September 15 Crossing America

Port St. Lucie –  Wabsddo Beach, a distance of 55 miles.
5,123 miles traveled through today, 4,384 of them on my bike.

I awoke full of energy and excitement as this is going to be a great day riding and visiting with two high school buddies at one time.  As I walked to the garage to load my gear onto Spirit I saw Greg sitting in a recliner in his bedroom working a puzzle while 4 year old Michelle was all snuggled up in Grandpa’s bed enjoying one of her favorite TV programs before having to get up to go to pre-school.  To bad I didn’t have my camera in hand for
this Kodak moment.  After enjoying watching Grandpa and Granddaughter for a couple minutes I said “Good Morning” which startled Greg almost out of his recliner, hope I didn’t cause him to mess up the puzzle.  I’m so happy for Greg and Michelle.

After loading up Spirit I said good bye to my friend and grandbaby Michelle.  Greg was concerned he might not make our rendezvous with Jim today as he may have to meet with his daughter and her doctor but he would do his best to be in Vero Beach.  As I rode away I said a little prayer Greg’s daughter would be fine and Greg would be able to join Jim and me in Vero Beach.

About 11:30 I was nearing Vero Beach Junction of Hwy. 60 and US 1 so called Greg first to see if he was going to make it, he was and would be at our meeting spot before me.  I then
phoned Jim and he too would was on schedule.  I’d arrive after the two of them as I was riding a little slower than anticipated.  Shortly after twelve I arrived at the US 1 and 60 intersection but was unable to see either of my friends.  I phoned Greg and he advised me
they were at the next signal light on US1.  Told him I’d be there in a couple minutes and rode on.  The next signal light was at a city park but no Jim and Greg thus I rode onto a second signal light but still did not see either of them.  Once again I phoned Greg and told him I didn’t see them and I had already gone two signal lights north.  Greg said, “Well Jim is here and he didn’t have any trouble finding the meeting spot”.  OK, so I’m not very smart sometimes but I assured Greg I was standing on the corner of US 1 as there was a sign directly over my head proclaiming such.  Greg advised me to stay put and they would drive to me.  Fifteen minutes later still no Greg or Jim, I this time phoned Jim to find out where they were.  He said they had drove a couple miles north but still didn’t see me  either.  Jim then asked if I could see the ocean to which I replied no it is hidden by some
condos but just behind them was the ocean.  Hmmm!  The brain light lit up and Jim realized he and Greg were riding along channel and not the ocean.  Jim told me to stay put he now knew what the problem was.  Another fifteen minutes and my two friends arrived.  The problem the meeting spot they were directed to by their Garmin was the intersection of Hwy. 60 and a sign which actually read “This way to US 1”.  This is yet another example of why I don’t trust Garmin directions, Google Map and the Maps application on my iPhone.  My friends were in Greg’s car which didn’t have room for them, me and Spirit.  I
said I’d ride back to the intersection of US1 and Hwy 60.  Since they would arrive there ahead of me they could decide on a restaurant near there for us to have lunch.  I did add don’t make it too far from the intersection as I ride at a much slower then they could travel in a car.  When I arrived at the correct meeting location, Greg and Jim were only a block east on the ocean front at a nice restaurant where we had a very good lunch which Jim treated us too.  We sat and visited for nearly three hours before Greg had to head back to Port St. Lucie to pick Michelle up from pre-school.  After hugs all around and a promise to stay in touch we had a local guy take our picture.

Jim, The Old Guy and Greg

We decided Greg would take Jim back to his car, I’d continue riding on US1 for another 10 miles and then Jim would pick me up and we’d ride together in his car up to Ormond Beach in order to continue visiting and saving me a whole day of riding.  It was a great plan.  By the time Jim caught up to me I had already ridden over six miles.  He was duly impressed with how fast I rode.   Actually, we had off loaded all my gear into Greg’s car, they then transferred it to Jim’s car so I was considerably lighter and able to ride like
the wind without having to carry 60+ pounds of gear.

What an enjoyable afternoon riding with Jim up the coast.  We learned about each other’s life since CLCHS.  Jim had served as a helicopter mechanic and door gunner in the Army during the Viet Nam War and was now suffering from several medical problems a couple of which were caused by the military’s use of “Agent Orange” to defoliate the jungle.  Tragic they didn’t know the stuff would slowly kill our soldiers in the years after.  I pray Jim is able to live a long life, several other friends back in Nevada didn’t.

The miles whizzed by as Jim and I visited and all too soon we were in Ormond Beach.  Just as my visit with Joyce and Dick, Jim and I shared so much more of our lives with other than we ever did in high school and I look forward to staying in touch with him here
forward.  We were much too shallow with our feelings back in high school.  At least, my adventure has renewed and enlivened our friendships now.

Finding a suitable motel, one I could afford and yet not be a dump, proved to be a difficult task but we finally hit the Jackpot with the A1A Travel Inn, 342 Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach, FL 32176. Their phone number 386-677-1593 is an exceptionally great bargain.
Owner Himanshul Patel has taken great pride in his motel and it shows.  I’m providing this information for the benefit of you future Wanderlust folks who may one day find yourself in need of a quality motel room at a very affordable rate.  I’ve stayed in Holiday Inns, Day’s Inns and Quality Inns that weren’t as clean as Mr. Patel keeps his rooms.  The motel was probably build back in the 40s or 50s and only has 12 units compared to the other big box motels along this stretch of highway and deserves your consideration.  My room though small had a king size bed which appeared to be new, as well as the linens on it.  The room as was GI clean, that’s pretty clean.  I must warn you the interior walls and décor are quite loud with walls of Pink and a shower curtain, new, had a 50’s rock and roll theme.  I loved staying at Mr. Patel’s motel so much I stayed an extra day in order to work on this journal.

Jim stayed with me until we found a suitable even though it was near 7:30PM by the time we found the above motel.  I was concerned he had a long drive back to Clearwater and this had already been a full day for him.  At least, he from Ormond Beach he would be able
to Jump on I-4 for a straight line home.  I was to learn Jim drove over 475 miles this day to be a friend helping a friend.  Jim you are a friend and I’m so very glad we were able to  meet and get to know each other better.    Jim you are a good man and I’m better for
having this day to be with you.  Thank you from the very bottom, top and all around my heart.

Follow