tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43688162623782005922024-03-05T01:16:03.924-08:00Riding Green Girl - Summer of 2010A short tale about touring the USA one-up on a Vulcan 900LTLarry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-25512744917808820192012-05-16T19:02:00.000-07:002012-05-16T19:02:09.057-07:00This will be my final post on this blog; my remarks are intended to act as a closure for anyone who follows it. <br />
<br />
On May 7th, 2012 I sold the Yellow Peril to another rider who will probably ride the wheels off her. That wasn't something likely to happen as long as I owned her; after the ride home from Kansas City I found myself choosing other bikes to ride, smaller ones that were easier for me to handle.<br />
<br />
The Yellow Peril aka Honda Gold Wing was truly a wonderous bike, beautiful to look at, incredible to ride, and built with all the quality you'd expect from Honda. Sadly I found myself ill at ease when it came to low speed maneuvers and realized it was only a matter of time until I dropped her, maybe at speed. <br />
<br />
With that in mind I've aquired another ride, a 2010 Honda NT700v known in Europe as the Deauville 700. Many riders regard this model as a small Gold Wing and to that end I'd agree with them. It's a much lighter bike yet still offers many of the finest features as provided by the 'wing. I expect to accumulate many happy miles on her so for anyone interested I'll be starting another blog titled Days of the Red Girl. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7tzQtH8DtQDQN0qEoSWKyg7gK1gRkMxG7at1-E4j0-lfJC-Ywa7sSi8ljUtzUhrd4gEGJHwrdmUEgZzEkn7droDTqAoCWJcXhCMDGKHRtsPZK1xmgNzcog_LAKs6m01qPzMhokdwuQ3E/s1600/Silly+Me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7tzQtH8DtQDQN0qEoSWKyg7gK1gRkMxG7at1-E4j0-lfJC-Ywa7sSi8ljUtzUhrd4gEGJHwrdmUEgZzEkn7droDTqAoCWJcXhCMDGKHRtsPZK1xmgNzcog_LAKs6m01qPzMhokdwuQ3E/s400/Silly+Me.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
<br />
Thanks again for following, hope to see you again.<br />
<br />
LL75Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-80491855450997114792010-07-22T14:52:00.000-07:002010-08-01T10:52:32.504-07:00July 21, 2010 – Day 46 The Ride HomeThe weather report looked pretty good this morning although Lakeview failed to make the cut somehow. That seemed odd as Lakeview's a fairly substantial town and is often mentioned in such matters. Maybe I need to watch something else besides the Weather Channel? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZwiHNZHFDkiC8wPjhXXAbN0kfXZRIwnjQOlVKmgEOWFXpyrWUR44ym6NrKID3IcgkGI6T6DSsIjOMxVsQxezoLKYZPJRE3tLh3EhWBCzeTqgsWI8s_DxwTbrdXD_QNPGCnsVkbrRQZmu/s1600/072101+Lakeview+Weather+Report.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZwiHNZHFDkiC8wPjhXXAbN0kfXZRIwnjQOlVKmgEOWFXpyrWUR44ym6NrKID3IcgkGI6T6DSsIjOMxVsQxezoLKYZPJRE3tLh3EhWBCzeTqgsWI8s_DxwTbrdXD_QNPGCnsVkbrRQZmu/s320/072101+Lakeview+Weather+Report.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After a nice breakfast compliments of the Best Western folks I set out on what was to be my last day’s ride. I didn’t know it at the time as I’d anticipated turning south after riding to Crater Lake but that was not to be.<br />
<span style="color: white;">.</span><br />
<br />
Before checking out I couldn’t resist taking a photo of the hair dryer in my room; I thought it resembled one of those built-in wall vacuum cleaners more than a hair dryer and I was cautious using it, wouldn’t want to lose what little hair I have left. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2RXiaLO4bl6R52bwPpCEdoDen2X0eyFYevRHoiII_DzLqRgZVoDPiRNrbKxYeiNdbvk8L2NPtKg7gBV-8g4nV7DlRQSHMfXRrzOMPiq2j_gatuKS1dltzP3DupouPOMetfTpTuSDu52M/s1600/072102+Weird+Hair+Dryer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2RXiaLO4bl6R52bwPpCEdoDen2X0eyFYevRHoiII_DzLqRgZVoDPiRNrbKxYeiNdbvk8L2NPtKg7gBV-8g4nV7DlRQSHMfXRrzOMPiq2j_gatuKS1dltzP3DupouPOMetfTpTuSDu52M/s320/072102+Weird+Hair+Dryer.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After you dry your hair you can vacuum your car!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I rode west out of Lakeview on highway 140; the air was crisp and the Yellow Peril’s outside air temperature indicated 55 degrees. Riding in sunny but cool weather with only a T-shirt under the Bohn Armored shirt was chilly; at least it seemed so after spending the last few weeks roasting. The big Honda was equipped with heated grips and get this – heated seats – which I’d never experienced on a bike so I turned them both on. Within just a few moments my hands and toosh were toasty warm and I was thinking how decadent this would sound on the blog. So what I thought, I’m happy and a happy rider is a safe rider. Eh? You buying into that? OK, you got any interest in owning a very large bridge, say one from Brooklyn?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">.,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgggzNk3Ko-L1M3JOgbXsZnhOsa8TRgnWrZO-su6n90MIXUKZ0hs3mEO5UzIUF_L5gOraHTHe7s0hGHb6SV3u9kvNxe52EXK1NF4z19hvvb9GVT285c7aitPf15p1_wtrXUsx-ZAC9fSs7/s1600/072103+Welcome+to+Bly.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgggzNk3Ko-L1M3JOgbXsZnhOsa8TRgnWrZO-su6n90MIXUKZ0hs3mEO5UzIUF_L5gOraHTHe7s0hGHb6SV3u9kvNxe52EXK1NF4z19hvvb9GVT285c7aitPf15p1_wtrXUsx-ZAC9fSs7/s320/072103+Welcome+to+Bly.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What a great sign for such a small town</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The little town of Bly, OR is around 40 miles west from Lakeview right on highway 140. It’s a smallish place with a friendly atmosphere; very much like small towns everywhere. Farming and ranching are the main pastimes for the local citizens although there are other means of earning a living. “Antique” shops for one thing are always prevalent no matter where you travel and Bly has its share. </div><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3o_g65-8Utcfas6zcysA9IkqZb9eHo3wjf5yFAHdWBmCyiXub2-vFlB4tTpvUPCGqpTmuaDGBMEfIOiwXetDI0E1ivt4uTArld3to1ZiDVSiQmKxcy5lLqKioS-lNxfa7VWTcvOE8a3So/s1600/072109+Beer+Cave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3o_g65-8Utcfas6zcysA9IkqZb9eHo3wjf5yFAHdWBmCyiXub2-vFlB4tTpvUPCGqpTmuaDGBMEfIOiwXetDI0E1ivt4uTArld3to1ZiDVSiQmKxcy5lLqKioS-lNxfa7VWTcvOE8a3So/s320/072109+Beer+Cave.JPG" /></a><br />
<div align="center">Beer Cave? For real? Really?</div><div align="center"><span style="color: white;">.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-CXJlKIcQEj92k7ya6CBUSc41oTKlkZf595sEse6hkvkw_bu3ni7iOTUKDYrBI6LhSPd5JwajuCFarZP4OHE-V-12_X8wNdp9WylJucWuyxf-lgEq7TR3TOVBRyYmmsB1pYWvmDMs9qN/s1600/072104+Bly+Grass+field.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-CXJlKIcQEj92k7ya6CBUSc41oTKlkZf595sEse6hkvkw_bu3ni7iOTUKDYrBI6LhSPd5JwajuCFarZP4OHE-V-12_X8wNdp9WylJucWuyxf-lgEq7TR3TOVBRyYmmsB1pYWvmDMs9qN/s320/072104+Bly+Grass+field.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Warm summer smells everywhere</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfwr5lQwdnR-7WQQY18iNW32BPbkcleKdNQFdjJ4hGS461uiEzp5VIdZNmew3zf6ZOGNkhFMRkXCw3qVt6U9g1pwg6jfC22UJNi_Kx2PRe_AyxAspQOZ_gqCz_wVuONjPAbzBNnuUlKL0/s1600/072105+Bly+Main+Drag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfwr5lQwdnR-7WQQY18iNW32BPbkcleKdNQFdjJ4hGS461uiEzp5VIdZNmew3zf6ZOGNkhFMRkXCw3qVt6U9g1pwg6jfC22UJNi_Kx2PRe_AyxAspQOZ_gqCz_wVuONjPAbzBNnuUlKL0/s320/072105+Bly+Main+Drag.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwiT4EvH5MUVvTJSOmQjsswLS7VU0Um_aexLSUT2r2WKJ02KFl-RwqZzrtERmYddpZktMCJxCnA0FXYTubZc-lEEClkt8o2dHy8axeU7SvzkxZTeaNUkm8-GaGDSp-v3A0tGHgt0YQfVf/s1600/072107+Plum+Tuckered+Out.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwiT4EvH5MUVvTJSOmQjsswLS7VU0Um_aexLSUT2r2WKJ02KFl-RwqZzrtERmYddpZktMCJxCnA0FXYTubZc-lEEClkt8o2dHy8axeU7SvzkxZTeaNUkm8-GaGDSp-v3A0tGHgt0YQfVf/s320/072107+Plum+Tuckered+Out.JPG" /></a></div>Other diversions are there also and in Bly it’s hard to ignore such offerings as Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show located in the W.W. Smith Mercantile building. The hour was too early and as such I wasn’t able to witness an actual performance; therefore I can’t testify if it’s real or merely an interesting mural. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFiFxu-WbHHKcyz6CZ5Bz96YDlMyh7euc9JLJyeiT08NgGaUZ0Oef2Q-Rl1aj4MRMkSNvZFuXy0vTNF7J4wEJqxyYhPHy_IHUqCCgKaeW7_vrcFDF0zlRLY_2qWGFaEWXWW2DCIfJuT-m/s1600/072106+WW+Smith+Mercantile.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFiFxu-WbHHKcyz6CZ5Bz96YDlMyh7euc9JLJyeiT08NgGaUZ0Oef2Q-Rl1aj4MRMkSNvZFuXy0vTNF7J4wEJqxyYhPHy_IHUqCCgKaeW7_vrcFDF0zlRLY_2qWGFaEWXWW2DCIfJuT-m/s320/072106+WW+Smith+Mercantile.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddlvLmHg26psWEXHnBMzujAksG5bjZ9XB3khQ-7iM1nBtimvoi6AxnaAuZUMHwydncxSEsFwBi-Xk4emv7cpyJpkfjtCCIjbXSIHdEU2ecks6tNUn0pLmtJ0LdIkvvfdFzvAYf7xb4cuk/s1600/072108+Bly+Flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddlvLmHg26psWEXHnBMzujAksG5bjZ9XB3khQ-7iM1nBtimvoi6AxnaAuZUMHwydncxSEsFwBi-Xk4emv7cpyJpkfjtCCIjbXSIHdEU2ecks6tNUn0pLmtJ0LdIkvvfdFzvAYf7xb4cuk/s320/072108+Bly+Flowers.JPG" /></a></div><br />
During World War II Bly held the unique distinction of being the one and only mainland US city to suffer casualties from Japanese bombings. A large sign in the city park tells the story and for those needing further proof there's a monument located at the actual site just a few miles away. I remember hearing about the fire bombs launched against the Oregon coast but this was the first time I’d visited the area.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2efp4dziQNScHS0q6FYRG3llutbp0XebpBuuJUfHSaPXO8hVxioS6ShbqjxbITxDMSN9HaP5XhviIIHTj6ra_sdUsYixFrS-6nHSBIAETdUrYMIcjd48SAfqVuGT0XtMxWbuAfquqqCUP/s1600/072110+Japanese+Balloon+Bomb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2efp4dziQNScHS0q6FYRG3llutbp0XebpBuuJUfHSaPXO8hVxioS6ShbqjxbITxDMSN9HaP5XhviIIHTj6ra_sdUsYixFrS-6nHSBIAETdUrYMIcjd48SAfqVuGT0XtMxWbuAfquqqCUP/s320/072110+Japanese+Balloon+Bomb.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The small city park is also designated as a rest area and it took me a few moments to recognize the facilities due to the unusual name on the building: The Perch. Very appropriate when you think about it, and just another illustration of how small town people don’t always take themselves too seriously. I’ll bet living in Bly is, uh, fun...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihO1h2gkQquuO-EbrBHYxrfmFTxtUN-XQhCWojfaACL7l3Sc1W8aoBdIHnOMsgGsMWcP4TXHips1B8WThvrBQLvHTSfSxME9sK841dOV4JT_AyAgcNnvfIfGpu_5M6RyhrBYtzeghGk0td/s1600/072111+The+Perch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihO1h2gkQquuO-EbrBHYxrfmFTxtUN-XQhCWojfaACL7l3Sc1W8aoBdIHnOMsgGsMWcP4TXHips1B8WThvrBQLvHTSfSxME9sK841dOV4JT_AyAgcNnvfIfGpu_5M6RyhrBYtzeghGk0td/s320/072111+The+Perch.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The next stop along my way was the community of Sprague River. I’d picked their little town as it’s located on another small back road and it sounded interesting. As it turned out there didn’t seem to be anyone around although there were several shops, a fire station, and one very humble church. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgJa5mNpMO5wP3T05eLZGqTiPslLYyq7sJPVOOhHt4HIbjuUMxFzhSJgmB-jgWQ_BlfaYgqToSRiUKTQ1lIe4ci0vEiA6wPmOb0RCjPddkwG8uX9AuR8su5d4KbEXM1Z-sdrd-s-WZ5JS/s1600/072112+Sprague+River+Sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgJa5mNpMO5wP3T05eLZGqTiPslLYyq7sJPVOOhHt4HIbjuUMxFzhSJgmB-jgWQ_BlfaYgqToSRiUKTQ1lIe4ci0vEiA6wPmOb0RCjPddkwG8uX9AuR8su5d4KbEXM1Z-sdrd-s-WZ5JS/s320/072112+Sprague+River+Sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqSbbj6N2VU7m0anZJNTqt6vcmI46FiZqCojgGLf4pNXglkmkvRMUFQTCgvjbxLeEw_7N9G4YobcKnJSWj15IDTkBCcOYYZlCzNAlrmdGBo5_rk9xQhmro73JZ5QDrqZWtz4cvquaMv4k/s1600/072113+Sprague+River+Main+Drag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqSbbj6N2VU7m0anZJNTqt6vcmI46FiZqCojgGLf4pNXglkmkvRMUFQTCgvjbxLeEw_7N9G4YobcKnJSWj15IDTkBCcOYYZlCzNAlrmdGBo5_rk9xQhmro73JZ5QDrqZWtz4cvquaMv4k/s320/072113+Sprague+River+Main+Drag.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfiiQhI2EYpQHYoC6HWqgpAcCOQoDRvZLJzLH8wUfBmn6Ydf7yedyQ3HbrXO7Z1r6MP7PNBDe1NjXTQGvWPafeOom5f2xjBch56oesH9_HpUPkaT9UFpvXHJVGg8m-vhOwylzZN0yQcga/s1600/072114+Sprague+River+Gas+Station.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfiiQhI2EYpQHYoC6HWqgpAcCOQoDRvZLJzLH8wUfBmn6Ydf7yedyQ3HbrXO7Z1r6MP7PNBDe1NjXTQGvWPafeOom5f2xjBch56oesH9_HpUPkaT9UFpvXHJVGg8m-vhOwylzZN0yQcga/s320/072114+Sprague+River+Gas+Station.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No gas today. Maybe none tomorrow either.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>I took a couple of pics and as I crossed the highway to get a closer view of the welcome sign I attracted the attention of the local pit bull and his 3-legged companion. I love dogs as you all know and they seem to sense it but this pair were acting very aggressive and made a bee-line towards me. I stood my ground which seemed to confuse the snarling little pit bull and for a few delicate moments it was a Mexican standoff. (Can I still use that term?) Then a large truck attracted their attention, probably because he was moving slowly and sensing they could run him off they abandoned me for easier prey. Good doggies; go get the big bad truck…<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGNK7LFor4BTfV7uq-nivHFrwHVkYMjOSGIMQqlYW2GxwPdSv11x3S0WvTZwSYVBZAQ3iASlkm6tFnFJmdmZ5e9jatPEovlbW8Q79VUsNhd85625iQzMluZC3PJFAq41XAZcj2ED7N_d9/s1600/072116+Sprague+River+Bady+Dog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGNK7LFor4BTfV7uq-nivHFrwHVkYMjOSGIMQqlYW2GxwPdSv11x3S0WvTZwSYVBZAQ3iASlkm6tFnFJmdmZ5e9jatPEovlbW8Q79VUsNhd85625iQzMluZC3PJFAq41XAZcj2ED7N_d9/s320/072116+Sprague+River+Bady+Dog.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlihkpBECm7bLQ75rdb4l2dkNls2v6JX564a9EgRAflc7ghZ2UcJTz4GvElx8twVtlIZydi4Z98h-7qmpcVhwAGrxJXyA6ulHbQrbZeivJM9J_cF4fU4YwODcOLmG8o6-Z9retiaK6OtxM/s1600/072117+3-legged+dog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlihkpBECm7bLQ75rdb4l2dkNls2v6JX564a9EgRAflc7ghZ2UcJTz4GvElx8twVtlIZydi4Z98h-7qmpcVhwAGrxJXyA6ulHbQrbZeivJM9J_cF4fU4YwODcOLmG8o6-Z9retiaK6OtxM/s320/072117+3-legged+dog.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Three legs are better than two if you're a dog</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrgWY0LyT0P_SFGa8LVlBGFQwJ1RVe4Bx9Q4laMYtGAinXKZJzphLf6N3zsnQtcuK7mOhzK3KbByJhjXR76GDhYrtJG8ubAKfvywvj6GcbQgNKa9pQSF5js8Np8Z_LwmwBA_FaBWfixlc/s1600/072118+Sprague+River+Church.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrgWY0LyT0P_SFGa8LVlBGFQwJ1RVe4Bx9Q4laMYtGAinXKZJzphLf6N3zsnQtcuK7mOhzK3KbByJhjXR76GDhYrtJG8ubAKfvywvj6GcbQgNKa9pQSF5js8Np8Z_LwmwBA_FaBWfixlc/s320/072118+Sprague+River+Church.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUWfFcyYSUvBGqVl7vax9GLbPjXer4G5DFUsSZigsXq3fchMyqgZogdL8PV7iRDK4lxAKbW4Ra8iv0z_ODwAWhYtY71NxvW5WxOusMrnqwJiCs5vsSgHC1Ovw4crtLVufipVYB5vL476Z/s1600/072119+Jesus+Loves+You.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUWfFcyYSUvBGqVl7vax9GLbPjXer4G5DFUsSZigsXq3fchMyqgZogdL8PV7iRDK4lxAKbW4Ra8iv0z_ODwAWhYtY71NxvW5WxOusMrnqwJiCs5vsSgHC1Ovw4crtLVufipVYB5vL476Z/s320/072119+Jesus+Loves+You.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Jesus Loves You Church</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">By then I’d had my fill of Sprague River and left post haste, no sense in hanging around for another session with good dog-bad dog. Chiloquin is located not far away and it’s a delightful little town with the clean waters of the Sprague River running right through it. I took the following two pics standing in the middle of the town's bridge. You can clearly see the river's bottom but no one was swimming or boating. Strange.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJ2N7lUqAPisDyhNbE8sOKS0r11Rv83aUQSzO_DIaksBDFlBwaP5pbtQHNng58raeSJ3eG1XdIE-2RucJNqPM3_qys65DU5FyBagwfeFSHSrVfSIl9-EWCQiTlJ0FJ3Yei5dqdbtTB6fZ/s1600/072120+Chiloquin+on+Sprague+River+1+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJ2N7lUqAPisDyhNbE8sOKS0r11Rv83aUQSzO_DIaksBDFlBwaP5pbtQHNng58raeSJ3eG1XdIE-2RucJNqPM3_qys65DU5FyBagwfeFSHSrVfSIl9-EWCQiTlJ0FJ3Yei5dqdbtTB6fZ/s320/072120+Chiloquin+on+Sprague+River+1+.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeIGaIO-t15qsRXRCCW6Ne6QjOWaC6Wi3CJoibaAd4HxTQ3wFqHNU1oAQZFFmP0NO_RdREnxPH7pRkORi1YR8VKxBpzIsM33j37nbtzfsLklc4ebZFrUgCSPZ-0JO3UYRBbM63yQe7gRo/s1600/072121+Chiloquin+on+Sprague+River+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeIGaIO-t15qsRXRCCW6Ne6QjOWaC6Wi3CJoibaAd4HxTQ3wFqHNU1oAQZFFmP0NO_RdREnxPH7pRkORi1YR8VKxBpzIsM33j37nbtzfsLklc4ebZFrUgCSPZ-0JO3UYRBbM63yQe7gRo/s320/072121+Chiloquin+on+Sprague+River+2.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Considering the many references to Native Americans aka Indians to old geezers I expect it’s either a reservation or was occupied by the tribe at one time. The Modocs most likely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuoDLAE5O6mFR7gjpfH22nPltEpeUH5nMsXAiHQoYJUhu_NQjGxKl28MnSFEJIDtruzjFPrGeTWBmstp9qiIKsIbl3ieh98p2VgE-Z37Lg5wSWRJ-VTselo20rY-dI4ZVkpWKq5NOM01O/s1600/072122+Chiloquin+Modoc+Motor+Co.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuoDLAE5O6mFR7gjpfH22nPltEpeUH5nMsXAiHQoYJUhu_NQjGxKl28MnSFEJIDtruzjFPrGeTWBmstp9qiIKsIbl3ieh98p2VgE-Z37Lg5wSWRJ-VTselo20rY-dI4ZVkpWKq5NOM01O/s320/072122+Chiloquin+Modoc+Motor+Co.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Modoc Motors is long gone</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDb9ODWXWMgz0euhGWhUUUlWPp1YY4o-Rlz18Y3DM_PvskaEipWXOFDeiprMM0uIYLQzn8t3gNOeiNPGK5K2DAbxoLA8Q6H6s7VCrp1470OzyxDSpY3HMdZe9vyPBRmWB-EdbWSAK1O3F/s1600/072123+Modoc++Motor+Yard+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDb9ODWXWMgz0euhGWhUUUlWPp1YY4o-Rlz18Y3DM_PvskaEipWXOFDeiprMM0uIYLQzn8t3gNOeiNPGK5K2DAbxoLA8Q6H6s7VCrp1470OzyxDSpY3HMdZe9vyPBRmWB-EdbWSAK1O3F/s320/072123+Modoc++Motor+Yard+1.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQoUzkoAXJrO0_hfiNBDexwq8HMi2SgG2R73pLUsTaI2_UQvcVNYrPCGiJogWl9ffucETGJOABreWGkFH5uiCsWd3qeEhfMQoHCgbrTdz00j73n5WyE5l875P3U6OtFrY9IGxB286jx6K/s1600/072124+Modoc+Motor+Yard+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQoUzkoAXJrO0_hfiNBDexwq8HMi2SgG2R73pLUsTaI2_UQvcVNYrPCGiJogWl9ffucETGJOABreWGkFH5uiCsWd3qeEhfMQoHCgbrTdz00j73n5WyE5l875P3U6OtFrY9IGxB286jx6K/s320/072124+Modoc+Motor+Yard+2.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Modoc Motors yard holds relics of the past</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There are lots of interesting things to see there so I parked the Yellow Peril for a walk-around. Of great interest to me the Family Food Center sells enormous candy bars for only a buck fifty and I quickly fell victim to one. After that I visited the library/art center across the street and poked my head into the library for a few moments. Librarians like to talk to strangers and I’ve found them to be a great source of information wherever I’ve traveled. Besides that nearly all of them offer free Internet access so it’s a good way to check your email while on the road. The art center features work by locals and some of it was pretty good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBe8MZJ_PkWa2f-KYFX_JT4UP7h04U10mTE00eH0NxRKfHuerh2QItOHsLFBgx1zQr_AiHQ4yV5leUf2enz_Om_vdYCMwEfijJnqqpop-d0W31npBJFCfmLr8G1Onx0ZA74AjC9sXVVXd/s1600/072125+Chiloquin+Family+Food+Center.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBe8MZJ_PkWa2f-KYFX_JT4UP7h04U10mTE00eH0NxRKfHuerh2QItOHsLFBgx1zQr_AiHQ4yV5leUf2enz_Om_vdYCMwEfijJnqqpop-d0W31npBJFCfmLr8G1Onx0ZA74AjC9sXVVXd/s320/072125+Chiloquin+Family+Food+Center.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Union Creek was next on my list of way points and the ride to it was sunny and smooth. Along the way I paused to look at the information board for the vanished volcano; Mt. Mazama which after blowing its stack formed the basis for Crater Lake. It’s interesting to note the location of the sign occupies the very same elevation as the bottom of the lake....zzzzzzzz... I think I'm getting restless...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinz17YovmkejxjCGgm7q922EaU-NzUrh6upuUWe1CVt_fhZlEi3GiXVmaLkQcduV_DnrJzdChPXsjRKhVxRXPidgAkJ6SyjRhVpKV6eSoXRqppdltbgAIls_FpLIvc2Fdnf4OX24sxutBu/s1600/072128+Vanished+Volcano+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinz17YovmkejxjCGgm7q922EaU-NzUrh6upuUWe1CVt_fhZlEi3GiXVmaLkQcduV_DnrJzdChPXsjRKhVxRXPidgAkJ6SyjRhVpKV6eSoXRqppdltbgAIls_FpLIvc2Fdnf4OX24sxutBu/s320/072128+Vanished+Volcano+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyF_GF0F8IJ5RPanJdfUL8hvBc8_v8DFi1Lu20j4z637sOrkVpB-UKWysFQ0t_90vf9s-xRuoBFQeDdJ7nCEpIYBnwMVzIQ9ouyNHvAX9YjRBIM16A3-qQInbkYrYXMIlzJDhafv8rbkC1/s1600/072129+Vanished+Volcano+Hiwy+62.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyF_GF0F8IJ5RPanJdfUL8hvBc8_v8DFi1Lu20j4z637sOrkVpB-UKWysFQ0t_90vf9s-xRuoBFQeDdJ7nCEpIYBnwMVzIQ9ouyNHvAX9YjRBIM16A3-qQInbkYrYXMIlzJDhafv8rbkC1/s320/072129+Vanished+Volcano+Hiwy+62.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Highway 62</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7m4MnU4yp6tznSCd_4f9yEqhuSRZhVdfttDlvx4t1GLviffw45QRjz8vyOx5Ju71D2XBilZIHbSzk3iABM4YrKfO_BfB-7egkFpZs3mcHpCu7MZ4-2p3BNJ5htjlmQM3EANZ2zEfsItA8/s1600/072130+Hiwy+62+Going+to+Crater+Lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7m4MnU4yp6tznSCd_4f9yEqhuSRZhVdfttDlvx4t1GLviffw45QRjz8vyOx5Ju71D2XBilZIHbSzk3iABM4YrKfO_BfB-7egkFpZs3mcHpCu7MZ4-2p3BNJ5htjlmQM3EANZ2zEfsItA8/s320/072130+Hiwy+62+Going+to+Crater+Lake.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The road to Union Creek takes you right past the entrance to Crater Lake Park but I chose to go around as I’m still mad at them. I mentioned this in last year’s blog – Nova Scotia on a Ninja – which is I think old geezers who’ve been paying taxes forever should have free admission but the park jerks want ten bucks just for a look-see, even if all you do is drive through. Phooey on ‘em.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-k2cimZDxK5kmtlXqBKhx1dNc6L64dr5DKejj0DO5l4BSpUfj2RnfTDZieQTdEzrsLJB09R3995YWFVQQZxzOM0vl23tx8lcO6Di_51UBl01VezUGoJzVfOyXiFxmztZWO-Yp45MYEVO/s1600/072127+Near+Fort+Klamath.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-k2cimZDxK5kmtlXqBKhx1dNc6L64dr5DKejj0DO5l4BSpUfj2RnfTDZieQTdEzrsLJB09R3995YWFVQQZxzOM0vl23tx8lcO6Di_51UBl01VezUGoJzVfOyXiFxmztZWO-Yp45MYEVO/s320/072127+Near+Fort+Klamath.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Is this a great old building or what? Check out the 2nd story door</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Stay on highway 62 and once past the park a few miles you’ll come to the Rogue Gorge Viewpoint (free as it should be) and I stopped to ogle more of the beautiful rushing waters. As often as I see our outdoor miracles I’m always impressed and today was no different. While there I met a couple of guys who were interested in the Yellow Peril so I had a few nice moments socializing; then it was time to continue. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zpmFe0eC_y_m_dUR_Y_HIAYiy0eBWSFqGwMjEfvVEtfgm9IOxBJoLakpSJem62Ggfnm9Sfvu812PRGGZxjhMSusOnPQu8R6fR02xufgwwBwW5La1_WZQ9Z5d1Vu_EZPQDyNuW-WPzEgS/s1600/072131+Rogue+Gorge+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zpmFe0eC_y_m_dUR_Y_HIAYiy0eBWSFqGwMjEfvVEtfgm9IOxBJoLakpSJem62Ggfnm9Sfvu812PRGGZxjhMSusOnPQu8R6fR02xufgwwBwW5La1_WZQ9Z5d1Vu_EZPQDyNuW-WPzEgS/s320/072131+Rogue+Gorge+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQOcUUV-TpRWS3Jb6X0mB9sltOgqv2zNzZVQiTkf4IFTTaOleAu2nHXyZy1E4fOXyiWJ0tbjjDy6rmL_E0MQVnoT8MJKcG_RRPSIKMp1IvEZ4kLuR-EZUbpztUd9m0tuSxiUVv0SmBmgq/s1600/072132+Rogue+Gorge+Kiosk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQOcUUV-TpRWS3Jb6X0mB9sltOgqv2zNzZVQiTkf4IFTTaOleAu2nHXyZy1E4fOXyiWJ0tbjjDy6rmL_E0MQVnoT8MJKcG_RRPSIKMp1IvEZ4kLuR-EZUbpztUd9m0tuSxiUVv0SmBmgq/s320/072132+Rogue+Gorge+Kiosk.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nice kiosks for people who can read</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKssftT5M37RIpHBBqfwEc7-_Q9_ddaL8JDw5meC5ap35JIT3RP59RSbg9yTGBH98TgACqJNfpU4zCZCfXw7ndTLmI1AT0Rx231mNl53rJeABQI1Hchr1q0kFHju_p726aWXbA1qn-Zqc/s1600/072133+Rogue+Gorge+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKssftT5M37RIpHBBqfwEc7-_Q9_ddaL8JDw5meC5ap35JIT3RP59RSbg9yTGBH98TgACqJNfpU4zCZCfXw7ndTLmI1AT0Rx231mNl53rJeABQI1Hchr1q0kFHju_p726aWXbA1qn-Zqc/s320/072133+Rogue+Gorge+1.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rogue Gorge</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOG1DOARiLn5Koh3y1Q1C1UfY5fcKGkfOqvWevt1KEPRD8uaYOH76Dg96yZ8o8bzxw9qeUOcjEOlODKqoTBaP7uipUiIW-4K2PSyf43nKQMtgDLtJSjYuJG43kuLnxV-jT__uBfZrVIrU/s1600/072134+Rogue+Gorge+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOG1DOARiLn5Koh3y1Q1C1UfY5fcKGkfOqvWevt1KEPRD8uaYOH76Dg96yZ8o8bzxw9qeUOcjEOlODKqoTBaP7uipUiIW-4K2PSyf43nKQMtgDLtJSjYuJG43kuLnxV-jT__uBfZrVIrU/s320/072134+Rogue+Gorge+2.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More Rogue Gorge</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This was also the point when I needed to decide whether I wanted to drop down into northern California and make my way home up the coast highway or head directly west to Roseburg and ultimately to Bandon. I’d been on the road for 46 days and traveled thousands of miles on two wonderful bikes and I was beginning to feel a bit homesick. The westward route won out, I was going home.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I continued riding southwest on highway 62 until reaching the tiny hamlet of Trail where I turned onto highway 227, the twisty little two-lane back road leading me to Canyonville. How many people in Oregon have ever heard of Trail? More than five? Beyond that there were several stopping points for road oiling operations and it took quite awhile to get past all of them. I rode extra carefully as I didn’t want to splash fresh oil on the Yellow Peril’s bright paint work. I'm a bit lazy about cleaning things up...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9M8mJvkLGwxYRS_9eUZkL1ra9p6wdSAzrpIw8Asm9zY3t2LKkysfVJ1uVqsT8be9dGHogENugvpiE1LCJzKvUqekcxhUlIaGuGBqa6Hev4C8hbPFnNAQpZgf0c7AiYBqy32uUuVvWMBl/s1600/072135+Oiling+Hiwy+62.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9M8mJvkLGwxYRS_9eUZkL1ra9p6wdSAzrpIw8Asm9zY3t2LKkysfVJ1uVqsT8be9dGHogENugvpiE1LCJzKvUqekcxhUlIaGuGBqa6Hev4C8hbPFnNAQpZgf0c7AiYBqy32uUuVvWMBl/s320/072135+Oiling+Hiwy+62.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Slippery icky black nasty oil...ugh</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Around 25 miles before reaching Canyonville I stopped for lunch at an old country roadside spot called the South Fork Café. It’s been there since 1949 according to the gal running the place but she couldn’t tell me much more. I commented to her it would be interesting to travelers if she had old photographs that could be hung and she pointed out a patch of original wall paper. Whenever they paint the inside they leave that one area untouched which is every bit as neat as a photograph. That's more than a little weird, eh? Outside there’s a long rock wall which the original owner had built with rocks he’d collected during his travels all over the USA. He must have toured in a dump truck. Maybe he knew my dad...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbe_PC2SXiRTbz4TNam-zO9GmlUfVDVmJDeQAblqUIKunFvGRJU0emBNqlvRlC7MfEYWJQQOeKbK_moafDlD5sEoNUvghr45Y2ByJwEsjxrE4q87se-Ktvw5sf5eiN18WfVwmakPXTSKa/s1600/072136+South+Fork+Cafe+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbe_PC2SXiRTbz4TNam-zO9GmlUfVDVmJDeQAblqUIKunFvGRJU0emBNqlvRlC7MfEYWJQQOeKbK_moafDlD5sEoNUvghr45Y2ByJwEsjxrE4q87se-Ktvw5sf5eiN18WfVwmakPXTSKa/s320/072136+South+Fork+Cafe+sign.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Priorities..we all have 'em</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtyf2Xia81Xi81VWdUDB2eBxDqQ8enuCc7BoSqttRLCHLUTVmNoq3XuwKk9pjA9YHEVUkuAwNtug513tXW7qejU9Mf84NktNtruC1beKBYZfjq6R_wld4aAypQnfiiD1D2-N9Ba06RVc/s1600/072137+South+Fork+Cafe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtyf2Xia81Xi81VWdUDB2eBxDqQ8enuCc7BoSqttRLCHLUTVmNoq3XuwKk9pjA9YHEVUkuAwNtug513tXW7qejU9Mf84NktNtruC1beKBYZfjq6R_wld4aAypQnfiiD1D2-N9Ba06RVc/s320/072137+South+Fork+Cafe.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Does "Rustic" come to mind here? No? How about rusty?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzHKoJ8dRN7UjFu0yfZahzM4_PcUGAV2vvVaqEpaJmRWPxWSQa7yKEv-hjPKMYJ4TM8zZKknmDt8fhFeUPSz4PkTkRDa4xJ5Xw8ZyrcTLWJ6lYHIFw9jLCq4qanTJ_ciaTUfYuLR4J9d-/s1600/072138+South+Fork+Cafe+Interior.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzHKoJ8dRN7UjFu0yfZahzM4_PcUGAV2vvVaqEpaJmRWPxWSQa7yKEv-hjPKMYJ4TM8zZKknmDt8fhFeUPSz4PkTkRDa4xJ5Xw8ZyrcTLWJ6lYHIFw9jLCq4qanTJ_ciaTUfYuLR4J9d-/s320/072138+South+Fork+Cafe+Interior.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Convenience store ala South Fork Cafe</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPsaq8E_7x2pUrW5vCjg9-lCm__WoQfAe4XjfK6arr6Y65CiV8bqECA6R8D1AK5PuDDGsr-52IqKMVYkJNR6kCdUPTxne3LwmYQkmH-_uUlBRqG8Rv-TbHfZBSUgh42Q0z0gIPcpeYufu/s1600/072139+South+Fork+Cafe+Wallpaper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPsaq8E_7x2pUrW5vCjg9-lCm__WoQfAe4XjfK6arr6Y65CiV8bqECA6R8D1AK5PuDDGsr-52IqKMVYkJNR6kCdUPTxne3LwmYQkmH-_uUlBRqG8Rv-TbHfZBSUgh42Q0z0gIPcpeYufu/s320/072139+South+Fork+Cafe+Wallpaper.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Original 1949 Wall Paper...heya heya heya</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>As soon as I arrived I was treated with a glass of cold iced tea, free for nothing. That was followed by one of the best BLT’s I’ve ever had, fixed from scratch of course. Who wouldn’t like that little café? Some of the locals dropped in to chat it up with the waitress, one of them a guy with every other tooth missing. Very scary looking but probably way cool around Halloween time. As I departed I noticed an older Honda creation parked outside and I thought how impressive their products are, seemingly indestructible. I'm pretty sure it belongs to the toothy guy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFYC60eB6jjnbLT9VJijzWIFv1bvLLYViIMDJg1ON8Fhyphenhyphene5Hv2yQIgRKigkPAihJoeXRP9zOyXiQCmiKxoAgJBUeRSE532OlUP445Hke9kiiaA3gko-m8MP95IuogrWHSz2J8l_nD4zyw/s1600/072140+Fellow+Honda+Owner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFYC60eB6jjnbLT9VJijzWIFv1bvLLYViIMDJg1ON8Fhyphenhyphene5Hv2yQIgRKigkPAihJoeXRP9zOyXiQCmiKxoAgJBUeRSE532OlUP445Hke9kiiaA3gko-m8MP95IuogrWHSz2J8l_nD4zyw/s320/072140+Fellow+Honda+Owner.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Someone ought to shoot this critter...Wait, someone already has!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The rest of the ride home was nearly on autopilot; I set the cruise control on a steady 60 mph and watched the scenery play by. My route took me through Roseburg, then onto highway 42 past Winston and eventually the town of Coquille. As I passed by the coffee shop where Jerry Smith and I often meet I spotted his car and performing a U-turn without dropping the bike I headed back. His dog Daisy wagged her tail as I passed their car and I caught up with him inside scoring a cookie and coffee. He was surprised to see me and we sat outside enjoying the sunny afternoon catching up on the past few weeks. <br />
<br />
After awhile I realized I’d probably better get home so I said goodbye and got back on the road. As I pulled into Bandon I missed the first of our three stoplights and while I was waiting for the green Linda drove by in her Volvo. For a moment I was caught off guard but finally woke up and waved but by then she was gone. We only live seven miles out of town so I figured it would be fun to catch up to her on the way home but I missed the other two lights. What are the odds of missing all three lights in a little Podunk town like Bandon?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrJJdPQwW6mSdT_VU5EH8JIx8Pnvj_5cnwmH0IxApIc_X68wmYXJIMFdvWjovjHhsbDEqAY9x9LWEfvjQ-A_f8iOkICaGurhFlQTtw2VhZqLRGcqjszQ2sbz_mjZfgnXaldaHN7HRaxQ/s1600/072141+Daisy+%26+Chance+excited+to+see+me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrJJdPQwW6mSdT_VU5EH8JIx8Pnvj_5cnwmH0IxApIc_X68wmYXJIMFdvWjovjHhsbDEqAY9x9LWEfvjQ-A_f8iOkICaGurhFlQTtw2VhZqLRGcqjszQ2sbz_mjZfgnXaldaHN7HRaxQ/s320/072141+Daisy+%26+Chance+excited+to+see+me.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dogs ignoring me...good to see you too</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Anyway as it turned out she made a stop at one of the stores so I beat her home by a few minutes. Daisy and Chance were confused about the big yellow motorcycle but soon caught on to who was on it. Bedlam broke loose for awhile, then they settled down and went about ignoring me the way dogs do when you leave them alone too long. Shortly after that Linda arrived and the bedlam began once again. Dogs really enjoy living moment to moment don’t they? <br />
<br />
I guess this will do it, I’m home and happy as a clam with the way things went on the ride; I met lots of new people, visited old friends, had great times, gained back all of the weight I’d struggled to lose and in general thoroughly enjoyed the summer. For those of you interested in such things the combined total mileage between Green Girl and the Yellow Peril tipped the scales a bit over 11,000 miles. I haven't a clue what the cost was and I don't really care; I figure if you go on a cruise you come home with memories, photos, maybe a few souveniers and lots of receipts. This wasn't much different except for the large yellow item in the garage.<br />
<br />
In closing I’d like to say for all of you who opened up your homes to me a special thank you; you’re among my very best friends, and for the rest who spent an afternoon or evening with me I owe a lot. These annual rides are very special to me and knowing people like you makes them even more enjoyable; I am truly fortunate. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Best to all, please stay in touch.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">LL75</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-85702782638897381802010-07-20T22:16:00.000-07:002010-07-23T22:06:08.754-07:00July 20, 2010 Day 45 Riding Oregon’s High Desert back roads<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This morning I was totally ready for a long day in the saddle. I spent a few minutes figuring out where I wanted to ride and watched the Weather Channel for the latest updates. Bandon appeared to be languishing under a blanket of coastal fog or else the television screen needed cleaning. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLW5Tc-2A1U7K2Pi5vWREhz4JXG5p1TZXjoUqdkFny7tVYVH44xNx3vjsT2T1BTiUal8Rb_yNHFxnRVz_i_eMuBT2Ow1sDZw-w9Oa9q_u_OFhsi1KqJR5z1Kc7I-_u5JiTJddF7N9gg29/s1600/072001+Mapping+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLW5Tc-2A1U7K2Pi5vWREhz4JXG5p1TZXjoUqdkFny7tVYVH44xNx3vjsT2T1BTiUal8Rb_yNHFxnRVz_i_eMuBT2Ow1sDZw-w9Oa9q_u_OFhsi1KqJR5z1Kc7I-_u5JiTJddF7N9gg29/s320/072001+Mapping+101.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOHN_8D0UbHdwVy-oRIGp5VVH5vOHU-boAAqAq-aeh4ppj2uVd5i7-JN3Axqjuh9LyVi6m6sBMvj-VtDVJrVDt53ryPDclMKeAMTjrH0gIMJBV-Ar87s5xCouoSCmiux6X2VzcguKVZHA/s1600/072002+Bandon+Weather+Map.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOHN_8D0UbHdwVy-oRIGp5VVH5vOHU-boAAqAq-aeh4ppj2uVd5i7-JN3Axqjuh9LyVi6m6sBMvj-VtDVJrVDt53ryPDclMKeAMTjrH0gIMJBV-Ar87s5xCouoSCmiux6X2VzcguKVZHA/s320/072002+Bandon+Weather+Map.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The motel people put out a really exceptional breakfast compared to the others I’ve seen. For one thing, besides the usual flakes & bagels they offered biscuits & gravy – yum! There was an omelet bar set up and a lady to fix them as you like plus fried bacon on the side. What a great experience this place was, I think it may have been the best one of my entire trip.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuafaMoOX_90Kp2QkLau-2dWV9u-wQOYiqz8NFrjfY4ngDPSeYYDyFFnngM8VKxoMsfRcZDqm91oZxdVFpkj34J8XPknC6zh2frSdgXtzkqwjWvdB__-gk-ZWqveg5OuSSoEBF78PIGInS/s1600/072003+Ms+Omlette+Maker+2010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuafaMoOX_90Kp2QkLau-2dWV9u-wQOYiqz8NFrjfY4ngDPSeYYDyFFnngM8VKxoMsfRcZDqm91oZxdVFpkj34J8XPknC6zh2frSdgXtzkqwjWvdB__-gk-ZWqveg5OuSSoEBF78PIGInS/s320/072003+Ms+Omlette+Maker+2010.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Since I’d given YP her first bath last night I needed only to load up my gear and I was off for a long haul on the slabs. I rode I-84 for around 40-50 miles, then bailed off at Hammett to ride state highway 78 northwest to Marsing, ID on the Snake River. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLUcHadN3yqHWgBxsYM3aldnhahTseR3jhD8atPwk6HQ0cPHaHCw3PyKmHRCty5HDeSPbKmd1vgk_N_1sXwSNMpcvv_-Jgm0yJVYt8wB7NHR79tMcfRmT_lJTUiHskxTSVzUIkBx6CBAf/s1600/072005+Snake+River+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLUcHadN3yqHWgBxsYM3aldnhahTseR3jhD8atPwk6HQ0cPHaHCw3PyKmHRCty5HDeSPbKmd1vgk_N_1sXwSNMpcvv_-Jgm0yJVYt8wB7NHR79tMcfRmT_lJTUiHskxTSVzUIkBx6CBAf/s320/072005+Snake+River+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDQnYTjxY_DMnGtVWZoAsonj-DBzjT2COVRTNKkZ9iUfkGgJ1e4XPpmL08XBVc2c-vT0wtUB_6cXUnPMRM9UrgrPaMVKz1GlHNuqbcVrA5T1Ik4lP0Nndeo4eoQRTdy85j8SnkvRYkpsR/s1600/072006+Snake+River+at+Marsing+ID.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDQnYTjxY_DMnGtVWZoAsonj-DBzjT2COVRTNKkZ9iUfkGgJ1e4XPpmL08XBVc2c-vT0wtUB_6cXUnPMRM9UrgrPaMVKz1GlHNuqbcVrA5T1Ik4lP0Nndeo4eoQRTdy85j8SnkvRYkpsR/s320/072006+Snake+River+at+Marsing+ID.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Marsing is an interesting little community; due to their location on the Snake River they are very involved in the sports fishing industry. They also have a neat little city park where celebrations are held and old geezers can fish. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9Sej1CmMuHXFi-RJlnOzHcgcajJFQZJtPyX7mhA8PrKt7ek0mF0HR0ldh3WXK-LyDAiOA54FUgG5vRc7biAFSdqb2rgRR9UR512C0dfHUmRL5o93TbENe_ZR17AYe0xvmZzdCRr6YRAH/s1600/072004+Marsing+ID+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9Sej1CmMuHXFi-RJlnOzHcgcajJFQZJtPyX7mhA8PrKt7ek0mF0HR0ldh3WXK-LyDAiOA54FUgG5vRc7biAFSdqb2rgRR9UR512C0dfHUmRL5o93TbENe_ZR17AYe0xvmZzdCRr6YRAH/s320/072004+Marsing+ID+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimV0Mzb2UmEeeEZMimh6pKNpUN5Ww7em5weB5Ra_l54gO4OlTZVAcOaHMyO0UV_prR7RFnxxnoF7dsH6ZO8octU0wBqQdarug9A79Ar_3CiXF8BYOlvfsWGN0IwubZvhlczV59ZW2MaA7Y/s1600/072007+Patriotic+Marsingers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimV0Mzb2UmEeeEZMimh6pKNpUN5Ww7em5weB5Ra_l54gO4OlTZVAcOaHMyO0UV_prR7RFnxxnoF7dsH6ZO8octU0wBqQdarug9A79Ar_3CiXF8BYOlvfsWGN0IwubZvhlczV59ZW2MaA7Y/s320/072007+Patriotic+Marsingers.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH600tjUgHFyofndYTX9MSLwYQITIntuY-bj_9ZdUEz6DlGJdpP46lL2DCikWZH7WnZ9J58pyR-IjWXLMDGpKABXg6ERKzyqkV7hVvCt-z6vIduOY73fs2nMx9IhA2nYHjTvpz_8DCAQgp/s1600/072008+Froman%27s+Ferry+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH600tjUgHFyofndYTX9MSLwYQITIntuY-bj_9ZdUEz6DlGJdpP46lL2DCikWZH7WnZ9J58pyR-IjWXLMDGpKABXg6ERKzyqkV7hVvCt-z6vIduOY73fs2nMx9IhA2nYHjTvpz_8DCAQgp/s320/072008+Froman%27s+Ferry+sign.JPG" /></a><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgNLCsuADrXxMGJ6s7QH9CL3WbqxIV7eyq466kE4F89M-kiFAGUk-Y64rDEYxHhtx5i3R9qs00N5RGZ9IdQClo4UsIeBxQFyV3jW2GqRtzVNL9rcnl8K0UNCxouksxgqSd1Q10fPUodsm/s320/072009+Marsing+Fishermen.JPG" /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I stopped to use their facilities and while there took a few photos of some sleeping ducks. This evidently caught the attention of the local head goose as he took offense to me right off. I shot a few of him coming full bore down the lake at me and as comical as he seemed I decided not to encourage a goose nip. I recall being nipped by various fowl when I was a kid and they can give you a pretty good welt if you challenge their authority.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViq-RAxtJxZE_cq32lYHho6SKrObDSr5XUxgwTF3yhXkKtrC9emPGfRbwkY02X0zzghZnfhNJkbNRExs2gglIT_bdqTCFH21sgL0RQOw3WhTquwf8TZgZRunOOIWoKbUaib4JLXbEktc9/s1600/072011+Guard+Goose+spots+me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViq-RAxtJxZE_cq32lYHho6SKrObDSr5XUxgwTF3yhXkKtrC9emPGfRbwkY02X0zzghZnfhNJkbNRExs2gglIT_bdqTCFH21sgL0RQOw3WhTquwf8TZgZRunOOIWoKbUaib4JLXbEktc9/s320/072011+Guard+Goose+spots+me.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He sees me...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDx4oNhpKZ4Sp1YYzUmz-RBboCk5WtvHIeIEdMS3-xC0yWmsDdel7XkzQGDtzqFf2Q3bJLPyTfk0x1N9LcpOd1K-skuEK5OTGXqaCRsBA4wbtrZCHww3EJ13xNlvrwJHmxZQxsAKLOG2V/s1600/072012+Guard+Goose+on+his+way.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDx4oNhpKZ4Sp1YYzUmz-RBboCk5WtvHIeIEdMS3-xC0yWmsDdel7XkzQGDtzqFf2Q3bJLPyTfk0x1N9LcpOd1K-skuEK5OTGXqaCRsBA4wbtrZCHww3EJ13xNlvrwJHmxZQxsAKLOG2V/s320/072012+Guard+Goose+on+his+way.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's on his way...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Yv2nlfayYiMClh3UDHI1CSuRmYMWySa1GMTy4To684bikEEKNrrY3BAgnNNiPAILHnOg_xfo82Tl5bm2pzoV9pFzO9W3tovnpAAJKZV9vdEMexCMOHZLMxUc4qYQ_l8ZtuNxnuhmgudR/s1600/072013+Guard+Goose+attacks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Yv2nlfayYiMClh3UDHI1CSuRmYMWySa1GMTy4To684bikEEKNrrY3BAgnNNiPAILHnOg_xfo82Tl5bm2pzoV9pFzO9W3tovnpAAJKZV9vdEMexCMOHZLMxUc4qYQ_l8ZtuNxnuhmgudR/s320/072013+Guard+Goose+attacks.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Imminent attack...retreat, retreat!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>My next destination would be Jordan Valley just over the state line in Oregon. The ride was very good, the temperature had climbed to nearly 100 and even though the humidity was low it still felt very hot. I stopped to photo the time/temp sign at the high school, then stopped again just outside of town for a long look at the open range grass lands. I love this part of our state and it felt good to be close to home.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5aqALfLVfo6XJvw1VI_rcwbort327umriLbfxk5RsjVrbSmgmorxnyUH7nxl6Vzf3gEwURJ94C2sVghcN4KShWeoqW7I_OH_76_P8QtXQ7XF2ukCHVLtCqZa2RHueWFtnXopIhwI8rH1/s1600/072014+Jordan+Valley+OR.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5aqALfLVfo6XJvw1VI_rcwbort327umriLbfxk5RsjVrbSmgmorxnyUH7nxl6Vzf3gEwURJ94C2sVghcN4KShWeoqW7I_OH_76_P8QtXQ7XF2ukCHVLtCqZa2RHueWFtnXopIhwI8rH1/s320/072014+Jordan+Valley+OR.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJbenl17D-Byt5qhIoh0RnRzI-m_DlU-n73Yt-Q-uH51A7FDDDKo0tiKhS03lF4mA-CgFIgxX7BskFkhC-b5b1-GcvL8xWY3-_7gKa_Qf9xOJLiuSl811JBdL7Q3ptxWIaLfqym4SJNS8/s1600/072015+Jordan+Valley+Home.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJbenl17D-Byt5qhIoh0RnRzI-m_DlU-n73Yt-Q-uH51A7FDDDKo0tiKhS03lF4mA-CgFIgxX7BskFkhC-b5b1-GcvL8xWY3-_7gKa_Qf9xOJLiuSl811JBdL7Q3ptxWIaLfqym4SJNS8/s320/072015+Jordan+Valley+Home.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-jKGpvwAoYa00qP9VxktAyMXZ6bBPckZ1XGuMBI204dW7vxJHSzDQo4HYFwiK1cY18n4kBe_a7VS_n27pSSkT7YcQb2xWOAYJRtGuVsinSRFSyyDvhXa6ZKwV7XQ71v6taIxSWX1-d40/s1600/072016+Jordan+Valley+Time+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-jKGpvwAoYa00qP9VxktAyMXZ6bBPckZ1XGuMBI204dW7vxJHSzDQo4HYFwiK1cY18n4kBe_a7VS_n27pSSkT7YcQb2xWOAYJRtGuVsinSRFSyyDvhXa6ZKwV7XQ71v6taIxSWX1-d40/s320/072016+Jordan+Valley+Time+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlqIiHoNACg5-Lk-ZyjW4696Bgo4iLW_6R8GcwtQ7HHRShisMBymnCIavHbqeY4Xgf04Ucm_sdsjacIFGBydN7bH418TDD_pFTpi1kqoT3zMknV2TB7AzEmGzAP3lqwUgTbEDFgxh_Exf/s1600/072017+Jordan+Valley+Temp+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlqIiHoNACg5-Lk-ZyjW4696Bgo4iLW_6R8GcwtQ7HHRShisMBymnCIavHbqeY4Xgf04Ucm_sdsjacIFGBydN7bH418TDD_pFTpi1kqoT3zMknV2TB7AzEmGzAP3lqwUgTbEDFgxh_Exf/s320/072017+Jordan+Valley+Temp+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-kGpo_QLy-XJfQA5mffwORjZYIEa0PF-VINQAgw3FYzbJn4VAcDJp1TG_7bIjWq2SOIFANhEATlcBiTzaXycwIupVH5UoIm1O8EjPEsh1ovwY-8wPQDSY7g5tefhIAiS_tNAw4286mSg/s1600/072018+Jordan+Valley+Grass+lands.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-kGpo_QLy-XJfQA5mffwORjZYIEa0PF-VINQAgw3FYzbJn4VAcDJp1TG_7bIjWq2SOIFANhEATlcBiTzaXycwIupVH5UoIm1O8EjPEsh1ovwY-8wPQDSY7g5tefhIAiS_tNAw4286mSg/s320/072018+Jordan+Valley+Grass+lands.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jordan Valley Grass Lands</div><br />
Riding on towards Burns took me through several buttes with lots of twisties and ups and downs to deal with. The entire area is pretty much open range so you have to keep an eye out for cattle on the roads. I saw quite a lot of them near the roads but only a few actually on it. The heat and early time of day kept the deer in their beds so I didn’t expect to see any. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLnShMC2RKnBOQLUFwX8rbhZglA0aV3B8Ow864bc1NbWNuHgJ_K12Mf0BOw71EuH41GHBrL6-Q6mbthRXFCqRQH6UUr_r_UtGNInDRp2Tq-hKNUdofdB7arMQvE6BKPs87hmQyubRFoJt/s1600/072019+Open+Range+cattle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLnShMC2RKnBOQLUFwX8rbhZglA0aV3B8Ow864bc1NbWNuHgJ_K12Mf0BOw71EuH41GHBrL6-Q6mbthRXFCqRQH6UUr_r_UtGNInDRp2Tq-hKNUdofdB7arMQvE6BKPs87hmQyubRFoJt/s320/072019+Open+Range+cattle.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgref-S2VptGYSJXzSmYIikjzPsVaRMFMZ55Mxz6VwVVNGu2d2vltIJKRT4YL1otbuARYPRaj58x6QNBTGSkOok1lOMuEnESbaNg9xJDNw6MDx6iCoiCsabY2BUaOhaEcGMNBnLDS3jQIAF/s1600/072020+Open+Range+Bull.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgref-S2VptGYSJXzSmYIikjzPsVaRMFMZ55Mxz6VwVVNGu2d2vltIJKRT4YL1otbuARYPRaj58x6QNBTGSkOok1lOMuEnESbaNg9xJDNw6MDx6iCoiCsabY2BUaOhaEcGMNBnLDS3jQIAF/s320/072020+Open+Range+Bull.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hiya Mr Range Bull...See ya...</div><br />
<br />
Arriving in Burns I decided to have lunch at McDonalds and it turned out to be the strangest experience at one of their restaurants I’d ever had. For one thing the place was busy as the dickens with all ages of people from little kids to teens to old folks. The strangeness was mostly due to the crew working; they didn’t seem to have a clue as to who ordered what and were constantly giving people the wrong orders or making them to go when they should have been for eating in. <br />
.<br />
People, mostly old ones like me, were milling around in front of the counter trying to locate their orders and the employees seemed totally confused. I waited about 20 minutes for a Big Mac & fries which isn’t exactly an unusual order while others may still be there waiting. Maybe the crew was brand new or something, it was hard to tell. When I finally got my order I commented to the lady next to me “Hey, same day service, that’s pretty good!” She laughed and the counter gal looked perplexed. I’m so funny. Ha Ha.<br />
<br />
After lunch I stopped for gas and it was the first time in Oregon since I’d left. I’d nearly forgotten we aren’t allowed to pump our own gas so I had to wait for the attendant to help me. His first comment was “We don’t pump gas into bikes, you’ll have to do it but first I’ll have to enter a code and slide your card.” He did so, then handed my card back, selected the grade I wanted, wiped the hose nozzle with a paper towel and handed the pump to me so I could fill it. What a silly business this is, we really need to stop this foolishness and do as nearly all the other states do; let people fill their own tanks.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Outside of Burns there is a rest stop where they have a kiosk showing the history of the Burns Piute tribe which I found interesting. I know very little about their tribe and one day I’d like to learn more. Maybe if I ever get too old to ride – God forbid – I’ll motor around the state in our RV and spend some time catching up on local history.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlptxYnwbyT3lCN_NKP1YRSt8n33TFbZPIgnCyglgufi_meQwBHj5-sQMRajJoXhCgYh4Eck6RJuR-7l4dt3CaDFi82rBSGuG1zg_JXOaE-H_nLBWFHC53C_PkacWmqSiJ-ySsxZZuYAk/s1600/072021+Burns+OR+Paiute+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlptxYnwbyT3lCN_NKP1YRSt8n33TFbZPIgnCyglgufi_meQwBHj5-sQMRajJoXhCgYh4Eck6RJuR-7l4dt3CaDFi82rBSGuG1zg_JXOaE-H_nLBWFHC53C_PkacWmqSiJ-ySsxZZuYAk/s320/072021+Burns+OR+Paiute+sign.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Leaving Burns I rode west on highway 395 until I came to the small community of Riley, more like a wide spot in the road and where 395 turns south towards Lake View, not far from the California border. The ride was fast and in places challenging where RV’s were piled up in groups and no one had the nerve to pass. I couldn’t understand this as there were plenty of stretches that were safe for passing. <br />
<br />
