“Whoa Nellie”

I made the first leg, of a 3 month journey to nowhere in particular, without incident.  Taking route 97 north, and then 197 through Maupin, I received an unwelcome visitor 2 miles shy of The Dalles.  An insect, presumably a bee of some variety, intruded my jacket, up through the sleeve to sting me on the bicep just 2 miles shy of town.  I arrived at the Shell station and asked the Oregon fuel attendant to look at my arm.  “Yup, looks like you got stung.”  I thought I might die of affixation because of some adverse reaction, but I’m still alive.  I journeyed to Hood River for another stop to check my vitals, still alive!  Proceeding along I-84, despite my proclamations to avoid interstates, to get to my destination about 400 miles at Jeff Sullivan’s house.  It is surprising what one will do for free lodging.  Riding through the Columbia River gorge, Trafalgar starting bucking from the hurricane force winds.  I told her, “Whoa Nellie” to my over-loaded steed to keep her on the trail.

I slugged it out on I-5 and then off the interstate to a well traveled road on the Kitsap peninsula to my friend’s house.  This was a good day, not great, but adequate to start the adventure.  I was greeted by an empty house, but the dog (Remy) let me in and I enjoyed a single malt scotch with the dog.  I’m off to greater adventures, and it is liberating to be on the bike, new tires, oil change, and all systems go for launch.