56 Helpful? Harley Riders

February 24, 2013
     Today we had a plan, head East out of Hobbs, hit some motorcycle roads and head North to Amarillo.  (We've just got to do more research.)  The ground had turned to a reddish brown.
      We headed to Lanesta and picked up a road that had been recommended to us.  We were in no hurry. By lunch time we pulled into Post Texas to gas up and grab a bite to eat.  There was a Greek restaurant kiddy corner from our fueling spot.   As soon as we ate we were going to be on the road.  It was less than 175 miles to Amarillo, it should be an easy afternoon.  There were a couple of canyons to see and depending on the weather and pace we would either see them on the way or take a trip out during our stay.
     Now what follows is either a random act of kindness (which I choose to believe) or one of the best practical jokes played on a Gold Wing rider.  We had a nice meal and noticed a "Harley" couple a few tables away.    You can spot them any where, orange and black, bar and shield.  they are proud of their ride and show it.  If we Honda riders depended on our cycle manufacturer for clothing we would be riding like Lady Godiva, sorry that mental image might require therapy.   Harley's retail merchandising is amazing.  Clothing, caps, shirts, blouses, baby clothes, glass ware, lawn furniture.  I don't know where it ends.  Kind of jealous actually.   Mike and Cynthia, nice people from Post.  Introductions and a short chat, of course Mike had noticed the Harley cover on our camper spare tire.  Gracious people they asked us about our trip plans.  Mike immediately said "you don't want to go to Amarillo today!"  He pulled out his smart phone, (probably said Harley on it.)  he showed me a weather map on his phone, ( could have been from last year, I don't know.  )  it showed a blizzard warning and 31 degrees for Amarillo "they are expecting major snow storms and wind, Possibly blizzard conditions!"  What to do?  After a brief discussion we decided to change our travel plans.  We had our taste of cold and snow in Deming, no sense asking for trouble.  Ruthie was in the drivers seat as we entered the freeway so we would be racking up the miles.  Of course there was a side wind from the West.

   At one time we gave some thought to camping this evening, however the wind was getting stronger and the temperature was dropping.  We arrived in San Angelo just at dusk.  We pulled into a motel parking lot to check on prices and availability.   We made a couple of calls from the parking lot and as we pulled out I noticed our trailer tire had finally given up.

We swung immediately back into a parking lot.  I unhooked the camper and Ruthie was going to drive to the motel and get us checked in while I changed the tire.  I was able to lift the camper high enough and use the camper leveling jacks to support the camper during the swap.  After changing the wheel  I flagged down a passing bicyclist and asked him to collapse the jack while I lifted the camper.  Ruthie returned while I was putting the tools away.  Unfortunately their was a mix-up in the motel that changed its name but not its phone number and she was unable to find it.  We hooked back up and finally made it to the motel..  I had been nursing a ear ache since Deming and with the added stress of our tire problem I was happy to be in for the evening.

   We were a bit chilly and tired.  It had been a long day.   I had teased about the condition of the door spacing in Fort Davis, here are a couple of pictures.  Yes you can pass a breakfast bar under the door gap.  To help with heat we stuffed a towel under it to stop the cold wind from coming it.  
     We were tucked in for the night.  The wind was getting stronger outside.  I had taken some pain medicine for my ear pain.  Why are we so tired?  Think about it as you look at the map, We had left Hobbs wandered around started North, changed directions completely, rode as far South as we had planned on going North. (In most parts of the country we would have traveled in at least two states.)   with a very strong side wind

Good Night, Tomorrow is my Birthday and we will know if Mike and Cynthia are tricksters or Samaritans.