Day 11 & 12 & 13 & 14 & Probably the Last

We left Ashville, NC Monday morning and headed Northwest. We found the best road ever! It had more turns than the DRAGON had. It took about 90 minutes to get to the end of it. Then we ended back on the RATLER so by the time we were done with those 2 roads I was exhausted!
It's so beautiful in the mountains.

We have had perfect weather. There was one night it got close. We kept riding into it, but missing it. It amazes me how the weather changes so fast in the mountains. The wind kick up really bad and we pulled into a gas station and sat under the over hang.

There was a down pour that last about 10 minutes and then we were on our way........ through a TUNNEL, a dark, long tunnel. I made it... no tears. That was the end of the day

We couldn't wait to get to Kentucky, where we could take our helmets off.  We finally got there and packed away the helmets! Instead of "sweathead" look I now went with the "wind blown" look.  Not sure which one is more attractive.

We have taken this trip on all back roads and small highways. The biggest thing I have noticed is that 70% of all the businesses are out of business. It is so sad.  You go through a small town and all the businesses are gone. The buildings falling apart, just a shell is left. The only thing you see is pawn shops, and flea markets. People trying to sell anything and everything to make a buck.

Even the General Store couldn't stay in business.

There were also many many home is disarray, rotting where they sit. I always wondered who used to live there (in some case who lives there) and what happened there. How long ago was it built, by who???

I lost my Ipod Touch days ago (it's the 3rd one) so I have all this time for my mind to wonder! Sometimes too much.

I decided since I have lost 3 Ipods, it is a good excuse to get and Ipad. I was thinking (again) that I have nothing now for music and Bruce can have the laptop and I really really should have an Ipad. Bonus! 

All the way down south and then on the way back we saw this vine growing on EVERYTHING. It over took where ever it grew, but it was pretty.

Does anyone know what this is. We asked a few people but they had NO idea. One women told us it was poison ivy & poison oak.

We are heading to the Mississippi River to ride it up north. There were a few problems with that. The first is that I had to go over a bridge at the Kentucky River. Nasty bridge.........

No tears on that one. I just told myself to "breath" and by the time I got to the end my finger tips were tingling. :)
Then there was the bridge crossing over the Ohio River............ Bad bridge

This was a bad bridge. Tears rolling down my cheeks all the way across. I tried to hide it but my dear husband knows me too well. He knew this was a hard one for me. I get this pain in my stomach and then we had to stop in the middle and I screamed "NO!" and I think that's what gave it away. And also he knows, and he cares. Love him tons.

Today we road "The Great River Road" from Illionis north. It is beautiful. I thought we were done seeing all the beauty in the mountians, but this road is wonderful. It starts off along the river on the left and rock walls on the right. Lots of bardges and tug boats, a couple of house boats on the river. There are just a couple of houses down on the river a long this way.

This house was really up on stilts. They must get it bad at some point in the year. This other one is a very old house and they built it right on the shore line.

Last night we stayed in Sparta, IL. They were having a shooting contest there where they get people from all over the world (so they say). We stayed @ the Holiday Inn Reject Hotel. It is owned by Holiday Inn Express and my theory is that Holiday Inn gives them all their old stuff. I recognized the sheet right away. Those I love....Egyptian cotton. The bed was almost on the floor, the furniture was beat up, in the amour they had metal hangers of all kinds.  And the cost......   $132.50 the most we have paid in the last 2 weeks. On the plus side ... it was clean.  It was a 2 star that charged for a 4 star. All because of some shooting thingie. Oh well, I just feel bad for the people who have to spend more than one night there @ that rate.

Tonight we are in Galesburg, IL. Egyptian cotton sheet, down comforter and full breakfast in the morning. Can''t ask for anymore than that.

We should be home on Sunday, so I am not sure there will be an other post. I will try to get one more in.

This has been the greatest vacation ever. I want to thank my Husband for all the wonderful rides he got us on and the great times we spent together. We just continue to love to spend time together.  :)

I love you Bruce.

I am so sorry for all the pain you had to go through. But most of all I want to thank everyone for all their love and support through this horrible time. It did not go unnoticed nor unfelt

Again.....Thank you so much.

Hope there is something to write about tomorrow.

Wish you were here.