Home Sweet Home

insert...SAT:

Rolled out of bed at 7 and gently woke up for about and hour on the couch.
Just waiting for the rest of the house to stir. Manda
Offered to take me to the local DnD for coffee. Which we did.
Blueberry coffee is not our bag. Later on we swam in the pool for a
long time and then Gary and Manda went on the bike to the store.
Amber and I stayed swimming just keep swimming just keep swimming.
Had a lovely dinner and time with the family........loved it.


We woke up early Sunday........no church :( today. Had a great visit with the "kids" Gkids, and Gdogs. Gary still has work tomorrow so we have to make sure that we get home in time. Lord willing. Its been a great introductory long distance trip for me. My first. Gary said I did great. I learned a few things too ...like how important it is to hydrate, to have good rain gear, and also to press your feet down, squeeze your knees and lift your butt off the seat over every bump, kinda like shock absorbers. Saves you from getting rocked through to your bones and teeth if you hit a pot hole or big bump. I also learned that riding all day......with all the challenges that brings......and stopping at night at a hotel.....exhausted.....is addicting.So we are back home safe and sound. It went by way too quick. What is it.....7  years till Gary retires. Can't wait for our next adventure.


From my perspective
VictorianGary

Friday 7/6 Pennsylvania Welcomes You

We woke up early in Marion Virginia and got on the road by 9 AM. It was nice and cool to start off. Had to stoop 5 minutes  after we started cause I was cold. Sweat shirt on and gloves ....start again. We smoked it. Still seeing signs of High wind damage. Large metal road sign bent over backwards and one of the posts snapped. You see alot of carrion on the highway but none more disturbing to be than a big yellow dog behind the barrier fence. Laying down with his head on his paws in front of him. Poor thing. Breaks my heart

We saw a billboard sign that read StalagPIPE Organ-VA Caverns, hear the rocks sing. Sounded interesting. Think I'll youtube it.

We stopped in http://www.townofwoodstockva.com/ for lunch. Had an excellent meal and of course Gary talked NY with the waitress Sammy,  also from NY. The place wasn't busy so we got our pick out of the four bar stools. it was like having our own little bar! We got back on the road by 2:30.

We try to drive in 100 mile clips. but with the heat being so RIdonculous I need cold water and shade about every 50. So we pulled off the road in Roanoke VA for gas and water. There are alot of HOT , obese sweaty people at the corner gas station. We were SO hot and not thinking right. Gary pulled away from the pump to give the next person the gas pump.  We were in the shade of the building drinking water when a lady walked up and asked"Is this yours?"......It was the gas cap! Lots of thank you's went out to her.  yikes.

poor chickens :(

cool truck......God Bless America

We arrived at our destination about 8:30 pm

exhausted.....but excited to see everyone.

 We settled down to a swim in the

pool which was amazing. Got to bed

after Kirah got home from a local festival..

about 10 ish.

Thursday July 5th-Heading home

Got off to a good start and on the road by 10:00. Alexa didn't want us to leave but it was time. After three days your anchor starts to sour. I was so glad that we were able to visit. Gary and Ed got to catch up and have some Man Time, and talk elevators.

Once again........its HOT. I wet my bandana to wear under my helmet. and have a bottled water to start out. About an hour and a half into it I realize that we are heading directly toward Rhea county animal control. Its a group that I am peeps with on FaceBook. I didnt have to whine or anthing..... Gary took a short detour...and BAM he drove me up a side road......that turned into a gravelly road......holy cow. They are closed....Darn it! Back to the highway.
Back in the groove not ten minutes .........then SNAP. A Yellow jacket hits me in the arm. I look to see what stung and there it is on Gary's back. Gary is allergic and this little buggah is working his stinger... trying to get through Garys two shirts. I wipe it off hard and the stinger is still there. I told Gary I saved his life. he owes me BIG time. Seeing as how he's almost killed me twice with the heat.

I love sightseeing all the cows ,horses and goats along the roadway. Very beautiful with the lush rolling hills and mountainous backdrop. So we are rolling along and I'm pouring water down my back and down my arms when th ewind kicks up. Almost blew us off the road, literally. Thunder and lightening, high winds and rain rain rain........we pulled off JUST before it hit and took refuge under an overpass. We had lots of company. Then a U-Haul truck joined us and the driver got out and approached us His name was John and he was quite chatty. His Mom (Trina) and Dad were in the cab looking for a radar display.

We got off the road about 7:00 at a Comfort Inn. Our new favorite place to stop.

