After 300 miles I’m kicking back here at the Super 8 in North Las Vegas, just across the street from Nellis AFB.  The ride here was pretty windy for a while: not white knuckle wind but enough to pick the sand up and make things interesting a couple times.  Anyway, no problems and having a GREAT time.

Tomorrow should take me just into Idaho.  I’m hoping to stay somewhere near Montpelier.  It’s in the far southeast corner of the state.  Should be a nice ride since I’ll be off the beaten path from now on.  Today was about 75% freeway but I really try to travel on lesser roads on my motorcycle.  Not because I’m afraid of the freeways but because things just go by far to fast at 80 mph.

Time for my beauty sleep.  TTYL                              Lenny/Patrick

Mom: Happy Mother’s Day

COLD but beautiful scenery.

The temp was just fine this morning when I was Leaving Las Vegas (wasn’t that the WORST movie you’ve ever seen).  About 175 miles north of Vegas I had the winter gloves out.  That wasn’t doing the trick so 30 miles down the road I plugged them in, they’re electric, WONDERFUL invention.  That was good enough until a little after 5:00 this evening, just south of Salt Lake City.  That’s where I had to stop and put the down liner in my jacket.  When I bought that jacket I was positive I was never going to have to use that lining – sure was glad to have it today!!  I think it was only in the high to mid 40’s but I was FREEZING.  All better now though and tomorrow I will start out with everything I finished with today and will be adding long johns to the mix.

OK, enough of my crying about the temp.  I got a bit of a late start this morning.  Partially due to the fact that I decided to wait for my wake up call (that never came) instead of getting up to set the alarm, then I went to breakfast.The big thing that backed me up though was that after I was 15 miles down the road I had to go back to the hotel room.  I’d left the power cord to my computer behind (I know….not a big surprise to some of you that I left something behind).  Anyway, I didn’t make it to Montpelier, Idaho but I’m only 70 miles away.  I might have made it but just outside Alamo, Nevada I got a very serious warning from a Nevada State Trooper on the speed limit.  I agreed with him and decided that I would enjoy the trip more if I backed off just a little.  So – Logan Utah is my home for the evening and probably part of the morning too.  The low here tonight is going to be 30.  The road out of here goes straight up into the mountains and if ti’s that cold here it’ll be even worse up there.

I think I might sleep in a little tomorrow – maybe out of here by 8:30.

If you haven’t seen the Rocky Mountains you owe it to yourself to plan a trip.  Until today I had only seen the southern end of the range but riding within sight of them for most of the day…. well, it was truly awesome.  I do have pictures but I’m sure they don’t convey the majesty.  The sight of those snow covered mountains might have made it seem colder than it actually was, nah – it was just cold.

That brings you up to date.  Tomorrow I hope to go from here through the southeast corner of Idaho, to Yellowstone; out the northern border of Yellowstone into Montana, then back down to Cody, Wyoming.  But that might have to be adjusted.

Talk to Y’all Later                 Patrick/Lenny

Lester: You would have turned back (I almost did and I have a fairing to hide behind)
Scooter: did you get my sticks yet?
PTC: Hi girls, I love you too.
Dad: Fishing/Golf well……how did you do?
Laura: I’ll buy that car for you (April Fools – just a little late)

400 miles and still COLD.

Yesterday I took a picture of the snow covered mountains, today I rode up amongst ’em.  I started out this morning at 8:30 and the temp in Logan was 31°.  The 70 miles to Montpelier took me over a mountain range pass that had to be 20° at the most!!  However, I was ready (as ready as I could be) for it today.  The temp in Montpelier at 10:30 was 33°.  I would guess the rest of the ride was somewhere between 20° and 45°.  If I didn’t have my electric gloves I would have turned back LONG ago.  My hands were still a little cold even with the gloves.  They probably didn’t plan on anyone riding a motorcycle at 70 mph in 20° weather.  Maybe I should have gotten some snowmobile electric gloves (if they make such a thing).

I did make it to Cody, Wyoming today but I had to take a little different route.  The road I planned to take through Yellowstone into Montana was still closed.  That was a good thing though because the road that I planned to take from Montana back to Cody is still closed too (296 for you Glenn) so that kinda worked out.  I got lots of “looks” today.  The gas station attendant in Yellowstone was so obvious that I said, “Guess you don’t get many bikes up here this time of year.”  He told me that I was the first one he’d seen this year.

