Monday, July 3, 2017

Nova Scotia Day 4 - Staunton, VA to York, PA

Day 4 was a different kind of day. While these trips center around "together", we set off in three different directions as we departed Staunton, VA. Matt, who hails from Lancaster County, PA, set his sights (and GPS) on a direct course for home, where had opportunity to connect with mom, daughter Jenni and her family, a sister, brother-in-law, and aunt. Meanwhile, the Steves set sail for Gettysburg National Military Park, where Dad had an opportunity to expose Son to some significant American history. Randall, Trent, and I chose to ride, finding some enjoyable twisties and scenery on our way to York, PA.

We connected with Ben and Tami in York, as well. They are great friends and riding buddies who made their way from Orlando to join us for the ride north into Maine and beyond. Finally, Annette, Elizabeth, Janet, and Henry arrived in Portland, where they'll away our arrival there on Monday afternoon.

For Randall, Trent, and me, the day started in an interesting manner. I missed our first turn into a valley of sorts and it seemed our trusty GPS units were having a hard time figuring out how to get us back on course for the day. Some might say we were lost. But you know the old adage about motorcycle touring: "You're never lost. You'r just finding new roads."

Somewhat confused by the signage at the right, we decided to stop at a local business to review where we had been and where we were going using the Garmin Basecamp application used for planning. It seemed we were to continue on Egypt Bend road - but I just wasn't sure. Asking a store clerk her thoughts, she said, "Oh, you don't want to go that way. It's really narrow and curvy." I smiled. "Oh, yes, we do."

The establishment where we stopped proved to be interesting in itself. It was a diner with an attached Dukes of Hazard museum. I'll have to do some research to find why there would be such a thing, and why it would be here... seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Interesting, indeed.

Finally, we set out to continue the day's journey, thrilled by the experience exploring Egypt Bend Road. We concluded our day riding through some Civil War battlefield areas and then on to York.

It was a short riding day by our standards - just 258 miles... and right at the edge of the range of our Harley Davidson touring bikes. We decided to try to get as close to the hotel before stopping so we would be ready to ride on Day 5. And I cut it just a little too close...

I literally ran out of gas as we turned into the gas station adjacent to our hotel. We knew the station was there, as we stayed in this same hotel a year ago while in town to visit the Harley Davidson factory.

I made it to the pump, though - barely. I stretched the filler hose to it's limit and added 5.953 gallons of fuel to a 6-gallon tank. Yikes! I think we would be best served if I don't cut it so close in the days ahead.

The highlight of our day was a home-cooked meal with Matt's family. George, Matt's brother-in-law, is quite the chef, and we have no doubt the meal we shared this evening will be the best of the
entire adventure. The visit with Matt's family - and especially with Jenni, who was in our Student Choir in New Orleans some time ago - will prove to be a highlight for me.

On a not-so-fun note, I took my bike apart to to try to get the not-working-again horn to sound. Randall and Ben hung out to help, but to no avail. It's a long story - but things like that make me want to SCREAM.  Oh, well...


It's late again. I was waiting on laundry. It's all done - so I'm calling it a day. But first - a few more pics from the day:










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