Friday, 23 May.  Well, we really focused  on riding and made it all the way to Asheville, NC....all 120 miles.    We would probably have stayed on BRP, but several miles was closed due to construction and were routed off the Parkway.  After living in Atlanta area for about a year, we never managed to get to Asheville, so we decided to spend a day there just checkin' the place out.  Enroute to Asheville, we met 2 couples on bikes from Murrieta (Atlanta suburb).  They were just terrific and offered a few ridin' stories.  Their motto:  Live to ride, Ride to eat!  They were staying at a different hotel so we went our separate ways.  We are continually amazed at the number of motorcyclists on the road and how very friendly and open with complete strangers the riders are......it adds a lot of enjoyment to the trip.  See our photos for some of the stuff in Asheville.  

Sunday, 25 May.  Left Asheville on I-40 toward Nashville......about 300 miles.  This is the first time we have had the experience of many miles on the Interstate on the new HD.   I rode frequently on California freeways when I was a motor cop, but that has been many years ago and traffic conditions have changed quite a bit.  Stu squeezed my side on several occasions, but did not pound on my back and only yelled on the 2 way microphone a couple of times!  The bike ran great and cruise control is awesome!  Sharing the road with 18 wheelers after being off a bike for over 20 years is sometimes a tense experience!  As you look thru the photos, you'll notice that we stop at McDonalds quite a bit.....why?  Because they are almost always close to a freeway off ramp for easy off, easy on and the drinks are not bad and they usually have a shady spot to park.  It has been HOT today.....according to the clerk at the Hampton Inn, much hotter than normal for this time of year.

We monitor weather conditions very carefully.  Each nite we tune into the Weather Channel to see what the next day will bring.  The recent tornados in the midwest do not inspire us to go north of I-40.  They are expecting rain tomorrow and Tuesday here in Nashville, so we may be stuck for a couple of days.  Obviously, rain and/or hail do not make for fun riding.......

We have stayed at Hampton Inns the entire trip and have been very pleased with their service and willingness to assist bikers.  Most have a washer and dryer so we can wash our limited supply of clothes....Stu thinks this is particularly important since she is on back!  When we get to Tulsa, the bike will be beyond ready for a thorough cleaning.....I am certain we have 25% of the bugs on I-40 welded to the front of the bike.  The dead bugs are so thick I suspect it is reducing our gas mileage.  Stay tuned for tomorrow's adventures.