From Scott to the Community

The end of the journey? I would think not.  It’s just time to give the bike a rest, maybe a bath and some new shoes. You know – it would be a good idea if I took a bath, also. My only real thought on Friday was to make it home. The last day of any trip is always the most dangerous day. My thoughts were going to change soon. The plan was to stop in Newnan, Georgia at Great South Harley Davidson and meet a few friends to ride back to Columbus. A few friends turned into seventeen bikes in all. It was great to see everyone. We pulled out from the shop at 4:30 p.m. and we headed for Columbus. They even let me lead the pack – which is a big honor – ok, not really. You are the one who gets the blame if you make a wrong turn or you go too fast or too slow or dirt gets in someone’s eye. They really don’t get mad but they sure will pick on you. You have to have thick skin or wear leather.  I have both and I make lots of wrong turns.  I’m not really lost – the GPS always tells me where I am. 

 As we are heading down I-185 and get to the city line, I can see a bunch of blue lights flashing. This is my second gift for the day. The Columbus Police Department Motor Squad met us at Smith Road and escorted the group to Oxbow Meadows which would be the start of the Riverwalk Ride. There are not enough words in this computer for me to tell you how special the bond is to me that I share with the law enforcement officers of Columbus.

 It’s now 6 p.m. and the bikes are starting to arrive for the ride down the Riverwalk and they just seem to keep coming and coming.  At last count, we had over a hundred of us. Once again we are escorted by the Motor Squad. The ride with the sun starting to set over the river is beautiful. I hope all the other riders enjoyed it as much as I did. As we make the turn off Front Avenue and onto 11^th Street and I can see the crowd and it brought tears to my eyes. Even as I write this it brings back the same emotions. I can only say that the gift this community gave to me is not anything that you can go and buy in a store. To come together for a single cause and try to make a difference in one person’s life so one day that one person might be able to go on their own adventure because of what we have done here today is priceless. How could you top that gift? The people that I met on the road have been great. I may or may not ever talk to them again, but I will think of them often as I tell my stories. (You can tell me you have already heard that one if I tell it twice, I am old now and tend to forget).  It’s the lifelong friends I have made with my second family at Columbus Regional that I will carry with me to the end of my days. That is the third gift I got. Everyone needs to know that the real work was done right here in Columbus. I was just the guy on the bike with a crazy idea.  Karen Cook and her staff are the ones who brought it to life.  I am sure that they have more hours put into this ride than I put in the saddle, and to top it all off they did not get to see all of the things that I was able to see. Then you have the real heroes of the group – the doctors and the nurses. The work they do on the Fourth and Fifth floors with all of those kids are amazing. What they do day in and day out is the real miracle.  Now, about my first family – Country’s.  I have such pride to be able to say that I work with such a great bunch of people.  I was just overwhelmed that they raised over $13,000 for this ride – and people say that the younger generation is not like the older. They are right – I think they might be way ahead of us. Then I have Jim to thank. Not only did you introduce me to the life of being on the road with a bike, you took a kid just barely got out of high school and helped me succeed in life.  I am just one of a few that you have done that for.  Just think of all of the life’s that you have made a difference in… thank you.

I have no idea where life’s journey will take me next, but what I do know is that we are only here for a very short time and I plan on making the most of it.  Live your life and do the things that you dream about – even if people say that you are crazy. Give just for the sake of giving. You will be surprised at what you get in return. The people in this country are good.  I know that there a few who are not but don’t let them bring you down. Go out on a limb and meet someone new – even if they dress funny and they have a bad hair day like me. You might be surprised at who you might meet and what you might learn.  And the next time you are in your cage – roll your windows down. Yes… all of them – let the wind blow through your hair. (Who cares how you look in the end?)  Feel the life around you… smell the smells of the road… let the rain hit you in the face… and if you are lucky, maybe a bug or two.  Ever watch a dog in a car?  That is the first thing they want to do.

 Thank you all for the gifts that you have given me and letting me share my life with you while I was on the road. Until my next journey – I love you and I hope to see you out there on the road.

Scott with Donna Lefcourt and Maddie, a CMN Miracle Child from The Medical Center

Scott at the Homecoming

May 29, 2009 – WELCOME HOME, SCOTT!

Scott had a wonderful Homecoming!  Once all the donations are counted, it is projected that Scott’s Ride for Miracles raised $45,000!  Check back later for comments and pictures from Scott.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYONE’S SUPPORT OF SCOTT’S RIDE FOR MIRACLES.