I followed one group for about 10 miles, then said to heck with it and passed the entire bunch of around 12 campers and cars in one pass. I could see for at least a mile ahead and it was clear as a bell so I’m clueless why I was the only one to break out. I’ll say this about the Yellow Peril, when you need to pass she has plenty of grunt to get the job done.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlB_80uD-U79DIEI0WHMcTrOsF-zpC1D_qVZ1gT2qhSNa1HH2TPIF5kPGU9E891n11kvq06wMu9CAAni5p56siQMMJ1yn7mT7NwkdWo7Tp1iQFNP3EdCcJq9bDPf8ontiScHtafVh7tug/s1600/072024+Abert+Lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlB_80uD-U79DIEI0WHMcTrOsF-zpC1D_qVZ1gT2qhSNa1HH2TPIF5kPGU9E891n11kvq06wMu9CAAni5p56siQMMJ1yn7mT7NwkdWo7Tp1iQFNP3EdCcJq9bDPf8ontiScHtafVh7tug/s320/072024+Abert+Lake.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Lake Abert is located just north of Valley Falls, an area of particular natural beauty. I’m always amazed to find places like these; I’ve lived in Oregon my entire life and I’d never heard of it either one. I stopped at a point of interest sign about Abert Rim just as a group of hikers were starting the climb up. Take a look at the size of the packs they were carrying; they must have been planning an extended stay from the looks of them. I’ve never done much back packing but when I did my packs were as light and small as I could possibly make them. The ones these guys were hauling looked like body bags or something.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitivu9EYg8ZT4TeAZVPVV95at-OSQKYE_2jBbGlwEarzguKqZaDdCbI0dUILwy-N8YYzPN9rq5VZ_tPmRfAe9dMHen-fEvjshOdH-bQzJT97mddS6MI6UK0bujBrlv7CxJJRC_83oI4m9Y/s1600/072022+Abert+Rim+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitivu9EYg8ZT4TeAZVPVV95at-OSQKYE_2jBbGlwEarzguKqZaDdCbI0dUILwy-N8YYzPN9rq5VZ_tPmRfAe9dMHen-fEvjshOdH-bQzJT97mddS6MI6UK0bujBrlv7CxJJRC_83oI4m9Y/s320/072022+Abert+Rim+sign.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Look at the size of those packs!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZsM7G3oFKDCaoMvdN5pBGH_0MVORVsqNXuwH5SeB1kKxeK9oyawNFz7kaEgVoNvTX76SxZeNl6dm41xsRsQD4bFjPNI5y9LljEVYgzjFdeedxA_AZSKBF2SW4bUm7Mjc9q_IhuCN5ZdD/s1600/072023+Abert+Rim+Backpacker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZsM7G3oFKDCaoMvdN5pBGH_0MVORVsqNXuwH5SeB1kKxeK9oyawNFz7kaEgVoNvTX76SxZeNl6dm41xsRsQD4bFjPNI5y9LljEVYgzjFdeedxA_AZSKBF2SW4bUm7Mjc9q_IhuCN5ZdD/s320/072023+Abert+Rim+Backpacker.JPG" /></a></div><br />
My next stop was going to be Sprague River, another 100 miles or so west but since I’d ridden close to 500 miles today I decided to overnight in Lake View. As I approached the city I noted a Best Western sign and I headed directly to it. Inside I noticed the people sitting around looked a bit out of the ordinary as they were dressed weird; like in lab coats or orderly outfits, etc. <br />
<br />
I must have looked a bit confused as a man popped out of the woodwork somewhere and asked if he could help me. I commented to him “This doesn’t look like the other Best Westerns I’ve seen, is it by chance a hospital or something?” Internalizing I was actually thinking it looked a lot like a loony bin. “No, it used to be a hospital but it’s no longer used for that. Best Western is next door” and he pointed to a window where I could see their sign, one driveway away. <br />
<br />
I excused myself and as I was leaving he asked “Have you got a reservation with them?” to which I replied “No, I never know where I’ll be from day to day so reservations don’t work for me.” He immediately responded “Well if they don’t have a room come on back and we’ll find one here for you.” “OK, thanks” I said and beat a hasty retreat. That was one spooky bunch of people and no way was I going to check into the Zombie Hotel.<br />
<br />
The folks at Best Western were full to the gizzard with road crews and travelers but they had one room left if I could wait for it to be cleaned. I did so and it didn’t take them long to get it ready. While I waited I crabbed and complained about their high prices which fell on a set of very deaf ears. I’m afraid the place in Jerome has spoiled me for good, I’ll never again be happy with places that don’t offer you a free cold beer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVf1EWdLWFLacbUUM_rZgslCLYJFpFagHfw6hHcFqONZmIRUpRMBNQxxQqvXsXofIJJyovy9kJk0EdoYuErnAf5J7VKapdM48H47mre7pzISbusub0Eo5WLGMDkkPNWc8tCPQu30SgNWb/s320/072028+Lakeview+OR+Skyline+Motor+Lodge+sign.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEs9thrOm7N4kc9oKPkOc9pGs1hphpaPYI7keuWhoJ9yh86ubEr5ng9p5Xv0QGKcbsFVwMYI95vSLYeOZYy71n8JGGnmvIRaJwbHR6LsYfBk1bkzEhk88mUa2vtfGRNz3vpyIOreWVY86-/s1600/072029+Skyline+Motor+Lodge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEs9thrOm7N4kc9oKPkOc9pGs1hphpaPYI7keuWhoJ9yh86ubEr5ng9p5Xv0QGKcbsFVwMYI95vSLYeOZYy71n8JGGnmvIRaJwbHR6LsYfBk1bkzEhk88mUa2vtfGRNz3vpyIOreWVY86-/s320/072029+Skyline+Motor+Lodge.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBaLDO9HXN2gH98wVVyyGuAyEEf1A6euWxCt9uFYBin8ewlC2yL0VHJjz1ddarNRiZ7WMlFhyzRdyr9eoVYmpMzgBQjqVzcc9DkJ5GeE0soOLqN2WGIrhyphenhyphenOep2fd8bAeuM8BHVtFAySCe/s1600/072030+Skyline+Motor+Lodge+room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBaLDO9HXN2gH98wVVyyGuAyEEf1A6euWxCt9uFYBin8ewlC2yL0VHJjz1ddarNRiZ7WMlFhyzRdyr9eoVYmpMzgBQjqVzcc9DkJ5GeE0soOLqN2WGIrhyphenhyphenOep2fd8bAeuM8BHVtFAySCe/s320/072030+Skyline+Motor+Lodge+room.JPG" /></a></div><br />
My final challenge for the day was to find a place for dinner and as I’d noticed a Mexican restaurant next door I asked one of the cleaning ladies about it. She said it was very good and I should give it a try so I ambled over to have a look. The place was about as tacky as any I’ve ever seen so I walked back to the motel office and asked them where to eat. They recommended the Mexican place next door and when I mentioned I’d already looked at it and wasn’t sure if all my shots were up to date and maybe I should pass. They both insisted it was good and one of the best places to eat in Lake View so I decided I’d have a go at it. What's the worst thing that could happen? Food poisoning? Death? No big deal.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvpXMwb3HitYvtyFjyB4-FFWgU_XmgG-ztNDnADSCeDzjvZnaLsCILMuknUa9Huc6uVOBolJZhREBNg_FiQEdY8BRvT3b9dfVtsLfQ1XfeMOW4RqlBnxYAZXUKpTR4hfPEo1qZyAedw4A/s1600/072031+El+Aguila+Real.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvpXMwb3HitYvtyFjyB4-FFWgU_XmgG-ztNDnADSCeDzjvZnaLsCILMuknUa9Huc6uVOBolJZhREBNg_FiQEdY8BRvT3b9dfVtsLfQ1XfeMOW4RqlBnxYAZXUKpTR4hfPEo1qZyAedw4A/s320/072031+El+Aguila+Real.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have you had all your shots?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ocsM7TCIN8wdiqQrbcW9BdrkOziBY9xIRWS-E4JhaVOmVZ9qD4ECWg8k_jKcZ3oxNdEJTD_Z3uNaPGHcusQ3ZsalYJg8UqyT1-n7_oqerVgeK8MfQY3x6YO0YZtdj8NfHbq4S8b9IcU1/s1600/072033+Authentic+Mexican+Decor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ocsM7TCIN8wdiqQrbcW9BdrkOziBY9xIRWS-E4JhaVOmVZ9qD4ECWg8k_jKcZ3oxNdEJTD_Z3uNaPGHcusQ3ZsalYJg8UqyT1-n7_oqerVgeK8MfQY3x6YO0YZtdj8NfHbq4S8b9IcU1/s320/072033+Authentic+Mexican+Decor.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Authentic Mexican Restaurant decor</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCERqFknKdsFSWya0H3jJSDfhE_JLUc3lATECjb5Fn-OkXmaoxMwF_XpmoYwfWlKAWiX06v_ex4HU3Q6ZMUPXlpjqVTp5uItWHVmwQ8Ipo9sYiCvHyKzXIlgNHz3szT99EwDfiClHdVFq/s1600/072032+Juan+Waiter+Cook+Cashier.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCERqFknKdsFSWya0H3jJSDfhE_JLUc3lATECjb5Fn-OkXmaoxMwF_XpmoYwfWlKAWiX06v_ex4HU3Q6ZMUPXlpjqVTp5uItWHVmwQ8Ipo9sYiCvHyKzXIlgNHz3szT99EwDfiClHdVFq/s320/072032+Juan+Waiter+Cook+Cashier.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I liked watching this guy work, no wasted motion</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You may recall I’d had dinner at a Mexican place in Steamboat Springs the other night and how luxurious the setting was and how elaborate the appetizers were? Well this place occupies the exact opposite end of the spectrum except for one thing: Their food tops them by miles. They may not have much going in the way of ambiance but I peeked into their kitchen and it was clean so I wasn’t worried about getting Titticaca or something worse. They serve a traditional appetizer of chips and salsa which were both fresh and tasty, especially with a chilled Corona and lime. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxyV_aYpgX54O0AkKPAtzNXBXdZIy_bwHOR5PlxzqZ_REiqGZcBxhO3y0xN_aD6ddUxqkuypvn4iiDYXnB2-YhlUYDxlpqCH1D9lrowHbtv7xOYzpogdLSzxjdlkqV0nbJQ6KvUbWam_Sd/s1600/072034+Appetizers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxyV_aYpgX54O0AkKPAtzNXBXdZIy_bwHOR5PlxzqZ_REiqGZcBxhO3y0xN_aD6ddUxqkuypvn4iiDYXnB2-YhlUYDxlpqCH1D9lrowHbtv7xOYzpogdLSzxjdlkqV0nbJQ6KvUbWam_Sd/s320/072034+Appetizers.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Starters</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For dinner I ordered Chicken Mole` enchiladas accompanied with the requisite rice and beans and they were to die for, obviously prepared by people who know how it’s done. A second Corona put the finishing touch on an outstanding meal and on the way back to my still overpriced digs I stuck my head into the office and thanked them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-TY10KiWNb-ix-3p0rD3rF5CJsvoWC5gh1QvZO8Mfp9joV_YxCadIeiqoc1WQAJ3bz5dgd25C2uQUQIBS-X7_0jOGHy3C62OAzVeM8QnDhl9KDK3w_3W_Sg25MbITULosXrnb1OXd4OO/s1600/072035+Ole%60+Mole!.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-TY10KiWNb-ix-3p0rD3rF5CJsvoWC5gh1QvZO8Mfp9joV_YxCadIeiqoc1WQAJ3bz5dgd25C2uQUQIBS-X7_0jOGHy3C62OAzVeM8QnDhl9KDK3w_3W_Sg25MbITULosXrnb1OXd4OO/s320/072035+Ole%60+Mole!.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The real deal - Chicken Mole`at its best</div><br />
That’s a wrap for today; tomorrow it’s more back roads riding towards California before I turn north to Bandon and home.Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-59407780807994813032010-07-19T22:09:00.000-07:002010-07-19T22:09:35.081-07:00July 19, 2010 – Day 44 Idaho straight ahead and FREE Alaskan Ale!Another day on the road that I thought might not be so great turned out to be super. Maybe it’s just luck but if it is I’m not going to challenge it.<br />
<br />
<br />
I keep thinking I’m going to solve the GPS mystery and return to strictly back road riding but I seem to end up on the slab instead. I have a feeling it has something to do with the setting of “the fastest way” that I’ve chosen so maybe I’ll do it different tomorrow.<br />
<br />
In any event I started the day with a short stack of hotcakes & coffee, compliments of the motel folks, and for only $3.00 more (00 + 3.00 = $3.00) I added two eggs over easy. Nice. No heartburn. No protein either which I need or my carcass goes into overdrive and begins to shut down. Well, not exactly shut down but I function better with something of substance which hotcakes fail to qualify as. But I digress, on with the day’s dialog.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The GPS (I suspect Garmin & Company have a hand in it) sent me north on highway 91 towards Idaho which I enjoyed immensely. Traffic was light for the most part and I crawled along at my usual slow pace taking in all the sights and generally gawking at everything I could. For some reason whenever I get like that I overlook the fact I should be taking pictures for the blog and this morning was no exception. I finally realized I hadn’t taken any when up comes the Devil’s Slide alongside the highway and I was in action. For anyone interested you can Google this for directions but it’s located alongside highway I-84 not far from Henefer, UT and there's a wealth of information to be had. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreo23aNzEwR0ozXHuzTkL4Xle_OWKMClopioaCV5miy5DuzM4AIBggrx1A8XpUTM1TsDi1EM7P4hIV_JKDwxHv2N899zh3l1WwnoOmd63CYWsqbtyXAKfrvAArmlDdCq9r8v5N2Apjj-3/s1600/071901+The+Devil%27s+Slide+Hywy+I-84+Henefer+UT.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreo23aNzEwR0ozXHuzTkL4Xle_OWKMClopioaCV5miy5DuzM4AIBggrx1A8XpUTM1TsDi1EM7P4hIV_JKDwxHv2N899zh3l1WwnoOmd63CYWsqbtyXAKfrvAArmlDdCq9r8v5N2Apjj-3/s320/071901+The+Devil%27s+Slide+Hywy+I-84+Henefer+UT.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Shortly after that I crossed over into Idaho and would have stopped for a quick photo but both sides of the highway were overrun with tourists doing the same thing. Imagine that? Show offs. It didn’t much matter as the very next town had a welcome park set up for, uh, older gentlemen and I had to stop and check things out. How thoughtful the citizens of Franklin, Idaho’s oldest community are. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZ_7a8ZJ-NuqPJVeegmQ7D31oaRkoDKKJ4d2L3Ve_ca2Iz0PjpUEgLBVNxBiijjqzoiXMn44uFodDrdoXTc3bgawlCwdASGuLWLq58fIB1giWLcMarHJ7jfVae7JtpY0G3cXsZ17xh9Fo/s1600/071902+Welcome+to+Idaho.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZ_7a8ZJ-NuqPJVeegmQ7D31oaRkoDKKJ4d2L3Ve_ca2Iz0PjpUEgLBVNxBiijjqzoiXMn44uFodDrdoXTc3bgawlCwdASGuLWLq58fIB1giWLcMarHJ7jfVae7JtpY0G3cXsZ17xh9Fo/s320/071902+Welcome+to+Idaho.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDqSlZPqyz8LAcNPBB9DOHS8IK07K9rVAIpvKe4f4zCmoiGPVRn496fp3aTIQA-crjrNHMOY3U9kMWmkfP2giLYxDr7OlmJbYXR9T5RB_wd_MG7wk-7i2AfBDbYm5T_wbBhljnOEE0x7J/s1600/071903+Franklin+ID+Rocks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDqSlZPqyz8LAcNPBB9DOHS8IK07K9rVAIpvKe4f4zCmoiGPVRn496fp3aTIQA-crjrNHMOY3U9kMWmkfP2giLYxDr7OlmJbYXR9T5RB_wd_MG7wk-7i2AfBDbYm5T_wbBhljnOEE0x7J/s320/071903+Franklin+ID+Rocks.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoKfyio4xMIQXNixHTtb9QnhPdirFXcBXeh2MeJ1oux_zK2LOro3HABs2u_rSJwsmFNYNS08gY6e09FzcpyIrzkUlg7b9AO2dIVLXPDnx0r9Z4XQXBOum7Jmw1mi_523qNOKF9a3yw9FC/s1600/071904+Franklin+Info+Sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoKfyio4xMIQXNixHTtb9QnhPdirFXcBXeh2MeJ1oux_zK2LOro3HABs2u_rSJwsmFNYNS08gY6e09FzcpyIrzkUlg7b9AO2dIVLXPDnx0r9Z4XQXBOum7Jmw1mi_523qNOKF9a3yw9FC/s320/071904+Franklin+Info+Sign.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you citizens of Franklin..thenkuvermuch</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2lSuPTKZ5snas4csMvMeeuG5qjSJ6MbHB_HLzj1oZLBKoEfctzQr_-awXCyVs628ZPg84v4D6LRLZ2352KD0UpjxguoO-uOSdL6jX5mb5Ai35Gf7G-fx3C0XmeeXnFSobLGM6p9zn0r7/s1600/071906+Me+in+Franklin,+ID.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2lSuPTKZ5snas4csMvMeeuG5qjSJ6MbHB_HLzj1oZLBKoEfctzQr_-awXCyVs628ZPg84v4D6LRLZ2352KD0UpjxguoO-uOSdL6jX5mb5Ai35Gf7G-fx3C0XmeeXnFSobLGM6p9zn0r7/s320/071906+Me+in+Franklin,+ID.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>On down the road I visited Preston, ID, another super clean little community that reminded me of the town I grew up in. Some of these places are like a time warp, especially the ones further away from big cities. I didn’t hang around long, choosing instead to take a few more pics and move on.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkF3B8Ir1tp50pIAed8ObaAroFhI9xcjUnPh_76OgiBTkhQ6xQdk5hyphenhyphenQkslNx3zTr0D-kVu1V57Kon4KA4MzuJLMaenEDXGeTdBWyrwi1RU8AoGfw2pwhSKU0SVBGPvyCti4uLkiBvbt-/s1600/071907+Preston,+ID+main+drag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkF3B8Ir1tp50pIAed8ObaAroFhI9xcjUnPh_76OgiBTkhQ6xQdk5hyphenhyphenQkslNx3zTr0D-kVu1V57Kon4KA4MzuJLMaenEDXGeTdBWyrwi1RU8AoGfw2pwhSKU0SVBGPvyCti4uLkiBvbt-/s320/071907+Preston,+ID+main+drag.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zuuQ4RTAbeuY2M655yhFmeMb5u5uF9dPj5oBrOd6X02vePcFtkod7C5ZkPJZokBM34Ods2OHBLaFNmnL5dhiE5nBlirFYuDuX8hFue8W0GHpJWv8fx4DN-uBtqgAjArJmPZl1_kWfc7T/s1600/071908+Preston+Citizen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zuuQ4RTAbeuY2M655yhFmeMb5u5uF9dPj5oBrOd6X02vePcFtkod7C5ZkPJZokBM34Ods2OHBLaFNmnL5dhiE5nBlirFYuDuX8hFue8W0GHpJWv8fx4DN-uBtqgAjArJmPZl1_kWfc7T/s320/071908+Preston+Citizen.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXP9IyefzefTOrxNXTmj1uLHVfFVbDa22ujqWwX7PMaZpJPkUohbtSHqwWM3QlXru8e0uLly01_Teqt2TOJOtXmZSHGY73CnInR__m7Wxtu6d8JIc0o36tBKNaTVj100JkuE7xVUtrMFeO/s1600/071909+Preston+Bldgs+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXP9IyefzefTOrxNXTmj1uLHVfFVbDa22ujqWwX7PMaZpJPkUohbtSHqwWM3QlXru8e0uLly01_Teqt2TOJOtXmZSHGY73CnInR__m7Wxtu6d8JIc0o36tBKNaTVj100JkuE7xVUtrMFeO/s320/071909+Preston+Bldgs+1.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Towns that plant posies are happy towns. True words.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukJ8ELlMursZ-P3NS0jsd47_1CTYpgtj0V0mfo4qSxqFl8yKB3xj9_t1d2fcLYwYKe2GaNl_AJmFSp9aD5OXbGZU6kFh_iRUmFj4IMH1cJ7JqRP4O88lbUZHoYR0s_WkMUCmP2UabwV-_/s1600/071910+Preston+street+posies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukJ8ELlMursZ-P3NS0jsd47_1CTYpgtj0V0mfo4qSxqFl8yKB3xj9_t1d2fcLYwYKe2GaNl_AJmFSp9aD5OXbGZU6kFh_iRUmFj4IMH1cJ7JqRP4O88lbUZHoYR0s_WkMUCmP2UabwV-_/s320/071910+Preston+street+posies.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Moving on, Highway 91 is a great ride</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-b-AFcO8n60Yotn9SQP37i_LXJMCPHg2YJhFNp_mL50KxwwkBhOoyikDIkGGVKM6I7YtcMZX9H10p2iiVrdG63UfoJRG1buQdmIfxZZLuWuOt3OSR1rrTT-FCLUlqlV8zJSouy5IekL7r/s1600/071911+North+on+Highway+91+Swan+Lake+area.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-b-AFcO8n60Yotn9SQP37i_LXJMCPHg2YJhFNp_mL50KxwwkBhOoyikDIkGGVKM6I7YtcMZX9H10p2iiVrdG63UfoJRG1buQdmIfxZZLuWuOt3OSR1rrTT-FCLUlqlV8zJSouy5IekL7r/s320/071911+North+on+Highway+91+Swan+Lake+area.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Highway 91 continued to supply great sites and more small settlements with Downey being a real gem. Their tumble-down town is probably a great place to live and relax in since their hey-day has long since passed them by. They have a huge billboard type sign proclaiming the advantages of life therein but I wonder just how many folks would be welcome after the population exceeded the local resources. You have to be careful what you wish for Downey…</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzMxfu98jcNN5lScCC40RJhll7_MB3ycNwTUgXHZm5iQmUyMJ1zCdTcJ5yelwZeB-KApX9E_TL_e3Hmj00RPEQ6mz0ElniS6MmrwbmecHPCVpJuJlYzQGbEias47p3daR76csFloJ2FvZ/s1600/071912+Welcome+to+Downey,+ID.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzMxfu98jcNN5lScCC40RJhll7_MB3ycNwTUgXHZm5iQmUyMJ1zCdTcJ5yelwZeB-KApX9E_TL_e3Hmj00RPEQ6mz0ElniS6MmrwbmecHPCVpJuJlYzQGbEias47p3daR76csFloJ2FvZ/s320/071912+Welcome+to+Downey,+ID.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The grain mill is past its prime</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uUeWVznOblIxMclaX84ssF_5mDBcnX7eMFXyjMar7cpr_gpISLEBr5FCwAP8nfDpZLqCdzJ4IqlAK0C5DEVL9Rfz_dcMzfr5rqFBrGTI2NzEzpRclOsw1K1x8pSfi19_VF87DbG2U54S/s1600/071913+Downey+Elevator+is+history.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uUeWVznOblIxMclaX84ssF_5mDBcnX7eMFXyjMar7cpr_gpISLEBr5FCwAP8nfDpZLqCdzJ4IqlAK0C5DEVL9Rfz_dcMzfr5rqFBrGTI2NzEzpRclOsw1K1x8pSfi19_VF87DbG2U54S/s320/071913+Downey+Elevator+is+history.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I doubt trains stop here these days</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaJKUZ3NIXPmjjczgiVd_SkNIsiyEOY32OdlGL4AvuaHLO_fQWVxZr1IppfkoMTm_bkXrt4cKQOjnbnX5Akot9UIS_dMr8d9nXkdwk2CUbFv7vEWt6-P3rX9OpsSHgissPGww4kgGtcgJ/s1600/071914+Train+tracks+at+Downey,+ID.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaJKUZ3NIXPmjjczgiVd_SkNIsiyEOY32OdlGL4AvuaHLO_fQWVxZr1IppfkoMTm_bkXrt4cKQOjnbnX5Akot9UIS_dMr8d9nXkdwk2CUbFv7vEWt6-P3rX9OpsSHgissPGww4kgGtcgJ/s320/071914+Train+tracks+at+Downey,+ID.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For Sale - Interested parties inquire within</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimELUZXzApdD3XaWFUH0jTxLJc0KWQsd0C_1Pc6qAsQSJDOWclgbEtpt-N6hM-9fRs7wbNT_ScUvDo7jx6h_2oKwv-06J4DJ-i0_xUfdrrgyXdTjS-_f5T_hqRSrTk91JgU5vBXawxWjXk/s1600/071915+Downey+Sinclair+station+for+sale.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimELUZXzApdD3XaWFUH0jTxLJc0KWQsd0C_1Pc6qAsQSJDOWclgbEtpt-N6hM-9fRs7wbNT_ScUvDo7jx6h_2oKwv-06J4DJ-i0_xUfdrrgyXdTjS-_f5T_hqRSrTk91JgU5vBXawxWjXk/s320/071915+Downey+Sinclair+station+for+sale.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My personal favorite place in Downey</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_-SGhZFuRz5ogyWP2eqRPULgvvu7eApKHLiCv-gtFYGDXUozmh6nS2AE0xdjEwyFyqDjMD4UPF4xmi1EO_Ocxtd66whE3JABBXo5Q0q4L4YSfy7cDz0b9vij09i6__pRUtVONKWfzrSk/s1600/071916+Log-quonset+in+Downey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_-SGhZFuRz5ogyWP2eqRPULgvvu7eApKHLiCv-gtFYGDXUozmh6nS2AE0xdjEwyFyqDjMD4UPF4xmi1EO_Ocxtd66whE3JABBXo5Q0q4L4YSfy7cDz0b9vij09i6__pRUtVONKWfzrSk/s320/071916+Log-quonset+in+Downey.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Passing up a more modern roadside facility crammed with passing motorists I combined a fuel stop and lunch break at the tiny burg of Inkom, just another 9 miles down the road. There was a small 2-pump Sinclair next to the Village Mart and after gassing YP up I ventured inside to see what’s for lunch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJVcgqodQMoMifUvqRV2lnGH4v5MLDadBQ1lZS0GXC89sySyTIKw4Gf5s2frK9txeGxNsUQej7E2daDLife_jqMPkYJ-t-RRbDTVYbSVBznq054onZMFa1J6TBYu-6IOvHyeQ_HwDzNpZ/s1600/071917+Sinclair+gas+stop+at+Inkom,+ID.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJVcgqodQMoMifUvqRV2lnGH4v5MLDadBQ1lZS0GXC89sySyTIKw4Gf5s2frK9txeGxNsUQej7E2daDLife_jqMPkYJ-t-RRbDTVYbSVBznq054onZMFa1J6TBYu-6IOvHyeQ_HwDzNpZ/s320/071917+Sinclair+gas+stop+at+Inkom,+ID.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">They had a pretty good selection of the requisite lard-laden goodies so I opted for a chicken-cheese sandwich with a big Arizona Tea/Lemonade and a small Snickers bar. All of this I consumed sitting sidesaddle on YP and watching the locals come and go at the mart. They actually do a thriving business for such a small place so maybe the owners are millionaires…</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQdlOfpMlqFVpBHB2lFxHo_PAAyw-c8l6h9KMeH6kzADjNkg1d0_Qn7clOAZof1LA6W50jhOfW4FaKT58x8gp9G__4QDkNm50HfZTBQFgc_IItwB0xfcSRHA-Js8eVlL_sFALY-KyLu6n/s1600/071919+Lunch+at+The+Village+Mart+-+Inkom,+ID.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQdlOfpMlqFVpBHB2lFxHo_PAAyw-c8l6h9KMeH6kzADjNkg1d0_Qn7clOAZof1LA6W50jhOfW4FaKT58x8gp9G__4QDkNm50HfZTBQFgc_IItwB0xfcSRHA-Js8eVlL_sFALY-KyLu6n/s320/071919+Lunch+at+The+Village+Mart+-+Inkom,+ID.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Inkom's mystery industry...what do they do there?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's not a zombie factory is it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RN-KpWKctx0kGydckx_3lv9GM5yz8iJNBdyDu_xYbdEofNYNZuMJHazrBdJyvR-oVZz8WeN8Gov0jj_fYxzilQC1OVkTzC487zHUfHQT8BNfWDS6Yph_n006yNnvt6S_A3GeWbHU3QGy/s1600/071918+Inkom+mystery+industry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RN-KpWKctx0kGydckx_3lv9GM5yz8iJNBdyDu_xYbdEofNYNZuMJHazrBdJyvR-oVZz8WeN8Gov0jj_fYxzilQC1OVkTzC487zHUfHQT8BNfWDS6Yph_n006yNnvt6S_A3GeWbHU3QGy/s320/071918+Inkom+mystery+industry.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It turned out that little town stretches out quite a ways and I should have ridden further into it but I didn’t realize such was the case, I thought I was seeing the whole thing where I stopped. It was only after I got back on 91 that I saw there was more of it but by then I was back in the riding mode. Goodbye Inkom.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Shortly after leaving Inkom I reached the on-ramp for I-86 heading west which was to be my magic carpet ride for the rest of the day. I recall stopping for water breaks a couple of times and I think I fueled up once more but nothing really struck me as memorable. The highlight was getting to ride at 35 -45 mph mile after mile due to road rebuilding, all part of our nations efforts to create jobs. This seemed to go on longer than any similar section I’ve encountered on this ride and given it’s a weekday you’d think there would be lots of guys at work. Not so, so maybe there’s a reason but none that I could see. There was no lack of heavy equipment and limitless opportunities, just no workmen. Go figure.<br />
<br />
By the time I cleared out of the construction zone from hell it was nearing the time when I begin to look for accommodations. I wasn’t actually tired of riding but since it was approaching 5:00pm I figured I might as well. Jerome, ID, formerly unknown to me beckoned and turned out to be a fairly large town. They have all the desirable attractions for the traveler, nice eating places, plenty of motels, and fueling stops. I don’t know what it is exactly the local populace does but for me the Saw Tooth Best Western is all I needed. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGIjf9XwLT_iuhjrvX7_hZcJJsoTKCK6zwDM9nPjTC3poLYn_xMO4t1EUjsJpUm00Qru2bW-R-o4ZyjnAdwj1JK9sstfZjCeKsqGnEppoBd6vYBOEoLFhfbGkhwgldCxi1s6DYYALPYD7/s1600/071920+Sawtooth+Inn+Jerome,+ID.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGIjf9XwLT_iuhjrvX7_hZcJJsoTKCK6zwDM9nPjTC3poLYn_xMO4t1EUjsJpUm00Qru2bW-R-o4ZyjnAdwj1JK9sstfZjCeKsqGnEppoBd6vYBOEoLFhfbGkhwgldCxi1s6DYYALPYD7/s320/071920+Sawtooth+Inn+Jerome,+ID.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95kizAEuhVypd7I7bhkL2LNB6Ni0Gr0xl-AeVvNOe4mCWAgFEU4IHY27zdPwrAEDOkQqgQOZx4dG7a1UsaS7eHqRfq8Px0QffYREikxjhXKwSB3LMWMLWMAkX8yRsk-NAiAaeoHVJkO3a/s1600/071921+Nice+Digs+Sawtooth+Inn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95kizAEuhVypd7I7bhkL2LNB6Ni0Gr0xl-AeVvNOe4mCWAgFEU4IHY27zdPwrAEDOkQqgQOZx4dG7a1UsaS7eHqRfq8Px0QffYREikxjhXKwSB3LMWMLWMAkX8yRsk-NAiAaeoHVJkO3a/s320/071921+Nice+Digs+Sawtooth+Inn.JPG" /></a></div>Besides being a modern clean facility they include a really nice thing in their offerings; a social hour complete with your choice of a free brewsky or a glass of Vino, both lovely temptations for the grateful traveler. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFuR9kVi8dg3nW47qhE9RnbsM9cnVqopwAoKHWX3I3OmFzqTI-XA2aKh_iz6T398e8oaUDy-PBPJj8hBqnNVWuJn6X19WqwFLeNzlQmPF90LcmMzb5xSL02nawXKnzsYRasD21DqakiT-/s1600/071922+Sawtooth+Hospitality.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFuR9kVi8dg3nW47qhE9RnbsM9cnVqopwAoKHWX3I3OmFzqTI-XA2aKh_iz6T398e8oaUDy-PBPJj8hBqnNVWuJn6X19WqwFLeNzlQmPF90LcmMzb5xSL02nawXKnzsYRasD21DqakiT-/s320/071922+Sawtooth+Hospitality.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYrZLYfPAIiuXoDt977KfUU1qgn_ZG2U6SlUnWDoNTg64B2zYT7Us2kgv5GaA-UoGdm_nRmvhk2CdhSiSpem7eAHkMLiiUqDvTRYNTgtFnPkN-wHv5kNRygZQincgF1Dv7VK8xYB20uc4/s1600/071923+Happy+me+at+the+Sawtooth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYrZLYfPAIiuXoDt977KfUU1qgn_ZG2U6SlUnWDoNTg64B2zYT7Us2kgv5GaA-UoGdm_nRmvhk2CdhSiSpem7eAHkMLiiUqDvTRYNTgtFnPkN-wHv5kNRygZQincgF1Dv7VK8xYB20uc4/s320/071923+Happy+me+at+the+Sawtooth.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I made my selection, a nicely chilled Alaskan Amber to accompany the McChicken dinner I obtained next door at the Golden Arches Company.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lMMcI3pPWWDaOb_iaEoYMyUNQXYr_1vmmzAbAITO4lViU0GhWibJMnQHEquG2y1Jb8ts0qRszSKWpE4D8bYA6gGAXbfWB_x3vyazAsiC17IfN43Ul0PVnp8KuME9efH4-o7padWfbzmD/s1600/071924+McDonalds+Jerome,+ID.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lMMcI3pPWWDaOb_iaEoYMyUNQXYr_1vmmzAbAITO4lViU0GhWibJMnQHEquG2y1Jb8ts0qRszSKWpE4D8bYA6gGAXbfWB_x3vyazAsiC17IfN43Ul0PVnp8KuME9efH4-o7padWfbzmD/s320/071924+McDonalds+Jerome,+ID.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>After all of that I felt ambitious enough to break out the small bottle of liquid car wash soap I’ve been packing for nearly 10,000 miles and gave the Yellow Peril her first bath. So as not to alarm the motel folks I also carry several high-vis lime green rags so they can easily tell I’m not using their pure white towels. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_n316JtCURerr7Pc12Sh7k6TLLv_q8XVvFXnJjYTk04SWuvF_TltAdxKmRg-WTjkCuBzfts8ODpTZlfKGq6QypEdy7N08yqTnvunHEcg68IOrAsYh2vBFvwODMJYTTrC8FQBBhSDLwP-/s1600/071925+Classier+Company+tonight.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_n316JtCURerr7Pc12Sh7k6TLLv_q8XVvFXnJjYTk04SWuvF_TltAdxKmRg-WTjkCuBzfts8ODpTZlfKGq6QypEdy7N08yqTnvunHEcg68IOrAsYh2vBFvwODMJYTTrC8FQBBhSDLwP-/s320/071925+Classier+Company+tonight.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There's even classier company for YP here</div><br />
So that’s it, another day on the road and nearing my home state which I may well see tomorrow. Home itself is still quite a ways away but even my meandering riding style should put me there by the end of this week.<br />
<br />
Linda tells me she mowed the lawn and it’s finally beginning its dormant stage so further mowing won’t be needed for quite awhile…. Timing is everything isn’t it?Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-22636402504181026592010-07-19T17:07:00.000-07:002010-07-19T17:59:58.409-07:00July 18, 2010 – Day 43 Dinosaurs and the ride thru Flaming Gorge, UT<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Sunshine and warm temps were forecast for the entire area around Steamboat Springs today. I have to admit I’m feeling a bit spoiled waking up to this when my Oregon coast remains cool and rainy. Linda sent an email saying I might have to do some serious readjusting when I get home and she’s right, I just hope the webs between my toes haven’t dried out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTcEKr-Y4L8ODhm-SjQmCbiloMCIFrNDsoLqbmVRDGb7SAPjAhthuO_WfULqp7r_I5OsoHlE-7r3vN73_GLeUYcEzY1qEgYjEy2Ohy5uBSPxYzuXL4tVewqHXpp_L6_-D4GuLUXULP6fl/s1600/071801+Weather+today.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTcEKr-Y4L8ODhm-SjQmCbiloMCIFrNDsoLqbmVRDGb7SAPjAhthuO_WfULqp7r_I5OsoHlE-7r3vN73_GLeUYcEzY1qEgYjEy2Ohy5uBSPxYzuXL4tVewqHXpp_L6_-D4GuLUXULP6fl/s320/071801+Weather+today.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
After another gourmet breakfast ala Comfort Inn I fueled up the thirsty yellow beast and continued my ride west towards Utah. I dialed Naples into the GPS as that seemed as logical a place as any – Hey, they’re on the map so why not? This would be another typical day for me, no idea of what it might bring, just saddle up and ride.<br />
.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">One thing I’ve not mastered yet and it’s going to take practice is parking this monster bike on gravelly surfaces, the kind that most road shoulders are made of. She’s top heavy due to the large amount of cargo I’m carrying so I have to choose my resting places carefully, otherwise over she goes like a giant beetle on her back. Because of this I’ve passed up quite a few photo ops and U-turns are a thing of the past until I’m up to speed on my balancing act. No matter, there are still plenty of photo ops to be had from regular stops along the way.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1x32tS79ruDCr-2XDp9G7R8a3pBEDtDjBZp3al5A2OoNwEhPTz36nUoS1ZgaITnvMvRbE6rqL7vFvMWzrH2rXJPbmA3d-HE2WTUZZLBdLVw5e0X4qD2OKdlw5KxcFSvpmYHvmDdIarqP/s1600/071802+North+out+of+Steamboat+Springs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1x32tS79ruDCr-2XDp9G7R8a3pBEDtDjBZp3al5A2OoNwEhPTz36nUoS1ZgaITnvMvRbE6rqL7vFvMWzrH2rXJPbmA3d-HE2WTUZZLBdLVw5e0X4qD2OKdlw5KxcFSvpmYHvmDdIarqP/s320/071802+North+out+of+Steamboat+Springs.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The road through the countryside west was pretty, dotted with cattle and wheat ranches all looking prosperous. It’s easy to tell you’re at higher elevations in this land, the trees are stunted and there’s a sense of isolation about it. Winters are hard, you can tell just by looking.</div><br />
I stopped to read about the “I Do” range fire, Colorado’s largest that happened just a few years ago. It must have been terrible but the area surrounding the wayside information point looks like its recovering. It’s easy to imagine how a fire could get out of control there, high winds mixed with hot temperatures and plenty of natural fuel all combined would be the perfect mix.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiRoUaBzIgdrhBelxe1TuBncXo1MeIkP91iRz4_jZH7-6g6j6WNvpLiKtbJ_y95brE2IHcszPTiuj03itxRSKiwh936zwtT21qPm6LuuUkqf6u5JSxdotOynqTqfFbIZL05ix9bY6WOGe/s1600/071803+I+Do+Fire.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiRoUaBzIgdrhBelxe1TuBncXo1MeIkP91iRz4_jZH7-6g6j6WNvpLiKtbJ_y95brE2IHcszPTiuj03itxRSKiwh936zwtT21qPm6LuuUkqf6u5JSxdotOynqTqfFbIZL05ix9bY6WOGe/s320/071803+I+Do+Fire.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Former burnt area now coming back</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8_0LA9fpRrHRGldwt7k8gdiAxU8BS4-R5ielHuBP0_1RUoO0ikp9EmB9BwR86dIPS-toPsltpgBLzpmqvm6ozA_7RIqjgcvn8Y-wch8RyV4W6mkHxWs9JyFpBzooX_gjj9_-HJqLoxyj/s1600/071804+I+Do+Fire+fields.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8_0LA9fpRrHRGldwt7k8gdiAxU8BS4-R5ielHuBP0_1RUoO0ikp9EmB9BwR86dIPS-toPsltpgBLzpmqvm6ozA_7RIqjgcvn8Y-wch8RyV4W6mkHxWs9JyFpBzooX_gjj9_-HJqLoxyj/s320/071804+I+Do+Fire+fields.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">From the view point I was able to see for miles in all directions and there was little traffic which made for perfect riding. A couple of cars were making about the same progress as me and would send a friendly beep at me whenever they passed. Stopping for pictures meant there was a continual changing of position and after awhile you get to know different cars as they do you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsxQR8fX3N9cFPqBhukvfexdXu7X5jusfOeG3ZsFZkdyAb_sXkUuoortxOlLmf4XtSm_jUhKCcCA7wg0cIWF_DR_L-W5wVaEyS2svMXzO33m2dJ_pdKp6Gb3sju-vB1B4T8XjmDweW2BA/s1600/071805+Big+Empty+Spaces.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsxQR8fX3N9cFPqBhukvfexdXu7X5jusfOeG3ZsFZkdyAb_sXkUuoortxOlLmf4XtSm_jUhKCcCA7wg0cIWF_DR_L-W5wVaEyS2svMXzO33m2dJ_pdKp6Gb3sju-vB1B4T8XjmDweW2BA/s320/071805+Big+Empty+Spaces.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Dinosaur National Monument is a huge park that extends from Colorado into Utah and my route took me right into it. There are 4 entrances and I took the road to the first one which drove the GPS lady absolutely nuts. Having used them for several years I’m accustomed to her yelling at me and sometimes have a friendly conversation with her. You really don’t want to hear about it but suffice it to say, the general tone is not very civil. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-NRCejfT9aeOWNxcj79pwsx1HrEGeS2036FRO0_OTnpa2DE2j4uAnJ_mCWOiBN2nK0-RIyQ4yTp_VNI98T52v_zBOO-GT4ohM91O9gnIfssNo2BYhBUBXZppr2GNFV0UvCIY-M6Ag9Rm/s1600/071809+Road+into+the+park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-NRCejfT9aeOWNxcj79pwsx1HrEGeS2036FRO0_OTnpa2DE2j4uAnJ_mCWOiBN2nK0-RIyQ4yTp_VNI98T52v_zBOO-GT4ohM91O9gnIfssNo2BYhBUBXZppr2GNFV0UvCIY-M6Ag9Rm/s320/071809+Road+into+the+park.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I rode around 15 miles along the river feeding into the park, all of it beautiful and arriving at the official entrance was dismayed to find it turned into gravel at that point. Oh to have my sidecar for this I thought, but it wasn’t so and I turned YP around and headed back. One day after lots of practice and a lighter load I’ll tackle that but not today. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3rpk8x2BkiV_4iBOINCMFIeghC1o26XW9hkZT5KkrIBkhcJAuB0ifkTRqpYsWsL1j59T4eq2sROJ1Y-P9fo0aKmyZHQIX4BsZ3jCpsMKkogDLtNKsys8yDQtizV-KbEAYx9uW7vbA0U9/s1600/071806+Dinosaur+National+Monument+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3rpk8x2BkiV_4iBOINCMFIeghC1o26XW9hkZT5KkrIBkhcJAuB0ifkTRqpYsWsL1j59T4eq2sROJ1Y-P9fo0aKmyZHQIX4BsZ3jCpsMKkogDLtNKsys8yDQtizV-KbEAYx9uW7vbA0U9/s320/071806+Dinosaur+National+Monument+sign.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">At least on the way out I was able to pause for a photo of the snake on the road I’d passed earlier. I was curious if it was a rattler but it wasn’t, just another road kill and a banquet for the black flies. Ugh.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCahmtxDpHn-DG6e1Y_ppoKQiqFw1REjhEGg1sHzn4eJZR7j79Dk4McxHNI5Tc5PnPYRnVBv46XKMQl-lzLVu_9It1REuZW8lJsgPgu_XW02efFZe7xaEnmYY9ycIqGdcWptYar2nFKuAY/s1600/071808+Road+kill+dinosaur.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCahmtxDpHn-DG6e1Y_ppoKQiqFw1REjhEGg1sHzn4eJZR7j79Dk4McxHNI5Tc5PnPYRnVBv46XKMQl-lzLVu_9It1REuZW8lJsgPgu_XW02efFZe7xaEnmYY9ycIqGdcWptYar2nFKuAY/s320/071808+Road+kill+dinosaur.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Utah state line was equipped with a nice big sign so I stopped for the usual photo. A visiting family was just getting ready to leave and the gal stopped to ask if I’d like her to take my picture. Of course I would and she obliged. After seeing how well my Draggin shirt outlines the bagel where my belly is I had to censor it, no use in frightening people who read this. God am I ever getting fat, when I get home I’ll have to get back on my usual dieting routine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVawSEHXK_bs0siIOqDE8b4lZyA-494LwL_T79NcHjHvfVgw7feBrlq6qgVj_U_6nmsJqiolcjQiZiSoobp0Xb25eZ-FeCldp4QoBj6fSmEox_7XqEGs_9kqDnjsjac5Ih0hR7QF12UaKT/s1600/071810+Me+-+Censored!.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVawSEHXK_bs0siIOqDE8b4lZyA-494LwL_T79NcHjHvfVgw7feBrlq6qgVj_U_6nmsJqiolcjQiZiSoobp0Xb25eZ-FeCldp4QoBj6fSmEox_7XqEGs_9kqDnjsjac5Ih0hR7QF12UaKT/s320/071810+Me+-+Censored!.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Utah Welcome Center for Visitors was my first stop in Naples and it was there I met one of the nicest ladies; her knowledge of the local area was boundless and she soon had me set up with several options for sightseeing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3zPaZBW5b40NobFTmb9Dg2fYJapGjL_aJufChiLWdB1D0J-Uqs8q4sVNGTVSBNYI3cnspCB-huEi1X3_dtJl7LzkJBVXSfsdtMtdk_yo-drtbCmSYknBVPKVOgMf-zx0IaS1UyfJWQw2/s1600/071811+Utah+Welcome+Center.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3zPaZBW5b40NobFTmb9Dg2fYJapGjL_aJufChiLWdB1D0J-Uqs8q4sVNGTVSBNYI3cnspCB-huEi1X3_dtJl7LzkJBVXSfsdtMtdk_yo-drtbCmSYknBVPKVOgMf-zx0IaS1UyfJWQw2/s320/071811+Utah+Welcome+Center.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVfY46P4rQ3L6p5xyHU4bBwqIkin3PargJNSuqGXNHzvS9_LGBXOCQAA_-EQyfv-ESxYBOA8tp_3hhKPfPbT-OgcrBBjdZ3ubBmutn1PqzDGVbqi31OCqPpNbELYDW646b3aFUDK_yAQB/s1600/071812+Welcome+Center+flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVfY46P4rQ3L6p5xyHU4bBwqIkin3PargJNSuqGXNHzvS9_LGBXOCQAA_-EQyfv-ESxYBOA8tp_3hhKPfPbT-OgcrBBjdZ3ubBmutn1PqzDGVbqi31OCqPpNbELYDW646b3aFUDK_yAQB/s320/071812+Welcome+Center+flowers.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaI1YiKw6vwQmcoju1ztG9X4V46gh9Yo4U8QrgNhniImNtONu2nL3GcImMjdzt-mu0fDsKPkA7N32wVgKVuwAVlF2VxBIToMpgxsjD63f0fuXtnwvg6Ye-lPTknwKYKMvZ7lG0u4v7jpy/s1600/071813+Welcome+Center+Lady.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaI1YiKw6vwQmcoju1ztG9X4V46gh9Yo4U8QrgNhniImNtONu2nL3GcImMjdzt-mu0fDsKPkA7N32wVgKVuwAVlF2VxBIToMpgxsjD63f0fuXtnwvg6Ye-lPTknwKYKMvZ7lG0u4v7jpy/s320/071813+Welcome+Center+Lady.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>The route that sounded most attractive would take me north through the Flaming Gorge area, an absolutely stunning ride. She said she has several friends who ride and they all liked that area. Vernal was just a bit further on from Naples so I stopped for lunch at the Golden Arches and took time to lay out my plans for the rest of the day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71d56o5XtgVG5pUz-GvAym021DfMWNV85Z5ammi8yKXN0U3Es7yXbMY3mNstgSXYMuws6bGSgylDFOy53pt6tkY6QCW2tJMaGEXZGkxbzaH6jC-m7d8zp0SrBiQ4hHhHUcmdlczaQJolJ/s1600/071814+Flaming+Gorge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71d56o5XtgVG5pUz-GvAym021DfMWNV85Z5ammi8yKXN0U3Es7yXbMY3mNstgSXYMuws6bGSgylDFOy53pt6tkY6QCW2tJMaGEXZGkxbzaH6jC-m7d8zp0SrBiQ4hHhHUcmdlczaQJolJ/s320/071814+Flaming+Gorge.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHL1oFUmYK2c1bgkGgS-891JtrmM6nlCdoxwyMCIdPC2J44ZcWcSgJfmU53aV85kV1CiquORvndjJC6HysZYrCrXV6z1sDW-hd5sNzpKdFi99F9t5TZHToP411MR2LoiA_Ffo0eDRxkUl/s1600/071815+Flaming+Gorge+Fence+Posts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHL1oFUmYK2c1bgkGgS-891JtrmM6nlCdoxwyMCIdPC2J44ZcWcSgJfmU53aV85kV1CiquORvndjJC6HysZYrCrXV6z1sDW-hd5sNzpKdFi99F9t5TZHToP411MR2LoiA_Ffo0eDRxkUl/s320/071815+Flaming+Gorge+Fence+Posts.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I visited the Red Fleet State Park and then continued on through the Flaming Gorge area stopping for views of the Vernal and Ashley Valley. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpSs-jEW7mhCrJpgzpP4Hly5YVQNKov3Yy_hA_pitIq2Lyaw8HAEOhMcaP8y9N7a2Qi8B6c1E5ZU0jzBn8wYToI6cHyxDS8VlFri8PPm5UdyRzyWtyW0WHjTLdyz9v7AAD84hswgjmxQ9/s1600/071816+Red+Fleet+State+Park+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpSs-jEW7mhCrJpgzpP4Hly5YVQNKov3Yy_hA_pitIq2Lyaw8HAEOhMcaP8y9N7a2Qi8B6c1E5ZU0jzBn8wYToI6cHyxDS8VlFri8PPm5UdyRzyWtyW0WHjTLdyz9v7AAD84hswgjmxQ9/s320/071816+Red+Fleet+State+Park+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwJ31xlYnC_7sNeQ74VOksJFvUWsgOBKd_8T4hpdNliMnp4LeEkyV__RsVANSf6rZROtmMEYHpQOGAhzjOreqflQ8BmMhvjWmkPIrOT6_F7caRbBmmRWhPKZWZ2s3EsQJ7MF4T2cX1uFC/s1600/071817+Vernal+%26+Ashley+Valley.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwJ31xlYnC_7sNeQ74VOksJFvUWsgOBKd_8T4hpdNliMnp4LeEkyV__RsVANSf6rZROtmMEYHpQOGAhzjOreqflQ8BmMhvjWmkPIrOT6_F7caRbBmmRWhPKZWZ2s3EsQJ7MF4T2cX1uFC/s320/071817+Vernal+%26+Ashley+Valley.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Along about that time I felt the first drops of rain, very light but they were indicators of fun to come. A rest stop served as a place to park and locate the Frogg Toggs. I figured the jacket would be all I’d need as it didn’t look like a major monsoon on the way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDsmnuiKeY804Le_nMQHY5LbH9vZTnUl1rbHU62a-q_d-TNKvpgsa8dm4ZsN9VTE3egU_E6V-bPJ0kpFrBBeupI2WKuaxUwpp3ehDTAvAVo87UkO4lsH2u-EOUrTOhpcw0aEBht3U4IFk/s1600/071818++YP+first+rain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDsmnuiKeY804Le_nMQHY5LbH9vZTnUl1rbHU62a-q_d-TNKvpgsa8dm4ZsN9VTE3egU_E6V-bPJ0kpFrBBeupI2WKuaxUwpp3ehDTAvAVo87UkO4lsH2u-EOUrTOhpcw0aEBht3U4IFk/s320/071818++YP+first+rain.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqbMS8HEY15xMd00rIawP9oBB3HDJUr3uFMeTk6xNc2Cb6lNOqdhhBGyl-Wvfpyu39sg_BveiuRjVeKlCoNCQDhYGCVEpfCQ0_D7Qr6yUOq-1jiPqIn4b5gZNsuXO2EhE59lObg00MdeQ/s1600/071819+Black+rain+clouds+deliver+as+promised.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqbMS8HEY15xMd00rIawP9oBB3HDJUr3uFMeTk6xNc2Cb6lNOqdhhBGyl-Wvfpyu39sg_BveiuRjVeKlCoNCQDhYGCVEpfCQ0_D7Qr6yUOq-1jiPqIn4b5gZNsuXO2EhE59lObg00MdeQ/s320/071819+Black+rain+clouds+deliver+as+promised.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I was right, the rain was hit and miss and never really much to deal with. The biggest item was the wind coming in hard gusts. YP seems impervious to wind, probably due to the design of her fairing and windshield. There was a bit of rain hitting me in the face so I stopped and raised her windshield up to the next level and that solved that. I noted occasional Harley riders struggling along in the opposite direction wearing their little cat-bowl helmets and generally getting the hell beat out of them by the elements. Go figure…</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissRhEdNHE_BGhI7ICf8k4h-lVVzLMbZFmc1M4CLv2j8ILWOXLmpRsf8xC2cLxRaXQ6-bLpk9RQ09gU17U5cgLyAfvLfgxTAWpAIOyutGRKYJYrNvL_hzwVnke14MZrugrW9gm3XERoxAn/s1600/071820+Death+Valley+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissRhEdNHE_BGhI7ICf8k4h-lVVzLMbZFmc1M4CLv2j8ILWOXLmpRsf8xC2cLxRaXQ6-bLpk9RQ09gU17U5cgLyAfvLfgxTAWpAIOyutGRKYJYrNvL_hzwVnke14MZrugrW9gm3XERoxAn/s320/071820+Death+Valley+view.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The sign below said Death ValleyView...I dunno about that<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jw90z9snBE6c1N-JMDuLUN8gWvbeK8zqSQLFQTdfGDHnOu0-ura-l-dHYubmcfZSWqSsDOBO3LjwV8EetVtP7bflATsc5R2UMGS7NDF5JYzB1QckQjX2nacqDZDDADUXlrlYvz5eZPah/s1600/071821+Monster+Load.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jw90z9snBE6c1N-JMDuLUN8gWvbeK8zqSQLFQTdfGDHnOu0-ura-l-dHYubmcfZSWqSsDOBO3LjwV8EetVtP7bflATsc5R2UMGS7NDF5JYzB1QckQjX2nacqDZDDADUXlrlYvz5eZPah/s320/071821+Monster+Load.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This guy was struggling to make 10mph up the mountain</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AyPNfrWLFgKj1gwss_AW4qfYr-vhyphenhypheng9Fsu1IebemRzkkT0SaJbnTYXeH2dAO9EmFuQNlgNnt8FN1ocRvZGiygH66TsjCN22-XQlZKV-kAec8hhiQ72QWoJ4Z4pK0IKOeTb-TQ28G4iAz/s1600/071822+Sheep+Creek+Overlook+info.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AyPNfrWLFgKj1gwss_AW4qfYr-vhyphenhypheng9Fsu1IebemRzkkT0SaJbnTYXeH2dAO9EmFuQNlgNnt8FN1ocRvZGiygH66TsjCN22-XQlZKV-kAec8hhiQ72QWoJ4Z4pK0IKOeTb-TQ28G4iAz/s320/071822+Sheep+Creek+Overlook+info.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Information board at Sheep Creek Overlook</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraNHvKfYoRRbHVKuy9x9J_GxVerbWi0SWU5HijjIoRotrIqffGMtqU83KVErl-p6PLW9mtFvAiWYzB2pcaVOnbXIvBggY5OGgoIOGRJn7AN8IhdtKseGR5Al3rMFQe5UjVQkXCw2vcNFM/s1600/071823+Sheep+Creek+View+of+lakes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraNHvKfYoRRbHVKuy9x9J_GxVerbWi0SWU5HijjIoRotrIqffGMtqU83KVErl-p6PLW9mtFvAiWYzB2pcaVOnbXIvBggY5OGgoIOGRJn7AN8IhdtKseGR5Al3rMFQe5UjVQkXCw2vcNFM/s320/071823+Sheep+Creek+View+of+lakes.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Telephoto of the lakes from Sheep Creek Overlook</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdY_qZz3dY9uVK0Ug5KVN7UnXUj63iz1_V7NvGaX96OXYnFnLCVqZFftyNQRXMB4BPHlyWb7oD3XQaaZwQERxbYVmT72wSCFhBX2giW_SOigMBBl-o1XKZvw5q6q50KlZTI6SCagDuTJRp/s1600/071824+That+damn+truck+again.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdY_qZz3dY9uVK0Ug5KVN7UnXUj63iz1_V7NvGaX96OXYnFnLCVqZFftyNQRXMB4BPHlyWb7oD3XQaaZwQERxbYVmT72wSCFhBX2giW_SOigMBBl-o1XKZvw5q6q50KlZTI6SCagDuTJRp/s320/071824+That+damn+truck+again.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That same truck came plugging by as I took photos!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMC-sQQKEN_ZgiMFtp0YUOGo2zOEG7lX-pyy2fA9AopyTUImlC49ATQKHVBJH06xtiSgn4K-8uRgV34xndCbxNXlnL0DTBV_ArzWnghD6jxy39T9YqgzhylF08h8iRZhU_4kLwwOuiY9eQ/s1600/071825+Thistles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMC-sQQKEN_ZgiMFtp0YUOGo2zOEG7lX-pyy2fA9AopyTUImlC49ATQKHVBJH06xtiSgn4K-8uRgV34xndCbxNXlnL0DTBV_ArzWnghD6jxy39T9YqgzhylF08h8iRZhU_4kLwwOuiY9eQ/s320/071825+Thistles.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thistles in case you didn't know</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-g-1oMXzYbpobCksx3em4NF8T4Kc5lEdl3kjRXlLkyTYpOs1MbaBvkdWqasasny08IFQGuh3KjaRUF95PY_Fn9JQnAfT1Dkq8yg4Mg4GWmdX3lvcQbiFLvaTSYuhEmWq21F4FXykInYrh/s1600/071826+Wyoming+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-g-1oMXzYbpobCksx3em4NF8T4Kc5lEdl3kjRXlLkyTYpOs1MbaBvkdWqasasny08IFQGuh3KjaRUF95PY_Fn9JQnAfT1Dkq8yg4Mg4GWmdX3lvcQbiFLvaTSYuhEmWq21F4FXykInYrh/s320/071826+Wyoming+sign.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Read the text. It must have been something to see.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I followed UT 191 north to the southern edge of Flaming Gorge Reservoir and the turned west onto 42 crossing over into Wyoming. All the way into Wyoming I kept hearing "This is the last cowboy's song" in my mind. I need to nurture a broader repertoir. Maybe if I learned all the words instead of just the two first lines it would help. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Once there I would follow 414 through beautiful ranch country and small settlements, eventually hooking up with the super slab I-80. YP handles super slabs with ease, ingesting them in a nonplussed manner that makes riding with semi trucks almost fun. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I arrived in Evanston, WY around 7:00pm ready for a room and found the Dunmar Inn, a Best Western affiliate right off. It’s a huge place and they had lots of rooms plus a very nice restaurant as part of the facility. By the time I’d unpacked and had dinner – Chicken Caesar with two glassed of Chardonnay I was done for the day; the blog would have to wait till morning.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTggw2IeBh-Cv5HAe5vbFD9B2KSxtEDTrdSZys8T7cGHMzYnRrbx7akhTvMEXARnlAjFN3XJZWn44lSfWkE0I7ZPfvPoRZgj9LKDTHwOcUCS3UqNTGZ7UCwCv6vpLgAJT4368Q2RYbbwU3/s1600/071828+Legal+Tender+Lounge+%26+Restaurant.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTggw2IeBh-Cv5HAe5vbFD9B2KSxtEDTrdSZys8T7cGHMzYnRrbx7akhTvMEXARnlAjFN3XJZWn44lSfWkE0I7ZPfvPoRZgj9LKDTHwOcUCS3UqNTGZ7UCwCv6vpLgAJT4368Q2RYbbwU3/s320/071828+Legal+Tender+Lounge+%26+Restaurant.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Get away you filthy beast!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLc0_ln50i4M5oYpdxMVSTzQALPFhz6xJmsqgA3ij54GNpEi7UhXK_8PtWxwUY7W_ie8f4j0WWltj_haRmSWIutM_lnyPB8cbXTV5YUqzFFX7FxvAMCCZzdTwf7wlHxM41XmiNVXapNKfY/s1600/071827+YP+slumming+next+to+HD+trash.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLc0_ln50i4M5oYpdxMVSTzQALPFhz6xJmsqgA3ij54GNpEi7UhXK_8PtWxwUY7W_ie8f4j0WWltj_haRmSWIutM_lnyPB8cbXTV5YUqzFFX7FxvAMCCZzdTwf7wlHxM41XmiNVXapNKfY/s320/071827+YP+slumming+next+to+HD+trash.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Tomorrow I’ll probably head into, uh, ummm…one of those other places further west...<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-27888645404190702132010-07-17T20:43:00.000-07:002010-07-17T20:43:36.647-07:00July 17, 2010 – Day 42 Hotter’n TWO pepper sprouts today, 102 in Denver!This was a slab day today, nearly all my ride was on super freeways and uninteresting as hell. When I left the Best Western this morning it was already 81 degrees out and climbing fast. The weather geeks were having a field day telling us how hot we were all going to be, bunch of sadists… <br />
<br />
<br />
My idea was to head to the western side of Denver and follow route 40 up the Continental Divide towards Steamboat Springs, maybe stay overnight in Granby. In reflection I probably should have jumped off I-76 at Logan and gone across highway 14, a slower but surely more interesting route. <br />
<br />
I remember thinking about that as I rode I-76 and watched the temperature climb towards 100, finally hitting the magic number at around 12:30 pm. The question I posed to myself was would riding at a slower speed, say 55mph on a back road be more comfortable than riding 80mph on the slab? My thought was it probably wouldn’t matter so I elected to distance myself as far and as soon as possible from the heat wave area. I finally yielded and stopped to put the swamp cooler vest on; it felt immediately cooler and I was good to go for at least another hour or better.<br />
