Up at 6:00 and we went to the Waffle House with Stuart, Sis and Randy for breakfast.  A riders meeting followed in the parking lot of the motel.  Sadly, it was time to say goodbye to Stuart.  We all tried to talk him into going with us, but he had more reasons not to (work-work-work).  Ray Adams showed up with LaRae from Roseburg, Oregon yesterday afternoon.  We also visited with them at breakfast. 

Thirty-three bikes left the motel and Stuart went one way, LaRae went another to go home.  Ray went with us to the Reno Veterans Hospital, and headed back to Roseburg from there.  On the way to Reno, Randy hit an exit and pointed to his gas tank.  He did not get gas when we all did before leaving.  His gas gauge showed him over 3/4 full.  When he filled up, he discovered he still had 2 gallons left.  It was then and there that he wondered why Harley Davidson even put a gauge there at all.

They caught up with us before we got to our Boomtown fuel stop.  While there, we saw a motor home cut around the pump way too soon and got hung up on a concrete post.  Maybe the motorcycles distracted him!  When he backed up, we saw a good-sized cave in that a body shop will love to be able to charge him for!  It was only a few more miles to Reno. 

When we arrived at the hospital, we were met with TV cameras, radio and newspaper people.  My high school friend, Steve Beals, was waiting for us, to say “Hi” to Cynthia and Randy too.  While inside the hospital, we all spread out and went into as many rooms as there were people that wanted to have company.  The staff and especially the patients loved the attention.  There were many stories told and heard as well.  We had lunch in the main lunchroom and mixed with many veterans.  One guy named Steve told me the food is the worst in the world.  He wanted me to get him one of our box lunches.  A turkey sandwich, chips, a cookie and pop.  We didn’t figure that stuff was on his menu!  So he was okay when he didn’t get one.  We visited with a few amputee vets and their spirits were fantastic.  It was a very good first stop. 

On the road again with a very warm day in store for us.  The next leg was 95 miles for fuel.  Our last leg was 125 miles, and was kind of windy.  We passed a tow truck just getting a rolled over car upright again.  It was a mess.  We got to Battle Mountain for our stop.  We went into the restaurant and discovered that they were not ready for us yet.  I led a few people out and suggested that we go to the motel and register before the rush.

Minor problem; my bike would not start.  Dead battery.  Just yesterday I told Stuart that I wanted to get another battery, ‘cause I felt it getting weaker upon starting.  I didn’t get one.  Oops!  So I kicked it over 2 times and it started.  We got checked in and Joni and I took her bike to the NAPA store.  I dug through a few boxes and found one that looked right.  They filled it with acid and 10 minutes later, I had it in and starting just right.  The funny thing about this is, it’s the same motel where I replaced my clutch cable at last year.  No problems; just solutions! 

We rode back to the group for dinner and a lot of laughter.  Back to the motel and a few of us got into the spa and pool.  It felt very good.  Joni just got done talking to Mark and our kids and Carol back home and all is good.  Time for bed.