Northeast Ride #2 – Day One

It’s hard to believe, but another year has passed and it’s time to hit the road again. Libby and I have completed the 48 states and have started to go back for photos of state signs that were missed on previous trips. Last year we claimed Idaho and Washington. This year we’re after the last remaining states: New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey and Delaware. So off towards Maine we go.

I’ve spent the last week slowly gathering the things I’d need to pack. Last night the ritual began. Libby was backed into the garage, all of my things were neatly laid out on the garage floor, football was on the TV and a cold beer was opened. I spent the next few hours putting everything in it’s place on Libby. It’s a process that should take no more than an hour, but I draw it out. I spend a lot of time trying to figure out what I am forgetting, worrying about the road ahead and reflecting. These trips have always had a mission but they’ve always been so much more than that. With Dad it was bonding at the highest level. Since I’ve been on my own, it’s all about reflection. That reflection starts on Friday night.

I spend a lot of time staring off into nothing, thinking of years past and all the things I’ve had the good fortune to see and be a part of. But this year I’ve got a lot of extra worry as well. Just over a week ago Libby’s check engine light came on on my way into work. The code that came up had something to do with the coolant system. Likely a simple fix but I’ve got only seven business days before I’m supposed to hit the road. What’s worse? I accidently cleared the code while checking it, my mechanic can’t do anything without the code in the system, and it’s a code that can’t be ignored.

There’s a cover on the front end of the engine that covers the coolant system. This had come loose and was essentially just flapping in the wind. I’d secured it before taking into the shop. Since the engine light failed to come back on, Rob and I theorized that it might have jostled a connector and caused the issue. So spent that Saturday on the bike with my youngest. We rode up to Waco, had lunch at Poppa Rollos and visited a couple of Harley dealerships. That boy has a hunger for being on the bike, one I am happy to nourish.

So last night I spent a lot of time in reflection, worrying if Libby was going to make it and drinking beer with the neighbor. But I got Libby loaded up. This morning I woke up, got showered and loaded the last of my things. I said goodbye to the wife and kids, to my world, and shortly after 8:00am, hit the road.

The weather forecast was calling for rain and possible thunderstorms this morning. Given my track record on rain and leaving the state of Texas I was fully expecting to get wet early. But I only caught sprinkles up into Waco. Heavy a few times but never enough to get wet. The sky cleared before I left the state and was sunny for the rest of the day.

We made our way through Waco and up into West. A stop for breakfast was needed so we ended up at the Czech Stop for a kolache. Sausage and cheese is my go to. Usually jalapeno too but chose against it today. Hit the spot regardless.

We continued our way up into the Dallas area where we were surprisingly met with zero construction and very little traffic, by Dallas standards at least. After being on the road for a few hours we crossed into Oklahoma and the construction zones started. The first one just past the state line was the slowest but all the others we came into flowed smoothly. Oklahoma also had the only police we’d see for the day. Not a ton but quite a few.

Lunch time. We’d gone through the small towns of Tushka, Atoka, Stringtown and Kiowa. Not much in any of these places to stop and eat. Nothing within the rules at least. One Mexican joint that looked good but I wasn’t feeling like Mexican.

We made it up into McAlester to a little joint called Angel’s Diner. It’s a little 50’s style diner with all the right stuff – black and turquoise booths, counter stools, pink walls, black and white checkered floors and a jukebox. Not just any jukebox, an actual Wurlitzer jukebox. Wasn’t turned on but I was told it was in working condition. The diner was also not lacking in photos of Elvis, James Dean, Lucille or many of the other you’d expect on the walls. The chicken basket I ordered was decent but nothing to rave about. Wasn’t even in a basket.

Before we’d stopped for lunch we passed a group of three bikers. The tail rider was on an identical bike. Not the first time I’d come across this but still pretty cool. He never looked my way but as I finished my lunch, they pulled in. I never got a chance to talk to them.

Onward we went. More construction and more highway patrols. Into Arkansas. We made it into Fort Smith, a town I know from my childhood. I’d considered finding our old house but I’m trying to get to camp and it’s been a long first day already, I’m feeling the miles – and last night’s beers. Plus, I vaguely remember driving past it with Dad on one of our trips.

Just past Fort Smith the scenery changes drastically. I know that Arkansas is a beautiful state to ride through but every time I come through here I am amazed at it’s beauty. Green everywhere and roads that not only curve but go up and down too. I could easily spend the entirety of one of these trips in this state. Of course I could say the same for any state but, Arkansas is beautiful.

We made our way into Fayetteville and right up to Baum-Walker Stadium where the Razorbacks play baseball. We also passed the tailgaters, it’s game day in Fayetteville and they were out in force. From here the road was mostly two lane and slow going. We’re about 70 miles out at this point but the road is ideal for riding. Trees cover the road for much of it opening up into farm/ranch land here and there. The shaded road has a noticeable temperature change and there are very few straight stretches. Aside from a few miles of four lane highway, these are the best miles put in today.

Made it into camp just after 5:00pm and there’s a few other bikers here. The cabin next door has two couples riding in from Pennsylvania. Got camp setup and headed of to dinner. Buckets Sports Bar & Grill. It’s a good spot to get a meal, cold beer and watch a little football. I run into the neighbors here. Nice people but it’s the only interaction I’ve had with them. I sit at the bar, order a burger and watch the end of the Razorbacks game, on every TV of course.

But it’s here, sitting at the bar, that I meet Klaus. Klaus is a fellow biker from Dallas. We’ve immediately got two commonalities – we’re both bikers and we’re both from Texas. Rather, we both live in Texas. Klaus is originally from Austria, his accent confirms this. He used to own an Austrian/German restaurant in the Dallas area and also owns several motorcycles, an addiction I can absolutely understand. All in all, Klaus seems like a pretty good dude, he did by me a beer after all. Thanks again, Klaus, it was an absolute pleasure to meet you.

Back to camp and here we are. It’s movie night apparently. Tonight’s showing is Spirit. Something animated about a horse, I’ve opted out. The staff here is super friendly though. Not uncommon for a KOA but this one is by far the best.

Tomorrow we’ll head up into Illinois. I’ve got family I haven’t seen in almost a year and can’t wait to get to them. I don’t know if I’ll write tomorrow so I may have to do a two day on Monday. We did 555 miles today, good chunk for a first day.

Oh yeah, the Wurlitzer jukebox from lunch.