May 28, 2009 – Day 21

Scott is almost home!  Don’t forget to click on the Donate Now link on the right to get in your donation – it’s not too late!  We hope to surprise Scott by telling him he reached his goal – and we can do this with your help! 

Join Scott tonight at the last Uptown Columbus Broadway Friday Night Concert.  Classic Addict takes the stage at 7:00 p.m.  Scott arrives at the stage about 8:15 p.m.  DSOS will follow Scott’s Homecoming presentation.  Also, you can participate on a motorcycle in Scott’s Return Ride on the Riverwalk for a $10 donation to CMN.  Motorcyclist will be meeting at Oxbow Meadows beginning at 6:00 p.m. 

From Scott:

“At 5:33 p.m., Thursday, May 28^th I crossed the South Carolina state line. The trip is over. All that is left to do now is get my butt home. I think the road trip gods were smiling on me yesterday I had rain around me but very little was on me. At one point, I stopped to put on my rain suit. Now this is about a twenty minute process, which I’m sure looks quite funny for travelers as they pass me on the side of the road. First, I have to strip off the leathers. It’s not easy getting out of chaps. Then unpack half of the bike just so I can get to the rain suit. I then pack everything back up and put on the suit. You really don’t want to do put the suit on unless you just like the idea of a workout in a rubber suit. I did time this right – as I get on the bike and start to drive off the rain starts. After about, oh I say half mile, and around one corner what do you think I see? Yep! The bright sun shines and I have blue skies. Now I’m glad for the sun, but you can’t ride for very long in a zip lock bag so pull on over and start the whole process over.   I strip out of the rain suit and I’m back in the leathers. Forty five minutes later and I have only gone one whole mile – but at least I got some sun. I’m looking forward to getting home and sharing my stories from the road. (Oh, and some clean underwear!) Don’t worry – I saved one clean pair for Friday. After all, I might see someone that I know.”

Day 21 - Scott crossed into the 48th State - South Carolina

May 27, 2009 – Day 20

One more day until Scott returns home!  It’s not too late to make a donation to be counted in the final amount to be announced tomorrow night at the final Friday Night Broadway Concert Series (1100 block of Broadway).  Come out and celebrate with Scott at his return with a special presentation during intermission.  Classic Addict starts the concert at 7:00 p.m. followed by DSOS after Scott’s Welcome Home.  Also, click on the Homecoming link to find out how you can ride with Scott in on the Riverwalk!

From Scott:

“Ok guys, enough of the rain! I guess I started in the rain so I might as well finish in the rain – but thunder storms are in a different category. I used to never worry about lightning on a bike until about a month before I left.  I heard about a guy that got hit by lightning. I thought the rubber tires would protect you, but I guess you need the cage around you. The mountain road I was on in the storm didn’t have a place for me to pull off for cover so I just had to ride through it. Now, I’m not ready to leave this earth just yet, but if you had to go from a bolt of lightning on a mountain road that would be better than winding up as a grease spot on the road after you got hit by a trash truck.  People would be talking about the guy that rode out of here on a bolt of lightning for years. But like I said, I’m not quite ready to go yet.

Now the good part of the back roads is the small towns you get to go through – the ones that it looks like time has forgotten. You’ll see people on the street standing around talking, a small hardware store, or a real gas station where they even work on cars. You have the local diner that when you go in everyone knows right off you are not from around there. This was the case when I had lunch at the Korner Shop Café.  And yes, that is how they spell it.  Life in a small town is really laid back.  At noon, just about everyone stops for lunch. You can see them either going home or as the case in this town, all pile in the café for today’s special which was spaghetti and meatballs. It gets a little quiet when I first walk in, but I start pulling off the rain gear and they can see that there is a normal person under all that plastic. I jump up to the counter and order a glass of tea. You never know what you are going to get, but to my surprise she asked if I would like sweet or unsweet. Ahhhhhh… I’m back in the South. They tell me about the special, but I see that they have barbecue on the menu so I order a bowl of the homemade chili and a barbecue sandwich and start to feel right at home.  The chili was really good and the sandwich was ok. The guy next to me told me I should have gotten the spaghetti because they get their barbecue out of a tub.  Then I see a cooker back in the kitchen and my new friend must know what I’m thinking because he tells me they just use that for a shelf to put stuff in. He also tells me not to leave without getting the blackberry cobbler.  I should have just let him order for me because he was right about the cobbler – it was great.

