Day 16: We Made it!!

Boise, ID to Portland, OR: 2 states, 410 miles, 8 hours on the road, 7 in the saddle.

We did it! I made it all the way to Milwaukee and back home, over 5300 miles, safe and sound. A fabulous experience that I will never forget.

Today's ride didn't start until late morning after we stopped by to visit the wife of a long-time co-worker of Curtis'. Her husband, whom Curtis worked with for many years, passed away while we were on the road. It was a short but very nice visit and I'm happy we were able to stop by. I think she really appreciated it.

I had to conquer another mountain pass today but I was ready. I'd driven over this pass in a car and was scared then but I knew my angels would help me through the scary parts and they did. When the drop-off stared me in the face, I worked through it; when the big, red diesel truck that was quickly getting closer in my rear view mirror and I knew if I didn't get a move on or I'd be squashed like a bug, I worked through it.

After the pass, we started down the last 200 miles toward home with the Columbia River at my side. I became relaxed and started to reflect on the last 16 days. It was great for about 25 miles and then that darn Columbia gorge wind kicked in. I had another "being blown off the road" experience but worked through it. And just when I thought that was behind me the joys of riding a motorcycle threw another new experience my way.

Curtis rolled over what looked like a kitchen bag. The object then flew back my way and I got an up-close view of it as it wrapped around my engine guard. Sure enough...a white, tall kitchen bag with the red ties and all.

As it flapped around the guard, I wasn't sure if I should pull over to remove it or if the wind would eventually work it off. I tried kicking it a few times but no luck. The wind did eventually work it off the guard but only to have it wrap on my boot. I thought I'd shake it off but, whoa, that was not good. The bag became a parachute and pulled my leg back. I managed to put my foot back on my peg (along with the attached flapping bag) and thought out my next move...pull over! I slowed down and turned on my turn signal but when I looked at the side of the road there really wasn't any place to safely pull over. I looked back down at the bag and contemplated on what to do. After a few seconds and what seemed like an hour, I somehow was able to reach down and pull the darn thing off. As soon as I removed it I looked over to the left lane and saw a biker that had pulled in behind Curtis and I some miles back. He gave me a signal as if asking if all was okay and I gave him my thumbs up. I then twisted the throttle to catch back up to Curtis and the biker pulled back behind me. For a moment, a thought came over me that that biker was miraculously put there to watch my back and I was thankful for that.

A few more miles down the road Curtis and I pulled off for refueling and the biker behind me continued on. As I stopped at the gas pump and told Curtis what just happened he surprisingly missed the whole thing. I told him about the biker and Curtis commented that he could have been a Hells Angel. My thought was, Hells Angel or Heavens Angel that biker gave me comfort and I was happy for that.

The rest of the way home was uneventful. I was able to enjoy the beautiful river on one side and mountains on the other. I'm now home, enjoying a glass of wine, and looking forward to sleeping in my own bed.

Thank you everyone that has followed me in my adventure and prayed for our safe return. I will post more again tomorrow but for now I'm off to relax.