The scenery up here is remarkable.  It’s like being on top of the world – with snow all around.  I really like the mountains and even though it’s a little uncomfortable right now, I’m sure I’ll be missing it when I’m riding across the endless great plains.  Of course, that will be warmer…………

I didn’t spend that much time in Yellowstone; the main reason wasn’t the temp either.  It was because everything is still covered in snow.  I need to do a little better research for these trips.  Another reason I had to get out of Yellowstone was because it started snowing!!  Light at first, but it got bad enough later that visibility was pretty bad in a few places.  Then, about 40 miles from Cody, after the snow quit and I was feeling pretty good about the last hour of my trip, the pavement ended.  Traveling 25 miles through the mountains on a lousy dirt road was enough work that I wasn’t cold anymore (or at least it wasn’t on my mind).

Doesn’t look like tomorrow is going to be a break from the cold weather either.  Supposed to be around 25 or so for the low here in Cody and won’t be warming up until mid morning.  Tomorrow’s planned route, for those of you who are following along, will be Cody, Greybull, Worland, Buffalo, Gillette, Newcastle, Mt. Rushmore, Rapid City.

Might be too busy to send an update tomorrow, but Tuesday for sure.

Bed time.                          Patrick/Lenny

Kathleen: Sorry no Colorado on this trip.  Next time you’re in CA though, look me up and I’ll take you for a little ride around the block – I’d enjoy that.
Scooter: Thanks for getting the sticks, & don’t forget to take my suit to the cleaners.
Glenn: Keep working on that game.  You’re going to have to carry the team in GA.
Chuck & Diana: Tell the kids I say Howdy.
Diane: You’re on the list & I still don’t have your AOL IM name (not that I would ever see you on line)

I can’t believe it’s been four days since I left.  Today was a GREAT day.  I started out at 7:00 and although it was cold it didn’t seem all that bad.  I’d say it was probably in the mid 30’s.  After 100 miles I had to make the eastern turn and go up over the last mountain range I have to cross.  The road up and down the mountains was lots of fun oon the bike.  Reminded me of some of my favorite mountain roads in California.  There was quite a bit of snow up there and it was very cold up at the top (9666 ft) but now, I’m LAUGHING at the cold!! That was over very quickly and by the time I got to ~name of city~ it was warm enough that I unplugged my gloves.  I thought I could make it to the next town before I had to get out of my winter clothes but I didn’t.  I stopped at Crazy Woman Creek, took a picture so all of you ATC types would know where the VOR got it’s name, and got set up for warmer weather.

When I stopped in Gillete I was almost two hours ahead of where I needed to be so I was thinking about where else I could go.  I decided on Devil’s Tower.  And, since I was going there I figured I would just go the additional 35 or so miles and ride into Montana.  I was pretty bummed out yesterday when the road I wanted to take out of Yellowstone was closed.  I wanted to add Montana to the states I’ve been in and that plan was ruined.  Well, no more – I went to Alzada, Montana today.  I bought gas and a soda and hit the road into South Dakota.  Still a bit ahead of things I thought I’d stop by the H/D dealer in Sturgis.  No big deal there, I’ve seen better shops & stuff in California.  Then it was off to Deadwood but I had to backtrack 17 miles on the freeway because the direct route was closed.  A very nice ride through the Black Hills and the back way into Rapid City.  I should have taken a picture or two but I didn’t.  Y’all just have to take my word for this one.

I’ve always said that before I spend a bunch of time visiting other countries, I want to spend some time seeing mine.  These motorcycle rides I’ve been taking only strengthen my opinion.  Every few miles there is something I would like to stop and spend some time looking at (there’s that sentence ended with a preposition again – if I’m not careful I’ll have an English lesson when I get home).

As I said, today was a great day.  No real hurdles except for the cold at the top of the mountain and even that wasn’t bad because it was over with so quickly.  Every single mile was enjoyable for some reason or another.  I doubt that I will have many more days like this one.  And, it sure was nice to be able to get out of all that extra clothing.  I was glad to have it but I’m happy to be through with all the winter stuff.  From the looks of the Weather Channel I may have to start wearing my rain suit pretty quick.  Not looking forward to riding in the rain.

Tomorrow I’m thinking Mt. Rushmore then back to Hwy 90 to Wall, then 14 east to somewhere south.  Where I decide to to go south depends on where the rain is.  And, out here there are so many options for roads that I just can’t decide.

