Day 24: Tuesday July 3, 2012

Today was kinda emotional for me as it represented a completed goal. But before that, I need to tell you about our evening in Terre Haute. The hotel was a bit seasoned but the personnel were genuine and very hospitable. For example, the manager allowed me to park my bike in front of the hotel under the carport. Later in the evening a thunderstorm was brewing and I went out to check on my bike. I noticed the desk clerk trying to reattach my bike cover as the wind caused one of the hooks to come loose. What other hotel clerk would do that? I thanked him and told him to call me if it came off again. The thunderstorm winds picked up again and I got a call from the front desk. The cover was fine but the clerk wanted to let me know he let a Harley park behind me so the Harley would be out of the elements too! Then about 30 minutes later he called me again and said he was allowing another Wing to park next to me!?? I don't know why he felt like he needed to let me know about this but I obviously have a new friend! Well we got up early and were on the road at 0610. We took country roads and highways to Fort Wayne. We were both tired of the interstate and wanted to see the countryside and we did. The farmland and small towns were all so charming and peaceful. We took highway 41 to highway 25 thru Lafayette (near Purdue University) to highway 114 into Fort Wayne. Myrna took some great pictures from the back of the bike while traveling down the highway! I mentioned earlier it was kinda emotional for me, well when we made it to Fort Wayne and over a 6000 mile journey I was proud and thrilled that I made it to my destination! After checking into the hotel we went to the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum to take advantage of the early registration. While there we briefly stopped in at the Bushtec Trailer display (while they were unloading their trailers and getting set up) and saw my trailer that was custom built for me! I get it tomorrow after they install the hitch on my bike. I will post pictures of it tomorrow. This evening we went to the Amish town of Grabill for a pre-conference dinner and festivities. There are so many Wings with so much chrome and custom paint that my bike looks naked! The dinner lines were too long so we opted to just get some Amish homemade raspberry ice cream instead! I loved it! We rode 277 miles today for a total of 6654.

2 Chronicles 15: But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.