Today can be summed up in one word – RAIN. I left Quail Run and it was drizzling but it quickly turned into rain. With no real destination in mind, I rode north and west toward lighter skies hoping to get out of the rain. I actually DID get out of the rain and was even in the sunshine for a while. So, I pulled in for gas, traded in my rain suit for some sunscreen and crossed my fingers. That – – was wishful thinking. The sun was gone before I got out of the gas station and less than an hour later I was stopping on the side of the road to put my rain gear back on. Now for those of you that think rain gear keeps you dry – it does not. It keeps you dryer and if you’re smart enough to come in out of the rain, dry enough. If however, you are not smart enough to come out of the rain – you will be wet. Needless to say I was wet. I wanted to get into New York today before I got off the bike but I was so “over it” that I promised myself that I was pulling over at the next available place to stay. My boots, despite my best efforts with some rain repellent this morning, are SOAKED.
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| End of the day |
I believe that things happen for a reason and the reason I am at this hotel is that they have an extremely warm laundry room where my stuff can dry out. The manager couldn’t wait for me to get my wet stuff into that room so he could show me how fast it would dry. When he saw my boots he said, “Maybe tomorrow morning…” Ha, ha. Anyhow, I was thrilled that I wasn’t going to have a chance for my stuff to dry out because wet boots are no fun.
The forecast is for some good weather over the next several days. Tomorrow I’m shooting for Maine (just across the border) then start back south. I was contemplating what to do with the rest of my ride, and I think that instead of trying to get 48 states done, I’m going to try to make this bike a 49 state bike (over its lifetime). If I do that I think Oklahoma will be the farthest west state I need to add. I’m going to reflect on my travels with a map and see exactly which states I have to add and will put them on the States tab and cross them off as I go.
I know the feeling of having a 49 state bike, now that I have a 50 stater. If you can’t stay dry at least enjoy it.