The Misadventures of Greg Gibbons!

DAY 13, FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013

So, I got up at 5:30 AM to go to the restroom.  I went back to bed but tossed and turned.  I heard J.B. get up and I looked at the clock and it was 6:20 AM.  Oh well, I guess I don’t need no stinking sleep!  I got up also and started to get dressed.  J.B. was dressed in about five minutes.  He told me that he would see me at breakfast in a few.  I continued to get dressed and packed my bags.  I was finally ready and went to the breakfast room to eat.  J.B. was already seated and halfway through his breakfast.  I served myself and sat down at the same table.  A few minutes later, J.B. got up and left.  He had to go and put some clothes in the dryer.  Ken and C.E. came in and kept me company.  Everyone else came in and ate.  We then went to our rooms to get our stuff and pack them in our Motors.  We were all done and just sitting around.  The word was that we needed to leave and make up some time that we lost when we had to get the Motors fixed.  Most were sitting in the lobby.  I went in and saw Chuck talking with Greg and both were looking at the map.  It was Greg’s turn to lead and Chuck was giving him some instructions.  You know how these newbie’s have to be led by the hand!

We left at 8:32 AM, going north through Cooperstown, past the beautiful Otsego Lake and towards the interstate.  We were headed for I-90 East.  A few miles short of I-90, Greg turned right onto U.S. 20, posted as a “Scenic Drive.”  Soon after we turned, I heard Chuck on the C.B. radio ask Greg why he turned on U.S. 20 and didn’t go to the interstate as they had discussed.  Greg continued on.  Greg tried to respond with Chuck but all I could hear was a lot of interference.  We could only hear about every other word Greg was saying.  We continued on.  We rode for 60 miles going about 50 to 55 mph and stopped at 9:48 AM in Altamont, NY at a Gulf Station for a pit stop.  I asked Greg why he had turned onto U.S. 20 when we were supposed to go to the interstate and make up some time with a little speed.  Greg told me that Chuck had told him to turn on U.S. 20.  Chuck and J.B. drank their coffees while Ken ate his “Drumstick” ice cream.  It kept them happy!  We left at 10:14 AM.

We continued east on U.S. 20 and just as we passed a sign for Albany and I-85, Greg made a right turn on a side street.  Chuck immediately got on the C.B. with Greg and told him that he was turning into a residential street and to make a u-turn.  We all turned, following Greg, and the made a u-turn.  We then turned right at the intersection and we were back on U.S. 20.  A few years ago on our 4 Corner’s Ride, we rode through Albany, NY and remembered that we wanted to avoid Albany in the future.  When Chuck gave directions to Greg, he told Greg to NOT ride through Albany.  Greg was instructed on which roads to take to go around the city.  Greg led us on U.S. 20 THROUGH Albany!  Albany has crappy roads and a low speed limit.  After riding for 23 miles and THROUGH Albany, Greg stopped in the parking lot of a Rite Aid Pharmacy at 10:57 AM in East Greenbush, NY, just outside of Albany.  Greg needed to get directions from Chuck.  The guys also went inside the Rite Aid for a pit stop, while Jan and I walked next door to the Wendy’s.  We like to generally stop at a gas station or mini-mart for a break or get directions.  That way we can make a pit stop or get something to drink or snack on.  A Rite Aid Pharmacy?!  We left at 11:10 AM.

We continued on U.S. 20 eastbound.  We rode through several small towns and at 12:27 PM, after riding for 58 miles, we stopped in Williamstown, MA for gas.  We all gassed up and it was time for lunch.  Jan asked the clerk in the gas station for the nearest Subway.  It was three parking lots away.  We all rode to the Subway and had lunch.  We finished lunch and Jan got with Chuck and the Atlas.  They looked at it for a while to figure out which way to go to get to the interstate.  The plans were made and we were off!  We left at 1:19 PM.

