Finally In Texas

Today has been probably the most eventful day, which is hard to imagine after all that has happened.  After taking cover from the storms yesterday, “Duracell” Dennis and “Mini-Me” Tayler were up early to make a run to the Harley-Davidson dealership in Paris, Texas.  In the rain, Duracell had learned that slick tires are not a great idea.  Today, on his early run, he also learned that putting gas in the tank helps.. a lot!

The rest of the group followed a few hours later and rendezvoued at the dealer around 10:30am, after 190 miles.  The weather mostly co-operated with just a light shower or two.  We must mention that the dealership was absolutely fabulous.  “Duracell” got a new tire and break pads and Ian “the Boss” got a check-up at no charge.  That was probably because the rest of the group shopped to the tune of about $1000 !!  Kevin “The Cuban” looks great in his shiny new chaps!

Onwards into the west and the weather quickly improved.  After another 100 miles a lunch stop was called for.  Immediately after lunch, Janice “Turtle Mama” proved that her engine immobilizer was working… too well.  The battery had run down and she was now immobilized.  “Duracell” sprung to life and was quickly back with an Energizer Battery!??! “Turtle Mama” was back on the road, complete with her house strapped to her bike.

90 miles later in 97F heat, another fuel stop and more dramas. This time “Duracell” has a problem as his hand-grip came off!!  Thank goodness for duct tape and we were on our way again.   Surely nothing else could go wrong???

Now pounding miles across the windy, Texas plains and a shout comes down the line.  “The Cuban” was seeing if he could equal the record for not making the destination due to no gas.  With 10 miles to go, he had managed to drain his tank down to fumes but he just scrapped it ito a gas station at our destination… Childress, TX.  Safe at last… or not!!

As we checked into our hotel, we sat to check the weather channel for tommorrows journey.  As we did, we were quickly alerted to a Sever Tornado Alert in, guess where… Childress, TX.  Almost immediately the storm hit and we were watching live TV reports as we looked out the window at the same scene.  A tornado down, was reported and the hotel opposite car-park filled with TV storm chaser trucks.   Thunder, lightening, hail and torrential rain descending on us as we visited the local Tex-Mex.

Roswell tomorrow… what on earth could go wrong there!!

1400 miles down after a 500 mile day, so still on track to be in Santa Monica on Friday.