May 6, 2008

DAY 4

We got up this morning later than normal. We didn't have to get up very early because we had all day to get back to J.B.'s home. I got up at 6:30 AM and Chuck got up soon after. We got dressed and packed our bags. J.B. had called and told Chuck that he and Susie were going to the restaurant for breakfast. We joined them and had a full, hot breakfast. We stayed a while and had a few cups of coffee also. We checked out of the motel, returned to our rooms and grabbed our stuff. We packed up our Motors and left at 9:20 AM. I still couldn't believe what I was riding!

Chuck was still leading. We rode on the rural, two-laned roads. They were lined with farmland, green landscaping and, at time, beautiful homes. We stopped after riding 13 miles in the town of Carlinville, IL. at 9:35 AM. We gassed up and left at 9:45 AM.

J.B. took over the lead. We continued riding on the two-laned, country road and stopped 36 miles later in Jerseyville, IL. at 10:42 AM. We initially stopped to check the map and then Chuck started the group off. He went into the mini-mart to use the facilities. I followed Chuck and then J.B. We left at 10:42 AM.

J.B. led us through some winding roads and then along the Mississippi River. We followed that road for a while. We went through a cute little town named, "Grafton, IL." We noticed that the River had risen and some of the properties were partially submerged. We saw the tops of some street lights sticking out of the water. We stopped after 46 miles in Alton, IL. at 11:39 AM for a pit stop. When we stopped, J.B. looked across the street and there was a Subway. It was tempting, but it was too early for lunch. We left at 11:50 AM.

We crossed the Mississippi River over the Clark Bridge. It was a kind of bridge that I have never seen before. I guess I can't say that anymore! We continued and stopped 64 miles later in Warrenton, MO. at 12:48 PM for lunch. We stopped at an Applebee's. Since we were not in any hurry, we took our time and had a good and restful lunch. We left at 1:56 PM.

I continued for another 24 miles and stopped at 2:16 PM in Danville, MO. to gas up. We left at 2:41 PM.

It was my turn to lead and we rode for another 69 miles and stopped at 3:54 PM in Boonville, MO. It was time for a break, pit stop and to reload our bladders with coffee. We did all of that and J.B. suggested to "top off" our gas tanks so that we (the Harley's) didn't have to stop and gas up again. I joined in with a "sympathy" top off. Since we just "topped off," I continued to lead. We didn't have much farther to ride to get to J.B.'s home. When we got to about 15 miles to J.B.'s home, he took over the lead. There were just too many freeway switched to make. Neither Chuck nor I knew how to get to his house. We did pass the Kansas city Royals/Kansas City Chiefs Stadium. I took a couple of pictures as we rode by. We arrived at J.B.'s home after riding 116 miles and at 6:07 PM. It was good to get off of the Motors and especially off of the freeways at rush hour.

We unloaded our Motors and tucked them in the garage for the night. We rode for a total of 368 miles today. Since we missed our Mexican Dinner for Cinco de Mayo, we went to Manny's Mexican Food Restaurant for dinner. It was good. We returned to J.B.'s house and watched TV. While watching the news and weather, the weatherman reported that a big thunderstorm would hit us tomorrow. Well, tomorrow was the day that Chuck and I were supposed to head back to Phoenix. I'm not sure that we are leaving tomorrow. We will just have to wait. Laura...Krys...we want to ride safely. Until tomorrow...