OP
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44570
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44570
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
There's been a sequel to the Bella Italia trip, which was even more life-changing. I took myself off to California to meet some of my fellow Bella Italia companions. This had unlooked-for but hugely welcomed consequences.

You can read the story here:
http://www.wotmeworry.org.uk/ca/report.htm
@paige avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
LX150, MP3, Buddy
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1531
Location: California
 
Molto Verboso
@paige avatar
LX150, MP3, Buddy
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1531
Location: California
UTC quote
8)
@teacherquinn avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2019
Location: Valencia, Spain
 
Ossessionato
@teacherquinn avatar
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2019
Location: Valencia, Spain
UTC quote
Hmm...I don't personally know you and I don't know Kristin but I really enjoyed reading about your trip!
@scootergirlinal avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2012 BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2091
Location: Vestavia Hills, AL
 
Ossessionato
@scootergirlinal avatar
2012 BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2091
Location: Vestavia Hills, AL
UTC quote
Wonderful report! Congratulations to you both on finding someone to share the journey!

Time to drop "Grumpy Old Git"?
@60yomod avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2009 LXV125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1566
Location: Baildon, Yorkshire, England
 
Molto Verboso
@60yomod avatar
2009 LXV125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1566
Location: Baildon, Yorkshire, England
UTC quote
Great write up Jim.

Very best wishes to you both.

The London ladies may need to consider laying in a stock of new hats
@desmolicious avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3727
Location: Venice Beach, CA
 
Ossessionato
@desmolicious avatar
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3727
Location: Venice Beach, CA
UTC quote
Very nice, congratulations.
@ronin avatar
UTC

Addicted
Vespa Rally 180 BMW R1150R Suzuki Burgman 400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 871
Location: Royal Oak, Michigan, USA
 
Addicted
@ronin avatar
Vespa Rally 180 BMW R1150R Suzuki Burgman 400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 871
Location: Royal Oak, Michigan, USA
UTC quote
Brilliant writing Jim, good for you both!
I was cheering for you two all the way 8)
@kam avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
Black GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1827
Location: London, UK
 
Molto Verboso
@kam avatar
Black GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1827
Location: London, UK
UTC quote
well done, that man!

i have missed all of this and was very excited read the ride report.

mrs kam is also very excited as we're both big fans of california too!
UTC

Banned
Joined: UTC
Posts: 6032
 
Banned
Joined: UTC
Posts: 6032
UTC quote
Oh my!!

It looks like you've been having some mighty excellent adventures there
...and they make for great "armchair traveler" reading

Many thanks for putting together such an enjoyable write up
@stickyfrog avatar
UTC

Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22659
Location: Nashville, Indiana
 
Moderatus Rana
@stickyfrog avatar
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22659
Location: Nashville, Indiana
UTC quote
Most excellent write up Jim. Looks like you got is some good riding and saw some of the beautiful country around SF. (Need to get back there one day...can I borrow the 500 Jess? )

Also, I can't tell you how happy I am for you regarding the recent postitive developments in your personal life. Cheers to you and Kristin. Clap emoticon
@georgiagirl avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
Piaggio MP3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1402
Location: North Georgia
 
Molto Verboso
@georgiagirl avatar
Piaggio MP3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1402
Location: North Georgia
UTC quote
Congratulations to you both - looks like a great trip! I hope you have many more to share, with each other and with us.
OP
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44570
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44570
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
Thank you all for the kind comments here and via email to both of us.

The hope is that the write-up wasn't too soppy or mawkish - most don't like those sort of stories, so there was no wish to inflict that on others - but as close friends had been trying to impart for years - "Never say never!". And the future looks like fun!
@noth avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
Burgman 650 (May, 2012) MP3 500 (11/2009 - 5.2012)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1385
Location: Massachusetts- Boston South Shore
 
Molto Verboso
@noth avatar
Burgman 650 (May, 2012) MP3 500 (11/2009 - 5.2012)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1385
Location: Massachusetts- Boston South Shore
UTC quote
Great series of reports... Nice to see.. that good things can always happen ! Congratulations.. ! Clap emoticon
@georgiagirl avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
Piaggio MP3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1402
Location: North Georgia
 
Molto Verboso
@georgiagirl avatar
Piaggio MP3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1402
Location: North Georgia
UTC quote
Neither sappy nor mawkish - I don't do those particular things either. Good ride report, made me want to go to that part of the country. Sweet and cautious would be how I would term the other bits, but part of what makes a ride report different from a guide book is what you bring to the table, and you bring a lot
@strick avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2024 BMW C400GT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3452
Location: Columbia, MD
 
Ossessionato
@strick avatar
2024 BMW C400GT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3452
Location: Columbia, MD
UTC quote
What a nice report Jim. Congrats!

I think you sound more like a 'happy old git" than a "grumpy old git!"
@old_as_dirt avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22823
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@old_as_dirt avatar
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22823
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
UTC quote
thanks to Kristen for taking the edge of Grumpy off Jim.

Jim glad you enjoyed your visit and your writing was a good read.

Hope all works out for you 2. And if you 2 take a road trip out this way don't forget to give us a shout out here.
UTC

Addicted
PX200 for aeons, Lambrettas in "60's",My wife's GTS250 when I'm good.
Joined: UTC
Posts: 809
Location: Auckland,New Zealand
 
Addicted
PX200 for aeons, Lambrettas in "60's",My wife's GTS250 when I'm good.
Joined: UTC
Posts: 809
Location: Auckland,New Zealand
UTC quote
Jimc and Kristen
Bon chance!

