A Pleasant Sunday

As I mentioned in my last post, Michelle and I skipped town. The boys were in Cleveland this weekend, and with the household chores handled, we were so out of here. The weather was sunny and warm (almost ninety degrees). We headed southwest to a small town known for it's quaint architecture and antiques. To get to our destination, I traveled two lane roads with some gentle curves and pleasant scenery, a nice day trip. We walked around for a while, browsed through some boutiques, and simply enjoyed being away. On the way home we stopped for a couple of beers and listened to some live music.

We arrived home around 5:30 p.m. I took a nap and Michelle headed out to ride bikes with one of her friends. I woke up around 6 p.m. jumped on my motorcycle and rode for another hour and a half. It was a really nice Sunday!

A Very Close Call

Everything was going so well. I was enjoying the band, perusing the bikes, talking with others passionate about their motorcycles. The air was charged with a party atmosphere as it often is, when men who have had too much to drink, mingle with scantily clad biker chicks. Then, in an instant, the mood changed. The band stopped, the grounds became eerily quiet, and the sky was instantly black! No, it wasn't the Apocalypse, but a freak storm. I have never seen anything like it, one minute it is warm and sunny, and the next black and dangerous. Everyone headed for their bikes and it seemed as if on cue, fired them up! It was chilling to hear the rumble of 4500 motorcycles at one time. As I rode home I was certain it was going to be a very nasty trip. Lightning was striking all around, but I made it home safe and sound. Good thing Michelle wasn't with me!

A Few Last Thoughts

Here's a few last thoughts that I will pen about my about my trip. Then I will replay the events of my 4 days, only to myself.

I loved the solitude of a motorcycle ride.
I enjoyed the freedom of making my plans on the fly.
I-94 West through Wisconsin was a beautiful ride!
Minnesota was the highlight of my trip by far.
Hotels with High speed Internet are fabulous.
I didn't want to come back!
I will soon be planning another trip.

Stats.

Total Mileage:1,565 miles
Time: 3 1/2 days.
Fuel Cost: $118.76


Time to wash the bike and put it away! Then back to real life!

Road Trip Day 4

Good Morning! It is Sunday around 5:20 a.m. I woke up a few minutes ago, after sleeping soundly for 6 hours. I have a short ride home today, somewhere around 4 and a half hours. I am just southwest of Chicago. I will travel through Illinois, Indiana, and an hour into Ohio. The weather is to be hot, but I will be home before that becomes an issue. I will leave early this morning, and ride in the cool morning breeze. I have been journaling this short trip, and once I have a chance to digest some of the things I have written, I will add them as a separate post.

I brought music along with me, but have had no desire to listen to it while on the road. There is something about the wind, the vibration,the hum of the motor, and the scents in the air, that allows me to get lost in my thoughts! (Scary!)

Day 3 Comes To An End

Listening to: "Turn the Page" Bob Segar

I have just arrived in Bloomington Illinois. This day began at 8:30 this morning, just outside of St. Paul Mn. Here's a few details...

Weather: Upper 90's Clear skies.
Hours on the road: 9 1/2 hours
Miles: 465
Gas: $38

The ride begin quietly. I was fairly subdued, engulfed in thoughts of the first half of the trip. Honestly, I was sad to be heading East again.

About 15 miles north of the Illinois border, traffic ground to a halt. The sun was beating down on my black shirt, and blue jeans, relentlessly. I travelled 3 miles, in an hour and 15 minutes! (Damn it!) While sitting in the middle of traffic, I met a few new friends; An older guy and his wife, Jim and Thelma. They were pulling their camper, and on their back home from a week long camping trip. Then there were the two very friendly, cuties, from Mn, who thought I was the guy from the "Girls Gone Wild" Videos. (Wonder where they got that idea?) Don't ask! The answer is "Yes they did"! At the same time my phone alerted me to the fact I had a picture message. Michelle sent me a photo from LA. Her timing is amazing! This is no joke!

Day 3 Minnesota

Good morning! I am feeling somewhat melancholy this morning. I think there are several reason for this...
1. The first half of the trip has ended, and today I start heading east. I am somewhere around 800 miles west of Springfield, Ohio. I enjoyed traveling the bottom part of Wisconsin and especially Minnesota. I will always have fond memories of this area.

2. I drank 5 beers last night(I had 1 left, hope housekeeping enjoys Bud Select).

3. I am physically tired. (I am in decent shape, but a little tired.)

4. I know I have some hard riding today! I will need to be on the road 8-10 hours.

I am certain once I am on the road I will get my second wind.

I will try to post later tonight. I don't know where I will be, but that is the fun of it!