Happy 236th birthday America

Had the usual start to the day. Then we headed toward the bustling center of Dunlap to get a good spot for the local parade. I'm on the Netbook and for some reason its taking forever to load pics. I'll keep trying. It was HOT but we got a great spot on Cherry St. (Also the name of a childhood street that I lived on). Eileen and Alexa and I walked around a bit before the festivities started. We visited the local doughnut shop for water and cups of ice. Then we went in the other direction and went to the gas station by the Town Hall. Tables were all set up for local vendors to sell their wares and to promote the local politicians which there was not a shortage of. The gas station has a drive through window. So you can pull up and order beer, cigarettes and anything else that will fit through the window. They also sold Mexican beer called......."VICTORIA". Had to try it. not bad.

After the parade we looked and looked for a restaurant to refresh. But a HUGE nogo. Signs in the windows said....."Closed for the 4th of July" and that was it! SO we went to the market and then home. Had a delicious dinner and then around the camfire. Alexa was so excited to set off the fireworks her Daddy got her. AND MAN what a load of entertainment he got to. Eileen and Alexa made Smores and Gary and Ed started small. First throwing firecrackers into the fire then whole pads of em. Lots of noise. Then it got dark and the fire flies started competing for attention. But they were  no competition. A great time was had by all and then ..............everyone went inside to saw some wood.

Tuesday-the 3rd..Chattanooga

After waking up and having coffee and an amazing Eggcellent sanwich compliments of Ed,  Eileen and I took the dogs for a walk. Pongo stays home cause he's a bit of a whiner. Eileen asked "Strenuous or moderate?" I answer...strenuous. Holy COW talking about the hills of Tennessee!! I like flat..........but did ok. Made it to the top and back about a mile. and the HEAT. Then we sat about chitty chatting and making a plan for the day.

After a bit we piled into Eileens White Ford Edge and headed to the big city. On the way there I was pointed out some local points of interest and got some nice pictures. As soon as we got into Chatanooga we looked for parking. No problem.....the sign reads "3.00 for ALL day" Gary says,"Thats Ridiculous!!" tounge in cheek of course. So we park and see that they offer a FREE electric bus service. You just get on and off at will. No AC but you also don't have to walk in the heat. We did walk around a little at first......but we were like the ONLY people walking! A random pedestrian or cyclist but that was it. Amazing. The people are quite friendly and every store we've been to as your leaving they say," Thanks for coming in we appreciatchya!" I got called "baby" once from a cashier in a cumberland like farms from a girl about 18. hahaha that was weird. It was about noon time so a place to eat was the first order of buisness. And did we hit the jackpot. A place called "Porkers BBQ" their motto is "Best Butts In Town". and they arent kidding. Alexa plays my little Vanna White in some of my pictures.....she is such good company....Love this kid. SO well behaved and respectful. They've done a great job.

With bellies full we set off on foot toward the Aquarium. A huge glass triangular building a short walk away. Well at 40 bucks a ticket we pass on that. We grab a bus back to the car and get started toward home. On the way back we needed to stop at the local Harley Davidson and get my helmut looked at. They gave me the plastic bolt to replace the missing one. Back in business. I'm looking forward to getting on the road. Its addictive. Gary was glad I understood.

Back on the road. Over hill and dale is in the literal sense. This country is breathtakingly beautiful. I found myself singing John Denver tunes. "Country roads" especially.

After another fine meal of salad, sausage, meatballs, etc we settled down to watch "I bought a zoo" with Matt Damon. Not his best work but a cute movie except for the little girl using a vulgar word which some might find cute.......I do not. Matt Damon should stick to "The Bourne Ultimatum" 2007

Sassy

pic-The Eagle has landed Monday the 2nd of July

We are really getting into a rhythm. Finished up strong and arrived at our destination about 1:00 on Monday. spent. Gary looked up online how many miles a day on a biketrip is usual. Basically anything 300 miles and above is insane. We are doing about 400. Yay we're still a little bit INSANE!
Our accomodations are amazing. Eileen has our room set up all patriotic themed, with a stack of assorted new towels and face clothes. Like a first rate hotel! Eddie Gave Gary a tour of the "MANCAVE" while I took a tour of the house in the AC. Alexa they're 9 year old is very sweet  and chatty about this and that. They also have three dogs...so I get a doggy fix while away from my four. Misty is a beautiful cream colored 10 month ol German Shepard, Sassy is a chunky monkey Puggle, and Pongo is a King Charles Spaniel. They tear around the house in a circle and wrestle alot.

