The only thing is, it is out in the middle of no where.
When I knew about the location of the presbytery meeting, I decided that I would take my motorcycle out there. It is about 125 miles each way and it has some pretty awesome twisties, not to mention the incredible sights along the way.
I had been excited about this ride for a long time.
The only thing I had not counted on was the weather being so...what's the word...hmmm...nasty. Yeah, that pretty much describes it. In the short ride, I rode through:
- pouring rain
- sunshine
- mist
- hail. that's right hail! at 70mph, with no windshield or fairings!
- all at 40-50 degree temperatures
I had to stop three times on the way out to the meeting. First, because it was so stinking cold. I couldn't feel my fingers or legs. I have excellent gear but it had no chance against the cold temperatures, freezing rain, and hail. I was sooooooo cold! I really needed more protection (windshield, fairings, and deflectors) and I needed better gear (heated grips, leather chaps, heated gloves, etc).
Then, as I was traveling at highway speeds through the rain, the rain really started getting painful. And then I noticed that the rain was bouncing off my bike and off my helmet. It wasn't rain. It was hail! I can testify that getting hit by hail at 70mph on a bike really, really, hurts. I had to pull over until the hail stopped. The only thing was that I ran into hail three times! Thanks a lot Washington!
But, I did have a good laugh. Really, I was laughing out loud because when I first realized it was hailing on me, I said to my self, "What the hail?!?!?!" and started cracking up.
The third time I stopped was because I saw a Big 5 (sporting goods store) in Aberdeen, WA., and I knew they had something I desperately needed - hand warmers!!! I bought a pack of 10 - each capable of reaching 132 degrees, and lasting up to seven hours.
I wasn't going to take any chances. It was freezing cold!
But you know what? I would do it again. It was beautiful!
But next time around, I will be better prepared.
What I really need is a new bike!
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