John & Nancy in the house.

[John Schmidt]

Arrived home at 1:30pm today...Sunday. We take our time, did about 350 miles/day Friday and Saturday. Closed it out with 180 today. Stopped in Vandalia, IL to visit my daughter then back on the road the next morning. I usually visit one of my daughter's graves when in that area but not this time. The second grave is about 45 miles NW of hers but didn't visit that one either. Kinda tugs at your heart for a time. I missed my turn when circling Decatur, IL on the bypass, ended up going about 80 miles out of my way. Really got to me cuz I've been making that run for quite a few years and have never done that after dozens of trips through that area. Oh well...stuff happens!

Had an interesting thing happen last night after checking in at a Holiday Inn Express. First, I don't feel any smarter today! Currently, I have a handicap hanger for the rearview mirror, acquired due to a left hip issue which I'm hoping can be taken care of before long. I use it sparingly, only on days when things are really biting me in the butt. Last night was one of those times I really needed to use it but when we pulled back in after going out for dinner, the last handicap space was taken by a white Mercedes from Texas. It was backed in, no handicap license plate or card hanging from the mirror. The front desk said they don't monitor the parking lot, I suggested they might want to in the future since it caused me to have to walk an extra 40 yards to the entrance. I asked if they cared if I called the non-emergency phone number of the local constabulary...to which the gal on the desk gave me their number. I called, the lady that took my call said she would have someone come and check it out, then asked me about my reason for calling...was it personal. I said yes, then explained about caring for Rita for many years and so many times being cheated out of a handicap spot. Her attitude changed immediately, 15 minutes later a squad car pulled in and the cop did not look pleased after checking out the car. The result...he got on his computer and apparently found the owner's name cuz I watched him write out a $250 present. I spoke to the gal at the front desk this morning, she said the  person wasn't pleased, said people should mind their own business. Then claimed whomever called about it cost him an extra $250, the front desk told him no...that HE cost himself and extra $250 for feeling he was entitled.

On the way east on hiway 62 we were running close to a black pickup pulling a trailer with an orange/black Valkyrie on it. I tried to get close enough so Nancy could hold up the Old Farts Award against the window but it never happened. We did have a great time this past week even though we left the trike behind. The weather was perfect, a little warm at times which made us a bit uncomfortable due to a malfunctioning a/c. It was replaced once, worked for a couple days then something internally caused problems. You could hear the compressor come on and the fan running, but nothing came out so from the outside it appeared a part dropped down and blocked the output. We spent the last night there without bothering to call about it. I did report it when we checked out, plus I suggested they clean the carpet. It was literally black...as were the bottoms of both my feet after walking around on it for five minutes. Judging by the comment at the front desk, chances of the carpet being addressed are somewhere between slim and none.

Re. the Oldest Rider Award, as most of you know by now...my collection is growing. By the time I hit 90 in 2028 I'll have enough to decorate one wall of the bathroom. To the staff, Nanners and I give a heartfelt thanks for a good time amongst some good friends this past week. Here's hoping we can continue attending this event for as long as the staff prepares for it.

[Oss]

Bonnie and I really enjoyed our time talking with you and Nancy and hearing both versions of your "How we met" story

Hope to share more good times down the road

[old2soon]

     John wuz Good seeing you and Nancy again! The motel maint replaced the A/C unit in the room I occupied and it were much colder output than the one it replaced.
    John I have the mirror dangly in my cage. I don't Always use it but hot humid days are not fun atall! I have the disabled tag on the 12 trike and also had one on the 99 I/S. I've had folks demand to know what my disability is ridin a M/C! And ALL the time I,m standin in front of them canula in my nose holdin my O2 tank.  And I say with as much sarcasm as I can muster-see iffin ya can figure out the WHY of me havin a disabled tag on My M/C! Glad You 2 is in da house!    RIDE SAFE.

[Serk]

Glad to have spent a little time with ya'll and glad ya'll made it home safely...

I kept waiting for someone to challenge me parking in handicap when I had 4 drains hanging out of my gut, was almost hoping someone would so I could lift my shirt and let 'em see but alas... no one ever did...