Nov 4 and 5 Days LAST

Andy is a mad rider and he flies and do mean flies.  He has had to wait for me more than the 50 to 1 ratio enough times to ensure even if he did get sick again He would be up a ton of points.  Dragging along with "POKEY" old Dad must be boring as hell but he did manage to make it enjoyable for me and I hope for him we had a great time together.

So here is what has happened. 
On Thursday we had a tail wind from Donanldsonville and drove the bikes really hard.  Right up to ferry crossing we were suppose to do.  More than 50 miles in less than 4.5 hours but the ferry was closed.  The local sheriff we spoke said, "That ferry been closed for more than 3 years I do not know why anyone would send you'al to it!".  So we checked the GPS and talked to locals and decided the best solution would be to cross on I 310 into to New Orleans.  Not our  best decision of the trip but the only one we could find.  It was busy, narrow and I did not like it.  Andy liked it less !!!  When we got to the bridge part of the crossing there was shoulder construction and I was relieved a little as that opens a lane for us.  However there was so much work that the foreman said not today on the shoulder, but if you throw the bikes in the back of that truck I will drive you across.  They were in the back of that truck faster than you could say, "Good idea".  This put us across and I was thankfull and happy.  That one ride is my thankful for the day for Thursday. 

In the end we made 95 miles into New Oleans for the day,

Friday we got up early I have noticed that Andy is happy to get up and that made this easy to get distance.   Starting where we finished, just outside of the French Quarter we pushed hard and covered 100 miles to the end of the road.  Not a lot of sites along the way as  most of the ride was beside the grass hills on both sides the gulf and the river.  The ferrry on the ride today was there and it was easy.  Aside from a few crazy driver and one sheriff that almost hit me I made the distance without much to complain about.  Andy was again much faster than me and waited for me numerous times to make sure we did not get lost.  The last point to made here is that we did get lost once on a missed turn but picked it up almost at once. 

Thankful for the Ride.I am thankful for this ride and I owe a sulute to all those that supported  me on it here is a partial list.

• Dianne for being there and helping we decide to do it and supporting me along the way. She held down the house and took care of my bills and life while I was away.
• Dave for coming along with me.  Without you Dave I may not have had the guts to start and may not have completed.  I still miss you.
• Donna my sister for lending Dave to me, he really saved my butt numerous times.
• My parents for raising me teaching me to believe I can accomplish the difficult, and providing moral support during the ride.
• Andy and Angel for spending their vacation time with me I could not have accomplished this last week with out them.
• The doctors and staff at NIH for patching me up.
• All my friends that provided support during the ride

Well this is starting to sound like an Acadmy award speach so I will stop now if I missed you I am sorry but I do appreciate all the help and support along the way.

Learning from the ride

1. When Americans drink and drive they prefer bad beer.  (I mean Bud lite come on we can do better)
2. Trash comes out of cars as often as bad beer cans.
3. The volunteer programs to keep the road clean help areas with them are cleaner.
4. Snakes are the most common dead animal along the road in the fall, followed by coons, and possums.  
5. The end of the ride was in a barge terminal with out sandy beaches or great views.  Sometimes life is like that where you end up is not the most attractive spot, but it is where you are.  The journey is the key to happiness. I really enjoyed the ride, it was hard and challenging but I kept at it and found satisfaction  in doing it.  So I have no complaints about the end of the ride not being a scenic beach out in the gulf it is after all just the end of this trip and the start of another.  (What I do not know but I will think up something to do.)

What I am going to do.
I am not sure I undertook the ride in attempt to figure out what to with my life after the last surgery and job.  In the end I just figured out that life happens and that you should enjoy it as best you can and do what you can do.  I have several business things to work on and I have to get my mind into going back to NIH for scans that will a couple of days. 

Love and Kisses to all and to all a good morning.
Allan