It’s getting to be be that time.  Take Care                      Patrick/Lenny

625 miles down the road and I’m in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  The trip here was a little long but I had a great time.  I did end up with a couple exciting moments that I’ll tell you about later.  The bike is running along just fine and like me can’t wait for the next day’s journey.

I had planned to take a more northerly route but the rain forced me south.  When I left Rapid City this morning it was looking like rain but still wasn’t raining.  That is until I got around the corner from my brother & sister-in-law’s house.  It was just sprinkling a little so no big deal.  I headed for Mt. Rushmore which is about 25 miles away.  By the  time I was 5 miles down the road it started to rain.  It was a little cool too & I could have used my winter gear but I didn’t want to haul out my jacket liner and install it in the rain and I didn’t want to get the gloves wet so I just toughed it out.  I knew I would eventually be heading south and it wasn’t supposed to be raining there.

Stopped at Mt. Rushmore to take a couple pictures from just outside the parking lot (they charge you to park) and hit the road.  Besides, it was still raining and I didn’t want to stand around and get wet.  It rained almost all the way to Nebraska (50 miles or so) but the road and the countryside were nice……UNTIL.  I was going around a bend on this mountain road and there was a cattle guard in front of me.  Now, when you’re in a car that wouldn’t matter too much but on a bike……  The front tire hit the wet metal bars of the guard and it might as well have been ice.  It’s probably a good thing there wasn’t a cattle guard sign because I would have slowed down and the extra time on the wet metal would have been a tragedy.  As it was, the front tire slid 6 or 8 inches I would guess, then the back tire did the same.  I almost had a laundry problem, but it was over so fast that I just looked up to the heavens, and said Thank You!! and went on down the road.

I had to trade the rain in on wind which was OK with me, I’ll always make that trade.  The wind blew 90% of the rest of the day.  On the Weather Channel they were saying it would be in the 20 to 30 mph range and I can verify that!  It was a cross wind for me from the south (right) which was OK too because when the 18 wheelers passed going the other way I didn’t have to worry about them blocking the wind for a second, me making the correction to keep from changing lanes, then flipping back (I’ve done that before and it is NOT fun).  The wind wasn’t that bad though and made what would have otherwise been a boring straight road ride (I’d rather be making turns) “interesting.”  The countryside was still worth the trip on the flat roads.

I was close enough to Shirley’s home town that I decided to stop and have a look (that’s Hemmingford, Nebraska for those of you following along).  Gassed up there and headed southeast.  I thought 2 would be a good route because AAA had it marked with the dots that mean it is a scenic road.  Well, it’s a little scenic but after 50 miles it was the same scenery.  Rolling hills, most cattle country with nary a house or tree in sight.  And, the road was less than smooth, which after ‘while takes a toll on the old backside, not to mention the hands and wrists.  Then the second “interesting” moment of the trip happened.  I was rounding the corner (one of the few corners) and there, coming across the road was a large tumble weed (nothing like the ones outside Al’s house though).  I had no choice but to take it in the side.  Had to stop immediately and pick what was left out of my jacket and helmet OUCH.  I had planned to stay on 2 until Grand Island but when I stopped in Broken Bow for gas I took a look at the map and decided to take 92 into Iowa.

The decision to take 92 was the best decision of the day (other than the one to get away from the rain).  What a nice road.  In contrast with 2, 92 is mostly farms with houses close to the roads.  There are farms there because the ground is fertile enough to grow stuff and there are trees and green grass everywhere.  Lots of trees line the road, planted mostly (I think) as wind breaks by the farmers.  And when you get close to a valley where the rivers run it’s even prettier.  GOOD ROAD.  I messed up a little when I came into Omaha.  I saw a sign that said Omaha via Duncan St. (I think that was the name) and took it.  That took me through down town, which was OK, but down town Omaha ain’t nuthin special.  I just stayed on that road and it took me across the Missouri River and found a room for the night.

I still haven’t taken a look at the map to see where I’m going tomorrow.  The weather channel is going to have a lot to say about the route.  I might have to leave here early to stay ahead of the rain.

They say you can tell a happy motorcycle rider by the bugs in his teeth.  Well, I have a windshield to keep the bugs away, but if I didn’t – I’d either have to stop every 50 miles to brush my teeth, or just chew ’em up. (Sorry for the gross ending Shirley)

That’s about it from here.  Keep in touch folks, I like getting your Emails.