The rain has let up so its time to get back on the road. If the sun would have been out, I think I would have gone to find a tree to lie under to take a nap. I can see the clouds getting darker again, but I need to go a little bit longer today and besides there is not a motel in sight. Now you have rules that you should give yourself when you ride a bike. Number one: always ride at your own pace. If you are ridding with someone and they go faster and harder, just let them go and ride your own ride.  You will get there when you get there – the point is to just get there. Number two: when you come to a stop put your feet down. I know it sounds logical but it happens. Usually only once, but it does happen. Number three: don’t forget to turn on the gas. I never remember to shut mine off so I don’t have this problem. Number four: always look to where you want to go. Now this can be a hard one sometimes. Like on mountain roads you see the signs for falling rocks. Well, as you are riding along and you are looking through the curves and where you want the bike to go like you are supposed to, then out of nowhere you see rocks coming down the hill. Now what do you do?  Do you look down the road and the curve you want to round or this big a%##%$ boulder coming down the hill? You know if you look at the falling rock that is where you will wind up – heading right for it.  If you don’t ride, I know this is hard for you to believe. But ask any biker and they will tell you that you go where you look. If there is a big pot hole in the middle of the road, you have got to look at it and sure enough you are going to drive right into it.  This is the same with a big rock coming down the side of a hill.  I think I will just stop and let them have the right of away.”

Day 20 - Scott at the Korner Shop Cafe

May 26, 2009 – Day 19

Thanks to all of Scott’s friends that have been following this blog.  If you haven’t made a donation at one of the supporting restaurants or online, please consider clicking on the Donate Now link on the right to find out how you can support Scott and his efforts to help the kids in the Columbus Community.  All donations will benefit Children’s Miracle Network at The Medical Center.  Scott is close to his goal of $35,000.  We would like to be able to surprise Scott Friday night with an announcement of making this goal.

From Scott:

“RAIN!  Every kind of rain you can think of I saw today.  I remember how Forest Gump described it – sideways rain, light rain, hard rain, but the one I think he missed was how rain feels going over the Memorial Bridge into New Jersey.  Forest didn’t know about rain at  when you are traveling at four or five hundred feet over the Delaware River with the wind blowing and having to drive fifty mph just to keep from getting run over.  I was glad to get back to the real ground and off the bridges.  I take a turn to the north on I-295 for about ten miles and over another bridge to get out of New Jersey.  Now this is where they get you.  You can come into Jersey for free over the bridge but to get out you have to pay a toll. (Can anyone say Tony Soprano?) The toll is now four dollars.  I Googled it and the information on the website said $3 a car. I guess they have not updated it lately. But get this… on a single day they take in $270,000. You would think with that kind of money they could put some sides on the bridge just so it won’t blow my a$#%#^^ off into the river.  I thought about going north another 50 or so miles just so I could make a land crossing. I must also confess, I am sure that I will be getting a ticket from Monday going around New York City.  I got in the wrong lane and could not get over as I was going into the toll area. Yep, right in the EZ-Pass Lane (I swear I could not get over without getting run over).  I heard it beep and saw flashes of light as I went under.  All that I could do is turn and smile and wave.  I hope it’s a good picture and my hair was not too messed up. Maybe I could get Chief Boren to put in a good word for me.

Ok, back on I-95 heading through Baltimore once I get on the other side, I will only have a few more miles of interstate to travel.  Now Baltimore has the right idea on how to get to the other side of the water. They dug a great big hole right under Patapsco River. They charge you $2 to use the tunnel both ways which gets them about $230,000 a day.  I sure didn’t mind to pay that toll.  This was about a mile of dry and warm ridding. In fact, I wonder if they would get mad if I just stopped under here for awhile. Probably so.  I do see cameras everywhere, and I could be running out of favors with the Chief. I do think when I get home I am going to set me up a toll booth on the 14^th Street Bridge.”

Day 19 - Scott crossing into Virginia and he says, "Another Bad Hair Day!"

May 25, 2009 – Day 18

From Scott:

“I had blue skies and it was warm when I got on the road this Memorial Day.  It’s a day we should be thankful we have the freedom we have. That freedom did not come cheap. We have this freedom because of the sacrifices of a lot of brave men and women who have given their life for us to be a free nation. I have not forgotten the reason of my ride but today my thoughts will be for the ones who gave the ultimate gift. Larry, today I took my Ranger patch from the vest and placed it on my everyday jacket so every time I look down, I will think of you and the ones who have given us this great gift we call freedom.