<br />
While passing along the outskirts of Denver I spotted a shopping mall with a shoe store and a huge sporting goods store so I swung off the slab for a look at their boots. The first shop was run by a family of furringers…folks with funny accents and all very eager to sell me stuff. I liked their style but couldn’t find anything that would do so I moved onto Dick’s sporting goods store. <br />
<br />
They had a great selection of hiking boots but no one to wait on you. After two trips all the way up to the front of the store to ask for help they finally rounded up their “resident expert”. “She knows everything about all the stock we carry” I was told by one of the cashiers. “Even men’s boots” I asked? “Oh yes, she’s very knowledgeable” she replied.<br />
<br />
She meant well but didn’t know squat about men’s boots; other than what she hurriedly read from the tags. So much for expert advice I thought and told her I’d muddle along on my own from that point. She beamed with the knowledge she’d been able to answer all my questions. I chose a pair made by Danner Shoes, an old Portland firm and one of my old clients from years ago. The only other pair I own was sold to me by Mr. Danner himself in his original little store in Portland. I mentioned that to the resident expert and her eyes began to glaze over. Too much data to compute I suspect.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_aOCjCcgSpbXaQIU6-C1Y0ea78PnwGhZaRGzA0AD-6Npmiv-FpMi7EYr1PJD-P96FR75ljS2f8HZ0EnFBEg9aLTsMSTQr3un-vmOX4MVmkIGjK5zRgAfuTUUDU5e5fwt8f-JUhsiTI8k/s1600/071706+New+Danner+Boots.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_aOCjCcgSpbXaQIU6-C1Y0ea78PnwGhZaRGzA0AD-6Npmiv-FpMi7EYr1PJD-P96FR75ljS2f8HZ0EnFBEg9aLTsMSTQr3un-vmOX4MVmkIGjK5zRgAfuTUUDU5e5fwt8f-JUhsiTI8k/s320/071706+New+Danner+Boots.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Anyway the main reason I picked the Danner’s was a simple test; I ran my hand back and forth over the soles to see how sticky they felt. I did this with several brands and only two passed, Danner’s being one of them. After anteing up I wore them out of the store and they made a gigantic effect on ground contact; slipping hasn’t occurred once with them so I think the problem is solved. As long as it doesn’t rain that is.<br />
<br />
Back on the slab again, the temperature crested at 102 degrees so I stopped to refresh the water in the vest. Having none available other than two bottles of store-bought high pedigree stuff I gargled down some of the near boiling fluid and doused the vest with the remainder. It was money well spent, the vest was back in top form and my torso was a happy slab of bacon. <br />
<br />
During the return to the slab I was routed through several back streets that had been heavily tarred in places, probably repairs to heavy cracks. The intense heat of the day has softened the tar to the point it acted like grease, something I'd never experienced before. It was mighty slippery and reminded me of wet railroad tracks; not much fun.<br />
<br />
So far the Yellow Peril hasn’t exhibited any serious problems; there are always a few things to get used to and the only one I’ve encountered occurs during takeoff in low gear. With 100 hp on tap the beast wants to bolt out of the gate which makes for some jerking departures. This issue is compounded even more when an immediate turn is included in the mix. Last night I got to thinking about it and it struck me with all those ponies on tap I could probably start in 2nd gear so I tried it today. Bingo, problem solved. I still use first gear for uphill starts but on the flats 2nd works best and it’s smooth as can be.<br />
<br />
I arrived in Granby around 5:00pm, very hot and very pooped. It’s a nearly one-dimensional little town, not much going on but at least they have several motels. I rode through on the main drag and none looked too encouraging; all were really old and except for one they looked seedy. I started to ride on but it was late and I didn’t want to go any further so I stopped at the only one that had a fresh coat of paint. <br />
<br />
Climbing off the bike, I removed my helmet and gloves and then saw the “No rooms available” sign stuck to the front door window. Dang it anyway I thought and started to reverse the process of the helmet & gloves thing when the owner gal came out to talk. She’d seen me and the disappointed look on my face had touched her. She pointed to a small brown building across the way and said it was her friend’s restaurant but she also lets out two rooms for a very reasonable $60 per night. “Not much in the way of amenities you understand” she said, “but quite clean and no bugs.” “No WIFI” I asked? “None” she said. <br />
<br />
That’s a deal breaker for me unless it’s raining cats and dogs or late as heck but since neither was the case I decided to continue on to Steamboat Springs. The ride was actually quite nice as the temperature had dropped to a refreshing 84 degrees and traffic was much lighter. I arrived in a little over an hour or so and snagged the very last room at the Comfort Inn on the edge of town. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After a minimal unpacking and settling in I rode further into town and located a Mexican restaurant called Fiesta Jalisco. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgKDj0_v3BPI9IbnJIVOY4dgK0hGYzCajMrgv_0c89oknN0qU2QGcSJ7qaM3scJQ-5abFrc41hiA5SLBITRN2yOlFack2cMeh34tpZY-B8fkOv_T0Eu-a-5W43Qiez4maLkyBC2WGL2bx/s1600/071701+Fiiesta+Jalisco+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgKDj0_v3BPI9IbnJIVOY4dgK0hGYzCajMrgv_0c89oknN0qU2QGcSJ7qaM3scJQ-5abFrc41hiA5SLBITRN2yOlFack2cMeh34tpZY-B8fkOv_T0Eu-a-5W43Qiez4maLkyBC2WGL2bx/s320/071701+Fiiesta+Jalisco+2.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They have a great bar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTdiDq7AK3OSkTJmVqbe14Umrvh7615ZYl0dmcAcK99sHIhs3hgnOUVpvYxEvMfDMdApRSD36hrbq1mf-kLWE-lrpdM0dt26FaLN65pXmJMTCsR0B-o7ya7-Aji89cge04n2Dgvv0CjRX/s1600/071702+Fiesta+Jalisco+Bar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTdiDq7AK3OSkTJmVqbe14Umrvh7615ZYl0dmcAcK99sHIhs3hgnOUVpvYxEvMfDMdApRSD36hrbq1mf-kLWE-lrpdM0dt26FaLN65pXmJMTCsR0B-o7ya7-Aji89cge04n2Dgvv0CjRX/s320/071702+Fiesta+Jalisco+Bar.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My dinner companion - not much of a talker</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkEcjO98OauoMqegHmKVDIRfMP51noqc2Ba7vL8b7cywzmdtV92V0trKTNUS1cwMr5Sp8a3My-2b5WIM48tn4knNdygXoJ6YUbQwl0rv5vdoW0GsEHARKWkOgpfnMtdlxtPEmN8EuijMM/s1600/071703+My+dinner+companion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkEcjO98OauoMqegHmKVDIRfMP51noqc2Ba7vL8b7cywzmdtV92V0trKTNUS1cwMr5Sp8a3My-2b5WIM48tn4knNdygXoJ6YUbQwl0rv5vdoW0GsEHARKWkOgpfnMtdlxtPEmN8EuijMM/s320/071703+My+dinner+companion.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It turned out to be a great find and the highlight of my day. I ordered Chili Colorado and stuffed myself to the gizzard. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Free-for-nothing starters - very tasty</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYO1raM4vB6yorzlYmD5KIHz2rX1V1TIgii26Oj3FqViB3-m0PiBjJ0wPh_ADdEzGXpHmKrzjJsOs0p5iKI7VRKLcDvXrkTIsctReIF-90NuykoUNfawQ1eef75yPxVWaenOXm6PzbxWv/s1600/071704+Appetizers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYO1raM4vB6yorzlYmD5KIHz2rX1V1TIgii26Oj3FqViB3-m0PiBjJ0wPh_ADdEzGXpHmKrzjJsOs0p5iKI7VRKLcDvXrkTIsctReIF-90NuykoUNfawQ1eef75yPxVWaenOXm6PzbxWv/s320/071704+Appetizers.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chili Colorado - I ate it all</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5P15dey0ekgWKM0o0w4e2xJ9YP62TJw07TRO2oV6K3sgb27VyTXEMal1sSm6R6nkIvPhDj0JEHaS5SDDsuoeiuSRKzt3ArB9iTNJ8iwFTAp90-UPc8UR4GMCT3RL3jpmzcOraoD6Dw1N2/s1600/071705+Chili+Colorado.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5P15dey0ekgWKM0o0w4e2xJ9YP62TJw07TRO2oV6K3sgb27VyTXEMal1sSm6R6nkIvPhDj0JEHaS5SDDsuoeiuSRKzt3ArB9iTNJ8iwFTAp90-UPc8UR4GMCT3RL3jpmzcOraoD6Dw1N2/s320/071705+Chili+Colorado.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>While there I realized I hadn’t taken a single picture all day; most likely due to the repressing heat so I made up for it with dazzling photos of my dinner. Izzat thrilling or what?<br />
<br />
See ya…Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-7461785548430752052010-07-16T21:55:00.000-07:002010-07-16T21:55:04.029-07:00July 16, 2010 – Day 40 Hotter’n a pepper sprout out there today….This was a decidedly hot day today and I was in for an unexpected surprise. Before getting to that I’ll do the usual update stuff. I began by not leaving the motel key in the box which I discovered down the road and it was way too late to do much about.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Home, home on the range...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaLyWUcoqFCewUMi5qTocJbGc9Yq7HDSSlVfKZYZeAYNCYS97hL0VQ_oWyBuioAtfNI-H65P9mH4Jq6E-QfxN5gw_uoOYQZwOqsZFTN5srrC_HeCjYTi5OGuRd-MU36DjLeneAPBuZUi3/s1600/071601+Home+on+the+Range+site.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaLyWUcoqFCewUMi5qTocJbGc9Yq7HDSSlVfKZYZeAYNCYS97hL0VQ_oWyBuioAtfNI-H65P9mH4Jq6E-QfxN5gw_uoOYQZwOqsZFTN5srrC_HeCjYTi5OGuRd-MU36DjLeneAPBuZUi3/s320/071601+Home+on+the+Range+site.JPG" /></a></div>On the road I soon discovered highway 183 going north was closed at the Nebraska border due to construction and I was able to take highway 8 & 10, a more favorable route for me. Along the way I passed the site where “Home on the Range” was either composed or was the inspiration for the composer. That part of our country looks exactly like it did in all the old cowboy movies I remember and it’s an easy trick to imagine you’re back in time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0kUiO6Zhyu4X1MKYpLRYotm5xEmmlN7eTvMJ9dREbT4gd_-y1XtxcMVTv6m4b-ER4NLhfKmLU8_VGwGhfkoM1LeO20anc6idIXlZVt0TVJorY9SVyZJjcR6PctCZihsy2_Xjx2szvBQp/s1600/0071602+Nebraska+border+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0kUiO6Zhyu4X1MKYpLRYotm5xEmmlN7eTvMJ9dREbT4gd_-y1XtxcMVTv6m4b-ER4NLhfKmLU8_VGwGhfkoM1LeO20anc6idIXlZVt0TVJorY9SVyZJjcR6PctCZihsy2_Xjx2szvBQp/s320/0071602+Nebraska+border+sign.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Once I’d worked my way into Nebraska it was well past my regular morning feeding frenzy so I pulled into Bugbee’s, a roadside restaurant next to a gas station. It was full of locals, mostly older ranchers from what I could see and I think they may have had some odd thoughts when an old geezer biker entered wearing a Bohn armored shirt. They didn’t exactly stop eating and talking but I could feel their eyes on me as I passed by. Several of them left before me and stopped for a look at YP on their way. It seemed to trigger a whole new wave of comments, some of which garnered curious looks at me through the window. Hey, pearl yellow is a great color guys, so what? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQoNp-QqtrcItKaVmzOHiwmZolbbBqhbWeZ4nubvpbv4ie6z-8-mutvyPtjx3GKN4T-28gFDhlTfuiO7uLGjiijLliEc1RkMmlTLUnGS2K0ZH93SieT9qKwQpnh1kF661mzkjMcw7ngyd/s1600/071603+Breakfast+at+Bugbee%27s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQoNp-QqtrcItKaVmzOHiwmZolbbBqhbWeZ4nubvpbv4ie6z-8-mutvyPtjx3GKN4T-28gFDhlTfuiO7uLGjiijLliEc1RkMmlTLUnGS2K0ZH93SieT9qKwQpnh1kF661mzkjMcw7ngyd/s320/071603+Breakfast+at+Bugbee%27s.JPG" /></a></div><br />
It was after breakfast while fishing YP's key out of my pocket that I discovered I still had possession of the motel’s key. I called them to let them know I’d be mailing and apologized for bumbling. <br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On down the road I came to the small town of Arapahoe, another tiny hamlet with the usual farm implement shop, gas station, & fields of corn growing right up to the houses. They had a huge irrigation system going full bore and I wondered where they got enough water for it. At home our eastern OR farmers are always running out of water for their crops which is a big concern. I wanted to go stand under the spray but figured the owners might not approve. It was HOT.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL51ss-11-x1XnUHph_zqLOst2wcOknjj1cySkTk0-LkesJtCdaZG66zQmWlttd-dXS-03i9nPQTO8FDWx_kPKlFl-ytp84KhQskH2wuqvO0rwe5jgeyFzV6Ea93UrwQFcJzA6Kd28ocx0/s1600/071604+Welcome+to+Arapahoe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL51ss-11-x1XnUHph_zqLOst2wcOknjj1cySkTk0-LkesJtCdaZG66zQmWlttd-dXS-03i9nPQTO8FDWx_kPKlFl-ytp84KhQskH2wuqvO0rwe5jgeyFzV6Ea93UrwQFcJzA6Kd28ocx0/s320/071604+Welcome+to+Arapahoe.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zoiNjfajD23xwZErwkY2M4oMncPD6AsJRTvgUbTbvJXS60VBlU1rYo5RWQO2R4hKgGbLTpDE4kt9AvHxcwJwGXSHl0HJrdB8ZwLgEfdaBEZlGi62sT_qKSw6jVPXEYuAL1_xvXrcDrui/s1600/071605+Arapahoe+irrigation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zoiNjfajD23xwZErwkY2M4oMncPD6AsJRTvgUbTbvJXS60VBlU1rYo5RWQO2R4hKgGbLTpDE4kt9AvHxcwJwGXSHl0HJrdB8ZwLgEfdaBEZlGi62sT_qKSw6jVPXEYuAL1_xvXrcDrui/s320/071605+Arapahoe+irrigation.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Indianola with its green city park next to the Catholic Church caught my eye and I pulled in for a look at a memorial to a Pawnee woman who was killed in an inter-tribal war not far away. She and her child were collateral victims of the fighting and she was brought to Indianola for care but died in a few days. Originally she was buried in another location but reinterred in the park site more recently. It’s interesting to note on the original grave marker she is referred to as a Pawnee Squaw and on the more recent historic commemorative one she is a Pawnee Woman. Times change.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOSVTd3ChL-43M8KhWqf1rC-xFS1JAGpkkMk27b4DV4l2PxbctEV7BhzrOAMh1LZuX6t-5nuHwGkMjQXexQLO3UNGJdgzVq-z-EZifDX9jWScdgrVMZ1NwXB7iswAHoX5SQYxZ7tTVB_5/s1600/071606+Indianola+City+Park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOSVTd3ChL-43M8KhWqf1rC-xFS1JAGpkkMk27b4DV4l2PxbctEV7BhzrOAMh1LZuX6t-5nuHwGkMjQXexQLO3UNGJdgzVq-z-EZifDX9jWScdgrVMZ1NwXB7iswAHoX5SQYxZ7tTVB_5/s320/071606+Indianola+City+Park.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRE1m51EfOVPbvYf5v72SwcC0y9jhVqpIa8Vhkugrrf13P874Ek7FmnUNI0wXjPKGEGNihoozxL_Dk5FBWRrenmEQjhShqVj7AwTVDxKveqogmPsg9LJIAWAzQYYpveac5qyJMRTiDs08n/s1600/071607+Pawnee+Woman%27s+grave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRE1m51EfOVPbvYf5v72SwcC0y9jhVqpIa8Vhkugrrf13P874Ek7FmnUNI0wXjPKGEGNihoozxL_Dk5FBWRrenmEQjhShqVj7AwTVDxKveqogmPsg9LJIAWAzQYYpveac5qyJMRTiDs08n/s320/071607+Pawnee+Woman%27s+grave.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxs9wlBiAkFYE9eFYeCy0vaAmYlzJwVomBf46EHs-dDeAwiw8V1xHvktxmjgJmKtZGHTy_MsRqSti6wKxUsGK4j3LdusZE6t_GdOmg_H0uWR4_w-PKwtoBjGZzGdCmw2d8xWkR1h7qWyoE/s1600/071608+Pawnee+Woman%27s+grave+marker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxs9wlBiAkFYE9eFYeCy0vaAmYlzJwVomBf46EHs-dDeAwiw8V1xHvktxmjgJmKtZGHTy_MsRqSti6wKxUsGK4j3LdusZE6t_GdOmg_H0uWR4_w-PKwtoBjGZzGdCmw2d8xWkR1h7qWyoE/s320/071608+Pawnee+Woman%27s+grave+marker.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The newer more politically correct version</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsef1YgWn0g9MlfLbHeaBouJRrS7IRtjRSFjYvlS3mFoGi9an9AUvYxmOdGf4ECV4L_AkGJH68a0xfDWablpqNghSZWaRXXRtCJuZwVecwfEqsobOA2kBgWl_Jmsg1_gzulpYD-SY-MT6M/s1600/071609++Pawnee+Woman%27s+Historic+Marker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsef1YgWn0g9MlfLbHeaBouJRrS7IRtjRSFjYvlS3mFoGi9an9AUvYxmOdGf4ECV4L_AkGJH68a0xfDWablpqNghSZWaRXXRtCJuZwVecwfEqsobOA2kBgWl_Jmsg1_gzulpYD-SY-MT6M/s320/071609++Pawnee+Woman%27s+Historic+Marker.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Did I mention it was HOT today? I couldn't resist checking the temperature displayed on YP's dash against the various time/temp signs we saw. It was a scorcher but oddly enough I never felt the need to wear the swamp vest. Maybe the higher humidity down south made the difference?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdo4k6MN8XSDhWbpNGaSVxTbfMtb3inYHfRVqYnRRPyqSt9FSuijaOF6iVcec0JHEaVOrzvYRP27OHH2T7BtYOj9wo9Yjj1mfwdtLx9eXikLzurRxsXKjUgJAlXxJNBxbZMDjp7uZNSDqc/s1600/071610+Time.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdo4k6MN8XSDhWbpNGaSVxTbfMtb3inYHfRVqYnRRPyqSt9FSuijaOF6iVcec0JHEaVOrzvYRP27OHH2T7BtYOj9wo9Yjj1mfwdtLx9eXikLzurRxsXKjUgJAlXxJNBxbZMDjp7uZNSDqc/s320/071610+Time.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4-xjbdeK7g7ZJbiY8Rfy3x_2rzKMD6D4BaA-g5NWqwP1ABn2KdsL_QqVfa_JVTUdpBimYV8hBZ-mbtoN3JBNsdorY8sZnvWGfNjQ6adRe7kUxdVd9irXibA8L8d9emBDblncp4nQitt-/s1600/071611+Temp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4-xjbdeK7g7ZJbiY8Rfy3x_2rzKMD6D4BaA-g5NWqwP1ABn2KdsL_QqVfa_JVTUdpBimYV8hBZ-mbtoN3JBNsdorY8sZnvWGfNjQ6adRe7kUxdVd9irXibA8L8d9emBDblncp4nQitt-/s320/071611+Temp.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My ride continued to the North Platte area where just before reaching the city I stopped for fuel and water and met an interesting guy. He’s a local and was piloting what looked like an old hippy school bus but after closer examination turned out to be support transportation for cross-country bicyclists. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XcJ9FZJePzl5uRiKFhHLBh85w1u6CoPGI27aRZhEAf61nMeVE3yRF9cYlKecnjt2ltSWnde4nK0_lEZXU0DkpOq5hTd5-lPrxUdFShaZyckHqROBC3698JwZ8XUyuVY7VN8pFSN70vYS/s1600/071612+Hippy+biker%27s+bus+North+Platte+area.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XcJ9FZJePzl5uRiKFhHLBh85w1u6CoPGI27aRZhEAf61nMeVE3yRF9cYlKecnjt2ltSWnde4nK0_lEZXU0DkpOq5hTd5-lPrxUdFShaZyckHqROBC3698JwZ8XUyuVY7VN8pFSN70vYS/s320/071612+Hippy+biker%27s+bus+North+Platte+area.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We met when I was shooting pics of his bus and being about the same age started talking about hippy busses, then bikes. It turned out that we shared a lot of common interests in bikes including having owned identical BMW machines right down to the color. Meeting people like him on the road is part of what makes this type of touring so interesting; you just never know who you’ll run into.</div><br />
I turned west at North Platte towards what would be my day’s destination, Ogallala. The final stretch of the ride was on highway 80, a super-slab with a posted speed limit of 75mph. This is where the pleasant surprise came in I mentioned at the beginning of this post. Hot as it was, just the right amount of breeze came through the ventilation window on YP’s windscreen and the combination of that and the automobile type cruise control made it perfect. I set the cruise on 80, kicked back and watched the scenery flow past; it was heaven. Green Girl was a nice ride but the backwash from semis and cross winds made it uncomfortable to ride much above 65 mph. YP’s just the opposite, she’s totally immune to those things and I’m sure she’d easily cruise in triple-digit country. Not that I'd ever ride that fast you see, I'm just saying, uh...<br />
<br />
Arriving in Ogallala in the early afternoon gave me pause to consider riding on for another hour or so. The heat convinced me otherwise and I started the search for a motel or even a B&B to land at. No such luck, there were no B&B’s and only 3 motels, one of which was out of business and the other two were grim looking. Phooey I thought, time to move on. I set the GPS for the next town of size located another 80 miles north and started out. Just as I was about to turn onto the freeway I saw a McDonalds and Best Western signs close by. Doing a quick stage left I was immediately onto a frontage road with several decent name brand motels and eateries. Apparently Honda’s GPS data base doesn’t keep up the pace, something I’ll have to consider when referring to it for lodging and eats.<br />
<br />
To be honest I was happy to make the discovery as riding another 80 miles in near hundred degrees heat had limited appeal to me. I checked and parked the YP in front of my room. It’s a nice room and I spent a few minutes unpacking small things, then as luck would have it I had to get something off the bike.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9I0-JHu_TF9FdVCaccojP9IjIBhyphenhypheni-x4GdEXmJ319SZoQ7Ak3UR9k_3CdF_GMG1UTbNqIHSGLizvS_GTGDsLBDPOSWpOcEaVCgmv3r21TLc8hEepKueBWhP9n3FX_lWvUWdpNV4EgLm9W/s1600/071613+Sidestand+Hole+in+tamac.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9I0-JHu_TF9FdVCaccojP9IjIBhyphenhypheni-x4GdEXmJ319SZoQ7Ak3UR9k_3CdF_GMG1UTbNqIHSGLizvS_GTGDsLBDPOSWpOcEaVCgmv3r21TLc8hEepKueBWhP9n3FX_lWvUWdpNV4EgLm9W/s320/071613+Sidestand+Hole+in+tamac.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> As I left the room I noticed she was leaning way over on her side stand; more so than usual. Approaching from the low side I was startled to see the entire foot of her side stand had sunk through the hot asphalt and was moving even more as I watched. If I’d been a couple of minutes longer returning I’d have needed a crane to get her back on her feet. A few days ago I’d stayed in another Best Western and they’d automatically given bikers a small plastic pad to use under side stands to prevent just such a thing and I’d kept mine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpPON5ct-olE1HthoZxHy1s7cD7i4sfHBMwwKiwOPiJccw0cx_hcEHfLSc6KngDSp6jZRDB3BycaXiB6sM2hAlzN-hVeDKNc3gXd1lSE8Ol4WtCT_U32_1I-BUAzA3KIXODP6IE9zwjuN/s1600/071614+Best+Western+stand+pad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpPON5ct-olE1HthoZxHy1s7cD7i4sfHBMwwKiwOPiJccw0cx_hcEHfLSc6KngDSp6jZRDB3BycaXiB6sM2hAlzN-hVeDKNc3gXd1lSE8Ol4WtCT_U32_1I-BUAzA3KIXODP6IE9zwjuN/s320/071614+Best+Western+stand+pad.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Lucky that I did too as I hadn’t brought one from home. I moved her further up the parking space into the shade where the pavement wasn’t as hot and stuck the pad in place. Sometimes pure luck just happens.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngKi5MQyim6FUuXAyIYm_jbDK4q5TZWX6Ixpjk9VUwaQrMf3yd-fBYf51xR8BV0ykb0wCEOqIHeDQhjxv00IgXPbirwQH2w2qtJV2P_2LuzvAJS3LCqtBeXQsp3EUkZ1n8p5BrlNGCvCV/s1600/071615+Moved+to+the+shade.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngKi5MQyim6FUuXAyIYm_jbDK4q5TZWX6Ixpjk9VUwaQrMf3yd-fBYf51xR8BV0ykb0wCEOqIHeDQhjxv00IgXPbirwQH2w2qtJV2P_2LuzvAJS3LCqtBeXQsp3EUkZ1n8p5BrlNGCvCV/s320/071615+Moved+to+the+shade.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Dinner was easy; the motel has a great restaurant attached to it, The Golden Spur, one of those country-barbeque pit things that actually turned out a pretty good feed. To help boost appeal to the biker crowd they keep a livestock watering tub filled with peanuts which when eaten you’re expected to toss the shells on the floor.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAoin28tGMhE2KCOL2wEG7c0fJqSbVzVMD8WAJ8SuMRz8IzU-2tRLBGPwPOmyahrrI-1zv9VL7rCpcQAJOjGfn3f15pPGo0mvR6mR-kl9CY3hq0NQeayMfNRMnsO6O1SaeWLMNDhkgzrg/s1600/071619+Fine+Dining+at+the+Golden+Spur.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAoin28tGMhE2KCOL2wEG7c0fJqSbVzVMD8WAJ8SuMRz8IzU-2tRLBGPwPOmyahrrI-1zv9VL7rCpcQAJOjGfn3f15pPGo0mvR6mR-kl9CY3hq0NQeayMfNRMnsO6O1SaeWLMNDhkgzrg/s320/071619+Fine+Dining+at+the+Golden+Spur.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7-KA63J3NjS6LsvfQy2-SAISXppUJp49etf7xPGUgmtopsOB17ELY4AAOduvrzSinf4s7ZvSqApyDpXQvPuu5_bpTGKNzol7tf16cf-XkcgyzWru1gmjShivQK0x0zLRg80YFn6eoWsr/s1600/071617+Golden+Spur.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7-KA63J3NjS6LsvfQy2-SAISXppUJp49etf7xPGUgmtopsOB17ELY4AAOduvrzSinf4s7ZvSqApyDpXQvPuu5_bpTGKNzol7tf16cf-XkcgyzWru1gmjShivQK0x0zLRg80YFn6eoWsr/s320/071617+Golden+Spur.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wFGF4klekHIl_4kPNuj7Hae3W03eHraXbf9Qi4ZTjQUK4ZlVINxSkqcQwZDtKrkn3YcubOFQBNEN4tXLT4CZnhxxVgeHKJzId5N2HKJ9ssZA-EGYEx7SHoB5W3JKs0u7QpBRaSSFGDld/s1600/071618+Golden+Spur+Peanuts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wFGF4klekHIl_4kPNuj7Hae3W03eHraXbf9Qi4ZTjQUK4ZlVINxSkqcQwZDtKrkn3YcubOFQBNEN4tXLT4CZnhxxVgeHKJzId5N2HKJ9ssZA-EGYEx7SHoB5W3JKs0u7QpBRaSSFGDld/s320/071618+Golden+Spur+Peanuts.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">No problem. I went there and pigged out on dead bovine, mashers, & slaw plus a brewsky or two. Dining entertainment was provided by a crowd of HD riders yakking at about the same volume as their bikes make. I have a feeling those super loud pipes most of them seem to have might be responsible for a lot of premature hearing loss. Oh well….</div><br />
PS - One good thing about Best Western compared to sleeze motels - the bathroom sinks hold water. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtnO-ZJ0SP8N5KQ3bhXM4wPqojzI_VVzZ9uhNEELA1wCYXGm7dlIdERcTBRixGiSwR1uVLbTLbCMYQ5oIUgeqsm75JmzjCXY5q9cPs_DfTnlpV-GhkvNsJAnV4OsyB3r_ydFLo1oFjKyi/s1600/071616+Sink+beer+cooler.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtnO-ZJ0SP8N5KQ3bhXM4wPqojzI_VVzZ9uhNEELA1wCYXGm7dlIdERcTBRixGiSwR1uVLbTLbCMYQ5oIUgeqsm75JmzjCXY5q9cPs_DfTnlpV-GhkvNsJAnV4OsyB3r_ydFLo1oFjKyi/s320/071616+Sink+beer+cooler.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Life on the road...it ain't as bad as you'd think...</div>Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-44454812372379892342010-07-15T20:47:00.000-07:002010-07-15T20:47:04.863-07:00July 15, 2010 – Day 40 Middle America is for real….<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The weather Gods were messing with us this morning so David elected to bow out of the ride. His bike is sans windshield and riding bare-faced in the rain ain’t no fun no how. Since I didn’t have a clue which way to ride other than sort of north and more or less west he pointed me in a direction that would make for an interesting ride. I had a great time hanging out with him and Noah so they’re now one up on me for visits; next time they have to come to Bandon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkM6yo1cOsL2CFoGK0uKh6tL_uTuaVsRfH5xjxaUBwTOeHH_F_LBncW5Q1PsHk61XulySi4I3eRzALSg4_vbdx38syz-5UO4lCu3kyS4he0FNtKcV60JciOV3y20ukSvPsdAdAZELJaCc2/s1600/071501+Look+at+all+those+dash+thingies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkM6yo1cOsL2CFoGK0uKh6tL_uTuaVsRfH5xjxaUBwTOeHH_F_LBncW5Q1PsHk61XulySi4I3eRzALSg4_vbdx38syz-5UO4lCu3kyS4he0FNtKcV60JciOV3y20ukSvPsdAdAZELJaCc2/s320/071501+Look+at+all+those+dash+thingies.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Man look at all that stuff...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The semi-abandoned town of Farley was my first stop for photos and getting there meant a nice ride through some picturesque countryside. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DHvgfeDLT35QRabF14q_lih09bG7UfWzQo0ZOX4e9zJe7t48fU60i-Vz8fXBjMt7RgSpKZLjq52n_DuOW7Ro-EUkvVTu5XANUv7-5cnhbqo9xE4V9g4swAkqE9z5uE7Rl8xvyDBtb7lM/s1600/071502+Farley+Whistle+Stop+Farm+Supplies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DHvgfeDLT35QRabF14q_lih09bG7UfWzQo0ZOX4e9zJe7t48fU60i-Vz8fXBjMt7RgSpKZLjq52n_DuOW7Ro-EUkvVTu5XANUv7-5cnhbqo9xE4V9g4swAkqE9z5uE7Rl8xvyDBtb7lM/s320/071502+Farley+Whistle+Stop+Farm+Supplies.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBBj9c_AMREJj0DeWgbyXFZvOBLHIO94_DGGVDXTD2a7hP05ULVyex8tWYjsVv86l4t_OhD5wJXh1bL8sJhXybz94gXj-Fno7pFB1ec4gegden4Lk4_wcb7_0VC_8vuOmlFnFYPo-ipuj/s1600/071503+Farley+Co-op.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBBj9c_AMREJj0DeWgbyXFZvOBLHIO94_DGGVDXTD2a7hP05ULVyex8tWYjsVv86l4t_OhD5wJXh1bL8sJhXybz94gXj-Fno7pFB1ec4gegden4Lk4_wcb7_0VC_8vuOmlFnFYPo-ipuj/s320/071503+Farley+Co-op.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">David said I’d then go through Leavenworth and could check out the Federal Hotel for Disgruntled Members of the Military and he was right. I took a couple of long-shot pics of the prison; then dodged my way on foot through traffic for a closer look and more photos. About the time I was on my third pic I noticed another sign forbidding picture taking… Stage left Dude, time to haul outta here! Who needs pics of the biggest military lockup anyway?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtT0uWqk7eRRjMvDlZr0G7IDAZ_3PTk-7bsiyWUzsMsqDmDqvvlxajCLiTD6GTlyOQJRJqhieHka49Luo7DG5aRN6GzKAhFHmyJfRdK9AkzBQ7NinG65rhWhqaeEFOUl6EovJ5P5-p6HNV/s1600/071504+Leavenworth+Federal+Hotel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtT0uWqk7eRRjMvDlZr0G7IDAZ_3PTk-7bsiyWUzsMsqDmDqvvlxajCLiTD6GTlyOQJRJqhieHka49Luo7DG5aRN6GzKAhFHmyJfRdK9AkzBQ7NinG65rhWhqaeEFOUl6EovJ5P5-p6HNV/s320/071504+Leavenworth+Federal+Hotel.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">C'mon down...take yer shoes off & set a spell</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8J-QUmz7r8iq3DF1p1pKXqwEWQtYxJnjhvJBQBaiS36ONVX1a5uEy4D_1OjG6wPSxZRWEIVKMa8efAPeM1u8NeSgdoh3kimx-d3m3-nf-tPH3RBwnMCfK1WjrbgPdQ6RcNZI01z07mHut/s1600/071505+Leavenworth+Visitor+Parking+Sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8J-QUmz7r8iq3DF1p1pKXqwEWQtYxJnjhvJBQBaiS36ONVX1a5uEy4D_1OjG6wPSxZRWEIVKMa8efAPeM1u8NeSgdoh3kimx-d3m3-nf-tPH3RBwnMCfK1WjrbgPdQ6RcNZI01z07mHut/s320/071505+Leavenworth+Visitor+Parking+Sign.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Atchison, KS was the birthplace of Amelia Earhart so I tried to chase down a strange sounding place called Amelia Earhart Earthworks. After following a number of signs down some narrow roads the trail finally petered out and I gave it up. At least the horses eyeballing me were worth seeing but the town’s streets were torn up and after riding up and down too many detours I decided to visit Amelia another time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtPdokvhA0cNT26a6bNmHiEgFn9ttbsEPsNgtdphIco_DMFqQ5O3fmEPUN4V57AH5iF0jN9slHqCK1a2GvZrfx_mEW7-eDzfgTrPTLeIoLnQmxq6m2PETrYv-e7XiVsmyw1zdWzfqWMmv/s1600/071506+Amelia+Earhart+Earthwork+Sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtPdokvhA0cNT26a6bNmHiEgFn9ttbsEPsNgtdphIco_DMFqQ5O3fmEPUN4V57AH5iF0jN9slHqCK1a2GvZrfx_mEW7-eDzfgTrPTLeIoLnQmxq6m2PETrYv-e7XiVsmyw1zdWzfqWMmv/s320/071506+Amelia+Earhart+Earthwork+Sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJK_IeJNZ6sP4MFxujgOrCHGGihKLxqRwF7C3mt29gzLfq9nmrMsOoLIciVmQh9JO3NDP3XxZ-RE4bma5jpircq0f6ITB6BYRfHh_65qZKwzAEI2MOdpAdfGTkLFAc2nc7LSb6BSV-B6bB/s1600/071507+Amelia+Earhart+Horses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJK_IeJNZ6sP4MFxujgOrCHGGihKLxqRwF7C3mt29gzLfq9nmrMsOoLIciVmQh9JO3NDP3XxZ-RE4bma5jpircq0f6ITB6BYRfHh_65qZKwzAEI2MOdpAdfGTkLFAc2nc7LSb6BSV-B6bB/s320/071507+Amelia+Earhart+Horses.JPG" /></a></div><br />
For a fast lunch I popped into Wal-Mart aka Wally World where there was a Sub Way conveniently located. Complete with an amazing number of short people aka children who seemed bent on breaking both the sound barrier and noise index simultaneously. I think they succeeded. <br />
<br />
The small town of Highland was my next stop as I needed to find out where I was and where I was going. Yellow Peril’s fancy Navigation System is a lot more complex than the simple Garmin Zumo 550 I’m familiar with to so it’s taking me awhile to learn how to use it. I stopped at the local Casey’s General Store where I fueled up and bought some cold water; then I rode around until I found a shady spot where I could park and reconnoiter. <br />
<div align="center">Highland KS in 5 easy photos</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuV5HIhx4pgXtxLdYMoU9-TlmQIYPTUMO-4hyphenhyphenzmNO5O3-qjsBMjAit00pNB0CUEIHaiWY_dVjhx7EYN5tAJR1wJf7eF1kjmS2aIxDOXUrQoPGu-IRr8XsBONbxoG9vsWsjz66X84a7t39/s1600/071508+Highland+KS+Water+Tower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuV5HIhx4pgXtxLdYMoU9-TlmQIYPTUMO-4hyphenhyphenzmNO5O3-qjsBMjAit00pNB0CUEIHaiWY_dVjhx7EYN5tAJR1wJf7eF1kjmS2aIxDOXUrQoPGu-IRr8XsBONbxoG9vsWsjz66X84a7t39/s320/071508+Highland+KS+Water+Tower.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXvQWkigXm_SF0V_SP5h18oQ9AZC0D-WZ5LOI7IZRIQHTyAtYcAmpiTIQKAEVCCK1Amz84m29S3VyAdN4-4oTsyac0fyjbIwYN0czdxUF9qJf-qJyeJ5Pkbn9uGAbSJGdeMUkavq1gTBG/s1600/071509+Caseys+General+Store+in+Highland.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXvQWkigXm_SF0V_SP5h18oQ9AZC0D-WZ5LOI7IZRIQHTyAtYcAmpiTIQKAEVCCK1Amz84m29S3VyAdN4-4oTsyac0fyjbIwYN0czdxUF9qJf-qJyeJ5Pkbn9uGAbSJGdeMUkavq1gTBG/s320/071509+Caseys+General+Store+in+Highland.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvG6GCUnKVrc5BIH-2Vo4tQNJZ50fVshv15EORTjafwAQPh0VIjEZJVt8EccC-0c5GPARxo3S1QOcNiqURNa9O2LjWbhbgvqRrGvNvgyO26uT47Kc14YmY-qaTRxjX70GsNawlbMc0kPb/s1600/071510+Highland+main+drag+this+way.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvG6GCUnKVrc5BIH-2Vo4tQNJZ50fVshv15EORTjafwAQPh0VIjEZJVt8EccC-0c5GPARxo3S1QOcNiqURNa9O2LjWbhbgvqRrGvNvgyO26uT47Kc14YmY-qaTRxjX70GsNawlbMc0kPb/s320/071510+Highland+main+drag+this+way.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXu-Vt5TbrKXpey7Mk8a_6TwN5HMh2lZH_DMutxCU42DPlkKIPPp7wK4ZwesnwX3401ZpFCs21cl5-zeuztIZ7N6GUYlWUTiKVvOL6ZKn9ksYcsWueJzxYf3mBT9CjR1AUOTNagGGPMs4P/s1600/071511+Highland+Main+Drag+Thataway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXu-Vt5TbrKXpey7Mk8a_6TwN5HMh2lZH_DMutxCU42DPlkKIPPp7wK4ZwesnwX3401ZpFCs21cl5-zeuztIZ7N6GUYlWUTiKVvOL6ZKn9ksYcsWueJzxYf3mBT9CjR1AUOTNagGGPMs4P/s320/071511+Highland+Main+Drag+Thataway.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwywggdXSbS8241cnGbOJy3QDKr33RH0YFox5lPq7KCpB1qJWVIjb8JzQoFK_OCh0yQb7ZfLafstwho2GObRUmBbuR2xna1rgioxR9Uf1DavPoG7KiAx2w-g-E4n1XjV0q5aWJdRO67gh/s1600/071512+Highland+Sr+Center+Church.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwywggdXSbS8241cnGbOJy3QDKr33RH0YFox5lPq7KCpB1qJWVIjb8JzQoFK_OCh0yQb7ZfLafstwho2GObRUmBbuR2xna1rgioxR9Uf1DavPoG7KiAx2w-g-E4n1XjV0q5aWJdRO67gh/s320/071512+Highland+Sr+Center+Church.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The end</div>While I was staring blankly at the map of Kansas a guy stopped by to chat and give me a few suggestions about local highlights; ie, recently flooded areas along the Missouri River. When I asked if the water had completely withdrawn he thought about it for a minute, then agreed it might not be and maybe I should skip that particular point of interest. Good thinking I thought. We talked about his riding experiences during his college days on British bikes that had the shift lever on the right instead of the left. What is it with the Brits anyway, are they a nation of dyslectics? Don’t answer that.<br />
<br />
When I finished touring the sights of Highland I set out following a series of highway signs marked “auto tour” or something like that which I interpreted to be some sort of trail to significant points of interest. After awhile I realized that folks in Kansas most likely consider corn as an interesting and maybe even significant site as that was the general view. I actually like corn well enough; maybe it’s the deep shade of green or something so my tolerance level for riding through fields of it is fairly high. <br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After what seemed like a fair amount of time viewing corn the countryside topography began to change and I came to the interesting little burg called “Home”. Who could resist a detour through a place called “Home”? It was a relatively short tour, there was the post office, café, seed store, and local mill producing whatever is made from corn. (No comments required from my southern readers)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3mpRUquxdHMbpVQUwJnjsX0JICBPpLl2GWRHexQrErD844XbxMKlvwrK7EMn2xrOwfHfrdIbnwh3N-u0O_JokoWA5waXl1NWOwegWrfaVsICOlo6vN8SWsq7K6FvanTSQKaVp64o7dZS/s1600/071513+Home,+KS+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3mpRUquxdHMbpVQUwJnjsX0JICBPpLl2GWRHexQrErD844XbxMKlvwrK7EMn2xrOwfHfrdIbnwh3N-u0O_JokoWA5waXl1NWOwegWrfaVsICOlo6vN8SWsq7K6FvanTSQKaVp64o7dZS/s320/071513+Home,+KS+sign.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This would be the main drag</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZpoxJWf1xgPQwpXbq92BqLSrWl0UQF8072XnxGFzz9fCDXzAZ6d810gsfWE1c5Z28UGDpTGbFHBIknU19c6DwxyK6olhIzRUw7y3FpH_ojECIc8QUivKXAtygQwv1iK9EW7qf632i06e/s1600/071514+Home+main+drag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZpoxJWf1xgPQwpXbq92BqLSrWl0UQF8072XnxGFzz9fCDXzAZ6d810gsfWE1c5Z28UGDpTGbFHBIknU19c6DwxyK6olhIzRUw7y3FpH_ojECIc8QUivKXAtygQwv1iK9EW7qf632i06e/s320/071514+Home+main+drag.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cousin Roy's Seed Shop & Sundries</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZULeSt5QhMLufvWcJ-UTSjz_JZMEmfaJFPMMPkHGsEZRnJZbJNfAn1Ctmx8v8a7nDcbQJtR9nxCxPiB7GwDE5N8EGQwxv96p_l8ZlKxtoOIStXbeSpDD0kwxIgMSM6UqjrdSajJuR_se/s1600/071515+Roy+Lewis+Seed+Store+Home+KS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZULeSt5QhMLufvWcJ-UTSjz_JZMEmfaJFPMMPkHGsEZRnJZbJNfAn1Ctmx8v8a7nDcbQJtR9nxCxPiB7GwDE5N8EGQwxv96p_l8ZlKxtoOIStXbeSpDD0kwxIgMSM6UqjrdSajJuR_se/s320/071515+Roy+Lewis+Seed+Store+Home+KS.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When your beer is cold your heart is warm</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwa0irSxLNQsPA6TAAFif4PFfpxxifBB7qa5dOsOQ-t0Y51M1umZeDACt_xv3CZFQmpQ83nNbMkFzCNcd6H-0_rwTd2M_nIhCJ90XHfE3aSku2frOAFv_dM_c-W8CJhBeBIxWr0XsBu5Wj/s320/071516+Fine+Dining+in+Home+KS.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hard times they's a fallin'<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVakSVeRfZNSBT3PU1dFoD0qoXx3d92J17PdqmHujIsIAVG7Bh4Nr1d9X_CFR5t6caWlr882atHWVQiVLs0o0uME8mT3MtYj53sl8nJL3JzKBwaMypkBzl3jKWCspTUfFKPxAKg6OT0Ja/s1600/071517+Nice+Little+Bldg+in+Home,+KS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVakSVeRfZNSBT3PU1dFoD0qoXx3d92J17PdqmHujIsIAVG7Bh4Nr1d9X_CFR5t6caWlr882atHWVQiVLs0o0uME8mT3MtYj53sl8nJL3JzKBwaMypkBzl3jKWCspTUfFKPxAKg6OT0Ja/s320/071517+Nice+Little+Bldg+in+Home,+KS.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Seeds? Corn?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlpgTeSL2Qo0HgAFug9RnGVT0EI972i1flrBh166Wah0LQxe8qI-0r0gzlAa-VSOKZig-acmBDYeL5T5Ro4E94P9xF8KMotuWHtkD_mitaKzUcdnjpwUSjYc50WOdklh64lCCN6lZdhIv/s1600/071518+Industry+in+Home,+KS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlpgTeSL2Qo0HgAFug9RnGVT0EI972i1flrBh166Wah0LQxe8qI-0r0gzlAa-VSOKZig-acmBDYeL5T5Ro4E94P9xF8KMotuWHtkD_mitaKzUcdnjpwUSjYc50WOdklh64lCCN6lZdhIv/s320/071518+Industry+in+Home,+KS.JPG" /></a></div>Free from the clutches of Home I continued on towards my destination of the geographical center of the “Contiguous United States” as it’s called on the map. Rather than go to the actual site I settled for a visit to the point of interest sign which is only a mile or so away from it and I didn’t have to ride YP down any gravel roads.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNDV5IBDbWVc-JggOBgrqIp4zVqlWDh1XhGnndVv1SkK6XxJnrufUBsreDnXrdlHK6U9u4vMC1SGbKfWb8W0yzaA7rdciLNl2WxcUFEFPsfs7MI9RTeHT_ViVgbVFT681aMUkcc8CD2Jd/s1600/071519+Geographic+Center+of+the+USA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNDV5IBDbWVc-JggOBgrqIp4zVqlWDh1XhGnndVv1SkK6XxJnrufUBsreDnXrdlHK6U9u4vMC1SGbKfWb8W0yzaA7rdciLNl2WxcUFEFPsfs7MI9RTeHT_ViVgbVFT681aMUkcc8CD2Jd/s320/071519+Geographic+Center+of+the+USA.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Just behind the sign on an elevated parcel of land the Sweet Home Cemetery abides and within it there were several shrub-like trees aka Kansas Rest Stops for the weary and aged riders. I appreciate those who plan the layouts (no pun intended) for cemeteries and have availed myself of their conveniences from here to Ireland. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOHY1lY3SvEKwp_86LJviq83eBAgg2zRoPKmnk8PKnw8-Q173d0hvtAnTGBAz7oZXuldtRucm5QhBfQQr2v7Zjn84NcUYksXN5GfMV_tQdJnPERX9rEf4WcD4lUJIoBKcZyFV73wXwBOg/s1600/071520+Sweethome+Cemetary+Center+KS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOHY1lY3SvEKwp_86LJviq83eBAgg2zRoPKmnk8PKnw8-Q173d0hvtAnTGBAz7oZXuldtRucm5QhBfQQr2v7Zjn84NcUYksXN5GfMV_tQdJnPERX9rEf4WcD4lUJIoBKcZyFV73wXwBOg/s320/071520+Sweethome+Cemetary+Center+KS.JPG" /></a></div>Smith Center was my ultimate destination for the day and it sported 3 motels of varying degrees of decay plus eating establishments equal to them in every respect. I checked into the one recommended by a street person who was enchanted with Yellow Peril as he sounded like he’d had personal experience with it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweaHgqmkFFi5nsRCedqGDRctzhQDcSae6-2F7UWC_H4Gcx5frff25AOWBXmpxvDkGtKUora2se2zZsIYg7rS2t5jo7t60HuWfjAJapml5iFKZci3rgOa1ARUe-bhB0x9wdrJsi_okzZJk/s1600/071521+US+Center+Motel+Sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweaHgqmkFFi5nsRCedqGDRctzhQDcSae6-2F7UWC_H4Gcx5frff25AOWBXmpxvDkGtKUora2se2zZsIYg7rS2t5jo7t60HuWfjAJapml5iFKZci3rgOa1ARUe-bhB0x9wdrJsi_okzZJk/s320/071521+US+Center+Motel+Sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYI6zSlCc2fit1ETGA-7w9GBSrbNMLhETpgpy0hsqM4cLY4gSqmf64LlaH_mlKu20LyRYgcUZs7hOWvjh00PE37sxyeb00RmMnWkXKyysMnI6sEAP0fKqLcb2FlhoZUJfPk3oPSqsV23S/s1600/071523+YP+slums+it+up+in+US+Center+Motel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYI6zSlCc2fit1ETGA-7w9GBSrbNMLhETpgpy0hsqM4cLY4gSqmf64LlaH_mlKu20LyRYgcUZs7hOWvjh00PE37sxyeb00RmMnWkXKyysMnI6sEAP0fKqLcb2FlhoZUJfPk3oPSqsV23S/s320/071523+YP+slums+it+up+in+US+Center+Motel.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The same went for the café next door which was frequented by locals who like locals everywhere seem to understand the quickest way to get service is go for whatever you want yourself as the leaning waitress is stuck to the table and unlikely to notice you.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ViPryynKy2VxKO_Pfy_x-a8TMR_cukf-HyC6ZtxGAkFZAGcPygKsocelnLVLVe0k4da0wr9vO41GT2Omp_euCDYqENPF8KYd7YT7nrT7yxMVsCamaD2jit4e7PMNYtHtVrwCY5E-bhq6/s1600/071524+Pauls+Cafe+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ViPryynKy2VxKO_Pfy_x-a8TMR_cukf-HyC6ZtxGAkFZAGcPygKsocelnLVLVe0k4da0wr9vO41GT2Omp_euCDYqENPF8KYd7YT7nrT7yxMVsCamaD2jit4e7PMNYtHtVrwCY5E-bhq6/s320/071524+Pauls+Cafe+sign.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Please be patient while I lean my butt on the table and ignore you</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGGUJNi7h8b8pCVlyWJUsmnP7JMzkH3yie21IzI4s7w0y_xhim-6Y-DQSQiyCkI1wWkgeDE9nrkfowkDJmhnLeWpTJIpD0pk-MREawCsNDRbGdn2p48xs7IK5UZtaxprHQbZ4ALwdGaO_/s1600/071525+The+Leaning+Waitress+at+Pauls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGGUJNi7h8b8pCVlyWJUsmnP7JMzkH3yie21IzI4s7w0y_xhim-6Y-DQSQiyCkI1wWkgeDE9nrkfowkDJmhnLeWpTJIpD0pk-MREawCsNDRbGdn2p48xs7IK5UZtaxprHQbZ4ALwdGaO_/s320/071525+The+Leaning+Waitress+at+Pauls.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I ordered the 3-piece fish and chips dinner without the salad bar thank you and it wasn’t bad. I passed on the "all you can eat" salad bar as it seemed to have served as the entertainment center for small children with curious fingers. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0gCUaMYqEFsTTARZA98YhSJQvqcuqrzQghms9m6ihJxuS8uUo895OiwnPeWZHoRyRQywqpWhirky9roipjQYosl851ESPJv9gXa7_92AmvNs_HzQ5PNJrhPdJ4Cv-Kf1_HDc7_ZcvIw-/s1600/071526+Pauls+Cafe+locals.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0gCUaMYqEFsTTARZA98YhSJQvqcuqrzQghms9m6ihJxuS8uUo895OiwnPeWZHoRyRQywqpWhirky9roipjQYosl851ESPJv9gXa7_92AmvNs_HzQ5PNJrhPdJ4Cv-Kf1_HDc7_ZcvIw-/s320/071526+Pauls+Cafe+locals.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I finished and elected to pass on the variety of pies; in lieu of which I took a short tour of the town. There is a most out-of-place looking bank which evidently is being restored to its original grandeur after which who knows what will be done with it. If nothing else the town will have bragging rights on the most gothic appearing bank in Middle America. It may also garner the most bazaar design award.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCep_U32sexP9HT0aBmP6FR49E6fGO16LCxYChH0PyoDdw20gjS22Cy5Dc9hALYs_eRz32qQk7Qjq1J3X4ocIxnDbXd9qf8Bqn741EVd7l9TDcNxu-9E5okJ8MJKX8iVfDTRnCL3ANatdG/s1600/071728+Smith+Center+Bank+Bldg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCep_U32sexP9HT0aBmP6FR49E6fGO16LCxYChH0PyoDdw20gjS22Cy5Dc9hALYs_eRz32qQk7Qjq1J3X4ocIxnDbXd9qf8Bqn741EVd7l9TDcNxu-9E5okJ8MJKX8iVfDTRnCL3ANatdG/s320/071728+Smith+Center+Bank+Bldg.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love small towns with huge banks</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Oh, did I fail to mention how the Yellow Peril is to ride? She’s comfy, very comfy and also very frisky. The devious people at the Honda place have outfitted the new 1800’s with lots of goodies including a lump that produces 100hp. This requires a very cautious hand when exiting parking lots and stop lights, otherwise you are guaranteed to attract the attention of the local constabulary. </div>Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-76938158195028442162010-07-14T20:07:00.000-07:002010-07-14T20:07:36.656-07:00July 14, 2010 – Day 39 Bye Bye Green Girl….I’ll miss you<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">David rode his BMW R1200GS to Engle Motors around 10:00am to see their Triumph bikes. He'd bought his Kawasaki KLR 650 from them 5 years ago and since they’d treated him right he was ready for another round. He’d been talking to them for awhile and decided they were a player against the Honda NT700. I drove his Subaru hot rod as Green Girl was at Freedom Motors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9U-kePG-yCslyxaFaeDEti9dJhQMOLKDYxJfXhPgE7wtpML1_dSh5G8g72gUdwIUxal3zR4J6M-wgviq7qgO1b0VKIkuN9EDLsscQlA5GTIFxgV-BTKLwGdaOOdlIWfz3izKQxWx06xb/s1600/071401+David%27s+BMW+R1200GS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9U-kePG-yCslyxaFaeDEti9dJhQMOLKDYxJfXhPgE7wtpML1_dSh5G8g72gUdwIUxal3zR4J6M-wgviq7qgO1b0VKIkuN9EDLsscQlA5GTIFxgV-BTKLwGdaOOdlIWfz3izKQxWx06xb/s320/071401+David%27s+BMW+R1200GS.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We arrived early and they had a demo ride already set up for him. While he was gone I wandered around and sat on ALL the Triumphs and several of the BMW’s, much to the dismay of the sales staff. It seems David had already told them I wasn’t a prospect. Thanks a lot David.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQzHQ8ieZe3rkOBMSQJRMBPb3QeV7AoAyqwSpq4Nlc58PrX40NWTEccwiotpyfzcrqAaU1qNcG8F0ZWSfJ0FmD8c2A-E4DEUie6Ccr8dGTpx0sQ86e53N4L3d8lFFmm7aRXocKz-dQWna/s1600/071403+Engle+Motors+Triumphs+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQzHQ8ieZe3rkOBMSQJRMBPb3QeV7AoAyqwSpq4Nlc58PrX40NWTEccwiotpyfzcrqAaU1qNcG8F0ZWSfJ0FmD8c2A-E4DEUie6Ccr8dGTpx0sQ86e53N4L3d8lFFmm7aRXocKz-dQWna/s320/071403+Engle+Motors+Triumphs+1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJ6lpIYgJtQsPdraUgpGJOQi2dAdxniihyphenhyphen1iEnY8tfI9zweDv5UmXt5QZVGsujAocO8dFXV7OO-SMtABoveQYTUncXwkRC5wRnpioCWWAkoXkh_IIZFHiMbkO0RdC0rAr-bkARfiNUBSh/s1600/071402+Engle+Motors+BMWs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJ6lpIYgJtQsPdraUgpGJOQi2dAdxniihyphenhyphen1iEnY8tfI9zweDv5UmXt5QZVGsujAocO8dFXV7OO-SMtABoveQYTUncXwkRC5wRnpioCWWAkoXkh_IIZFHiMbkO0RdC0rAr-bkARfiNUBSh/s320/071402+Engle+Motors+BMWs.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_NuTbSK6TiPVhjlJSSjjzMY80STTBjBif5vs38RCcGAB_0Z6tpmkcbrp1Ob6fT-O1rbKbHaLw_fa-W6AZCoNLcz2HeBSs95edla9g0zaeAb89h5eYhIBEDHRRF_jZ4NDYH9ggt8af2-0/s1600/071404+Engle+Motors+Triumphs+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_NuTbSK6TiPVhjlJSSjjzMY80STTBjBif5vs38RCcGAB_0Z6tpmkcbrp1Ob6fT-O1rbKbHaLw_fa-W6AZCoNLcz2HeBSs95edla9g0zaeAb89h5eYhIBEDHRRF_jZ4NDYH9ggt8af2-0/s320/071404+Engle+Motors+Triumphs+2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>When he returned it was obvious from the grin on his face the Triumph had won the contest against Honda so the next hour was spent signing papers, laying down cash, that sort of thing. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-HhPhsLxjes3YRSWFXofPwcKVuQjVlDjYEfZcp-5zKezH0QEoQIo3YiUZlwVO0E8Dg09R2EIYvNnu2E_db3N070vjwVygf413Y_4c-PRmLLyYDWxZKDlMgU-85ejauS0rld2YcFz1Doe/s1600/071405+Engle+Motors+David+signing+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-HhPhsLxjes3YRSWFXofPwcKVuQjVlDjYEfZcp-5zKezH0QEoQIo3YiUZlwVO0E8Dg09R2EIYvNnu2E_db3N070vjwVygf413Y_4c-PRmLLyYDWxZKDlMgU-85ejauS0rld2YcFz1Doe/s320/071405+Engle+Motors+David+signing+up.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Outside and ready to leave I told him I’d take a few pictures when he was ready to depart. He smiled, posed, mounted up and as he rode by said “Try to catch up, OK?” and that was the last I saw of him. I was driving his car and were it not for the fact I’d tossed my Garmin GPS into the back seat in the morning I’d probably still be driving around looking for his place.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbEFRhQqq6zr3nhdWKME8-rdlU_JRTRl2B8ys8v290wYsI0LyPTKfmmXJPovM4nd1vdPijuBGdYz_Od7ouZ1df4v41JtXdI0_SyWU8T35mm51RqEgYf46IPYKmewFxHkmzeb4xJiRMzLm/s1600/071406+Trading+in+the+BMW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbEFRhQqq6zr3nhdWKME8-rdlU_JRTRl2B8ys8v290wYsI0LyPTKfmmXJPovM4nd1vdPijuBGdYz_Od7ouZ1df4v41JtXdI0_SyWU8T35mm51RqEgYf46IPYKmewFxHkmzeb4xJiRMzLm/s320/071406+Trading+in+the+BMW.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGF0GtFVMjC4brkUVI45yaTW1TdtmqTMFX5zWjusn6YaAqQfT0vsvak6IoqNRSOle6fOxAI16vpWC4gnRedj4Mo3Y99uh8Qd-sQ9JRuHcTQwhJh08ozm0VvoYb8qenbMFz-YT3GM9WT3S/s1600/071407+David+ready+to+leave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGF0GtFVMjC4brkUVI45yaTW1TdtmqTMFX5zWjusn6YaAqQfT0vsvak6IoqNRSOle6fOxAI16vpWC4gnRedj4Mo3Y99uh8Qd-sQ9JRuHcTQwhJh08ozm0VvoYb8qenbMFz-YT3GM9WT3S/s320/071407+David+ready+to+leave.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxF2gpsIlC5oWue4y5z58Jfpzopq-9GZQVwhSpnmRePNyRqzdxGg8yOpZYi4kVUlR2T4jASab0KoOAbJzdrBJrWpNcSk6EMnXS8Zy4mCikLZYO8W5mr8IILjKl5KqgUqNCa3bEUMabVqN/s1600/071408+David+leaves+Engles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxF2gpsIlC5oWue4y5z58Jfpzopq-9GZQVwhSpnmRePNyRqzdxGg8yOpZYi4kVUlR2T4jASab0KoOAbJzdrBJrWpNcSk6EMnXS8Zy4mCikLZYO8W5mr8IILjKl5KqgUqNCa3bEUMabVqN/s320/071408+David+leaves+Engles.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlvV9pvrwKQU8OcHyycTr0hwF0epxYB_s2KnaLcvIv1eKUHT4j-Y5jD85M6R1JKowXLOSeWnhHdJ4XqWpeIQZe_ZbKWW3_3p1M2VTpoEqCGAf54upf2O1zjZmaSBLaoOHoh691vVW8ChO/s1600/071409+David%27s+gone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlvV9pvrwKQU8OcHyycTr0hwF0epxYB_s2KnaLcvIv1eKUHT4j-Y5jD85M6R1JKowXLOSeWnhHdJ4XqWpeIQZe_ZbKWW3_3p1M2VTpoEqCGAf54upf2O1zjZmaSBLaoOHoh691vVW8ChO/s320/071409+David%27s+gone.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It took awhile but I finally made it home and we went to lunch at some indiscriminate ding-dong Irish Pub. It was the pits; terrible service by the lone waitress (table server?) who had the worst up-yours attitude I could remember. We left and drove to Applebee’s where we were treated like valued customers and had a great lunch.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Once we were out of there we went to Freedom Cycles to pick up the Yellow Peril. Did I mention that’s the name of the new ride? Back in the 90’s I owned a yellow 1966 Lancia Fulvia 1300 that I rallied and it was also known as the Yellow Peril. So maybe I have this thing about yellow? Anyway that’s her name and I’m sticking to it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roman - Service Tech</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3efYKRSIN1y_mT0MSfrpyXX8FXvUSOReWyGRgFrIOk9l59eOX6QAg7r7a4C52k2E-3ohnwJ4Qae4_ldH1zslL1yYxYiDmArFBwdKfYxkqJTgdYkyDoluF3qWNBbLgFdGXa3TTzj2-xHAe/s1600/071410+Roman+service+tech.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3efYKRSIN1y_mT0MSfrpyXX8FXvUSOReWyGRgFrIOk9l59eOX6QAg7r7a4C52k2E-3ohnwJ4Qae4_ldH1zslL1yYxYiDmArFBwdKfYxkqJTgdYkyDoluF3qWNBbLgFdGXa3TTzj2-xHAe/s320/071410+Roman+service+tech.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Checking out the Navigation System</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYQhzwfUPhY3dHBCpHIp6VDPAWKCFqiEDcdRRYbdef8ODyEEmeZfcQgBISbo9qiHWrYnzjI2S0OYWMq50_CsSFpWUEJHXwM6jLZupwTl3wP_xWepLRXhGb-u6nqlxCzgAG_glGC0MtMEY/s1600/071411+Roman+sets+up+GPS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYQhzwfUPhY3dHBCpHIp6VDPAWKCFqiEDcdRRYbdef8ODyEEmeZfcQgBISbo9qiHWrYnzjI2S0OYWMq50_CsSFpWUEJHXwM6jLZupwTl3wP_xWepLRXhGb-u6nqlxCzgAG_glGC0MtMEY/s320/071411+Roman+sets+up+GPS.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Zero Miles on the Yellow Peril</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ytLLzRO_hsH3K7JGQFlPEqPaEnJiSVrdsteKFUD2EFzfJPnfO3HxWfwU-yi5-X2jWLQ9AlpO0_SadqyJuvSCSt4gKRENIX9k8D5UYTllgV1GheQLf_aXakrmbSTzzVZKDY7q7SNI92J3/s1600/071412+Zero+miles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ytLLzRO_hsH3K7JGQFlPEqPaEnJiSVrdsteKFUD2EFzfJPnfO3HxWfwU-yi5-X2jWLQ9AlpO0_SadqyJuvSCSt4gKRENIX9k8D5UYTllgV1GheQLf_aXakrmbSTzzVZKDY7q7SNI92J3/s320/071412+Zero+miles.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's time to move out</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyA7P76kDVng-CCWU49AqdFM2s64VsJ_1hZdPCuTtqtw2CsRwqOSG0Kt3X_F0xV4HfPbcMtVnw3xPHcxuzeArK1BPyUuv_p0szVddaOgNCpJ2_izBukaqw0y7pFrOdBiTFdUGPrbKk7B6x/s1600/071413+Me+%26+Yellow+Perile.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyA7P76kDVng-CCWU49AqdFM2s64VsJ_1hZdPCuTtqtw2CsRwqOSG0Kt3X_F0xV4HfPbcMtVnw3xPHcxuzeArK1BPyUuv_p0szVddaOgNCpJ2_izBukaqw0y7pFrOdBiTFdUGPrbKk7B6x/s320/071413+Me+%26+Yellow+Perile.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">David had long ago left to go home and mess around with his new Triumph Bonneville SE so I set out alone using the new Navigation system to guide me through the late afternoon commuter traffic. The ride to David’s house was nearly 30 miles and I made it without mishap, no wrong turns and no near misses. The Yellow Peril is easy to ride and a lot more powerful than Green Girl so she took awhile to get used to. If I slide forward all the way on the saddle I can stand flat-footed at stops and when I’m moving the saddle is really comfortable. I’m thinking this bike will be great on the open road and having rode in heavy stop and go traffic she’ll be an easy ride through cities too.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It was a hoot to pull up into his garage and hear the GPS lady say “Arriving at David’s.”</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We eyeballed our two new rides and then drove to the grocery store for stuff we needed to make spaghetti and salad plus refresh our supply of Vino. At home again David cooked while I got caught up on my blog for the last two days. We had a great dinner, early enough for me to finish and him to do the kitchen clean-up routine. (My mama didn’t raise no fool….)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Good bye Green Girl, I'll miss you...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCB6Zug0NKNrqG_mlapwr5ioyPccUK-N4k0Uux7j1vPkAu2BePqljBRn3sJMZIq2Tup5JbiIGh4fyh8yM16ipRA3jje_5a05bLUq6JTu6l0GHYfzoPt7K-R8H1ua7DWPSaeke1RVt8nwS/s1600/071414+Goodbye+Green+Girl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCB6Zug0NKNrqG_mlapwr5ioyPccUK-N4k0Uux7j1vPkAu2BePqljBRn3sJMZIq2Tup5JbiIGh4fyh8yM16ipRA3jje_5a05bLUq6JTu6l0GHYfzoPt7K-R8H1ua7DWPSaeke1RVt8nwS/s320/071414+Goodbye+Green+Girl.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think tomorrow will see us on the road.</div>Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-69399939935023441812010-07-14T17:56:00.000-07:002010-07-14T17:56:59.501-07:00July 13, 2010 – Day 38 Green Girl gets new tires…and moreDavid's household was up bright and early to make the 9:00am appointment at Freedom Cycles. Green Girl had an appointment and we wanted to be on time so I set up the route on her GPS and we set out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqxgAhrhkHoIaxfUsioeBN8nOSwdcqzmOENz2rrQUVAMknRThQJS31VG4QJv7geevcobTKm8KohiC3et8IAnoVfpj8jIvfQnyNE7SVnd37eoo8uXgYmHFckSXJMjYnNdOwuBMDxBjxaLQ/s1600/071302+GG+ready+to+go.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqxgAhrhkHoIaxfUsioeBN8nOSwdcqzmOENz2rrQUVAMknRThQJS31VG4QJv7geevcobTKm8KohiC3et8IAnoVfpj8jIvfQnyNE7SVnd37eoo8uXgYmHFckSXJMjYnNdOwuBMDxBjxaLQ/s320/071302+GG+ready+to+go.JPG" /></a></div>David led the way as he knows all the short cuts that avoid rush hour traffic and we arrived within just a few minutes of our goal. So who needs a GPS anyway? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwV4-zANbr6LvrwtAFE6dyBQhNexScJHyvaPc52iab6mWjSf5AF6tMVvlkB5UnSQa3MO9-L8wEuItf4KQzTtgI04dCqA6mGsgL2DmGB03DYMPhn7dB0n0tVrmsO4zvv7JeoSJSOIUKYN5D/s1600/071302+Freedom+Cycles+GPS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwV4-zANbr6LvrwtAFE6dyBQhNexScJHyvaPc52iab6mWjSf5AF6tMVvlkB5UnSQa3MO9-L8wEuItf4KQzTtgI04dCqA6mGsgL2DmGB03DYMPhn7dB0n0tVrmsO4zvv7JeoSJSOIUKYN5D/s320/071302+Freedom+Cycles+GPS.JPG" /></a></div><br />
