Had a change of direction after leaving Athens.

[John Schmidt]

Found out an old riding friend from Fla. had an accident & was airlifted to the hospital with a head injury among other things...couple broken bones to boot. He doesn't ride anymore, is a year younger than me and in good health otherwise. Felt the need to pay a visit...we're not getting any younger. They're in west NC so is a 450 mile run from Athens. Where to from there...don't know.  For now...my nose is burned & my back has kinks in places I didn't know I had places. Guess I'm not 25 anymore. 

Mitch & Dennis...brakes are doing fine so unless I find a source for the part needed, I'll just fix it when I get back home.

[Farside]

  Wow bad enough to be airlifted. Prayers he continues to improve John. Great seeing you at InZane. You were looking good and the trike too. Be safe out there. 

[Rams]

Where to from there...don't know. 

John,
It was great finally meeting you.   I'm glad you're back "out there".   Be careful, you're starting to sound like DDT.      If you happen to find yourself roaming around in Southern Mississippi.   Give me a shout, we'll do something, even if it ain't right. 

Rams

[Charlie McCready]

John, I really enjoyed breakfast with ya yesterday. Glad you called. Remember where we are when you head back north. Be safe out there !!

[flsix]

Hey John it was good to see you again and glad the brake problem was remedied.
Glad you got to see your buddy. Have a safe ride home.

[John Schmidt]

Had a good visit with my old buddy and wife, I'm a bit concerned though. He's changed some, doesn't seem to be from the accident, his wife even mentioned it to me so glad I took the time to make the run down there. I'm currently headed for Vandalia, IL to check on my daughter that just recently went through a triple by-pass. Haven't decided whether to head toward home or elsewhere after that. It's quite hot and really takes a toll on me, stopping often since I have no timeline to be anywhere.

I have a couple cooling vests with me and stopped by a mountain stream to soak them in the cool water. Wow...was that ever cold but sure felt good. With the heat it was mostly dry within a half hour.

[old2soon]

          You be cursed careful with that heat thing My Friend. Stopping often and lotsa fluids. If yer Not urinating often you Are NOT getting enough fluids. And at the risk of tackiness-the lighter the color the better. Just take care of yerself there John. You more so than me but neither one of us is 50 or even 60 no more. RIDE SAFE.

[John Schmidt]

          You be cursed careful with that heat thing My Friend. Stopping often and lotsa fluids. If yer Not urinating often you Are NOT getting enough fluids. And at the risk of tackiness-the lighter the color the better. Just take care of yerself there John. You more so than me but neither one of us is 50 or even 60 no more. RIDE SAFE.

Yeah...I'm watching it. Not making much time cuz I'm stopping quite often. Got my cooling vests with me which helps but not the whole answer. I keep two large bottles of fluid handy, one to drink and one to dump water on my arms and down my neck. Finding 500 miles is going to take the better part of three days due to heat. I'm ok with the time it takes, don't have any place in particular I have to be. Actually thinking about swinging up through Iowa to stop at J&P Cycles for the brake line I need to fix the front. Their Daytona location is where I got the part a few years back. That would let me swing through Minnesota to visit some family I've not seen in too many years. Hopefully it's cooler as I swing north.