Goodbye J.B.!

Day 15, Wednesday, April 29, 2015

So, last night I was able to finish the blog and transfer the pictures from my camera to my computer.  I also titled the pictures.  I was done early.  I left Chuck in the lobby.  Chuck was working on his blog.  I got to my room and Jan was watching TV.  I prepared for bed and got my clothes ready for tomorrow.  What a great time to get to bed early!  I was in bed by 10:30 PM.  Nope!  Jan and I talked and watched a TV program that he watches.  I liked it.  I guess I will watch it when I get home.

My alarm was set for 6:30 AM and I got up as soon as it sounded.  I got dressed and Jan got up soon after.  Jan looked out of our window and saw three guys already packing their Motorcycles and preparing them for travel.  We took a couple of bags to our Motorcycles and packed them.  Our Motorcycles were ready.  We went into breakfast and most of the guys were there already.  We had a good breakfast and had some laughs about the trip.  We were done and went back to our rooms to collect all of our belongings.  We checked out of the hotel and went to our Motorcycles and got ready to leave.  We left at 8:55 AM with Bruce in the lead.

Bruce led us to Highway 412 West.  I was in the back; Chuck was ahead of me and Jan in front of Chuck.  We rode on Highway 412 for a while and then we crossed the Mississippi River.  As we were crossing over the bridge, at the halfway point, there was a sign that read, “Missouri State Line.”  We crossed over at 9:09 AM.  We were now in Missouri.  The “Welcome to Missouri” sign greeted us as we crossed the Mississippi.  We continued on Highway 412 to Kennett, MO and turned onto Highway 25 North.  We rode north to Holcomb and turned onto Highway 53 North.  We rode for a short distance and after riding for 62 miles, we stopped in Campbell, MO at 9:59 AM for gas.  At this gas station, we had to go inside and give them our debit cards so that they could start the pumps.  There were two ladies behind the counter.  They were fun and gave us a hard time.  They joked at us and also asked where we were headed.  The restroom door had references to Harley Davidson Motorcycles and that the restroom was for Harley riders.  The guys thought that it was cool.  Ken, C.E. and I showed them.  We used the restroom and made it better!  Honda Better!  We left at 10:34 AM.

C.E. was leading us now.  There was construction just north on Highway 53 and the road was closed.  The ladies at the gas station told us to “just go around it.”  We turned left a block prior to the construction, rode a few blocks, turned right, rode a couple of blocks, turned right and rode a few blocks and we were back at Highway 53 and northbound.  It was either this or take the detour, which would have taken us about 50 miles out of our way.  It was a great tip from the ladies.  We continued on Highway 53 and turned onto Highway 160.  We rode for 58 miles and at 11:44 AM, we rode into Doniphan, MO where C.E. pulled into a Subway for lunch.  We had a good lunch and then left at 12:34 PM.

C.E. was still leading the Group.  We headed west on Highway 160.  The road was a two lane road with farms on either side.  It was very GREEN!  Also, thank you homeowners who were mowing their lawns as we passed.  I love the smell of freshly mowed grass.  At home, on Wednesdays when Roberto comes and cleans our yard and mows our lawn, I open the arcadia door and smell the freshly mowed grass.  Thanks Roberto!  I, also, get tired when the lawn gets mowed.  I get tired watching Roberto work.  Oh, I’m sorry, back to our ride!  As we rode more on Highway 160, the road began to curve, twist, become hilly and it was a FUN road.  C.E. led us like a pro!  He controlled his Trike very well.  We were going fast through the curves.  He didn’t let up.  We all knew that he was “working it!”  C.E., Ken, J.B, Al and Jan were the starting lineup.  Chuck, Jake and Bruce were the final three.  We were really enjoying this road.  We haven’t had very many roads like this on this trip.  We came to an intersection where we had to make a right turn.  We all stopped and waited for Jake and Bruce to catch up.  They had been out of sight.  One full minute later, they caught up.  We all made the right turn and continued.  After riding for 74 miles, we stopped in West Plains, MO at 2:03 PM for a much needed pit stop.   We praised C.E. for leading us through that fun ride.  We had fun.  We had snacks and took a short break.  Before we knew it, C.E. stated to us, “We’re losing daylight!”  WOW!  C.E. was cracking the whip.  We quickly got ready and we left at 2:22 PM.

