DAY 9

DAY 9

My alarm went off at 6:00 AM as usual. There was thunder, lightning and rain. We put on the Weather Channel on the tube and they were reporting golf ball size hail in the area. It was also reported that there was tennis ball size hail yesterday in Oklahoma. Bruce came to our door and reported this also to us. The Weather Channel stated that in the Lebanon area, this would last until approximately 9:00 AM. Chuck and I got dressed and went to the lobby for our breakfast. We were not in any hurry, so we took our time, read the paper and had breakfast. We visited with each other for the morning and did some cleaning of our Motors, J.B. changed the position of his foot pegs and I added some stuff to my Motor that I bought yesterday at the Honda shop. The weather started to get better so we decided to take a chance and get ready to go. We rode next door to a Phillips 66 and gassed our Motors. We left at 10:55 AM with me in the lead.

The weather was still overcast, but the roads were dry at this time. At 11:36 AM and after riding for 32 miles, we stopped in Marshfield, MO., to put on our rain gear. We were sprinkled on just prior to stopping, however, we had no where to stop for cover. When we stopped, it had stopped raining. After we put on our rain gear, we noticed a "Route 66 Missouri" sign by the road next to the gas station which we were stopped at. We all went over to the sign for a photo op. We then left at 12:10 PM and I was still leading.

We continued on 66 for another 23 miles and at 12:47 PM, we stopped for lunch at a Subway in Springfield, MO. When we stopped and before going inside to eat, we all took off our rain gear. It didn't rain since we put the rain gear on. We enjoyed a nice meal and watched a Police unit make a traffic stop just outside of the Subway. It brought back memories! At 1:43 PM we left.

As I was still leading, we were following the 66 signs. We followed the signs into the Springfield/Branson Airport. We were all puzzled because we were following the signs and it lead us there! We made a tour of the small airport and out we went. We got back on I-44 and soon saw a sign leading us off of the interstate and back on 66. We continued on and at 2:42 PM after riding 52 miles, we stopped in Avilla, MO. for a break and pit stop. We took a short break, however, the gas station didn't have public restrooms. We protested by not buying anything there and we left at 2:51 PM.

It was 3:00 PM and 9 miles later that we stopped in Carthage, MO. for a true break and pit stop. This gas station did have restrooms. We left at 3:32 PM.

As we entered Webb City, MO., it started to sprinkle again. The winds started to kick up and the sky south of us and the direction we were headed, was very black. Chuck pulled up next to me and told me that the Weather Station on his XM Radio was reporting that anyone in the southwest Counties of Missouri should go indoors and avoid being next to windows because of a severe thunderstorm with 60 mph winds heading southeast. We were there! I pulled into a parking lot in Webb City, at 3:52 PM after riding for 13 miles, and we were preparing to put our rain gear on again. We sat there watching the sky and decided to wait out the storm. The storm was supposed to be south of us in Joplin, MO. Some local rode up to us on his Motor and told us that the storm was about 15 miles south of us and that it was clear to the west of us. I looked in my Best Western book for the nearest motel and found that there was one in Joplin, south of us on the same road. We decided to head for the motel and seek shelter under the awning. We left at 4:10 PM.

As we were riding southbound, it started to rain. I started to rain a little harder and i was looking for somewhere to pull into to get shelter from the rain. Chuck pulled up next to me and we decided to continue until we found the Best Western. Chuck stated that when we found the Best Western, he was ready to, "call it a day." I agreed. A few blocks later, there it was! We pulled into the Best Western and under the awning. I was then told that it wasn't the Best Western, but a Baymont Inn & Suites. The BW was next door. We arrived at 4:20 PM and after riding 6 more miles. I rode over to the BW to get a price for the rooms while Bruce went into the Baymont to get prices. I called Chuck on the cell and reported that I got a great price for the rooms and Chuck told me that Bruce go a better price. The Baymont is where we stayed. We checked in, parked our Motors close to our rooms, unloaded and tucked them in for the night.

So far, this day has been the day with the least amount of miles traveled. We only rode for 135 miles, thanks to the rain this morning and the storm in the afternoon. It is supposed to be cloudy tomorrow morning with 50% chance of thunderstorms by noon. We should be gone by then. We plan to leave approximately 7:30 AM provided that the storm doesn't come early.

While were in the hotel, I checked my e-mail and received an e-mail from an old friend of the group, J.C. Allen. He respectfully asked if he could meet up with us between Tulsa and Oklahoma City, OK. I called him and told him that we would meet with him and have him ride with us until Tucumcari, NM, at his request. J.C., we will see you tomorrow. Soooo, until tomorrow...