Seize the Day!
@jimmytwonutz avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
LX150, GTS300(black & white), GTS300(red)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2467
Location: Menifee, CA. (Land of the Dirt People)
 
Ossessionato
@jimmytwonutz avatar
LX150, GTS300(black & white), GTS300(red)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2467
Location: Menifee, CA. (Land of the Dirt People)
UTC quote
Seems like a great plot for a movie... Pierce Brosnan and Julia Roberts anyone?
@davelondon avatar
UTC

Hooked
GTS250ie - Avidity
Joined: UTC
Posts: 273
Location: London
 
Hooked
@davelondon avatar
GTS250ie - Avidity
Joined: UTC
Posts: 273
Location: London
UTC quote
fantastic write up jim and great pics to....looks like you had a whale of a time..

congrats
@gbaby avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
Modern Primavera (not pictured); Moto Guzzi V-85 TT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1788
Location: Los Angeles, CA
 
Molto Verboso
@gbaby avatar
Modern Primavera (not pictured); Moto Guzzi V-85 TT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1788
Location: Los Angeles, CA
UTC quote
That was a good read, kind of like a movie. Good for you, Jim.
@midnight_rider avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
09 GTS (sold) 2014 NC700XD
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5016
Location: Charlotte, NC
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@midnight_rider avatar
09 GTS (sold) 2014 NC700XD
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5016
Location: Charlotte, NC
UTC quote
Thanks for another great read!

I was wondering if anything will happen after reading the Italy write-up! Glad it did!

All the best to both of you!
@big-7-baz avatar
UTC

Addicted
AUTO. & TRAD.
Joined: UTC
Posts: 805
Location: 7-oaks England
 
Addicted
@big-7-baz avatar
AUTO. & TRAD.
Joined: UTC
Posts: 805
Location: 7-oaks England
UTC quote
Great pic's Jim. 8)
And all the best to you both.

(Your a lucky fellah Jim.)
OP
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44570
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44570
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
Thanks guys.
@volosong avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2010 GTS 300, 2008 MP3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1284
Location: Rathdrum, ID
 
Molto Verboso
@volosong avatar
2010 GTS 300, 2008 MP3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1284
Location: Rathdrum, ID
UTC quote
That's a sweet story, Jim and Kristin. When you least expect it... Best wishes to both of you. Looking forward to reading about your next adventures.
@ritchj avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
One of each
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3421
Location: Ranura de Monedas, NorCal
 
Ossessionato
@ritchj avatar
One of each
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3421
Location: Ranura de Monedas, NorCal
UTC quote
So after your superb, yet expensive, lunch at the vineyard: you chose not to wave back at a burgundy Mercedes when they're waving like crazy at you?

Razz emoticon

Sorry I missed ya'
OP
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44570
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44570
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
Wave at a Merc? Perish the thought. Razz emoticon

I kept quiet about that visit - but I won't for the next one, so there'd be a good chance of meeting up.
@rob_in_denver avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Mp3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2320
Location: Denver Colorado
 
Ossessionato
@rob_in_denver avatar
Mp3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2320
Location: Denver Colorado
UTC quote
Congrats and good adventures indeed, you do a more detailed write up than anyone and always a joy to read ( and sometimes to try to figure out the British lingo). You're both welcome in Colorado!
@xantufrog avatar
UTC

Moderibbit
1980 P200E - "Old Rusty", 1976 ET3 Primavera
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8891
Location: Atlanta, GA
 
Moderibbit
@xantufrog avatar
1980 P200E - "Old Rusty", 1976 ET3 Primavera
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8891
Location: Atlanta, GA
UTC quote
A very happy story Jim
@bunsen avatar
UTC

Hooked
Vespa GTS 250 2009
Joined: UTC
Posts: 455
Location: Asheville, NC
 
Hooked
@bunsen avatar
Vespa GTS 250 2009
Joined: UTC
Posts: 455
Location: Asheville, NC
UTC quote
I am DEFINITELY seeing a movie script with a happy ending here!! Congratulations on your excellent adventures and THANKS for sharing them with the rest of us!
@scutrbrau avatar
UTC

The Beer Guy
2010 GTS 300 Super and 2015 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4744
Location: Nelson County, VA
 
The Beer Guy
@scutrbrau avatar
2010 GTS 300 Super and 2015 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4744
Location: Nelson County, VA
UTC quote
Jim, what a fantastic story. With each batch of photos your smile was growing bigger and bigger. Best wishes to you both.
@erich51 avatar
UTC

Banned
GTS 250ie - SHINY YELLOW
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3101
Location: Sunny Southern California
 
Banned
@erich51 avatar
GTS 250ie - SHINY YELLOW
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3101
Location: Sunny Southern California
UTC quote
weather
So how did you enjoy our OC weather jimc?
@spartan1984 avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2017 Ducati Supersport S, 2014 Kawasaki Concours
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1023
Location: Murrieta, California
 
Molto Verboso
@spartan1984 avatar
2017 Ducati Supersport S, 2014 Kawasaki Concours
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1023
Location: Murrieta, California
UTC quote
jimc,

Sounds like an awesome trip and thanks for sharing your adventures with us. Also, congrats to you and Kristen, hoping that you have many more wonderful rides together

spartan

Modern Vespa is the premier site for modern Vespa and Piaggio scooters. Vespa GTS300, GTS250, GTV, GT200, LX150, LXS, ET4, ET2, MP3, Fuoco, Elettrica and more.

Buy Me A Coffee
 

Shop on Amazon with Modern Vespa

Modern Vespa is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com


All Content Copyright 2005-2025 by Modern Vespa.
All Rights Reserved.


[ Time: 0.0449s ][ Queries: 3 (0.0365s) ][ live ][ 328 ][ ThingOne ]