Last 4 days Aug. 31

Yes we did make it home.  I have messages and questions about the trip and my neighbors did a great job watching the house.  Here is how the drive home went.  

Friday the ride to the pick up was all uphill but very scotter friendly so there were no problems I did not get lost.  Given my past record a good thing not even a turning mistake.  A couple of time I was afraid I miss something but aways I just worried.  

The pickup also when well there were ready for us and were very friendly.  Loading sucked. Firstly driving scooters up into the truck is very scary.  You go up and have to have a lot of power and then you have to hit the brakes hard.  In addition on the ramp there is no space for feet to be put down so if you start to fall you will fall off for sure.  But no problems.  Tieing the scooters in place took some time but went smoothly.  Then gear had to be tied down.  Now problems.  Dianne's coaching did not help me calm down but finally she said why not get a box.  What a good idea except male ego about the third time  I finally heard her and it worked perfectly.  Down the road we went.  

The route was strange to me side roads and state highways.  Could not figure it out and the truck keep bouncing and learning to drive a big thing and worried about the route was unnerving.  But the GPS was right after an hour we popped out onto interstate and it all made sense but the GPS does not discuss things.  We were well past LA traffic and had no further navigation problems.  

Stopped for a dinner after 4 hours of driving and put in another 2 so just out of California stopped for the night.  Next morning coffee, and off we headed fast as we could.  Stopped for gas more coffee and snack stuff.  Drove into the evening a quick dinner Saturday and drove till 10:30.  The start after dinner was weird.  We had been bouncing in and out of thunderstorms for about 2 hours when we stopped.  During dinner the storm caught up to us.  Power went out and the Love truck stop threw all people out.  We waited about 15 minute rain let up but it still dark.  We decided to start as radar showed we could run out of the storm.  On the ramp I could see the start lines and then a dark section and more lines.  As I am slow sometimes I drove on forward full speed about 1/2 way to the second set of lines I realized there was a lot of water.  My guess was 1.5 feet of water did it splash a good distance but we made the truck coughed once but just chugged through.  About 1/2 hour later rain behind and we kept going.   By the time we stopped my feet hurt and I was going road crazy. 

We were now in Texas on Sunday morning.  Hotel was a Motel Six not great but acceptable.  Next morning up and out like before coffee only and on the road.  Met two Harley Riders at Motel 6 headed same way we were and visited with them.  Turns out they were trying to beat Ida and rain so off they headed for Virginia.  We saw then once at a same gas stations stop we made and twice they passed us on the road.  Drove on with only snacks and one dinner stop till 11:30.  Now Sunday night and 450 miles left.  My compression was pinching my legs and I was sore tried but more awake than the day before.

Monday checked the scooters first thing like every time we stopped and then again at the gas stop.  Like all the checks they were fine tied up and no loose tie downs or problems.  Now my compressions stockings are killing me.  Finally arrive home at 6 pm and open the back and my scooter is on the floor.  No damage but surprising as would have thought I would have heard it fall.  No damage so unloaded the truck.  I will say this easier to drive down the ramp than up.  Put stuff in the house and returned truck.  

So that is the trip.  I will say this it was harder coming home than riding the scooter and scooters were a lot more comfortable.  As with all the adventures trips I have done it was mixed feeling that we finished up.  I love the trip and feeling of adventure and I really enjoyed doing it with Dianne and spending the time with her.  Wish she had navigated instead of me then I would not have made as many mistakes.  Funny never really missed turns on bikes but the scooter moved faster so easier to miss stuff plus I was not tracking miles as I do on bikes.  However I am glad to be home and safe.  Next trip maybe do an out and back skip the U-Haul home.   

Well I guess that is it I want to thank Dianne for coming it was great and I am glad you love me and trust me enough to do this crazy stuff.  I also want to thank all the followers it was pleasure seeing comments and knowing people cared.

Allan and Dianne Roden


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