While we were there we’d both wanted to have a look at Honda’s new NT700 road bike – touring machine. It’s more of a conventional design, unlike cruisers, etc, and generally a more familiar riding position for, uh, older more experienced riders. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We hung out for what amounted to a long time and while David went for a test ride I ogled the new Honda Goldwing GL1800. They’re the updated version of Chuck’s Goldwing that I’d ridden while we were in Arizona and had been on my mind since. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBbozUR_aDv90GCgVbS7w9gR-y05ySH7bhqvolBZ1qoQZxZM7SH2RJsTtHuUpoKScdggTm79qPT-HREeiYEbvo1QSLAMxhFcApLsLnSPeAisbC4swZrJoPr9qAt_jXBDxM616X2Vc3Y6c/s1600/071303+GG+waiting+for+new+tires.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBbozUR_aDv90GCgVbS7w9gR-y05ySH7bhqvolBZ1qoQZxZM7SH2RJsTtHuUpoKScdggTm79qPT-HREeiYEbvo1QSLAMxhFcApLsLnSPeAisbC4swZrJoPr9qAt_jXBDxM616X2Vc3Y6c/s320/071303+GG+waiting+for+new+tires.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Reggie Roginson - Sales rep</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCnQisktoKn59QEZnLV78IEtptAHcMcniJQPwPRuBTLDp6rMRwlJyfCtj49KlxeA_jfWWkZxZFg0M5GzHpI5kXXmyHpvDJkZrM-_i3JqSh6ZNtHiMuW6mP57r9UGSC5seQuv60I6gZuDL/s1600/071307+Reggie+Robinson+Salesman.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCnQisktoKn59QEZnLV78IEtptAHcMcniJQPwPRuBTLDp6rMRwlJyfCtj49KlxeA_jfWWkZxZFg0M5GzHpI5kXXmyHpvDJkZrM-_i3JqSh6ZNtHiMuW6mP57r9UGSC5seQuv60I6gZuDL/s320/071307+Reggie+Robinson+Salesman.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Suzi Rorabauch - Finance Manager</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__F48EkivhyZatn9GloVm6v9gmHZFWjxRNkpOK3E8WBckgCjXyoUzW8ol0ZyOguv2P-o8sgf6Nf45kCnqBAVUhDme79bK2AeD7JV-nT5XGsRPCB5OBXbLZwj7xqXjDLWaCcPFpRfbhqlC/s1600/071305+Suzi+Rorabaugh+Finance+Mgr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__F48EkivhyZatn9GloVm6v9gmHZFWjxRNkpOK3E8WBckgCjXyoUzW8ol0ZyOguv2P-o8sgf6Nf45kCnqBAVUhDme79bK2AeD7JV-nT5XGsRPCB5OBXbLZwj7xqXjDLWaCcPFpRfbhqlC/s320/071305+Suzi+Rorabaugh+Finance+Mgr.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jeff - General Manager</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaiJ9ZZNpGu-Tjg3PIYdtr4StF0DKFV5DuClHKCaaGyzIPDHz_5_5ieU-J-m7lo6bdWDpyvA95_ZQsuHmYxK90CUCGqY30-yaOSk1UM-DiuL_eaIsFolKHTSKRtW_D9pbxhRKYZ0gtyvx/s1600/071306+Jeff+the+GM.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaiJ9ZZNpGu-Tjg3PIYdtr4StF0DKFV5DuClHKCaaGyzIPDHz_5_5ieU-J-m7lo6bdWDpyvA95_ZQsuHmYxK90CUCGqY30-yaOSk1UM-DiuL_eaIsFolKHTSKRtW_D9pbxhRKYZ0gtyvx/s320/071306+Jeff+the+GM.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">By the time David got back I’d fallen victim to the new beast and was engaged in doing a deal to buy one if they could locate the color I wanted: Pearl Yellow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGd-VE_iWjqOGBXoAe0abV-GMPtBJbc3bE9frlGIzvci1TOlf1lXWVt9IiNWX4D2wiYvIbAnVtjyJYU3DquUV1JPvIGu3pBw74P-ytGrJmgibMRjEBUsClfMpbrs7OP8rRbTet8Pdga-N/s1600/071304+David+strips+GG%27s+farkles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGd-VE_iWjqOGBXoAe0abV-GMPtBJbc3bE9frlGIzvci1TOlf1lXWVt9IiNWX4D2wiYvIbAnVtjyJYU3DquUV1JPvIGu3pBw74P-ytGrJmgibMRjEBUsClfMpbrs7OP8rRbTet8Pdga-N/s320/071304+David+strips+GG%27s+farkles.JPG" /></a></div>They located one that could be at their dealership the next day and that was it, we removed the farkles I’d added to Green Girl, GPS & cruise control and turned her over to her new owner Freedom Cycles. Her mileage was showing around 8,500 and they were all typical of Kawasaki, carefree and fun.<br />
<br />
David wasn’t able to get the deal he wanted for his BMW R1200GS so we will go look at what Triumph has to offer tomorrow.Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-67735050533770858582010-07-12T12:44:00.000-07:002010-07-12T12:44:44.424-07:00July 12, 2010 – Day 37 Laundry Day? Eww…Yesterday was way too exciting so I figured today I'd do my laundry.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctiHtH8vScXrGpJOJ1L1_2x4wNbUxZgJ_wnlCsZ4EPXgIGeiMIX5jqls8jNNyUNPIDbqr_3KunoOLCQL5LsX0Yb9rjZyS0oqBlN2aRg5ekrAPZc33zqKkb7lA26E9X-Mhc68r3d49KEev/s1600/071201+Automatic+Washer+%26+Dryer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctiHtH8vScXrGpJOJ1L1_2x4wNbUxZgJ_wnlCsZ4EPXgIGeiMIX5jqls8jNNyUNPIDbqr_3KunoOLCQL5LsX0Yb9rjZyS0oqBlN2aRg5ekrAPZc33zqKkb7lA26E9X-Mhc68r3d49KEev/s320/071201+Automatic+Washer+%26+Dryer.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkrkfZdkI4dIlGOktJyTncu6vsCbH58Nmwsrb1hdKlgrhhWoJ33dLWgzj_MM6dwqt3hqb0xmZnyW0XpXOCQyHKGskzPkdcuHZAkfbftD6asDEofK4PNXLIFZnA4vXKEmrU6ESOl7l2ML7/s1600/071202+Clean+threads.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkrkfZdkI4dIlGOktJyTncu6vsCbH58Nmwsrb1hdKlgrhhWoJ33dLWgzj_MM6dwqt3hqb0xmZnyW0XpXOCQyHKGskzPkdcuHZAkfbftD6asDEofK4PNXLIFZnA4vXKEmrU6ESOl7l2ML7/s320/071202+Clean+threads.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRCCzVxqZezQijmHZ60JBljFSsRY112_jbcV2ZewmX_2hh2Gueolv-5vRefow6iyST2Ecg16shShVcSaJLMuPmw37egErh382FuXYfdxeOIxG1-In2ExY57WWyIP-oBUSQRLqQwBeEUJz/s1600/071203+Pile+of+stuff.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRCCzVxqZezQijmHZ60JBljFSsRY112_jbcV2ZewmX_2hh2Gueolv-5vRefow6iyST2Ecg16shShVcSaJLMuPmw37egErh382FuXYfdxeOIxG1-In2ExY57WWyIP-oBUSQRLqQwBeEUJz/s320/071203+Pile+of+stuff.JPG" /></a></div>After that I watched David wash Green Girl and feeling somewhat guilty I helped. Not much but I helped anyway. <br />
<br />
That’s it; aside from buying a few items and having a late breakfast/early lunch we’re spending the rest of the day doing zip.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow Green Girl gets her new tires... <br />
<br />
zzzzzzzzzzz...zzzzzzzzzzzzz...zzzzzzzzzzz...Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-67076539173627501542010-07-11T18:57:00.000-07:002010-07-11T18:57:25.056-07:00July 11, 2010 – Day 36 Kansas City – We get rained out at the trackCrimoney today was a bust. For one thing I woke up a little after 4:00am and couldn’t get back to sleep so after thrashing around until nearly 5:00am I got up and showered. We were going to the track today as Noah had two races to run in the TAG Kart Division.<br />
<br />
<br />
The weather people said it was likely to rain 50% of the time so I covered Green Girl for the first time since leaving Nevada.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdQYmI5FZ5IWqouBGKlArkB3DhctYXCuGP-Ygr4LNKhUsU7DPWTPCGEWJg2G9jqTvp0QdvbaIaScb_kvphMSfTSBauEIUHEDLHx6K61bBm7NTVrUD2_iZ9rDsdGEPz_QId7E7TGY_EFfa/s1600/071101+GG+under+cover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdQYmI5FZ5IWqouBGKlArkB3DhctYXCuGP-Ygr4LNKhUsU7DPWTPCGEWJg2G9jqTvp0QdvbaIaScb_kvphMSfTSBauEIUHEDLHx6K61bBm7NTVrUD2_iZ9rDsdGEPz_QId7E7TGY_EFfa/s320/071101+GG+under+cover.JPG" /></a></div><br />
We arrived at the track and got set up with all the support equipment and awaited for the call to the driver’s meeting. In the mean time the sky continued to get darker and we could hear thunder approaching and getting louder. Before long lightning bolts were shooting across the horizon and things were looking ominous.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GScP5_7p4z9AKu4ASZchkS-uxYfHLS-MaNaosumRA3AXzkzHQcxsEoNfOiaOdYtsYtW9BySqzIVGhV9H-xu1WrzSzajMAKX9PkAMtr_ZykiSsqAL0DnMjb7bSbegD4-fauJIyXNQs3jf/s1600/071102+Unloading+at+the+track.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GScP5_7p4z9AKu4ASZchkS-uxYfHLS-MaNaosumRA3AXzkzHQcxsEoNfOiaOdYtsYtW9BySqzIVGhV9H-xu1WrzSzajMAKX9PkAMtr_ZykiSsqAL0DnMjb7bSbegD4-fauJIyXNQs3jf/s320/071102+Unloading+at+the+track.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbvJKK4eIblOdar-gvVjrSa3gzmF1Sbk92tGG-d7M7y-uMxEcEvUpEIInD4eVqrPGZXIbAyGEnmE2Q1YMtthI6b_f3apiQlN2jDpg282e_1s9EcrGcVRTnc-FgbVS0kl15dWNwpNvK0QJ/s1600/071103+Dark+Clouds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbvJKK4eIblOdar-gvVjrSa3gzmF1Sbk92tGG-d7M7y-uMxEcEvUpEIInD4eVqrPGZXIbAyGEnmE2Q1YMtthI6b_f3apiQlN2jDpg282e_1s9EcrGcVRTnc-FgbVS0kl15dWNwpNvK0QJ/s320/071103+Dark+Clouds.JPG" /></a></div><br />
At the driver’s meeting we were told no one would be allowed on the track until after the thunder had ceased for 20 minutes. The hair on several women was standing straight up because of the high static charge in the air, an indication of impending lightning strikes. The race steward commented on that and told everyone to be attentive as to where they were and try to avoid wide open spaces. Lightning strikes the highest object it finds including people; not exactly a happy thought.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELYDAA2_dwgbTKdNE3VaKQ71z7h5cnnj1UeSVeMKykzu3yaAkkIgyOC2vFnsk0elNl1eRcj4KyKMrZ1tEseljZzhunXTfDrSR7tfG4-Gb_tUtPdczI6UGyLodHVNQmposzO3BIBInvw5E/s1600/071109+Static+Hair+Do.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELYDAA2_dwgbTKdNE3VaKQ71z7h5cnnj1UeSVeMKykzu3yaAkkIgyOC2vFnsk0elNl1eRcj4KyKMrZ1tEseljZzhunXTfDrSR7tfG4-Gb_tUtPdczI6UGyLodHVNQmposzO3BIBInvw5E/s320/071109+Static+Hair+Do.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYnjzKswQ4OmfMctMxVbrcGZyaXsKiLgXqhOkcXh0X7Jkj8ke3KfGlA8pTM_Om80G3yYIu-GnzOJNRVjtJFh8Sj-Jc0EBgLzjOlWO5BSaEXm9g0Np3H7IbceToMXKvjcWeY9hk30jOkpo/s1600/071104+Nasty+Sky+at+the+track.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYnjzKswQ4OmfMctMxVbrcGZyaXsKiLgXqhOkcXh0X7Jkj8ke3KfGlA8pTM_Om80G3yYIu-GnzOJNRVjtJFh8Sj-Jc0EBgLzjOlWO5BSaEXm9g0Np3H7IbceToMXKvjcWeY9hk30jOkpo/s320/071104+Nasty+Sky+at+the+track.JPG" /></a></div>Shortly after the meeting we felt the first drops of rain which quickly turned into a deluge. Everyone went to their covers or got into cars to wait it out. After a couple of hours it was still coming down but had lessened slightly and we hoped to at least get in some practice time if the races were cancelled. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHdvu2KW49rM0Jaa-gxj6_jNZk6cfrRVojOCQiFXVBqd2jzB3cv1x_SLuQpDzA-elI6WW2sDNSg2WVwCv-bp4A9Yxdrc8RbXI6QvsSrXiFsMKuXJDBsvueqwzWp2dQv6pMrCQdHN4Xcwk/s1600/071105+Empty+Pit+Row.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHdvu2KW49rM0Jaa-gxj6_jNZk6cfrRVojOCQiFXVBqd2jzB3cv1x_SLuQpDzA-elI6WW2sDNSg2WVwCv-bp4A9Yxdrc8RbXI6QvsSrXiFsMKuXJDBsvueqwzWp2dQv6pMrCQdHN4Xcwk/s320/071105+Empty+Pit+Row.JPG" /></a></div><br />
David, ever the positive thinker decided to mount the rain tires which occupied him and Noah for awhile. Then at the advice of George Russell, head engine builder at Russell Karting Specialties we set about constructing a water deflector for the intake air box. This along with the internal sponge filter we hoped would prevent any water from entering the engine. The water deflector was a spur-of-the-moment bit of engineering constructed of a plastic soft drink bottle cut in half and duct taped over the two intake screens. It wasn’t pretty but we were hopeful it would be functional for today’s track time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJNUxTJ_rE91hHUC-OKXJJNUjABNcj3hR94HrbR9I-Mmz2y2Q_FVo8k0k3SwL9rw6_QkK-Sp2uJeTxY_7Ao1CnpBQKUmcEpBZoRV7sY4MmdXI5Bfwyrd8NdjXONgGgSTBvKNrNyqbVb46/s1600/071106+Rain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJNUxTJ_rE91hHUC-OKXJJNUjABNcj3hR94HrbR9I-Mmz2y2Q_FVo8k0k3SwL9rw6_QkK-Sp2uJeTxY_7Ao1CnpBQKUmcEpBZoRV7sY4MmdXI5Bfwyrd8NdjXONgGgSTBvKNrNyqbVb46/s320/071106+Rain.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Then the rain came back harder than ever and we spent quite awhile under awnings yakking with other kart people and attempting to stay dry. Finally the word came down there would be no races or track time today due to the danger of lightning strikes so we packed it in and headed home.<br />
<br />
David fixed an impromptu barbeque lunch of short ribs & corn on the cob. George Russell was there and we all had a nice time recounting old race stories. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGqRMwLlBYurcExGueJrpXQuUjdH-lxWizJt-dvqwqg42IWhPHzV07FiJ3c9yiwqaLQ0UrNqIPL62BpL11D3Ij8o0EnWwEW0GCXPOrOLWO4eql6j7rN5IMBz1UT5Vv8JdyXNtgMdJr1c6/s1600/071107+David+fixes+dinner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGqRMwLlBYurcExGueJrpXQuUjdH-lxWizJt-dvqwqg42IWhPHzV07FiJ3c9yiwqaLQ0UrNqIPL62BpL11D3Ij8o0EnWwEW0GCXPOrOLWO4eql6j7rN5IMBz1UT5Vv8JdyXNtgMdJr1c6/s320/071107+David+fixes+dinner.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZih5SFhISEsAL-HasOTF4Na51oBzqgOhv4ys2BwPo4nXxU_lQnKHIn1oZFPA4qExKa6UKzKbY_LmFVoFxraWI-rSV2miuczO-ShWH4nJ_Ue0p5peWUiddc_6YDmDEPTSj7aprCaz2Uiz/s1600/071108+David,+Noah,+%26+George.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZih5SFhISEsAL-HasOTF4Na51oBzqgOhv4ys2BwPo4nXxU_lQnKHIn1oZFPA4qExKa6UKzKbY_LmFVoFxraWI-rSV2miuczO-ShWH4nJ_Ue0p5peWUiddc_6YDmDEPTSj7aprCaz2Uiz/s320/071108+David,+Noah,+%26+George.JPG" /></a></div>We were disappointed about the race cancellation but that’s the nature of beast; no guarantees. Tomorrow I'm going to laundry. That's pretty damned exciting, eh?<br />
<br />
Life on the road....Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-83828088931487445132010-07-10T20:38:00.000-07:002010-07-10T20:38:03.689-07:00July 10, 2010 – Day 35 Practice Day at the Kart Track<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There was no time for Green Girl today, it's up and at 'em early for a day with David and Noah at the kart track north of Kansas City. We'd loaded the gear on the truck last night and right after breakfast we set out so we could get to the rack on time. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjU7wZBqJCW0BOQGyhxp-EtENjTfWTGK58e4IcG3xFx-1U2b41WGBZ5KXOL4YnviHJReLjf9RyT0YSizXpI-biC9S7abu2ibbB5hQuEn5YyaKNSXYIZVCvZt-taHn1vWzAZfNPAGKEn5D/s1600/071001+Loading+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjU7wZBqJCW0BOQGyhxp-EtENjTfWTGK58e4IcG3xFx-1U2b41WGBZ5KXOL4YnviHJReLjf9RyT0YSizXpI-biC9S7abu2ibbB5hQuEn5YyaKNSXYIZVCvZt-taHn1vWzAZfNPAGKEn5D/s320/071001+Loading+up.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_C3so2RB20DvUX-eYCEBBV-iu6SvqZIlYoUDugcsOUO_Ptou__yrM-YwpKc0MbTFbqNY0as40sx0VH1HpZfytSaFWXIfniVd9Kx-I4eQL5omqjo6aokHto4fZ79sswb4iLpUyn1EFXf_/s1600/071011+Long+shot+of+the+track.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_C3so2RB20DvUX-eYCEBBV-iu6SvqZIlYoUDugcsOUO_Ptou__yrM-YwpKc0MbTFbqNY0as40sx0VH1HpZfytSaFWXIfniVd9Kx-I4eQL5omqjo6aokHto4fZ79sswb4iLpUyn1EFXf_/s320/071011+Long+shot+of+the+track.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the track Noah wears all the gear, all the time</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2z9StRIrZuvVMQ13WUq8UabhyphenhyphenEvpqnhOLZp74GWehShEa_Xp10spUYXlfCISYkdc6qbk4uh9XQtTR0YBthaig68oiEXAKrx4O9xkOfPCWeXpfSv1Dw5-euN642h6FrezoQfpaQEP9hCGW/s1600/071005+ATGATT.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2z9StRIrZuvVMQ13WUq8UabhyphenhyphenEvpqnhOLZp74GWehShEa_Xp10spUYXlfCISYkdc6qbk4uh9XQtTR0YBthaig68oiEXAKrx4O9xkOfPCWeXpfSv1Dw5-euN642h6FrezoQfpaQEP9hCGW/s320/071005+ATGATT.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15YtAsB77_D7FJKoD3EyQ6tr2L2Jbk9LtA13desKaTKIpKfYOJ5gk0nk69F7ZQ0zNHY8iCRSx6jkErdTFjrDmxS8OW_ZV2JBt2vpcmDTZaXYspVy-4xS2uqlE6P3pKfUG78N4kNaqSi2O/s1600/071003+Setting+up+at+the+track.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15YtAsB77_D7FJKoD3EyQ6tr2L2Jbk9LtA13desKaTKIpKfYOJ5gk0nk69F7ZQ0zNHY8iCRSx6jkErdTFjrDmxS8OW_ZV2JBt2vpcmDTZaXYspVy-4xS2uqlE6P3pKfUG78N4kNaqSi2O/s320/071003+Setting+up+at+the+track.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Noah’s schedule included two practice sessions in the morning and two in the afternoon beginning at 9:12am. His first round was fair considering he had been off for a month and his second session was even better. His third one in the afternoon had him demonstrating a blistering pace that warded off even the best challengers.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmy5zky9Lsp1vM2GwDX-_BUthTc_ywM7WNYzqnuHfF4WfHBRVeq6Yv1R0oCavLJxRc8ePngUDcEghyphenhyphenjF74Ru6H5WgBPd2_6JgELXBj3e9PhWlW62BsgED_ci0AHCGKHwDHTUfwbCeiUazj/s1600/071008+Kick+start.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmy5zky9Lsp1vM2GwDX-_BUthTc_ywM7WNYzqnuHfF4WfHBRVeq6Yv1R0oCavLJxRc8ePngUDcEghyphenhyphenjF74Ru6H5WgBPd2_6JgELXBj3e9PhWlW62BsgED_ci0AHCGKHwDHTUfwbCeiUazj/s320/071008+Kick+start.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Photographer filming Noah's work</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqNJ4WD-XNNoLvlfqJqHtOfG6vX7fe3NAHU8ZV0TkigQlvSvS2TI3IvvGP77h-ungAEr8WX6ZRIuENa_Z8ri7W7yOrMqZpqNn_a0jIt8lXWW9ymjS7gQcgzNP-csvszcPBY0tsUX7YX3s/s1600/071007+Photographer+at+work.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqNJ4WD-XNNoLvlfqJqHtOfG6vX7fe3NAHU8ZV0TkigQlvSvS2TI3IvvGP77h-ungAEr8WX6ZRIuENa_Z8ri7W7yOrMqZpqNn_a0jIt8lXWW9ymjS7gQcgzNP-csvszcPBY0tsUX7YX3s/s320/071007+Photographer+at+work.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYQkG4TzQZHDzM6qXM2w8EmVs-a5IC-uJHcjf6A0U0HIdWqSRKbIjgZkm8mffS9MGg-Y7_NRB38Zi64ncJrFbiYDkw6D3vWnr48ZqeMIvTRYf8YjlPI6KDJ5eyckhOWR-vhyssQSsZoDI/s1600/071012+Noah+smoking+out.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYQkG4TzQZHDzM6qXM2w8EmVs-a5IC-uJHcjf6A0U0HIdWqSRKbIjgZkm8mffS9MGg-Y7_NRB38Zi64ncJrFbiYDkw6D3vWnr48ZqeMIvTRYf8YjlPI6KDJ5eyckhOWR-vhyssQSsZoDI/s320/071012+Noah+smoking+out.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">David tried different sprockets to achieve the best combination of low end torque and acceleration. By the 3rd practice session he'd figured it out and Noah's times improved.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_8xXU7SOOcqD2XRRA-Bek9CITaAgjd_B4fIvHPmNoyIDNtVZRW308CXCtkx-rML0IJOocoyEgCcqITBMkOKPnwBg6_CtZKJI3kC3FsMiqLC_i8IaXAfqooQs1D_4Lu32QIE34IbtIABP/s1600/071013+Changing+the+sprocket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_8xXU7SOOcqD2XRRA-Bek9CITaAgjd_B4fIvHPmNoyIDNtVZRW308CXCtkx-rML0IJOocoyEgCcqITBMkOKPnwBg6_CtZKJI3kC3FsMiqLC_i8IaXAfqooQs1D_4Lu32QIE34IbtIABP/s320/071013+Changing+the+sprocket.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Noah won his first championship in his second season last year and this year has moved up a class to the equivalent of National racing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-ds7Bu_DOXW_jggPz8pnsUcUzNhtokKpgRp5dmlvJIz0fbHulvPVOFOIeyI4FpmIBu7cJaCNRgTaGdlEzGS3Nq5w8BF8dpfzbCdXfDlrA4znRSMSnSaF9el5t3_dpVSqX3OcDpMy_q9j/s1600/071002+David+the+coach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-ds7Bu_DOXW_jggPz8pnsUcUzNhtokKpgRp5dmlvJIz0fbHulvPVOFOIeyI4FpmIBu7cJaCNRgTaGdlEzGS3Nq5w8BF8dpfzbCdXfDlrA4znRSMSnSaF9el5t3_dpVSqX3OcDpMy_q9j/s320/071002+David+the+coach.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">David kept fussing around prompting Noah to focus on entry and exit techniques for various corners where critical time can be lost or gained.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8z86gRYLtGSe7x44fq9-X7HucxvwYhTrNFsF4Hd2ictfnK9kMZUgFPSQ70B5xoMHwTD7p7FuhJ7l4d5Exn10bAvfF-t27Q0WONNW0RJSMNxc9h9ekBzdKDXE7uPdkTx9jOF2Pchu97sJu/s1600/071004+Control+Central.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8z86gRYLtGSe7x44fq9-X7HucxvwYhTrNFsF4Hd2ictfnK9kMZUgFPSQ70B5xoMHwTD7p7FuhJ7l4d5Exn10bAvfF-t27Q0WONNW0RJSMNxc9h9ekBzdKDXE7uPdkTx9jOF2Pchu97sJu/s320/071004+Control+Central.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">End of session 3 - Dad's a happy coach</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zHos7SNXc6YdNsS9Zpm2zOgwZnLgX1DMfGzhcDftjthIIGZ2SEs-IiYTbJvMC_1kQm78FcakW0Eng3NsmmuUUG5hhAAnkwNT6ad8iwa5xshCMwaHeR30cRVN-kdoyF6Cclp8Dfe7i8I1/s1600/071009+End+of+practice+session+%231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zHos7SNXc6YdNsS9Zpm2zOgwZnLgX1DMfGzhcDftjthIIGZ2SEs-IiYTbJvMC_1kQm78FcakW0Eng3NsmmuUUG5hhAAnkwNT6ad8iwa5xshCMwaHeR30cRVN-kdoyF6Cclp8Dfe7i8I1/s320/071009+End+of+practice+session+%231.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> In the racing game having a good team coach or instructor is as important as the kart itself and David’s experience as a seasoned driver is exceptional. Noah listens to his dad and like any potential professional displays patience beyond his years. During a break I asked him what he had in mind for the future and without hesitation he said quietly “Formula One.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTeNqDezoHVEfbVwx7WDkKtxtPgv5Ay5ZvRe-mZK_c49Jgp3DArjVX9aMkPGVVSH4dbZYXga6YPuIspN8zSFryDJOJ0ZUhFuXV6ZRWNQrVLI-BKq5CDcvlAk8xHckNH3SvVH43LJWIXD4/s1600/071014+Noah+at+home+later.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTeNqDezoHVEfbVwx7WDkKtxtPgv5Ay5ZvRe-mZK_c49Jgp3DArjVX9aMkPGVVSH4dbZYXga6YPuIspN8zSFryDJOJ0ZUhFuXV6ZRWNQrVLI-BKq5CDcvlAk8xHckNH3SvVH43LJWIXD4/s320/071014+Noah+at+home+later.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">That’s a big goal for anyone but with the right amount of discipline and the prerequisite skills he could well make it. I’m rooting for him because I like him as a person and I believe in him as a driver.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpz6gNgjk_RkuKgYNIkozpKg0CqLVfw9mqbqEY8vvfacwjxpPZmc2WJmohP9kEXCrw8EtyXLp9pzu6n1sCflcsDeJqq2adC9m59QAZq8emGAD0II6msAAol06m8p9r-922yhCvsZAzOTG0/s1600/0710010++Me+posing+with+Noah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpz6gNgjk_RkuKgYNIkozpKg0CqLVfw9mqbqEY8vvfacwjxpPZmc2WJmohP9kEXCrw8EtyXLp9pzu6n1sCflcsDeJqq2adC9m59QAZq8emGAD0II6msAAol06m8p9r-922yhCvsZAzOTG0/s320/0710010++Me+posing+with+Noah.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Tomorrow's going to be here in a heart beat.</div>Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-52054746411755278022010-07-10T16:13:00.000-07:002010-07-10T16:13:41.595-07:00July 09, 2010 – Day 34 Soggy beginnings, Hot & Dry in Kansas City, MOWhen I looked out the window this morning it was still raining hard, same as when I went to bed. The weather people were predicting rain all day if I wanted to stick around so I elected to leave. Before doing so I hit the motel’s buffet breakfast and topped off my cereal tank. One of their offerings was a bit out of the ordinary, hard boiled eggs in the shell. All the other places I’ve stayed at had them peeled so maybe these guys were saving labor dollars. I snagged one to go with my flakes and when I’d finished I went for another only to find the supply dried up. There’d been at least 8 in the serving container after I’d taken mine and only one gal had stopped in after that. She must have been hungry for boiled eggs. Maybe she’d watched Cool Hand Luke on the tube last night?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPn6Qm2KgFH1L7xicNIvvx4EDtQ1ILE3gfHn22w0Gl6hsfhuQRvgqYr4yX2hpNdKddvkbTj_Pt5M3Bf4jX8uGmS8PO4ys7fxUfmwqo2X57MzfvuxRLnjLKltfq3V2p2hfEvy8ZujzyY_r/s1600/070902+Chester+Rainy+morning+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPn6Qm2KgFH1L7xicNIvvx4EDtQ1ILE3gfHn22w0Gl6hsfhuQRvgqYr4yX2hpNdKddvkbTj_Pt5M3Bf4jX8uGmS8PO4ys7fxUfmwqo2X57MzfvuxRLnjLKltfq3V2p2hfEvy8ZujzyY_r/s320/070902+Chester+Rainy+morning+2.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizJe_NINXsdZYyBHcEHFvRdR2A3ts3b-SDEHxjJo2bIM5fNC3g2AusFUB-Xv4m1GbgCtHGhjolSh96w2k6NzXVxZhfjVrwM__KyWJl4sLzoPHZp4lRG9chO64tJruv7qzua3mwIUSVYHc/s1600/070903+Chester+rainy+morning+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizJe_NINXsdZYyBHcEHFvRdR2A3ts3b-SDEHxjJo2bIM5fNC3g2AusFUB-Xv4m1GbgCtHGhjolSh96w2k6NzXVxZhfjVrwM__KyWJl4sLzoPHZp4lRG9chO64tJruv7qzua3mwIUSVYHc/s320/070903+Chester+rainy+morning+3.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Soggy old Geezer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWF_L6Uc1uxQnwLy3m-RArcAsJXes36GEjY_AyW536GOAUE9zGkBU9P7VRZD22QVtQJhjbxVq9_3YtkbGZ4AO6bXdG9PGMpkQr-g9Q_zrwM1ujt1hZBgKEYemxw_KN3ilA-OHtwT8BCjd/s1600/070905+old+wet+geezer+rider.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWF_L6Uc1uxQnwLy3m-RArcAsJXes36GEjY_AyW536GOAUE9zGkBU9P7VRZD22QVtQJhjbxVq9_3YtkbGZ4AO6bXdG9PGMpkQr-g9Q_zrwM1ujt1hZBgKEYemxw_KN3ilA-OHtwT8BCjd/s320/070905+old+wet+geezer+rider.JPG" /></a></div>For a change I put on Big Red as it looked like I’d be in the muck most of the day and it’s more comfortable then the Frogg Toggs. I headed out highway 3 into the soggy countryside for the 314 mile run to Kansas City where David and his son Noah live. The rain began to let up a little after 10 miles or so and when I stopped for a photo of the Bottom Lands historic site it stopped too. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarW6kbTqDjphvfGQVy1Y8HtIU-xb7qdKxKC5c02Rb5zJb1NGvaDyAggDt3MXmD3aUHTRLguzLNemrY3FBKGQlIaa9FndGgRgekQ6_IPTtnmf82lr1IoZmXdDkFTr-InYhQiWld36ODLb7/s1600/070904+American+Bottom+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarW6kbTqDjphvfGQVy1Y8HtIU-xb7qdKxKC5c02Rb5zJb1NGvaDyAggDt3MXmD3aUHTRLguzLNemrY3FBKGQlIaa9FndGgRgekQ6_IPTtnmf82lr1IoZmXdDkFTr-InYhQiWld36ODLb7/s320/070904+American+Bottom+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85kfOFRVG5w61yOsceUy4S3dHgoIhbZBZPQn_Y4JKmn9sV3cPwulro4F-Aw232G8mA2-Y9AvxW0o29OpiPcygl-PUFejZehrbOX8h5Kv8lgyDUQiNh7p6kLRv-HFA06-YgUf8h4TZBreh/s1600/070906+More+dark+skies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85kfOFRVG5w61yOsceUy4S3dHgoIhbZBZPQn_Y4JKmn9sV3cPwulro4F-Aw232G8mA2-Y9AvxW0o29OpiPcygl-PUFejZehrbOX8h5Kv8lgyDUQiNh7p6kLRv-HFA06-YgUf8h4TZBreh/s320/070906+More+dark+skies.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Soggy horses don't seem to mind the rain</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaIU1XUYoEGMEscVxk9RxSiMqXTT9h8inoUYjl-Zxpb1BAW9ExYo4N8R1CnzIVMrcyOuAdblv-4H45eN1DVC_t1tA4Gh5UE2iBC5MBtCthbVs7k5X_EO12dlap94vBZqegvPUyNoo3JKiW/s1600/070907+Wet+horses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaIU1XUYoEGMEscVxk9RxSiMqXTT9h8inoUYjl-Zxpb1BAW9ExYo4N8R1CnzIVMrcyOuAdblv-4H45eN1DVC_t1tA4Gh5UE2iBC5MBtCthbVs7k5X_EO12dlap94vBZqegvPUyNoo3JKiW/s320/070907+Wet+horses.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CGuLv7vGeVvitjzzO-F89unCzktOCGdjCCLwZyxmWE5sdfkaFyE24EZoS0CbQ0_3KXotKu82l33Yoyd6fkxqGjuyuYAcReWYbjeGHGE451jAbQkEquGZ2sZl4WEYzD9rNIeILaLV6M88/s1600/070908+Wet+highway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CGuLv7vGeVvitjzzO-F89unCzktOCGdjCCLwZyxmWE5sdfkaFyE24EZoS0CbQ0_3KXotKu82l33Yoyd6fkxqGjuyuYAcReWYbjeGHGE451jAbQkEquGZ2sZl4WEYzD9rNIeILaLV6M88/s320/070908+Wet+highway.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The town of Red Bud was the last of the rainy spots and I knew I was getting out of the nasty stuff. The horizon still held clouds but they weren’t as black and they were fewer in numbers. Fine I thought, but I’m not going to take my rain gear off; that’s a sure invitation to another monsoon. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEQiR-m7i37enodI3YRso0uI8VC1nogAv7tC9A0Evt7Ew4MGMpjbPGcQv5-SKhhzIq5x8D13pf3KHGiC86AigD-gsD4Ww7Qu80GRyMIyyzETtZZ7LDs71WoY9GZaGi1oIdQfgdcI-eG39/s1600/070909+Red+Bud+water+tower+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEQiR-m7i37enodI3YRso0uI8VC1nogAv7tC9A0Evt7Ew4MGMpjbPGcQv5-SKhhzIq5x8D13pf3KHGiC86AigD-gsD4Ww7Qu80GRyMIyyzETtZZ7LDs71WoY9GZaGi1oIdQfgdcI-eG39/s320/070909+Red+Bud+water+tower+1.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASLdydTXCrUUMaUHXgwSx9mjnibvzEIWAOpb3hd_5ZD2Iog7sK9WNpFg9P9RmTdkSXcwQ-LefLLZ727r9tr2SYHe77Betr6qC4IzuaI5162G_umfUxsDRWRlXRVxYgkb_om9NllJuAc95/s1600/070910+Red+Bud+water+tower+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASLdydTXCrUUMaUHXgwSx9mjnibvzEIWAOpb3hd_5ZD2Iog7sK9WNpFg9P9RmTdkSXcwQ-LefLLZ727r9tr2SYHe77Betr6qC4IzuaI5162G_umfUxsDRWRlXRVxYgkb_om9NllJuAc95/s320/070910+Red+Bud+water+tower+2.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Main drag Red Bud</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhORq_1KYTDKWKL2oPrUaIbHe_APmuyBzvyxomWMXRvtvXvhtXMU76FPdyyIGt8eaaTslDWJ5CaDwRmwYdbBveNp8h_H-REOKWRU2oSpQk_sqx4_dFen06S7B-XZJuQv0BkX2ZWQVgUMbc/s1600/070912+Red+Bud+street+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhORq_1KYTDKWKL2oPrUaIbHe_APmuyBzvyxomWMXRvtvXvhtXMU76FPdyyIGt8eaaTslDWJ5CaDwRmwYdbBveNp8h_H-REOKWRU2oSpQk_sqx4_dFen06S7B-XZJuQv0BkX2ZWQVgUMbc/s320/070912+Red+Bud+street+1.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Turn left, stay on highway 3...I think</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpNoInDwEs0Q9g0baooRNSN902VaiZjL_cYFb5y2PUZTMPnTpVQFsFu61XY8TGlk9zmLWz8EkIUo_BEixfKt5-s6zIwXxFrnNq19H_ntbVoXmFxW_PIYLEdgJ0G2h9aTBqyo4nbTeBQGd/s1600/070912+Turn+Left,+stay+on+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpNoInDwEs0Q9g0baooRNSN902VaiZjL_cYFb5y2PUZTMPnTpVQFsFu61XY8TGlk9zmLWz8EkIUo_BEixfKt5-s6zIwXxFrnNq19H_ntbVoXmFxW_PIYLEdgJ0G2h9aTBqyo4nbTeBQGd/s320/070912+Turn+Left,+stay+on+3.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Shortly after Red Bud and after passing the little town of Waterloo I found myself on Interstate Highway 255, a rather major piece of slab-work heading more or less north. It seemed a bit odd as my memory was trying to tell me I should be heading in a westerly direction. The evening before I’d received an email from David saying to take my time getting to his place so I’d decided to set up a route taking me there on country roads and avoiding freeways. Granted my memory isn’t the greatest so trusting Garmin & Company I followed instructions like a dutiful son. Highway 255 carried me across the Missouri River and onto 270 which circumvented below St. Louis for which I was glad but still wondering how I’d got there. <br />
<br />
Garmin has a nice feature built into their products; whenever you pass one of their turns it then displays how far it is to the next turn and when that indicated 205 miles I knew I’d been had. It was then I remembered I’d set up two routes to David’s; the first being a direct one as chosen by Garmin and after his email a second one taking me south of the freeways through small towns. It was obvious I’d selected the wrong one to follow and I was on the fast track to Kansas City. <br />
<br />
By then I’d grown accustomed to the normal speed of 70 -75 mph and since there was little or no wind Green Girl was flying low. The semi-truck traffic was fairly low and overall it was easy riding so I decided to continue on. Freeways as a rule don’t offer much in the way of photo ops and since I’d decided to ride this one out I settled back, put Green Girl on cruise and relaxed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7OBRoZq0VvQ0Nl6LWt2PI-c0bo2UnJlYDQmMD_EhMrF4-zzNfkTCTalSHjbRKDKUBeKg7gAA4UiC87h3Xnp14dCCYFIR2aVQcEKjvap1LsQj4yZgOghTny5YBluXohFz-Wc1nOLR3JCx/s1600/070913+Arrival+time+at+David%27s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7OBRoZq0VvQ0Nl6LWt2PI-c0bo2UnJlYDQmMD_EhMrF4-zzNfkTCTalSHjbRKDKUBeKg7gAA4UiC87h3Xnp14dCCYFIR2aVQcEKjvap1LsQj4yZgOghTny5YBluXohFz-Wc1nOLR3JCx/s320/070913+Arrival+time+at+David%27s.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I arrived at David’s a few minutes after 5:00pm and for a few minutes I engaged in a bit of confused but interesting entertainment. David had sent me the code to his alarm system in case I arrived and they were gone so when I rang the bell and no one answered I figured that’s what had happened. It was perfectly logical since his car was in the driveway. I checked around back and it was also vacant so I decided to bust in using the code. Nada, not going to happen Dude. I checked and rechecked the code but every time I entered it all I got was a flashing red light.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzmvBPdMlociLp6cucOyuxeQo2SA7NfFCyuOn92dQ0SrPJ-sumJseIm6mS-9N73zzJfOql3USgGXtPKzmB8pD698kEJr8fMLeI1jgxfwE14Ovmy2K37j-_TN-MB-PaQeswTE6ps7Pind5/s1600/070914+GG+arrival+at+David%27s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzmvBPdMlociLp6cucOyuxeQo2SA7NfFCyuOn92dQ0SrPJ-sumJseIm6mS-9N73zzJfOql3USgGXtPKzmB8pD698kEJr8fMLeI1jgxfwE14Ovmy2K37j-_TN-MB-PaQeswTE6ps7Pind5/s320/070914+GG+arrival+at+David%27s.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Next step, since he’s got a WIFI set up in his home I figured why not just sit out on the back deck with my notebook and catch up on the blog. I unpacked it and headed around back and moved a bench under the eve out of the hot sun. While I was doing this something kept nagging me at the back of my brain; his deck looked different than last year, it seemed smaller and none of the furniture was there. Then I noticed the house next door and it looked more like David’s stuff. Cupping my eyes I peered into the window on the deck and none of the furniture looked familiar either.<br />
<br />
“Hmm, I wonder what’s going on.” I thought and I decided to go back out front for another inspection of things. There seemed to be someone home next door so I thought I’d ask if they knew when David and Noah would be home. As I walked past their open garage door I noticed they had a BMW motorcycle just like David’s and guess what? Small world but they also had a racing go-kart just like Noah’s…! I rang the bell and since I was a day early a surprised David answered. We had a good laugh about his car being parked in his neighbor’s driveway and I was grateful I hadn’t set his alarm off messing with the code.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyn3aaJOVjkcU6W4kTlbWkLCN1RLPaKoGCLlyTF3LzTqC7R4mDuki71vUK3XwSWtWCTJmdPmZBLPC8FpFos323A_DjEeRvz7vCzV7UPaMA1mmTnE6TmhblYNpUxLjrlsTWSXgizxF1c1G/s1600/070915+David+shopping+for+dinner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyn3aaJOVjkcU6W4kTlbWkLCN1RLPaKoGCLlyTF3LzTqC7R4mDuki71vUK3XwSWtWCTJmdPmZBLPC8FpFos323A_DjEeRvz7vCzV7UPaMA1mmTnE6TmhblYNpUxLjrlsTWSXgizxF1c1G/s320/070915+David+shopping+for+dinner.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevv6HiU2UHtJXjG022Zr_NiHsPx1nYjBnu6iVzPcNhnsgP8M6J-f6Et-2mAuxOcnJHEbtsXcJ_srHWXUuPQKqtLnXGP3qn6myt11HwjZBxheg-cibl6agkLf3rHSYao9m7aAliSKv-7tm/s1600/070916+Mr+Barbeque.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevv6HiU2UHtJXjG022Zr_NiHsPx1nYjBnu6iVzPcNhnsgP8M6J-f6Et-2mAuxOcnJHEbtsXcJ_srHWXUuPQKqtLnXGP3qn6myt11HwjZBxheg-cibl6agkLf3rHSYao9m7aAliSKv-7tm/s320/070916+Mr+Barbeque.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">For dinner fixings we went to a gourmet store where David bought Copper River Salmon and ingredients for a green salad and fresh strawberries. Being another of my friends skilled as a barbeque chef he cooked it plank-style and served it up hot. We also sampled a particularly nice treat I’d been fortunate to bring from Tennessee; all told it was great! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrl8OLyf6Z8bSrUUzvSVTenhkxaiJWu65C38TFZZVnQPKjqHzmLuf-wt8DvKYqCX2fcuRok6zIXgrsGQIIYGbe7KHpOmWGiwFCWpkxMccqt8kRbc8SYp4w58wHVDSakgzqJdp2gzEVzZ1/s1600/070917+Me+%26+David+sampling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrl8OLyf6Z8bSrUUzvSVTenhkxaiJWu65C38TFZZVnQPKjqHzmLuf-wt8DvKYqCX2fcuRok6zIXgrsGQIIYGbe7KHpOmWGiwFCWpkxMccqt8kRbc8SYp4w58wHVDSakgzqJdp2gzEVzZ1/s320/070917+Me+%26+David+sampling.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Life on the road….Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-52609443736032243602010-07-08T19:41:00.000-07:002010-07-08T19:41:47.142-07:00July 08, 2010 – Day 33 Welcome to IL, how about some lightning?All of us were up early this morning; Linda fixed breakfast while I loaded Green Girl and got ready to leave. I ate so much dinner last night I was still feeling stuffed so I held back and only ate one bowl of cereal and another one of fresh strawberries and blue berries. I’m seriously beginning to wonder if I’ll be able to fit into Big Red when the time comes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1VcQ5wXuZOsxDJHH2Em2fXVox7gzhTAIt46lRGFQ57KC2Ju6awN3BTgt0wsYYZ_TN3qD3eb4V44_S6pfgYyB_bltly5MYtLpGP1IYvWwK-8XkdvIhDB3ly62GWPSVKSF4z7ZintcZ-Hi/s1600/070801+Dick+finally+grins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1VcQ5wXuZOsxDJHH2Em2fXVox7gzhTAIt46lRGFQ57KC2Ju6awN3BTgt0wsYYZ_TN3qD3eb4V44_S6pfgYyB_bltly5MYtLpGP1IYvWwK-8XkdvIhDB3ly62GWPSVKSF4z7ZintcZ-Hi/s320/070801+Dick+finally+grins.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Is he finally gone?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hOu_iv-_DjE2hwu978DTHDfRFynhalY68Mqms0-4ZRbp6ryTYyyV0HYgIMnGaMvYEyXE_q4Q_vWBdn0X8jbzWNqRd8tYqXCdcy6zQcCKyINybNSVNA1ztxEm1gm7S6mO7RcRhEi-_jFq/s1600/070802+Linda+crushes+ice.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hOu_iv-_DjE2hwu978DTHDfRFynhalY68Mqms0-4ZRbp6ryTYyyV0HYgIMnGaMvYEyXE_q4Q_vWBdn0X8jbzWNqRd8tYqXCdcy6zQcCKyINybNSVNA1ztxEm1gm7S6mO7RcRhEi-_jFq/s320/070802+Linda+crushes+ice.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's gone. I put ice in his helmet.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We said our goodbyes and it was time for me to get on the road. I queried Garmin & Company for the nearest fuel stop and headed off to Buffalo, KY. Arriving at the Buffalo EZ Stop I was underwhelmed to find all of the gas nozzles and grade choices duct-taped shut. Perfect. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3w9IgVA22mPMo5qply-mSOacjJkmDe8j6OpMhL2d7sEmg_0sPak9a8O4ZLj-SbneBnVSGFAlyBbVpgc_L-yWNaGn4mT_oYedwqpcSqzJLFy-dk32NlNSML_vD8pLHlkjMZrUFSjnzh9b5/s1600/070804+Buffalo+Hotel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3w9IgVA22mPMo5qply-mSOacjJkmDe8j6OpMhL2d7sEmg_0sPak9a8O4ZLj-SbneBnVSGFAlyBbVpgc_L-yWNaGn4mT_oYedwqpcSqzJLFy-dk32NlNSML_vD8pLHlkjMZrUFSjnzh9b5/s320/070804+Buffalo+Hotel.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Buffalo Hotel</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsiMeJSR7UGUG7Z_i7gAIzviT-qrp7Cm6aSyQmkAR5lVsi5hGGlage3wmXzxtEyuQ8FDT-y24avrPoOUFxF_Jj44mBOG0-JeDroxbNjcbLHC1ApsdCVaZl-wITchAUm-KR7UcD4RACsMV/s1600/070805+Buffalo+traffic+jam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsiMeJSR7UGUG7Z_i7gAIzviT-qrp7Cm6aSyQmkAR5lVsi5hGGlage3wmXzxtEyuQ8FDT-y24avrPoOUFxF_Jj44mBOG0-JeDroxbNjcbLHC1ApsdCVaZl-wITchAUm-KR7UcD4RACsMV/s320/070805+Buffalo+traffic+jam.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Buffalo traffic jam</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVk8YhxSKkzMWN468TCYnSSsiPnkbvxF7_yoeQMrm_PzWxRIMkHDeCtqLCgrMRriybf6a5pAmcR0Qb52964PyFoPVR7bf-oZatcFd11b_44KZKotUaBMxv7JKKsLR4klZe09pEjyw7LqGR/s1600/070803+Buffalo+Post+Office.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVk8YhxSKkzMWN468TCYnSSsiPnkbvxF7_yoeQMrm_PzWxRIMkHDeCtqLCgrMRriybf6a5pAmcR0Qb52964PyFoPVR7bf-oZatcFd11b_44KZKotUaBMxv7JKKsLR4klZe09pEjyw7LqGR/s320/070803+Buffalo+Post+Office.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Buffalo Post Office - just so you'll know it's a real place</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">At least I got to visit another small rural town which I like to do so I shot some pics of the local attractions and got back on track. I had two days to make it to David & Noah’s place in Kansas City, MO so I’d need to ride around 275 miles per day. Today I’d ride the slabs for awhile and make good time, then if I got ahead of the game a bit I’d bail off and ride more back roads.</div><br />
The plan worked for awhile at least and when I was ready for a break I took my maps and GPS into McWotsitsface’s for a bit of strategy planning and a low-cal mocha. My route was taking me west on several hi-speed freeways which eventually led me to Owensboro. At that point I’d had enough entertainment playing with semi-trucks and dialed things back to a more leisurely pace.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>As I was riding along in a westerly direction with the sun high overhead I found myself squinting due to the intense reflection off Green Girl’s chrome surfaces; particularly the large surround containing the speedometer cluster. For awhile I tried riding with my left hand covering the worst area and that helped but it was awkward and soon became tiring. I tried to think of a way to cover it without damaging the surfaces and came up with the idea of using that blue painter’s masking tape. <br />
<br />
As soon as I arrived in Corydon, the next town I tried the Dollar General to see if they carried it. Sure enough they did and after covering most of the offending areas I was once again rolling; this time without the squint. The tape was a cheap fix and would be easy to remove when it was time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54MbQx-rFgHGHMrOg-zadyggONbhksLGA-rEs7KgfUN6lQcdz9jUVm7w2wAtXReJsiz7OJrdg7nbEX4B-WQkjQJYJKcI3ayZH6asH2Qdhb9ECx-jQo6vDVx9Yocpu48QjUQiYo1j0TKt_/s1600/070808+Corydon+City+Offices.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54MbQx-rFgHGHMrOg-zadyggONbhksLGA-rEs7KgfUN6lQcdz9jUVm7w2wAtXReJsiz7OJrdg7nbEX4B-WQkjQJYJKcI3ayZH6asH2Qdhb9ECx-jQo6vDVx9Yocpu48QjUQiYo1j0TKt_/s320/070808+Corydon+City+Offices.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Corydon Traffic Jam</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjod-aT97ETNS4zEpdsB1fzf50x9ZDXKb_5asM61L0ojCYM9kBA-WX3UW2a7c4tId5uFkFe2SbalZj-N6S59YRNAlTH2ck1gx5cja6LMHp54gG88JGOZcT2lfY6iov-FlSojsCZMPV_HKLb/s1600/070810+Corydon+traffic+jam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjod-aT97ETNS4zEpdsB1fzf50x9ZDXKb_5asM61L0ojCYM9kBA-WX3UW2a7c4tId5uFkFe2SbalZj-N6S59YRNAlTH2ck1gx5cja6LMHp54gG88JGOZcT2lfY6iov-FlSojsCZMPV_HKLb/s320/070810+Corydon+traffic+jam.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These people carry nearly everything</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOS04I-srFgVVJW1JE8pOLrRsU7yVKCpKHNz801dpfrsyefoMTblUKEp13IubwFSLk1qTAdb08P4lbGYUUPGRRY0TXvY7MG7OK81hJCtfgX6k31cxirOXsiOi6cneD0SrQKYVaNXhPZK1o/s1600/070807+Dollar+General+sells+blue+tape.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOS04I-srFgVVJW1JE8pOLrRsU7yVKCpKHNz801dpfrsyefoMTblUKEp13IubwFSLk1qTAdb08P4lbGYUUPGRRY0TXvY7MG7OK81hJCtfgX6k31cxirOXsiOi6cneD0SrQKYVaNXhPZK1o/s320/070807+Dollar+General+sells+blue+tape.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Green Girl gets dulled up</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4K70KWfQ7FCHGTBWUUG_wkInr5cWmhqY2Mor2MWLYhsfgwRmTH8d1MLGz0YQQZKGk8HG7qZzjS7bN1vmvVhkAQtSIo1FUg-5opEXNcGOo4vhVEB08Optu_xtns8C1B78Mx1-lIVgTAQa/s1600/070806+GG+gets+new+colors.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4K70KWfQ7FCHGTBWUUG_wkInr5cWmhqY2Mor2MWLYhsfgwRmTH8d1MLGz0YQQZKGk8HG7qZzjS7bN1vmvVhkAQtSIo1FUg-5opEXNcGOo4vhVEB08Optu_xtns8C1B78Mx1-lIVgTAQa/s320/070806+GG+gets+new+colors.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCj52ioPuZ74hP9KUEWxIVz84CcLb_nbpAlgvF3ypeo-0zeYiRDX9M77qMImdb8g_-5fmWlqkvMdG1BsGLHnNzp_B4QqHJljzezBbRcAMnZwYBPa9EVXTnyxdT1k3_EEfqyoDeDPkeLEs/s1600/070811+Bridge+over+Ohio+river.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCj52ioPuZ74hP9KUEWxIVz84CcLb_nbpAlgvF3ypeo-0zeYiRDX9M77qMImdb8g_-5fmWlqkvMdG1BsGLHnNzp_B4QqHJljzezBbRcAMnZwYBPa9EVXTnyxdT1k3_EEfqyoDeDPkeLEs/s320/070811+Bridge+over+Ohio+river.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifzdUkenSQRLnGWzIPAFfWr5QyWp7mllDE9m_JKzw5MBe4dybfgSE6gKuIYGn8WAtZ1SrprtjWBTn2I5PMM4NkiYchuyR4D3e_ei1z7CDlv4Yp7JblMaGy2MSGzj8cpU-PPVVZn0nYE4S/s1600/070812+Bridge+looking+closer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifzdUkenSQRLnGWzIPAFfWr5QyWp7mllDE9m_JKzw5MBe4dybfgSE6gKuIYGn8WAtZ1SrprtjWBTn2I5PMM4NkiYchuyR4D3e_ei1z7CDlv4Yp7JblMaGy2MSGzj8cpU-PPVVZn0nYE4S/s320/070812+Bridge+looking+closer.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDULuUGB-xcIqAN3MPFgKmEy60T-Z7_RMG1EZY9VtIHKUJ8wu2jDf1x-0TpAMM25V5H1so85oLkiOF2Qa7BYhKGWCYFBVG1NCeGrqqVYy_iT_eC31Ib5VRK8iiAMnz8GBadryTJ9MxL22/s1600/070813+Bad+News+Coming.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDULuUGB-xcIqAN3MPFgKmEy60T-Z7_RMG1EZY9VtIHKUJ8wu2jDf1x-0TpAMM25V5H1so85oLkiOF2Qa7BYhKGWCYFBVG1NCeGrqqVYy_iT_eC31Ib5VRK8iiAMnz8GBadryTJ9MxL22/s320/070813+Bad+News+Coming.JPG" /></a></div>As I continued into the afternoon I noticed the sky was developing a rather unfriendly look to it and when I approached the bridge over the Ohio River leading into Illinois things were looking grim. I paused to record it as I had a feeling I’d soon be getting wet. My guess was solid; as soon as I hit the bridge ramp I felt the first splat. This was not going to be lightweight stuff; this was the real deal. <br />