Until tomorrow                    Patrick/Lenny

Robin: No matter how cold it is, no matter how much the wind blows, and no matter how hard it rains, I will be having a GREAT time.  Enjoy your cruise & tell Wanda Hi for me.
Scooter: Glad to hear about your sand game, what about my suit
Kimberly: I do feel bad about making the on preposition, and I want you to know that you didn’t have to feel bad about “mis-spelled” because it is one of the most often misspelled words in the English language, but now you know the right way to spell it.

515 more miles in the books and I’m cooling my heels here in St. Louis, Missouri.  Buy you have to say Mis-oo-ra or everyone knows ya ain’t from ’round these parts.

I got up early this morning but it was raining and I figured I would sleep in a little more and ride in the rain later.  I had a nice breakfast and didn’t get on the road until 10:30 or so.  It was raining a little when I left and the skies were very dark to the west.   Things started to lighten up the farther east I went and I was out of the rain in less than an hour.

The route for today was 6 east from Council Bluffs to 59 south.  From there I took 34 east into Illinois.  Then the road of choice was 67 south into St. Louis.  It was looking like it would start raining any time most of the way but it didn’t, and still isn’t yet (my fingers are crossed).  I’m less than 600 miles from Atlanta (my finishing point) but that’s via freeways and I’m not going that way.

The ride today was pretty straight up and down as far as the bike goes (no turns) but it was very interesting going by all the farms and stuff along the way.  Most of the corn fields are stubble but some have been plowed under and fertilizer added P.U.  I think I already told you that I was not looking forward to riding through the Great Plains but it’s been rather enjoyable.  I think that if I were on the freeway I wouldn’t like it as well though, even though I would be making better time.  The speed limit on the secondary roads is mostly 55 and you have to go through all the little towns and slow down for that.  But I don’t mind, and am still enjoying every minute of the trip.  Still don’t know what route I’ll take tomorrow.

It’s getting late and I need to get to bed so I’m going to send this and hit the rack.

Take Care Everyone                     Patrick/Lenny

Kenny & Jo: Thanks again for putting me up the other night.  Next time I’ll be able to stay longer.
Murry: Tell Mom & Dad that I’m not going to be able to make it this trip.
Mikey: You polish up your skills and maybe on the way back we’ll be able to ride together for a little while.  I’ll get back to you with a date.
Uncle Jackie: I didn’t know you sold your Wing.  Too many toys?  And by the way, your E-Mail looks just fine.  Keep typing – you’ll get better.
Diane: Congrats on getting back in front of the computer.   Look for me again at the IM.
Don: I’m sure Gwynlin is a very nice girl but she will have to wait like Murry’s mom and dad.  Your suggestion that I go to Custer’s battle field reminds me of a joke (what doesn’t remind ME of a joke).  So, with apologies to my mother and everyone else:

This rich history buff buys some land and wants to build a house overlooking the Montana countryside where Custer made his last stand.  After the house was built, he commissioned an artist to paint a mural on the wall in the room with a view of the battlefield.  He explained to the artist that he was going out of town for a couple weeks and when he came back he wanted to see the artist’s interpretation of what Custer saw when he arrived with the troops on that fatal day.  When the mane came back, he looked at the wall and saw a large cow with a halo and hundreds of braves and squaws in various stages of making love.  The man was furious and said, “This isn’t what I told you to paint!!”  The artist replied, “It’s exactly what you told me to paint.  I call it – – – – Holy cow, look at all those fucking Indians.”

325 miles down the road and I’m drying off in Memphis, Tennessee.  (I was going to say drying out – but then you might have thought I quit drinking).

This morning when I wanted to get started it was raining again.  I turned on the Weather Channel (my most often watched TV station on this trip) and saw that my little area of rain looked like it would be over in an hour or so and it was clear for a little while behind that.  Then it was going to be UGLY.

My plan for today was the same as it’s been since I left Rapid City – stay out in front of the developing thunderstorms.  I had been pretty successful so far and I figured I could do it again so I waited for the first storm to pass then headed out.  The oncoming storm was close and always very dark just west of where I’d come from but I didn’t get a drop of rain, until……. about an hour outside of Memphis.  I could see that I was going to have to go through an area of rain (and some lightning) but it didn’t look like it would last very long and that DARK stuff was still coming so I decided to ride through it.  It wasn’t bad to start with but after about 10 minutes the bottom fell out and I was WET.  There was no place to hide but I almost pulled over anyway because it was getting a little tough to see.  After about 5 miles it lightened up a little and 15 minutes after that, it was over.  The next 30 minutes into Memphis wasn’t enough time to dry everything off (almost though).

