What the HAIL! What a day! (Day 16) post by Jessica

The morning started with a quote from our good ole buddy Al Loudon "This bike isnt gonna get there itself!" With that being said we packed up the bike (with clean laundry) and hit the road.  Our first stop for the day was Wall Drug, which is where we found gifts for the kiddos, and had lunch. We also popped into the Harley store where I convinced Bryan that it was time to say goodbye to his 10+ year old riding boots(that had no tread left) and say hello to a nice new pair of Harley riding boots. With full bellies and new boots we headed out to The Badlands. The scenery was amazing, the Badlands are rock formations that were created by water and wind erosion. From the Badlands we were off to visit the 4 dead presidents carved into a mountain side also known as Mont Rushmore.

When we arrived at Mount Rushmore we enjoyed an ice cold beer took a few pics and were headed Sturgis, but the weather had other ideas for us. As we were heading out of the parking lot it started to spit rain, which is no big deal to us Seattlites, but as we headed further down the mountain the winds picked up so we pulled over to put on rain jackets. By this time it was stormy weather HIGH winds and sideways rain, Bryan and I were actually enjoying it and laughing, but our laughter came to a sudden hault when we saw that ALL the traffic was parked along the side of the road. By this time we knew we were in trouble. As Bryan tried to make a U-Turn to head back out of this weather and find safety, it was too late! Hail the size of marbles and bigger came down on us HARD! This is when I grabbed onto Bryan for dear life. After seeing movies like twister you know the big hail is how a tornado starts.and yes I was scared!  It felt like someone was throwing rocks at us as hard as they could! It was so loud my thoughts were so distotred. I jumped off the bike as fast as I could and ran for a strangers car, Apparently these strangers were watching us take a beating from the storm and they were honking at us to get in there car. Had there not been a car to jump into, Bryan was going to throw me to the ground and sheild me with his body. Although he didnt have to use his body as a sheild he still ended up with bruises all over his arm from the hail.

As we sat in the back seat of the starngers car we watched the bike take a beating and rock from side to side off its kickstand. Lightening was striking right next to the car. It truly was a miracle that the bike did not tip over. As we got out of their car and looked around, it looked as if it had snowed a good 4 to 5 inches (this is where I was so pleased with myself for talking Bryan into new boots with traction).

After the storm passed we saw another storm headed our way and decided to take shelter in a near by resturaunt to eat and dry off. After dinner, the sun came back out we headed to Sturgis. By the time we got there most everything was closed but managed to find a couple stores open and got Sturgis t-shirts.

This day definately deserved a drink!

Miles today = 582
Total miles = 6,374
Number of States = 24

Rookies and Radar (Day 15)

With the big cities behind us. the raod miles became easy with miles of corn fields and sparse traffic. Okay, maybe the miles were too easy! In the heartland of Minnesota, I apparently entered the district of a Trooper Cadet in training. Unlucky for me, the skill of the day was operation of moving radar in the opposite direction and proper methods of high speed U-Turns through tall grassy medians. Or as his Field Training Officer described it in a Minnesota accent, "I was teaching my rook how to dive the medians".

As a courtesy, I explained that I was armed (cops really like to hear this up front!). This caused the Rook a slight post-academy reaction because his hand instantly rested on the butt of his holstered firearm. Afer the Rook collected my license and insurance and closely examined my commission card it appeared he and his training officer had a short roadside meeting back at their cruiser. Actually, it looked more like a short lecture because the Rook wasn't talking, just nodding his head. The veteran returned to my bike and explained his partner was in training and they were just practicing. He suggested I slow by 1 or 2 MPH and I thnkfully agreed. Since the "business" portion of the stop was concluded, I gave the veteran a Challenge Coin. He immediately gave me one of his SWAT Unit coins and so began the shop talk. After the Rook returned and with the verteran's permission, I gave Rook a coin too. Handshakes and we were on our way.

Next stop was the famous Corn Palace in South Dakota! Each year since the early 1900's, they decorate this building with a differen't theme.

Miles today = 610
Total miles = 5,507
States visited = 23

Road Rage in Chicago (Day 14)

Today marks two weeks on the road and saying goodbye to Al and Penny as we go in different directions since they live in Arizona. We pulled out of Erie and made our way around Lake Michigan and into Chicago. This is where the wheels fell off the bus! Al and Penny are running the entire Route 66 so they can really "Get their Kicks". The starting point is the Art institute of Chicago which is right downtown. Just for fun, we decided to join them. Okay there was NO FUN in it! Dodging taxi cabs, cars, buses and pedestrians I would put Chicago drivers 10 times more dangerous than Seattle drivers.Apparently, the moisture from Lake Michigan causes unique electrical problems in motor vehicles which disables turn signals while at the same time causing car horns to spontaneously honk just because. After one loop around the Art Institute and pondering whether I had enough bullets to escape this city, iback to the freeway we went. But not before sharing some thoughts and opinions I had with a motorcyclist weaving between cars and nearly side swiping me.  Al and Penny were gobbled up by traffic and never to be seen again until he posted a picture posing under a large statue holding a....oh never mind!

