Monday, July 5, 2021

Bonus ride...

 

A few days ago, while discussing the expected increase in traffic over the holiday weekend (Friday through Monday), we semi-agreed that it might be best to stay off the scoots those days.  I messed up that plan by taking the Vespa out to test the Roadie remote on Friday.  We did stay close to home yesterday, but had fun watching the parades and the generally wandering around of people here in the resort.  This morning, Joan said, "Do you want to get a ride in today?  I don't think we have anything else going."

I'm in.

Shortly after noon, I got out the scoots and we headed out with a general agenda: work our way down to Custer State Park and get season passes for the scoots... if the traffic isn't too bad.  At the last moment, I put a camera on the Vespa and connected the Roadie...


 

We took our favorite close roads, generally heading south.  The traffic wasn't bad (surprisingly), but there was a lot of ugly cloud activity building over the hills... we'll keep an eye on that.  In the meantime, let's enjoy the ride...



While just bopping along, the motorhome you can see in the middle of the above photo got a lot closer to Joan than what felt comfortable.  She said, "Let's put some distance between us and this guy."  I don't have to be encouraged to enjoy more "spirited" riding.  ;-)



We stopped to fuel up - Joan got 97.7 mpg, I got 82.  I may have been a bit more aggressive on that solo ride on Friday.  ;-)


Getting creative with the 360 camera (above).  We eventually made it to the gate at Custer State Park, and bought our annual passes.  Now we can come and go through the park as we please - a short ride, or make a day of it.

It was turning out to be a hot day: temps ranged from 88º to 94º, mostly elevation influenced.  Looking at the sky, we decided to take Iron Mountain Road back north and head for home; I was a happy boy - this was more riding than I expected today.  We stopped once along the way to hydrate; in the shade.



The traffic was turning out to be pleasantly light.  When we did come up on traffic, they seemed to be driving well below the speed limit; we were able to get around and enjoy the curves.








Another good idea came up on the way home: "How about we go to Sonic for a Blast, and I can pick up a few things from the grocery store?  We can drop the scoots off, get the car, and run into town in air conditioned comfort."  I like it when a plan comes together.

The rain started shortly after we got home.  The weasels are calling for strong thunderstorms in the county we are in, but looking at radar, I think we may be OK.  It's a strong steady rain, and this area needs it.  After last year, when we had five hail-storms in 8 days here at Hart Ranch, a lot of folks here are "gun shy."  We've seen several vehicles around the resort sporting one of these...


Joan said, "It looks like a caterpillar;" I think it looks like a real good idea!  It's inflatable - supposed to protect from even softball size hail.  I wonder if they make one big enough to fit over our motorhome?

Check it out here: https://hailprotector.com/


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