August 2, 2005

 

It Begins at the Bike Dealers

Well let’s see day one…

Long damn night of travel. Left Bellingham @ 7:30 pm. and arrived in Toledo @ 10 am (7am B-ham time)

Dan and Jim arrived just ahead of us and were waiting.

AND there was this limousine sitting in front of the departures area…

Sent Dan to take care of the of the obvious.

Dropped the bags at the motel and made an entrance to Honda East.

The bikes were sitting out back, and I got to spring my first surprise… I had gone to my friends David and Teresa at Bellingham Signs by Tomorrow and had them make up our names in a silver metallic script that matches the V Strom logo on our bikes. (Who is surprised that when the boys found out I had spares, that our names are now on the backs of our helmets?)

After LOTS of paperwork and pictures with our salesman Scott and the parts and accessories god Paulie we got to go for a short spin back to the motel where we spent a long time making sure that all the stuff we brought would fit in and on the bikes. A run back to Honda East to ship back our empty bags and shop for more stuff. Then off for a short ride to Side Cut Park by the river (a chance to sit in the heat and humidity in the shade and sweat).

Back to the motel to spring Buds gift (see Bud’s day one), pack, fuss, around, call loved ones, and sample an Ohio Domino’s Pizza.

I went on a short trek looking for a hardwire Internet connection; while I was gone three Harleys arrived and are just across the parking lot. The riders have the good sense to think were cool even for Suzuki riders (pretty smart for scooter trash).

While I was on the phone with Lynn I saw my first ever firefly, I thought of Douglas Spaulding in Ray Bradbury’s Dandelion Wine.

Not a bad start.

-Doug, August 2, 2005