WE HAVE THE ROAD TO OURSELVES

Day 1 - Cumming, GA to Memphis, TN

We left as scheduled from the Waffle House at 4:00AM. Quinn of course was there waiting for me, for some reason he is always there before me…It doesn’t matter how early I get there he’s there first. .
It went without saying that both of us had been up since before 3:00AM ready to move.. We looked each other…...took a deep breath and headed out…The Ride to Moab was starting.. The weather was perfect but a bit cooler than expected in the morning, (Heck I should have worn my thermals.) The afternoon was of course hotter than heck but the roads were empty, it was as if someone up there wanted us to enjoy the ride without cars and trucks distracting us.... As we headed into Birmingham, AL traffic was just picking up but with the crossing into the Central time zone it was only about 6:00AM.
We headed up Northwest thru Alabama, Mississippi and into Tennessee. Our first day was over 480 miles or so.. It was hot as heck and of course even though we were tired from lack of sleep.. it was off to drink a few brews and some great Memphis BBQ at the Germantown Commissary.

FRIAR JOHN LEADING THE WAY	QUINN "THE ESKIMO" ENJOYING THE SCENE

Day 2 – Memphis, TN to Oklahoma City, OK

We were so tired after no sleep and a long drive we were in bed by 7:00 PM Central time. So much for us party guys.
We were up bright and early at 4:00 AM..or should I say dark and early. We got out of Memphis with the sun rising behind us....the blue sky opened before us and we headed towards...Little Rock.....Fort Smith...Oklahoma City, tonight’s destination.
As we rode over the Mississippi River and I could imagine the river boats parked or heading downstream to who knows where..
Arkansas was much prettier than I imagined..River after river..Cyprus groves...swamp and then the Ozarks...it’s a beautiful state, for some reason I always had this thing in my head that Arkansas was a nasty place. I was really wrong. Kind of points out we shouldn’t get ideas in our heads about people or places without at least knowing something about them first.
Oklahoma was ahead..And so were the thunderheads...but the Great Tatanka was with us today...the storms missed us at every turn of the road.....it was another great day.
The further we ride, the more we just seem to be enjoying the scenery. Nothing of great import to tell about today.. We were just enjoying the weather and the ride
Tomorrow...we’re off to Tucumcari, a short 440 miles or so ahead in New Mexico.

Our Bartender today is Tiffany..What a babe...........Oh well, time to get ready for the rest of the trip.

BILL FROM THE GRILL	ROUTE 66

Day 3 - Oklahoma City, OK to Tucumcari, NM

We left Oklahoma City just as the sun was peaking over the eastern horizon.
It was a warm morning but we already know from experience its not warm in the dark when your riding at 75 MPH, so of course the leather jackets were donned.
The skies were clear and a bright blue and the day was already looking great. The Great Tatanka was looking after us. I told Jon that once we went west of Oklahoma City the scenery would change...but hell,. It changed as soon as we left the city limits......rolling plains...a few solitary trees in the midst of golden and green prairies....cattle grazing, deer in the fields , this trip is getting better by the day. Everything and every change is just awesome........
As I was riding along and enjoying the scenes I looked down and saw "feathers" hanging from my mirror. I thought I must have hit one of the millions of swallows that were swirling around us at every over and underpass. Heck I wanted to get on the side access road anyway so I pulled off and pulled into a gas station to talk to Quinn about my plan to ride the access road so it would be easier to stop and take pictures.............And there next to us was something I had seen on the internet....       Lucille’s Route 66 Diner...

.it was like something out of the past, We had to go in and eat, this was not a kind of place we could just pass and not visit.....
We sat at the counter and waited for our waitress who we finally realized was the only waitress in the entire place. She was handling every table there and still managed a smile.

“ Bill at the Grill” Lindsey, the owner came by and chatted and within in a few minutes it was if the three of us were lifelong buddies. When you go on a trip like this, you always hope that there is someone you will talk to on the road that will make an impression. Bill was one of those guys. I don’t think that man has a mean bone in his body. He just wanted to say hello to his customers and hear their tales.

Bill showed us around the entire Diner, including the bar that is open in the evening. The bathrooms had all the latest gadgets and we heard more of the history of Lucille’s. One thing that really stands out is how clean the entire place is. I have never seen a restaurant as clean as this. I mentioned it to Bill and his comment was..”It's easier to keep it clean than have to clean it after its dirty.” Good point.

We spent an entire 2 hours at Lucille’s and took pictures with Bill in front of the restaurant and said our goodbyes. Jon and I were now official “FOB’s” (Friends of Bill), and I am sure if I stop on in again Bill will be sitting there ready to begin where we left off.

Bill had one last comment as we got on the bikes and he shook our hands again. “"Have a great journey, be safe and enjoy America." Damn. That’s what we’re doing, isn’t it?


We headed West on I-40 and a few miles down the road we got off to ride “The Mother Road” Route 66. Route 66 is a bumpy as heck road but we got some great pictures and since we were the only ones on the road we took our time. Once again.. all I can say is Damn, this ride is awesome.. Life is friggin great.
We have seen so many changes in scenery today. Rolling hills, flat as flat can be prairies, rivers, valley, mesas and deserts with high bluffs. The further west we go the hotter and drier it is getting. It sure is a good thing Quinn was smart enough to bring along that large cooler… we were going thru fluids non stop.

We finally arrive in the small town of Tucumcari, NM. I asked where there was good Mexican food and found out there was only one place in town that serves beer,. So off we went.

Today’s bartender is Christina, and we really needed those beers. Tomorrow is going to be a short ride to Gallup, NM. The storms are beginning to build but who cares… were stopped for the night.

                                                                    The Plaines of Oklahoma

THE FIRST MESA	ANOTHER LONELY STRETCH ROUTE 66