Day 1 - The Short Version

I'm going to try to do a quick post each day that summarizes that day's ride, then pull all of that together for a more complete story once I get the ride completed. Actually, sometimes a few days between the ride and the writing brings a little perspective. Plus, I will insert some pictures for the full story...not so much on these daily blogs since I'm too lazy to hook up the camera.

Day 1 ended in Seymour, Indiana. Paul tells me this is the hometown of John Mellencamp, but they don't seem to brag about it on the "Welcome" signs. I didn't ask anyone because I don't want to be "that guy". So, take Paul's word for it and join me in celebrating a night spent in John Mellencamp's hometown!!!

I managed to squeeze in 630 miles today. Not bad for the bulk of it being on 2 lane roads. I pulled into my Motel 6 in Seymour at about 8:30PM, so that represented 14.5 hours of riding today (counting stops). I pulled out of the 7-11 near my house this morning at 5:58AM. By 6:10AM I had managed to lose my brand new Harley-Davidson hat. I had it strapped onto my backpack (something I've done many times before) and within about 5 minutes of the 75 mph riding on I-66...it was GONE!. For my friends in Northern Virginia. If you see a light blue Harley-Davidson hat on I-66 between Haymarket and The Plains, GRAB IT. It's freakin' brand new.

The ride was mostly uneventful. A couple of honorable mentions in the form of jackass moves by drivers, but I'll save those for the full story. I did manage to find a nice little bar here in Seymour within walking distance of the Motel 6. It was karaoke night, and I must say, they had some pretty good singers. At least one guy murdered Stairway to Heaven, but that's ok; everyone else in the bar turned it into a sing-a-long and drown him out.

Tomorrow promises rain, thunderstorms and tornadoes across the central US. Where am I riding tomorrow...that's right...ACROSS THE CENTRAL US. Should be fun. Maybe I'll make the evening news or, better yet, The Weather Channel...sweet.

Here's hoping I am pinging you in cyber space from Wichita, Kansas tomorrow.

Fisher House Ride Coming Up

The ride to Las Vegas is coming up. I'll be heading out next Friday. I've made a few changes in the route, primarily around the various visits to the Fisher Houses. I wasn't able to set anything up at a couple and, as luck would have it, my return trip coincides with the National Directors Meeting for Fisher House and several of the directors were going to be out of town. Oh well, I'll visit where I can and make the best of it. I'm looking forward to a few days on the road.