This year was no different, but there was an added twist; tremendous thunderstorms and torrential rain rolled through in the middle of the night, waking both Greg and me. No, we weren't sleeping together, but we did compare notes on Friday morning and found that we'd both been woken up by them. Fortunately by the time we rolled out of our respective driveways, the rain had dwindled to a slight misty drizzle.
After a quick discussion on the route, we were off. Traffic treated us pretty well but the rain made sure to let us know it hadn't forgotten about us, and we were pretty wet for most of the first half of the day. Merritt Parkway, usually a welcome and windy, truck-free ribbon of roadway has let us down two years in a row now. Long, long stretches of feet-down backup (and this year, with rain pouring down on us). We may have to reconsider our route next year…
Anyway, the second half of the day found us dodging fewer rain drops, and even enjoying a few intrusions of sunlight now and then. But the road gods were still not done with us; they threw a miles-long, turn-the-bike-off-and-wait-to-move traffic jam at us, at one of the usual bad spots; the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Good lord, this place is a disaster. But it doesn’t have to be; if they let us use all the lanes that are available, I think we’d flow through there without issue. But nope, they had two of the left lanes closed down. That means that coming through the toll booth, you’re bringing something like 12 lanes down to 4, then 3, then 2. Yeah! That’s a great idea!
Ok, enough bitching, we made it without any accidents. But here’s a comparison for you; when I go out to Olean, it’s the same distance (500 miles), and I can make it out there in 6.5 hours. The trip down to DC this year took us about 10 hours I think it was. Yep, that’s how much traffic sucks, going to DC.
Anyway, where was I. Oh yeah; we made it safe and sound. Kerry was happy as hell to see us of course…I mean; who wouldn’t be?
James arrived from work and we set to working on a plan for the weekend. We didn’t have anything concrete lined up so we tentatively agreed to let it be another by-the-seat-of-our-pants weekend (like last year).
We grabbed dinner at an upscale place out on the water followed by some libations at an Irish pub in Old Towne, then back to the house to close out the evening.
Saturday found us running some errands, catching up with some friends not seen in some time, then we headed off to a restaurant that K wanted to bring us to. Turns out the place was a Biergarten! Whoo-Hoo! After that was back to the house to kick back for a bit, then out with a whole bunch of friends for another great dinner; this time out on the patio, gathered ‘round a nice gas fire pit.
We made one more stop before heading home, to a country bar where they had a riding bull. One of our friends (Rebecca) said she wanted to ride the bull, and did. That was all I needed in order to convince me that I needed to ride it, too. (I was worried how my neck would handle it, but it did just fine). It was pretty fun! (I think the lady controlling it took it easy on this old guy, though…)
Sunday was Rolling Thunder day! We left the house a few minutes later than usual, but we figured we still had time. They don’t block off the Constitution exit until 11. We arrived at 10:33…just in time to see a police vehicle block off the intersection and pull out a cordon to stretch across the entrance. Damn. Ok, looks like we’re taking the Independence exit. We wound up parking right on Rte 66, along with tons of other bikes. Traffic was moving very slowly in this section, anyway, due to all the bikes and goings on, so it was safe to park there.
We ambled off, visited The Wall to pay our respects, hit Thunder Alley for our rally pins, then took our positions along the route for the run, proper.
Soon the bikes were rolling past, cheers and applause..and before long; rain. Not just rain, but downpours! Man, it was really coming down, but that wasn’t going to stop the bikes. Some folks were dressed for the weather, some weren’t, but they were all cruising on by, flags flying, horns honking, saluting SSgt Tim standing at attention; all the usual wonderfulness.
And speaking of SSgt Tim; he gets credit for the funniest comment this weekend. In the middle of the rain pouring down and the cold wind whipping everyone’s nipples to attention, I overheard him say to one of his supporters; “It’s not as hot this year...” Haha!!
We stuck it out for almost 3 hours but we hadn’t brought any rain gear with us to the parade route so we were all pretty cold and soaked, so we called it a day, made our way back to the bikes (put some rain gear on), and headed back to the house for warm showers and cleanup.
Sunday nights are lower key, since we have an early departure the next morning. One of K’s friends came over, we all hopped on the bikes and headed off to another Irish pub for dinner, then back to the house where another friend came over and we all hung out and wiled the rest of the evening away.
Today’s ride home wasn’t as bad as we’d feared it would be. We had some traffic, we had some downpours, but overall; we made good time; only 8 hours! Sweet! But we were pretty chilled and wet by the time we arrived back. Oh yeah; Greg peeled off at his exit (8), and my exit was only one more up (9). But as soon as he peeled off, I hit a traffic jam which left my with feet down and not moving. Really?? But…I’m so close to home!! Turned out to be a minor fender bender on the far left, just before my exit (of course) which had that lane closed down, and of course everyone was rubber-necking as they went by. When I finally had the clearance, I hammered up my exit, and headed for home.
Now, laundry is in the washer, dinner is in my belly, and I’m actually posting the trip writeup before heading to bed. Look at me getting things done!
So, takeaways from this year; we’re going to reevaluate our departure next year and are currently planning on heading down Thursday, instead. Traffic on Fridays is just too out of control and we waste too much of the day not moving fast (or not moving at all).
We also want to go back to how we used to do things; do more visiting of memorials and such. Last year and this year, we just kind of floated and caught up with friends. Don’t get me wrong; it’s awesome to do, but we feel like we could (and should) have made more of an effort paying respects to those who this weekend is for and about. (The good thing is that going down on Thursday should definitely help with achieving that goal.)
And there you have it; Rolling Thunder, 2017. Another fantastic trip in the books! (The weather sure could have been better, but it can always be worse, too).
Pics!
We park our bikes under the tree in K's yard to protect it from the elements...but I guess the birds feel this doesn't apply to them.
The offerings at the biergarten! (I wanted to take these glasses home but the owners of this place were too nice and I didn't want the bad karma on my head.)
Four pretty maidens, all in a row...
Parking on the side of the highway in downtown DC...
One of the first ones through every year; the old gentleman in the bamboo cage...
SSgt Tim had help this year (open the pic and zoom in...)
People are supposed to stay out of the road, and the park police keep asking them to step back up onto the side, but these idiots just keep flowing out into the roadways.
This is what the side of the road we're standing on, looks like. Bikes are coming through here, people. Get the Fcuk out of the way!
A nice clear shot of SSgt Tim's helper.
Enter the rain...
and more rain...
...an more...
This rider had brought something to give to Tim. It was a plaque of some sort, but I couldn't see what it was. He and Tim saluted each other and then he was off again.
There was a group of riders who were wearing kilts. Kilts! I loved it! (I bet it was pretty wet and chilly, though!)
At one point, Tim was pointing at the Battle Cross memorial in front of him and shouting to those riding past (not in a mad way) to observe and remember.
A couple of shots of the procession as we made our retreat...
We asked one of the park police to snap the customary group picture. We look like a bunch of drowned rats...
Later on, back at the house, Greg told me that one of my taillights was out so we popped the lens off, replaced it with a spare that he had, and taped it up. Thanks Bro!
In Connecticut, I spotted this exit sign and I don't know why it never jumped out at me before;
Lastly, I was told I had to have pics to prove I rode the bull at the country bar. "Pics or it didn't happen" as the saying goes. Well, I don't have pics, but I do have something better; a video. (Hopefully it loads ok.)
Rolling Thunder - always a poignant and memorable trip.
Give thanks and honor to those who gave us the freedoms we enjoy!
Ride Hard, Take Chances
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