Breakfast was at the VFW hall, and the volunteers did a great job for us. 75-80 bikes saddled up to head east once again. We took I-70 East to 675 South to 35 East to 50 East. 50 is a smaller highway, with a lot of potholes and construction for us to maneuver around. We all did a great job, considering the road conditions.
113 miles later was the first fuel stop at Chillicothe Ohio. There, we were met with a few other riders who loved seeing the rat bike again. The main problem with this place was that there is only a single toilet for each one. The line was almost out the door. There were a lot of not happy campers. Quite a few days ago I told Joni, Cynthia & Randy to pull up to the store as soon as we got there and let everyone else wait in line for gas. That way the restrooms are not crowded yet, and neither is the counter for drinks. That way when it thins out at the pumps, we can fuel. It works pretty good, (don’t tell anyone else).
After fuel we went across the road to the Chillicothe School, and were met with every kid in the k-12 school. All the young ones were waving American flags and yelling for us. Once again they were probably happy to get out of class! When we circled the parking lot to line up, they had a band and a BBQ waiting for us. All the high school kids were there as well. We mingled with them as we heard a few people talk. Quite a few of the kids and teachers said they remember my rat bike from last year. I told a crowd of kids around my bike, that the next time they see a serviceman in uniform, to walk up to them and shake their hand and to thank them for their service to our country. They were all very interested in what I was telling them about our ride. Especially a kid in the 9th grade named Skylar. He had some good questions to ask and seemed to be paying attention to what I was saying. These kids are our future. It’s good to hear some of them speak at the podium and sound like they feel very good about their future. A very good BBQ was served and we thanked everyone involved. They really want us to come back again next year. Andrew & Tracy were a couple of teachers who were cooking and they wanted a picture next to my bike. So I got one also. A kid was counting the bikes and told me there were 110. I don’t know how he does in math, but two of our guys counted 75 & 78 respectively. Our goodbyes were said, and on the road again.
A short while later, we passed a pickup parked on the side of the road. In the back was a little kid maybe 5-6 years old. His dad was off the road a bit getting something. The look of sheer delight on that kids’ face as he watched us ride by, reminded me of a family vacation. I was 8 years old, on a family vacation and driving to the Grand Canyon in our 1963 Chevy panel truck. I saw two guys on choppers riding up to pass us as I was looking out the rear window. I think I had the same look on my face back in1963, that the little kid did today. I wonder what he will be riding in another 10 years or so.
Our next gas stop was 90 miles later, east of Parkersburg. The pumps were old and did not take a card. Randy, Drew and I filled up. I noticed a puddle of gas under my bike. It seemed that the cross over vent line had come loose on the right side and was letting gas run out. I put the line back on and it was good again. I later asked Randy if he paid. He looked at me and said I thought you did. Good thing we did that before leaving so I had time to pay.
Joni spent most of the day riding beside Buzz, up in the front, as Buzz is our pacer. Then she rode in the missing man formation for a little while. She thought it was great, and Buzz said she rides very well too!
Just after our gas stop, we were in West Virginia. I did not have my helmet ready, as it was still strapped on the back. I put on my leather flying hat. Larry, from Michigan, asked me if that was DOT approved. We passed a couple of cops, going the other way and I just ducked down behind the windshield. After a while, I got too hot so I took it off. I made it almost 80 miles into a helmet state with no helmet!
Our next stop was in Clarksburg, West Virginia to visit the veterans there. This is the stop where Pam, a head nurse, got on my bike the last two years, for a picture. They told me that she just transferred to another facility. I gave the main guy my web site info to get to Pam. Other nurses came out and said that it was great to see me and the rat bike back again. I found another Pam to look for next time. (Sorry I did not get to see ’my’ original Pam). We went inside and visited quite a few patients. They only have inpatients at this hospital, so there was not a shortage for all of us to spread out and greet a lot of them. It was dinner time, and the first guy we went in to see, I asked him if he was going eat those mashed potatoes. He offered them to me and I said I was just joking. We had a lot of fun at this stop. A very feel good stop! But alas, we had to depart.
Another 10 miles later brought us to Bridgeport, WV. We went to VFW post #573. This was to be our last dinner together. It is here that Steve (Head dog) Moore, gave out a lot of certificates of appreciation to a lot of people who helped the ride go real smooth. Almost at the end, he said that there is a class clown in every school, and we have our own right here among us. He said, “Milo, come up here and bring Joni up here too”. He complimented us both on our ability to make people smile, and bring good feelings to those around us.
It was time to go the last few miles on the highway to our motel. Almost all of us tried to check in at the same time. There was a guy and two gals behind the counter. When I was almost up to the front, I noticed a sign that said, ‘make your reservations quick’. I called the number. The guy, David, answered the phone and I turned around and said I would like to check on my reservation. He said he will transfer me. I told him no need to do that ‘cause I was already in line. He could not understand me telling him that I was in line. When he finally realized that I was right in front of him, well, let’s just say that he did not have a sense of humor! Everyone else in line thought it was quite funny. (I guess you had to be there). We met Sis & Randy, and Gary & Nancy in the restaurant for dinner. We were still hungry. A lot of laughter and conversation then it was time for bed. See you in DC tomorrow!!!!