We spent a quiet evening chatting and laughing and rocking. There is an annual yard sale that stretches from North of Michigan to Mississippi. And Dunlap happens to be mixed in there. Cool.
Anyway thats where Eileen got her 4 rocking chairs from. Her front porch reminds me of Cracker Barrel. Which by the way we stopped at on the way here and breakfast cost 17 BUCKS!! AND no Cream CHEESE?!?! WTHeck.

After dinner we took a drive "into town" and found a new little local shop for snacks and ice cream. Alexa and I were very happy about that.

Sunday..July 1st..the Jackass...there is one every trip

Had a nice nights sleep. Woke up areound 8. Sent pool boy out for coffee.  We had some friction this morning cause Im exhausted at the end of the day........and so I was gonna blog in the morning. But crazy man who yesterday said we're on vaca no hurries yaddy yaddy yaddy went off about us having to get on the road. so we did........oh yeah. The morning ride went well, saw alot of cool stuff. While riding Gary asks.... "what do we have thats black and white?" I'm like IDK. "Well it just blew out of the saddlebag!"  Figured it out later that my laundry blew away....saddlebag was hanging wide open as we went down the road....looks like I have room for something new.

More storms coming our way.... lightening ahead. It started sprinkling with high winds had to hold my face shield on (cause its weakened because of the lost screw). Radford is our exit of choice for info and shelter.We chit chat in the Mini mart and decide to move on when the weather blows by.
                                                   *biscuits n sausage gravy

Fort Chisell? gas price.... 3.09   * below is a pic of nummy apple fritters !

*rest area damage

The weather changed for the better and got really cool. thought we were gonna get soaked but that didn't happen. saw lots of downed damaged trees and road signs. After the above rest area we got back on the road. It started heating up fast and I started feeling it. Gary always grabs my left leg when approaching an over pass or some other inconsistency in the pavement. I respond by tightening my knees and slightly standing which takes the bone jarring assault out of some of the ruts and and pot holes. But this time I was less responsive........groggy even. He asked if I was all right and I said.."no" Ok next sign for a hotel or you want to get off at the next rest stop. "As soon as we can........I need water, I don't feel right". So we get off at the next rest stop. I can't get my helmut off fast enough .........and I sit in the shade. then I gget up and start for the soda machine area. I put coins in....one quarter....then another for 1.50 water....which never comes out. So I get the change returned and try another machine........no luck. gary had gone to the bathroom and comes back to find me almost frantic! He tells me to go up and get in the AC in the ladies room...which I did. I splashed my face neck and shirt with cold water and soon felt better. I looked up and saw my reflection and thought "Holy crap" I looked really bad..........red and swollen. Yeah Heat exhaustion sumthin sumthin. There was a woman at the other sink with a little girl. she was watching me. She asked if I was ok. I said thanks yeah I'll be fine. she said "I'll pray for you." I immediately felt better :)
The kind lady walked out and I could hear her talking to Gary in the hallway. So I felt much better and walked out to a concerned Gary standing by the water cooler/bubbla. He invited me to take a drink which I did and threw some more water on my neck. When out of the back ground I hear, "Your getting water on the floor"...................So I'm like yeah and on my neck and my face........and he's like well i have to be concerned with the other patrons ......I can't have em slipping. I look up and all cocky....leaning on the wall is this enemic, pot bellied .....worm of a guy. Gary went off to get paper towels. I said you don't have a MOP! He murmered something about a boss that had the clean head mop and all he had was the dirty head mop blah blahblah. Gary walks out of the bathroom with a wad of toilet paper and throws it on the floor. Then the scank says oh.... yeah we/re out of paper towels. Then Gary turns to the guy and asks, "You work here?" oh yeah ...he says. With that I lost it....not being in my right mind I push Gary away from the mess and turn toward the guy  FURIOUS that he was more concerned with some imaginary "patron " while I'm standing there overheated. So anyway gary stands in between us and some words were exchanged at him and he replies, "Well I could go get the highway patrolman......." I went toward him and ...then continued out the door. I couldn't hear what Gary said but I did hear the jerk say" Well Maybe I'll get him anyway!!" He looked scared.......but in my head I could see Gary paying for my mouthing off to this little pc of %^*. So we left looking in the rear view mirror wondering if Tennessee's finest was gonna pull us over. We made it to a Super 8, and got settled in.

