Highlights of Our Trip So Far

Since we have been on the road most days I haven't had time or energy for writing so I thought this would be a good time to catch up on some of the memorable moments along the way.

As I said previously, coming out of Blanco, NM we had a cool day with high winds through the mountains, tiring but still beautiful. We stayed in La Hunta after going a nerve wracking 174 miles without gas. After touching base with our friends, Clara and Pigpen, we agreed to meet in Jefferson City, MO the next night.

The next morning we are off to Jefferson City. It was for the most part an uneventful day, doing about 325 miles. Well, uneventful until we tried to find the hotel we were meeting in Jefferson City. We were following the GPS which works well if you pay attention but this was a long hot day so we weren't exactly at our best. The GPS says exit at highway 51 so we exit. The traffic light has a sign saying hwy 51 and pointing right, disregarding the GPS, we turn right. The GPS pomptly tells us to turn left, we do and we are back on the interstate and the GPS says exit, we do. Same traffic light, same right turn, same on ramp. I'm sure you get the picture. The third time around, I point out that there is a second sign that says Business 51 going straight. The right turn was further down. Still we felt as if we were going in circles. The GPS was taking us through a residential area, we didn't see the hotel anywhere. We finally find the hotel and aren't there 30 minutes when Clara and Pigpen pull in even though they had a hundred miles more to go.

Lesson learned - either follow the GPS or turn it off.

Over dinner, the four of us decide to get as close to Grand Rapids as we can the next day so our final day would be short and maybe we could detour along the lakefront for a bit. In Remingtin, IN we stop at a Super 8 thinking we could get our laundry done while there. Wrong! No laundry facilities but the did have pool tables, ping pong and video games. The desk clerk was more interested in trying to mooch a ride when she got off at 11 PM than trying to help us find a decent place to eat.

The next morning is cool, nice riding weather as we start off on the last 200 miles to Grand Rapids. At our first gas stop we decided to try too see some of the lake and stop for lunch before getting into Grand Rapids. Along the highway we saw some billboards for The Chocolate Factory restaurant, so Clara took us off at the exit. Little did we know that their July 4th parade had just ended. We were stuck in this 2mph crawl through this charming little village. The road went down alongside the marina down to the beach. By now Pigpen and I had gotten separated from Clara and Deb by a few cars. Deb is telling me where they are and what is ahead as I am sure Clara is doing with Pigpen. We have to circle the parking lot at the shoreline, which, of course is covered with sand. Then I hear Deb in my ear "we are at the stop sign at the top of the hill." When I make the turn and see the hill I groan, thinking Pigpen will get to the top ahead of me. If he goes I can slide right behind him. Unfortunately, Pigpen and I both have to stop. Traffic clears and Pigpen powers through the intersection and I am frozen. The load on the bike is weighing the bike down, I just know that I am not going to get the right combination of throttle, rear brake and clutch to pull away from the stop sign without stalling. In my helmet, I'm cussing, I not going to make this, I can't do it. Deb is right there talking me through it until I was finally able to get through the intersection. So no Chocolate Factory for us. Instead it was Wendy's where Deb had some communication issues but she can tell you about that.

That's all for tonight. Tomorrow it's the motorcycle museum then on the road once more.