as well as race cars and the largest collection of Lotus cars in the world. While I admit that I'm not a motorcycle enthusiast, I tried to photograph this fabulous place as best I could. Capturing it was a little like trying to photograph the Grand Canyon! I will say this, I've never seen that many smiling (and drooling ) men in one place in my life!!!

Due to inclimate weather, we were unable to take advantage of the Vinatage Festival that was going on in the park ( 740 acres). The race track accomodates not only motorcyle but car racing as well. Our family will definitely make another visit to take advantage of that. Yet another reason to visit Birmingham!

PS Many more photos to follow in days to come.


19 comments:

Olivier said...

d'abord bravo pour la composition de la première photo et j'aurais bien aimé avoir cette collection de petite moto ;o)
First congratulations for the composition of the first picture and I would have liked to have this collection of small motorcycle ;o)

Pat said...

Agree with Olivier re: composition. I love motorcycles and have always had a latent desire to have one....but I don't have a garage here, and leaving it downstairs would be risky.

Laurie Allee said...

Wowza. That's a lot of metal!

I've only ridden on a motorcycle once. It was back in college and I was hanging on for dear life to the back of an utterly irresponsible but impossibly cute guy from my comparative lit class who was weaving through city traffic like Brando in The Wild Bunch. (And if my little daughter ever does anything like that when she's 18, I'll lock her in her room!)

Great pictures, Virg.

Halcyon said...

Nice pictures. Looks like a little-boy's paradise!

Karen said...

Ditto on the composition but I really love the copper colors on the rims ad trim. I've never seen that before.
The kids are cute, too.

Hugs from Paris. Some of these places keep whispering to me...."Say hi to Virginia..."

Thérèse said...

I would definitively visit this museum for the fun of it. I do like motorcycles and riding along the Pacific Coast Highway holding tight to my son is always a thrill.
Who knows which one of the six smiling boys will ride one one day.

B SQUARED said...

Must be a cool place even to those who don't care for motorcycles.

Birdman said...

Looks like a neat spot. Great shot of the 'boys'. Ha!

Anonymous said...

The best part of the trip was when one of the staff cranked up the bike you see behind the boys, they all had to stick their fingers in their ears. It was loud and as they all agreed, "awesome"!!

Melissa (mom to the birthday boy who can't wait to get on a motorcycle and ride)!

Virginia said...

Olivier,
I agree they look like miniature cycles all lined up!

Laurie,
Somehow I can picture you in that "scene" from collage and I'm pretty sure Little Bit will follow in her mother's footsteps! Get ready girl!

Thérèse,
You must have learned to love riding motorcycles in Paris!

Karen,
Tell all those places I'll be back one day soon!

Halcyon,
It actually is more of a big boy's paradise. As I said, there were some mighty happy been wandering all over the place!

BIBI,
YOU with a bike?? Whoaa, now I wouldn't have guessed that!

B2
YES it was.

marley said...

It looks very cool there! I want to go!

Marie-Noyale said...

AHHH...
The sweet call of the
Vroooom VRooooM!!!
Those six cuties have it in their genes!!

Bob Crowe said...

Oh, that's right, you've been hanging out with the bikers. I should have sent you a leather jacket. They look awfully cool but I'm of the school that considers organ donor to be an equivalent term for motorcycle rider.

Daryl said...

Fabulous .. another love of mine are bike wheels .. motor or pedal no matter ..

Rob said...

So, when are you taking one out for a spin?

Lowell said...

That last photo is adorable! I mean the photo is terrific, the kids are adorable!

I would very much like to visit this place...and I think even those who are not bike enthusiasts would like it.

The first photo is excellent too - very well composed!

TheChieftess said...

What a fun pic of those fabulous boys!!! It's obvious they're having a great time!!! Love the first photo too!!!

Maya said...

Fun!

Unknown said...

Hot wheels indeed! And what a 'collection' of cutest kids! :-)