Once upon a time in 1976, three American teachers arrived in Warren, New South Wales, Australia on a two year teaching contract.

One was an Art teacher named Howard Michaels and later nicknamed 'The Swank Yank' who came from Paterson, New Jersey.

Americans numbers two and three were husband and wife team of Bob and Sally Konowicz. Bob was a Phys Ed teacher who also came from New Jersey as did Howard, while wife Sally taught Special Education and was originally from Boston.

At that time Greg and I were also living and teaching in Warren having been dispatched there directly from teacher training in Wollongong. The five of us soon became firm friends and have kept in regular touch ever since.

Now it was time to catch up again.

After a long drive mainly through Pennsylvania we reached Howard's home in Hamilton, New Jersey and spent the night with Howard eating, reminiscing and eating some more.

Howard is an artist and his home is adorned with pieces of his work. An invitation was issued and tentative plans were hatched to catch up again whenever Howard can get to Australia.

An early start the next morning had us facing another 350 mile drive to get to Concord, New Hampshire. We had booked two nights accommodation in Concord so we could attend the Laconia Bike Week Rally.

Along the way we bypassed New York city where we could see the skyline in the distance as we drove over traffic infested George Washington Bridge.

We continued north through Connecticut along the Merritt Parkway known for its scenic layout and elaborate overpass bridges along the route with each one being architectually different.

Arrangements had been made for Bob and Sally to meet us in Concord as they live on Cape Cod, Massachusetts only a couple of hours drive away. Bob and Sally had never been to a motorcycle event of any kind so Laconia was a good way to start and they jumped at the chance.

We had a great dinner together reminiscing and sharing stories about our children and grandchildren. It was also Bob and Sally's 44th wedding anniversary. Congratulations lovebirds!

Next blog - Laconia Bike Week!

*Blog of the Day - 11