West 2007
  
 

Day 02

September 13

  
  On a trip like this, I know there are going to be some days that I just have to grind the miles out. It would be nice to have unlimited time to take a more leisurely pace, but that's not the parameters I have to work with it. Today will be tough at 760 miles with mostly interstate – my least favorite type of riding. But if I'm going to be in time for Bill's Birthday Ride in Stockton and do the Sierra Passes before I get there, I've got to be in Cheyenne tonight and Reno tomorrow night – 1700+ miles. Dennis and I both are up early and we leave the house by 5 AM. It's still pretty dark and we have to be on careful Bambi watch.  
 
 
 

As we quietly motor along the gravel roads out to the blacktop, I notice many of the farmers are already up and stirring, getting ready for another hard day in the fields. In single file precision, we make our way to the only place open for breakfast at this time of morning - a local truck stop on highway 400. I've always found that truck stop food can be very good - especially breakfast - and this place does breakfast right. Dennis and I place our orders and pick a table in the almost deserted eating area.

"Well, thanks again for putting me up and taking care of me" I tell Dennis.

"The pleasure is all mine" he responds. He's a true gentleman and I know that he means it.

"By the way, you'll never guess what today is" I tell him.

"What?"

"My fifty-fifth birthday. Do I look any older?" I quiz him.

"Well, not that I can tell" he replies.

Then they make a motion that our breakfast is ready so we go get and commence to enjoy it.

"You know Dennis, you ought to go see C.B. down in Texas. You and him would certainly enjoy each other's company."

They are both way up on my favorite person lists and a real joy to be around.

"I'll just have to do that" he responds and I know I've added another place to his riding agenda.

We finish up and head for the bikes.

"Well, let me test my camera one more time and get your picture" I tell him.

 
 
 
 

"Just remember - the Holler Hotel is always open for you" and I give him a big hug.

Then we're off into our separate paths - me on the road and him off to work. Once again I have been blessed by a special person who has invited me into their life. As I head down highway 400 toward Wichita, I start thinking how strange it will be to celebrate my birthday evening by myself. But sometimes things just work out that way and you just play the cards in front of you. I realize that I must stay focused on the road, because the deer are still moving about. As I go along, I hit something in the road that just about jars the fillings out of my teeth. I think no more of it, but I've just bent my rim slightly and lost my right side reflector, bracket and the bolt that holds it together. (I'll discover this later on in the trip to my frustration.) Finally the sun peaks over the endless fields, which is a welcome sight to me.

 
 
 
  Before long, I'm on highway 196 which will take me around the city and onto the slab. From there, it will be all slab the rest of the day. But when you've got to cover the miles, it's the only choice. I hit I135 and before long I've rounded the corner and I'm on I70 which will take me into Denver. I'm thankful that I have a comfortable seat and cruise control which makes mile-eating a lot easier. Distance riding is like any other endeavor - you've got to have the right equipment and right mindset before you start. Along the miles of flat countryside, I see a farm of electricity generating windmills.  
 
 
  Here the wind seems to always blow from the north and they are making good use of it. A little further down the road, I see a windmill of the old fashioned variety standing sentinel all alone. The irony of the scene strikes me when I notice the new variety surrounding it on the far distance hilltop like bandits waiting for their next victim..  
 
 
 

It's time to gas up again so I find one that looks easy to get on and off. When I am covering miles like this, I prefer a quick stop that is out in the country. You can usually get gas and get gone in a few minutes - just off the ramp, into the station and back on the ramp. But I'm a bit tired, so I find the first one I come to and take a little longer break. I decided on this trip I would bring my own snacks along so I picked up a large can of cashews (which I happen to like a lot) at Wal-Mart and divided them up into snaplock bags for easy packing. Cashews are highly prized in most quick stops judging by the price, so I figured this way I could enjoy them without paying a premium. As I rest a bit, I notice the McDonalds next door is being 'eaten' by a demolition excavator. It seems sort of ironic that a place that has 'eaten' so many folks wallets should suffer a similar fate.

 
 
 
 

I decide to check my voicemail, and I get a very pleasant surprise. It seems that Don and Joyce decided to swing through Cheyenne and meet me there. So looks like I won't be eating my birthday dinner alone. Their act of kindness spurs me on to get to Cheyenne ever quicker. As I pick up the pace, the gas goes faster along with the SweetTreat. Soon, it's a must stop again. This is a quicker gas stop without a break but I can't help but notice the fields that seem to go on forever as I pull out.

 
 
 
 
When I hit the bypass around Denver, I know I'm closing in. Finally I get to exit 9 on I25 and I make my way to the Motel 6. I check in, get a few things off the SweetTreat and head for the room.
 
 
 
 

Fortunately, I have a good phone signal and give Don and Joyce a call.

"I just landed. You want to do dinner in a little bit?" I ask.

"Sure, we're just down the street a little ways. We got in yesterday and have been touring the town" Don tells me.

"Well, let me clean up a bit and I'll be down in about an hour" I tell him.

I grab a quick shower and change out of my road clothes. After spending that much time sitting down, I decide that I will walk down to meet them instead of riding. It will help my blood circulation in the old legs. The weather is really brisk - just right for walking. In fact, the city of Cheyenne must have known I was going to walk, for they just poured a brand new sidewalk all the way from my motel to where Don and Joyce are staying. It's about 1/2 mile, but it really feels good to stretch the legs out. When I get close, I see the ST and VFR, so I have a pretty good idea where they are. When they come to the door, I give them both a big hug. What a blessing it is to have good friends who are willing to go out of their way just to spend a little time with you. I tell them -

"Guess what today is? It's my birthday and I was expecting to get eat alone. You two have really made my day. I just can't believe you went out of your way but I really appreciate it."

They already know of a great restaurant in the motel, so I gladly follow them. It's sign proclaims - "Best Steak House in Cheyenne" - and it lives up to the billing. It's so great to be with great friends again and we share the times we've ridden together. They've just sold their old house finally after much struggle and are in the midst of sorting out their new one. I had stayed many times at their old house thanks to their gracious hospitality.

"Well, it was time y'all slipped the leash and got out on the road. I know it's been a rough time for the last few months" I tell them. Trying to sell a house in a declining market has been tough and consumed most of their time.

"But I was really praying that the first offer you had would go through so you wouldn't have to fuss with the next one."

The food is excellent and the company is even better and I just have to go for the chocolate cake.

"Well, Guy would be proud of me for this one!" I tell Miss Joyce. "He's always egging other folks on to order desert then he doesn't eat one."

Then comes the surprise - not only only have they come way out of their way just to meet me, they insist on paying for my meal. Once again I am blessed by dear folks who have opened their hearts and their lives to me. I count it a real honor to have Don and Joyce as my friends and look forward to when we can ride together again. But tomorrow I'm facing a 950 mile day and I know I'd better get some rest. I give them both hugs again and thank them for their many kindnesses that they have shown this old hillbilly from Tennessee. I walk back to my room in the crisp evening air again thinking about all of the great folks that I have met on the road. Tomorrow will be tougher than I ever imagined, but for now I just relax in the warmth of sweet memories as I doze off into a peaceful slumber.