I-95 is not the road of choice but the one that I will have to take today as I head into the concrete desert we call New York City. I stop for lunch at the Sunset Rib Company in Lyme. The restaurant is on Mago Point under a draw bridge. When I pull in, there are several bikes in the lot so I knew I had found a home away from home.  It’s easy to pick out the bikers in a crowd – what’s not easy to tell is what they do in the real world. If you go to the picture section you will understand what I mean. On the left, is Larry with IBM, the dirty one is me, then Linda with Northeast Utilities Systems and next is Mark, who owns Madison Avenue Hair, Skin & Nails. (He said there was no hope for my hair.)  I also met Steve and Ruth who own an overhead door company. I will have to say if you ever find yourself north of New York, find the Sunset Rib Company and eat the fried cod sandwich and clam chowder. I think they give you the whole fish on the sandwich. Not only was it bigger than the bun, it hung off both sides of the plate. Oh and Larry, thanks for buying my lunch. If I ever run across y’all again I will return the favor. I have a bite to eat and a soda (that’s a coke for us southern folks) and I’m off for the Big Apple. Now everyone I have talked to has told me to stay away from the city. Yes, I did listen this time and went to the west of it. I don’t think it mattered – I was surrounded by cages. I tried to find a friendly (motorcycle) to ride with, but could not see any. When you are really outnumbered it’s nice to have another bike next to you. As in all big cities, and New York was no different, there was CONSTRUCTION.  Now I don’t know about you, but I think the engineers sit up all night and play beer pong (this is like quarters for us old people) and then go out and do the roads design for the construction site. About every fifty yards they have a hump in the road so after a mile or so of that you start to feel like a yo-yo. And the next thing they throw in is a few lane shifts to the right and then back to the left. Then at the point you think they could not be any more creative they do some pressure washing of the bridges so it can get big puddles of water on the road. The cages love this!  You should see them smile as they ride by and hit that puddle at 55 mph and the water flies all over you right in the middle of a lane shift. I think a lot of people like me in New York because a bunch of them waved and some even used all of their fingers instead of just the middle one. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh… New York – you got love it.”

Day 18 - Scott at the Delaware Water Gap, Delaware River

May 24, 2009 – Day 17

From Scott:

“It was hard to leave York Harbor this morning. I got up early so I could watch the sun come up, but I guess not early enough.  Being that far east, it must start to rise as soon as it sets on the west coast. I was up at 5:20 a.m. and it was already daylight.  One other thing that you notice here is the tide.  It is very dramatic compared to what we see in the gulf.  In some places the boats that were afloat at the dock are now on their side in the rocks and sand.  

My plan is to follow the coast line as far as I can this morning.  It didn’t take long for me to get lost.  I’m not sure if it was me or the GPS that made the wrong turn.  I will blame it on the GPSand if it starts to argue I will just turn it off.  I finally get on the right road. Highway 1A is well worth the drive even though the speed limit is only 30 mph for most of the way.  Now with the wind coming off the ocean I have to stop and put on some more warm clothes and my gloves. The temperature is in the low 50’s.  As the road winds along the rock coast, I can start to make out a small beach in front of me. There is no way y’all will believe what I see next.  The parking lot has about a hundred or so cars in it.  As I round the corner, I can see the beach good for the first time.  All that I can think is that they have all lost their mind up here.  They are actually lying on the beach in swim suits – THEY HAVE LOST THEIR MINDS.  Some of them are even in the water.  And I’m not talking about just standing in it – they are all the way up to their necks.  I stop and get off the bike and stand at the edge of the beach and cannot help but notice that they are looking at me like I am the one who has lost his mind.  I guess they would be right.  I am the only one on the beach in leather.  After a few more miles I come to a whole different type of ocean front.  In fact, maybe I should not be on this road.  The GPS says it is ok, but you know how that goes – it wouldn’t be the first time it steered me wrong.  Now the ocean is on my left and I’m not quite sure how to describe the right side.  To start with, there is a yard about the size of ten football fields.  The house… well, let’s just say it looks about the size of ten houses put all together.  Now this would be ok if there were just one or two.  But my guess is that there are about seventy five of them.  “Welcome to Hampton Beach” is what the sign says. It must be ok for me to be here.  Now it’s not long after I leave there, I come across the AgawamDiner.  It has been there since 1940.  I had to stop and the clam chowder was worth the stop alone.  I turn out of the parking lot and see a sign for the town of Ipswich.  I was there about three or four years ago for a family reunion on Rochelle’s side.  I see The Clam Box Restaurant and I know that I am close. (Clams sound good even though I just ate fiveminutes ago.)  I find the house and pull in.  As I’m walking to the door, I remember the cater me we had there a few years back.  Lobster – what else I can say?  Mary Kate answers the door and I tell her that I’m a long distance relative here to visit.  She shuts the door and leaves me outside. (You’ve all seen how I look, so can you blame her? I would have run, too!)  We had a good visit, too short – but good.  I should have planned my night’s stop in Ipswich.  Now, I got Uncle Sharky mad at me.  I don’t know about you, but this doesn’t sound good to me.”