Once Jess and I escaped the afternoon traffic snarl of Chicago, we turned West and entered Wisconsin, staying overnight near a tourist town called Wisconsin Dells.

Miles today = 632
Total mileage = 4,897
States visited = 21
Bullets Used = 0 (restraint is not easy!)

Niagara Falls Plunge (Day 13)

This morning we set out from Erie, PA towards Niagara Falls. In less than two hours we had arrived on the American side of the Falls. Similar to the Grand Canyon, Niagara is just one of those places in which pictures don't do any justice. Missing from the picture is the deep rumble created by the Falls which sounds like continuous explosions of thunder. That said, here is one of my favorites:

Most of us have heard about the daredevils who have gone over the Falls. The first one to attempt this did so in a wooden barrel and survived. But did you know a 7 year old boy went over the falls in 1960? He was thrown into the water after a boating incident and went over the 160 foot Horseshoe Falls and lived to tell about it! Here's an article: 7 Year Old Survives
We then took a boat ride to the base of the Falls. The boat is called the Maiden of the Mist. Even with plastic rain covers, we were soaking wet!

We then crossed the boarder and went to the Canadian side of the Falls. We enjoyed a great lunch with a window seat of the Falls. What a great day!

Miles today = 257
Total miles = 4,227
Number of States = 15

iPod song of the day Journey Open Arms Yeah very sappy but it came on just as the Falls came into view.

I Have an Erie Feeling About This! (Day 12)

With a long night in the ER, we got a later start than usual. And that's okay because this IS a vacation. With a slightly narcotic induced hangover, Jessica the TROOPER was up and ready to go. We knocked out some easy miles and landed in Erie, Pennsylvania for the night. Al and Penny joined us for a swim in the hotel pool and then we decided to meet up in the bar for some adult beverages.

The unfortunate timing of our visit coincided with the hotel's Karaoke night. All I can say is Simon Cowell would've opened fire with an Uzi. Shoot, even the Karaoke host looked slightly frightened at some of the entertainment. Well Penny felt so much empathy for the local talent, she decided to join in an offer some background vocals.

Warning!! The amount of alcohol required for this level of support may be harmful to your health. Only consume such quantities after consulting your physician!

Miles today =  320
States visited - 14
Bad Better Midler covers = 4

What's a Vacation Without an ER Visit? (Day 11)

Friday morning we left Chesapeake towards Washington D.C. The temperature was in the high 90's before lunch and the humidity had all four of us dripping from head to toe. Our goal was to spend most of the day in D.C. and see the sights. By the time we found a place to park, it was all we could do to rip off our riding gear and stumble to a street vendor selling bottled water.

We made a big circle and visited the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial Wall, and White House. No kidding, the temperature hit 103 and the humidity brought the temps into the 120's. To top it off, sitting on a bike in traffic with the heat reflecting off the asphalt, I'm sure it was in the 150's. All of our clothes were soaking and you couldn't drink enough water to make up for the dehydration.

We finally left D.C and hit a tremendous traffic snarl. We (wisely) decided to cut our ride short and pulled into Frederick, Maryland for the night. Unfortunately, the heat had taken its toll on all of us. Jessica succumbed to a disabling migraine headache her normal medicine couldn't touch. After hours of quiet time and no improvement, off to the the local ER we went (via Taxi).

Printed with Patient's Permission :-)

Good medicine was administered and she was finally sleeping peacefully at around 12:30 am. I think I was sleeping by 1:30. Yes, a long day but grateful it ended okay!

Miles today = 260
Total States visited = 12 + Washington D.C.
ER visits = 1

Riding with a Dolphin (Day 9)

Today was pretty damn hot...mid 90's but the humidity is something to fear! I rode out to the North Hampton area which involves crossing a 12.5 mile long bridge. What's really cool is the bridge turns into a tunnel in two different spots so ships can cross over it.

There is a rest stop with at one of the tunnel entrances so I pulled in to grab a picture of the bridge just disappearing! You can see the bridge coming back in the background. Pretty cool!

When heading back on the Southbound bridge, a dolphin jumped from the water twice right next to where I was riding. I'm thinking he approves of my new pipes!

Al is on the way to pick up his bike. It was a simple fix (crank position sensor). We are heading out of Chesapeake on Friday morning for more fun and adventures!