<br />
As soon as I rolled down the other side I noted a friendly welcome to Illinois sign but it was raining so hard by then I couldn’t stop for a photo; instead I kept going and took the first exit to Old Shawnee Town. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjmKx0pbPBozXrKRIQlFdOKMAVGFK5ksm8DUBJnFvFLsnVjem72UL9P7HcpyHP44Ur5ARWvsr9p4I0yHSYau5YsEvXgzbIVdMaMs8nFiNdUQfu5RqBKRzTlXzHv1YKCwoNanDqIbFIfA8/s1600/070814+Welcome+to+Old+Shawneetown,+IL.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjmKx0pbPBozXrKRIQlFdOKMAVGFK5ksm8DUBJnFvFLsnVjem72UL9P7HcpyHP44Ur5ARWvsr9p4I0yHSYau5YsEvXgzbIVdMaMs8nFiNdUQfu5RqBKRzTlXzHv1YKCwoNanDqIbFIfA8/s320/070814+Welcome+to+Old+Shawneetown,+IL.JPG" /></a></div><br />
There I found a deserted park complete with picnic shelter just the right size for Green Girl and me to hide under for awhile. I dug out the Frogg Toggs and put on the jacket figuring it would be enough. In a few minutes the downpour stopped so I rode around the village and looked things over. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Wna7jOI1kGciw7IH7fnNEPf-uJY-0sAp3Iivl4SEFco5zuqM2hRqXFKmKRz1roH7DxLA_AUjAKcIt2cBvn38hYubwZ__ppDEEnz9z4MX-YqK9qT_JTo_07jYb_EwrkqZp1UJCCqQ1r3P/s1600/070815+GG+ducks+for+cover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Wna7jOI1kGciw7IH7fnNEPf-uJY-0sAp3Iivl4SEFco5zuqM2hRqXFKmKRz1roH7DxLA_AUjAKcIt2cBvn38hYubwZ__ppDEEnz9z4MX-YqK9qT_JTo_07jYb_EwrkqZp1UJCCqQ1r3P/s320/070815+GG+ducks+for+cover.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjIXs045FxaBIFzsshKxNQC0HfauCTA1y4iArb5YXYuu2zKiZF_yuFitqiML3VTLLOC1KfW3HsNj-hWACu2jq-uwYoqG7xN_qkjw40P3v9DhrLRk9FkNmNl0wYJgQhp5P0YHEyrokW88q/s1600/070816+Bad+news+in+Old+Shawnee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjIXs045FxaBIFzsshKxNQC0HfauCTA1y4iArb5YXYuu2zKiZF_yuFitqiML3VTLLOC1KfW3HsNj-hWACu2jq-uwYoqG7xN_qkjw40P3v9DhrLRk9FkNmNl0wYJgQhp5P0YHEyrokW88q/s320/070816+Bad+news+in+Old+Shawnee.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>In the process I discovered what looked like a monster-sized hunting rig made from a converted military vehicle. I guess if you wanted to slog around in soft mushy ground it would probably suffice; I can’t imagine what else it would be good for. I wonder what the fuel consumption would be for it. Five mpg perhaps? Two? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1A9ExnaP5nZO1H95UEJIBtP-hzPO74ZLS6w-_pDsnv8UOrfO1B-VCZ683o-M0RixzU8Y3o4WKcY6B3BiGlyVnWimn3YwgOxGr5XiffTl_xJgtUOowgWZtlvGq9-JjUSQX7Yq1AUYYIdv/s1600/070818+GG+poses+with+MegaMonster.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1A9ExnaP5nZO1H95UEJIBtP-hzPO74ZLS6w-_pDsnv8UOrfO1B-VCZ683o-M0RixzU8Y3o4WKcY6B3BiGlyVnWimn3YwgOxGr5XiffTl_xJgtUOowgWZtlvGq9-JjUSQX7Yq1AUYYIdv/s320/070818+GG+poses+with+MegaMonster.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdql5L95g2oiRa6_TFLMuYzM4ZCXGxXklzYpiBqE1BQdtwdSG3iy93T56Tj7bwAlg0qLxk9WIkMzzKCQD9TsHWvfXykUmVZpIVE8YTYz43rNluV_fQqSyLucb-Q6p26VKBeNT_QnLNGci8/s1600/070817+Shawnee+toy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdql5L95g2oiRa6_TFLMuYzM4ZCXGxXklzYpiBqE1BQdtwdSG3iy93T56Tj7bwAlg0qLxk9WIkMzzKCQD9TsHWvfXykUmVZpIVE8YTYz43rNluV_fQqSyLucb-Q6p26VKBeNT_QnLNGci8/s320/070817+Shawnee+toy.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We left Old Shawnee Town and soon found our way back onto Illinois 13 West and the rain had stopped. The heat in that damn Frogg Toggs jacket once again began to build so I stopped and shucked it off. I must have looked like I was having problems because another biker pulled up to see if everything was alright. I thanked him for stopping and in a couple of minutes was on my way again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoXh_BW_kD0terrZgFxNB-fV9mj8NPpLpYTOUT__9JB9Z9LFzpoEQdZq-8OfPaH1q40g_gULke4tgK41hNwPrs7tQSPpaXirKB-g8iRc2pPwaR9UJVcN7ZA3v3GvzjWEshkAsR_sUaHYQ/s1600/070819+Back+on+Il+13+West.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoXh_BW_kD0terrZgFxNB-fV9mj8NPpLpYTOUT__9JB9Z9LFzpoEQdZq-8OfPaH1q40g_gULke4tgK41hNwPrs7tQSPpaXirKB-g8iRc2pPwaR9UJVcN7ZA3v3GvzjWEshkAsR_sUaHYQ/s320/070819+Back+on+Il+13+West.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>This part of my route west followed the Ohio Scenic Byway through Illinois. It seemed odd as a name for a highway in Illinois but who knows what the people were thinking when they named it? Maybe they got a good deal on the signs?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6uYYBLrs8wC4ERNalXvof95Ip0yBBUuJRP3HlMdK9F1pWvEQnt21Uar52PiFYUjS6m1PA9hddLh7wA7TTndpUQX4GhFObfJCk_L9kIPlpUCDEMuIpDOy2BSKe1i1QA07QoafTd4yCR0x/s1600/070820+Ohio+River+Scenic+Route.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6uYYBLrs8wC4ERNalXvof95Ip0yBBUuJRP3HlMdK9F1pWvEQnt21Uar52PiFYUjS6m1PA9hddLh7wA7TTndpUQX4GhFObfJCk_L9kIPlpUCDEMuIpDOy2BSKe1i1QA07QoafTd4yCR0x/s320/070820+Ohio+River+Scenic+Route.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72JIfww_SQlhx8gqra1flELICktcnlOncn6PIltHISsk8kSohau3zJaheyUY0HP89JHnC0DUWUZot-GZHLZMUDuzlnleytVs3nUGPDItcKrcdzNXh757yNN1PMV3TkjaiamHc84f_-P4O/s1600/070821+Ohio+Scenic+Byway+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72JIfww_SQlhx8gqra1flELICktcnlOncn6PIltHISsk8kSohau3zJaheyUY0HP89JHnC0DUWUZot-GZHLZMUDuzlnleytVs3nUGPDItcKrcdzNXh757yNN1PMV3TkjaiamHc84f_-P4O/s320/070821+Ohio+Scenic+Byway+sign.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This Illinois corn doesn't look like it's doing very well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9jXALm6-IGI3EjI98o0PWsrcGp4bqGUdjPukUygjmnQ0mi-l508SmKK6BIwYbvQaWoqNXTNanE7n6Ews1c-7OcgCPtW6G4d3M4Wb2TkvsUPv9nT-S6n1TDEK81ua45aZKN8ozrAApNzt/s1600/070822+Il+corn+is+wimpy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9jXALm6-IGI3EjI98o0PWsrcGp4bqGUdjPukUygjmnQ0mi-l508SmKK6BIwYbvQaWoqNXTNanE7n6Ews1c-7OcgCPtW6G4d3M4Wb2TkvsUPv9nT-S6n1TDEK81ua45aZKN8ozrAApNzt/s320/070822+Il+corn+is+wimpy.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Around 3:00pm I again noticed the sky was looking black in the direction I was headed and sure enough, the rain began again, this time in earnest. I held off putting on the rain gear as I hate stopping for that only to have to reverse the whole process 10 minutes later. Of course this was the time I should have done it as the skies opened up and really dumped on me. Then the lightning started and it was really some serious stuff. Bolts were firing all over the place and one hit so close to my right side the thunder was deafening. I spotted a driveway I could pull off the road in and stopped to put on my rain jacket. I didn’t bother with the pants as my jeans were already soaked. I also swapped helmets as the Schuberth has a Pinlock system that prevents the visor from steaming up from your breath.<br />
<br />
The rain continued as hard as anything I’d seen and I had to partially stand to see over the windshield in order to see what was ahead. At least the traffic was light and I was making good time. The next town on my route was Chester and it was less than 20 miles ahead so I hoped it would be big enough to have a motel or two. By the time I arrived the rain had stopped and I was happy to locate the Best Western.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALG5bXEpbWw5RsKfU-eCdVQU6ghK3ZfJ1cEtEbIdcw1LiRN838lmBkwEIRRO4A2wLuhtM0KGT0QrTlnvqt1g11vgnPWbLXi3K4bMXohWhgakbpKA5IDZwdtZ0zvGARuLzLWAH_2ji05jm/s1600/070823+Chester,+IL+home+of+Popeye.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALG5bXEpbWw5RsKfU-eCdVQU6ghK3ZfJ1cEtEbIdcw1LiRN838lmBkwEIRRO4A2wLuhtM0KGT0QrTlnvqt1g11vgnPWbLXi3K4bMXohWhgakbpKA5IDZwdtZ0zvGARuLzLWAH_2ji05jm/s320/070823+Chester,+IL+home+of+Popeye.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHC_GJwAySwhJ6JGYGbeKu7k4fSD-Eszk_tVsMmzNc59X3Pq4J3ORGGEPKqWjc8QO7xVN-jT8ID0PGwYh_eao8GQ8I_MZ94CLEukodUd1FltutSi5A-42IPWEBdHM0t08j4pWESamqUeR8/s1600/070824+Chester+Best+Western.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHC_GJwAySwhJ6JGYGbeKu7k4fSD-Eszk_tVsMmzNc59X3Pq4J3ORGGEPKqWjc8QO7xVN-jT8ID0PGwYh_eao8GQ8I_MZ94CLEukodUd1FltutSi5A-42IPWEBdHM0t08j4pWESamqUeR8/s320/070824+Chester+Best+Western.JPG" /></a></div><br />
After checking in and changing into dry clothes it was time for dinner and since the motel people had given me a ticket for a discount I rode to Reid’s Harvest House to try their smorgasbord. Hey why not, I believe in variety and smorgasbords offer a variety of food, right? While I was there several of the staff were clustered in front of the TV watching the weather report. Apparently there had been a report of a tornado touching down close by and the warning sirens had gone off. Perfect, just what I wanted to hear, first a lightning storm is banging all around me and now a freaking tornado alert. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsI9RvdNIBUZ3VQzguJOAQGaAsySG6RpTWV0Redcj5nhN4NfrrtIt39tF44F81GJwSRj3RMtl0CYdGwFA4sQXJhuG0Ww5JrvFc57HO8aTDbLU14ctCg2mfRXmDrl8X5OjgniJRQ4PjfO2/s1600/070825+Reid%27s+Harvest+House.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsI9RvdNIBUZ3VQzguJOAQGaAsySG6RpTWV0Redcj5nhN4NfrrtIt39tF44F81GJwSRj3RMtl0CYdGwFA4sQXJhuG0Ww5JrvFc57HO8aTDbLU14ctCg2mfRXmDrl8X5OjgniJRQ4PjfO2/s320/070825+Reid%27s+Harvest+House.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcBI_qRdIZ_HRVP18yhFFCYIoRlmrOxQb0v6lZMistnbaEtYqlY4Ys_OgKlxCs9f1yZ9sdhX882-DD7AU8jEVvZkXoPqVtRVfVW-1RLoY2ZI2TPWlSmFz9uPiPUA2eth9eIgfIvzErCbp/s1600/070826+Smorgasbord+spuds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcBI_qRdIZ_HRVP18yhFFCYIoRlmrOxQb0v6lZMistnbaEtYqlY4Ys_OgKlxCs9f1yZ9sdhX882-DD7AU8jEVvZkXoPqVtRVfVW-1RLoY2ZI2TPWlSmFz9uPiPUA2eth9eIgfIvzErCbp/s320/070826+Smorgasbord+spuds.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4duYJDnzAHbe2R6CIYJGuEq_2fzRSXJFWGnxplyV-Q-gb8T88j60BqEdfX6jcikdIo94Rc90FJ2l8mmLvRw7EpRzXwzbErHJsB68yuHW3TBdt6qsnIuPw1DWWY-LwFTN7sVKupK5V18b/s1600/0070827+Smorgasbord+dead+plants.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4duYJDnzAHbe2R6CIYJGuEq_2fzRSXJFWGnxplyV-Q-gb8T88j60BqEdfX6jcikdIo94Rc90FJ2l8mmLvRw7EpRzXwzbErHJsB68yuHW3TBdt6qsnIuPw1DWWY-LwFTN7sVKupK5V18b/s320/0070827+Smorgasbord+dead+plants.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jG2r5W5y_lVm3ImJoTEuP6mj1ONdXCPnQZbhPpaUqemsQaGe9-mFfQcpshfHOlxoAq6KpUi_SjDRtmqOyNZj8_iLJzT8hqbO2CWHPxht78_YLdnS4grqxpnxiXZvLz3cF54XsFROR-qF/s1600/070828+My+Healthy+Dinner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jG2r5W5y_lVm3ImJoTEuP6mj1ONdXCPnQZbhPpaUqemsQaGe9-mFfQcpshfHOlxoAq6KpUi_SjDRtmqOyNZj8_iLJzT8hqbO2CWHPxht78_YLdnS4grqxpnxiXZvLz3cF54XsFROR-qF/s320/070828+My+Healthy+Dinner.JPG" /></a></div> <br />
I gobbled up plenty of food just in case there was some sort of emergency and waddled out to Green Girl for the ride back to the motel. Once there I picked up some quarters from the front desk and plugged them into the coin-op dryer and dried all my wet gear. <br />
<br />
There seems to be an inordinate amount of short people aka children running loose in the motel tonight. I like kids. Sort of.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKkdRVZBQuqYiHWZK4P-mT_0nC6yDp9VoggcKIIBNyzPtX87dVL8IMdRR-WTUWBOMozkWJxR3FDAcAvMBWMvKCWOLCVTM1iPE-7p0kPKsTG2Ws65xVBaDJhA0a1BPV_fo8AtmSvuLRqpO/s1600/070822+Wet+Me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKkdRVZBQuqYiHWZK4P-mT_0nC6yDp9VoggcKIIBNyzPtX87dVL8IMdRR-WTUWBOMozkWJxR3FDAcAvMBWMvKCWOLCVTM1iPE-7p0kPKsTG2Ws65xVBaDJhA0a1BPV_fo8AtmSvuLRqpO/s320/070822+Wet+Me.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Get outta my way kid...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Tomorrow I’ll head to Kansas City where I’ll stay with David and Noah. David sent me an email earlier asking for Green Girl’s tire sizes so he can try to run down a set for me. Isn’t that a nice gesture? I hope he can locate some as her rear tire is pretty bald and the front one is getting there.<br />
<br />
Life on the road….Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-17269801040888231952010-07-08T16:55:00.000-07:002010-07-08T16:55:58.646-07:00July 07, 2010 – Day 32 Tennessee Back Roads to KentuckyToday I had all the time in the world to reach Dick & Linda’s country home near Campbellsville, Kentucky as it was just over a hundred miles away. If it had been a bit cooler yesterday I might have ridden all the way in but since I have no schedule I figured I might as well wait another day.<br />
<br />
<br />
The Cookeville Comfort Inn Suites laid out a decent breakfast, sausage, eggs, cereal, bagels, yogurt, the works. Of course I ate sensibly and passed on the bagels as I’m now watching my calories. I loaded up Green Girl and after refueling I was on the road fairly early. My route took me north on 111 and Old TN 52 past lots of small roads and settlements with interesting names like Poor House Road and Neely Crossroads and Joe Stone Road. <br />
<br />
My first stop of the day was to look over a business called Practical Combat - The Blade Store. Judging from what they were advertising I’d guess the local militants are their clientele. Less than a mile before I reached them I noticed a house flying the Confederate higher than the USA flag. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc8gldDTDBnke3rERfe83Y_7ODESWz3I5JBFq-c3Dn0oQuvh2RYbftckOSmL962ZRb-mceu5TTDgH9ARY656YgIag9JEMAV_JNLaQ7qd-fwBayolWkzeOyBemobWxTUqHeR-Wq8lQSSoA/s1600/070701+Combat+Store+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc8gldDTDBnke3rERfe83Y_7ODESWz3I5JBFq-c3Dn0oQuvh2RYbftckOSmL962ZRb-mceu5TTDgH9ARY656YgIag9JEMAV_JNLaQ7qd-fwBayolWkzeOyBemobWxTUqHeR-Wq8lQSSoA/s320/070701+Combat+Store+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpDSt8MolkByzFR4zD_NbwCEAFAXfnkLUtr7iTUDamkP-lMM5Vfvud0G2-hWi6_ZPMr9dBqXPTrVi1XpCOl1LJJXZVJShH3kOsUlD7oLz-Xg2v2ZgyV1SAbX_o3AqXscLvVibyMkNLegx/s1600/070702+Combat+Store.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpDSt8MolkByzFR4zD_NbwCEAFAXfnkLUtr7iTUDamkP-lMM5Vfvud0G2-hWi6_ZPMr9dBqXPTrVi1XpCOl1LJJXZVJShH3kOsUlD7oLz-Xg2v2ZgyV1SAbX_o3AqXscLvVibyMkNLegx/s320/070702+Combat+Store.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The Practical Combat people had a large assortment of flags for sale and their range of offerings seemed a bit incongruous. I suppose it’s something one has to be around to understand their message…<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRb3s01tnscoRfefo_m-AAQFgksk2ok_aQJBbzIY9cmGqlJrRzepqijM2J_56xiD6vT1h17Y29ggMtvFDaxFQo_fKTvNK6XgeqgRzN1MXHR1KWDMvt4KtCtPBjE2gbtVoSn3RHmo-6Rgab/s1600/070703+Flags+mixed+messages.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRb3s01tnscoRfefo_m-AAQFgksk2ok_aQJBbzIY9cmGqlJrRzepqijM2J_56xiD6vT1h17Y29ggMtvFDaxFQo_fKTvNK6XgeqgRzN1MXHR1KWDMvt4KtCtPBjE2gbtVoSn3RHmo-6Rgab/s320/070703+Flags+mixed+messages.JPG" /></a></div><br />
My next stop was to see the small historic village of Gainesboro, the last town in Tennessee I would visit. It was a spur of the moment stop and fun to ride through and look at some of the old buildings. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAPvby3BkS0vqmNlpWlm9wAVdpHpY8XtDgs1b-XOGd7K3vZNQEUovwX_QnyIc_8kzxHiQT4wRT6owGq8QmMH4k8ZrZImv0Za4YLIQxeQwWeI6M-MMNmdlGFlZC4Ta98LYkBBBERTI-fgv/s1600/070705+Gainsboro+Flag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAPvby3BkS0vqmNlpWlm9wAVdpHpY8XtDgs1b-XOGd7K3vZNQEUovwX_QnyIc_8kzxHiQT4wRT6owGq8QmMH4k8ZrZImv0Za4YLIQxeQwWeI6M-MMNmdlGFlZC4Ta98LYkBBBERTI-fgv/s320/070705+Gainsboro+Flag.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvnW6_IGPCEbRXyMxYbZ_FD9ftZux8GkmEgAafGZ0dKdMlq-AKjVVJrXX0-qc0-jbvthxhfl31kmH_tQ-Df_BigAcEK46vk-j1QLy214QReNHoN2QyvrQ40QIy3hR8npc4wsEkFlfYT9k/s1600/070704+Jackson+County+Sentinel+Bldg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvnW6_IGPCEbRXyMxYbZ_FD9ftZux8GkmEgAafGZ0dKdMlq-AKjVVJrXX0-qc0-jbvthxhfl31kmH_tQ-Df_BigAcEK46vk-j1QLy214QReNHoN2QyvrQ40QIy3hR8npc4wsEkFlfYT9k/s320/070704+Jackson+County+Sentinel+Bldg.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_6s8L1x7bFX6u0q2tj84QXlBg3AfBhJ56bcA-fjcrDCSdJs2bO9c4BbJSg4fZhU4pvSsw73i2lNfKoxO4VSiCEIFdm_RmskViM0sUDVtXSd1fOeAYncW2Pr6F-1hWWNHCYaVcVACp8yx/s1600/070706+Gainsboro+Street.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_6s8L1x7bFX6u0q2tj84QXlBg3AfBhJ56bcA-fjcrDCSdJs2bO9c4BbJSg4fZhU4pvSsw73i2lNfKoxO4VSiCEIFdm_RmskViM0sUDVtXSd1fOeAYncW2Pr6F-1hWWNHCYaVcVACp8yx/s320/070706+Gainsboro+Street.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx27rrObJ5EhH3kG4h7QQNfEdFMah7fAsKLhJIkCsYc9Enfux3Op8E8Rs6wjMSoINFZdIiCuqXPxYVD6XFZfwn1LZWkGreOwDWjVBRtcbCTDLjZYO6VWOAnNKKURAHYnMn3BmxLYALlUaF/s1600/070710+Gainsboro+Court+house.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx27rrObJ5EhH3kG4h7QQNfEdFMah7fAsKLhJIkCsYc9Enfux3Op8E8Rs6wjMSoINFZdIiCuqXPxYVD6XFZfwn1LZWkGreOwDWjVBRtcbCTDLjZYO6VWOAnNKKURAHYnMn3BmxLYALlUaF/s320/070710+Gainsboro+Court+house.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The warm sunshine cast a sparkle on everything and the few people who were out always waved or greeted me as I walked along. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMAdY2FFvkZ9nCxq3IED_Dgw07wS2Uje8MLcQgoTWIlXUAicCikfhaaEihrtK8hEtBImRDaFj71-YDXvthEzHhdK6ZmFV8rB-GuvfbVa5TZi2yiQyhrB3a9I7E4rcgBxlXzUkFNNLbUup/s1600/070709+Flower+Maintenance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMAdY2FFvkZ9nCxq3IED_Dgw07wS2Uje8MLcQgoTWIlXUAicCikfhaaEihrtK8hEtBImRDaFj71-YDXvthEzHhdK6ZmFV8rB-GuvfbVa5TZi2yiQyhrB3a9I7E4rcgBxlXzUkFNNLbUup/s320/070709+Flower+Maintenance.JPG" /></a></div>The local barber shop advertised Dixie Cuts which I think refer to a style not seen on the west coast. I’ve noticed a few young guys wearing an odd looking combination of short cut hair on top and a small tail left on the back so maybe that’s it. I could do the tail on the back but probably not the top part of the deal so I didn’t go in.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9VGAKQ731Tk-50AQ4toQWOSHBJgPCwcUyHfpECGl0gHC3tQbcxf_vPtUv-LdcQjC3kSd-AXSm0yFrjgrafeBnUWAwccnn_wOVxnJZvli82XD2ut4pgXSUurp8BwmXnovM_9dkvyZOxXr/s1600/070707+Dixie+Cut+Sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9VGAKQ731Tk-50AQ4toQWOSHBJgPCwcUyHfpECGl0gHC3tQbcxf_vPtUv-LdcQjC3kSd-AXSm0yFrjgrafeBnUWAwccnn_wOVxnJZvli82XD2ut4pgXSUurp8BwmXnovM_9dkvyZOxXr/s320/070707+Dixie+Cut+Sign.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The sign on the city park telling people not to bring their guns in gave me a chuckle. I wondered if they were referring to all guns including legal concealed weapons or just the visible ones. Like the Dixie Cut thing, this was another item I’d not test the waters with.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucYLEw6SSuDAj1bjj9GmlRlD7sV7JCE4z5OmCtPdeSXkAzZ6qu0h9oIR1eKLVxiCRoDO2q4xs55X6-GQVVAwYmfrcqi95G0jJV02UMSFOzXvoSJuQ0-FkHFg30dUjAkVO0J0x-Gd-GT8-/s1600/070708+Gainsboro+City+Park+NO+GUNS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucYLEw6SSuDAj1bjj9GmlRlD7sV7JCE4z5OmCtPdeSXkAzZ6qu0h9oIR1eKLVxiCRoDO2q4xs55X6-GQVVAwYmfrcqi95G0jJV02UMSFOzXvoSJuQ0-FkHFg30dUjAkVO0J0x-Gd-GT8-/s320/070708+Gainsboro+City+Park+NO+GUNS.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Just north of town there was an interesting old bridge located over Sugar Creek so I paused to look and take a few shots. I always wonder about old bridges and wish they could talk, I’d bet they’d have plenty to say. This one was sporting a healthy crop of tall grasses and looked like it had been abandoned for a long time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqb_t3L-932tBhbx9UXHRvrS5Hl-7gAURdmlre-dJdJ1H5Jd6ALmeU8Kdzobg9FYSWdnZJLNK0Sj-xKM6UDdLhjNWYBMgddx773bOFY1pvtgrQxlmR9PPTRu5VE_0GELQeKDv9HdrAHgjD/s1600/070711+Sugar+Creek+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqb_t3L-932tBhbx9UXHRvrS5Hl-7gAURdmlre-dJdJ1H5Jd6ALmeU8Kdzobg9FYSWdnZJLNK0Sj-xKM6UDdLhjNWYBMgddx773bOFY1pvtgrQxlmR9PPTRu5VE_0GELQeKDv9HdrAHgjD/s320/070711+Sugar+Creek+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcYslWbwq6FfgKVySKMHKXUvquBwY2LWRrxRfXUbZdWkiZHs_j0dZj3Gf9RPIwAidzw1RaFymapDV3zHOjwxU01Nb0IZgS9AW_2PGWe71sJcF11SpljZ16z16_3jrglH-zD-17XwIf-je/s1600/070712+Old+Sugar+Creek+Bridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcYslWbwq6FfgKVySKMHKXUvquBwY2LWRrxRfXUbZdWkiZHs_j0dZj3Gf9RPIwAidzw1RaFymapDV3zHOjwxU01Nb0IZgS9AW_2PGWe71sJcF11SpljZ16z16_3jrglH-zD-17XwIf-je/s320/070712+Old+Sugar+Creek+Bridge.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Just below it carp burbled and floated lazily by, apparently not in much of a hurry to do anything while above them on a wire a flock of crows squabbled and squawked at them. It looked like today was an easy one for all the creatures around Sugar Creek.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_savsBUHAPzSmqBNAFbowYWBG53nFBoVmtYhAfEpIZ8GCcWa-JVtdP5DiYrh_Pj_W-U5RfXWBxqC_ZiSfiNGvJNN5qx8Ky6FDT13NO8EJNTwwVNEBXgBt15pV1O-yQo89YE7cGdp4lX7j/s1600/070713+Sugar+Creek+Carp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_savsBUHAPzSmqBNAFbowYWBG53nFBoVmtYhAfEpIZ8GCcWa-JVtdP5DiYrh_Pj_W-U5RfXWBxqC_ZiSfiNGvJNN5qx8Ky6FDT13NO8EJNTwwVNEBXgBt15pV1O-yQo89YE7cGdp4lX7j/s320/070713+Sugar+Creek+Carp.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkz4Dl3ZrmESM3MrcbIYrdpkN6BegCEqM8f9OH7fFWhMUNs_tQiBQgiJtotaiBcmE-AQ3-83yFrGLJ5mAtP9qOdrVmMoFDLRl8ApDFSIUcTkTr-z1a2VolYH8FgeOALLTkjcxc0Kw2CuG3/s1600/070714+Birds+on+wire.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkz4Dl3ZrmESM3MrcbIYrdpkN6BegCEqM8f9OH7fFWhMUNs_tQiBQgiJtotaiBcmE-AQ3-83yFrGLJ5mAtP9qOdrVmMoFDLRl8ApDFSIUcTkTr-z1a2VolYH8FgeOALLTkjcxc0Kw2CuG3/s320/070714+Birds+on+wire.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I continued along peaceful Tennessee back roads enjoying the solitude and feeling lucky to have a good bike to ride on such a fine day. My thoughts drifted back to my childhood and similar summer days on my Grandma’s dairy farm in Oregon. I’m truly lucky.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiiBIoMWb0NAuLRAKj3zZqyIomOM4qa-hZkv1CAaJXzGzE8AU0u1jK46uzBGyX3ajmR2M9yqkbKJzVS3miGZIWuIvF5-2Nq9SMimi3CPyGycEkO_-oFkmVVtd8TuwVilCNMJgjJvTE49N/s1600/070715+Tennesee+back+roads.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiiBIoMWb0NAuLRAKj3zZqyIomOM4qa-hZkv1CAaJXzGzE8AU0u1jK46uzBGyX3ajmR2M9yqkbKJzVS3miGZIWuIvF5-2Nq9SMimi3CPyGycEkO_-oFkmVVtd8TuwVilCNMJgjJvTE49N/s320/070715+Tennesee+back+roads.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Before long I came to another of my favorites, an old barn and a corral with horses. Like the creatures at Sugar Creek, they seemed to be enjoying themselves too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9Nythkqmmy155B2sjM5bbAojhBREUB-58NtptKgmWCkxqIglmj17xtWfR8QKvJGj2bmf_57ks2EwAVxrq7w6gsffq7iEQXLa6DgBlAikrpd1PIfJaXOOAnVdxaAfKXSerLhaBvPAr9hU/s1600/070715+TN+Horses+%26+Barn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9Nythkqmmy155B2sjM5bbAojhBREUB-58NtptKgmWCkxqIglmj17xtWfR8QKvJGj2bmf_57ks2EwAVxrq7w6gsffq7iEQXLa6DgBlAikrpd1PIfJaXOOAnVdxaAfKXSerLhaBvPAr9hU/s320/070715+TN+Horses+%26+Barn.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On closer examination I noticed one mule co-habitating among them. He seemed to be a lot more curious about me than the horses which brought my attention to him. When it comes to mules my knowledge is dismal but I think they’re usually the ones that have bigger ears and always seem to have a bit of lighter coloring around their noses. I used that today as part of my decision making process in mule recognition. If I’m wrong he can kick me… </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPj9Lv3FsRSvGxP8SMYWSeAP5DkCnwmfLIX8NQQmTsgViGlvBW6MqLcH6ZAW8c388tQxothbpFb-zc9Ugv72jTghwcOdao71OyVIcCFL_mTfx1x2MtIEWxdD4MADlvHwCVjcyW8rtpM5cG/s1600/070716+Mule.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPj9Lv3FsRSvGxP8SMYWSeAP5DkCnwmfLIX8NQQmTsgViGlvBW6MqLcH6ZAW8c388tQxothbpFb-zc9Ugv72jTghwcOdao71OyVIcCFL_mTfx1x2MtIEWxdD4MADlvHwCVjcyW8rtpM5cG/s320/070716+Mule.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Further on north I spotted another road sign that got my attention; the West Old 53 North and I couldn’t resist leaving my GPS assigned route to see where it would take me. After photographing the sign I turned onto the road and immediately felt the difference; I was in the back country even further. The small farms and out buildings looked older and more interesting; even the road itself seemed to take on a different persona. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_lQIFGAE7sWa5s8FkmsD0BWk-0DyV-jAklz7pocpt_QfB-8HmJ7Six1F99DkEs8si56MLcc6wGGxTFce74AmlyzESBXwke15sKUeA3nbYFNlloE8HShV1PGpgf6n3NctGhy75uooSiDm/s1600/070717+West+Old+53+North.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_lQIFGAE7sWa5s8FkmsD0BWk-0DyV-jAklz7pocpt_QfB-8HmJ7Six1F99DkEs8si56MLcc6wGGxTFce74AmlyzESBXwke15sKUeA3nbYFNlloE8HShV1PGpgf6n3NctGhy75uooSiDm/s320/070717+West+Old+53+North.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uAdQgMlX1I6jBf5UwQaAwvuLHeooT4Z184JbZWXpQ_Lib9QAU9EjcIy1MbDxkkzA3wDqBbv3IryTp5xUqlvMNRtTmCCgOKUay5Dr9wSW5RfBQue_FDnpwdEGWpDvLg6xGkQAo2yZKTFU/s1600/070719+Distant+hay+rolls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uAdQgMlX1I6jBf5UwQaAwvuLHeooT4Z184JbZWXpQ_Lib9QAU9EjcIy1MbDxkkzA3wDqBbv3IryTp5xUqlvMNRtTmCCgOKUay5Dr9wSW5RfBQue_FDnpwdEGWpDvLg6xGkQAo2yZKTFU/s320/070719+Distant+hay+rolls.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBbIZS0w4cWE8MJVxC226_1tEckYONMBt-VY2UYC8rVbLExf_zuDKBwGPrIqygs7xFuJPH1tm2oHI9qzF_PL0ZWu904EIkZh5aeBUCd5-TZnm8sSnP-SPfOWuXwt8zhoyTO9wRkmkul2E/s1600/070720+Hay+rolls+zoomed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBbIZS0w4cWE8MJVxC226_1tEckYONMBt-VY2UYC8rVbLExf_zuDKBwGPrIqygs7xFuJPH1tm2oHI9qzF_PL0ZWu904EIkZh5aeBUCd5-TZnm8sSnP-SPfOWuXwt8zhoyTO9wRkmkul2E/s320/070720+Hay+rolls+zoomed.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhg3TCQliy5m1PBbcHjtu8Ih8gp0bxfIs9LaSVYk3aMA4L89m2O0zatYsC-72zAR5s4oVDiQ1W0Pz1WKxaRwr9F8A-MH1eLSw1H6qKLj6rkRN-7T0HgI0RUofUnh7Afv8384r3UEpB2eSi/s1600/070721+W+Old+53+N+view+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhg3TCQliy5m1PBbcHjtu8Ih8gp0bxfIs9LaSVYk3aMA4L89m2O0zatYsC-72zAR5s4oVDiQ1W0Pz1WKxaRwr9F8A-MH1eLSw1H6qKLj6rkRN-7T0HgI0RUofUnh7Afv8384r3UEpB2eSi/s320/070721+W+Old+53+N+view+2.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Meandering along I was treated to views of a different America, one that is fast disappearing in today’s world of high tech everything. I’m glad I’ve been able to see as much of this as I have but sad to think most of it has gone by the wayside. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Eventually the road led me back to the main highway I’d been traveling on before only this time the sign said it was the Old Burkesville Highway. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpN6FNK0VKfIRDsoSjfNarkyELaLwY9UHNuCkyjdsS_yCr7ga64UyVbL_iPTqlQ8Xr2urWngIm910H9jGmIY-k684Xs6tvYkFJHH8pD5KjK92UOD5ZTSBYZyfXy0DR9pgoryMI_BJ6_eo7/s1600/070722+Old+Burksville+Hwy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpN6FNK0VKfIRDsoSjfNarkyELaLwY9UHNuCkyjdsS_yCr7ga64UyVbL_iPTqlQ8Xr2urWngIm910H9jGmIY-k684Xs6tvYkFJHH8pD5KjK92UOD5ZTSBYZyfXy0DR9pgoryMI_BJ6_eo7/s320/070722+Old+Burksville+Hwy.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Shortly after that I saw the sign for the Kentucky border ahead and stopped for a photo. It wasn’t easy to achieve a clean shot as there were political signs stuck all over the place plus there was a lot of litter. I wondered if this was an anomaly or would I see more litter in Kentucky? I’ll find out but I hope it was just chance. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakOKRCtcO9rC7rRWc20gpJMMnRmdG5rYhJRd0EISG_V8RUuKO5wGtgKPh3ZUOadpwyQd_oh0IAxfsTYY6GYy_2khF-j25Lqba_qFmWL4IEN3kykNsGvbEM42HXkMvr4y4AbJ8eFEhMTii/s1600/070723+Kentucky+Welcome+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakOKRCtcO9rC7rRWc20gpJMMnRmdG5rYhJRd0EISG_V8RUuKO5wGtgKPh3ZUOadpwyQd_oh0IAxfsTYY6GYy_2khF-j25Lqba_qFmWL4IEN3kykNsGvbEM42HXkMvr4y4AbJ8eFEhMTii/s320/070723+Kentucky+Welcome+sign.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>You know I’m a sucker for funky signs and when I saw the one for the Sawmill Night Club I had to go take a look at the place. It was just up the road less than a mile and quite a place it was. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLAQIhRqEBhVpPvCAzTbPVqwystbsDPJ-rZBEpqA9IpzgjOQXAcuv7KptEiLZ4mOYIPaKPIXV6O7L4y-GIxuOrClSfh_20nZ7m27d8bi_sbvSsjsULGNA-3s3BW0NptTFu4I2kHpy81wu/s1600/070724+Old+Sawmill+Night+Club+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLAQIhRqEBhVpPvCAzTbPVqwystbsDPJ-rZBEpqA9IpzgjOQXAcuv7KptEiLZ4mOYIPaKPIXV6O7L4y-GIxuOrClSfh_20nZ7m27d8bi_sbvSsjsULGNA-3s3BW0NptTFu4I2kHpy81wu/s320/070724+Old+Sawmill+Night+Club+sign.JPG" /></a></div>Two things struck my funny bones, one being the sign declaring parking for Harley’s only and parked directly underneath it were two vehicles, a family sedan and a pickup truck. Poor Harleys, they just don’t seem to command respect. The other thing was the drive-through beer window; most likely very handy for those in a hurry or already too bombed to get out of their car. Marketing 101: never stop selling.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckv5jMovYygDL6fTpjKnCOxDkKC9fHD9KbxdyV0SVNtbCsVSN_k1ATgYkd9Uq5F9mRlp5RDk74nKbrC9QgdTTsGYguGo2t-vL_qp0gjWX-DPtJfej0t3tON1izneBQHvkHaVvQn5-MWlB/s1600/070725+GG+at+the+Sawmill+Night+Club.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckv5jMovYygDL6fTpjKnCOxDkKC9fHD9KbxdyV0SVNtbCsVSN_k1ATgYkd9Uq5F9mRlp5RDk74nKbrC9QgdTTsGYguGo2t-vL_qp0gjWX-DPtJfej0t3tON1izneBQHvkHaVvQn5-MWlB/s320/070725+GG+at+the+Sawmill+Night+Club.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdZTwlRFG2YTi3xPUHvmuZvHdJYhxbIYBZig0PZh0vAeschpiriyYmk082wgwz2JTvgMfu0ABKuPXiVllMf_zrJ1qJS6pXZ1_2lmDYlqg1sZaPTsKch8jAx3ShDE6L99TXJWwo7RDCfEb/s1600/070726+Harleys+Only+Parking+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdZTwlRFG2YTi3xPUHvmuZvHdJYhxbIYBZig0PZh0vAeschpiriyYmk082wgwz2JTvgMfu0ABKuPXiVllMf_zrJ1qJS6pXZ1_2lmDYlqg1sZaPTsKch8jAx3ShDE6L99TXJWwo7RDCfEb/s320/070726+Harleys+Only+Parking+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeg6POaJE028XKWY5__VgnlLtaAu9Qhk4QYaZN7glExotUOntQi3UdQmTEye40-CAGKFjFS9hZxNuz9yU3yi5o0Z3mvPNsElf3RoczskFn0PA5sIZ6znvZivmwrRbZiIAdhm3T71DgWhI/s1600/070727+Harley%27s+Only+ha+ha.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeg6POaJE028XKWY5__VgnlLtaAu9Qhk4QYaZN7glExotUOntQi3UdQmTEye40-CAGKFjFS9hZxNuz9yU3yi5o0Z3mvPNsElf3RoczskFn0PA5sIZ6znvZivmwrRbZiIAdhm3T71DgWhI/s320/070727+Harley%27s+Only+ha+ha.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZh-rgp7wLckpop2Q_AhQP2VkFsRvBvhm11Xk1SMKYv97q_2sgM3XX2OaIBE5cZkg84tt9cMkst0UKtp0_-Mqt6yJetLPLvGLJw71C4X8TrqTeFqfd1fbFTsWF4euEOX_betbg0LaR-6U/s1600/070728+Drive+thru+beer+window.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZh-rgp7wLckpop2Q_AhQP2VkFsRvBvhm11Xk1SMKYv97q_2sgM3XX2OaIBE5cZkg84tt9cMkst0UKtp0_-Mqt6yJetLPLvGLJw71C4X8TrqTeFqfd1fbFTsWF4euEOX_betbg0LaR-6U/s320/070728+Drive+thru+beer+window.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After that bit of entertainment I decided I should focus more on getting to my friends Dick and Linda’s place as I knew they were expecting me and I hadn’t called to tell them where I was. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmm1YSSjL4ilRPf6KRe-xqdDZXJS4F6RmI05fUK9yBALD_PuGhesvhQpiM3m9EBKFe2LZXwMo0e2sjSMQj1c6klb3duljz-DKUORgQWUZnDHoCgA47LlnEoESvGTHZyAwR9o9zKIH6FQfx/s1600/070729+Linda.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmm1YSSjL4ilRPf6KRe-xqdDZXJS4F6RmI05fUK9yBALD_PuGhesvhQpiM3m9EBKFe2LZXwMo0e2sjSMQj1c6klb3duljz-DKUORgQWUZnDHoCgA47LlnEoESvGTHZyAwR9o9zKIH6FQfx/s320/070729+Linda.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Where have you been Larry?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1L5jyG_jIWrwPVZvZDrDI9yM3py7J0yk3Ss9Sos_CRb-Bp3kRRAYNgFxFo13-n96Tbe65EWEwxcnLRyOSsHn_FzulxzT-a5W_cnWSf98lneDfyL0URnEmV77FerpV6BBsokE9RpgBMkY/s1600/070732+You+couldn%27t+get+me+on+one+of+those.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1L5jyG_jIWrwPVZvZDrDI9yM3py7J0yk3Ss9Sos_CRb-Bp3kRRAYNgFxFo13-n96Tbe65EWEwxcnLRyOSsHn_FzulxzT-a5W_cnWSf98lneDfyL0URnEmV77FerpV6BBsokE9RpgBMkY/s320/070732+You+couldn%27t+get+me+on+one+of+those.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We thought you were dead!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They live way out in the country on a road not listed on most maps but I was able to zero in on a small town not far from their place and wing it the rest of the way. I found them on my 2nd try and after our happy reunion we drove to town for dinner at a Chinese buffet restaurant. It was great; we ate ourselves into oblivionThey both had commitments previously scheduled at their church for the evening so I went shopping at Wally World.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tomorrow I’ll start towards Kansas City to see my friends David and his son Noah and if I'm lucky I'll get to see Noah race his kart on Sunday. </div><br />
Life on the road is good. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-10785163305266845792010-07-06T20:23:00.000-07:002010-07-06T20:23:59.729-07:00July 06, 2010 – Day 31 I visit the Cherokee Museum & ride the Blue Ridge ParkwayDang! Strange busy day today, very convoluted from the get-go. Breakfast was OK albeit a bit odd, mixed fruit with chunks of cheddar cheese, mystery roll, & Grape Nuts Flakes; coffee. Not the usual fare, a bit more like camping food I remember from my days in the scouts. <br />
.<br />
Once ready to roll out, I got as far as the east end of town and stopped to look over the river running through the park and check out the wild life. Lots of ducks were prowling around ogling one another. Isn’t it a bit late in the season for that sort of thing?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1E34abtmT1pHlVz54mao6f0FbIsfGUf67qbJzTliPSytyy9fUWF-1b95kQLc33qmYFGlnM0hIXpZDPn-DgG-LZhMHO8dBDQj3NfjKXRPJ3cMN6-OHMa0ov0CrdINezVkBgmTF7d3ZpUV/s1600/070601+Cherokee+river.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1E34abtmT1pHlVz54mao6f0FbIsfGUf67qbJzTliPSytyy9fUWF-1b95kQLc33qmYFGlnM0hIXpZDPn-DgG-LZhMHO8dBDQj3NfjKXRPJ3cMN6-OHMa0ov0CrdINezVkBgmTF7d3ZpUV/s320/070601+Cherokee+river.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSPDJ8ZztU95iltdAAWi9cwxVgZJLWRInx58PrlfgubQt285WFyN99pwUGZJx-PiQ6VMDAhWjYv51XJ1HbTTB5jajxKRn0m-XIbCDpBcnuCzZMtJ05TnhJA_AmollA5iua_sc1sfgjrYy/s1600/070602+Mallard+duck.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSPDJ8ZztU95iltdAAWi9cwxVgZJLWRInx58PrlfgubQt285WFyN99pwUGZJx-PiQ6VMDAhWjYv51XJ1HbTTB5jajxKRn0m-XIbCDpBcnuCzZMtJ05TnhJA_AmollA5iua_sc1sfgjrYy/s320/070602+Mallard+duck.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After that I decided to take in the Cherokee Indian Museum a block away.</div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAH1dhp24T99K1NJW4UqZvOYnG1HCq2XAmLCVWwLryv1xaDCfNh6tyE3Q89Y06qQQ0qJFY80FlnDDAIvHRPczKtxGHuEP0Jk_RgW_czKuYwDluDw2EIvjBKFB43q0xYdMg1ZT6RgvG7c0/s1600/070603+Flowers+at+Museum.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAH1dhp24T99K1NJW4UqZvOYnG1HCq2XAmLCVWwLryv1xaDCfNh6tyE3Q89Y06qQQ0qJFY80FlnDDAIvHRPczKtxGHuEP0Jk_RgW_czKuYwDluDw2EIvjBKFB43q0xYdMg1ZT6RgvG7c0/s320/070603+Flowers+at+Museum.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2g-1sphX6bxvqQA0PmrjC2KE-L5H0qKKSBG3JTPm9xAGk7O1n0qt3Xg2vGoRuCJe_E0crW2awXk1r3K5IHExeGj4dsm6Vm5BN-wGpkrYzZwgkjWWsQCP7DzjvXXaqXVM40WssIaZiGDV/s1600/070604+Museum+entrance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2g-1sphX6bxvqQA0PmrjC2KE-L5H0qKKSBG3JTPm9xAGk7O1n0qt3Xg2vGoRuCJe_E0crW2awXk1r3K5IHExeGj4dsm6Vm5BN-wGpkrYzZwgkjWWsQCP7DzjvXXaqXVM40WssIaZiGDV/s320/070604+Museum+entrance.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> It was a good choice; the museum is well thought out and tells the history of the Cherokee people quite well. It’s a very sad tale as we all know; the Trail of Tears is especially heartbreaking. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1Y44YGEGkuO49mTP-t0sGDBblaj7Z6-slYwoQt8vhXDcI1lyK9Y7TX33VFyIcZGjQjhjBNsGiLpxDzigsw0M7LuqVh8cVvqddlUp8Hd2zWD6vU0ZEjdW-12Hx38B9QHxL7SofHIFKY3t/s1600/070605+Mask.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1Y44YGEGkuO49mTP-t0sGDBblaj7Z6-slYwoQt8vhXDcI1lyK9Y7TX33VFyIcZGjQjhjBNsGiLpxDzigsw0M7LuqVh8cVvqddlUp8Hd2zWD6vU0ZEjdW-12Hx38B9QHxL7SofHIFKY3t/s320/070605+Mask.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaU-Fjw3VR0MiHuIq52a67kCqJNhb8ZGyDn1nlUuxIJwBGiqKR6aFgs3K9VjlUIzkEvT6WiIxyAWz-1kFzBHWuxc2DYngNZdo3YJsx4tlgpw70SHd4F_vpIab5AWBd5HfM3byMI7XiLbb/s1600/070606+Stone+bowl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaU-Fjw3VR0MiHuIq52a67kCqJNhb8ZGyDn1nlUuxIJwBGiqKR6aFgs3K9VjlUIzkEvT6WiIxyAWz-1kFzBHWuxc2DYngNZdo3YJsx4tlgpw70SHd4F_vpIab5AWBd5HfM3byMI7XiLbb/s320/070606+Stone+bowl.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyjGmiYwtAE7gUHIyMOqmZaVS0ohwLAm439PQxM-yiExfVjgg9U3krILNipMXkimYR3jE9_IjQTL0csVFqMWXlTKrgzE20ExwzByQqQLmCgxN-oFhXSVZ70lpfZpnlrIsSJLtAov-x1mJ/s1600/070607+Offering.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyjGmiYwtAE7gUHIyMOqmZaVS0ohwLAm439PQxM-yiExfVjgg9U3krILNipMXkimYR3jE9_IjQTL0csVFqMWXlTKrgzE20ExwzByQqQLmCgxN-oFhXSVZ70lpfZpnlrIsSJLtAov-x1mJ/s320/070607+Offering.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4A-IvHA2DxZvCAzkdwztxbjyb9JhnTo8rQ6IhvyV5zNeI2WM_eOgOY5anfL8HtRQNyBZ7X_8uAlG47T5-iqzCZ_u5kZ9FcbHzPeJoUQHHlc-rjqz3mvr__iTWGZQvKNaSgH0rDOmiJn7/s1600/070608+Mural.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4A-IvHA2DxZvCAzkdwztxbjyb9JhnTo8rQ6IhvyV5zNeI2WM_eOgOY5anfL8HtRQNyBZ7X_8uAlG47T5-iqzCZ_u5kZ9FcbHzPeJoUQHHlc-rjqz3mvr__iTWGZQvKNaSgH0rDOmiJn7/s320/070608+Mural.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITXJ1-K6Fi5Qef0iCNGDalObkTbJWNE0ZrG8N0T2_OX7nP7m-LuAaSgYnm4RKX0xgDG0rInQaQKQjAlNj_0HTooz7EZumC7EZJyFIXD6oyfzZ7C5KAQLf7HHNLnXtv0KArdik7hcP3mQv/s1600/070609+Diorama+of+Chiefs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITXJ1-K6Fi5Qef0iCNGDalObkTbJWNE0ZrG8N0T2_OX7nP7m-LuAaSgYnm4RKX0xgDG0rInQaQKQjAlNj_0HTooz7EZumC7EZJyFIXD6oyfzZ7C5KAQLf7HHNLnXtv0KArdik7hcP3mQv/s320/070609+Diorama+of+Chiefs.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30N0VLpfTFXy0aGrwUf6mfP4XasfzuqQyHzMHGlp6Hf7WFr_GZNp7Vz9i4Dj_IXmVajliE-x8xC-vOA7t0airZrDzv1ppfKCO_beYZp2J_zbRKFGZwe4zndvplFQskeLy5WEzH4wFF3kd/s1600/070610+Trail+of+Tears+Diorama.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30N0VLpfTFXy0aGrwUf6mfP4XasfzuqQyHzMHGlp6Hf7WFr_GZNp7Vz9i4Dj_IXmVajliE-x8xC-vOA7t0airZrDzv1ppfKCO_beYZp2J_zbRKFGZwe4zndvplFQskeLy5WEzH4wFF3kd/s320/070610+Trail+of+Tears+Diorama.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div> I liked the exhibits though and spent quite awhile reading and listening to as much as I could; then realizing I needed to get going I moved on. The entry fee for old geezers is ten bucks and well worth it so put it on your list of things to see if you’re in the area.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After doing the museum I rolled out onto the freeway intending to head northwest towards my next destination, Campbellsville, KY. Almost as soon as I got up to speed I spotted an exit marked Blue Ridge Parkway and it was a no-brainer, off I went. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFbMApV1nX_HLWz3BX9jt13JwX5aFc9QsPdyD-ewWiIDAHWdXcRPutQIdk4aKC-O-tRvGeIq_2iqflwKwQtjJL82dLq34-_pqZFzY85ulzRlFnbAMo9XMmQ_AsTjF3J1Ugivf8rSmDrKt/s1600/070611+Blue+Ridge+Pkwy+%26+Green+Girl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFbMApV1nX_HLWz3BX9jt13JwX5aFc9QsPdyD-ewWiIDAHWdXcRPutQIdk4aKC-O-tRvGeIq_2iqflwKwQtjJL82dLq34-_pqZFzY85ulzRlFnbAMo9XMmQ_AsTjF3J1Ugivf8rSmDrKt/s320/070611+Blue+Ridge+Pkwy+%26+Green+Girl.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The ride was great, very low traffic and lots of turn-outs with views. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoko9TiZ1mzkZE_fm8LYb-Mr0svn6RgsvfIMoy_UGetfqRKthnxWGz1nR7esHIZ0gbiVwJBiaqwTU_R7tnjnSM-g6C98XruPUUfal38dYlx7DmwonrR05W-kLmlDRNqT-53mGu8cqM77r/s1600/070612+Big+Witch+Overlook+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoko9TiZ1mzkZE_fm8LYb-Mr0svn6RgsvfIMoy_UGetfqRKthnxWGz1nR7esHIZ0gbiVwJBiaqwTU_R7tnjnSM-g6C98XruPUUfal38dYlx7DmwonrR05W-kLmlDRNqT-53mGu8cqM77r/s320/070612+Big+Witch+Overlook+sign.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdacuqrsUcQeA8XGRMuxCBJwe7WzbhjnjR-9cgFau7mWMIhYbD-9-I-QH7f6WhHdJanNZzAS0Za19-X42m3D2FPa9S3q9GxQe1M5dVJmF8AeCQMHxL1p3oevJP4x8-IgOoB6mHlkNU4tZ4/s1600/070615+Bunches+Bald+Overlook+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdacuqrsUcQeA8XGRMuxCBJwe7WzbhjnjR-9cgFau7mWMIhYbD-9-I-QH7f6WhHdJanNZzAS0Za19-X42m3D2FPa9S3q9GxQe1M5dVJmF8AeCQMHxL1p3oevJP4x8-IgOoB6mHlkNU4tZ4/s320/070615+Bunches+Bald+Overlook+view.JPG" /></a></div>For a bike like Green Girl it was a more enjoyable ride than doing the Tail of the Dragon; none of the super-sharp corners to deal with. Fat bikes like her can be hustled if necessary but for normal riding they seem to like smooth surfaces and gradual curves best. Did I mention that thanks to the Dragon both of Green Girl’s floorboards have now been christened? Just call me sparky… <br />
<br />
The Blue Ridge ride includes several tunnels with crappy pavement that tended to throw Green Girl’s front end around which I didn’t like a lot. They may have been easier to deal with if I’d removed my sunglasses; then I might have avoided some of the craters. Overall it didn’t seem to take long to complete the ride which surprised me a bit so maybe I missed something? Anyway I’m glad I got to ride it, it was most pleasurable. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEu2JSXpo3N7w4yuRSRjvSM5ZSSAmVc-p0EOspopBiY_VhAexWfARnDMawkC-TiwotorybW6MySaZVo9L010iD6oxADDBPzuwlaYxC3pK3hcI-tXK141_jffBbOR1RuvhlYQtDfnT0Trd/s1600/070616+Qualla+Reservation+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEu2JSXpo3N7w4yuRSRjvSM5ZSSAmVc-p0EOspopBiY_VhAexWfARnDMawkC-TiwotorybW6MySaZVo9L010iD6oxADDBPzuwlaYxC3pK3hcI-tXK141_jffBbOR1RuvhlYQtDfnT0Trd/s320/070616+Qualla+Reservation+sign.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Once I was out of the park I let Garmin & Company figure out where I was and where I needed to go. That seemed to work OK and since the lunch hour was approaching I stopped at Joey’s Pancake House for a couple of cakes and some bacon. The pancakes were hard on the outside and not quite done on the inside and the bacon was stiff as a board. Dang, what’s with that, pancakes are their stock in trade. Ah well, I’ve been over-eating on this trip anyway so maybe it’s just as well. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSxs2QBU0X8Hh6j8_0RqDlWqxhkghqvoxZgvd2Nd7ka1vNd3k2fDtAQiSdJlRG0K-PL2bomW8rqjWo6ev5lWhWWDOVRSYcbhzy778WC_zLCTBc91UVVZBxpNpRTheOilPQoVmwdDt8LGD/s1600/070617+Joey%27s+Pancake+House.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSxs2QBU0X8Hh6j8_0RqDlWqxhkghqvoxZgvd2Nd7ka1vNd3k2fDtAQiSdJlRG0K-PL2bomW8rqjWo6ev5lWhWWDOVRSYcbhzy778WC_zLCTBc91UVVZBxpNpRTheOilPQoVmwdDt8LGD/s320/070617+Joey%27s+Pancake+House.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After the pancake feed I stopped to gas up and a guy & gal on a Harley approached me to ask questions about how to get to the Dragon. Mr. Information Center here. He said he’d been there a couple of years ago but couldn’t quite remember how to get there. We got out my map and found Robbinsville for them and they thundered off ala Harley Davidson, loud as could be. Loud pipes save lives? I don’t think so. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Back on the road it soon became evident the heat was going to become impossible so I gave in and shrugged into the swamp cooler vest. It’d been stored inside its huge zip-lock bag for the past few days and not only was it baking hot; it’s developed a unique odor. Swamp-like I’d say; and a very old swamp at that. I figured it was better to be cool and have a bit of tangy swamp odor than croak in the heat so I endured. In fact I endured the whole afternoon and once I’d refreshed the water a couple of times it gradually lost some of the swampiness. </div><br />
My route back towards Campbellsville followed just above Knoxville, then on highway 62 up to Pilot Mountain where I stopped to photo the Time-Temp sign on a church. It was hot as hell and I thought it might be a chuckle for them to post that on their reader board but I doubt they’d see the humor. People tend to watch strange biker types and after I’d taken a few pics a couple of beady-eyed locals started moving in. That seems to happen often so I vacated their parking lot.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Yxfdfs8N_ep-moWt26tHFu4E3Onj9aFogh71vsAn0HoT_3iEMAoaor7faQScRIq3BrXHjoTpCVqxGMfkYRkHk0MYJj2UCCfaNynfDPopfe5vmUv_xJlGxS40NYLF2_vWZAHWobOzs-4c/s1600/070618+Time+Temp+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Yxfdfs8N_ep-moWt26tHFu4E3Onj9aFogh71vsAn0HoT_3iEMAoaor7faQScRIq3BrXHjoTpCVqxGMfkYRkHk0MYJj2UCCfaNynfDPopfe5vmUv_xJlGxS40NYLF2_vWZAHWobOzs-4c/s320/070618+Time+Temp+sign.JPG" /></a></div><br />
By then it was getting a bit late in the afternoon and out of curiosity I queried the Garmin lady about places to stay. I was disappointed to find none were near; in fact I would have a fairly long ride if I continued in the direction I was going so I decided to double back to Cookeville, a fairly large burg with lots of motels & eateries. <br />
<br />
Once I reached town I stumbled upon a Days Inn, one of the places I frequent so I stopped in and registered. I was really parched from the last few miles of hot riding and I asked the clerk if there was a water fountain. “Nope,” he said, “but there’s a vending machine and you can buy some.” “Are you saying the water in the rooms isn’t drinkable?” I asked. “Dunno, I never tried it” he said, grinning. Hey, this was getting to be fun for him. “Maybe I’d better have a look at the room before I unpack, OK?” I asked. “Sure, go ahead” he replied and handed me the plastic card. As I walked to the room I noticed there seemed to be an unusual number of kids running amuck, screaming and doing kid stuff. I love kids but that might mean getting any rest could be challenging I thought. <br />
<br />
Then I noticed a cop car parked right in front of the door to the room I’d be in. An open door next to it let me see the cop grilling a worried looking kid who was shaking his head in denial about something. That did it, I headed back to the office and told the clerk to cancel me out; I don’t stay in places where you can’t drink the water and the cops are there arresting other guests. He understood he said. As I was leaving I noticed a semi-truck parked in a special long parking spot for trucker guests. No driver in sight but the damn truck was idling away like thunder which would add to the mêlée had I chosen to stay. <br />
<br />
Garmin & Company next directed me to the Comfort Inn Suites where I am now and I’m happy to say things couldn’t be better. It’s like night and day in all respects and for only $15 more, a real bargain. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaT1UJRY9icAqGxE-VjjJ20QuqxWFeq1SVi_ImAlTrhL8XbhDs8pTLP4tpPch9Q73W9EQ4qiZKbpgPbVUQ9_e4Zt3Hhj5NEnnZdOKhor9mh5KVjIEQbjGZF5ok4LN21LDXbM9Yro95l3u/s1600/070619+Cookville+TN+Comfort+Suites.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaT1UJRY9icAqGxE-VjjJ20QuqxWFeq1SVi_ImAlTrhL8XbhDs8pTLP4tpPch9Q73W9EQ4qiZKbpgPbVUQ9_e4Zt3Hhj5NEnnZdOKhor9mh5KVjIEQbjGZF5ok4LN21LDXbM9Yro95l3u/s320/070619+Cookville+TN+Comfort+Suites.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Dinner was an easy choice at a Cracker Barrel Store or whatever the heck they’re called. I had a repeat of the same meal I had at one of their other locations; fried catfish, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, and sweet iced tea. I thought about going for the strawberry icebox cake but at the last moment decided I’m fat enough and don’t need to add fuel to the fire. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEVkiSmMmhXIIWK8QHveP34Zpv4FQprh60EWEDIJg0EB9dfR8sC5i1qdCaQwjrmCex_oFvbWijvwhI8R7YFZ3HWongqSy5KnPNvjDQJKDCLCP-N0dzl68AGoAXvCKDKn6Yam3yoZwlJOV/s1600/070620+Dinner+at+Cracker+Barrel+Barn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEVkiSmMmhXIIWK8QHveP34Zpv4FQprh60EWEDIJg0EB9dfR8sC5i1qdCaQwjrmCex_oFvbWijvwhI8R7YFZ3HWongqSy5KnPNvjDQJKDCLCP-N0dzl68AGoAXvCKDKn6Yam3yoZwlJOV/s320/070620+Dinner+at+Cracker+Barrel+Barn.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8YL6rNVWEMVFsXPD4bifk1UcCxUBIT5MeiLTvBn0vB2xCuSa3DPuXNupZu-QkLjpaK7EpT5wNpUZsmzI24MH9UHvN06sdt5ML2OzQpUxuDWSjkqyI8n6y8otQRJ9CgePiyVQ7am9QWwV/s1600/070621+Fried+Catfish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8YL6rNVWEMVFsXPD4bifk1UcCxUBIT5MeiLTvBn0vB2xCuSa3DPuXNupZu-QkLjpaK7EpT5wNpUZsmzI24MH9UHvN06sdt5ML2OzQpUxuDWSjkqyI8n6y8otQRJ9CgePiyVQ7am9QWwV/s320/070621+Fried+Catfish.JPG" /></a></div><br />