Day 17 - Scott with Rochelle's Uncle Sharky, Cousin Evangeline Surrette and her children Mary Kate and Kevin in Ipswich, MA

May 23, 2009 – Day 16

From Scott:

“As I was loading the bike this morning, I was thinking to myself that I should have done this trip in reverse. My thoughts were that I have seen so many beautiful things like the Hill Country of Texas, the High Desert, the Grand Canyon, the Rocky Mountains, and the farm land of the Mid-West – just to name a few of the places that I have been.  And yesterday, I was on a toll road for the whole day heading toward concrete mountains and millions of cages. My body parts are about all back in the right place after my ride across the four-lane hell of the toll road. It cost me $12.25, if that gives you an idea how many craters I bounced through and another night in a motel bed.  Ah, the East Coast has a lot of big cities.

The first thing that had to be done today was get the oil changed.  I was lucky that my stop was close to a dealership and they were open on Saturday.  I got a quick oil change and then hit the road. Just a few miles down the interstate and I get to exit onto Highway 7.  Only after a few miles on this road, my mind changes about the East having nothing but big cities.  I’m back in the mountains! Now, they may not have snow covered peaks or jagged rock formations but what they do have millions of trees and 95% of them are hardwoods.  It is beautiful now but I bet in the Fall when all the leaves change it is something to see. This road will take me all the way to York Harbor – the number of the road might change from state to state. It also will take me through a lot of small towns.  One of the first towns I hit is Bennington, Vermont. The town has its yearly festival, Moose Days, going on so the main street is blocked off. I know it will be a short ride today so decide to stop.  And besides, I can smell food cooking – one more advantage of not being in a cage – you get to smell your surroundings.  (Sometimes that’s not always a good thing – see early blog about being behind a Manure Truck.)  For the most part, I think that festivals all use the same hand book and they all are pretty much the same. I get a quick bite and get back on the road.  I have a date with a lobster tonight and I don’t want to be late. After a little more ridding I have to stop and put on some more warm clothes.  It’s still sunny out but it is getting colder.  This would be a good area to spend some time in the winter if you want to do something a little different – they have a lot of back country snowmobile tours. I also did not know that they had so many lakes.

You can feel it in the air as you start to get close to the coast (unless you are in a cage with the windows up!)  As I top a bridge and look to the east, I can see the ocean. You know, I should have added a few more miles and made it all the way to the West Coast. My stop for today will be in the very bottom of Maine in a town called York Harbor.  I will stay in a B&B for the night right on the water. I get directions and head for Dock Side Inn.  As I pull up, I can see that they are in the middle of a wedding.  There is nothing quite like the sound of a Harley in the middle of your wedding.  Needless to say everyone looks.  I guess they didn’t go through this part in the rehearsal the day before.   What else can you do but say “HI Y’ALL!”  This doesn’t look good – instead of eating lobster, I think I’m going to be in the pot with him.  Well, what’s done is done so I get checked in.  When I check in, I find out that the actual wedding is not until tomorrow and I just pulled up on a dress rehearsal so they could do pictures in case of rain.  I was relieved.  Looks like I won’t be in the pot with the lobster after all.  Off to dinner I go.  I always like to eat at the bar if I’m by myself because there is always someone to talk to.  Tonight was no different and this is where I meet Craig and Suzanne and their kids.  Once again, I think the best part of this trip is the good people that I have met along the way. Oh, and the lobster was as good as I thought it would be.”

Day 16 - Scott in York Harbor, Maine

May 22, 2009 – Day 15

From Scott:

“It was a big celebration last night – dinner, a Canadian beer, and ice cream cake. What more could an old person ask for? Well ok, maybe a good night’s sleep without having to get up two or three times. My Canadian family took great care of me. Well Marnie did spend some time in the South so I was able to teach her about southern hospitality.  I wish I could just get her to quit saying, “ah” (not even sure if that is how you spell such a strange word).  Thanks for a great birthday and setting my hair on fire with all of them candles.

