HOME!!!

Day 21, Tuesday, May 05, 2015

My alarm sounded at 6:30 AM.  It hit me early this morning that this would be the last time that I would set my alarm on this ride.  Chuck and I got up and did what we needed to do.  We took a couple of bags down to our Motorcycles and packed them.  We noticed the sky to the south of us was very dark.  Chuck checked his weather app on his phone and saw that it was clearing and we should have good riding weather for a while.  We went back in and had breakfast.  By this time, all five of us were eating breakfast.  It was rather quiet this morning.  I guess that the “final day” feeling hit us all.  We finished breakfast, went back to our rooms and gathered the rest of our stuff.  We checked out and mounted our Motorcycles.  We left at 8:03 AM.

Jan led our Group onto Highway 550 east to I-25.  We went south on I-25 and we were soon riding in Albuquerque’s morning rush hour.  We rode through Albuquerque and ended up on the west side of the city and after riding for 25 miles, we stopped at 8:28 AM at a gas station so that we could all gas up.  We were still in somewhat of a daze.  Chuck had some coffee and we sat on a stone picnic table in front of the store.  We also took the opportunity to look towards the city.  We were elevated and could see a lot of the city.  The weather was great, cloudy and NOT raining.  We were done with our break and left at 9:02 AM.

Ken took over the lead.  We got back on I-40 and rode west.  It was a little cold and after riding for 77 miles, we stopped at 10:06 AM in Grants, NM.  While we were in Grants taking the necessary “pit stop,” we all put on more clothing.  The liners were put into the jackets, more sweaters were put on, heavier gloves were worn and “Turtle Fur” neck warmers were put on.  We left at 10:21 AM.

We got back onto I-40.  We rode for another 60 miles and stopped at 11:09 AM in Gallup, NM so that C.E. could gas up his Trike.  Just prior to arriving in Gallup, it had rained a little on us.  We left Gallup at 11:21 AM.

Ken led us back on I-40.  It has been a while since we have traveled this road.  It is a lot better that what we remember.  Of course, that’s not saying much.  After all, we are getting older.  WOW!  Did I just type that out loud?  We approached the Arizona State Line and crossed it at 11:42 AM.  As we crossed the State Line, we gained an hour so it was now 10:42 AM.  We are almost home!  We rode for 59 miles and at 11:10 AM, we stopped in Chambers, AZ at a gas station.  We all gassed up.  We left at 11:27 AM.

Since we entered Arizona, it was raining off and on.  I was now in the lead and we headed west on I-40.  We rode and enjoyed the Arizona scenery.  We hadn’t seen this in three weeks.  We rode for 76 miles and at 2:29 PM, we stopped in Winslow, AZ at a Subway for lunch.  NO, we didn’t go “Stand on the corner.”  We had lunch!  Just as we pulled in front of the Subway, it was sprinkling.  While we were inside, it started raining.  We all went out to our Motorcycles and got our rain gear.  Did all of you catch that?  We actually put our rain gear on!  We knew that we were headed to Flagstaff and that it would be colder and raining.  Some of us put on more clothing.  We took over the Subway store.  We were spread out putting on our rain gear and the patrons were watching us.  We left at 1:14 PM.

I got us back onto I-40 and we had discussed to go all the way to Camp Verde before we stopped again.  We rode and entered Flagstaff.  There was a lot of truck traffic on I-40 close to Flagstaff.  It had been raining since we left Winslow.  We turned onto I-17 and now headed south.  It started to rain harder.  At one point, it just “DUMPED” on us!  We had zero visibility.  We all moved over to the right lane and slowed our speed considerably.  The rain eased up and we were able to see better.  As we rode out of Flagstaff, it stopped raining.  The road was soon dry and we felt better riding on a dry road.  We rode for 115 miles and at 2:10 PM, we stopped in Camp Verde, AZ at a gas station where we filled up our tanks.  By the way, we also made a pit stop. I bet you didn’t see that one coming?   We all returned to our Motorcycles and talked a little and took off our rain gear.  Jan finally said, “OK, guys, let’s go home!”  It had a good ring to it.  We all said our goodbyes, got on our Motorcycles and left at 3:12 PM.

Chuck led us this time.  As tradition goes, since we started these annual rides nine years ago, Chuck starts us out and leads us home.  Chuck took the lead and away we went.  Jan was with us and when we got to the Prescott exit, he waved at us, peeled away from us and took the exit.  We continued.  We rode for 37 miles and at 3:42 PM, Chuck pulled into the Sunset Point Rest Area.  We took off our jackets and stowed them away.  We were not wearing any rain gear or jackets.  The weather was great for riding.  The road was dry and we left at 3:50 PM.

Chuck blasted south on I-17.  Ken was behind Chuck, then Me and C.E.  We stayed in a tight group.  We passed the sign posted, “Maricopa County.”  It was a good feeling.  We continued and soon passed the sign posted, “Phoenix City Limits.”  That was a great feeling.  I knew that we were home.  As we continued south, we reached the Loop 101.  I got off and rode east and C.E. got off and rode west.  Chuck and Ken continued south.  After riding 43 miles, I stopped at HOME at 4:26 PM.  My Wife, Laura, Daughter Lori, and Grandsons, Connor and Gabriel were all waiting for me on the driveway.  My garage door was open and I rode in.  I greeted my family and then unloaded my Motorcycle.  After unloading my Motorcycle, I tucked it in for the night.

Today we rode for 492 miles.  We rode in the rain…a lot!  We had fun and we are HOME!

This was a great three week ride.  We visited 12 States, some twice.  We rode for 6,486 miles.  Some had more miles some had less.  We stayed at a Holiday Inn Express 8 times, Hampton Inn 2 times, Best Western 7 times, La Quinta 1 time, Magnuson Hotel 1 time and a Sleep Inn 1 time.  Most of the hotels were very nice and had very nice people working that went above and beyond for us.  We met some very interesting people.  It was funny to see that when we stopped to look at a map, people would come to “the old guys on the Motorcycles” and try to help.

I would like to thank my Wife, Laura, for agreeing to let me leave her for three weeks.  The Grandsons, Connor 6 and Gabriel 3, were very happy to see me come home, and of course my Family for keeping an eye on Laura while I was gone.  Laura told me that she felt like she was “single” while I was gone.  I did tell her to have some fun while I was gone.  I hope that I didn’t create a monster!  Lol  No, It didn’t.  Laura is a keeper.  I love you!  

I would also like to thank Chuck Roseberry for putting on the “Annual Ride” again AND inviting me to be with the Group.

Thanks to you all who took time out of your day to read my blog.  I tried to let you in on what we were up to.  Of course, NOT everything was told!  We do have to keep some mystery.

By the way…HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!

  

It was not discussed as to where we will end up next year or WHO will go or not go.  We shall see.  So, until next year…