I needed to get into a hotel right away for a couple reasons.  First was that this weeks NASCAR race was due to start at 6:30 (local time).  Second was the sky behind me – still VERY dark and the weather reports on the radio were saying severe thunderstorms and I didn’t want any part of that.

I found a hotel right away and even had time to run across the street for a pizza before the race and the rain started.  I don’t think Mr. Earnhardt can win but he didn’t even run fast enough in qualifying to make “the show” and had to take the past champion’s provisional spot.  He started 37th and is currently in 5th with 70 laps to go.  But, it’s a 3/4 mile track so 70 laps go pretty quick.

Other than getting wet today (and that was really no big deal) this portion of the trip was just as nice as the others.  Before I left St. Louis I went to the “arch” and took a picture (it was too dark when I got in last night).  I hope it turns out because it looked like it could be a good picture.  I’ve taken several pictures on this ride and if they turn out – most of them should be good shots.  Anyway, I took 67 out of St. Louis, through the Mark Twain National Forest and into Arkansas.  Then I picked up 63 into Memphis.  Tomorrow I’ll take 64 into Chattanooga, Tennessee and depending on when I get there, I’ll either just take the freeway into Atlanta or find another secondary road.  I might even make a loop into the Carolinas.

Well, the race is over (Earnhardt finished 8th) and I need to take a shower and get to bed.  I have a little over 500 miles to cover tomorrow and I’m planning on getting an early start (weather permitting).

Until Tomorrow                   Patrick/Lenny

3,796 miles door to door and I’m here in Atlanta, GA.  I wish the trip home was going to be like the trip out here but the trip home is going to be one of those, fast as you can go on the freeway kinda deals.

I left Memphis fairly early this morning but I took it really easy.  Everyone has been after me to stop here or there on the trip but I really haven’t stopped anywhere.  The one place I did decide to stop was today in Lynchburg, Tennessee.  Now, some of you already know why I stopped there, but for those of you that don’t – that’s where the Jack Daniel’s distillery is.  I took the tour of the distillery and it was very interesting.  I’m sure that any of these places y’all told me to go would have been as good or better.  The only reason I stopped today was because I was running a little ahead of time and it was there…..what can I say.  Anyway, one fo the interesting facts I found out is that the amount of Jack Daniels products consumed in a 12 month period is approximately 8.5 MILLION GALLONS.  Now I want to go to the Jose Cuervo distillery – watch ’em cooking up all that cactus.  Anyway, no worries because it’s not like the tour of a winery.  No tasting – in fact they can’t sell ANYTHING at the distillery – not even a key chain.  And – Lynchburg is in a dry county – And even if it weren’t a dry county, you can’t buy alcohol on Sunday in the state of Tennessee no matter what.

The trip today took me north of Memphis on 40 to 64.  I planned to stay on 64 until Chattanooga but when I saw the sign to Lynchburg and the opportunity to tour the distillery, I thought that would be a good time to stretch my legs (and various other body parts).  I took 55 east out of Lynchburg to Tullahoma then 41 south back to 64.  I had a route planned that would keep me on secondary roads all the way in to Atlanta but when I called from Tullahoma I found out that there was a little girl (she would be mad at me for saying that because she’s almost 13 years old now) that said she would wait until I got there to have her dinner.  That meant that I would have to get to Atlanta ASAP – I hate going to Blimpy’s alone.  The last 150 miles or so of the trip were MUCH different from the first 3,600 miles; but it was good preparation fro the return trip.

One thing I did notice on the trip yesterday and today is that the fields are already planted out here.  Did you know that they grow rice in Arkansas?  I recognized the wheat and corn and the other stuff I couldn’t figure out – I thought were soy beans (and I was right).  But I couldn’t figure out what the other stuff was.  I had a hunch it was rice but I didn’t kave any idea they grew it in Arkansas.  Very interesting stuff…….

This was the best weather day of the trip.  In fact I had to take off my leather jacket just outside Memphis because it was just too warm with it on.  A little strange considering that when I started I couldn’t get warm and at the end of the trip I was too warm.

