Home...yep no place like home.
Good Morning All:
By dingies I said I would be home in time for Jessie's graduation and I made it with time to spare. I left Drummondville, Quebec around 11 a.m. on Sunday June 4...I was a little "anxious" about getting out of Quebec and headed back into the USA...I definitely needed a course in conversational French...That part of Quebec is farm country...flat and coastal in temperature. The back roads have reallllly strange road signs...if at all. And others with GPS's said they did interesting route variations. As I was checking out I asked the front desk clerk. Quickest way to USA...she was a great direction giver. Made it simple and specific...AND IT GOT ME TO THE BORDER ON TIME!!! Really there was not time involved...just playing old tunes in my head. BRP the bulders of the Can Am Spyder had a 10th HOmecoming reunion for the Spyder and what a party they did throw. There were literally 1000's of Spyder owners...I've never seen soooo many spyders in one place at one time. And of course the Spyder owners are wonderful and the really only reason I covet gathering with other owners. The people are the best and the machine well it get's my praises also!!
Saw a Dunkin' Donuts...that means coffee. Coffee...yes I was needing coffee... As I walked in there was a Spyder owner...we drank, we talked and heck they were headed to NC so told them I needed to get home post haste so that meant I was headed to interstates. toll roads, etc. We studied maps and I was following them.
Toll Roads? Let me tell you hope that never infests the midwest and western states. I started with $60 in my toll fund pocket. Seriously I counted this morning and I have exactly $8.25 left. I got tired at one point and saw Motel 6..sign..also had been noticing on the signs the message ask toll booth person for directions..It cost me $5 to leave the toll road...and then another $5 was added to my account when I got back on in the morning. One toll booth was $17.25...pay by the axle. The young man taking the money said this is wrong you are paying the same as those big trucks. I assured him he was just doing his job...BUT dang I did agree with him.
When we got near the catskills in NY...it had started to rain and then started to pour and it was late afternoon. Wife says to husband via their intercom. Enough of this find a room for the night. And that he did, immediately took exit (off toll road!!) to a place called Rip Van Winkles motel. Gorgeous older property been owned by same family for 3 generations. Picture perfect setting. All green and lush...all that rain ,makes for happy growing things and lush!!
In the morning we headed out...and went our separate ways as I connected to 80W and they headed on to their home in NC.
Have to say that you can make time on freeways...80-85 MPH eats up the road...but sure not much of interest to see at that speed....every once in awhile would go by a person mowing and got the smell of fresh cut grass...and when entered Iowa the last toll was only $1.10!!!
My Weds and Thurs were long in the "saddle days". Started both at 6:30 a.m. and did fall into bed until 9 p.m. Great news I gained back those 3 hours I gave away when I went East. Weds I had a target of Billings, MT...but it was getting dark and I was close to Sheridan WY when what should appear at 75 mph but 2 deer starting to cross hiway. Where there is 1 there are more so I slowed way done and yep right off to my right was at least 3 more sets of big ears. I said that's it...I'm done...so pulled into Sheridan and found a room.
Up and going at 6:30 yesterday. Nice morning...in a couple hours needed first fuel and potty stop and shedded some clothes. Yep this is beautiful ryding weather. Stopped in Deer Lodge and had to leave a message said I was in Red Lodge. lady at store said aaaa no you are in Deer Lodge...again I had no idea where I was other than in MT headed west on 90...I'm getting to Chelan and my own bed come heck or high water. And it was dang near the high water that stopped me. As I heared Couer d Alene, ID...said hmmm kinda dark better suit up...found underpass and put on rain gear...well the top half at least. Take off and it hits...now it is pouring rain...plus trucks and cars throwing more water my way...yep dang hard to see and by this time I am sitting in water and my sweats are acting like a wick!! Was just about to call in quits when ahead I could see sky clearing. So got in right lane...stayed there and followed middle of Spokane it stopped raining...so say to self...you got this .. Chelan here I come.
Stop for gas at Davenport and check skies...oh oh mighty black thinking I'm going to get hit again..but hey 69' and rain is nice shower. NOT so much...about Almira that lightening started in the distance...and the clouds got darker. Just before Coulee City all billy hell broke loose...lightening, thunder and not a dang place to get out of it....rain, heavy rain, hail, heavy hail and cross winds. HOLY crappola I'm saying this is a storm. Got to shell station at Coulee City got under their awning..in about 10 minutes it stopped. Picture this my lower half is soaked. upper half warm and dry. Fellow says he thinks it was a mini typhoon I aid it was a holy crappola storm for sure. He say probably be worth investing in rain pants. I said oh I have 2 pair in trailer. They don't wear out that way!!! I think he mumbled something like.."whatever" and a couple other words!! That related to "you csn't fix stupid"!!!
Storm moved on..rest of the way home was beautiful...and today I am unpacking. Getting ready to wash trailer and the Iron Beast...go to get some food and pick up mail. And then it is graduation time for Ms Jessie...
Well folks there will be a few more rydes in 2017..but for sure this will be the only month long, 10k mile journey.
Have a great weekend. Luvmg these blue skies and Home Sweet Home.