Jan led us on U.S. 20 at a faster pace.  We came upon a large sign indicating that drivers need to be cautious because of a steep down grade and lots of curves for the next few miles.  The sign also called this area, “Mohawk Trail.”  I was riding side by side with Jan at this time and we both looked at each other and “grinned.”  We found that this road had many twisties and a steep down grade.  We were having a good time.  Let me also say that we were also RIDING VERY SAFELY!  We were riding at speeds of 60 mph on a 35 mph zone.  It was fun!  It was fun until we got behind a McDonald’s 18 wheeler that was going about 35 to 40 mph!  We passed a sign that said, “Hairpin Curve” ahead.   THAT was no lie!  The curve was to the right and very tight, as the 18 wheeler made the turn and took the entire width of the road.  It had to stop and for a short time, the left rear dually tires lifted off of the pavement and were spinning.  The 18 wheeler had stopped traffic behind it as it tried to correct itself and get back on the road, which was a steep uphill.  The 18 wheeler finally got back on track and continued uphill.  Soon after the 18 wheeler started going, we all passed it.  We were flying…I’m sorry…we were riding safely on the Mohawk Trail.  We rode for 42 miles and stopped at a gas stations/mini-mart in Greenfield, MA at 2:17 PM for a pit stop.  After the much needed pit stop, we checked the maps and also tried to find hotels in South Portland, Maine.  The one we wanted, unfortunately, was full and had no more rooms.  After trying a couple of others, we opted to just wait and look for one when we arrived.  We left at 2:51 PM.

Jan led us north onto I-91.  We finished riding through Massachusetts and entered I-495.  We rode on I-495 and soon got into the rush hour traffic of Boston and the outer cities.  We rode in bumper to bumper traffic for a good 45 minutes.  It was finally over and we were back to a good, faster speed.  We transitioned onto I-95 and continued north until we crossed into New Hampshire.  We rode for 116 miles and at 5:14 PM we stopped in Seabrook, NH at the New Hampshire Visitor Center.  Riding for 116 miles and a lot of it in rush hour traffic really gets the juices flowing.  This stop was perfect.  We needed a pit stop to get rid of the “juices!”  Sorry to those that find this offensive.  I will write more later!  Some of the guys bought drinks and soon we were ready to go.  We were in need of gas; however, we decided to go another 65 miles or so with what we had.  We left at 5:41 PM.

We rode north a little ways and before we knew it, we had to stop at a Toll Booth, $2 please!  We each gave our $2, we grouped and continued.  We quickly rode through New Hampshire and entered Maine.  A little while later, Toll Booth, $3 please!  When does it end?  Now we are getting closer to our destination of South Portland, Maine.  We grouped and continued.  Well, guess what?  We rode a little further and…Toll Booth, $1 please!  Jan and I rode into a Booth marked “cash only.”  Ken entered a Booth to our left that was marked, “Fast Pass.”  Ken stopped, got his $1 and waited to be waited on; however, there was no one in the booth.  Ken just accelerated through and didn’t pay.  Chuck was next and backed up to go to the “cash only” booth.  C.E. did the same, as did a car behind them.  We grouped and continued.  As we were northbound, there was a State Police car that had stopped a female in a car and was done when we passed them.  Ken thought that the State Police had already been called on him for not paying his Toll!  Ken was sweating!  We continued and after riding 4 miles, we arrived at the Best Western Merry Manor Inn at 6:44 PM, which we had stayed 6 years ago on the 4 Corner’s Ride.  Chuck walked to the office to check and they were still “full.”  I rode to the Howard Johnson across the street to “make the deal.”  I did and returned to the guys and reported.  They liked it and we all rode over and secured our rooms.  We got our stuff off of our Motors and took them to the rooms.  Chuck had contacted a friend of ours, Evelyn, who was married to a long time friend of Jim Morrison.  Her husband, Jeff, passed away last year from cancer.  Jeff had accompanied us on the ride in Maine six years ago when we did the 4 Corner’s Ride.  He led the way for us while we were in Maine.  Chuck had invited Evelyn to go with us to dinner.  After we secured our stuff in our rooms, Evelyn arrived and we went to dinner close by at, “Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse.”  Evelyn was very happy to see us again and to meet the newbie’s of the group.  We finished dinner and Evelyn said her goodbyes.  We noticed that when we got out of the restaurant, it had rained!  Our Motors were wet and some of the helmets that were stored upside down were wet inside.   We returned to the hotel where we “tucked” our Motors in for the night.

Today we rode for 363 miles on a very nice day.  We had no rain, until nighttime.  We finally made it to South Portland, Maine.  Tomorrow, we will ride to Acadia National Park.  Evelyn told us about the black flies that bother the Moose.  The Moose might be on the roadway.  I will have my camera ready to snap a picture of a Moose to show Chuck what a Moose looks like.  So, for tomorrow…

Hey!  One other thing, I am here in the lobby of the hotel typing my blog at 12:03 AM and a guest came in and told the desk clerk that he saw a Police Cruiser enter and patrol the parking lot.  The desk clerk told the guest that the Police do that all of the time.  Could it be that they are catching up with Ken?  Maybe the State wants their $1 Toll fee!  Hide Ken!