John & Nancy(Nanners) in the house.

[John Schmidt]

I got up Friday morning feeling a bit under the weather so we decided to stay one more night and leave Saturday. We decided to head to central Illinois to visit my daughter, lives about 80 miles east of St. Louis just off I-70. Took our time, checking out a few rabbit trails along the way. One nice thing about our lifestyle when it comes to travel; no kids, no pets, no job, no responsibilities...except to ourselves. We spent 1.5 days with my daughter then headed home, arriving this afternoon.

It was a great rally, met some new friends and reconnected with some old. My major drawback happened to be my left hip, kinda like driving a white hot spike through it so I've been told that's one of the first things on a "to do" list. As we drove through Illinois, I spotted Circle H Western Store I've passed numerous times in the past but never stopped. We stopped this time for a break, that break cost me $301 for a new pair of Ariat boots and jeans. Interstate rest stops don't cost near as much. I'll probably wait until I undergo hip repair before doing any boot-scootin'. I used to be fairly good at it, but that applies to a lot of things in life now. 

It's good to be home, even if the fridge is empty. At least I can shower & shave in my own bathroom and sleep in my own bed. Can't wait until next year!

[Jess from VA]

John, if those boots have tall heels that's not going to make your hip very happy (I predict).

I have two beautiful pair of western boots (high heel and medium heel), and I haven't worn them for many years because they kill my old feet (and I'm afraid of twisting an ankle).   

And to think I used to go dancing in those things. 

[TJ]

  Glad you had a good trip old timer....
now get that hip fixed....

[John Schmidt]

 Glad you had a good trip old timer....
now get that hip fixed....

Guess it's time to jack my ass up and run a new body in there. Nancy's getting her carpal tunnel fixed in the near future using a new procedure that doesn't involve an incision from the palm to the wrist. No stiches on either of two small incisions(one in the palm and one in the wrist) , possibly a drop of glue and a bandaid for a couple days. Almost immediate pain relief and full function returns over the next few weeks. The degree of function depends on the level of loss prior to the procedure, and how long it's been going on. Nancy's fingers on both hands are numb, more on the right so will be done first. Our neighbor had the same procedure and he was thrilled with the success. If I can handle it, I want to wait until she has that done before I go in for new ball joint suspension.

[Serk]

It was good to see ya'll! KK and I have at least 2 more nights on the road. Loving this trip, but looking forward to a real shower and sleep in my own bed at this point...

[HayHauler]

John it was great seeing you again and meeting Nancy after the dinner Thu. night.  Good luck on the Goldwing motor installation.  From the pictures you showed me, you have the reverse lever figured out!

Take care and ride safe.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[John Schmidt]

It was good to see ya'll! KK and I have at least 2 more nights on the road. Loving this trip, but looking forward to a real shower and sleep in my own bed at this point...

Same with us, Nancy was amused with KK's antics during the raffles. Hard to believe the tripletts are the size and age they are, I recall when you first announced their arrival. Did you guys go up into Canada and across, if so...any problem at the crossings to and from?  Those will be trips the kids will always remember...just them and dad. Great work!

Hope to see you next year.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jimmy, it's always good to meet up with old friends. Not sure how soon I'll get the trike conversion done, I'm really having trouble with the left hip and it really started to bite on the way home. If I can do some small stuff on the project without having to crawl around on the floor it will at least keep the mind and hands occupied. I'm to the point of mounting the carbs but have some things I want to do beforehand, always easier working in that area without having to work around the carbs or airbox. I'll post as things are completed.

[HayHauler]

It was good to see ya'll! KK and I have at least 2 more nights on the road. Loving this trip, but looking forward to a real shower and sleep in my own bed at this point...

Same with us, Nancy was amused with KK's antics during the raffles. Hard to believe the tripletts are the size and age they are, I recall when you first announced their arrival. Did you guys go up into Canada and across, if so...any problem at the crossings to and from?  Those will be trips the kids will always remember...just them and dad. Great work!

Hope to see you next year.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jimmy, it's always good to meet up with old friends. Not sure how soon I'll get the trike conversion done, I'm really having trouble with the left hip and it really started to bite on the way home. If I can do some small stuff on the project without having to crawl around on the floor it will at least keep the mind and hands occupied. I'm to the point of mounting the carbs but have some things I want to do beforehand, always easier working in that area without having to work around the carbs or airbox. I'll post as things are completed.

Thanks for the update.

Hay 
Jimmyt