The Dawg is home safe n sound... Left out from Chilli n Timbrs, thinkin I found a 'gap' in the rain... Well, like TP said, Black Dog was a very 'Wet' Dog. Got 10 minutes out, and all hell broke loose... Pouring rain, pea sized hail, and a cold wind. That lasted for 70 miles, but the saving grace was that things cleared up, just south of the Mighty Mac. The bridge crossing was dry, but windy. Once in the UP, gassed up, and let my hosts know I made it that far (they know how much I 'pucker up' when having to cross the Mac, in anything but perfect weather).
Very cool (low 50's), for the 200 miles across the UP, and warm enough to ditch the jacket, once in Wisconsin. The last 200 miles were a push and a blurr... Walked in the door about 8:10 local time.
Like others have said, the weekend couldn't have been better. The food, both local resturants and especially the 'Q', were outstanding
There was more good eats than you could shake a stick at! By late afternoon, the look of content faces, and full bellys, was everywhere. Dave and Faith go all out and leave nothing undone. Dave was worried about the weather, but it was perfect! Rain just 50 miles to the south, but perfect temps, and just enough sun, made for a very comfortable day.
Not to take anything away from all the hard work of our hosts, but the Q just wouldn't be the Q, without all the special folks that spent the afternoon (and evening) renewing old friendships, telling lies, laughing, and just making this ol' Dawg proud to call them all friends. Strider rode all the way from LA, in two days, on a 400 lb supository (get that new seat dude), and was a sight for sore eyes (best 'Bro hug' ever)... Fudgie and Kit, putting in Kit's longest trip to date, on her own bike (
)... TP and Nancy, roughing it with having to put up with all the hardships of flying from MN to MI (
)... And all the good folks from all over thr great state of MI!
I am tired... A good tired... 1000 mile round trip tired... But this was just what I needed to feel alive, to feel part of a wonderful family, to feel like we did the very best kick-off of the summer one could ever imagine. To Faith, Dave, Warren, Tom, Nancy, Brian, Kit, Bill, and every one that showed up, thanks for a 'LARGE TIME'
Time for bed
Black Dog