I headed for the border at noon. Sure hoped they let me back in.  After coming across the Peace Bridge you wind up in downtown buffalo and it just so happens to be lunch time.  After I drive a few blocks, I start to notice the hotdog stands on the corners.  Now I know that there is no way that I’m going to leave New York without one of those hot dogs. So I see the one I want to stop at – he has a large crowd around his cart so this must be the one for me. Always eat at the place that has the line. The crowd is there for some reason.  I round the block a couple of times and then find a place to park. They need to work on their signs in New York. They make no kind of sense. There two or three other cars parked there so I feel safe that it is ok to park. And besides, a bike does not take up much room.  So now I’m all smiles as I am walking toward the stand – I can’t wait. I’m not very hungry but that is beside the point – It is just one of the sacrifices you have to make.  I wait my turn in line to place my order. Now you would think that the people in New York have seen just about everything there is to see. So I’m not real sure why they are all looking at me – I mean I don’t look that funny in chaps ( I HOPE ).  T C, that’s my new friend – the hot dog man, asks me what I would like. I will have the special which is two dogs a bag of chips and a drink.  You get all of this for $3.50!  I can’t believe it and even in New York. I jump up on the wall with all the rest of the diners and dig in.  It is just how I would imagine it would taste.  As I was licking my lips and telling the folks around me how good it was, I was informed that I ordered the wrong thing.  I was told I should have gotten the sausage dog because he makes his from scratch.  Well, I know that there is no way that I can leave without one so I jump up and order one.  Just as he is handing it to me I hear a lot of noise behind me and then T C hollers like only someone from New York could. I cannot figure out what is going on until someone tells me that I am getting a parking ticket.  I grab my sausage and head for the bike.  The cop asks if this is mine and I would like to tell him that I am the only idiot around here in chaps, but instead I just say “Yes, Sir” and that I just was stopping to get a hot dog, oh and a side of sausage. I was thinking the worst and that is when all of my new friends stuck up for me. He closed the book and told me to hurry and eat and then move the bike. “Yes, Sir” I told him – I would right away.  As he walked away, he told me “You know that you are parked in the D.A.’s parking place?” Now I guess I know why they were all looking at me funny.  But I do have to wonder how that cop did not know that I was not the D.A.? (I guess the chaps gave me away). The next time you are in Buffalo, make sure that you go to the court house area and find Tomaso Hot Dog Stand and ask for T C.  It is two o’clock by the time I get out of town.  I know now that I will not make Maine by night fall.  I guess the lobster will have to wait for one more day.  Plus, I just had two hotdogs and a sausage with chips – not much room for lobster anyway.”

Day 15 - Scott with TC, the Hot Dog Man

May 21, 2009 – Day 14

From Scott:

“Birthday Canadian style – the cake looked like a forest fire!  I had a short ride day today – only about 250 miles. The bad part was that most of it had to be on a toll road.  I have come to the conclusion that the more that you pay at the toll booth, the more pot holes you get for your money. There is nothing quite like hitting a crater at 60 mph when parts start flying off – and I’m not talking about parts off the bike.  It will jar you from your seat all the way to the top of your head. I should only have one more day of the four lane concrete trail, and then back to some mountain roads and the rocky East Coast.  I can almost taste the lobster!

The trip across the border went well – they let me in. Now the big question is will they let me back in the States!  If not, some one will need to send me some really warm clothes. It was great to be able see an old friend. (And I mean old!) I can say that because she is the one who put 50 candles on my cake. Marnie and I have been soul sister and brother for long time. I will stay the night with Marnie and her family tonight.  I can’t wait for my first real bed in a real house in two weeks.”

Day 14 - Scott with his Forest Fire Birthday Cake

Happy 50th Birthday, Scott!  He made a visit to Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital early this morning and received a tour of this nationally known Children’s Miracle Network hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.  In the picture with Scott are some fellow bikers from the American Legion Riders of Ohio, 13th District that are joining him for a portion of his ride today.  Beside Scott is Maura Nagel, Community Development Specialist for Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital.  Also in the picture is Samuella and Chester Phoney – parents of our own Cheryl Renee of WTVM Newsleader 9.

Day 14 - Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital in Cleveland, OH