Advertisement
Published: October 9th 2012
Edit Blog Post
Day 33
Did I mention that I was anxious to get home? I woke at 3 am and couldn't get back to sleep, so I got up at 4 and went to the breakfast room to work on the netbook. I went too the room and woke Bill and Rick, hoping to leave by 6 - 6:30. Alas, it was not to be. I felt like I was herding cats, trying to get those two moving. We left at 7 and then I wasted 15 minutes by making a wrong turn into Lexington (at least we got to see the Citadel).
It was very cold (39 degrees) and threatened rain. At our first gas stop we learned that Bills gloves were not working. So he said he wanted to stop at a Harley dealer to replace the thermostat for the heater for the gloves. We found one right after we entered Pennsylvania. They didn't have a thermostat, but they did have an on/off switch to use instead of the thermostat. He installed it in the parking lot (of course I have pictures) and we continued toward home.
We found out at the next gas stop (our last for the trip) that the gloves still didn't work. I guess Bill is forever destined to have cold hands.
Traffic was fairly light until we got close to Philadelphia so we were able to make good time. We missed the rain as well, which was a blessing (particularly for Bill).
I was going to take the NJ Turnpike home and I assumed that Bill & Rick would come up rt. 1 so we separated on the Pa. turnpike about 15 miles from the border.
I had trouble starting my bike in the morning, and for a few minutes after it started, it was making strange sounds. They quickly subsided, and the bike seemed to be running fine, so I didn't worry about it and decided to take it to the shop later this week.
As I was pulling on to the exit ramp at 7A, my bike stalled when I pulled in the clutch. I let the clutch back out and it started right up again. When I pulled into my carport, the engine died and wouldn't restart. It's a good thing that towing is covered by warranty.
I rode 384.5 miles today, bringing the total miles for the trip to 10,021
It felt great to be home. I missed my family and they missed me, which is comforting. My granddaughter, Cassidy, came up with my son to give me a sign that she and her brother (and I found out later, her mom mostly) made for me. She gave me the biggest hug a 5 year old can possible give. And I gave her chocolate, of course.
And so it ends. Over the next week, I am going to finish all of the blogs that I didn't have time to write on the road and post them.
I have already started planning my next adventure, which will be Key West next May.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.082s; Tpl: 0.009s; cc: 11; qc: 51; dbt: 0.0488s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Linda Liedtka
non-member comment
Home
David .... I just have to say that you did an awesome job documenting this trip. I really enjoyed reading your words every day and looking at the photos. I am so glad you guys had such a wonderful time - Rick hasn't stopped talking about it and the kids are glued to his every word. I am especially thankful for all of you staying safe and coming home in one piece. It really did appear to be that once-in-a-lifetime trip. Thank you again .... looking forward to the next one ! Linda