June 26, 1997 Harriman, TN

I think my friend Ray Nielson said it best tonight when he said that a vacation usually ends a few days before the trip does. And so it is that I find these final days a bit anti-climatic after having seen so much and traveled so many miles in so little time. At this point the trip is just a blur in my mind and I'm actually looking forward to it's end. I think that it is for this reason that Dave left this morning to head home a day ahead of schedule. He said something about his wife getting pregnant and him wanting to be there. I'm now left to complete the last 1000 miles of this trip alone and I'm not exactly looking forward to it.

Today provided a much needed rest for my body which was still recovering from the beating issued by the Oklahoma winds yesterday. I slept in until 8am then joined fellow Carolinians Mel and Janet Downing for breakfast and a ride to Winding Stair road. Mel and Janet live only a few miles from me but we only seem to hook up at these HSTA national rallies. They're both in their fifties, sportbike fans and excellent riders. We arrived back at the lodge around 6pm and hurried to get ready for the banquet. As usual, it was entertaining as our fearless leader Moose Parrish had us in stitches most of the night. The keynote speaker for the evening was AMA president Ed Youngblood who spoke of pressing issues facing motorcyclist in the coming years. Whether you fully approved of the AMA and there efforts in motorcycling or not, they are all we have representing our interest on a national political level and the importance of this cannot be overstated. But this is a ride report isn't it. Tomorrow I plan on covering another 600 miles to somewhere in Tennessee between Nashville and Knoxville. There are no more destinations for this trip, only home.

With the morning came a fervor for the road. Late last night I packed and organized everything so I could make a quick getaway. Like a homing pigeon released from it's cage hundreds of miles from home, I sprang from the hotel lobby ready to begin the journey. The yearning to be reunited with my lovely bride has been growing since the day I left. I'm tired, but nothing can stop me now. I have to temper my eagerness before it reaches my throttle hand and remind myself that this highly successful trip would go for naught if I didn't make it home safely. The first 400 miles go quickly as I only stop for gas at 200 mile intervals. A two mile backup from construction delays my passage through Little Rock, but Memphis and Nashville are clear. I quickly calculate that I could be home by 1am if I ride straight through, but realize the foolishness of such an attempt. Instead I find a nice hotel in Harriman, TN after 750 miles. My parents grew up not 30 miles from here in Oak Ridge, and I remember my father mentioning a slight rivalry between these two high schools. It's funny what goes through my mind sometimes.

So the trip now comes to an end with only 300 miles to ride tomorrow. After I have a few days to collect my thoughts I'll post a final summary, but this will be my last ride report. I hope that you've enjoyed reading them as much as I've enjoyed writing them. I tried to share my thoughts and feelings as well as the sights and events that we experienced along the way. This trip will provide memories that I'll carry throughout my life. I hope that someday you too will experience your own Great Adventure!!