When I returned to the motel I was pouring a cup of coffee to take to my room when the gal running registrations slid a dish of hot just-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies under my nose. Yum! And hey, you can even drink the water here!Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-76675273979093659172010-07-05T23:18:00.000-07:002010-07-05T23:18:48.624-07:00July 05, 2010 – Day 30 The Tail of the Dragon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ojD7FiYx04n_kjfmbEiAc6ob6QPlyfVOg2-_sCu744NFhZ9W0Zw0yQat5MfAeXE7wpYuDrRvZJ9hfdhP0GysSRycjEhMMjOxG6uFhrXuGtw_ZL65YoHLv_Bk240J7NkhfeDt4K1HEs7V/s1600/070501+Kingston+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ojD7FiYx04n_kjfmbEiAc6ob6QPlyfVOg2-_sCu744NFhZ9W0Zw0yQat5MfAeXE7wpYuDrRvZJ9hfdhP0GysSRycjEhMMjOxG6uFhrXuGtw_ZL65YoHLv_Bk240J7NkhfeDt4K1HEs7V/s320/070501+Kingston+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxGqinNxUp7h3BOXB9yL2DThNz8uAR1P8xZEQnq4835XFPVT8fBId8ugaZnlbE0c-UN1KsuLCXUeA_jnUz5eofm-wvSjHDfNVZFE9hFHUklhpKsvDhJi4SPGU9kcRS6Mo4Q4pFOOeii7G/s1600/070502+Kingston+city+park+south.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxGqinNxUp7h3BOXB9yL2DThNz8uAR1P8xZEQnq4835XFPVT8fBId8ugaZnlbE0c-UN1KsuLCXUeA_jnUz5eofm-wvSjHDfNVZFE9hFHUklhpKsvDhJi4SPGU9kcRS6Mo4Q4pFOOeii7G/s320/070502+Kingston+city+park+south.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYJzxF9Mx1WCxYbkiwY0_GFeY7VgXDZYx1TRcHq1T6nXYLN-n42Dph9UuyPRdEw1b2O8X3fOjBVY3oDyAdFyHd0FcQpU8-qeX8w5OwSbxvjpu0UnjCG35UA9dI9Cw9cOvkn-JE6uwXdAF/s1600/070503+Kingston+state+capitol+for+a+day.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYJzxF9Mx1WCxYbkiwY0_GFeY7VgXDZYx1TRcHq1T6nXYLN-n42Dph9UuyPRdEw1b2O8X3fOjBVY3oDyAdFyHd0FcQpU8-qeX8w5OwSbxvjpu0UnjCG35UA9dI9Cw9cOvkn-JE6uwXdAF/s320/070503+Kingston+state+capitol+for+a+day.JPG" /></a></div>This morning I said my goodbyes to Terry and thanked her for the wonderful hospitality she’d shown me. We hugged and Doug and I set out to meet Kevin for breakfast in Tellico Plains. We left Kingston in bright sunshine, riding past the park on the south end of town.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0vU-emVHh8gHf3GlhGCA5S8brqrj-i4mcxLIxH2uC5eex1LkGWLsO7kYR7MSn1V9yTmf06pztRr_GFbpA3S49q141j2gbNgOnGV0J1Z5wYvsI4VDc6EMyd82qdqucaAkI-d0DSfdKQdb/s1600/070504+Kevin%27s+Vision+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0vU-emVHh8gHf3GlhGCA5S8brqrj-i4mcxLIxH2uC5eex1LkGWLsO7kYR7MSn1V9yTmf06pztRr_GFbpA3S49q141j2gbNgOnGV0J1Z5wYvsI4VDc6EMyd82qdqucaAkI-d0DSfdKQdb/s320/070504+Kevin%27s+Vision+1.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsm0FvF61yfzhrrirAVxhyphenhyphen94aq6m1l3PmV9fBcjxINtkOLLcJVapbLf_zaUoi9KfMMhIfwJbrtfwW2_5xeuRFi5RN7i_PkkgIsqVjDtABP_Sn7NscYlCnsRrWxnGTKCjENSCj5IyPWuujT/s1600/070505+Kevin%27s+Vision+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsm0FvF61yfzhrrirAVxhyphenhyphen94aq6m1l3PmV9fBcjxINtkOLLcJVapbLf_zaUoi9KfMMhIfwJbrtfwW2_5xeuRFi5RN7i_PkkgIsqVjDtABP_Sn7NscYlCnsRrWxnGTKCjENSCj5IyPWuujT/s320/070505+Kevin%27s+Vision+2.JPG" /></a></div>Besides his black MP3 500 Kevin owns a Victory Vision; one of the most controversial motorcycle designs out there. He promised to ride it this morning and he did. I remember the first time I saw one of these and I wasn’t too sure if I liked it or not. It must be one of those designs that grow on you because I’m liking it more and more, especially after seeing it roll down the highway. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19EP8k3Dc8n1VQKKt3PuMyBIFc912Ctt96RKx-KyoHxJJU1L0J-wuTiM9QWMQSn7Ns7A8p1wR34rFRWUOuz8cACc4FzwfIjv5PV2J3cXkFhCT5X1oRw7zsrAXOgrpNmHicovJ7XUfzCq5/s1600/070506+Town+Square+Cafe+%26+Bakery.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19EP8k3Dc8n1VQKKt3PuMyBIFc912Ctt96RKx-KyoHxJJU1L0J-wuTiM9QWMQSn7Ns7A8p1wR34rFRWUOuz8cACc4FzwfIjv5PV2J3cXkFhCT5X1oRw7zsrAXOgrpNmHicovJ7XUfzCq5/s320/070506+Town+Square+Cafe+%26+Bakery.JPG" /></a></div>We rode for awhile and then I started complaining about wanting to eat so we stopped at the Town Square Café & Bakery. The menu was filled with generous sounding items and between the three of us we ordered enough food for six people. I’m not going to say what I had because it’s too embarrassing. <br />
<br />
Green Girl waited patiently outside parked besides one of the local constable’s rides. Sorry about that, eh? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73ijXB3mXTcwj5X5dzNYLrt7eByt4vbHZm0VjhFiIjlybFvvj2roLmJUrzRADGh7maReyJo84Pkl0OlcZB2k3zfDLSsGV0c1R5kVpVM_8DuwXYLgSYUZ2HaW2cQpm2FfeASqD8WfUPOa3/s1600/070506A+Cop+car+eww.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73ijXB3mXTcwj5X5dzNYLrt7eByt4vbHZm0VjhFiIjlybFvvj2roLmJUrzRADGh7maReyJo84Pkl0OlcZB2k3zfDLSsGV0c1R5kVpVM_8DuwXYLgSYUZ2HaW2cQpm2FfeASqD8WfUPOa3/s320/070506A+Cop+car+eww.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Kevin had to go to work so Doug and I set out on the Cherohala Skyway, the one I was supposed to meet him on when I arrived. Better late than never, right? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0MJ5hZkWxEDsgQexe704kRrc86pnmT-duYVWbuwJdE-VFUnFbFu-7HNLs3oEFq7QbSWRsBBCnFMi-M5rEh5dj-7LGTnLTyNOmG-GI0i0v413E0RuHVwT8e1r9Up8v52CMvTQtxxx0utn/s1600/070507+Cherohala+Skyway+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0MJ5hZkWxEDsgQexe704kRrc86pnmT-duYVWbuwJdE-VFUnFbFu-7HNLs3oEFq7QbSWRsBBCnFMi-M5rEh5dj-7LGTnLTyNOmG-GI0i0v413E0RuHVwT8e1r9Up8v52CMvTQtxxx0utn/s320/070507+Cherohala+Skyway+sign.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There were a fair number of riders out but not nearly as many as yesterday. We stopped at a couple of pull-outs to take pictures and enjoy the view. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpAnNStF1p5V4_8sX7Ff70pzXQ8_55NLZbI42_stJr4JExVad6YugcdUByc2c5cnqRAa007OH23MoM9t_a9iIGNC5DaagUgsETwGUpKaT4zzUTZ_lgK4apdsoO-2DEpamTlqJqk9VDD7C/s1600/070508+Cherohala+Skyway+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpAnNStF1p5V4_8sX7Ff70pzXQ8_55NLZbI42_stJr4JExVad6YugcdUByc2c5cnqRAa007OH23MoM9t_a9iIGNC5DaagUgsETwGUpKaT4zzUTZ_lgK4apdsoO-2DEpamTlqJqk9VDD7C/s320/070508+Cherohala+Skyway+view.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">One such stop presented us with a perfect but slightly dead butterfly. Pretty little creature and not a mark on him. It was time for Doug to turn back so we said our goodbyes (but no hugs) and each went our own way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FWlt5eAoiZMt-nYqK3E0kT7COz0MbHQvdBdf8TwLD2i0GmyZPn9gH45X5644Z5Vx6V-ALGdWtPwC3ZAZwlWRGQ5JDusn3rbda2uk3EvyPOfTYdE47ciL5Te1dwnlXVqKqVXVRyYRmdDX/s1600/070509+Butterfly+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FWlt5eAoiZMt-nYqK3E0kT7COz0MbHQvdBdf8TwLD2i0GmyZPn9gH45X5644Z5Vx6V-ALGdWtPwC3ZAZwlWRGQ5JDusn3rbda2uk3EvyPOfTYdE47ciL5Te1dwnlXVqKqVXVRyYRmdDX/s320/070509+Butterfly+1.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIksyimAMEJU3JcHAiMkjENFFdjtzEBR8TbwPwASwwhz1wJx0nagTKjFutZ2EACgYJUDzdRvtn3u-pTm3U2rTlInACrebY4rlHZk2aWvhnKzuSoP8W7nj1d7DdT07lLlaAoxeYr6p7thyphenhyphenX/s1600/070510+Butterfly+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIksyimAMEJU3JcHAiMkjENFFdjtzEBR8TbwPwASwwhz1wJx0nagTKjFutZ2EACgYJUDzdRvtn3u-pTm3U2rTlInACrebY4rlHZk2aWvhnKzuSoP8W7nj1d7DdT07lLlaAoxeYr6p7thyphenhyphenX/s320/070510+Butterfly+2.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I rode at a leisurely rate and for the most part was alone. Occasionally sports bikes would boil past me going full tilt but other cruisers were most often seen parked at pull-outs. This lasted quite awhile, then I came upon an accident involving at least one sports bike and maybe two as there were two bikes against a rail. An ambulance and two safety cars were in attendance and I could see one of the riders sitting bare-chested but not the other. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD84Xb45qUj9LBaf5YFat0EZtA5SeKvd1PanaEGU4_vYqsdA2GPv581kLl1knVJJoDvsm5OzyMMIPO3mJVDQGPtqaeQJ-YC2XAiaqcTD3ByJQo2-dJOSrg9BcZmeotFfBOvkBILxE6ifvj/s1600/070511+Biker+down+on+Cherohala.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD84Xb45qUj9LBaf5YFat0EZtA5SeKvd1PanaEGU4_vYqsdA2GPv581kLl1knVJJoDvsm5OzyMMIPO3mJVDQGPtqaeQJ-YC2XAiaqcTD3ByJQo2-dJOSrg9BcZmeotFfBOvkBILxE6ifvj/s320/070511+Biker+down+on+Cherohala.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7tZP-EE93l1xJsL2DidFHVMKAQrB3YRM8VYgDqmHFaSKonRxSoSmUbLoUWf7V2SSCYc_GmL5-z9-wndJslL1sxXscJhHlXEan3ZeiTLotUCmCcML75OUQDAsawryPsdEA0B6SaKXEEKR/s1600/070512+Biker+down+on+Cherohala+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7tZP-EE93l1xJsL2DidFHVMKAQrB3YRM8VYgDqmHFaSKonRxSoSmUbLoUWf7V2SSCYc_GmL5-z9-wndJslL1sxXscJhHlXEan3ZeiTLotUCmCcML75OUQDAsawryPsdEA0B6SaKXEEKR/s320/070512+Biker+down+on+Cherohala+2.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBclkuUqGT4pHWtlmg_MfoQS0qgg6XvIlohLJZuvSjyewcIk4ep_jSQl2AWKaVs3GgL1Apl_ApZllRV2aWw3PqHOfN-VHtwPtm8Qs1wzzLQpsH3hUpemxrGauI05SnUrMmCaEpPsNyixX/s1600/070514+Bikers+waiting+for+road+to+open.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBclkuUqGT4pHWtlmg_MfoQS0qgg6XvIlohLJZuvSjyewcIk4ep_jSQl2AWKaVs3GgL1Apl_ApZllRV2aWw3PqHOfN-VHtwPtm8Qs1wzzLQpsH3hUpemxrGauI05SnUrMmCaEpPsNyixX/s320/070514+Bikers+waiting+for+road+to+open.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>There was only one car in front of me but before long a line built up behind me, mostly Harleys. I counted over 20 at one point. We waited for a half hour or so, then one of the safety trucks rolled past saying he was going to close the road off so the helicopter could land to airlift one of the guys out. It may have been a passenger now that I think about it as I saw the ambulance guys get a stretcher out. Helluva deal the way some of those guys ride.<br />
<br />
They finally turned us loose and since I was the lead bike I rode off at my regular rate, which wasn’t fast but I soon found myself totally alone with no one in sight behind me. Maybe all the Harley guys parked somewhere.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When I arrived at the Deal’s Gap store near the beginning of the Tail of the Dragon it was packed. Riders were everywhere, mostly on cruisers but also a lot of sports bikes and even a couple of dirt bikes. Maybe those guys took a wrong turn somewhere? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZhKRvrDzjZGBjI1lmF3hH-4lsre1KYsMdV8erfMhZ6Rgj29fgSsnOC3Xwhe-PQjVhu3WPlkf5xtjL2uFlR6G-vPd209bwMNJrM5Y0satTaGvNpiSra00wDthFQIoBcfx14ElCiTJh9tr/s1600/070515+Deal%27s+Gap+store.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZhKRvrDzjZGBjI1lmF3hH-4lsre1KYsMdV8erfMhZ6Rgj29fgSsnOC3Xwhe-PQjVhu3WPlkf5xtjL2uFlR6G-vPd209bwMNJrM5Y0satTaGvNpiSra00wDthFQIoBcfx14ElCiTJh9tr/s320/070515+Deal%27s+Gap+store.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8efAdc792kwyHr7fqEf3laRp1CgPU2vfrM_mmDMiaKO3GOrAA3C3HF5IyPbsQ7yLLN_3xY5SvboVm972MA2anaTufPt0YGqIZhchyKb15L7kcFOYpOEhSa9WFlNrGbHRdyRB7HbFSGDmj/s1600/070516+The+Dragon+Warning+Sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8efAdc792kwyHr7fqEf3laRp1CgPU2vfrM_mmDMiaKO3GOrAA3C3HF5IyPbsQ7yLLN_3xY5SvboVm972MA2anaTufPt0YGqIZhchyKb15L7kcFOYpOEhSa9WFlNrGbHRdyRB7HbFSGDmj/s320/070516+The+Dragon+Warning+Sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSpKgSB-rhirojC27Vqzj5-Ci9nAZ1nDbyAmzsOToyCmJeKz4aqNWOW-lo8HAc7oDPGHMr5pwdsiFjpzH-XK1lYBmdXVY0-EEDV_8EAqaRa3pFMZGekJEnX-qlJ-UGoyHmKXgNgqynV5x/s1600/070516B+Bikes+waiting+at+the+Dragon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSpKgSB-rhirojC27Vqzj5-Ci9nAZ1nDbyAmzsOToyCmJeKz4aqNWOW-lo8HAc7oDPGHMr5pwdsiFjpzH-XK1lYBmdXVY0-EEDV_8EAqaRa3pFMZGekJEnX-qlJ-UGoyHmKXgNgqynV5x/s320/070516B+Bikes+waiting+at+the+Dragon.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecPwR4V3W3n_0TZvqlc2yKo9AAWuRIkVgrubhDaAUmCuWOPcZgXvg3V_kM_vVyO8OkVS0ChUnS34R3FaiFhC-XeZFKjS1qN3OUu5WtESyS_GMVhM-BmXTpxqUlzaH9Um_lVDMS1F1uKQ8/s1600/070517+Mr+Subjective.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecPwR4V3W3n_0TZvqlc2yKo9AAWuRIkVgrubhDaAUmCuWOPcZgXvg3V_kM_vVyO8OkVS0ChUnS34R3FaiFhC-XeZFKjS1qN3OUu5WtESyS_GMVhM-BmXTpxqUlzaH9Um_lVDMS1F1uKQ8/s320/070517+Mr+Subjective.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeYsPJb0Om-1MANpR6ocxHiXqYl3YxYlYEGalyHB7k6gQZpR8mTxxFDJrDF41_AaDl_dsl0DnFThkIoA20XHdTnwaN13qDVmlZ5ntW7hVTtEpP5bx1pqq5b4W3dk-1mGbJTeGDLhYdBic/s1600/070518+Tennesee+sign+at+the+Dragon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeYsPJb0Om-1MANpR6ocxHiXqYl3YxYlYEGalyHB7k6gQZpR8mTxxFDJrDF41_AaDl_dsl0DnFThkIoA20XHdTnwaN13qDVmlZ5ntW7hVTtEpP5bx1pqq5b4W3dk-1mGbJTeGDLhYdBic/s320/070518+Tennesee+sign+at+the+Dragon.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I lumbered on past the store figuring I could stop on my way out to buy the obligatory T-shirt. The traffic was fairly light and the speed was very slow for the most part due to the sharp curves. The only time I got bogged down was when I came upon a group of old geezers riding Goldwing trikes going about 15 mph. I only had to follow them for a couple of miles and then we came to the road block where we turned around to head back. I got lucky, there was a state cop parked and he asked one of the trike guys something which gave me an opportunity to slide past them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3fBJpLNP0p09e8iYl77wD25JA2Zcno5JNfIfOfIV1jSmRmaPGbWoTMKEQEtX0YQ5H3IFlLNEqX0GUCHwbQlCtvSTdJ1oKVU2f4Yrj9bNULW3n4m3_pmnZDApZAfHNKmFiCRFq4pfVC4o/s1600/070520+View+from+the+Dragon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3fBJpLNP0p09e8iYl77wD25JA2Zcno5JNfIfOfIV1jSmRmaPGbWoTMKEQEtX0YQ5H3IFlLNEqX0GUCHwbQlCtvSTdJ1oKVU2f4Yrj9bNULW3n4m3_pmnZDApZAfHNKmFiCRFq4pfVC4o/s320/070520+View+from+the+Dragon.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh414DzB1zYZH_2-HBGrvNcjqVgdp5qGtG_7vawQorydn2m4UG9IepTpkRkWF_GyLCAMVPigASeIHg_M7mh9uI0xnvryi1QGnIPNLD_sxmP1zRpPUgz4NLtQ7VvoxHnWbw2kuV8b4lCOd28/s1600/070521+Trikes+on+the+Dragon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh414DzB1zYZH_2-HBGrvNcjqVgdp5qGtG_7vawQorydn2m4UG9IepTpkRkWF_GyLCAMVPigASeIHg_M7mh9uI0xnvryi1QGnIPNLD_sxmP1zRpPUgz4NLtQ7VvoxHnWbw2kuV8b4lCOd28/s320/070521+Trikes+on+the+Dragon.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZROkFfQeYBDubOA1Mt_m9iILMYs5-TQ-Or8lP3fPTPU78YxAsJucrYJ5iALjnttKCZ7sPAUpRxO7OkFW9GgM2A5W5cjI-8YgTGJxSkU6E6Jd1nJaGBRSLu3SDiKZZtgyHwtmPE7uJ-0-/s1600/070519+North+Carolina+siign+at+the+Dragon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZROkFfQeYBDubOA1Mt_m9iILMYs5-TQ-Or8lP3fPTPU78YxAsJucrYJ5iALjnttKCZ7sPAUpRxO7OkFW9GgM2A5W5cjI-8YgTGJxSkU6E6Jd1nJaGBRSLu3SDiKZZtgyHwtmPE7uJ-0-/s320/070519+North+Carolina+siign+at+the+Dragon.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>The ride back was enjoyable but uneventful other than being passed once by a couple of squids out to get killed. I wondered how they’d have been riding if they’d seen the two guys up on the Cherohala Skyway this morning.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjASZt-3j_LktP09VgrEmSV-MxqBxk4tGSUE0vGfe2AeLp5QoAXplgkVgSTuAstu0Jw04r0S5JMpbGGoltv0Q0-GnMFbMp4GpKFrMV5r6L2GXURCAhJynjL_OyXHHTvsMQdYwtDAJX0Hb/s1600/070523+Dragon+dam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjASZt-3j_LktP09VgrEmSV-MxqBxk4tGSUE0vGfe2AeLp5QoAXplgkVgSTuAstu0Jw04r0S5JMpbGGoltv0Q0-GnMFbMp4GpKFrMV5r6L2GXURCAhJynjL_OyXHHTvsMQdYwtDAJX0Hb/s320/070523+Dragon+dam.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6KTlf-fIb6AH5IUijwPfpPGuk4QmgoSL4PcjfuJxxYX6_tPKRNnLxodkYPtFAYSOkZp8L1tqBV1RA0jU9OhyphenhyphengYSrYza1KImxXimKv0SoDsF7yBD6AUQ5AiCEEn559VYVOlCv6oeOYVb6/s1600/070523+Old+bridge+at+the+dam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6KTlf-fIb6AH5IUijwPfpPGuk4QmgoSL4PcjfuJxxYX6_tPKRNnLxodkYPtFAYSOkZp8L1tqBV1RA0jU9OhyphenhyphengYSrYza1KImxXimKv0SoDsF7yBD6AUQ5AiCEEn559VYVOlCv6oeOYVb6/s320/070523+Old+bridge+at+the+dam.JPG" /></a></div>I stopped at the store and bought my T-shirt and a Red Bull energy drink, then started out towards Cherokee, my destination for the day. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QYVEUPk6exwy7eStZ1WTGr1FUvgxfJHJ_B7bV2CRpBm4QPSQAHv1CUSTrc6imQIMJNR9s3gcyu1XskT9KwY18heFAyD-JNJsOBPq_0pXQhA_5U0eLltUiqwuvucYpmgDCs70bHZejh1L/s1600/070525+Green+Girl+on+the+Cherokee+Reservation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QYVEUPk6exwy7eStZ1WTGr1FUvgxfJHJ_B7bV2CRpBm4QPSQAHv1CUSTrc6imQIMJNR9s3gcyu1XskT9KwY18heFAyD-JNJsOBPq_0pXQhA_5U0eLltUiqwuvucYpmgDCs70bHZejh1L/s320/070525+Green+Girl+on+the+Cherokee+Reservation.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9jDnLhfCG0ryZcoKPnQDwHWqjM6XiUU57XEY_5LbbO8S2pzXtMr5r5yJvUuLGEsNUUs1ntyclUTmm8pnY9JiaPhBnCOTPCmaAx6T1nR2JezRYg68rRxNnXao-pLcDh8hlg08UFKhJwxQ/s1600/070526+Cherokee+sighted.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9jDnLhfCG0ryZcoKPnQDwHWqjM6XiUU57XEY_5LbbO8S2pzXtMr5r5yJvUuLGEsNUUs1ntyclUTmm8pnY9JiaPhBnCOTPCmaAx6T1nR2JezRYg68rRxNnXao-pLcDh8hlg08UFKhJwxQ/s320/070526+Cherokee+sighted.JPG" /></a></div>It took less time than I thought and I found a vacancy at the Comfort Inn. For dinner I rode into the Casino and signed up for the buffet at the Fresh Café. It was pretty tasty so I probably won’t have to eat for several days now.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbhlZXd16yr6vUL2SbHTLPf35BZHL6dLEbObU9AOJdFJXPM_ZLu72ibbUeQG1hH_GOyF6GiiHP2rJiaAcqz1Bde3E5KK3Ip_6To86PjcC56dvWwaPgWhQdpIGaU4PRpUoDxDSmLkKauEs/s1600/070527+Casino+Dinner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbhlZXd16yr6vUL2SbHTLPf35BZHL6dLEbObU9AOJdFJXPM_ZLu72ibbUeQG1hH_GOyF6GiiHP2rJiaAcqz1Bde3E5KK3Ip_6To86PjcC56dvWwaPgWhQdpIGaU4PRpUoDxDSmLkKauEs/s320/070527+Casino+Dinner.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Back at the motel I found time to catch up on the last three days blog postings so with this one I’ll be current. Tomorrow I think I may head towards Kentucky.<br />
<br />
Post Script: Odd things sometimes happen…just as I was finishing up this posting I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. It was the largest spider I’ve seen since the late 50’s when I was in Japan. The most accurate estimate I can give of his size would be 2 ½” across his legs and he was moving like hell; ultimately running behind the drapes. I’m ordinarily fairly calm but I don’t like sharing my room with large spiders; especially when I’m about to go to bed.<br />
<br />
Pulling the drapes out I saw him and he saw me and ran a few feet, further behind the drapes. I couldn’t think of anything big enough that I could kill him with and then I thought maybe I could spray him with something. The only things I have with me are my Foamy shaving soap and the foot & sneaker spray that I use daily on my boots. I opted for the latter and pulling the drapes aside I saw him hunkered down eyeballing me. <br />
<br />
I gave it to him good, sprayed and sprayed and he didn’t like it one bit and tried to run off. No way was I going to let him get away so while he was reeling around under the influence of Tolnaftate (kills athlete’s foot and boot odors) I smacked him with one of my cycle boots. Actually I smacked him somewhere in the neighborhood of a hundred times so now there’s a lot of him spread out over a very large area. It should be very easy for housekeeping to vacuum him up.<br />
<br />
I wonder if he had a mate....Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-29446476379584774692010-07-05T21:00:00.000-07:002010-07-05T21:00:59.414-07:00July 04, 2010 – Day 29 It’s Independence Day!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Terry was up and at it early this morning while I slept in and Doug messed around with plotting out travel options for me. She was just making some real headway with her stuffed jalapenos when I came staggering out and butted in, wanting to know all about how she was fixing them, etc. She’s a patient gal and gave me the 10-minute course on how to do them. I may have a go at it later this summer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaoOBHs6z-Pqmo4HQPJiCVQrz0nC-CzOXcf9hCNgS-9fk_bnaF78bKzJmBLyCOgtIlfXzmtx3vgJYH4-iSMzdRat2gPoJPY9ceGOMHEsksFnK2RziFhvxaedmVFNgPfJEZefgJfjAsoe_/s1600/070401+Terry+stuffs+Jalapenos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaoOBHs6z-Pqmo4HQPJiCVQrz0nC-CzOXcf9hCNgS-9fk_bnaF78bKzJmBLyCOgtIlfXzmtx3vgJYH4-iSMzdRat2gPoJPY9ceGOMHEsksFnK2RziFhvxaedmVFNgPfJEZefgJfjAsoe_/s320/070401+Terry+stuffs+Jalapenos.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRn-TN_w19lpaXaKEQqbyYa9FhuBnPveYr0XqjmBrpgzjEY6rIJSd_1aQFZhLHy1-cjMLn-dbI5fi_GLBUJX-BFwxOK_2rB93_xwuRBBIj63UHs6VaTWNrSZUWdgsFX_K9XwB4Gu796E4/s1600/070402+Cream+cheese+jalapenos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRn-TN_w19lpaXaKEQqbyYa9FhuBnPveYr0XqjmBrpgzjEY6rIJSd_1aQFZhLHy1-cjMLn-dbI5fi_GLBUJX-BFwxOK_2rB93_xwuRBBIj63UHs6VaTWNrSZUWdgsFX_K9XwB4Gu796E4/s320/070402+Cream+cheese+jalapenos.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9_USx8L7IJHUm9b0ZpEA1pVEE1LgOjejaaMmH4rVTQyjGVkryaTm1Uf2GGqRwm-UWxLJ7i9hos1sxmE8DikORS2XoxR53A9tFCHJu3R9gsX8W5mtQDcH4m8N_sVpnw5Z86anqoq2M2ev/s1600/070420+Ornery+lop-eared+kitty.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9_USx8L7IJHUm9b0ZpEA1pVEE1LgOjejaaMmH4rVTQyjGVkryaTm1Uf2GGqRwm-UWxLJ7i9hos1sxmE8DikORS2XoxR53A9tFCHJu3R9gsX8W5mtQDcH4m8N_sVpnw5Z86anqoq2M2ev/s320/070420+Ornery+lop-eared+kitty.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCo5WuLtr21sqnOzce9Ud4sLgbFaKDuRBMaYYoE71l5DfD-K5rWt1jxUUlXrONPyFacckijX8AQb7BsyHju3ePznjjVSDsnnVBugMVZ1TbX28vC2HSt0aeqiK2ojNMcjexyLni6Nw5IzMJ/s1600/070412+Doug+and+the+maps.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCo5WuLtr21sqnOzce9Ud4sLgbFaKDuRBMaYYoE71l5DfD-K5rWt1jxUUlXrONPyFacckijX8AQb7BsyHju3ePznjjVSDsnnVBugMVZ1TbX28vC2HSt0aeqiK2ojNMcjexyLni6Nw5IzMJ/s320/070412+Doug+and+the+maps.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div>Another member of the Modern Vespa Forum – Kevin – lives close by and was on his way over to meet us and go for a ride. His MP3 500 scooter is black and evil looking… He checked out Green Girl right away.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokWR_temYXh9-P7ubd-anq73ZKeuGCqoKiGvSa_YPvaH5zXmdLc9k77GXhI-RBsDtq-CPhyphenhyphenH2deGSAvbBQeDPTzsvSV1yCAo_HLOaG2rqYNrbDzt8o7abMPNFpUvCzpaLlS6sW5KJq0Ru/s1600/070403+Kevin+and+his+black+MP3+500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokWR_temYXh9-P7ubd-anq73ZKeuGCqoKiGvSa_YPvaH5zXmdLc9k77GXhI-RBsDtq-CPhyphenhyphenH2deGSAvbBQeDPTzsvSV1yCAo_HLOaG2rqYNrbDzt8o7abMPNFpUvCzpaLlS6sW5KJq0Ru/s320/070403+Kevin+and+his+black+MP3+500.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That is not an MP3 500 Larry...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dAYxSgwP-DqVpKifV8cfkDgzW5uGRcNUntvf_b6C7udr57vgMGJDmXOl3rew4p1CfbBQDW_SUdUv9bozYK7lWoG_VGmEe_Q-QIC25-Rv1ukuIKuCLLLqbGHAUlgoZ7QI3BNTX5yauRTm/s1600/070404+That+is+not+an+MP3+Larry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dAYxSgwP-DqVpKifV8cfkDgzW5uGRcNUntvf_b6C7udr57vgMGJDmXOl3rew4p1CfbBQDW_SUdUv9bozYK7lWoG_VGmEe_Q-QIC25-Rv1ukuIKuCLLLqbGHAUlgoZ7QI3BNTX5yauRTm/s320/070404+That+is+not+an+MP3+Larry.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">He'd arrived right on time so we set out for a nice ride through the surrounding hills and country side. I felt a bit guilty as I’d not been wearing all my safety equipment and both Doug and Kevin were fully garbed like you’re supposed to. My excuse? It was too hot. Duh…</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioILtTDT_QbwGbRX6QtsbTOIIA1fl4J8TJEKlEPrInesNx0MeJZAULTnx7cQUYYDTgHvMe4knfRhtlaA5iR_xkbYYxFhmOLyJqhg0Xhjb8KgEs41Vfcoqs_Tj1LD2vu2Vql_TvfLSOHkSh/s1600/070407+ATGATT+Doug.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioILtTDT_QbwGbRX6QtsbTOIIA1fl4J8TJEKlEPrInesNx0MeJZAULTnx7cQUYYDTgHvMe4knfRhtlaA5iR_xkbYYxFhmOLyJqhg0Xhjb8KgEs41Vfcoqs_Tj1LD2vu2Vql_TvfLSOHkSh/s320/070407+ATGATT+Doug.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_jlSvHEWpkqQFjZfcGfxEqX1YTF8GxaxRlkoaA6gns_Zr9bn8h-UzEQv5H05Yp6Lhx2XXCllcpSe1ZKU9-5RPlcHX03EUjVXWND72fzkcqCfM3R-W95M-pXtesB8r5xFo3sIkfdLJfGZ/s1600/070408+ATATT+Kevin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_jlSvHEWpkqQFjZfcGfxEqX1YTF8GxaxRlkoaA6gns_Zr9bn8h-UzEQv5H05Yp6Lhx2XXCllcpSe1ZKU9-5RPlcHX03EUjVXWND72fzkcqCfM3R-W95M-pXtesB8r5xFo3sIkfdLJfGZ/s320/070408+ATATT+Kevin.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We visited the home where Terry grew up,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Her neices were selling veggies & fresh fruit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zp3gibQ8-fNU4NZXAyMwNOrU9UbVEcu8HUP_vbyxxoweYEkGksdH4xsjLAKc2Z6O28B5nvUBOjJi3nTgnVTru-yI926zdkaNA4jolS78qB0623WgdYjcQWJ7pdZR5d_0172traSv156C/s1600/070409+Terry%27s+nieces+selling+veggies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zp3gibQ8-fNU4NZXAyMwNOrU9UbVEcu8HUP_vbyxxoweYEkGksdH4xsjLAKc2Z6O28B5nvUBOjJi3nTgnVTru-yI926zdkaNA4jolS78qB0623WgdYjcQWJ7pdZR5d_0172traSv156C/s320/070409+Terry%27s+nieces+selling+veggies.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nuclear plants & dams & warning sighs...Ewww....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlRCCAJ4TzQrcpvMlAGVcRjQfNXQFNuZOcSf5l6E-MBRr1Knos3aKRZEXtQKE_pXT2XmalqT7pDdtMINJYD6w6AC_hY-rwamlgp6CtlyC_i_Kkl89zVI6xuprM8IeI85wV5UDIOBGAZ1M/s1600/070405+TVA+Nuclear+plant.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlRCCAJ4TzQrcpvMlAGVcRjQfNXQFNuZOcSf5l6E-MBRr1Knos3aKRZEXtQKE_pXT2XmalqT7pDdtMINJYD6w6AC_hY-rwamlgp6CtlyC_i_Kkl89zVI6xuprM8IeI85wV5UDIOBGAZ1M/s320/070405+TVA+Nuclear+plant.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIO-0gZKbvLcLS_nQgU1eEa62mxdIdWTq6BWgMIyg_OjSDbVIZ7hjIc6sVlp1sfsgTAGUbwIIEZeuNCYb4WfZAd-Xc2d0avaehjaxtj-oyhlJMMNZl2l-YvPw9KIB26R6spFM0YAO0T9Z/s1600/070406+TVA+warning+sign+at+the++dam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIO-0gZKbvLcLS_nQgU1eEa62mxdIdWTq6BWgMIyg_OjSDbVIZ7hjIc6sVlp1sfsgTAGUbwIIEZeuNCYb4WfZAd-Xc2d0avaehjaxtj-oyhlJMMNZl2l-YvPw9KIB26R6spFM0YAO0T9Z/s320/070406+TVA+warning+sign+at+the++dam.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nice house for sale, only $699K</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwE7fs0mrVp-t9wiwEZaCA_39qIVT1dwOjlpZrKtWnb2A9RWnFbtqpncHe6u-uCdCOnb5wupOWIINUVmEXPutBDBR8Tt-o_V8rF2-CkUebZrqGbz7pWgvqqFi4biQvw3fXuq3-chfBHog/s1600/070411+House+for+sale+%24699k.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwE7fs0mrVp-t9wiwEZaCA_39qIVT1dwOjlpZrKtWnb2A9RWnFbtqpncHe6u-uCdCOnb5wupOWIINUVmEXPutBDBR8Tt-o_V8rF2-CkUebZrqGbz7pWgvqqFi4biQvw3fXuq3-chfBHog/s320/070411+House+for+sale+%24699k.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Million dollar view included </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqWa4L7nOosxnSk7LDCp4ZNrJH2gZT6PsH7L7YMrG0um0rQ2gN7Pf5HzhByDcUGqixveb7aPnqZ_zGPAB8CubNoz9queX5vPFEhzOIrKmNJNTDQO-vn-EoiwH0iVHUlF7PB_Yu4X-RqAn/s1600/070410+Great+View+house+for+sale.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqWa4L7nOosxnSk7LDCp4ZNrJH2gZT6PsH7L7YMrG0um0rQ2gN7Pf5HzhByDcUGqixveb7aPnqZ_zGPAB8CubNoz9queX5vPFEhzOIrKmNJNTDQO-vn-EoiwH0iVHUlF7PB_Yu4X-RqAn/s320/070410+Great+View+house+for+sale.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">All told we rode for a couple of hours, then it was time to head home and help out getting things ready for the big 4th of July barbeque. Kevin and his wife would return later for the festivities as would Terry’s family. I got to meet a very happy group of family and friends who all treated me super. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkUC-bIYeMNJxcvYKaJ2m9mbgdqYsaqtfGyvv04oJPNN0PFv3RyhMoKOV3nQShc25_7Lz8jcJQptpOeUrPjM1NE1P59ZrjX7zZEBCoIotaVcKZwR6t7rYZzI5uu8Wc2oSBCfY5OU06YmP/s1600/070413+Corn+on+the+cobb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkUC-bIYeMNJxcvYKaJ2m9mbgdqYsaqtfGyvv04oJPNN0PFv3RyhMoKOV3nQShc25_7Lz8jcJQptpOeUrPjM1NE1P59ZrjX7zZEBCoIotaVcKZwR6t7rYZzI5uu8Wc2oSBCfY5OU06YmP/s320/070413+Corn+on+the+cobb.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Doug shucked corn and then donned his chef’s hat and fixed burgers, hot dogs, and jalapenos over hot coals. Terry had a ton of food fixed and her sisters and others brought more food, all of it delicious.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIRkxXh-fPeh_jR2HVrHEpYZCwsbr_06R23ukHGYCJJT6ZoPAfbdnEmJBUCEOBmwIydloLkAtWMEDkZI-VBazx46ANC_ocshH3vUnEU7XhMGZAAeE0XyWJVYtfqnc6PsjdPhl3VgnQvEG/s1600/070414+Chef+Doug.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIRkxXh-fPeh_jR2HVrHEpYZCwsbr_06R23ukHGYCJJT6ZoPAfbdnEmJBUCEOBmwIydloLkAtWMEDkZI-VBazx46ANC_ocshH3vUnEU7XhMGZAAeE0XyWJVYtfqnc6PsjdPhl3VgnQvEG/s320/070414+Chef+Doug.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fire! Call the fire department!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uTJrgnXByaxaYDmiNeRa6lW5V0xKPrRP4FccvRo1BbFYTOLKcnjkoh4xvpMvDunNcI3bbRIuwj0EiV9BLH1zhAILKy47u5veQqhjTKY78gS_xhDKLsM9cwnCedn8RITgrR5DH0rTYub_/s1600/070415+Kevin+%26+his+wife+have+a+laugh.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uTJrgnXByaxaYDmiNeRa6lW5V0xKPrRP4FccvRo1BbFYTOLKcnjkoh4xvpMvDunNcI3bbRIuwj0EiV9BLH1zhAILKy47u5veQqhjTKY78gS_xhDKLsM9cwnCedn8RITgrR5DH0rTYub_/s320/070415+Kevin+%26+his+wife+have+a+laugh.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVop9oQxxPoHiLYrOiT52iSeUaeA4oehiG0xWn9UjJzu4NNGYfYV3oIvXT0xkGDkUhx8eEJHxp2ghnmxMM4ANwE1pek5dvntBQ6lCrASdVVs-Mj5PLNAQIA1VfGlgRxbySFAN43gGBfAKT/s1600/070416+Roasting+Hot+Dogs+%26+Jalapenas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVop9oQxxPoHiLYrOiT52iSeUaeA4oehiG0xWn9UjJzu4NNGYfYV3oIvXT0xkGDkUhx8eEJHxp2ghnmxMM4ANwE1pek5dvntBQ6lCrASdVVs-Mj5PLNAQIA1VfGlgRxbySFAN43gGBfAKT/s320/070416+Roasting+Hot+Dogs+%26+Jalapenas.JPG" /></a></div><br />
After dinner Doug presented me with the engraved plaque he’d had made up for a May 22nd gathering of MP3 riders at the Tail of the Dragon. I’d truly intended to make it but circumstances prevented it so the award plaque went into a dark place for safekeeping until today. What a hoot!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvwwadYFLqLWywCuCYfd7qIigkflZLeTmvG8DPKwKm2-VSVVuctQm-M5sBTx9aAScLGPZ-ryklopbYGzwSslOzf8JsEQWAwerviCBsq99Cip_s4wkk6d-Z4QaeFVByLpshqotlBrE3ipZ/s1600/070417+I+receive+the+award.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvwwadYFLqLWywCuCYfd7qIigkflZLeTmvG8DPKwKm2-VSVVuctQm-M5sBTx9aAScLGPZ-ryklopbYGzwSslOzf8JsEQWAwerviCBsq99Cip_s4wkk6d-Z4QaeFVByLpshqotlBrE3ipZ/s320/070417+I+receive+the+award.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPxbnPY4dSnI9nyv2HzNl7oK_UMqHc-DFkvibqIK_hFXdrhHwTcMps91njh4hyphenhyphen3nk7Q3_e2Nb_lN8KSiNUT3sW5MOaopnDqyB5c4ox6HcNexcsZYbZNWtyW37UZ8h0P55kLfetUrM0NSe/s1600/070418+The+Award.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPxbnPY4dSnI9nyv2HzNl7oK_UMqHc-DFkvibqIK_hFXdrhHwTcMps91njh4hyphenhyphen3nk7Q3_e2Nb_lN8KSiNUT3sW5MOaopnDqyB5c4ox6HcNexcsZYbZNWtyW37UZ8h0P55kLfetUrM0NSe/s320/070418+The+Award.JPG" /></a></div>It finally got dark enough for the city’s fireworks show to begin and we had a perfect view of everything from the driveway. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0merm9Ahq6Nn9T_7jRR0OeEDUnVTMaKhle9pPX236zg20iLRcFa_yQO47OnVpXXKwt9aDhHEjAtMuUOZxmfQTWkZ_6gamof4K5ZIWhL58kyi6cP0O0AAj9NcrHV876fKn_9lnH5LBIDa/s1600/070420+Fireworks+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0merm9Ahq6Nn9T_7jRR0OeEDUnVTMaKhle9pPX236zg20iLRcFa_yQO47OnVpXXKwt9aDhHEjAtMuUOZxmfQTWkZ_6gamof4K5ZIWhL58kyi6cP0O0AAj9NcrHV876fKn_9lnH5LBIDa/s320/070420+Fireworks+2.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mr Tailgator</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xTmYZNtNJ3qPjvSY5sDhYLnWJkgA2YtVmWRzvPiGKFsJBwpwFBY8UegXuVYn4UAFB3SjMBNk_jxWqocIZ75L47q0AZwknecr8BI8AVkrXozYMO6Ck1pDPNc2LFBlKkM226vIf2X8uQ-X/s1600/070419+Tailgator+Doug.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xTmYZNtNJ3qPjvSY5sDhYLnWJkgA2YtVmWRzvPiGKFsJBwpwFBY8UegXuVYn4UAFB3SjMBNk_jxWqocIZ75L47q0AZwknecr8BI8AVkrXozYMO6Ck1pDPNc2LFBlKkM226vIf2X8uQ-X/s320/070419+Tailgator+Doug.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRP-K75C5uOK8JQ5wg5WS-dGPxk4RJaB8HEx-AHq05dLpNRWbnAdZk6yOBMHx2xlTwCwx4AyeZsaWZI7Agrv5lBY8N_rpds811ybalvwmtNA9VXlt5dM2sPXC2fuLWAKJ75TNBJkLRszdz/s1600/070421+Fireworks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRP-K75C5uOK8JQ5wg5WS-dGPxk4RJaB8HEx-AHq05dLpNRWbnAdZk6yOBMHx2xlTwCwx4AyeZsaWZI7Agrv5lBY8N_rpds811ybalvwmtNA9VXlt5dM2sPXC2fuLWAKJ75TNBJkLRszdz/s320/070421+Fireworks.JPG" /></a></div><br />
It was one of the longest and best I’d ever seen and after it was over and everyone had gone home Doug and Terry and I sat on the front porch talking until midnight. It was a perfect way to wrap up one of the best 4th of July’s I’d ever had and I felt really lucky to have made such great new friends. Thanks you guys!<br />
<br />
What about tomorrow? Why the Dragon of course!Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-13767664420838199742010-07-05T19:34:00.000-07:002010-07-05T19:34:43.775-07:00July 03, 2010 – Day 29 Off I go to Tellico Plains, TNI’d planned on riding to the Dragon today but after reviewing the distance and time involved I decided to take a more leisurely route and just meet Doug at Tellico Plains. Then after a day or so with him I’d have a go at the Tail of the Dragon.<br />
<br />
<br />
I headed north in the sunny morning and before long came to an intersection that was extremely busy with cars & bikes everywhere. I rode through all the congestion and turned onto the highway heading to Tellico Plains, then realized I’d just passed through a huge flea market area having their holiday weekend sale. <br />
So what's one more U-turn?<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7_Cd-4i8O5xgMUxL2FDJK1wIOOkCnGbAw3TUdAEu8qmD8SkDmbPN4EEHPVh5CysTlbK3DDFPIUjc4003rLP4-jJxepTDXn3FHh1qBghbL1jVfYLYDbuSoQhVZAGADLnjjCPkO4Ml-Vq5/s1600/070301+Richard%27s+Trading+Post.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7_Cd-4i8O5xgMUxL2FDJK1wIOOkCnGbAw3TUdAEu8qmD8SkDmbPN4EEHPVh5CysTlbK3DDFPIUjc4003rLP4-jJxepTDXn3FHh1qBghbL1jVfYLYDbuSoQhVZAGADLnjjCPkO4Ml-Vq5/s320/070301+Richard%27s+Trading+Post.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Efns6SLjAvBPacFcfSPHibU-3-DoTHdHjd18LCJzKERpc7VQpMe2wy85kEpsy-EE0NwAwuyCCI-cCOe9ig0T_o7FxFI22pbE44nxZohya3gOhAMalDiRUpVzD6c5m3WV0TUSP0DGUa5K/s1600/070305+Buffalo+bikes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Efns6SLjAvBPacFcfSPHibU-3-DoTHdHjd18LCJzKERpc7VQpMe2wy85kEpsy-EE0NwAwuyCCI-cCOe9ig0T_o7FxFI22pbE44nxZohya3gOhAMalDiRUpVzD6c5m3WV0TUSP0DGUa5K/s320/070305+Buffalo+bikes.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Great canoes!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KP1lHreOX0QTg-OlgAJXBqSGVo5YeEtO2zKIyVPEPEbJOoow5_wkvLCuCXLtgRW7GCjaeg38zg0jeHJGXlgOAI-3kxDQgL-l44Sx8Ttzo3BoX0bgPoPtAiJKJBEMpeSQ5HugTKu_JyI4/s1600/070303+Birchbark+canoe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KP1lHreOX0QTg-OlgAJXBqSGVo5YeEtO2zKIyVPEPEbJOoow5_wkvLCuCXLtgRW7GCjaeg38zg0jeHJGXlgOAI-3kxDQgL-l44Sx8Ttzo3BoX0bgPoPtAiJKJBEMpeSQ5HugTKu_JyI4/s320/070303+Birchbark+canoe.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-VPeEOTVb8TjrivpL0LDb95RRT0xmeFAtj5bQHvSPc9wk1ZCTFKq_eSQYxgg30UyWBTMLDRmt73fhbbg3SBiawEYe1LD0r_ESKS84Pw4bMuBi02gad-3TsaL7dDSnpaKe6WS4-LmRrMQ/s1600/070302+Canoes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-VPeEOTVb8TjrivpL0LDb95RRT0xmeFAtj5bQHvSPc9wk1ZCTFKq_eSQYxgg30UyWBTMLDRmt73fhbbg3SBiawEYe1LD0r_ESKS84Pw4bMuBi02gad-3TsaL7dDSnpaKe6WS4-LmRrMQ/s320/070302+Canoes.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-po8TyirP3kz0NpV_0eaT0Un7n4VXG7OzkXE0fiCZli0x9JeJC050FHhRq1-fIQV1Fo1PkD8Y73b3d08YMeh0N7OySh8oW_6WnVp_uvGOl3zz7DKkIq9_-DwIroD_PlP35pZt92VsGq5/s1600/070306+Big+Trading+Post.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-po8TyirP3kz0NpV_0eaT0Un7n4VXG7OzkXE0fiCZli0x9JeJC050FHhRq1-fIQV1Fo1PkD8Y73b3d08YMeh0N7OySh8oW_6WnVp_uvGOl3zz7DKkIq9_-DwIroD_PlP35pZt92VsGq5/s320/070306+Big+Trading+Post.JPG" /></a></div>Whoa! Back I went and found a convenient parking place with a group of bikes; then it was time to explore, maybe pick up a small treasure or two. The first place had a huge collection of canoes, many of them of the birch bark type constructed by Indians. Or Native Americans….whatever, they were wonderful to see and the shop owner claims he’d sold “thousands over the years”. I didn’t ask how many years but he looked pretty old so maybe he’s been around that long. <br />
<br />
I spent the better part of an hour, maybe more just wandering and looking at junk, none of which I either wanted or could see shipping home, but it was fun just the same. <br />
<br />
About the time I was ready to call it quits and move on I came to the boiled peanuts people and since I’d been told to try them I did. The guy stirring the pot gave me one to try and although I thought it tasted weird I sprang for the smallest bag, three bucks worth. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJK4EQw6oSLWoft-wuuEy-xEl2fwkNSGRi3l86lNteEyzkFO2slcuIDG__Zy6jlCSd-QqpgzHsUHI6TFxlszDMq0rib6LjuLoQW9HyIHCUy2JjhAo1Ma8YLR15Tctt1QcmQHVGXS1WghSQ/s1600/070307+Boiled+Peanuts+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJK4EQw6oSLWoft-wuuEy-xEl2fwkNSGRi3l86lNteEyzkFO2slcuIDG__Zy6jlCSd-QqpgzHsUHI6TFxlszDMq0rib6LjuLoQW9HyIHCUy2JjhAo1Ma8YLR15Tctt1QcmQHVGXS1WghSQ/s320/070307+Boiled+Peanuts+1.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4oe8uUbRb1obkZF3zcGtkZ3TpFaCaAI00-0X9Fr6jvxgdMllPeT7Wt3Z_Jq6sWuT_p3jBNjH4KeFxvvrS0jiUv04utCJ3gmPmdKXMLIctOqM7uE9w45ZZVj9G3RKat9H5qAYKHIYOtwq/s1600/070308+Boiled+Peanuts+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4oe8uUbRb1obkZF3zcGtkZ3TpFaCaAI00-0X9Fr6jvxgdMllPeT7Wt3Z_Jq6sWuT_p3jBNjH4KeFxvvrS0jiUv04utCJ3gmPmdKXMLIctOqM7uE9w45ZZVj9G3RKat9H5qAYKHIYOtwq/s320/070308+Boiled+Peanuts+2.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5sk5fM61z_YW2vbymsvr6ELxOo0SkWq2biN0UH5ZmlHVY8bMijG6IAGhmXwTLan2qrN6JusxfiuIE70XJ0WunUGEsqDpIb3AJIm_bmofIBIHSKp7L5M5dJu2pctREy7LLmzNTJyiRP-IH/s1600/070309+Boiled+Peanuts+getting+bagged.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5sk5fM61z_YW2vbymsvr6ELxOo0SkWq2biN0UH5ZmlHVY8bMijG6IAGhmXwTLan2qrN6JusxfiuIE70XJ0WunUGEsqDpIb3AJIm_bmofIBIHSKp7L5M5dJu2pctREy7LLmzNTJyiRP-IH/s320/070309+Boiled+Peanuts+getting+bagged.JPG" /></a></div><br />
That was my final purchase for the day and I continued my ride north towards Tellico Plains. The countryside was pretty and the weather was perfect for riding. I became so absorbed in the pure pleasure of riding I forgot to take any photos until I was nearly there. An old abandoned cabin alongside the road finally caught my attention so I stopped for it, then it was back on the road again. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlz4i-kfCY0JbmEDC4a7SaPjn1ZNUrw49GzBk9-neT5QU2J7CtctFCVX-uDNl5NOmlm8vRI73zJI1NIE1Wtf2fQO-or-dYnN5jIhtnzqPARmJAaiutA12SEqO3nu19O_SOJF0OZGFLRolO/s1600/070310+Tennesee+Log+Cabin+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlz4i-kfCY0JbmEDC4a7SaPjn1ZNUrw49GzBk9-neT5QU2J7CtctFCVX-uDNl5NOmlm8vRI73zJI1NIE1Wtf2fQO-or-dYnN5jIhtnzqPARmJAaiutA12SEqO3nu19O_SOJF0OZGFLRolO/s320/070310+Tennesee+Log+Cabin+1.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAuplKoZ-rSa7hOcpK-GKfHEicdOapdVbronKSVTr54uKgYLyvlLom9Mp39oX9RLeeko8OQVklFOtM9iILgbvro7yOnxrLLLlNw3moRPFytgvfAonZeDVTW9MfWvDLIGWhfFMePFX5xwI/s1600/070311+Tennesee+Log+Cabin+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAuplKoZ-rSa7hOcpK-GKfHEicdOapdVbronKSVTr54uKgYLyvlLom9Mp39oX9RLeeko8OQVklFOtM9iILgbvro7yOnxrLLLlNw3moRPFytgvfAonZeDVTW9MfWvDLIGWhfFMePFX5xwI/s320/070311+Tennesee+Log+Cabin+2.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wRd9WBcFzKFk8ieQGiq-bPNKWfMLv35gi9Bp3lPUp6q5fy3aIP3ldfGiOUBG3tcX09mv3Sop477lneBLuCJuxhuWFZsSCKMYBGiQZIlKtSz7oAI2gPg82ZLC18CWKVdIDx4MnCSpUizx/s1600/070312+Buck+Bald+Cherokee+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wRd9WBcFzKFk8ieQGiq-bPNKWfMLv35gi9Bp3lPUp6q5fy3aIP3ldfGiOUBG3tcX09mv3Sop477lneBLuCJuxhuWFZsSCKMYBGiQZIlKtSz7oAI2gPg82ZLC18CWKVdIDx4MnCSpUizx/s320/070312+Buck+Bald+Cherokee+sign.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Scarecrows are one of my favorite things and I lucked out and spotted one. Some people are bird watchers, I like scarecrows. What can I say? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspovTnAnEubgFuvTIzSFVoVTLmNocjB2BoRwpaisqTHryBBVdzTHc3f6-nChMKNs_PWeiCurVRF6TsIF0LvkcofwTlNxqlP_1SNdy2MVxCY58MCbYdLZkYUtnB1hhCOzj8Rtuo5Wqhq8z/s1600/070314+Outreach+Garden+Scarecrow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspovTnAnEubgFuvTIzSFVoVTLmNocjB2BoRwpaisqTHryBBVdzTHc3f6-nChMKNs_PWeiCurVRF6TsIF0LvkcofwTlNxqlP_1SNdy2MVxCY58MCbYdLZkYUtnB1hhCOzj8Rtuo5Wqhq8z/s320/070314+Outreach+Garden+Scarecrow.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Just before the turnoff to Tellico Plains I noticed Hunt’s Lodge, a campground/cabins place that caters strictly to motorcycles. There are a number of similar places scattered throughout the area and I know several guys who stay at them and like them a lot. One day I’ll try one but for now I’ll stick with the motel thing as I didn’t bring a single piece of camping equipment.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZcjshnDMUna-QtRV0h6wxam110RRW94_B_bMrxhuREhyTvWZaRys21QJ_2rgcWoNFG5lhCkJZ3FWy-AI07-YDh6adUud6bVCDHfsFzRYguCRi_Rm0TF-Wm200L-1XIWt8BgCdnTb0KrW/s1600/070315+Hunt%27s+Lodge+MC+campground+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZcjshnDMUna-QtRV0h6wxam110RRW94_B_bMrxhuREhyTvWZaRys21QJ_2rgcWoNFG5lhCkJZ3FWy-AI07-YDh6adUud6bVCDHfsFzRYguCRi_Rm0TF-Wm200L-1XIWt8BgCdnTb0KrW/s320/070315+Hunt%27s+Lodge+MC+campground+sign.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I rolled into Tellico Plains in the early afternoon and since it’s such a small town I figured I’d cruise through it and have a look around. I was supposed to meet my friend Doug and ride together on my way back from Deal’s Gap and The Tail of the Dragon but since I’d decided to put that off until after the 4th of July I was not where I was supposed to be. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbon43pcCtJrjA-J9bp1ojhcUgI7-fCwfSxkbypaZtU4IPKF-4MyE-Cr_e-nLPzsRCTLaZj-Gp1-m3s-l_2ltlzKgtWqHuDGBczMK5cDpDsXWvlCBlanVEUtjrGPpVWhLlo5MzWf5ycbc9/s1600/070316+Intersection+to+Telico+Plains.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbon43pcCtJrjA-J9bp1ojhcUgI7-fCwfSxkbypaZtU4IPKF-4MyE-Cr_e-nLPzsRCTLaZj-Gp1-m3s-l_2ltlzKgtWqHuDGBczMK5cDpDsXWvlCBlanVEUtjrGPpVWhLlo5MzWf5ycbc9/s320/070316+Intersection+to+Telico+Plains.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4aB2vJci1wdj70rMQ2b5V2BPUMxdltzwoEWdtyhcIKXj-q_hwNey3vj431axdjzco2IZfM9KkxpOjt7427IyEYXyldXBadagXftOPd8ftNOm7nnjhkrr1XICUBxvZQZbHk0zxAaCzoTQ/s1600/070316A+Tellico+Plains+12+miles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4aB2vJci1wdj70rMQ2b5V2BPUMxdltzwoEWdtyhcIKXj-q_hwNey3vj431axdjzco2IZfM9KkxpOjt7427IyEYXyldXBadagXftOPd8ftNOm7nnjhkrr1XICUBxvZQZbHk0zxAaCzoTQ/s320/070316A+Tellico+Plains+12+miles.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>During my brief tour of the town I came upon a red Piaggio MP3 500 scooter, the very same model and color as his and I immediately assumed it was his and he was somewhere in town killing time until he heard from me. I called his cell phone and left a message to the effect that Green Girl was parked next to his scooter and for him to call me. Then I started going shop to shop asking if anyone knew the owner of the red scooter and although I met lots of nice people they were all clueless. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHU2-lBlJHe2NDGcVBbGPQH80vIf60NKYdZRZxj3mh4dPZLxqHFJWOWV4hB7D85V3v0AVfoH5bYoxVUniSBWneE_My6aQlaDstzuA40LX59AD91a4PGTNB7GQIKJJhn9spHA26Yk4rew0/s1600/070317+Green+Girl+meets+TN+Sooner%27s+MP3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHU2-lBlJHe2NDGcVBbGPQH80vIf60NKYdZRZxj3mh4dPZLxqHFJWOWV4hB7D85V3v0AVfoH5bYoxVUniSBWneE_My6aQlaDstzuA40LX59AD91a4PGTNB7GQIKJJhn9spHA26Yk4rew0/s320/070317+Green+Girl+meets+TN+Sooner%27s+MP3.JPG" /></a></div><br />
At one shop, a small used book store I asked the only person in sight if anyone else was there and she said there was a guy in back reading and I should call out for him. I did, a very loud “Hey Doug!” to which a male voice immediately responded “Yeah?” and out he came, larger than life and not even close to the Doug I was looking for. What are the odds of that?<br />
<br />
Anyway I continued my door to door search without any success and figured he’d eventually show up. The Ice Cream store beckoned and I had a single scoop cone which I carried across the street to the Motorcycle Outfitters store where I showed great restraint and only bought one T-shirt. While there the gal waiting on me asked if I minded if she stepped across the street for a moment so I was in charge. She was back in a couple of minutes accompanied by the little girl who’d made up my ice cream cone. Turns out she owns the ice cream store and her husband who was home sick owns the Motorcycle Outfitters store. Small town business, eh?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjviGWvao4VbWi19EDIiN8_0t_So7FxefNd3Jxmbvuzf1lbkz1opHjhaekgnSae8Ote83StLah5ON-FP3h7WBQb1z5SS2WclObnoxCOMXxA4LLznfSBdoHWikkNh_Hovl-6o-nh6PYINnu/s1600/070318A+Ice+cream+shop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjviGWvao4VbWi19EDIiN8_0t_So7FxefNd3Jxmbvuzf1lbkz1opHjhaekgnSae8Ote83StLah5ON-FP3h7WBQb1z5SS2WclObnoxCOMXxA4LLznfSBdoHWikkNh_Hovl-6o-nh6PYINnu/s320/070318A+Ice+cream+shop.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93FjLTYIqCuljR3ctOb9h9OjvyAuTnPNTzJNY-PDDMziPTrMSWDRcaGW_-ALzHGl7YUCzDCYXvGzbIJ645lcWmNRMvJ3RBAnUdi40n73sODKyIrsxNw1tWZDXBPJA6YSpJR7_AlfYBsAZ/s1600/070319B+Tellico+Motorcycle+Outfitters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93FjLTYIqCuljR3ctOb9h9OjvyAuTnPNTzJNY-PDDMziPTrMSWDRcaGW_-ALzHGl7YUCzDCYXvGzbIJ645lcWmNRMvJ3RBAnUdi40n73sODKyIrsxNw1tWZDXBPJA6YSpJR7_AlfYBsAZ/s320/070319B+Tellico+Motorcycle+Outfitters.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2qvFauiulRcI_4brjfNqLsWQ3DAYu4MNhU_Wyoa0n3SYscEt7oRkgU37i3gmF8AHhhlAmLtCU6QX3Pr-hj_SgDyUO3ftxYxnQbGD9t_UGc3Br-zENSGoHlDpjsiAUWImc1ANS2M_LWJG/s1600/070319C+Motorcycle+gal+%26+ice+cream+girl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2qvFauiulRcI_4brjfNqLsWQ3DAYu4MNhU_Wyoa0n3SYscEt7oRkgU37i3gmF8AHhhlAmLtCU6QX3Pr-hj_SgDyUO3ftxYxnQbGD9t_UGc3Br-zENSGoHlDpjsiAUWImc1ANS2M_LWJG/s320/070319C+Motorcycle+gal+%26+ice+cream+girl.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5nuGIl49DX2Ebx7fpjZ7l3TSu2GGpF5LRBu1oprWqFK2iKQwvN4R1_0WnL_ayrmktPGrvLx-wWcLeaEWAFPa97ydhlllfvPPXkBEpzUzFhc1Bf34OAt82atzT3oCFA9pceCTwHMFzRwf/s1600/070319D+Inside+motorcycle+outfitter+store.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5nuGIl49DX2Ebx7fpjZ7l3TSu2GGpF5LRBu1oprWqFK2iKQwvN4R1_0WnL_ayrmktPGrvLx-wWcLeaEWAFPa97ydhlllfvPPXkBEpzUzFhc1Bf34OAt82atzT3oCFA9pceCTwHMFzRwf/s320/070319D+Inside+motorcycle+outfitter+store.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Shortly after that my cell buzzed and it was Doug wanting to know where the heck I was at. He hadn’t gotten my message and was amazed to learn where I was, telling me he’d be there in 5 minutes. When he arrived and we’d talked a few moments he turned his attention to the other red MP3 500 and figured out it belonged to another member of the Modern Vespa Forum as the two of us do. Sure enough, before long Will, aka Tennessee Sooner came ambling down the street and we all had a good laugh about the coincidence. We’d all had lots of contacts on the forum but had never met in person.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUME8QVha9t6eyFkxAs5txUbAjVSzUGyYOCljb3dlhoa1iXNe_cmArfhq4hJI1EWRzSG-u-5cj_E26QH3J7mJ0Uz0qU5s3RatGbceguvBL_E5f78qU40qKq7py632OmyaLBM7-4NaXPoO/s1600/070318B+OAD+Doug+in+Talico+Plains.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUME8QVha9t6eyFkxAs5txUbAjVSzUGyYOCljb3dlhoa1iXNe_cmArfhq4hJI1EWRzSG-u-5cj_E26QH3J7mJ0Uz0qU5s3RatGbceguvBL_E5f78qU40qKq7py632OmyaLBM7-4NaXPoO/s320/070318B+OAD+Doug+in+Talico+Plains.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Will aka Tennessee Sooner below</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7YCIHR69FjkUNcVUITk73wUDwLpE3WldF2EgMFDzXPX_CAfVOnjRkVYAjEFoTrQHsOBgktAv0-E8WVjRD8Qr5N_pelX2oRZIBgFEBp2An1Jy18MX7C3E5P8cc6XCUGUg1pmI1N5FKiv7/s1600/070319A+Will+aka+TN+Sooner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7YCIHR69FjkUNcVUITk73wUDwLpE3WldF2EgMFDzXPX_CAfVOnjRkVYAjEFoTrQHsOBgktAv0-E8WVjRD8Qr5N_pelX2oRZIBgFEBp2An1Jy18MX7C3E5P8cc6XCUGUg1pmI1N5FKiv7/s320/070319A+Will+aka+TN+Sooner.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Since it was fairly early in the afternoon Doug suggested we go for a short ride and he’d show me some of the area which we did. Will went along with us and after riding awhile we stopped to sample the local McDonalds so I could see if they were any different from the ones I’d already been to. So far they seem to be very similar but I’ll keep sampling them as I go along just for the sake of scientific research.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHHIIBAtXEPdR4o0Le5AA7KpaOL066EIrR0GShROhm18Z5gPkSml9AhFYPa6Qa1vB3HK4hZOxAfEps5Z2YyEFCf0nZGe3-xIh0vpYXpe2Yl92WI0XHUNs5QDtYmGPkUAS05HQF4dbSSnD/s1600/070319F+Dingo+dog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHHIIBAtXEPdR4o0Le5AA7KpaOL066EIrR0GShROhm18Z5gPkSml9AhFYPa6Qa1vB3HK4hZOxAfEps5Z2YyEFCf0nZGe3-xIh0vpYXpe2Yl92WI0XHUNs5QDtYmGPkUAS05HQF4dbSSnD/s320/070319F+Dingo+dog.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-OcvPF_QL2RRy_xsMX_xkE2x8-bIwVDDwIEE4ZPMYrTVTh9w0EHCcJy1iHVPI09O2T5DD4wdp7j8VuQsvoKY_EGyNnECL5MxqXpmpxUkgaI7K-L-bzkxCcNml0w6O4_LEhoKNrBXU3kS/s1600/070319G+Blondie+dog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-OcvPF_QL2RRy_xsMX_xkE2x8-bIwVDDwIEE4ZPMYrTVTh9w0EHCcJy1iHVPI09O2T5DD4wdp7j8VuQsvoKY_EGyNnECL5MxqXpmpxUkgaI7K-L-bzkxCcNml0w6O4_LEhoKNrBXU3kS/s320/070319G+Blondie+dog.JPG" /></a></div>After lunch and some more riding we headed to Kingston where Doug and his lovely wife Terry live and I got to meet her and some of her visiting family. Plus I made the acquaintance of Dingo and Blondie; two hairy dogs whom I liked a lot that they were dog-sitting. They’re really nice pooches and they made me miss Daisy and Chance a bunch. <br />