I sure have enjoyed having all of you on the trip with me and if I take a computer with me when I take the bike back to CA I’ll take you with me on that ride too.  But, like I said, that ride is going to be freeway all the way.  What concerns me a little about that ride is that I won’t be able to out run the weather.  Since the weather systems travel from west to east, I’ll either have to ride through it or stop somewhere and wait it out.  Since I don’t have a lot of time to waste on the way back, I’ll probably just ride through it.  Maybe I can find a 24 hour phone number for the Weather Channel.

Anyway – I’ve had problems with my computer (this is about the third time I’ve written this DAMN letter).  It’s time for me to get to bed.  Big Pink Towel Match tomorrow.

Take Care Everyone                          Love, Patrick/Lenny

Hi Everyone –

After 6,199 miles, my 1999 motorcycle trip is in the books.  As most of you know, I had to leave my bike in Atlanta a few weeks ago and fly back to California because I had to get back to work.  After a couple weeks I flew back to Atlanta and rode my bike home.  I wasn’t able to send daily updates on the trip back but thought I would send you a brief (yea right) description of my return trip.

I planned to take it easy on the way back.  Figured I’d travel about 500 miles a day.  So much for that planning…..  I left Atlanta on Tuesday morning at 5:30.  I really didn’t know where I was going to stay that night.  I just figured I would ride until I got tired then find a hotel.  That ended up being 975 (yea that’s right) miles down the road in Abilene, Texas.  I was suprised that I felt that good for that long but I did.  I was certainly ready to get off in Abilene though.  It was not a boring trip either.  I didn’t really stop anywhere on the way but the countryside was interesting and I had a good time.  I did see something in Texas that took me back to my days in the Air Force.  I stopped in a rest area about an hour east of Abilene and was standing around by the parking lot before getting back on the bike when I saw a tarantula walking down the sidewalk.  We used to see them all the time in and around Del Rio; even caught a few in paper bags.  I cost myself a good laugh when I pointed out the little guy to a lady that was walking away from the bathroom building and not paying attention to what was going on around her.  She was probably 6 feet from the spider when I got her attention and about 3 feet away when she stopped walking.  She went back 6 or 8 feet right away and wouldn’t come down the sidewalk until her husband came out and escorted her past the KILLER SPIDER.  I kinda chuckled when I thought of what she might have done had she been on top of that tarantula before she noticed it.

In the Abilene Holiday Inn I checked the map and saw that I could ride from there to Phoenix and it still wouldn’t be as far as I had gone on the Atlanta – Abilene trip.  I got a good nights sleep and was on the road again the next morning at 5:30.

The plan for the next day was to spend the night in Willcox, AZ or Phoenix.  On the way into El Paso I saw a billboard advertising the biggest Harley Davidson dealer in the United States.  Now some of you might not know it but I’m thinking about getting a second bike somewhere in the next year or so and since it’s going to be a H/D I thought I would stop at Barnett’s Harley Davidson and see what they had.  I spent an hour or so looking around and giving the old “sitter” a rest.  I saw several bikes that I liked but I was just window shopping.  When I got back out to the bike, it didn’t want to start (low battery).  I didn’t know what that was all about but it fired up on what was the last gasp out of the battery.  I didn’t spend a lot of time worrying about it, I just started riding & when I made my gas stops I just left the bike running.  I did have to shut it off a couple times and since I had to push start it by myself, I selected the gas station with that in mind.  I wanted to stop in Willcox and visit my grandfather but when I called they weren’t home and with a wounded motorcycle I figured I’d better get to Phoenix where I could purchase a replacement (Willcox would almost certainly not have it).  The final 200 miles into Phoenix was ridden into a setting sun and it was hot.  I was very happy to get off the bike 917 miles from Abilene, Texas and 400 miles from home.

I stayed in Phoenix at my mom & dad’s, replaced the battery, and visited with the rest of the family for a couple days then started the final leg of my trip.  I stopped on the way to L.A. in the Palm Springs area to visit with some friends then mounted up for the last 175 miles.  I was happy to be getting me and the bike home but a little sad that the trip was going to be over.  That last 175 miles went by so fast, it was like a trip to the store.

I’m already looking forward to my next x-country bike ride but I don’t know yet where I’ll be going (any suggestions?)  I’ll probably be camping out on my next trip instead of staying in hotels so the weather along the route next year will have to be considerably better than it was this year.  And if I do camp out I won’t be taking the computer; you’ll just have to wait until I get back to hear about the trip.

Time for me to get after some of the things that have been going undone around here for the past month and a half or so.  Y’all take care and keep in touch.

Love, Patrick/Lenny