We called ahead to make sure we could get a room and told the lady we were on bikes and when we got there it was funny because she had lots of rooms but she put us as far out back away from other people as she could.  We took advantage of that and used the waste basket for a bucket and washed both bikes and trailers and they really needed it. Next day we rode up to a observatory that we found closed so we headed north and I 20.  We then rode the freeway the rest of way to Yuma with a over night stay in Wilcox, Arizona.
   The trip was 2986 total miles and 8 days on the road.  We could of done it in less miles and faster time but that was not our plan, so I stuck to it. Helen really enjoyed the trip and she is the one that wanted to do it so I am glad she got to do it.  We never know how long we will be able to do it so I guess it was time.  Now I have to pick a route back home for late April. There was temp change of 34 in Michigan to 96 in Yuma so now you know why we are here, so enjoy the cold.

Happy Holidays to all,
Cecil and Helen Bowers

   A little news about our trip. Helen and I left as planned on October 23 at 9:15 AM at 34 Degrees.  I was dressed for the weather but Helen played the part of a tough Lady and did not have her Electric jacket on, but by the time we got to Charlotte she decided it would be nice to have it on.  It was a cool ride but we got to Bloomington Indiana the first night about 325 miles. Woke up to heavy rain but by the time we left at 9:00 AM, it had let up to a light rain. We rode most of the day in rain.  We made it to Nashville, Tennessee for the night at 5:30 PM, Left there around 9:00 AM and headed for the Natchez Trace Parkway took a little break at Loveless Motel and Restaurant, entrance to the parkway.  Didn't think we would ever get away from the people that wanted to talk to us when they heard we were headed to Arizona on the bikes.  We rode all 444 miles of the Parkway with a stop in Durant, Mississippi for the night. That's where I nearly met my maker, will tell you about it next spring.  The Trace is a nice slow ride, 50 MPH speed limit.  Helen really enjoyed it but I found it to be a little boring.  We got to Natchez, Mississippi then headed west across Alabama.  Stayed the night in Winnfield Alabama. The next day we went to Waco, Texas and stayed the night.  Most days we only rode around 325 to 350 miles and all the back roads as much as possible. We did not stop much for the tourist stuff along the way. We would be on the rode by 9:30 AM every day and try to stop by 5:30 PM.  Rode South and West to Del Rio, Texas.  Our next stop for the night, left there and headed West to Marfa, Texas with plans to stay there for the night and ride to Big Bend and back the next day. We found out the main rode we wanted to take was closed for bridge repair and we would have had to back track at least 200 miles so that killed that plan.
We rode on up to Fort Davis for the night because the only vacancy in Marfa was $130 plus tax for the night and the place looked like a cheap place .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - Dec

Tom Majeske - 14th
Jo Jo Parrino - 21st
Pat Haueter - 28th
Barb Harris - 29th
Paul Goulet - 31st
Phil Harris - 31st

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY - Dec

None

WE CARE - November

None