Maine 2015
  
 

Day 02

July 28

  
   
 

I get up early so I can do a quick install of my new TPMS system. It doesn't take long as it is just replace the tire valve caps and put the monitoring 'head' into a see-through pocket I have. I do check the caps with soapy water as the suggest to see if there are any leaks. By then Fali and Charlie are up, so we wander back over to the Shoney's to partake of their hen fruit and pig meat offering.

  
   
  With our contribution to our cholesterol counts firmly in place, we head back to the motel and finish our last minute packing. As we talked about at breakfast, today will be a long day - we've got 740+ miles to cover. Fortunately the fog is out so the riding temps are right nice for me.  
   
  Mr. Fog stays with us for a surprisingly long time, but finally Mr. Sun starts to burn it off slowly but surely.  
   
  We're back and forth as who takes the lead since we're all headed to the same place and it will be a long day in the saddle for sure.  
   
 

I filled up last night as is my usual practice, but for some reason I am burning through the fuel like crazy. At Mount Crawford, Virginia we pull into a 7-Eleven as I am low. Then comes the 'duh' moment - I've been running on full choke since I left Wytheville. Fali says -

"Well, it smelled like you were running a little rich when I was behind you."

"Well, with the choke on, I'm sure I was" I answer.

 
   
  With our tanks full and our anatomies emptied, we are back out on the 'trucker's trail'. Since this is the main artery that runs from the Southeast to the Northeast, a lot of freight runs up and down this interstate.  
   
  But at least it does take a feller past some mighty pretty homesteads.  
   
  At our next gas stop, a kindly lady volunteers to test my camera lens. Fortunately it passes, but I do have another one in the saddlebag just in case.  
   
  Construction zones will be a frequent occurrence on this trip.  
   
  When we get back into the 'open', I manage to pull off an over the shoulder shot of Fali and Charlie. These are usually more 'good luck' than skill and this time I have some 'good luck'.  
   
  Too soon, we get into another construction zone. With the usual 'contest' for the latest merge opportunity by the cars, every man fends for himself.  
   
  When I see this sign, I am wondering if maybe the GPS has steered me wrong ....  
   
  And again, we hit another construction zone. It seems a good portion of I81 is under construction and I have to think it has a lot to do with the heavy freight traffic that uses it.  
   
  Soon we are across a bridge and into another state. On I81 you make quick work of several states - West Virginia, Maryland, then into Pennsylvania.  
   
  Then we hook a right on I84 across New York then into Connecticut.  
   
  And once again, we encounter the lovely construction zone blues.  
   
  At least past Hartford, we get to leave the slab behind and run on Highway 6 for a while.  
   
  It takes quickly across Rhode Island and into Massachusetts where we will be holing up for the evening.  
   
  I was not real comfortable that this Motel 6 had any restaurants within walking distance, but I figured we could sort that out if need be.  
   
  As it turns out, there is one of sorts right across the parking lot, so it is our destination for supper.  
   
  Fali and I decide to get their chowder and Charlie goes for their salad. Contrary to the opulent statements in the menu, I've had better chowder out of a Walmart can. And we often check our server's pulse to make sure she is still alive. However, it is inexpensive, it is filling and it is close so it does us in a pinch. I have some ideas for breakfast that I will check out early in the morning, but for now my eyelids are in bad need of closing and being checked for holes. When I get back to my room, I get busy about that important task.