Thursday, September 10, 2009

Little motorcycle vs I-5

My trepidations about riding on I-5 from Seattle to McMinnville had good foundation. I left at 10 AM from the Seattle Jenkins to miss AM rush hour traffic. The "Mule" was again loaded heavily. I zoomed on to I-5 and was immediately met by a head wind and buffeting. It makes me nervous to have big rigs and large SUV's zipping by on both sides. Speed limit was 60mph. I was st 65mph. Everyone else was at 70mph or above. After getting by SeaTac the traffic was lighter but As I approached Tacoma and other large commnities, congestion and buffeting also increased.
I arrived in McMinnville at 3:30 PM. I had stopped in Kalama, WA for fuel and food and hooked up Judy Garmin to assist me in finding the Oregon Jenkins abode. I tried positioning the GPS mount for best view but the plastic rain cover produced a glare that made it impossible to use the unit. I will try to fabricate a clear plastic cover and test it along the trip as I will really rely on thr GPS as I get closer to the eastern states.
Yes, my old brain actually remembered how to get to the Oregon Jenkins hacienda. Chris was waitng for me with an ice cold adult beverage/s. After successfully rehydrating, I reconnected with grandkids Kendal and Lauren. It sure is nice to be around them. We SKYPE'd Valley last night and she is lonely but has been has been occupying her time by searching for housing options as she waits for an offer from the Salem, Or and Richland, WA hospitals.
My goal for the day is to strip down the bike, power wash it and get it ready to install new racks and then start tightening up all nuts and bolts.
Chris will be doing some sewing on the side bags. The webbing in the buckles slipped out and I used a bungee cord to hold them on the MC. Most single cylinder motorcycles vibrate and things work loose.
Well, it looks like it is going to be a nice day in McMinnville. Temp to rise to +80F and clear skies. It's time to sign off so I can get my walk and strecting done.

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