There's a great show on the FOOD NETWORK - Feasting on Asphalt - if you get a chance to watch it you won't be sorry. Alton Brown is a damn fine chef, and takes his motorcycle and a few friends across the US in search of real road food. The video and still images are simply wonderful, as is his commentary.

I have a confession to make. Because of Alton Brown, I bought a motorcycle and I'm riding it. There, I said it. I feel so much better now. I took these photos after a short ride around the county in search of cool old signs and eateries. Yep. I couldn't help myself. The biggest reason I wanted a motorcycle was to drag my camera out and find places just like these to photograph. It works pretty good, too. I can turn around quickly when I see something I want to photograph. I can pull right up and slide in to even the fullest of parking lots. There's always enough room for me and my bike and my camera.

I didn't get the big honking bike I was thinking of getting. I picked up something much more reserved and classic - a cool red and black Triumph Bonneville T100. It's me, for sure. I wear my helmet, gloves, jacket, pants and boots. Oh, and I even told my mom - she didn't flip out - much :-) She did remind me of the time I flipped my motorcycle (age 18, no shoes, no shirt, no helmet, no glasses) and she had to pick glass and pebbles from the cuts in my head (probably the biggest reason I lost all my hair so early) and arms and legs -- it hurt - a lot. So -- I took the safety course, rode lots of practice miles, and I wear the gear.

I know - I'm a nut. But think of it this way - if something happens to me - I go with a camera by my side :-)

I'm out of here again early tomorrow morning for a few days. My motorcycle photo adventures will have to wait until my return.

Listening to: Iron Man - Black Sabbath

Favorite Chef