The Long Ride Home

Waiting out yesterdays rain under a bridge

Johnny Cash's Tour Bus

End of the night at the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame

This morning in Cleveland, it was "kickstands up" at 6 am. It was cool and seemed strange to be putting jackets on. We looked at all of the weather reports and were sure that we were looking at riding in the rain at least part of the day. As it turned out, we rode with a storm behind us, had a few miles of wet roads in Buffalo but made it all of the way dry. We got to Mexico at about 1 and bid our goodbyes to Charlene-O'Canada- as she still had a 3 to 4 hour trip to get home north of Ottawa. She and Skip-the retired lawyer from Michigan were great riding partners on this trip and I hope to have other opportunities to ride with them.

Poeple magnet!!!

One of the best parts of taking these trips and owning a Harley, and the most fun for me, is the people. Almost without fail, any time you stop be it at the hotel, a rest stop, getting gas etc. people always stop to ask about the bike, where I am from, where I am going and lots of times, how they wish they were along fo rthe ride. It was so neat that when we were staging for the CMA parade in Nashville, people came out of the nearby buildings just because we were there and then when we left they stood on the curb and cheered. Stuff like that happens all of the time and it is so neat!
When I set out on this adventure, I really only had last years Rte 66 trip as a point of reference. As it turns out, this was quite different. While each day of rte 66 was filled with numerous stops along each route, this trip found most of it's interest in each city that we visited and long trips in between. Both trips provided fabulous reminders of the beauty of this great country and a thirst to see more of it. The ride along Skyline and the Blue Ridge are unforgettable both for the challenge and for the beauty of it.  From the almost naughty attitude on Bourbon Street to the genteel southern atmosphere of Memphis, Nashville's country playfulness and the rollicking rock in Cleveland, the trip was day after day of "good vibrations". I'm glad I did it, glad that you shared the adventure with me and as always, glad to be home.