I wasn’t sure if I should call today’s entry “Day Twenty Six” since technically, I wasn’t on the bike at all today. I did drive about 500 miles, but it was in the truck. Still, it was part of the trip across America, so here we go.
Heather arrived around 7pm on Friday evening. It was great seeing her, and we enjoyed hanging out and chatting about the trip. Since it was already getting dark, we decided to hold off until the morning to load my bike into the trailer.
Little did we realize the kind of day we were going to have.
It was a great feeling putting running shoes on rather than my bike boots in the morning. It was also nice to simply throw my stuff in the back of the truck, rather than take the time to strap it all on the bike. After loading my stuff, we looked around for an easy place to load the bike. I wanted to back the truck up to a hill so that it would be easier to get the bike on the truck with just Heather and I doing it. We found the appropriate place, and I climbed in my truck to back it up. I turned the key, and heard nothing but the rattle of a starter that wasn’t going to start. I groaned. Tried it again, and then again. No luck.
I rode 7,500 miles (12,070 kms) on a 94 Dyna Wide Glide with 125,000 miles (206,000 kms) and the only issue I had was a broken speedo drive and a burnt out headlight. First time I climb into my truck, and it wont start. Now, my 2002 Ford F-150 has 186,000 miles (300,000 kms), so it’s hard to complain, but still! I got under the truck and smacked the starter, trying to get it to disengage. No luck.
I called AAA and we went back into the hotel to grab breakfast. About half an hour later, Heather’s neck was hurting (from the accident), so I went out to the truck to grab her a muscle relaxer. I decided to try starting it again, and it fired up! I went in and got her, and we loaded up the bike and headed out.
Since we were only a few miles from Hershey, PA, we decided we needed to go check things out there (and maybe pick up a little chocolate). If you haven’t read the story of Mr. Hershey, you should. It’s pretty amazing. He and his wife never had kids, and so one of the things they did early on was establish an orphanage to help children who may not be able to get an education. When they died, the Hershey’s left the majority of their estate, over $60,000,000 to the school, so that there would always be a place for less fortunate children. He was also cutting edge when it came to encouraging employee creativity. He facilitated an environment where anyone could dream up an idea for the company. Anyway, read up on the guy, he was an amazing leader and businessman.
When we left Hershey, we decided we’d go as far as Syracuse and find a hotel. There is an amazing biker bar in Syracuse called The Dinosaur. We figured it was a great night to enjoy some good food. The problem was, so did the rest of New York. The line outside the bar stretched around the corner, so we went elsewhere.
Now, when Heather and I were married, we decided to travel to the East Coast for our honeymoon. We left her homestead and just started driving, figuring we’d stop somewhere along the highway. We were a little past Watertown, NY when we decided it was best to crash for the night. However, when we pulled in to book a room, we were informed that there was a major event happening in Northern New York, and the chance of us finding a room anywhere between Watertown and Syracuse was slim to none. We ended up finding a “dirt bag” hotel that was the most disgusting, dirty place in New York. Yes, it was that bad.
I share that story for a reason. I also want to point out that during the past twenty five days, almost every night, I simply pulled up to a hotel and got a room. Not once was I told that there wasn’t any rooms available. (Okay, Heather points out that I was given the old head shake ‘no’ at that non-biker hotel in Colorado. The point is, they didn’t turn me down because there was no rooms, they turned me down because they wouldn’t rent for just one night).
Heather and I pull in to a hotel in Syracuse. I go in to book a room, and am told that there is something big happening in Northern New York, and there is no way I’m going to find a room anywhere in Syracuse. Not only that, but they have even received calls from Watertown, because there are no rooms there either!
Yup, it’s pretty clear to me who the “travel jinx” is! 
We ended up driving the three hours from Syracuse to Ottawa and arrived home just before 1 AM. I’m glad we did. There truly is no feeling like climbing into your own bed after being on the road for almost a month. Same with jumping in your own shower the next morning. What a feeling!
By the way, it’s a high of 45 F (7 C) today in Ottawa. We have a frost warning in effect for tonight. Today will be the warmest day all week. It’s also the warmest it’s been in a few days around here. Yup, I’m back in Ottawa.
Anyway, I’ll update more early in the week. This is Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada, and I will be enjoying Turkey tonight with some good friends. Tomorrow, I’ll be seeing my sister and her family for some more good food.
Happy Thanksgiving, and thanks for taking this journey with me.
