| Author |
Message |
    
Arcticktm
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 - 01:14 pm: | 
|
I took 16 all the way from VA up to Mark's WV ride the first year I came, with Carlos and Webe.
I believe the official name in WV was Coal Heritage or something like that.
Anyway, both beautiful and depressing at the same time. Almost spiritual.
Lots of coal downs, many slowly dying. gorgeous scenery, even for someone like me living in Western NC mountains.
I'd do it again anyday.
Enjoy your journey... |
Crusty
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 - 05:20 pm: |
|
I made it to Cincinnati yesterday. I went to David's business (Rockin Rooster Comics) since I was arriving in the middle of the day and thought he'd be at work, but it turned out that he wasn't there; it was his day off. I got to meet the other guys there, though and they seem like pretty good people. They called David and he came and met me at the store, then I followed him home. I don't know if I'll be able to find my way to the highway when I leave here, I got lost a couple of times trying to find the store. Hey; it'll make it a little more of an adventure. Or somethin'.
David fixed an excellent dinner last night. he, Jack and I had marinated pork chops, and David's own version of Italian green beans and a very tasty macaroni and cheese dish made with cheeses with funny names, but they tasted really good. I was stuffed.
After dinner, Jack helped me with a couple of problems I've been having with this laptop. Jack's pretty familiar with Macbooks and showed me a few things. He also set me up with a cordless mouse which eliminates the problems I was having with the touch pad. When it comes to Computer Literacy, I'm not quite up to the Hooked On Phonics level. I need all the help I can get and it's nice to have people like Rocco and Jack helping me out. David and I talked and had a great conversation until I started nodding around 10:00; then I went to bed and slept like a rock.
I haven't been able to slow down and just ride in a relaxing way yet on this trip. I think that'll happen after the Springfield Mile this coming Sunday. Dondi predicted that it would take me a couple of days to slow down, but it's taking longer. That's OK, it will start to happen soon, and I'll establish a rhythm. I've been feeling a little bit pressured, but there's no real pressure; "It's all in me head". If I had stopped at the campground I'd seen at the start of the back of the Dragon, I would have seen more of West Virginia. I rode for a few hours after dark on Monday, and I'm sure I missed seeing some really neat stuff.
One neat thing that I saw was Rhododendrons that were flowering in both Virginia and West Virginia. I really like Rhododendrons, and it was pretty neat to see them blooming this early in the season. They won't bloom for a couple of weeks back home.
I'm going to have to decrease the amount of stuff that I'm carrying. My bags are too full and heavy. It's a chore to get anything out (like this laptop when I stop at a MacDonald's); it's even more of a chore when I have to put everything back. It's also a pain in the butt carrying them up stairs. I can think of a few items I'm carrying that I can do without; maybe a little later this morning, I'll go through the bags and lighten the load and decrease the volume.
Well, That's about it for now. David's going to take me to some really neat grocery store called Jungle Jim's that sells unique and interesting items like Zots candies or a dozen different types of Cream Soda. I think we're going to have lunch at a White Castle. I Love/Hate White Castles! |
86129squids
| | Posted on Thursday, May 21, 2015 - 01:32 am: |
|
Good stuff, man!
I got to watch the movie "Wild" recently, a Reese Witherspoon production (she stars, with Laura Dern as her mom)... a good part of the storyline was how she carried the weight. And was helped to know what to carry.
Where I'm at, if I could open a White Castle, I could retire in +- 5 to 10 years. They do a better job than Krystal, hate to say it, as I'm a Tennessee boy. |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Thursday, May 21, 2015 - 07:20 am: |
|
I have tools, garage, good photography equipment, and I am working from home today up in Lebanon (about 10 miles north east, and right on your way to the Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame in Columbus).
Shoot me a note if you are headed this direction! |
Prior
| | Posted on Thursday, May 21, 2015 - 07:30 am: |
|
Go Crusty Go! |
Crusty
| | Posted on Friday, May 22, 2015 - 11:14 am: |
|
I'm taking a coffee break in Flora, Illinois. It's been cold the past couple of days; it didn't get above 55 degrees yesterday and I was wearing my electric jacket liner for a good part of the day. I spent last night in the city campground in Vincennes, Indiana. It was a fairly small campground on the bank of the Wabash River. During the night, I heard an owl calling. It was loud enough that it woke me up. I also heard the trains coming through town.They have to blow their horns four times before each crossing; long, long, short, long. I can tell you that there are at least seven railroad crossings in Vincennes, and there are quite a few trains that use that set of tracks. I don't know how cold it got, but my sleeping bag was nice and warm even though my face was feeling the cold. When I had to get up at 3:30 to go pee, I didn't waste any time outside. It didn't cost me anything to camp. I think there was supposed to be a fee, but there was nobody there to collect it.
I'm finally slowing down and enjoying the country on secondary roads. I'm riding through farm country and there are miles of fields that are either recently planted or are being plowed prior to being planted. There are also a lot of calves among the cows and foals with the horses. It also obvious that I'm in the Bible Belt. I've seen numerous signs telling me that Jesus is coming and that I'd better be ready.
My plans for the next couple of days are to ride up to Peoria today (there's a Short Track race there tonight), then ride down to Springfield tomorrow and spend two or three nights there. There's a TT race on Saturday night as well as the Mile on Sunday.
I also want to take the time to clean my bike; it's pretty filthy after riding through the rain in West Virginia. So far, I've covered over two thousand miles since I set out. That's not a lot of mileage for one week, but this trip isn't about setting mileage records; it's about seeing family, friends and enjoying this magnificent Country. Money is pretty tight right now, but I have enough to get by until next Wednesday when I get my Social Security check. I definitely have set enough aside that I can eat a couple of Rib Eye Sandwiches at the Mile. (I love them!)
Well, that's today's update. I'd better finish my coffee (74 cents and free refills!) and get back on the road. |
86129squids
| | Posted on Friday, May 22, 2015 - 11:37 am: |
|
Dang! Maybe I'll start calling you "Road Crust"...
My life circumstances have recently changed... such that I'm sorely tempted to roll out and catch up with ya for some mileage!
Keep on keepin' on, friend. |
Crusty
| | Posted on Monday, May 25, 2015 - 12:21 pm: |
|
I'm sitting in a MacDonald's in Brookfield, MO drinking my morning coffee. I rode through some really scary weather yesterday after leaving Springfield, IL. Fortunately, I didn't see a tornado, though some were reported. I was looking for signs of one; they scare me. I did ride through some really strong winds, and I got soaked when the downpour started suddenly and I didn't have my raingear on. I slept under an open shelter in a COE/State Park in Macon, MO and the rain continued off and on until sunrise this morning.
In hindsight, I guess I should have just stayed in Springfield for another night. After seeing the Mile though, I was amped up and wanted to get out and ride. I hope I dry out soon.
Now that I'm heading toward Lebanon, Kansas and the Geographical Center of the Conterminous United States, I'm really starting to feel like Bill's riding along side. I remember the little jokes he'd pull as we rode together; like opening his mouth as he beeped the horn. We joked about riding to the Center so many times over the years, that I have to go there.
I'll probably get there today; Google says that it's 5 hours travel time from my present location.
The Adventure Continues. |
|