Gary walked over to the DQ (oh yeah Dairy Queen....don't be a hater) had a delicious disgusting dinner.
Gary is snoring now, safe n sound. It could have been a very different ending. If you could just punch someone that deserved it and that be the end of it. But no.......so...........anyway.....time moves on.

update-Timing -Maryland/Virginia border Sat 6/29th

Well I've erased all my notes from yesterday GGGRRR so I'll try to recap it.We rode and rode and rode after leaving Bill n Dianes.....oh and before I forget............thanks Bill for making us breakfast.......and the coffee (puts fingers to lips and kisses them with a French gesture) It was a beautiful ride, the air was cool ....and then we got to Carlisle. Traffic started getting heavy. People started doing stupid things like merging..........toward us. Then...up ahead..in the road.....the cutest little ground hog. He was laying low...crossing from right to left. So he was already in the throws of making the worst mistake of his life. Then we hit it..........my stomach wrentched as he bumped along under the bike. But worse we were doing 75 miles an hr. It all happened in seconds and the handle bars racked back and forth....I thought we were going down. But Gary kept the bike from falling. Very scary.
Thank God.
After recovering from that we ran into the worst traffic...in 100 degree heat.The Maryland Virginia border proved to be horrendous. We'd drive ten feet and stop. drive ten feet and stop. The bike started to knock because it was getting so hot the oil didn't have any pressure.So we pulled over to the side of the road to let it cool down some in the hopes that whatever happened up ahead would clear out soon. We managed to strategically park downwind of a dead animal. A kind trucker yelled to Gary with an update. A Trailer truck had turned over on a bridge up ahead.........it'll be a while. We managed to get by the folks who blocked off the shoulder and took the next exit. A nice little town. Somewhere around rt 11.

A road soda was in order and they make em tall. This was about 1 o'clock when we stopped to wait for the accident to clear. An already in the bag local......started asking us questions about where we were from etc. Then he gave us directions on how to get around the mess and be on our way! There was alot of construction. Another accident (not in our way) happened off to our left.... A motorcycle was a little to close to the car in front and the nose was all crunched up. The heat was unbearable.

Finally ....... about 5:00.....we had gone about 280 miles. I was done, get me off this contraption.

We started looking for gas and a hotel. Little did we know the challenge that would present. While we were sleeping a Freak storm had taken out the power for millions across several states. No power (for gas pumps) no gas (can't clean) no hotels etc etc etc. we pulled in to a Denny's and it was closed. The attached hotel in New Market was open with a sign that said "no rooms". We walked in and Gary charmed the perky female front desk clerk into calling us when a room became available........in three hours. We'd wait. No thank you I don't want to visit the local caverns. I'M EXHAUSTED!!!! Me asking the other front desk person..."So is there a place to have dinner? "Yes MaAm the Mexican restaurant just down the street." So we went to Jalisco and it was delicious!!  A quaint little unassumeing out of the way place. All the staff spoke spanish or Mexican. The cabbage stuff that they put as an appetizer was unbelievable .Refreshed we started to leave and got a call that we had a room!! and it was ready. So we went back to the hotel and Gary parked me out front while he checked us in. Another couple on a bike pulled in looking a little worse for wear from Oklahoma City. They were not as fortunate as us. and were turned away.

Gary got annoyed cause I unpacked the bike out front and hahaha then we had to walk the stuff around. The hotel was comfortable and without incident.

Friday about 8

So with full tummys we got back on the bike and headed to Allentown. Bill and Diane D were their usual welcoming hospitable selves. Felt so comfortable. Thanks you... guys.........."Your The Best" just one of Bill's catch phrases. Gary and Bill sat up till Midnight While Diane and I said our goodnights and crashed about 10.

Made it to Allentown!

Good thing we stopped to get the SPF 50! We were roasting! and the traffic was horrendous. The Sun was beating down on us, the heat from the bike was radiating up the backs of my legs, But I made it through my first 100 miles. My brand new HD helmet's face shield snapped a screw. So for abouut 30 miles I had to hold it on till Gary found the ideal spot to pull off. (eyes rolling)

We stopped for dinner in Marshalls Creek at Louie's on 209, I had the "Nightmare Burger" and it was AMAZING.We've figured out that 100 mile increments are best. 139miles puts us at the pinnacle of butt weary, stomach growling tempe,r flaring episodes...STOP already

Friday

We are on the road!! After going 7.9 miles I realized we had no sun protection. Asking Gary to pull over for anything at this point was risky. Hahaha but we did. 395 is our first highway access.....

Anticipation

Waiting .....................Till I get the word...........its time to go. We are all packed ........and will be traveling on our (new) 2009 Harley Davidson Ultra Glide. It has about 4000 miles on it right now.