October

<-Joel at RFK; RFK Ride; Larry at RFK (early) and the bottom two photos are of the Clear Lake Road Riders.




In the few weeks we have returned from our motorcycle trip we have traveled to Sacramento twice - once to attend Larry's retirement dinner (a lovely evening at the Sheraton) and this past weekend to participate in the Ride for Kids event in Woodland, CA.

The group we belong to had the 4th highest club donations and our local dealer came in as top dealer with over $27k attributed to his business.

We are Home!

We waited to leave Fernley, NV until almost 10:30 a.m. - any earlier and we would have been wet before got out of town.

As we headed west of I-80 we saw many motorcyclists leaving the Reno area. Street Vibrations lost quite a few participants before the final day began.

Once we were beyond Reno the weather got wetter. On the way up to Donner Pass traffic picked up and the rain became less spotty. One group of Hell's Angels from Oakland roared by just as the rain really started coming down.

As we headed down from Donner Pass there were so many motorcyclists being cautious that they were keeping the car traffic to a SENSIBLE speed. It was the most sane trip along I-80 from Reno I have ever been on and the worst weather!

We turned off of I-80 on to Hwy 20 and encountered fog as well as rain. By the time we got to Marysville the weather had improved dramatically.

A nice lunch at Granzella's and we hurried home in time to pick up Lucie at the kennel.

Over 7,000 miles. What an awesome country. What awesome people we rode with and met along the way. Good to be home....until Wednesday! The map is of the route we took this September.

On our way home

We left on Friday. Rather chilly ride to Pocatello, Idaho. Wind was bad around Twin Bridges, but became less of an issue as we continued to ride.

This morning we left to warmer temps - but not that warm! At Twin Falls we headed for Nevada. From Wells it was a fast ride to Fernley, Nevada.

Another chilly day, but not much precipitation. We either had awful side winds, or awful head winds. The trike got 20 mpg for the last 100 miles. We also had to deal with a dust storm east of Lovelock.

Can't really complain though, because we got here safely. We ate at the El Guadalajara Mexican restrauant - not too shabby.

When we arrived at the motel there were other motorcyclists who had attended Street Vibrations - glad we didn't try to get a room in Reno.

Tomorrow will be our ride home. We won't be riding out any too early - the weather in the Sierras is supposed to be wet and cold tonight.

Billings

We are having a lovely visit in Billings. Can't say enough about how nice it is to be with Jack & Barbara.

Jack took us out to the old homestead properties. All I can say - those people were far more hearty then we are!

The house photo is of Larry's Aunt Mary's (Jack's mom) former home. The neighborhood has changed quite a bit - there are some very nice "disadvantaged people" homes going in across the street.

Yesterday it was a tad cool, but Larry & Jack braved the cool weather to change the oil in the bikes.

Later on Larry & I cleaned our filthy bikes - I don't think they were this dirty last year!

For dinner we headed to Famous Dave's with Jack, Barbara and Larry's Aunt Ida. Another WOW meal of ribs. (We have GOT to get one of these restaurants closer to home!)

Today we are having breakfast with Aunt Ida and in the p.m. I believe we will do a little sightseeing. Tomorrow we will be headed home.

Minnesota to Billings, Montana

We left Park Rapids, Minnesota at 7:30 a.m. We had 84 miles of two-lane roads before making it to Fargo, North Dakota and Interstate 94.

The weather was pleasant - actually made it into the mesh jackets.

So - what is there to say about North Dakota along I-94 ----it is a great road to ride at 75 miles per hour because THERE IS NOTHING.

The original intent was to stay in Glendive but Larry heard it was going to be raining and cool in the a.m. so the decision was made to ride on to Billings.

Thankfully, Larry's Uncle Jack and Aunt Barbara were kind enough to have us stay a day earlier than we had planned. So 685 miles later we are nice and cozy.

It IS a little rainy today - hoping to have a great visit and head out on Thursday.

Michigan and Minnesota

Last evening we stayed at a Budget Host Motel in Marquette, Michigan. Weather was cool leaving Sudbury, but improved somewhat. The scenery is awesome and it would be nice to spend time in the area sometime in the future.

The motel was rated by AAA as one of the lesser accomodations in the area - can't say enough nice things about Brentwood Inn. Very comfortable and clean. Couldn't ask for much more - except a coffeemaker and hair dryer in the room! For $50, it was SUPERB!

We left Marquette at 9 a.m. - in temps under 50 degrees (Larry tried to tell me it was 54, but no way). We were wearing every possible layer and managed quite well. We rode through Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota via Hwy 2 --- speed limit 55 and every one drove 65. Again - wow to the scenery. By this afternoon the temperatures were up over 70 degrees, so riding was comfy. So many motorcycles out enjoying the beautiful weather.

Tomorrow's ride should be far better as the low is only supposed to be 59 here in Park Rapid, Minnesota tonight.

Sudbury, Canada

We didn't make it far...left Mississauga around 10:30 a.m.

My fearless leader didn't believe the GPS - so it took us nearly an hour to get OUT of Toronto using alternate roads.

Once we got on the road it was nice...the temps were around 75 degrees. Then the further we went the cooler it became. Stopped to put on some jackets and just the other side of Parry Sound we hit some really hard rain. The trike hydroplaned, but I managed to keep it on my side of the road. When the semi going in the opposite direction threw and wave of water over the top of me, I knew I had to stop. Had to back track to a gas station and eatery and wait out as much as we could.

Back on the road with all the rain gear and it never rained again.

Once we arrived in Sudbury it became obvious that IT WAS COLD and WINDY! Staying the night at a Super 8 - not a bad place, just more bucks than the last one and no pool!

Tomorrow we will be riding back to the USA - headed for Wisconsin via Michigan. Not leaving very early because the temperatures aren't supposed to be very high.