<br />
We relaxed for awhile on Doug's and Terry's red barn patio trading stories and consummed a brand of beer I'd not heard of, "Yuengling." Izzat stuff made in China, Doug?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqb9zgXVMAhQy3o9rRt8n73WtdKNSGAnGv0ee3Lm6KfPpafewXefAasiCp9YNr3vXH5BZOzQJBnBrNqf-9A3e27jlJpGyUC407GR9iwWZger7N-JY988PTgT9W4obGhKR_TAoVtOr55pP/s1600/070319E+Yuengling+beer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqb9zgXVMAhQy3o9rRt8n73WtdKNSGAnGv0ee3Lm6KfPpafewXefAasiCp9YNr3vXH5BZOzQJBnBrNqf-9A3e27jlJpGyUC407GR9iwWZger7N-JY988PTgT9W4obGhKR_TAoVtOr55pP/s320/070319E+Yuengling+beer.JPG" /></a></div><br />
As a special greeting for me Doug had me sample a bit of Southern peach-flavored Golden Elixir which is best taken from a fruit jar. Very tasty, very nice, cough, cough, gasp! No further comment required, eh?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcC5LWIdCKGmzXvII_8ErSri1HPtKNtObelysZfsGmY8iqALE0w0fwS2fUMtaFPv9nJ5fA_K99Fonzu2RVjslBxQGO_697UBSh7yqMLyIcPBsrFIuM-Z8yoFZSwyCukXSQFN7FzNGQNxdb/s1600/070320+Elixer+of+the+Gods+aka+Moonshine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcC5LWIdCKGmzXvII_8ErSri1HPtKNtObelysZfsGmY8iqALE0w0fwS2fUMtaFPv9nJ5fA_K99Fonzu2RVjslBxQGO_697UBSh7yqMLyIcPBsrFIuM-Z8yoFZSwyCukXSQFN7FzNGQNxdb/s320/070320+Elixer+of+the+Gods+aka+Moonshine.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As it happened it was Terry’s birthday and since she was putting up with me for two days I insisted on treating the two of them to dinner. They’re home is only a few blocks from the lake so we walked down to Red Bones, a really nice restaurant where we enjoyed great food and a view of the lake. Then it was back to the house where we sat up till all hours yakking and finally called it a day. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBRjMWBVQQde1QxqKZCMPLlyCJQVYfh8AKxqRUd3UTr-fIDhZ85yer3Z-LFnMBP4mhOf0i5Q1fa3M9LZFgwD3bUFCxk2NTedNRoiV6P8eKZJLbxo3KgI8IQrUSZXJI-oQfm2IqFHBlHix/s1600/070321+Doug+%26+Terry+on+her+birthday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBRjMWBVQQde1QxqKZCMPLlyCJQVYfh8AKxqRUd3UTr-fIDhZ85yer3Z-LFnMBP4mhOf0i5Q1fa3M9LZFgwD3bUFCxk2NTedNRoiV6P8eKZJLbxo3KgI8IQrUSZXJI-oQfm2IqFHBlHix/s320/070321+Doug+%26+Terry+on+her+birthday.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I should'a bought a Red Bones T-shirt!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbERXJtwb8_px3kItLEgmSuFZjy-cX4obP1svFTIiMskh11rKjDwlK9DwXY28-i-RoQjj4phRqWHi5Lpg5HanlLZ4cTbO6BrY7Qxe5jSh1Bhi2pmWxwPuQdsjnsKkrfJ0mr_C3U0vK3jaw/s1600/070322+Me+at+Red+Bones.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbERXJtwb8_px3kItLEgmSuFZjy-cX4obP1svFTIiMskh11rKjDwlK9DwXY28-i-RoQjj4phRqWHi5Lpg5HanlLZ4cTbO6BrY7Qxe5jSh1Bhi2pmWxwPuQdsjnsKkrfJ0mr_C3U0vK3jaw/s320/070322+Me+at+Red+Bones.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Anyway, tomorrow would be Independence Day and folks were coming over to visit. And guesss what? Neither Terry nor Doug like those awful boiled peanuts either. Must be an aquired taste so I suggested they donate them to someone who likes them. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-73742557402483693352010-07-02T20:13:00.000-07:002010-07-02T20:13:26.665-07:00July 02, 2010 – Day 27 No rain all the way to Suches & Blairsville, GALooking out at the parking lot this morning I could see rain on its way, dark clouds overhead and evidence of recent morning showers. The TV weather demons were predicting rain in the morning and thunderstorms in the afternoon; just what I wanted to hear. Bummer, the day's not looking as good as I'd like.<br />
<br />
Even the hotel’s gratis breakfast was a dud, whoever fixed the biscuits & gravy must have dropped the salt shaker in the gravy as it was awful. I ate yogurt. Fruity purple sissy-yogurt; very unmanly type food but necessary fuel for the body. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FWJoMRNK6KaHUj1EPofL6u4porEs84Gum-mf78XxNrt8zzYp_HJPzB2xiQ9mMttTnCHTPxZNPK5bXhkBCm2CYrEZYhCle5TZJvF0l_DFBYFvxNc5MijXnHY8l5sDSRhn6UO-4wM_whB_/s1600/070201+No+shave+today.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FWJoMRNK6KaHUj1EPofL6u4porEs84Gum-mf78XxNrt8zzYp_HJPzB2xiQ9mMttTnCHTPxZNPK5bXhkBCm2CYrEZYhCle5TZJvF0l_DFBYFvxNc5MijXnHY8l5sDSRhn6UO-4wM_whB_/s320/070201+No+shave+today.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Real men don't shave. Eh?</div><br />
I decided since I knew it was going to rain like the dickens I might as well dig out Big Red, my one-piece Aerostich Roadcrafter suit and wear it instead of the Frogg Toggs. The thing is, Big Red is cooler than the Frogg Toggs as I can wear just a T-shirt and shorts underneath it instead of jeans, etc. Plus it’s got a zillion zippers for letting the breezes blow through whereas the Frogg Toggs turn into a sauna. It felt really comfortable; I’d almost forgot about that since this was the first time I’d worn it since leaving Oregon.<br />
<br />
Another of my scooter buds Doug aka OAD (Old as Dirt) had suggested I do the run up to Suches in the northern end of the state and I’d be close to where he lives so we could hook up tomorrow. I let Garmin & Company plot out a route but of course they always choose the quickest way which means every freeway possible. I don’t care for that when it comes to touring so to get around it I dial in lots of little out of the way towns that can’t be accessed by freeways. It seems to work although every so often the spy in the sky gets confused and runs me around in dead end circles.<br />
<br />
Today I headed north through Alma, Soperton, White Plains, Commerce, & Hollingsworth, all of which had to be designated as “Via Points” in order to avoid the slabs. <br />
<br />
Leaving Waycross on highway 1 I was soon on my way out of the city and onto the back roads. Within the first hour or so I felt a slight sprinkle begin and felt gratified that I’d had the good sense to wear Big Red. I’d no sooner had the thought when it quit, not returning for the rest of the day.<br />
<br />
Not long into the ride I spotted a ramshackle little house sporting 3 Confederate Flags and I USA, all flying from separate flag poles in the yard. I stopped to do the photo thing, then noticed the county line sign across the street: Jeff Davis. Why not I thought, if you’re Johnny Reb this would be the county of choice wouldn’t it? I walked across the road and shot the sign pic, then remounted Green Girl to head out. Just as I was turning her around I noticed a rather unfriendly looking pooch in the crouched-ready-to-spring out at you position in Johnny Reb’s yard. As much as I like dogs I don’t relish playing tug-o-war with them if it involves my leg so I exited the area fairly fast with him escorting me along. Nice doggie.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVx0cVwiOowiL00jfmDdpcEAAnutly3q5fGmUyf2vYqb-tpdEESUKE4QUKWXFpu91njNLKNQ7qKrj9EWNnWaVrPrMg1fEFJAG0zyzjmLKUI400LqYWbcm4ZPxfauuznNO2LBOXQ8ibrUK/s1600/070202+Johnny+Reb+lives+here.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVx0cVwiOowiL00jfmDdpcEAAnutly3q5fGmUyf2vYqb-tpdEESUKE4QUKWXFpu91njNLKNQ7qKrj9EWNnWaVrPrMg1fEFJAG0zyzjmLKUI400LqYWbcm4ZPxfauuznNO2LBOXQ8ibrUK/s320/070202+Johnny+Reb+lives+here.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SXdN82BHqFM1LqNqJqoZrxgdpwpt2BRjqkS1w5wv2mBV5gJ2SG287cSY_NR8-rNTyMcvK-tkMF5nbzmTJxnyRhwRrEuD7qYwi-J12S2z0McK20wF_tBdU15ORolVXO5FsE9IyO_g0ioZ/s1600/070203+Jeff+Davis+Co+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SXdN82BHqFM1LqNqJqoZrxgdpwpt2BRjqkS1w5wv2mBV5gJ2SG287cSY_NR8-rNTyMcvK-tkMF5nbzmTJxnyRhwRrEuD7qYwi-J12S2z0McK20wF_tBdU15ORolVXO5FsE9IyO_g0ioZ/s320/070203+Jeff+Davis+Co+sign.JPG" /></a></div><br />
As the ride progressed into the afternoon the temperature climbed and I soon realized Big Red was going to become insufferable so I started looking for a place to change. You may recall I wasn’t wearing jeans, just shorts and T-shirt so I couldn’t just step out of it and ride on. There didn’t seem to be an abundance of choices for changing, most of the gas stations looked a bit ragged and I don’t like changing in restrooms anyway; they’re often a bit nasty. Then it occurred to me if I could find a convenient bit of bushes I could duck behind that’s all I’d need. That’s exactly how it went; and thank you very much to the land owner for providing me a discreet amount of cover.<br />
<br />
Lunch was at a Subway in a little town that I can’t recall the name of but they had a sign on the counter top that I thought was really funny. The two people working the line gave me a rather suspicious look when I took its picture but I couldn’t resist. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9QxXh6icOsFf_D6SD9owTcyu1z6JEaCUOCcx3V_N7TqT0r18x3ftFjSwkj2Rcs4YV18YWoQ2Yk3Xu4NRWo0MSbBDtOIDPRmY-46gxiIrFLLIbGgcX3v6VRg80bAwOKpfM-weYg8Af_f3/s1600/070204+Subway+sign+re+cell+phones.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9QxXh6icOsFf_D6SD9owTcyu1z6JEaCUOCcx3V_N7TqT0r18x3ftFjSwkj2Rcs4YV18YWoQ2Yk3Xu4NRWo0MSbBDtOIDPRmY-46gxiIrFLLIbGgcX3v6VRg80bAwOKpfM-weYg8Af_f3/s320/070204+Subway+sign+re+cell+phones.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Just as I approached Siloam I noted a huge field of sunflowers in bloom so I stopped for another photo. It reminded me of traveling through Spain and Portugal where they grow them on huge farms; they seem to go on for miles. I wasn’t aware they were being grown commercially here in the states but evidently it’s so.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuIhKdkwo1rh3oqBY-k3sDoZ5zxZx37XxzThIqQ2jwmFnYHESlKJO7eOM5gmxjK5ehbQP64lBqPfceoBXa9YppQGFZnpKkA2Hj8AB52E-_VgmhHerWOVxXfYuyQY86v7ET2BvRimfw0BX/s1600/070205+Green+Girl+%26+sunflowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuIhKdkwo1rh3oqBY-k3sDoZ5zxZx37XxzThIqQ2jwmFnYHESlKJO7eOM5gmxjK5ehbQP64lBqPfceoBXa9YppQGFZnpKkA2Hj8AB52E-_VgmhHerWOVxXfYuyQY86v7ET2BvRimfw0BX/s320/070205+Green+Girl+%26+sunflowers.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Just a bit further on the Nathanael Greene Academy showed up and I stopped to look around. It’s closed for vacation so no one objected. In this part of the country special schools like these are commonplace but in Oregon they’ve never seemed to catch on for some reason.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpdixWXLlf3uGlD395uLjS1bss4Hjf4XC53x41jZel9lRHZGk6GuqTXvuDoC7GF5Ap4HftsqcEe0LpAXbN1txMRHn4jHWfemtNkEgwnfzlxYSpcfJxWqek7pGhW7UtLkrsOmSU7S0mf59/s1600/070209+Nathanael+Greene+Academy+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpdixWXLlf3uGlD395uLjS1bss4Hjf4XC53x41jZel9lRHZGk6GuqTXvuDoC7GF5Ap4HftsqcEe0LpAXbN1txMRHn4jHWfemtNkEgwnfzlxYSpcfJxWqek7pGhW7UtLkrsOmSU7S0mf59/s320/070209+Nathanael+Greene+Academy+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtfaeoFdP14ChcuwJpXLykUUvmK5jFf3Ne7Qy86WNioYtVeqX0L7L8xUFj7hhdgN7_hhvkPfVYx2c8mim3Rv-6TyvP0JKbU4oPAbblQ-cJCHwqCN6UYm-9Tl_RkCNKV2FijIwcvwG32kW/s1600/070210+Nathanael+Greene+Academy+Main+Offices.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtfaeoFdP14ChcuwJpXLykUUvmK5jFf3Ne7Qy86WNioYtVeqX0L7L8xUFj7hhdgN7_hhvkPfVYx2c8mim3Rv-6TyvP0JKbU4oPAbblQ-cJCHwqCN6UYm-9Tl_RkCNKV2FijIwcvwG32kW/s320/070210+Nathanael+Greene+Academy+Main+Offices.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQB4_fD98nHmnqiRdaJ7aV5Oc3cmFsDWWnJb2Jw6F5AoJ230_sZzpeB6IErnRFZOo-Hq036-vIB1ojN6pgj8jG4nbEGC-5NB6OKLelYU7QpSWacKG_k9tnAxuj_FkWq-daTXlbyYXhLc1/s1600/070211+Nathanael+Greene+Academy+iwng.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQB4_fD98nHmnqiRdaJ7aV5Oc3cmFsDWWnJb2Jw6F5AoJ230_sZzpeB6IErnRFZOo-Hq036-vIB1ojN6pgj8jG4nbEGC-5NB6OKLelYU7QpSWacKG_k9tnAxuj_FkWq-daTXlbyYXhLc1/s320/070211+Nathanael+Greene+Academy+iwng.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The busiest traffic I had to deal with was around Athens which is a typical big city with all the trappings. With the advent of the holiday weekend approaching there was an abundance of police cruisers working the area; I spotted several in some very sneaky locations preying on the unsuspecting public. I understand the need for traffic control but somehow I don’t like the feeling of being watched. I was glad when the short stint I had to do on the freeway was over and I could return to the back roads again. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4joqMtypXDDdlRGraWBn7_69axn9vS9j2vYZXQUtZjgFNu82Kgb53jTc4zPIFXMY1Qh9CnXDSkNPVA6IgLWL7stp6SaTdeN_QE8V073feuCKm_h2VTfckHyCa-izKeVUIu0mkev7o78_/s1600/070207+GA+Garden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4joqMtypXDDdlRGraWBn7_69axn9vS9j2vYZXQUtZjgFNu82Kgb53jTc4zPIFXMY1Qh9CnXDSkNPVA6IgLWL7stp6SaTdeN_QE8V073feuCKm_h2VTfckHyCa-izKeVUIu0mkev7o78_/s320/070207+GA+Garden.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6K77G2CYvO27I8R-IsqULo5Ax8nPmZ-rsvoXJkSbhuBXU9DL7vSCd0FQL1_qP7vN6RtKO4mMBBeQSTbEDe622BBeS5qJ5iYT4Um59HT9I74krhbS5hGUZk1rG4J18T1rG4xUWVDC6BPgt/s1600/070208+Scarecrow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6K77G2CYvO27I8R-IsqULo5Ax8nPmZ-rsvoXJkSbhuBXU9DL7vSCd0FQL1_qP7vN6RtKO4mMBBeQSTbEDe622BBeS5qJ5iYT4Um59HT9I74krhbS5hGUZk1rG4J18T1rG4xUWVDC6BPgt/s320/070208+Scarecrow.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thirsty beast refuses to run without benzino...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ecb0k3r2Jqz_7Lg0AOcXjsMHDlRmWR9W_TKgxz4qW9-Y11ofo1bm59kk6wUt_I_-cIaVF67te0HNk5ShxdCzYVPeJhqIzgGGNxFv6S4eTB00SF1lBw2G3PR3-N30AA3ZagJszhSQ0C6_/s1600/070206+Gasing+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ecb0k3r2Jqz_7Lg0AOcXjsMHDlRmWR9W_TKgxz4qW9-Y11ofo1bm59kk6wUt_I_-cIaVF67te0HNk5ShxdCzYVPeJhqIzgGGNxFv6S4eTB00SF1lBw2G3PR3-N30AA3ZagJszhSQ0C6_/s320/070206+Gasing+up.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Highway 60 took me into the area of the Appalachians where Suches is located and the road was endless tight curves. For the most part the speed limit is set at 35 – 45 mph which is good; otherwise it would be a deadly passage. By the time I reached Suches it was late afternoon and I had a bit of a disappointment to deal with; I’d thought there would be a town where I could stay the night but instead it’s just an area to visit. The nearest town of any size was another 30 miles away with much of the road having the same curves as before. <br />
<br />
Now Green Girl is a nice enough bike, comfortable to slog along on but when it comes to riding the twisties she’s a bit on the uh, portly side and the going gets slow. Not that I mind dialing things down a bit but I don’t like to hold people up so I was glad there wasn’t more traffic than there was. <br />
<br />
An odd bit of luck let me see Cherokee Princess Trahlyta’s grave. Her rocky gravesite was along the roadside going up the mountain and it was a bit tricky getting Green Girl all gathered up and turned around but I managed. The road is narrow right there and there’s an intersection that seems to confuse a lot of riders including me. I found a small place to park and took the photos but couldn’t find a rock to add to the growing grave marker pile. Maybe all the good fortune has been used up?<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUu7cMCv_sTt4Pgtevnm8HBEHWOkpZq7qn2JyvrUiW_lD_HfreMSh9HdD-vqcYC5FAFwiG6R0BPkmjxtJd3CAgHNAtOd4AT_1-UwvcNJdhl7k9JapfE0XUXLB-XN2cw2_GyKe_32_hM_LZ/s1600/070212+Trahlyta%27s+Grave+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUu7cMCv_sTt4Pgtevnm8HBEHWOkpZq7qn2JyvrUiW_lD_HfreMSh9HdD-vqcYC5FAFwiG6R0BPkmjxtJd3CAgHNAtOd4AT_1-UwvcNJdhl7k9JapfE0XUXLB-XN2cw2_GyKe_32_hM_LZ/s320/070212+Trahlyta%27s+Grave+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbJ6h8nEiap6iAnMnC8ip_ivYuR5gNhtt_n22ItX16-vaeJqdBtJM94ozteBHolSfVT16a3t00_S1AE8Dw-kQu2fYfCGNdlm6RH71e0lXZRQ1N2g_zY_M_MkgW_VWhnnDv0stR5YuTvAi/s1600/070213+Trahlyta%27s+Grave+Rocks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbJ6h8nEiap6iAnMnC8ip_ivYuR5gNhtt_n22ItX16-vaeJqdBtJM94ozteBHolSfVT16a3t00_S1AE8Dw-kQu2fYfCGNdlm6RH71e0lXZRQ1N2g_zY_M_MkgW_VWhnnDv0stR5YuTvAi/s320/070213+Trahlyta%27s+Grave+Rocks.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>After clearing out of that area and realizing there was no town I queried Garmin & Company for suggestions on where to go for a room for the night and was directed to Blairsville. As I rode into town I had an ominous feeling I might be out of luck as there was a large group of classic cars hanging out and I knew there must be a show or rally going on.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDy5laAoGh-hM58an8a1pzCezxiY2WBFwOGkNrIevAEDBI0ZKvy-0mTuMrzy3JRWkGEJ6zWkpJaWSrM57-2hIlsbtkE1bnX_CQxecVwM3oujz806F6snurdGyIs4DmKlN7S-L_MK6xsxV/s1600/070219+Blairsville+GA+Best+Western+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDy5laAoGh-hM58an8a1pzCezxiY2WBFwOGkNrIevAEDBI0ZKvy-0mTuMrzy3JRWkGEJ6zWkpJaWSrM57-2hIlsbtkE1bnX_CQxecVwM3oujz806F6snurdGyIs4DmKlN7S-L_MK6xsxV/s320/070219+Blairsville+GA+Best+Western+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggR6aGawe-26pUYrdFNXVGEYTWmcMr7oV1TjISOj-c9zIjD3hozUALZU5Ou2AYmSV4XKgshEhQxUCkaN1ODoTn7g1nbQMzD7ZWSuQORFg5B14Rc5_RJHGjQ1KP1HxZKIJo_OmdmKCwxv_p/s1600/070220+Best+Western+outside.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggR6aGawe-26pUYrdFNXVGEYTWmcMr7oV1TjISOj-c9zIjD3hozUALZU5Ou2AYmSV4XKgshEhQxUCkaN1ODoTn7g1nbQMzD7ZWSuQORFg5B14Rc5_RJHGjQ1KP1HxZKIJo_OmdmKCwxv_p/s320/070220+Best+Western+outside.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I headed for the Best Western since it was close and when I found out they had rooms available I grabbed one. The receptionist told me the car group meets up here every month but they stay at another place which worked well for me and later, several other bikers. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">She also recommended an Italian restaurant for dinner and it was just across the parking lot. After unloading my gear I walked over and had a nice dinner of Veal Parmesan, one of my favorites. Sadly I found out this is a dry county so there was no Vino to accompany the dinner. How un-Italian, eh? The waitress said there’s an election coming on July 20th to try and change that but she didn’t hold out much hope; said there were too many old people living in town. Then she looked at me more closely and disappeared. Cute. Little snit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvk7UERWqbjvkHshE9KMUiRqyHwp7qy9IEPRMEnrodkZWCZ4kZIJwTNPrGx5xOGaUVkNwqiIv70VqxuM66DtSvIEOzmNzVmnVguKfPPDwJn6vrnv8i3dxat-dyRlbldQ3GU4wYnc_zzCw/s1600/070215+Antonietta%27s+Restaurant+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvk7UERWqbjvkHshE9KMUiRqyHwp7qy9IEPRMEnrodkZWCZ4kZIJwTNPrGx5xOGaUVkNwqiIv70VqxuM66DtSvIEOzmNzVmnVguKfPPDwJn6vrnv8i3dxat-dyRlbldQ3GU4wYnc_zzCw/s320/070215+Antonietta%27s+Restaurant+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9zHU2zAyjBX11exs4wEGxmkWShG8bxlw09nTPDUYtQnvYlUEVE15qFH0TJBNbcocVh_2wS0Up1RHIHk3WKylPLjRovZZMway7eNbmekNK8XLRys7feXCSLwp0CibN1qrvTUtYHhk3oPB/s1600/070216+Antonietta%27s+entrance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9zHU2zAyjBX11exs4wEGxmkWShG8bxlw09nTPDUYtQnvYlUEVE15qFH0TJBNbcocVh_2wS0Up1RHIHk3WKylPLjRovZZMway7eNbmekNK8XLRys7feXCSLwp0CibN1qrvTUtYHhk3oPB/s320/070216+Antonietta%27s+entrance.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOKvQGweRqfsNy7qWYwwFma6PSxcGVTPUL-N7gTzvjRy4faXcNdmVmp6zpR3E2tix5qkyPyYPh3sZd6f3U_3PXwJhf1eU0hNQmjxyVxx8DwfHLw7SZK2pBMI0OAwZUY5YW2nk2fUHuv1x/s1600/070217+Antonietta%27s+Flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOKvQGweRqfsNy7qWYwwFma6PSxcGVTPUL-N7gTzvjRy4faXcNdmVmp6zpR3E2tix5qkyPyYPh3sZd6f3U_3PXwJhf1eU0hNQmjxyVxx8DwfHLw7SZK2pBMI0OAwZUY5YW2nk2fUHuv1x/s320/070217+Antonietta%27s+Flowers.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0Z-QIzk3ahtYxJrWf1hec_abCV_ft49PGhcgx0GhagrdL72wdxDhP9ldkqL4TIr3xfMOdgK25zcQ0-9Z13bkwmLT9IXvdgOB2juTfvUstCWoVJUO6ZXNMvuCqLZF91Ql1ENa50vGCZbR/s1600/070218-B+Waiitress+doing+a+stage-left.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0Z-QIzk3ahtYxJrWf1hec_abCV_ft49PGhcgx0GhagrdL72wdxDhP9ldkqL4TIr3xfMOdgK25zcQ0-9Z13bkwmLT9IXvdgOB2juTfvUstCWoVJUO6ZXNMvuCqLZF91Ql1ENa50vGCZbR/s320/070218-B+Waiitress+doing+a+stage-left.JPG" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">One thing for sure, the people supporting the change from the county's current dry status have their work cut out for them. Everywhere you look in this town you see churches and that usually means resistance to change, especially when it comes to booze. I was told there have been several special ballots already and none have done very well. Hey I didn't miss it, I had two big glasses of sweet southern iced tea. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtbX4Qlk92BXP0n76s7yzCDJGqbXqExY_s1aazhIzFLHk9EAnALsGdG9gkivnqcn6mypCFBIeEzJX61kQ-VHrwEbKvvlRf2xJwQWztxF5dPVr4r86ZBmw6i_fIeOc7GE0FzFSifqArOEF/s1600/070221+Blairsville+Churches+thisaway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtbX4Qlk92BXP0n76s7yzCDJGqbXqExY_s1aazhIzFLHk9EAnALsGdG9gkivnqcn6mypCFBIeEzJX61kQ-VHrwEbKvvlRf2xJwQWztxF5dPVr4r86ZBmw6i_fIeOc7GE0FzFSifqArOEF/s320/070221+Blairsville+Churches+thisaway.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaehYmjRHyojW9pSftcra9TEmsTu00cjPUMPgaFKvi0bl93oxyg3ESIDTZUMAbPPnDbEkMbhMCNeViOPZ_5lU1fD7DPlny30O3zuT1ItaKEY8x8gh8cqpdVU_fxvqlCDSWrCKVicqMxPi/s1600/070222+Blairsville+Churches+thataway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaehYmjRHyojW9pSftcra9TEmsTu00cjPUMPgaFKvi0bl93oxyg3ESIDTZUMAbPPnDbEkMbhMCNeViOPZ_5lU1fD7DPlny30O3zuT1ItaKEY8x8gh8cqpdVU_fxvqlCDSWrCKVicqMxPi/s320/070222+Blairsville+Churches+thataway.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So there ya go, tomorrow I’m doing the Tail of the Dragon if I can find it, and after that the Cherohala highway on my way to meet Doug. It should be quite a day. </div>Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-19774344177638529162010-07-01T20:16:00.000-07:002010-07-01T20:16:05.646-07:00July 01, 2010 – Day 26 Green Girl gets her 6000 mile checkup when we visit St AugustineIt rained last night and naturally I didn’t put Green Girl’s cover on. As it happened by morning things had pretty much dried out so all she needed was a bit of toweling off. Weather permitting I do that every morning anyway so it wasn’t a big deal. So far on this trip I’ve been lucky and not had to start out the day in a rain storm. That’s a good deal as repacking the bike during a monsoon is not the best way to get going.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8iznqH-amOP_ms6VFWDVjIqWGrlbkxyQKhyphenhyphenjvCHDjTdPBDmtVOqKIai7PGUE2TKIXTck6v1N2BqE4z62zRJdgjRrgBQNV6oza7JRFRHZm5FCamX7K6j-_VTQnt9r4NcuQf20CP7Tr03g/s1600/070101+2+million+birds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8iznqH-amOP_ms6VFWDVjIqWGrlbkxyQKhyphenhyphenjvCHDjTdPBDmtVOqKIai7PGUE2TKIXTck6v1N2BqE4z62zRJdgjRrgBQNV6oza7JRFRHZm5FCamX7K6j-_VTQnt9r4NcuQf20CP7Tr03g/s320/070101+2+million+birds.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTHfVC0rg7ynKxGvjn4SoqE0wvPMulyWuI1DSM1HBs5q9Ci7eGESRsOtkFLvUtHYpTSObKI4QQKm2u8AVkOlSUTI-VBLG6bVKJI2VY0rRdlHSvoCdY1V58-GF6LczSChbb_h9J0RtJSNN/s1600/070104+Time+to+get+going.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTHfVC0rg7ynKxGvjn4SoqE0wvPMulyWuI1DSM1HBs5q9Ci7eGESRsOtkFLvUtHYpTSObKI4QQKm2u8AVkOlSUTI-VBLG6bVKJI2VY0rRdlHSvoCdY1V58-GF6LczSChbb_h9J0RtJSNN/s320/070104+Time+to+get+going.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Breakfast at the motel was one of the best so far and I had the place to myself which is both nice and a little weird. When I left there was no one in the dining room and no one at the front desk…very Zombie-like ambiance. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9Mp09d2bBag1foo2ETLc2wqSbwQ37fbRBcOWVLKPIdwY8UAeE0nIdcQ4Ltd8EtW4F5bvrJzHcN8X8IvT-LxZ_MrEoU-kpgWjrPPWH0C7T70zgx9jAZmF7QvAo7ETBKI8mjtMwPODi_eA/s1600/070102+Breakfast+today.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9Mp09d2bBag1foo2ETLc2wqSbwQ37fbRBcOWVLKPIdwY8UAeE0nIdcQ4Ltd8EtW4F5bvrJzHcN8X8IvT-LxZ_MrEoU-kpgWjrPPWH0C7T70zgx9jAZmF7QvAo7ETBKI8mjtMwPODi_eA/s320/070102+Breakfast+today.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gmImaJx3VCe5ChkoVel48WAfD72wS0i9otBz9gvAaQ2kW-Xk-Gst-kic7OF5mTs9KFyDZHI9l3MS4ZhCIigzx8Mf6msJonEQlvqkXyo0o79MhScBlIlyH2CcIa9XMfaiQS9Epq8ZcPoZ/s1600/070103+Early+morning+viiw+from+the+dining+room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gmImaJx3VCe5ChkoVel48WAfD72wS0i9otBz9gvAaQ2kW-Xk-Gst-kic7OF5mTs9KFyDZHI9l3MS4ZhCIigzx8Mf6msJonEQlvqkXyo0o79MhScBlIlyH2CcIa9XMfaiQS9Epq8ZcPoZ/s320/070103+Early+morning+viiw+from+the+dining+room.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Before leaving Palatka I spent some time wandering the back streets and taking a few pictures. The sun was warm and it was a great time for exploring; some of the homes are absolutely fabulous as are the old brick pavers. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBc40bCAtZcW6MNT1ypUskvxINvZHKe3ckTQVx4oNejb1f5eBovaEax3RODFgaN_VxpWyG67GGe55EG8zQ7ZxJFmnGsFa0o_2c95ROSVzH7_RX9RlbfunyOqQaKBzY_AIs4bSE1TPPjew/s1600/070105+St+Mark%27s+Landmark+church.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBc40bCAtZcW6MNT1ypUskvxINvZHKe3ckTQVx4oNejb1f5eBovaEax3RODFgaN_VxpWyG67GGe55EG8zQ7ZxJFmnGsFa0o_2c95ROSVzH7_RX9RlbfunyOqQaKBzY_AIs4bSE1TPPjew/s320/070105+St+Mark%27s+Landmark+church.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1-rHMrRvxvRdoEFv6kjVzOjlR_QSY9b7vZOjoI7TJLKbSM00dX-Nr9k3gQXYCsjN7J8zjIMG4fyc7WDMf-cW9EhJ8ZQ4d2L_hUtgs_f2RfiRdhnK7VMJn9N0kiPB9Ur65lixTzPs6rTv/s1600/070106+St+Mark%27s+%26+Green+Girl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1-rHMrRvxvRdoEFv6kjVzOjlR_QSY9b7vZOjoI7TJLKbSM00dX-Nr9k3gQXYCsjN7J8zjIMG4fyc7WDMf-cW9EhJ8ZQ4d2L_hUtgs_f2RfiRdhnK7VMJn9N0kiPB9Ur65lixTzPs6rTv/s320/070106+St+Mark%27s+%26+Green+Girl.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_7IY9_8ukCUwodeBguXUYtrd5_CiFYFf_eylWdAcpHoi2OuZ03d5Zv-rFgb3UeZ49C2fusNKrRurAWbwGDsFxoFTP_5IackY8jMr4SDiV9lRQrCMpf7MWrBO8PU6SsWCUP1NNk1emsjh/s1600/070107+Big+Ol%27+Tree+by+St+Mark%27s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_7IY9_8ukCUwodeBguXUYtrd5_CiFYFf_eylWdAcpHoi2OuZ03d5Zv-rFgb3UeZ49C2fusNKrRurAWbwGDsFxoFTP_5IackY8jMr4SDiV9lRQrCMpf7MWrBO8PU6SsWCUP1NNk1emsjh/s320/070107+Big+Ol%27+Tree+by+St+Mark%27s.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfwD7aKIaSQsEopssku4eHVYd6hUs8Geq4nFNG8ZlbbZuzXWsYk9ricK2dO4tf2ybbTYco1fO3r7VWIjaT1_fhukVpn7_I5Eqh672gsf1q1kQiebD4VNi06WH_fIc7OTVwvaSUCLA6i5v/s1600/070108+Azalea+House+B%26B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfwD7aKIaSQsEopssku4eHVYd6hUs8Geq4nFNG8ZlbbZuzXWsYk9ricK2dO4tf2ybbTYco1fO3r7VWIjaT1_fhukVpn7_I5Eqh672gsf1q1kQiebD4VNi06WH_fIc7OTVwvaSUCLA6i5v/s320/070108+Azalea+House+B%26B.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Lhzp-QDqdy_D0ik6ma3lyUOW8Q7svicF8sfG2WgwOdWEiLf8ziHHVLOmIaC7j25ikqEgA4FDACWohGYfw7kqn-IkWqHeSnjRh4vB6ggRkSZtlQSKEI_h2P7zS-v4m6KUa8W1GD0PHHme/s1600/070111+Madison+St+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Lhzp-QDqdy_D0ik6ma3lyUOW8Q7svicF8sfG2WgwOdWEiLf8ziHHVLOmIaC7j25ikqEgA4FDACWohGYfw7kqn-IkWqHeSnjRh4vB6ggRkSZtlQSKEI_h2P7zS-v4m6KUa8W1GD0PHHme/s320/070111+Madison+St+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IhYdWTkzsaNcefvpJwclwah07y85Z6T9zWTsohLaea1PrVn6X8RwVO8Ipes3sXJldB72qVOP_E4z-8ji6hXb5WrN6tyltHaCFOXBd8mcLZn_54URDClC5nXX_t_hpfAlVIorvCyQ4TO4/s1600/070109+Red+Brick+Street.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IhYdWTkzsaNcefvpJwclwah07y85Z6T9zWTsohLaea1PrVn6X8RwVO8Ipes3sXJldB72qVOP_E4z-8ji6hXb5WrN6tyltHaCFOXBd8mcLZn_54URDClC5nXX_t_hpfAlVIorvCyQ4TO4/s320/070109+Red+Brick+Street.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKVU2GpBr9GH8drvofWil1vH-lOhJ-U7C-QrEaXOS37Rbm3Tsm8c875NoRDnV9FhNNpopt8mbozzxkA2SATQWWA2N9BWT9wGm0HfjJLpgIV_zT9rIt_kGqX7olG8h5ijRqGC6Bk1bR6wW/s1600/070110+Signed+Bricks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKVU2GpBr9GH8drvofWil1vH-lOhJ-U7C-QrEaXOS37Rbm3Tsm8c875NoRDnV9FhNNpopt8mbozzxkA2SATQWWA2N9BWT9wGm0HfjJLpgIV_zT9rIt_kGqX7olG8h5ijRqGC6Bk1bR6wW/s320/070110+Signed+Bricks.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Green Girl was due for an oil change and a few other 6000 mile service items so I headed into St Augustine where First Coast Yamaha-Kawasaki is located. The ride in was nice and for the most part I kept to the outside lane and the legal speed limit. This practice has saved me from getting speeding tickets several times and today was no different; the coppers were out in force and gaffing speeders left and right. I’m lucky in that I’ve no deadline to meet or schedule to keep and can take as long as I need to get wherever I’m going. As a graduate of one of Oregon’s state sponsored special driving schools I no longer speed; the cost for tickets is way more than I care to gamble.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJ0vAakKXeIGQfLBYZgdZ9bpP4GQhyQAuH3jyQWcqmKDILFA6TK9DPaLCSXrK9HONCBWllX4eGzt0MMacBF8m_o961AL944ElUzxMkMvD3y4VmhwTouwxjgkjr2Ek_EU_2jllRY2YvC93/s1600/070112+First+Coast+Yamaha-Kawasaki+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJ0vAakKXeIGQfLBYZgdZ9bpP4GQhyQAuH3jyQWcqmKDILFA6TK9DPaLCSXrK9HONCBWllX4eGzt0MMacBF8m_o961AL944ElUzxMkMvD3y4VmhwTouwxjgkjr2Ek_EU_2jllRY2YvC93/s320/070112+First+Coast+Yamaha-Kawasaki+sign.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdgw_ga5QwWNRiI6VDibbb85bamWzgwpBA_9-ZHOHfm1uHpm6Rf5s1_vlVQ0F667VqsWJODM9AE5jbh8P4xSlJJadsFJ6MGMQHZmpInxKcLGUq86a2VO45Z3A0EmpkAAHCkLsnWwbXXPq/s1600/070113+First+Coast+service+writer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdgw_ga5QwWNRiI6VDibbb85bamWzgwpBA_9-ZHOHfm1uHpm6Rf5s1_vlVQ0F667VqsWJODM9AE5jbh8P4xSlJJadsFJ6MGMQHZmpInxKcLGUq86a2VO45Z3A0EmpkAAHCkLsnWwbXXPq/s320/070113+First+Coast+service+writer.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">OK, here's the deal..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49i34x7OkUe9YtZmcFOR9u9S84_l-UcUsVXI9In_u-re8M1T80jbbfZK4OaFCB79y56wJVjwwP-SspLGtL1TRA80rKqY4zL4GxNTsstjrREJieXd-wMG_1dsuBvTJRMIEYYfg6q5ByE-j/s1600/070114+This+is+the+deal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49i34x7OkUe9YtZmcFOR9u9S84_l-UcUsVXI9In_u-re8M1T80jbbfZK4OaFCB79y56wJVjwwP-SspLGtL1TRA80rKqY4zL4GxNTsstjrREJieXd-wMG_1dsuBvTJRMIEYYfg6q5ByE-j/s320/070114+This+is+the+deal.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Plenty of bikes to sit on...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hHITOOzw9TId4axhnVTPLCWJvbRjs2hRUlJ2g_enhLVoflrheDVcNiM0tRRWQICtZk8SJpDcTiKhgl1x2v-KCQDXrhtPq3UvsVjdSYJjMecbCSsFAaDNmfZpb_yo7f7tj5YDZ5e7JYRG/s1600/070115+Sitting+on+bikes+all+day+long.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hHITOOzw9TId4axhnVTPLCWJvbRjs2hRUlJ2g_enhLVoflrheDVcNiM0tRRWQICtZk8SJpDcTiKhgl1x2v-KCQDXrhtPq3UvsVjdSYJjMecbCSsFAaDNmfZpb_yo7f7tj5YDZ5e7JYRG/s320/070115+Sitting+on+bikes+all+day+long.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The bike shop was generous with their time and schedule and got me right in which was really nice of them. For the next few hours I managed to sit on nearly all the bikes in their showroom and when I grew tired of that I went next door to the gun shop and ogled more toys. It seems like a lot of bike enthusiasts also have an interest in firearms and I’m no different although I no longer hunt. One thing they had available were silencers which I don’t believe are legal in my state. Boy would I like one of those. What fun!</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Once Green Girl had been turned over to me again I set out for the town of Blackshear, GA where I heard the food was especially good. I made fair time due to the intense speed on the freeways but it wasn’t a whole lot of fun until I cleared the area around Jacksonville. Once beyond that things settled down to a more leisurely pace. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9qdh4I_Os13Bg7Dri8ouU3JMp7_fvRp689WAUsM85sRQ3p_BrjHmCXtVGhudW9haOSEW4nfZAD0VJxmdQFZgP8SZD1QfLPSqs9LEzzOmAhHdrnrj-_3c1e3UVb4iLSSMjsQfEkbdkk1Q/s1600/070116+Welcome+to+GA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9qdh4I_Os13Bg7Dri8ouU3JMp7_fvRp689WAUsM85sRQ3p_BrjHmCXtVGhudW9haOSEW4nfZAD0VJxmdQFZgP8SZD1QfLPSqs9LEzzOmAhHdrnrj-_3c1e3UVb4iLSSMjsQfEkbdkk1Q/s320/070116+Welcome+to+GA.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>I think I’ve mentioned I can smell the rain coming? Today I did and within a few minutes it started in, not too hard but steady which I didn’t mind. I left my rain gear in the bags and plugged along without much concern and before long it stopped. I was feeling kind of smug about it; maybe a bit too much as not long after crossing over into Georgia I noticed some really black clouds gathering. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Fhq_mAyBF61NryGXEUVlYqbCu7NoZNYPvMeQk9fkHJdaOf07Vhyphenhyphen8XkrdiWb0YA6OXDq76X6SAPNDGsCd52ebyQyZ64prvBjIBEMc3hU0xLh_MLiDX4LiGg1kcm-YSuWAu5Sf8b0z4l9G/s1600/070117+Uh+Oh++looks+very+bad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Fhq_mAyBF61NryGXEUVlYqbCu7NoZNYPvMeQk9fkHJdaOf07Vhyphenhyphen8XkrdiWb0YA6OXDq76X6SAPNDGsCd52ebyQyZ64prvBjIBEMc3hU0xLh_MLiDX4LiGg1kcm-YSuWAu5Sf8b0z4l9G/s320/070117+Uh+Oh++looks+very+bad.JPG" /></a></div><br />
It dumped on me again, this time fairly hard and for a long time. Still I didn’t bother to put my gear on as the windshield deflected nearly all of the rain and unless someone passed me I stayed fairly dry. This is the first bike I’ve ridden with a full windshield, all the others have what is called a sports shield and are a lot smaller. I didn’t think I’d like it at first but the more I ride with it the better I like it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDtac5scX0NenKxt08SKquP_jy0CdUTI6J1f7SbTfEKqSliQzNtbfO6-K_zlTwpxQ2GRgemaE_okVWgR81M4NYjP_plGst2mYE7gyeTIQdJpF2Iv_s6XIJEGUIRCgoqzl7aIZbznGOB0n/s1600/070118+road++signs+GA+15-121+North.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDtac5scX0NenKxt08SKquP_jy0CdUTI6J1f7SbTfEKqSliQzNtbfO6-K_zlTwpxQ2GRgemaE_okVWgR81M4NYjP_plGst2mYE7gyeTIQdJpF2Iv_s6XIJEGUIRCgoqzl7aIZbznGOB0n/s320/070118+road++signs+GA+15-121+North.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdThjPVfFnI3RiRJRNes_eeGXhLRpZMOQ0eBUACZaYF_wxwZP3rdMhnXc5doKvIm5JyXiIMmslUUJ3g-KVXx3Vd_qpkS3aaq62DoP1c8bJtPCNaNQG98U8FA8-VQ5-H7XN7xiVuIa6YuL1/s1600/070119+Woodpecker+Trail+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdThjPVfFnI3RiRJRNes_eeGXhLRpZMOQ0eBUACZaYF_wxwZP3rdMhnXc5doKvIm5JyXiIMmslUUJ3g-KVXx3Vd_qpkS3aaq62DoP1c8bJtPCNaNQG98U8FA8-VQ5-H7XN7xiVuIa6YuL1/s320/070119+Woodpecker+Trail+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij68z4G2I3gO17p_NGCB7181Wt4skHZZOzU7uXO9U5SzsRmFMnz7sswbzAy15LLjvHOv-jNWM8u_M-lJYjqUKWs8KiDeCMEcYtde9NNGjGy8XHybrlA1QCyi02wuYifJlm-iX7hx9Wokhj/s1600/070120+No+Parking+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij68z4G2I3gO17p_NGCB7181Wt4skHZZOzU7uXO9U5SzsRmFMnz7sswbzAy15LLjvHOv-jNWM8u_M-lJYjqUKWs8KiDeCMEcYtde9NNGjGy8XHybrlA1QCyi02wuYifJlm-iX7hx9Wokhj/s320/070120+No+Parking+sign.JPG" /></a></div>I made it into Blackshear in good time and decided to call it quits if I could find a place to stay. Blackshear is a nice little community but no motels were available, at least as far as I could see and I decided to backtrack a bit to Waycross, a much larger town. The only thing of unusual interest I saw was on the road out of town; a small sign declaring that I was on the Woodpecker Trail. Finding this interesting I did a U-turn and went back for the photo op. After that I decided to photo the road sign so I’d know later where I’d seen it and while doing that I noticed several No Parking signs, one of which I was parked very close to. Nothing like tempting fate, eh? I left post haste as I really don’t like talking to officials in any capacity.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I set the Garmin up for the Comfort Suites Inn located in Waycross and after a short drive I was soon ensconced in a really plush room. I unpacked and without so much as a shower headed out for dinner, this time to an Applebee’s not too far away. My dinner was super, some kind of chicken with lime juice and hotter-than-hell salsa and mashed potatoes. About half way through my meal I happened to glance out the window and saw it was raining harder than anything I’d witnessed in Florida. At least I’d unpacked all my gear at the hotel but my helmet was parked on top of the GPS and getting the full benefit if the deluge. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfbllc5k2RheK4bIDFQvYiKEvK6_4joE8m7XOGlmoPZln2gl1OeTTxOB5gPm1juM7W5XsenFxR80zS7Dw1ft6YgxVf_zP77W0t9-JvzWNYKM-lxqQb_A2RZ92xm9K0tHjliztvyNd4yqm/s1600/070121+Comforr+Suites+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfbllc5k2RheK4bIDFQvYiKEvK6_4joE8m7XOGlmoPZln2gl1OeTTxOB5gPm1juM7W5XsenFxR80zS7Dw1ft6YgxVf_zP77W0t9-JvzWNYKM-lxqQb_A2RZ92xm9K0tHjliztvyNd4yqm/s320/070121+Comforr+Suites+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6EAwBlan-XEyCgughu4eTFKbQsn5D-95cmxQ4VyPuvjF8j7wUIG9Rjtk01_JLA9e2cTwgVH8Zk4ik2TBDZ-3y7LyySKeI5AVlf5pFtTVm0fXR0rTUjETaPIYRX8Z7tIAs7ookJoQohMU/s1600/070122+Waqycross+GA+Comfort+Suites.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6EAwBlan-XEyCgughu4eTFKbQsn5D-95cmxQ4VyPuvjF8j7wUIG9Rjtk01_JLA9e2cTwgVH8Zk4ik2TBDZ-3y7LyySKeI5AVlf5pFtTVm0fXR0rTUjETaPIYRX8Z7tIAs7ookJoQohMU/s320/070122+Waqycross+GA+Comfort+Suites.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My waiter saw it too and suggested hanging around for awhile and it might quit but I figured it was going to last and daylight was fading fast. Outside under the overhang I paused for a moment; then decided there was no use and mounted up, in full view of a restaurant full of gawking non-believers. It was a good thing I had the GPS as I might still be out there wallowing around in the water; I couldn’t see more than a few yards. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEdSddrqMyCE3MIMjb4yoVsNmAqy1pobP20txm65afBaDcKUlAuApzQtDrHLlaDrksi7In4sNun-9ke1_PnIAMi3Kl3NqXap6tDopj68HOtDzYosyG_NQGKkNuAcxOpPmyS2YAehOA9lV/s1600/070123+Drowned+Green+Girl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEdSddrqMyCE3MIMjb4yoVsNmAqy1pobP20txm65afBaDcKUlAuApzQtDrHLlaDrksi7In4sNun-9ke1_PnIAMi3Kl3NqXap6tDopj68HOtDzYosyG_NQGKkNuAcxOpPmyS2YAehOA9lV/s320/070123+Drowned+Green+Girl.JPG" /></a></div><br />
After a few misses I finally managed to locate the right motel – they were all beginning to look alike in the rain – and dragged my soaking wet carcass into the lobby. The gal on duty found me entertaining I think, but she was kind enough to point me in the general direction of the laundry facilities. It actually worked out quite well as most of my clothes were due for washing and I didn’t want to do the bathroom sink thing again. <br />
<br />
Evidently I was the only one who got caught in the rain as no one else came in to use the laundry while I was there. Maybe I should work on my timing a bit.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUzPNZVouwrScWPiSXSOF-696uFmv4o5IjnzZVPV9rIdbdsaSxQVFYixUOLRAwDk4sPG_WCAPEJT86WcLv7fK0AoIRG1qNko-jLd9leiKRObIcAaNiEIdxSr3wRJ3KECMVZXhc5QoV_7r/s1600/070124+Action+central+Laundry+room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUzPNZVouwrScWPiSXSOF-696uFmv4o5IjnzZVPV9rIdbdsaSxQVFYixUOLRAwDk4sPG_WCAPEJT86WcLv7fK0AoIRG1qNko-jLd9leiKRObIcAaNiEIdxSr3wRJ3KECMVZXhc5QoV_7r/s320/070124+Action+central+Laundry+room.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Misson Control now located in the laundry room</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_npbVU9QEO1xSzrSVCc2f8ABp0GSCPxltwyzlagLfpvwpg2pP1U9lXqQgieLuWBiuskakA3B91FrgjPvAn7NgwdGaEcLsbvaKHcFxk4AyDanRqp9he8aE6pPEz1leLekhhK90Dg0Goh_/s1600/070125+Yes+I+take+in+Laundry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_npbVU9QEO1xSzrSVCc2f8ABp0GSCPxltwyzlagLfpvwpg2pP1U9lXqQgieLuWBiuskakA3B91FrgjPvAn7NgwdGaEcLsbvaKHcFxk4AyDanRqp9he8aE6pPEz1leLekhhK90Dg0Goh_/s320/070125+Yes+I+take+in+Laundry.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes I take in laundry but I don't do windows...</div><br />
Anyway I’m hoping tomorrow will be drier or at least if it isn’t I’ll wear the Frogg Toggs. Yippee…Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-41089525093158796702010-06-30T18:31:00.000-07:002010-06-30T18:31:08.105-07:00June 30, 2010 – Day 25 Palatka, FL - Stickyfrog’s stompin’ grounds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZT7-5SXLqnt1IKhjMLCjw8FaGyxXaG4z1sVyqbj6xpsRjboK6B_G2KMdXbao2VhN-MWY9q6tUAHi9IwGqUQcmL4_oAfRn2_s5FgqMPtXPzrQnW3tIG9BWyyY4Fy-kufwRHQwlha3FQo2t/s1600/063001+Day+begins+with+flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZT7-5SXLqnt1IKhjMLCjw8FaGyxXaG4z1sVyqbj6xpsRjboK6B_G2KMdXbao2VhN-MWY9q6tUAHi9IwGqUQcmL4_oAfRn2_s5FgqMPtXPzrQnW3tIG9BWyyY4Fy-kufwRHQwlha3FQo2t/s320/063001+Day+begins+with+flowers.JPG" /></a></div>The Clewiston Best Western turned out to be one of the best places I’ve stayed at on this trip at any price. I highly recommend them if you’re ever in the area. Breakfast their way is more than flakes & coffee, they put on a spread that should satisfy anyone’s appetite.<br />
<br />
<br />
My run today began on highway 27-North as I headed towards my destination of Palatka to meet a friend. For awhile it looked like sunshine might be the order of the day but as I rode on I couldn’t help noticing the cloudy skies were starting to darken in places. Rain was surely on the menu. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CHuSslav72oHKXs-jz1YjEro1tU-i70qIUx11IhvEfF2ZXw7PmP41648qpU3RoCb9YTtrHWFpzMKDRg3JcYBmf5CsVF1UHFHCNvMYUkRin-AJO70zqpyZJTywZOTUET16_WTbX8zWFnV/s1600/063002+North+on+Highway+27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CHuSslav72oHKXs-jz1YjEro1tU-i70qIUx11IhvEfF2ZXw7PmP41648qpU3RoCb9YTtrHWFpzMKDRg3JcYBmf5CsVF1UHFHCNvMYUkRin-AJO70zqpyZJTywZOTUET16_WTbX8zWFnV/s320/063002+North+on+Highway+27.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0xmvVaWYp6aTyuNni93qQNmweFWFAiSUjjAIek9eyvg1Ae08B62Gi9jtPZjlPLMbhivKp3aMO8h5SBooZ8oqeoiqnPZd-9QCQf3VQN5cG4cc5kPBKr11shEz7S5X-X5auk4FmsGdUwyD/s1600/063003+Clouds+moving+in.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0xmvVaWYp6aTyuNni93qQNmweFWFAiSUjjAIek9eyvg1Ae08B62Gi9jtPZjlPLMbhivKp3aMO8h5SBooZ8oqeoiqnPZd-9QCQf3VQN5cG4cc5kPBKr11shEz7S5X-X5auk4FmsGdUwyD/s320/063003+Clouds+moving+in.JPG" /></a></div><br />
At least the ride along Lake Okeechobee was sunny and scenic and traffic was sparse. There’s a lot to be said for riding routes a bit out of the way; the solitude allows you time for reflection which I value greatly. I also sing at the top of my lungs which the roadside cattle sometimes find disturbing.<br />
<br />
Getting through Sebring was the only part that I didn’t care for, it’s a big town and the stop lights are set so it’s impossible to maintain a constant speed and make green lights. The net result is everyone takes off really fast and then they all have to brake hard at the next light. This cycle repeats itself over and over until finally you’re out of town and once again on the road. Whoever set their system up must have been a very nasty person with a sick sense of humor.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikx2aHu055W1EkkIT8nXh7_jLP_JqplNp2pyHqveCp-uU7FikJ7JIRdxph5X4Q8jXdg_65LmWf_qStuS2ntNKFOBSYs9exb6QqmipH5kpGefoZO4_b6rIy2C6mNmQLSW_fwbhl5zHF8Mul/s1600/063004+Toll+booth+Florida%27s+Turnpike.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikx2aHu055W1EkkIT8nXh7_jLP_JqplNp2pyHqveCp-uU7FikJ7JIRdxph5X4Q8jXdg_65LmWf_qStuS2ntNKFOBSYs9exb6QqmipH5kpGefoZO4_b6rIy2C6mNmQLSW_fwbhl5zHF8Mul/s320/063004+Toll+booth+Florida%27s+Turnpike.JPG" /></a></div>Besides riding through some challenging places like that I also managed to get myself onto one of Florida’s Turnpikes, the one that rolls past Disney World. At least the traffic was light and the pace was rapid so that part was OK. <br />
<br />
