A view of Highway US 62 near Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Day twenty two. All is well. Overnight in Arkansas.
This morning when Doug and I awoke we packed our bikes, just like we have done for the previous twenty one days, and then we went our separate ways. I had someone in Eureka Springs, Arkansas (Pop. 2000) I wanted to see, and Doug planned to ride just a bit more before returning home.
Our joint travels ended yesterday.
Although we have not made it back to our initial starting locations (our homes), today's ride (and this posting) will be considered the end of our big circle ride around the western states for 2014, and feels like (in some ways) the end of our journey.
Doug and I will be riding for a couple more days, but adding more to this blog about that time does not seem necessary or appropriate.
All in all it was a GREAT time. Our camping adventure on this ride only lasted one night, which was the first night of our trip. That was the only night where the temperature was suitable for camping (for us). Doug packed the tent, on the back of his bike, all around the country (without complaint), and we both had our sleeping bags, etc. that we did not need or use further. In the end having the tent and the sleeping gear along did not seem to make much difference in our loading and unloading each day, how the bikes were packed, or our ride for the day.
We saw a lot of some very beautiful country. Some of it either Doug or I (or both) had seen it before. But seeing the places we visited never gets old, no matter how many times we might repeat the viewing.
We met some interesting people along the way. We found that a great joy of the trip.
Doug is a great companion on any ride, and especially on a ride like this. I am/was never concerned about riding safety with Doug. Not only is Doug an excellent rider, he is a very conscientious, thoughtful, and safe rider. In one of my earlier posts I openly teased about Doug getting out ahead of me because he was riding fast. Doug never rides faster than the conditions justify, and he did not on this trip. From time to time I think we both rode faster than the other wanted to ride, for whatever reason, and we each learned to adjust our riding to the other while still riding at our own pace.
We rode across the desert in temperatures of up to 106 degrees. In Montana we saw a low of 35 degrees, and promises of snow in some of the passes. We saw very strong storms that blocked our path for one day, and we rested, washed clothes and stayed another night in our comfortable motel room instead of fighting the heavy rains, wind, and possible hail.
We rode through gusting winds of 50 miles per hour and greater for most of one day, and part of two others.
It rained, from time to time. Only once (our first day) did we not stop (my fault) and put our rain gear on before we entered the rain in front of us. So, even though we rode through rain, and that is never desirable, it is not dangerous, and we did not get wet underneath the rain gear.
It was a good ride, every day of it. Over three weeks of riding in as many days. I am thankful that I could make the ride, and I am thankful that we both travelled safely and all went well on the trip.
Another good day.
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