Back on Highway 160 with C.E. leading.  The weather was nice.  It was a little cool.  Some of the guys had their jackets on and some didn’t.  We rode for another 57 miles and at 3:28 PM, C.E. stopped in Theodosia, MO…Where?  Anyway, the stop was a good stop.  We needed a pit stop and something to WAKE US UP!  We were getting sleepy.  We needed sugar for energy.  Most of us ate ice creams.  We were getting ready to leave, knowing that our destination, Branson, was about 50 miles away.  We left at 4:00 PM, WITH J.B. LEADING.

This was J.B.’s territory.  He knew the area.  Besides, we didn’t need for anyone to lead us to J.B.’s home town.  J.B. took us back onto Highway 160.  J.B., Jan, Ken and Al were the starting lineup this time.  C.E., Chuck, Jake and Bruce brought up the rear.  As we rode Highway 160, it was just as much fun, if not more, than when C.E. led.  J.B. rode fast through the curves.  We rode faster than when C.E. led.  As we took the curves and the hills, I don’t think that there were more than three car lengths separating J.B. and Me.  Remember, Jan and Ken were between us.  We kept the group TIGHT!  While we were riding in a tight group, I was riding “one handed.”  I was recording a video of the guys in front of me.  THAT made it more fun for me!  As we were riding, I kept looking in my rear view mirror and, guess what?  C.E. was keeping up with us!  He was a short distance behind, but, keeping up with us.  He was working it!  He is going to be tired tonight and sleep well.  We rode up to the junction with Highway 76 South, which was a left turn.  C.E. and Chuck stayed back and didn’t make the turn.  They were waiting for Jake and Bruce.  If nobody waited for them, they would have not known that we made a turn.  The four of us turned and rode a short distance, turned at a street, made a u-turn and waited for the rest to catch up.  We waited for four minutes before the other four caught up.  We continued south on Highway 76.  We soon rode into Hollister, MO.  Thank God that J.B. was leading!  There were so many turns and round-abouts that J.B. just rode without hesitation.  We rode for 54 miles and at 5:03 PM, we stopped in Branson, MO at the Best Western Music Capital Inn.  Jan and I entered the lobby to “make the deal.”  We did and got a good price.  We all checked in, took our bags to our rooms and met in the lobby.  J.B. had been in contact with his wife, Susie.  Susie made a reservation for all of us at a BBQ restaurant named, “Shorty Small’s.”  J.B. led us to the restaurant and we parked our Motorcycles.  J.B. told us that Susie was already there, waiting for us.  He saw her car parked in the parking lot.  When we walked in, Susie met us.  She lovingly greeted her husband, J.B., with a nice, warm hug and kiss.  She then greeted us with hugs and hellos.  There was a table ready for us.  We sat and had dinner.  The food was good.  When we were done, we said our goodbyes to Susie and J.B.  We will see them tomorrow.  We all rode back to the hotel where we parked our Motorcycles and tucked them in for the night.

Some of the guys went to the hot tub and I went to the lobby to type up my blog.  I hope that this will not be another long night for me.

Today we rode 305 miles.  We rode through two good, fun stretches of roadway.  Again, IT WAS FUN!  We got to see a little of Branson…again.  We had great weather, cloudy, and no rain.  We did get spit on a little, but not much.

Tomorrow, we will meet up with J.B. and Susie.  I believe we will see them at their home.  After that, my understanding is that we will ride south into Arkansas.  Chuck says that there are a lot of “green dotted” roads there.  We shall see.  So, until tomorrow…