I’m not actually sure how I got on the damn thing but it let me off at Eustis where I started on highway 19 heading north again.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">One of the small towns, Umatilla, had some interesting older houses. I was particularly taken by one with an unusual roof design which was made of metal sheets that had a green patina. Or maybe a really bad paint job. The people were running a taxidermy business in a building behind it but it didn’t look very active. Could be the wrong time of year for it?<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KlF5S4s82YoH3OGSTe-n__W5GiIIzpKe96XXUcd3H8AEbDiaagLU79t5i-zRIIsRPi4rzYoSYyQWYyIGduwy6j1syE-6nCfD1vPasvZfSqT04qAFH7RMtybk-ZHJrFXynXbg62ikTAHM/s1600/063007+Great+roof+lines.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KlF5S4s82YoH3OGSTe-n__W5GiIIzpKe96XXUcd3H8AEbDiaagLU79t5i-zRIIsRPi4rzYoSYyQWYyIGduwy6j1syE-6nCfD1vPasvZfSqT04qAFH7RMtybk-ZHJrFXynXbg62ikTAHM/s320/063007+Great+roof+lines.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh679hcTqz2wsza5w5i06tX86g23q_r6yW-TmlduUSlRKotZmtDK3xyLDXnokBeWYNLSzOZHQELT9j-OJ0iJxXNPnm4BokAGXYB6dDb1a0X5FXgFccJK5IK8o0otN6VwLfIVFmRRuhmiEj_/s1600/063008+Business+is+off+a+bit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh679hcTqz2wsza5w5i06tX86g23q_r6yW-TmlduUSlRKotZmtDK3xyLDXnokBeWYNLSzOZHQELT9j-OJ0iJxXNPnm4BokAGXYB6dDb1a0X5FXgFccJK5IK8o0otN6VwLfIVFmRRuhmiEj_/s320/063008+Business+is+off+a+bit.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After that it was a pleasant run through the Jupiter Prairie Wilderness area. Traffic was nearly non-existent and I had plenty of time to stop for photos or just to gawk at the greenery along the way. I noticed there were a number of private clubs, most likely for hunting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5VRs9eb4mugT0P4tk7alv9unOlJYJyaVdCpz6NRM8yaYS4Bf5hj8EPObaNsLtK5jOL1_L0D7inYMM9R48mS64VW_NliwvfrWIgrkTpHlVDmT23cmu6GZ6idwzFLMFyT40GXKmJIHkA9z/s1600/063009+Highway+19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5VRs9eb4mugT0P4tk7alv9unOlJYJyaVdCpz6NRM8yaYS4Bf5hj8EPObaNsLtK5jOL1_L0D7inYMM9R48mS64VW_NliwvfrWIgrkTpHlVDmT23cmu6GZ6idwzFLMFyT40GXKmJIHkA9z/s320/063009+Highway+19.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Rain showed up early on but I didn’t don the Frogg Toggs and it paid off, the drizzle stopped in just a few minutes and actually provided a refreshing relief to the humid heat. Then further on in the Salt Springs area it began again in earnest so I stopped and geared up. Just as I was finishing another rider pulled in to seek a bit of shelter under the trees. He’d just come from Palatka and said it wasn’t raining there but thought it might be wise to stay suited up for awhile. I agreed and did so which proved to be right, the rain continued right into town.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoD2KajzCfSmoev_VLIdpc7x7XD1Kj38397XyL3Y0BL_J_60YnfnHrb7ypC4sZAoIUAhBsDwOg7dqRWlPycD0Gb9Ey_vUoLBNmAM9ewkNng3mRe7Vr5hgz0fJcfbFxAkqLEuI2mGGaJV2/s1600/063005+Rain+arrives.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoD2KajzCfSmoev_VLIdpc7x7XD1Kj38397XyL3Y0BL_J_60YnfnHrb7ypC4sZAoIUAhBsDwOg7dqRWlPycD0Gb9Ey_vUoLBNmAM9ewkNng3mRe7Vr5hgz0fJcfbFxAkqLEuI2mGGaJV2/s320/063005+Rain+arrives.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hey, I can handle rain..I can see right through it...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURdbhzn3pkHqFmus_eaFwcUkHSL-plIou2tXqgj8LwndT4jUAqk86d62X1qGQSYBU09zuzZ2J9JX6fcwZGPSAS7wF24qmcw7imKD8BPIXk8zF0bvPZJWYNzX2tan5I60MpHl7h6j9EA3I/s1600/063006+Rain%27s+OK+with+me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURdbhzn3pkHqFmus_eaFwcUkHSL-plIou2tXqgj8LwndT4jUAqk86d62X1qGQSYBU09zuzZ2J9JX6fcwZGPSAS7wF24qmcw7imKD8BPIXk8zF0bvPZJWYNzX2tan5I60MpHl7h6j9EA3I/s320/063006+Rain%27s+OK+with+me.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I was supposed to meet my friend John aka “Stickyfrog” at a place called Corky Bells and it was easy to find, right along the highway. John showed up not long after I arrived and we had a couple of beers; then he had to finish a quick task he was working on at his office. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YDYQReZr9x96_CzHKCvuFePujWbGAeYvUpSQ88n_m1_qKW0POPjzFpBJ-na-12x-dJvIIR9vITWe5mPe_i8yWpytwSkB-yHAQd6LoMDIxid8-sdC5UGJbF5weUsf-rL_mqbLd3zes4OF/s1600/063010+Corky+Bells+for+beers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YDYQReZr9x96_CzHKCvuFePujWbGAeYvUpSQ88n_m1_qKW0POPjzFpBJ-na-12x-dJvIIR9vITWe5mPe_i8yWpytwSkB-yHAQd6LoMDIxid8-sdC5UGJbF5weUsf-rL_mqbLd3zes4OF/s320/063010+Corky+Bells+for+beers.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwBVmCgfirYhot_VdOpBXOgN-eAlHK0K8xR8OlsTuMfYp7I5EEvI2EDrzTQocGV1cxkI83AEUcOQ1vH8IspoDV578OmBFRZVYu4-hFUdRxuMhZdyRp-bnvh_UuxurF1G9oc20e8_-P4N2/s1600/063011+Corky+Bells+on+the+lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwBVmCgfirYhot_VdOpBXOgN-eAlHK0K8xR8OlsTuMfYp7I5EEvI2EDrzTQocGV1cxkI83AEUcOQ1vH8IspoDV578OmBFRZVYu4-hFUdRxuMhZdyRp-bnvh_UuxurF1G9oc20e8_-P4N2/s320/063011+Corky+Bells+on+the+lake.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0NrORGUSe60YIf5CUyPbmX9_ySDdDfjdLGj-NvVOk6R7Zc84286hhctGPUH0-OhX1kyqeu7eGABa80mDXmoyYJrgwKQJXnhpqSnV9bFXNxZATAwP-M1xBmuR4E4_cXkibtgr6p5BP26F/s1600/063012+Stickyfrog+arrives.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0NrORGUSe60YIf5CUyPbmX9_ySDdDfjdLGj-NvVOk6R7Zc84286hhctGPUH0-OhX1kyqeu7eGABa80mDXmoyYJrgwKQJXnhpqSnV9bFXNxZATAwP-M1xBmuR4E4_cXkibtgr6p5BP26F/s320/063012+Stickyfrog+arrives.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayxh2rrwL_eNpW8FU9uFztrlchNKC0Zjxp2WGr0apAEofbJW8TUZIZqZdWb_JlPAnw96fd1DusZQ3xq288zjovFJDQzPZNDzTiVJ7HKyvD3c_v59e-uRMwWfL7s8PUOCTFjnOtx-xpBmH/s1600/063013+I+should+be+working.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayxh2rrwL_eNpW8FU9uFztrlchNKC0Zjxp2WGr0apAEofbJW8TUZIZqZdWb_JlPAnw96fd1DusZQ3xq288zjovFJDQzPZNDzTiVJ7HKyvD3c_v59e-uRMwWfL7s8PUOCTFjnOtx-xpBmH/s320/063013+I+should+be+working.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beer Buddies...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6q7pOJ30MfSLEFY3zxRtdxjh_PjnROZ_romCGxSwMVU27CNM6C_dOwA_nBsuFTjZInIMV-XhtuB4VJ1lL76O2MeusrpRGAO41iuKDgF_oHVZonEnf-tmRMVRlDQEmsVeLZDaw2wHNIH2/s1600/063014+Beer+Bro%27s+at+Corky+Bells.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6q7pOJ30MfSLEFY3zxRtdxjh_PjnROZ_romCGxSwMVU27CNM6C_dOwA_nBsuFTjZInIMV-XhtuB4VJ1lL76O2MeusrpRGAO41iuKDgF_oHVZonEnf-tmRMVRlDQEmsVeLZDaw2wHNIH2/s320/063014+Beer+Bro%27s+at+Corky+Bells.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I still had to check into a motel and at his suggestion the Quality Inn & Suites located right on the river was easy to find and I went with them. They gave me a room with a view in their annex and it’s decent enough so I settled in.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnw-84Y0eCsH-qh0hFi-4EkdQrBKC_d7jZQM9MR8fU92hWoWGvmGr2MqTlTUNt6-QBgWw8fCVP4HhLIsCXw9oPYfCrYUQl2X1kjkB_L_vfsdVW4PJ4zbu9kCb1b7RCe4Lw_BH6bQFbdrya/s1600/063015++Tonight%27s+digs+Quality+Inn+Palatka.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnw-84Y0eCsH-qh0hFi-4EkdQrBKC_d7jZQM9MR8fU92hWoWGvmGr2MqTlTUNt6-QBgWw8fCVP4HhLIsCXw9oPYfCrYUQl2X1kjkB_L_vfsdVW4PJ4zbu9kCb1b7RCe4Lw_BH6bQFbdrya/s320/063015++Tonight%27s+digs+Quality+Inn+Palatka.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclRNmI_bp_mGmdfbWeH8ghC3sVnFDU6sOd2M3T3kvYCHbllilcxXI8_kVPtSiZoS8G3bDRW9KpM2BGgnym8MswYO-1o6mc2WTN7KInm87_qwlKlbPwkgorjZxIPSVeIo3sG2LskBF15-G/s1600/063024+Dock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclRNmI_bp_mGmdfbWeH8ghC3sVnFDU6sOd2M3T3kvYCHbllilcxXI8_kVPtSiZoS8G3bDRW9KpM2BGgnym8MswYO-1o6mc2WTN7KInm87_qwlKlbPwkgorjZxIPSVeIo3sG2LskBF15-G/s320/063024+Dock.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">John and I met again later for dinner at Florida’s oldest burger joint; Angel’s Diner located just a couple of blocks from my motel. The waitress told us it’s been in business for 78 years, even longer than I’ve been around. Fancy that. The burgers were good and so were the freshly made onion rings, just what my girlish figure needs. I noticed several unusual items on the menu board, frog legs for instance is not something you see in my part of the country. Yummy…</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIfRLUHjo5uBvsWs93bsMZPXheQIpQcsmH_76BT8qSltfqWu4yFkpsOGUOHpSJJ_AKY6Qc49SaeFoe4eyO4DIvj6aUkzQEV5uVjtHOrC5BuSFKP0q6KZm1gsinxIku2u1bkSgugmJWmnS/s1600/063016+Angel%27s+Diner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIfRLUHjo5uBvsWs93bsMZPXheQIpQcsmH_76BT8qSltfqWu4yFkpsOGUOHpSJJ_AKY6Qc49SaeFoe4eyO4DIvj6aUkzQEV5uVjtHOrC5BuSFKP0q6KZm1gsinxIku2u1bkSgugmJWmnS/s320/063016+Angel%27s+Diner.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBNCoT8HqUgt8KYmRMVuRq9y5uxhyerlzOuwbs89f4J4ukYb4T4QPXJWCLnilBTY10c2Fdz_u0_6_d_BpfPmM5wzVjjKLujaHKwIMMb_Oh9-9iiilv0ARmLnlanCYKS3FHbf6bCmVTVcy/s1600/063017+John+at+Angel%27s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBNCoT8HqUgt8KYmRMVuRq9y5uxhyerlzOuwbs89f4J4ukYb4T4QPXJWCLnilBTY10c2Fdz_u0_6_d_BpfPmM5wzVjjKLujaHKwIMMb_Oh9-9iiilv0ARmLnlanCYKS3FHbf6bCmVTVcy/s320/063017+John+at+Angel%27s.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So what'l you have? The frog legs?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0hrnLC0rW0PJVwHSgkjkFUGp7Tsd5xa21xSG0_ZjYKqIDf1RPFTOUtHa626mWhGDVu5VL6BefYgCdELGMrC5a2K32SqYYvis5uJ7uJwfybRTZ84NJFbHjsQAoKDsligR5yg7BWlqOw8U/s1600/063018+Waiting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0hrnLC0rW0PJVwHSgkjkFUGp7Tsd5xa21xSG0_ZjYKqIDf1RPFTOUtHa626mWhGDVu5VL6BefYgCdELGMrC5a2K32SqYYvis5uJ7uJwfybRTZ84NJFbHjsQAoKDsligR5yg7BWlqOw8U/s320/063018+Waiting.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Frog legs? Uh, nah...not tonight</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrha7gufBMPQTxQRefhv4M8GEYZvkRyDhNfkcTtSOkelqB_cMYoBeVkllneG_I3WmZe-oAPt-cjWOXwhXFDsmTd79I_DmanhcTvpV216mgodg4q1C6ucYY1nHnEVZnm5c5pYzmmpM6Fr_/s1600/063019+Angel%27s+Menu+Boad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrha7gufBMPQTxQRefhv4M8GEYZvkRyDhNfkcTtSOkelqB_cMYoBeVkllneG_I3WmZe-oAPt-cjWOXwhXFDsmTd79I_DmanhcTvpV216mgodg4q1C6ucYY1nHnEVZnm5c5pYzmmpM6Fr_/s320/063019+Angel%27s+Menu+Boad.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZ06q3Dsdrzw2KdFpnpLKiOax2X3_8GBiC2l4Yco8o-1rbn_1BHUyEP-THM1DgLcOOGfhDbQpmaDmGA1f_3FxNexOSjBOEIuPM1K6hQgV2RIdJxVvK8v9m-S6zAIom4CHlQ6mMglgE7ru/s1600/063020+Not+so+busy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZ06q3Dsdrzw2KdFpnpLKiOax2X3_8GBiC2l4Yco8o-1rbn_1BHUyEP-THM1DgLcOOGfhDbQpmaDmGA1f_3FxNexOSjBOEIuPM1K6hQgV2RIdJxVvK8v9m-S6zAIom4CHlQ6mMglgE7ru/s320/063020+Not+so+busy.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We ate and then talked scooters and bikes for awhile, and then it was time for him to head to his home, another 20 miles away. John being a gentleman picked up the tab while I coughed and looked skyward, then we said our goodbyes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM64BaeQNsZzwGQ8ThUv4t9_KtSEcdEaq_futXFl92eR1mcyPJUFMwodanQ4APnZpQiu0YeITZdSZec5Etbob8sn4cXSTBIcofe84vTMLLr5VIEg3P9Dj27XxRAzWb9dfiCOWawohJcegY/s1600/063021+John+gets+stuck+with+the+bill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM64BaeQNsZzwGQ8ThUv4t9_KtSEcdEaq_futXFl92eR1mcyPJUFMwodanQ4APnZpQiu0YeITZdSZec5Etbob8sn4cXSTBIcofe84vTMLLr5VIEg3P9Dj27XxRAzWb9dfiCOWawohJcegY/s320/063021+John+gets+stuck+with+the+bill.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Its great being able to meet some of the people you’ve only known through the Internet and this was one of those times. I hope to see John and his wife at our place some day; I told him dinner would be on me next time. Frog legs. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPjhSSah5ogpJmPvXysbtD_Qt8_qwMY3Y4_c-zlIXcqHp6Q77F5cgkrxAePF-nEou2nyh4hKWBM5Ko1fGl6Qoace2VXFhmV6HR-o0mYD6iZghHSTPNKVhvyMO2w4TGWlgMtzMN1GcuCmB/s1600/063022+Happy+Green+Girl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPjhSSah5ogpJmPvXysbtD_Qt8_qwMY3Y4_c-zlIXcqHp6Q77F5cgkrxAePF-nEou2nyh4hKWBM5Ko1fGl6Qoace2VXFhmV6HR-o0mYD6iZghHSTPNKVhvyMO2w4TGWlgMtzMN1GcuCmB/s320/063022+Happy+Green+Girl.JPG" /></a></div>Tomorrow if I’m in luck, I’ll see about having Green Girl’s 6000 mile service done. John told me about Power Sports, a Kawasaki dealer located in St. Augustine so I’ll try there to see if I can get in.Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-80609612174738757042010-06-29T18:14:00.000-07:002010-06-29T18:14:01.014-07:00June 29, 2010 – Day 24 Bye Bye Key West, Hello Clewiston! Clewiston?<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Not much to report today; after another Big McBreakfast I headed out north on highway 1 leaving Key West to the real tourists. For my first rest break and to buy a bottle of water I stopped at the Pigeon Key welcome center. It’s located in one of the old railroad cars left over from an early attempt to build a railroad across the Keys. I saw a number of books about it and I think there’s a museum in Key West for folks who love old train stuff. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMHByKdp-l_R3L-fHjTXxMiA7ZDvaeb7Hew0fqonIhME3l686k03hWJHof9duTMr83OXoh4z5bbRN5qnSWcpmESoaP2regtbjA_Tml5bg0fjiucIYy5cBX7ujSvJEpQdRMfBd104NRnp8/s1600/062903+Pigeon+Key+Harbor+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMHByKdp-l_R3L-fHjTXxMiA7ZDvaeb7Hew0fqonIhME3l686k03hWJHof9duTMr83OXoh4z5bbRN5qnSWcpmESoaP2regtbjA_Tml5bg0fjiucIYy5cBX7ujSvJEpQdRMfBd104NRnp8/s320/062903+Pigeon+Key+Harbor+2.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONekdwd1eKRh-ejZ77WDQLCEhZgkdZoS11qzmA-0j9nJpCXZCGhJPbDblKMeOXpCfdFiXWudCcPQNKVd_3Lgg_04BYog35-CIH2E9pqExo6J9Gtw13XUwDi39M-hpGl8ry8SEo21yvmuY/s1600/062901+Pigeon++Key+Visitors+Center.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONekdwd1eKRh-ejZ77WDQLCEhZgkdZoS11qzmA-0j9nJpCXZCGhJPbDblKMeOXpCfdFiXWudCcPQNKVd_3Lgg_04BYog35-CIH2E9pqExo6J9Gtw13XUwDi39M-hpGl8ry8SEo21yvmuY/s320/062901+Pigeon++Key+Visitors+Center.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My Uncle Estace worked for one of the railroads, I think it was Union Pacific as a pile-driver operator starting when he was seventeen. It made him loony as a pet squirrel but I guess I won’t go into that.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZAmiW3dv-wDdPbXkE-xF503w4YoBz84cdgtKnlxo1AG991wDjn9RDW9HmSTdMoSYCJxwUeqj8STGXym_kXOERndoseClzaAm-V6Y7vPnrqbn1_kZoGt6T1UhlRkTkrsLSbV75ISbE82K/s1600/DSCN1912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZAmiW3dv-wDdPbXkE-xF503w4YoBz84cdgtKnlxo1AG991wDjn9RDW9HmSTdMoSYCJxwUeqj8STGXym_kXOERndoseClzaAm-V6Y7vPnrqbn1_kZoGt6T1UhlRkTkrsLSbV75ISbE82K/s320/DSCN1912.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The gal running the place seemed happy to have a visitor to chat with so I listened to her tale of how she and her husband landed there 18 years ago. I didn’t mind as the air conditioning was working great and the water was cheap. I’m not sure if I’d want to live there but it might be fun for awhile.<br />
<br />
After leaving Pigeon Key I rode on through the rest of the lot, enjoying the sights. It was a nice morning and I only encountered rain one time. Rain on the Keys is usually visible a long ways before you get to it so you have ample time to pull over and gear up. I almost didn’t do that today but after stopping to get a better look around the traffic at the distant squall I decided to play it safe. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>My new Frogg Toggs are not made of breathable material so once on they were hot as the dickens, not exactly what I’d choose to wear if I lived in this area. Naturally as soon as I rode into the rain it stopped and heat began to build up rapidly in the suit. I put up with it for a couple of miles, then stopped and put the jacket away figuring if it started again it wouldn’t take much effort to dig it out if. That whole scheme lasted all of another 15 minutes after which I stopped again and stuffed the rain pants back into the saddle bag. “Phooey” I thought, “if it rains I’ll just get wet and maybe it’ll cool me off.” Didn’t happen, stayed dry as a bone the rest of the day. <br />
<br />
Once I reached the mainland I followed 997 which took me through Homestead, a very nice town and evidently home to lots of people of Cuban descent. There were Cuban and Latin theme restaurants and clubs everywhere, several of which I’d have liked to visit. It was too early to stop though, so I kept on with the ride. A few miles north of Homestead I hooked up with highway 27 and stayed on that; it's a long flat featurless stretch of road and I'd been forwarned it might be boring. Still, it was all new to me and I found the farms and ranches interesting.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNOkM3DN5jOyNhu7Fa6Zms206tYthqVZCv5rOKByAOQ7rgN3018UCZcoTDxg7vaxs_bJdxiDG-w5LsCcm-7a3RlgBc-qBYe2HrcsP1Uyf9Tyaqxgnc6jVDHt2iD7BqLA_bZzuePgSq52R/s1600/062904+FL+Highway+27+N.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNOkM3DN5jOyNhu7Fa6Zms206tYthqVZCv5rOKByAOQ7rgN3018UCZcoTDxg7vaxs_bJdxiDG-w5LsCcm-7a3RlgBc-qBYe2HrcsP1Uyf9Tyaqxgnc6jVDHt2iD7BqLA_bZzuePgSq52R/s320/062904+FL+Highway+27+N.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The New River Canal follows highway27</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherAw69Y_lTEoqLomOOc_eUH8RiT2eYJ1sYbr4qmPMm_e-FkZ25Xa3KyCflG7o99j0UWLTfQcnT3J3Y52QrSVDLHBWCks5ojwdZTu7ZukR87CJ0pBE0euKr6MoHGeGQ2Mw6MElhVIc9TBh/s1600/062911+New+River+Canal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherAw69Y_lTEoqLomOOc_eUH8RiT2eYJ1sYbr4qmPMm_e-FkZ25Xa3KyCflG7o99j0UWLTfQcnT3J3Y52QrSVDLHBWCks5ojwdZTu7ZukR87CJ0pBE0euKr6MoHGeGQ2Mw6MElhVIc9TBh/s320/062911+New+River+Canal.JPG" /></a></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The long, long road stretches way out of sight along here...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOC5KKg2FBK3K6UlLsmRBqIyE-w136nYwpG56YtqOxDvtsEAGCrJukTbTUzjx6L7tFiSrHTKQofuAyY9VdARfa16Y_7QD8H09MgQAhYA5QlcEVsxFUVKy9GNFvJJZMV5T-j8PwfKtfE-H/s1600/062906+Long+Lonely+Highway+Ahead.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOC5KKg2FBK3K6UlLsmRBqIyE-w136nYwpG56YtqOxDvtsEAGCrJukTbTUzjx6L7tFiSrHTKQofuAyY9VdARfa16Y_7QD8H09MgQAhYA5QlcEVsxFUVKy9GNFvJJZMV5T-j8PwfKtfE-H/s320/062906+Long+Lonely+Highway+Ahead.JPG" /></a></div><br />
There were a few small communities, all of which were focused on agricultural industries of one sort or another. The further north I got the more sugar cane fields there were until I arrived in Clewiston, self-proclaimed as the “Sweetest City in World” or something like that. <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">By this time it was just about 5:00pm and since there were some nice motels in town I decided to bag it for the day; the dark clouds were mustering overhead and it looked like it was going to get stormy before long.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kQ4Sfihp2x5fl9jj1lsjEB-dGVy6DU1GdpAWH-jJ1bwUFn0OnjjIWAv8kZXhEIAR9YnzEs8IjthSqph8PNtjiUhYihWKQpEp7PieyU5LxdTy_B6kzNsQIdeWJDrvYIWo0nUkUJvXt1AP/s1600/062907+Clewiston+Best+Western+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kQ4Sfihp2x5fl9jj1lsjEB-dGVy6DU1GdpAWH-jJ1bwUFn0OnjjIWAv8kZXhEIAR9YnzEs8IjthSqph8PNtjiUhYihWKQpEp7PieyU5LxdTy_B6kzNsQIdeWJDrvYIWo0nUkUJvXt1AP/s320/062907+Clewiston+Best+Western+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaXxOeywLBaqLHcmvCu1HP9Pno79EFya76iXpciUIJTn7KATsVgEZ7lrQSw4Ir40vyZQNG1a8yMh0y4PD-CvfRz7qfMeiEr4WxNTwgBT-7urfVuNHv_zmmpuplARH_5fB6SMNjPztezMK/s1600/062908+Clewiston+Best+Western.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaXxOeywLBaqLHcmvCu1HP9Pno79EFya76iXpciUIJTn7KATsVgEZ7lrQSw4Ir40vyZQNG1a8yMh0y4PD-CvfRz7qfMeiEr4WxNTwgBT-7urfVuNHv_zmmpuplARH_5fB6SMNjPztezMK/s320/062908+Clewiston+Best+Western.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I checked into the Clewiston Best Western and when I turned on Weather Channel they were all agog over a huge lightning storm just to the west in the Fort Meyers area. There had already been 51 strikes reported in just an hour or so and it looked like the storm was growing and moving towards Clewiston. They were warning people to stay indoors so I’m glad I chose to stay here instead of riding another hours. I’ve ridden in a number of lightning storms and I never feel comfortable with 4-5 gallons of high-test between my knees, there’s just something about it that gives this person pause…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUE50J4M9XMk1uWyGOXB0GaNoDdCVx58hPciO840l9TTWhZBgED9Xh4YySI7gO4KS0vbdNFOf62YPfjE78MYcE8dfMVjViqNAY-6KkHzKfUs9RWQCUM3PPLGllAoKxYi3vlj1oJQflgUYG/s1600/062909+Lightning+Storm+Warning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUE50J4M9XMk1uWyGOXB0GaNoDdCVx58hPciO840l9TTWhZBgED9Xh4YySI7gO4KS0vbdNFOf62YPfjE78MYcE8dfMVjViqNAY-6KkHzKfUs9RWQCUM3PPLGllAoKxYi3vlj1oJQflgUYG/s320/062909+Lightning+Storm+Warning.JPG" /></a></div><br />
After watching the gloom & doom folks for awhile I figured it was time to refuel myself. There’s a Sonny’s Barbeque place right up the road so I headed up there for a dinner of pulled pork, coleslaw, corn on the cob, garlic toast, and a huge tumbler of sweet iced tea. Man these southern folks know how to do barbeque and I’m loving it!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368816262378200592.post-10585681490600183862010-06-28T19:36:00.000-07:002010-06-28T20:28:23.970-07:00June 28, 2010 – Day 28 Certified Tourist in Key West Florida, U.S.A.Today started with a senior’s omelet at Denny’s next door. It was actually quite good and I didn’t eat all the hash browns. Maybe I’ll be skinny by the end of the day and I’ll be able to eat a really big fat dinner?<br />
<br />
<br />
Before starting out to explore this morning I spent a few minutes surfing the ‘net to see what’s up in Key West. Google had quite a lot as I expected so I chose a couple of places that sounded interesting. It wasn’t easy as there's so many things to see it would take weeks to do it all. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6h8RVNrE4gfrofaJKfnekYPfyiJ_nx2NXCPn4DetWc1mz4Oyb_w581tqZe6vqz7YdGIMXyAZKG1iZe2QVzKODOlCQDHUxM5i8vlZfivXmqgpobBP-fnHOngdt1khY6UyMetv7SQ1cioj/s1600/062802+Key+West+Back+Alley+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6h8RVNrE4gfrofaJKfnekYPfyiJ_nx2NXCPn4DetWc1mz4Oyb_w581tqZe6vqz7YdGIMXyAZKG1iZe2QVzKODOlCQDHUxM5i8vlZfivXmqgpobBP-fnHOngdt1khY6UyMetv7SQ1cioj/s320/062802+Key+West+Back+Alley+1.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I began with a ride through some of the back alleys where a lot of regular people live. The old houses are to die for; their Caribbean architecture is one that I really like a lot. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhe288Ft8IHjBCMHhmDT0mc7ZbbZYWuPjPEjUj4bFGlkvJz4LEoPi7AThVmZoB83MINEiw5jWik-UyVBBLunIOTb2J5zf5pjcoooBI1rcogWh0pili-I2hCe37-lyynSiJaccgCsuviB0P/s1600/062803+Key+West+Back+Alley+House.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhe288Ft8IHjBCMHhmDT0mc7ZbbZYWuPjPEjUj4bFGlkvJz4LEoPi7AThVmZoB83MINEiw5jWik-UyVBBLunIOTb2J5zf5pjcoooBI1rcogWh0pili-I2hCe37-lyynSiJaccgCsuviB0P/s320/062803+Key+West+Back+Alley+House.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07AAv5_ohWbh-Utkj9YJopxkj31jegY8VGqoyTd00sKcD7e0BmRNOEzABl-2yYvKIrYLKnRUWyAcS19duf-OQ5qeF3EFGZfRpVAOiRPpIlryb7QvK1rFmRQIIzwD-_r-ScmDErtFUfORz/s1600/062804+Key+West+Back+Alley+Parking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07AAv5_ohWbh-Utkj9YJopxkj31jegY8VGqoyTd00sKcD7e0BmRNOEzABl-2yYvKIrYLKnRUWyAcS19duf-OQ5qeF3EFGZfRpVAOiRPpIlryb7QvK1rFmRQIIzwD-_r-ScmDErtFUfORz/s320/062804+Key+West+Back+Alley+Parking.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After wandering around for most of the morning I was ready for some real touristy stuff so I headed to the Southernmost Point in the U.S.A., the big buoy where everyone has their picture taken. Except if you’re on the road with Charles Kuralt of CBS but that’s another story. Lucky me, I found a parking spot less than a block away and hoofed it on over to do the deal. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJHqTpJfY7L1dlml-6gH8IFKwsQ96ZoW7_qZ4sAxm0m4CZUdcyqAReOhjuyhwqZVg0XkvvyahvRMxNViwLZ2Ojg1y3jURG7qIKVkOd77U4a7CpeGKUTYeErNxcFKrjWlLUptCj_MOyyU7/s1600/062805+Mob+at+the+Southernmost+Buoy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJHqTpJfY7L1dlml-6gH8IFKwsQ96ZoW7_qZ4sAxm0m4CZUdcyqAReOhjuyhwqZVg0XkvvyahvRMxNViwLZ2Ojg1y3jURG7qIKVkOd77U4a7CpeGKUTYeErNxcFKrjWlLUptCj_MOyyU7/s320/062805+Mob+at+the+Southernmost+Buoy.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">What a mob, who invited all these people anyway? Now I understand why Charles – or maybe it’s Chuck to his friends – decided to go have a drink instead. I elected to pass and settled for a couple of long shots for my scrap book.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnReRGY1vilTVwHHNBL3DDiZiLiCkpBBcaH_H0mytQ_fikv8PbxnmNEkksx3qS1PRJE7chetoenD0-04_VKPxQievnFb0uRG2b9ztWsQqOPdGTFrELjch03WgqejbXX9FPlcnTEf8EVQ74/s1600/062806+Bored+Pelican.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnReRGY1vilTVwHHNBL3DDiZiLiCkpBBcaH_H0mytQ_fikv8PbxnmNEkksx3qS1PRJE7chetoenD0-04_VKPxQievnFb0uRG2b9ztWsQqOPdGTFrELjch03WgqejbXX9FPlcnTEf8EVQ74/s320/062806+Bored+Pelican.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Wandering towards the beach area I passed by the Casa Cayo Hueso with their two signs, one promoting the Grand Hotel and the other evidently intended to dispel those ugly rumors about wild parties and 2nd floor ballrooms. Eww…sounds so, uh, wild…. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvqUh8vd4A1tlL28MawcDj-GlJU8VboV3rV3XN6QmpOiDzOR7y7-ux6pfExJq7YzwNIEHwSeWwHPoAjA1ldtxKeyFAwerWVFnUSpboFJvzNuFd_Goc4m7SiWAzy3idH8xuWq-7OgIYsRb/s1600/062806-b+Casa+Cayo+Hueso+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvqUh8vd4A1tlL28MawcDj-GlJU8VboV3rV3XN6QmpOiDzOR7y7-ux6pfExJq7YzwNIEHwSeWwHPoAjA1ldtxKeyFAwerWVFnUSpboFJvzNuFd_Goc4m7SiWAzy3idH8xuWq-7OgIYsRb/s320/062806-b+Casa+Cayo+Hueso+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GGtq1JePX31hZcihFYoV-_xQfcuOrw87objw5bcaDDduoe2M2sAWUbqP1X8mGMnU99FqWUZOzDj_RM0HxcfuU5qa4XqYMqe35Crr8FXoPd7YPtCcMJ7X_Whw1PEcPz9B6W5qr_XIpB4h/s1600/062807+Casa+Cayo+Hueso+House.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GGtq1JePX31hZcihFYoV-_xQfcuOrw87objw5bcaDDduoe2M2sAWUbqP1X8mGMnU99FqWUZOzDj_RM0HxcfuU5qa4XqYMqe35Crr8FXoPd7YPtCcMJ7X_Whw1PEcPz9B6W5qr_XIpB4h/s320/062807+Casa+Cayo+Hueso+House.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FsQLrcMzqapwb-1RQUp79t4wEFEWzh0aVwWHQ4b2SbViulVeajqwbj3RvjEaMJV_0KO8DpwlxmqGGRPV64rE56kAr769Wd-AJ7EXMncuXDNGhi0RsjGPCb-eS1SeMhNxvFtr6m1o4h96/s1600/062808+Casa+Cayo+Hueso+disclaimer+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FsQLrcMzqapwb-1RQUp79t4wEFEWzh0aVwWHQ4b2SbViulVeajqwbj3RvjEaMJV_0KO8DpwlxmqGGRPV64rE56kAr769Wd-AJ7EXMncuXDNGhi0RsjGPCb-eS1SeMhNxvFtr6m1o4h96/s320/062808+Casa+Cayo+Hueso+disclaimer+sign.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Down at the beach the wind & waves were kicking up a bit and generally keeping the tourists away. They seemed to have all gravitated inland a few blocks to the many attractions there, right where I was headed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5MFWi97DoINBerXuPc52QHDVgOvO6WiqnuakUtBJPdFD4K8cf9Y9DFX9mRhyphenhyphenZ95w0rutgkXFznjgl7XucUuVAhQZdqgdUPDcm7Isker5pkh8cOYv6neCKJ3sS0YHOm6ppY-I-q0gEoclf/s1600/062809+Wind+kicking+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5MFWi97DoINBerXuPc52QHDVgOvO6WiqnuakUtBJPdFD4K8cf9Y9DFX9mRhyphenhyphenZ95w0rutgkXFznjgl7XucUuVAhQZdqgdUPDcm7Isker5pkh8cOYv6neCKJ3sS0YHOm6ppY-I-q0gEoclf/s320/062809+Wind+kicking+up.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7V3IPMDxmrfP4NNPqgvpA8ye9d6yMxUAZizHPXj5NmCLfdBVCS53YoOYkpf2C48JaVAZ2nv80RS_IUCshpqIKhCT2DISbnLjp1uSsMX1zgi7jjGgpsR0cSq9aBWs4a_aRtmvyVNLGocx9/s1600/062810+Rough+Sea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7V3IPMDxmrfP4NNPqgvpA8ye9d6yMxUAZizHPXj5NmCLfdBVCS53YoOYkpf2C48JaVAZ2nv80RS_IUCshpqIKhCT2DISbnLjp1uSsMX1zgi7jjGgpsR0cSq9aBWs4a_aRtmvyVNLGocx9/s320/062810+Rough+Sea.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3Gb1ljWbR4l76PCbrzbhVLn-fdnIm6yg3FuJWEQKL6QmQmOAXehsS2YGHuYQA-DVoqWdVZxsGSvUHNbsK0_DB3XEckMftY5nOttwmD6OevMrBDc_eG_OwwxVeaQ6U6i_wCiXmhAoWU3G/s1600/062811+Beach+Dog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3Gb1ljWbR4l76PCbrzbhVLn-fdnIm6yg3FuJWEQKL6QmQmOAXehsS2YGHuYQA-DVoqWdVZxsGSvUHNbsK0_DB3XEckMftY5nOttwmD6OevMrBDc_eG_OwwxVeaQ6U6i_wCiXmhAoWU3G/s320/062811+Beach+Dog.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I cut through some more back alleys, had a chat with one of the city’s finest about how big a pain in the patootie tourists in general are, and shot more meaningless pictures. The weather that had started out overcast and unfriendly looking had turned sunny and mild, just right for walking around.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaei7hXjJejkmKMXbhtD1HKeLnvwbq_L7hQziH1acVD4v_SoE1UHtnGCQkDcKW_fiUUgB89LpW1qQPKIaCPAUyte0SbhO3Zc8F474dKBUljI61MYSJpJ2CKVsKhcUIWxJrRm1N_om5K0f/s1600/062812+Papa%27s+B%26B+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaei7hXjJejkmKMXbhtD1HKeLnvwbq_L7hQziH1acVD4v_SoE1UHtnGCQkDcKW_fiUUgB89LpW1qQPKIaCPAUyte0SbhO3Zc8F474dKBUljI61MYSJpJ2CKVsKhcUIWxJrRm1N_om5K0f/s320/062812+Papa%27s+B%26B+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1DV_5mW5WTQYBuBSM3q6TWOhvU3m0i2F-iLK9zITooIMyqrg4oibGZJFlWWqXCfwhU7Ys9IsS0XunZXnPSlfBYqEoTUPf29rw85sn61eNu1W7w_q58-23YG2KvtBOt0eRfE52-nHlMsj/s1600/062813+Flowers+on+wall+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1DV_5mW5WTQYBuBSM3q6TWOhvU3m0i2F-iLK9zITooIMyqrg4oibGZJFlWWqXCfwhU7Ys9IsS0XunZXnPSlfBYqEoTUPf29rw85sn61eNu1W7w_q58-23YG2KvtBOt0eRfE52-nHlMsj/s320/062813+Flowers+on+wall+1.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS26mnJlRhhGJYpBHGQ8al7Ti1jYYhWhEVFlRbnASCqQqeprq3yf2KamO7x7fPhMndihPxFdNn9bjv_Z_IxExnnfqL3B7wK24XFIaQ5p6sTc5tcdIUKkjByAA1T2q5Pc7BQTuPowZdCRXk/s1600/062814+Flowers+on+wall+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS26mnJlRhhGJYpBHGQ8al7Ti1jYYhWhEVFlRbnASCqQqeprq3yf2KamO7x7fPhMndihPxFdNn9bjv_Z_IxExnnfqL3B7wK24XFIaQ5p6sTc5tcdIUKkjByAA1T2q5Pc7BQTuPowZdCRXk/s320/062814+Flowers+on+wall+2.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrbkyCIIKDAzGt6KNhU7YeI70W8oyoX6B33cTHlk2SAZlrWC41HXBFN0eVDp9XsdwxIhMW8vikVs2Tre3kGjKFyK75ClYGRtiTLPYhaz0KDMTAYKAIFqxa9KlgDNaKgcFKajx0fLlsuZP/s1600/062815+Whitehead+%26+Louisa+Street+signs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrbkyCIIKDAzGt6KNhU7YeI70W8oyoX6B33cTHlk2SAZlrWC41HXBFN0eVDp9XsdwxIhMW8vikVs2Tre3kGjKFyK75ClYGRtiTLPYhaz0KDMTAYKAIFqxa9KlgDNaKgcFKajx0fLlsuZP/s320/062815+Whitehead+%26+Louisa+Street+signs.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMWT9s7J65lAO7ZZVlI0m6VlANTwhM7FCnguPjiN4xNR_8AUQ5ZYdYiOIHgTPmA1E3YmFXasdf6FyZz08_Yc9ZcskQGLbk3VYwExbRjIgjkaoaWi36R8UkIr-pq2-K7r2wEcBJ7I_MnH2/s1600/062816+Flowering+Trees.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMWT9s7J65lAO7ZZVlI0m6VlANTwhM7FCnguPjiN4xNR_8AUQ5ZYdYiOIHgTPmA1E3YmFXasdf6FyZz08_Yc9ZcskQGLbk3VYwExbRjIgjkaoaWi36R8UkIr-pq2-K7r2wEcBJ7I_MnH2/s320/062816+Flowering+Trees.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Having no real reason other than Google’s guidance I headed for the Lighthouse Keeper’s Quarters Museum. Hey, just listen to how exciting that sounds; it’s what old people do when they get out of the home for a few hours. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkg6LsM1GeUdqjCQTH0C4zqeQeVrchYzcZT1SMzFDY4RRsItf3txjfIJHWuEmyXRgvnHRtoy-sAlh_hzozS0V0BFawy8uFFQN4vVq4l4chxOqJyxKJ5tztjuxVG1f23ki5CaD9-EJ5d2of/s1600/062817+Lighthouse+Keeper%27s+Qtrs+Museum+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkg6LsM1GeUdqjCQTH0C4zqeQeVrchYzcZT1SMzFDY4RRsItf3txjfIJHWuEmyXRgvnHRtoy-sAlh_hzozS0V0BFawy8uFFQN4vVq4l4chxOqJyxKJ5tztjuxVG1f23ki5CaD9-EJ5d2of/s320/062817+Lighthouse+Keeper%27s+Qtrs+Museum+sign.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCG6e1TGKJWfsrpsiiX7YeF71fpU65fDihJyYc3lRAEb2PPQWIosantHwsFzjnXzSg5KmdK6naktFcNC_6HkoUz6hf-2hqYwguN_Bd4AX88rEEmKmzK75zjCJXenvvAkNCGQjGIksT37bd/s1600/062818+Lighthouse+Keeper%27s+admission+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCG6e1TGKJWfsrpsiiX7YeF71fpU65fDihJyYc3lRAEb2PPQWIosantHwsFzjnXzSg5KmdK6naktFcNC_6HkoUz6hf-2hqYwguN_Bd4AX88rEEmKmzK75zjCJXenvvAkNCGQjGIksT37bd/s320/062818+Lighthouse+Keeper%27s+admission+sign.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I did the deal, paid the going rack rate and climbed the bazillion steps to the top where I shot waaaay too many photos. I counted the steps and I think there are 88 or 89, but can’t say for sure as I may have stumbled a couple of times.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUMzDFXinfEbXQG6VvhArlNGcOSZtTW45uoPv02kx4spBKq_nJsD1xSbKx3jl12pMJGLXKE-wDvE7wsOLGVlDiJbjGpjZHvR152v9qeuMQdA9Q_NhdqM8yMy_V6j9ut58bc7yZK3Q6Idf/s1600/062820+The+Lighthouse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUMzDFXinfEbXQG6VvhArlNGcOSZtTW45uoPv02kx4spBKq_nJsD1xSbKx3jl12pMJGLXKE-wDvE7wsOLGVlDiJbjGpjZHvR152v9qeuMQdA9Q_NhdqM8yMy_V6j9ut58bc7yZK3Q6Idf/s320/062820+The+Lighthouse.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">People I meet oft times don’t seem to have much going in the way of a sense of humor. For instance as I was starting up the stairwell in the lighthouse I said to the guy behind me “Hey if you count ‘em and get the number right they’ll give you a prize.” He gave me the dirty look prize. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There's a catwalk that goes all the way around when you reach the top. People who have issues with high places should probably not go there. Or maybe take a paper bag with them if they do. Once you're up there the operators have installed lots of little signs telling you what to look for.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBgZXGPZN4dzd7NyKzukshB9del5_Fua0H1BwbBi9dfMgeOzwvEhw03tisoHi8WdWJd8RzR5QZdDvSjp4tQQ72aDoVfVMV2mHpFiP6rYcGVgUpoaKjX1OuHNhY3CJg8YS37dfb9a2uG0n/s1600/062823+Southernmost+House+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBgZXGPZN4dzd7NyKzukshB9del5_Fua0H1BwbBi9dfMgeOzwvEhw03tisoHi8WdWJd8RzR5QZdDvSjp4tQQ72aDoVfVMV2mHpFiP6rYcGVgUpoaKjX1OuHNhY3CJg8YS37dfb9a2uG0n/s320/062823+Southernmost+House+sign.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasPRnXzl4BDupwDSHxLM4glWvKQrCBj_q0AaSIESRS1I4ORrWm-fG9iR4ZMCHH8mevl-tX71Lt3-E0dcYvCWsaGVDR3vMNA8bZG0PN1vnRv-K2q7Pv4GthUTRa2orSt88rmqDxzYZ7YyX/s1600/062824+Southernmost+House+telephoto+shot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasPRnXzl4BDupwDSHxLM4glWvKQrCBj_q0AaSIESRS1I4ORrWm-fG9iR4ZMCHH8mevl-tX71Lt3-E0dcYvCWsaGVDR3vMNA8bZG0PN1vnRv-K2q7Pv4GthUTRa2orSt88rmqDxzYZ7YyX/s320/062824+Southernmost+House+telephoto+shot.JPG" /></a></div>My camera's telephoto feature could be better...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While I was taking more photos there was a sign pointing to Cuba 90 miles away. Turning to another guy next to me and pointing south I said “Look, you can see Castro waving right there.” Mr. Sour Puss grumbled in his best New Jersey accent “I’ll pass on that one.” He was serious...Jeeze…what’s with these people?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwUM4QQ516OkjFl55wuDaMHhd4VbWWHv_SqIusLBxiGIsero-h_HBFpxUzNUOW6yvxNpEz3QWlpPun6S8E4A5RuykewntZoAZUCgyD5KEhuL-Q7YKtI7PqkioZFi-90S7Qpvw0zrOoPEo/s1600/062825+Cuba+90+Miles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwUM4QQ516OkjFl55wuDaMHhd4VbWWHv_SqIusLBxiGIsero-h_HBFpxUzNUOW6yvxNpEz3QWlpPun6S8E4A5RuykewntZoAZUCgyD5KEhuL-Q7YKtI7PqkioZFi-90S7Qpvw0zrOoPEo/s320/062825+Cuba+90+Miles.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At the very tippy-top you can see the light-mirror-thing</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAbX7yK8oHrLOOBAdlLiVZFc6SHZUy40nAA9k9H8c-eZqmZ6Gur8k6WixfBA7QoCmXRAfMHnpjd90neM6ng0pv_GIEupJhsFUXCvjR3MKxUp5AIYdUhaspDONat_i6h76rLWq_MWfpNRf/s1600/062826+Lighthouse+light.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAbX7yK8oHrLOOBAdlLiVZFc6SHZUy40nAA9k9H8c-eZqmZ6Gur8k6WixfBA7QoCmXRAfMHnpjd90neM6ng0pv_GIEupJhsFUXCvjR3MKxUp5AIYdUhaspDONat_i6h76rLWq_MWfpNRf/s320/062826+Lighthouse+light.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I spent a lot of time looking at the view and then descended the umpty-ump not-so-funny-stairs so I could have a look at the museum. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NoOpkS1E752pFTgXy3Kfw7f0CKkLSh9la0MWJKp9K5A5msLTvuFaMzhhBw7NLCGRhrqTm0MCQANKdTt7WFEwraSJo0T77dOCBlsI5XbKhmTBg3nqrnJMZJolHfw1Xxv18XZ82eMZ3UpT/s1600/062821+Lighthouse+Keeper%27s+Quarters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NoOpkS1E752pFTgXy3Kfw7f0CKkLSh9la0MWJKp9K5A5msLTvuFaMzhhBw7NLCGRhrqTm0MCQANKdTt7WFEwraSJo0T77dOCBlsI5XbKhmTBg3nqrnJMZJolHfw1Xxv18XZ82eMZ3UpT/s320/062821+Lighthouse+Keeper%27s+Quarters.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidyikpDq9wMQtOPV6zeApT4RMligrzzDPyEcj6Wwe2qgVLtauRo3bD7WQB4i5pDdt4hyphenhyphenPkJa8r_v8Gf-kymEIPg2b77Msoysl9R-Fw2iR3R4dzd_ttuCdOA8kPu3VTJPbgyKiq9w8xJbJ/s1600/062822+Lighthouse+Keeper+Himself.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidyikpDq9wMQtOPV6zeApT4RMligrzzDPyEcj6Wwe2qgVLtauRo3bD7WQB4i5pDdt4hyphenhyphenPkJa8r_v8Gf-kymEIPg2b77Msoysl9R-Fw2iR3R4dzd_ttuCdOA8kPu3VTJPbgyKiq9w8xJbJ/s320/062822+Lighthouse+Keeper+Himself.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, I'm the lighthouse keeper, may I help you?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">No lights were on in the museum, evidently the entire island was having a blackout. One of the grounds maintenance guys was poking around in an equipment shed and I commented that for the price they charge old guys for admission you’d think it would include interior lighting. Finally I meet someone who can laugh. </div>.<br />
The price for it was listening to this guy’s life story beginning with his childhood in New Jersey, his brief stint as a cook in the USN, a move to CA and the two years he spent there including his time in San Diego and some other town I can’t remember. Then it was on to Alaska and tales of hitchhiking and getting rides by Indians but not Eskimos…. Huh? The grand finale was the really lengthy tale of getting his eye busted because he was holding his buddy’s 30.06 wrong and the scope got him when he fired it. <br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Somewhere around the move to Texas…did I leave that one out?...I began edging my way towards the exit and he sort of followed me, still relaying all the misadventures of his life. “Bye bye” I told him and zipped across the street, heading to the Earnest Hemmingway house.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYYmwoXOP4XbR-hbWM0HySqg72z725cHxtayf7Koe95wU6aFHe4WNnFxKYo4QVKkKYxTs1xzBHX7dLjmChfkIVu6XqsnC0P_eV19eGa8BFGHEmKdNh7dlL4n3gKRal95eUUDJGkDhwP-2/s1600/062827+Hemingway%27s+Digs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYYmwoXOP4XbR-hbWM0HySqg72z725cHxtayf7Koe95wU6aFHe4WNnFxKYo4QVKkKYxTs1xzBHX7dLjmChfkIVu6XqsnC0P_eV19eGa8BFGHEmKdNh7dlL4n3gKRal95eUUDJGkDhwP-2/s320/062827+Hemingway%27s+Digs.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I’m a big fan of Hemmingway though I haven’t read everything he wrote. In fact it took me nearly a year to read For Whom the Bell Tolls. It was in the early 60’s and the book occupied the glove box in my Morris Minor 1000; each day during my brown-bag lunch time I would read a few more pages. After that I read The Old Man and the Sea; still have that one stashed away somewhere. Others I started but don’t recall finishing. Maybe I’m not such a big Hemmingway fan after all? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqnYqvSbM9NO6Sbs2mZh-peBHn1qL8hft_Lzq-tocD5AAklnb9D4QISxV-15VEzM2W4MbYZgOCASGivzWCLpWmwyWX8l8Jza0txXQhDcee1j9PPE-aq7hb4Yx9AaPWah9vucSLswSxFsR/s1600/062828+Hemingway+Poster.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqnYqvSbM9NO6Sbs2mZh-peBHn1qL8hft_Lzq-tocD5AAklnb9D4QISxV-15VEzM2W4MbYZgOCASGivzWCLpWmwyWX8l8Jza0txXQhDcee1j9PPE-aq7hb4Yx9AaPWah9vucSLswSxFsR/s320/062828+Hemingway+Poster.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Regardless of that I’d like to own his house. Well, maybe not HIS house, all those damn tourists would get on my nerves, maybe a house like his house. Where my house is now. You see? Let’s move on. Once past the gate guard/ticket seller I immediately chose the wrong way in. I realized this as there were no other people around anywhere; then suddenly there was an entire herd of them coming right at me and at the head of the line there was a woman with very good lung power. An unhappy woman. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLeLMpNpNCzIck5TR2NacyjOBHKQ85McnKfKeAW1H6jIe7m8bGYFcXyNMTi8H7BeDjdp0JBus39C4-gKGDImaXl-wDP9Oi_3ZKsOFz1jSS-1rZM1tjwdQoMjr0rxEcR0P5xO_Fcx0xNsy/s1600/062832+Green+Stairs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLeLMpNpNCzIck5TR2NacyjOBHKQ85McnKfKeAW1H6jIe7m8bGYFcXyNMTi8H7BeDjdp0JBus39C4-gKGDImaXl-wDP9Oi_3ZKsOFz1jSS-1rZM1tjwdQoMjr0rxEcR0P5xO_Fcx0xNsy/s320/062832+Green+Stairs.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Flattening myself up against the wall I waited as the herd went by. Herself halted them and while doing her best to make certain even the farthest person in the rear would hear her enlightening dissertation, gave me THE LOOK. Somehow I knew I needed to vacate, probably due to my many years of exposure to THE LOOK from innumerous members of the fair sex. I staged left while she and her charges continued on in the right direction. My progress went fairly well; for the most part I had no one at all to compete with while I shot more ridiculous photos. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBG0e0yRDhZTjtHMwUEcTXkfW4unkG667bQsRligzOh2fjHkOlEh7cLy5LzzmNJpObhpHzsHHDPp4nlN9rJ8SyHDOmwUYb2YQhnDFm_sy0rveu6-Im0vb4BvMkXs-jQFyeMdysvCCp1VI/s1600/062829+Papa%27s+Big+Ol%27+Bed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBG0e0yRDhZTjtHMwUEcTXkfW4unkG667bQsRligzOh2fjHkOlEh7cLy5LzzmNJpObhpHzsHHDPp4nlN9rJ8SyHDOmwUYb2YQhnDFm_sy0rveu6-Im0vb4BvMkXs-jQFyeMdysvCCp1VI/s320/062829+Papa%27s+Big+Ol%27+Bed.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIF72391QorbpKiMBY1meZk4XO5vImk9HFphNFSy4Hb9RDbNojocCCHvIU41JSruYd_9QUo5OQ2qVRXoRwKt155V-essa1skRkohyphenhyphenCUE2SXMaSwWSUe89IzqnmbXwUvfCO-7KrXEMEXxL-/s1600/062830+Hemingway%27s+Books.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIF72391QorbpKiMBY1meZk4XO5vImk9HFphNFSy4Hb9RDbNojocCCHvIU41JSruYd_9QUo5OQ2qVRXoRwKt155V-essa1skRkohyphenhyphenCUE2SXMaSwWSUe89IzqnmbXwUvfCO-7KrXEMEXxL-/s320/062830+Hemingway%27s+Books.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim88Y4t_WNCTXTx0cPC3X8KtjvcTIBeiaglvwK0rM3TkDi7mIOvwLsdlF5gA7uoT7YKstQtAf6btkvfTT9NzkX8UhbfSSYCN3_2z3dB0x8AUxZQHJKGeYoZcXf5Lc_EJTNkx_WLIsEhGgV/s1600/062831+Lazy+Cat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim88Y4t_WNCTXTx0cPC3X8KtjvcTIBeiaglvwK0rM3TkDi7mIOvwLsdlF5gA7uoT7YKstQtAf6btkvfTT9NzkX8UhbfSSYCN3_2z3dB0x8AUxZQHJKGeYoZcXf5Lc_EJTNkx_WLIsEhGgV/s320/062831+Lazy+Cat.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietJqzW_vMTF_1sgxbM-o0ZyaL7KaJaOlL7VJMEOnUMRBgR8xI5_k3VqmCfzpqCHnLPF_39S3Cf6hYvTUmhBKo6NIMTgTQ32uvZSbbsNJV7cU4o7MtIEqfo2DZnbaI87YEMXxHfKjLtC1N/s1600/062833+Salt+Water+Reel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietJqzW_vMTF_1sgxbM-o0ZyaL7KaJaOlL7VJMEOnUMRBgR8xI5_k3VqmCfzpqCHnLPF_39S3Cf6hYvTUmhBKo6NIMTgTQ32uvZSbbsNJV7cU4o7MtIEqfo2DZnbaI87YEMXxHfKjLtC1N/s320/062833+Salt+Water+Reel.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtW0XpCzfzRtrLm73VGtVxlZX_yJCK6tLA66TdzPV1o6E4bIvsSrzD2Bl3CqfEmWZnEa4YvBDKQyyW7CM4QZxTmHKx5e2ufWrn4wTjJIQQS1q9aNiUUAyzxZ-k0P8wVP-LCRTtip_zoH7/s1600/062834+Kitchen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtW0XpCzfzRtrLm73VGtVxlZX_yJCK6tLA66TdzPV1o6E4bIvsSrzD2Bl3CqfEmWZnEa4YvBDKQyyW7CM4QZxTmHKx5e2ufWrn4wTjJIQQS1q9aNiUUAyzxZ-k0P8wVP-LCRTtip_zoH7/s320/062834+Kitchen.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMTKMatOBS0azt23swOp-Bw1DwkVF9Gwdq0hhX4hH2PnJB1TKDPQQtEPmd7xUz1Xmsgee8KbbQHfwr9NwEKaq5Kww71gX1GBIzydBbXuDASdDfz8eF9VY99VkZ9-1ZXqHgbTJxcDyIFbe/s1600/062835+Dining+Room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMTKMatOBS0azt23swOp-Bw1DwkVF9Gwdq0hhX4hH2PnJB1TKDPQQtEPmd7xUz1Xmsgee8KbbQHfwr9NwEKaq5Kww71gX1GBIzydBbXuDASdDfz8eF9VY99VkZ9-1ZXqHgbTJxcDyIFbe/s320/062835+Dining+Room.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It always feels weird looking a a dead guy's stuff</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBg7-NZN7y8EKN3Xkt0T3Bn9gwK1b-NoRlp82eMeUUSpNl_t0LyRD7CL2BJED2V1saFyGT0Yj2_dNdmBTjXHQeVGNrQaAyS8LfGk9HoJ2_Wc8eqax9wGyU_H842Y9gMF0SDzPyFUAxQUp/s1600/062836+Garden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBg7-NZN7y8EKN3Xkt0T3Bn9gwK1b-NoRlp82eMeUUSpNl_t0LyRD7CL2BJED2V1saFyGT0Yj2_dNdmBTjXHQeVGNrQaAyS8LfGk9HoJ2_Wc8eqax9wGyU_H842Y9gMF0SDzPyFUAxQUp/s320/062836+Garden.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1o7eSxFPdsFMVoRUWvI7b5ParZtmOa56701arXFewDibI_XDeJi_VXbo__atwwFYX-Eb3pM1upZ8rj2ubqD2hRuHOsOLl45L53bcsYMVzi8BCkuym1Ezp1J_-vtt2sCT4cggdYrVTcs6P/s1600/062839+Lily+Pads.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1o7eSxFPdsFMVoRUWvI7b5ParZtmOa56701arXFewDibI_XDeJi_VXbo__atwwFYX-Eb3pM1upZ8rj2ubqD2hRuHOsOLl45L53bcsYMVzi8BCkuym1Ezp1J_-vtt2sCT4cggdYrVTcs6P/s320/062839+Lily+Pads.JPG" /></a></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">So there was this mirror in the garden..</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGAk5fyVKEnLNKylWuroJ8eBkZtEiaXupAs_WIpnSNMSp0Kw66d-RIKNICAQbmZYdy1_BSekz0Z6dxpGDvEg8BBG_0x04XuSw3zyDNh4cDPb3pf6kSWSG3lZzoV4tcuFD18k3zgZ18LKr/s1600/062837+Garden+Mirror.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGAk5fyVKEnLNKylWuroJ8eBkZtEiaXupAs_WIpnSNMSp0Kw66d-RIKNICAQbmZYdy1_BSekz0Z6dxpGDvEg8BBG_0x04XuSw3zyDNh4cDPb3pf6kSWSG3lZzoV4tcuFD18k3zgZ18LKr/s320/062837+Garden+Mirror.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As I was attempting to leave the house an entire new flock of glassy-eyed old people and their grandchildren descended upon the entrance door. The very one I was hoping to use as my escape route. Large people by the score were pushing and shoving to gain admittance while I was again swimming upstream. For a moment I thought I was lost and might have to do the tour all over when a skinny little kid made the crucial error of confronting me while his Granny looked the other way. I said to him “Get outta my way kid” and gave him my Jack Palance look. He backed away and nearly toppled Granny over. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphIF8AABQaNsatcirA9EArayG-ABW_KezZ-khKRf6GzPkjD1J6tBzbBAxHU99_k3AIYbFiPO2JUYRZ1VPcnT5UnWPku6ibxK42P6Avljzi8S_fTH2ZK1u1qmeVdj0oUt0njdXAe-xK22B/s1600/062840+Ernie%27s+Neighbor%27s+House.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphIF8AABQaNsatcirA9EArayG-ABW_KezZ-khKRf6GzPkjD1J6tBzbBAxHU99_k3AIYbFiPO2JUYRZ1VPcnT5UnWPku6ibxK42P6Avljzi8S_fTH2ZK1u1qmeVdj0oUt0njdXAe-xK22B/s320/062840+Ernie%27s+Neighbor%27s+House.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Even the neighbors have nice houses</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Outside again I collected Green Girl and rolled out to find a lunch place. One of the things I wanted to sample while here was the local Key Lime Pie and as luck would have it, I ran across one of the Key Lime Pie Factory places. I'm not so sure about the "factory" word, sort of gives one the impression of a large machine stomping out pies doesn't it? Anyway I wanted to have a slice and there was even public parking across the street. Inside the little establishment I immediately noticed a lack of tables, not even so much as a bar stool and counter. The showcase was full of pie slices and whole pies and boxed pies, the works, but nowhere to sit and eat one.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDA5I60Nc-HHxiszJYtfhbQvkfWPiSvaa59Q7TyH90vCQJjkAsjbcFrucoXtJ0C1n16VsVsWwzol-RndMKBCGlbFkGO00qg1Jbuy0acIOXpMxqCFVmxUIHXq690Lg9QKuce-Cij93rslTi/s1600/062841+Key+Lime+Pie+Factory.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDA5I60Nc-HHxiszJYtfhbQvkfWPiSvaa59Q7TyH90vCQJjkAsjbcFrucoXtJ0C1n16VsVsWwzol-RndMKBCGlbFkGO00qg1Jbuy0acIOXpMxqCFVmxUIHXq690Lg9QKuce-Cij93rslTi/s320/062841+Key+Lime+Pie+Factory.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I asked the gal running the place – she and I were the sole occupants – about the eating arrangements, not wanting a take-out. She looked around with raised eyebrows and said “Well, I suppose you could eat one here but I just opened up and these are all frozen.” Actually I thought, I could eat one standing outside in the alley but that wasn’t what I envisioned for my Key Lime Pie experience in Key West, freaking Florida. “Uh, no thanks Ma’m, I’ll just look for a sit-down restaurant; maybe one with the thawed-out variety.” She bobbed her head up and down and I did the exit thing.<br />
<br />
I decided to go back to the motel and see what I might come up with in the way of eating establishment ideas so that’s what I did. Along the way I shot one last silly photo, this time of a small marina I’d spotted in the morning. I like boats a lot and if I lived in Key West that little marina would be where I’d want to park my boat. Right after my lotto money arrived. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxuwIRtfPP4G1v09mAJ3hCyxsHuJVcHNYc3nlbC2jzCLNEKSX5iVOR_Mm0Amdtbf8Vr_rIExaGrbbsrTZvjT7dSxplROfrjzVyRVxEt-TxubtlNHQkB6HFGxnidA3fcKQruUruHgEctMV/s1600/062842+Small+Marina.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxuwIRtfPP4G1v09mAJ3hCyxsHuJVcHNYc3nlbC2jzCLNEKSX5iVOR_Mm0Amdtbf8Vr_rIExaGrbbsrTZvjT7dSxplROfrjzVyRVxEt-TxubtlNHQkB6HFGxnidA3fcKQruUruHgEctMV/s320/062842+Small+Marina.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Back at the motel I finished off the remains of my sweet tea jug and then instead of researching eating options I took a nap. A fairly long nap at that which caused the housekeeping people a bit of unease as they tried to open the double-locked door. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Nap time was over and I could hear my dinner bell clanging away. I’d decided to have a run at one of the restaurants recommended by Stickyfrog, a scooter buddy who lives in Florida so off I went to the Hogfish Bar & Grill located on nearby Stock Island. This is one of those times when having a GPS made all the difference in the world. It’s a popular place frequented by locals as well as tourists but it’s location would be challenging on a bike outfitted with folding maps.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrejXHKHVrgCsCYndhq7sTn1MT-feLyf5BvodxhPTwXOZYKRuAthKv03n1mIL7IoABhTUr7k7YnP2Ol1XnD9POkWArDaW-0RsxEsvX6ygUtoSkLztbo-7l5K5zFAzAH4i97hhhlK0JpTo8/s1600/062843+Hogfish+Bar+%26+Grille.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrejXHKHVrgCsCYndhq7sTn1MT-feLyf5BvodxhPTwXOZYKRuAthKv03n1mIL7IoABhTUr7k7YnP2Ol1XnD9POkWArDaW-0RsxEsvX6ygUtoSkLztbo-7l5K5zFAzAH4i97hhhlK0JpTo8/s320/062843+Hogfish+Bar+%26+Grille.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQcv2dqdpzKnwRoKFlR6I8l1BXLhBPc6HwIuusnnpauoSD3anX8KizHuljiczsp97Tgs0OfLqJa8MZszdkijf5GAq0rgW7569gEid6kSZObCwKtIVlqIUyfjlg0exxM5bRPiNqZM0pmlH/s1600/062844+Hogfish+Specials.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQcv2dqdpzKnwRoKFlR6I8l1BXLhBPc6HwIuusnnpauoSD3anX8KizHuljiczsp97Tgs0OfLqJa8MZszdkijf5GAq0rgW7569gEid6kSZObCwKtIVlqIUyfjlg0exxM5bRPiNqZM0pmlH/s320/062844+Hogfish+Specials.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBV13xp1F8idorsp5PNn0gadpWYVEe2qqiWRt8Oh377NE_OVVYt9whnGXX0ZeKUWHktJRzKWZFKZikuI48uAvSBMX8RO8Qpch1e4mwZsIwAACEBEnKraLw-d1oPaWsJ9igdOErq4-LMc1m/s1600/062845+Hogfish+Swamp+Fox.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBV13xp1F8idorsp5PNn0gadpWYVEe2qqiWRt8Oh377NE_OVVYt9whnGXX0ZeKUWHktJRzKWZFKZikuI48uAvSBMX8RO8Qpch1e4mwZsIwAACEBEnKraLw-d1oPaWsJ9igdOErq4-LMc1m/s320/062845+Hogfish+Swamp+Fox.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsL6geI1cn6CdOlbtCCBXMinB41tLaNlQAyyhJ82yOzENOjLVejJgm4yLTefs9tvYBpSERT2oqWbUkEMspDGv6bEqk08JKmrmdFbAtccTOkC-GrtkMmX1n9eApcOiGcyagrh6ezerWZWf/s1600/062846+Beggar+Chicken.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsL6geI1cn6CdOlbtCCBXMinB41tLaNlQAyyhJ82yOzENOjLVejJgm4yLTefs9tvYBpSERT2oqWbUkEMspDGv6bEqk08JKmrmdFbAtccTOkC-GrtkMmX1n9eApcOiGcyagrh6ezerWZWf/s320/062846+Beggar+Chicken.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dinner companions - Izzat what they call the cat's ass?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHc08s55mhJ4711SZ98VAaUGIMxSiT9s5OL2RI1pTIalcMpuRfah0RsOZFi1hhdIuN1IY9Cof2whNB3FG1JdXjh5pwCfyYfdt0ZUi_VfkJiukleG527yC0nCnsa-oOya50mgnKeP9QlWp/s1600/062847Begger+Cat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHc08s55mhJ4711SZ98VAaUGIMxSiT9s5OL2RI1pTIalcMpuRfah0RsOZFi1hhdIuN1IY9Cof2whNB3FG1JdXjh5pwCfyYfdt0ZUi_VfkJiukleG527yC0nCnsa-oOya50mgnKeP9QlWp/s320/062847Begger+Cat.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2IpJqrYjWYZoDUy1p9RMIL06ezr4xJNPh20EthkNv3OlwZLDCQohqvaORpKKbDJ4oa7tIJwsP33ofhutVyMPxibRju6qzwo2eScDatWiObJYilcjrrpLukujTdPdqBcd3QcTAUTlJeb8/s1600/062849+Hogfish+outside+dining.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2IpJqrYjWYZoDUy1p9RMIL06ezr4xJNPh20EthkNv3OlwZLDCQohqvaORpKKbDJ4oa7tIJwsP33ofhutVyMPxibRju6qzwo2eScDatWiObJYilcjrrpLukujTdPdqBcd3QcTAUTlJeb8/s320/062849+Hogfish+outside+dining.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I arrived with plenty of daylight left and the place was about half full. The service was great, the food even better, and the ambiance reminded me of all the things I love best about the Caribbean. Open air restaurants are an invitation for soft tropical breezes to cool you and can’t be beat for setting a relaxed dining mood. I ordered the Grouper Vera Cruz dinner with Sweet Iced Tea followed by Key Lime Pie. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OJl4BfLmLx_JqspeQhAhc1oRcTddAuD2uENx7c9Cu4i6kqxDG7gTmyBWcHnJJfWLYr3qKTchL1tDbv1j2UXR4Axu_ME6XQROHVnTJx3hLRM6aGfxfqQbG3pirg-Z0lPDLYWhjXrAaQsH/s1600/062848+Grouper+Vera+Cruz.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OJl4BfLmLx_JqspeQhAhc1oRcTddAuD2uENx7c9Cu4i6kqxDG7gTmyBWcHnJJfWLYr3qKTchL1tDbv1j2UXR4Axu_ME6XQROHVnTJx3hLRM6aGfxfqQbG3pirg-Z0lPDLYWhjXrAaQsH/s320/062848+Grouper+Vera+Cruz.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">What a special treat this place was, the perfect end to a perfect day. Thanks for the suggestion Stickyfrog!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMqy_sFQfu0SAQuHP9fEOYIGchzgvXMWBBf9ig-Mh4yzw9MBH5sPeliG2hQLoZlZ_utrj1FnLXAv6FUOrK-I8_EQNJtpSp2FjJIqSQiKCEucTIRht05pcs84Xj33kYqSu0hsmZjjN4DeX/s1600/062850+Green+Girl+hanging+out+with+scooters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMqy_sFQfu0SAQuHP9fEOYIGchzgvXMWBBf9ig-Mh4yzw9MBH5sPeliG2hQLoZlZ_utrj1FnLXAv6FUOrK-I8_EQNJtpSp2FjJIqSQiKCEucTIRht05pcs84Xj33kYqSu0hsmZjjN4DeX/s320/062850+Green+Girl+hanging+out+with+scooters.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNg_oGxpMKBzZaQ6IT-5YAwAkzAddw6W1fAlU0a05yPl4RSM-p32qJUgL_flXdKzr-IGF8Ehjh14rqS-gPs_7ZvRHrNjzgFKOYlJnf17_tgUWvzkccQcusRFCTCCiSTRfzsG9DOW4tNCnU/s1600/062851+End+of+Day+at+Hogfish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNg_oGxpMKBzZaQ6IT-5YAwAkzAddw6W1fAlU0a05yPl4RSM-p32qJUgL_flXdKzr-IGF8Ehjh14rqS-gPs_7ZvRHrNjzgFKOYlJnf17_tgUWvzkccQcusRFCTCCiSTRfzsG9DOW4tNCnU/s320/062851+End+of+Day+at+Hogfish.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Larry Parmenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14788675880824411357noreply@blogger.com4