We slept in until 7:30 and went for breakfast in the motel.  We talked about the days ride to be.  We loaded up and got on the road by 8:30.  We rode for a while before fuel.  When we stopped for fuel, it was still in Canada.  With the liter quantities at the pump, we had no idea how much we were putting in.  All I know is that the three tanks (mine, Joni’s & Randy’s) were full, it was $51.00, and some change.  The pumps up there in Canada were not able to take a credit card.  It was my turn to buy.  I took my card in to the store and asked them to turn on pump #5.  When we all finished fueling up, we took off toward the border.  Windsor on the Canadian side, and Detroit Michigan on our side.  The line to get back was only a half a dozen long, in each of the many lines, so we figured it would not take too long.  That fuel run was about 130 miles, so we all had to use a restroom that was not there. 

Back at the last station, Drew did not want to put in any more of the ‘expensive gas’, than was absolutely necessary.  I think he only put in 1 ½ gallons, liters?  Who knows!  I kept an eye on him to make sure he could still make it without running out.  When we finally got to the booth, a very well dressed and prim & proper guy said, “I need to see all of your Id’s” and he kept looking at me and making comments about my bike.  His voice was a couple of octaves higher than I figured it should be.  He asked if we bought anything while in Canada.  “A tank of fuel“, I told him.  He asked if we bought any tobacco, alcohol, or anything.  I did not say what I wanted to say, especially after I told him we only bought a tank of fuel!  Sometimes I say a little more than I should at times!  But I kept quiet.  He then passed back our passports and said we could go. 

I remember back in 1977, when Drew, Bud and I rode to Canada.  Upon our return, we were made to take everything out of our saddle bags, bed rolls, tents… everything.  The more we complained, the more we were made to take out and spread out, for the Gestapo to see!  I had visions of a repeat performance today.  But, I did learn something about keeping my mouth shut (sometime)! 

Across the border into Detroit, the roads were all tore up.  There were at least a dozen cranes reaching for the sky.  It seems that a lot of bridge, building, and road disrepair was going on.  We stopped at the first gas station we came to.  Drew took over 4 ½ gallons.  He had a bit left.  My rat bike always takes more than everybody else’s bike does.  While riding out to DC we almost always have a tail wind that gets me approx.  35-37 mpg.  While riding back to the West, we have a head wind, most of the time.  That gets me 27-30 mpg.  Plus today’s head wind was pretty strong as it was trying to make my bike change lanes all by its self! 

We went to Saline Michigan to visit Paul, (Buzz), and his wife Judy.  They ordered a few sandwiches from Subway, and brought them back to their beautiful house for us to enjoy.  Judy also served us a Key Lime pie that was fantastic.  Buzz & Judy are sure a great couple to be around.  It was a pleasure getting to know them more & more, while doing these past three rides together. 

When we got to the next gas stop, after another fuel run of about 120 miles, I went for my wallet to get the card out.  Guess what?  Remember when we fueled up in Canada, and I had to give the guy inside my card?  Well, unfortunately, I didn’t remember either!  It was gone!  I called the Visa Company, ( I had the 800 # in my phone from calling them a few days back, when a gas pump said to call card issuer).  The lady said the gas station already called and she gave me the #.  I called them and was given the manager.  He called me by name, on my card of course, and said that we were the bikers who just rode off and didn’t pay!  I said, “ What do you mean, didn’t pay?  You have my credit card!”  I knew they already charged my card, ‘cause the visa lady told me so.  He said that he would keep it for me, until I get back there to pick it up.  Well that won’t happen, cause we are already 250 miles down the road!  Because Mark, back home, who is taking care of our home and our daughter, has the other card, I choose not to cancel the card.  The gal told me if any more charges were to occur, that I would not be liable.  I called the station back again and told the manager to cut up the card and destroy it.  Two years ago, Ed, Silver top, left his card at a gas station too.  I made a comment to a waitress about it, and recall that what comes around, goes around.  Well Ed, here is your chance!  I’m sorry I said anything about you leaving your card, a couple of years ago!

With that stuff taken care of, (we have another card) it was time to say good bye to Randy & Sis, and Drew.  Cynthia has to be back at work a week from Monday, so she wants to be back home a week from tomorrow, Saturday.  They are going to Kalamazoo, to stay with a relative of Randy’s.  They then plan to ride south, to I-70 and shoot back home.  Joni & I are going to visit Gary & Nancy, for a couple of days, and we just found out that they plan to take us out on Lake Michigan tomorrow.  We will also visit Larry & Marge as they live 30 minutes apart. 

We headed out and Joni was right behind me one second, and the next she was not behind me.  I pulled over and waited.  She finally showed up and said she had to fix her helmet visor.  It was almost ready to fly off!  All fixed and down the road we went.  The skies were very threatening, and very dark.  We rode another 120 miles to mile #1, still in Michigan.  We pulled over for gas, and as soon as we got under the cover by the pumps, the rain came down with a vengeance!  We filled up and decided that there was no sense in riding in that crap if we didn’t have to.  A Holiday Inn Express was right next to the station!  It was getting darker with the rain, and was about 7:00 anyway.  Perfect timing!  All things happen for a reason, and ours was to not get wet today.  Both Nancy and Larry told us that the wind blew things around quite a bit today on the west side of the lake.  So it’s a good thing that things worked out the way that it did!………By the way, Cliff Case made it to Golden Colorado last night.  He planned to tour the Colorado Kool-Aid brewery today.  I will keep you posted on the progress of our other fellow travelers as I learn of it.  Steve, Head Dog, Moore and the Michigan City Crew all made it back home just fine too.  Joni & I might be the last of the travelers’ to make it home.