We did the Devil’s Triangle today.  Holy $%@#*&.  Not for the brand new rider.  But Alan done good.  Definitely kept Alan on his game.  It was uphill, off camber and steep.  You have to trust the driver on this ride.  Staying one more day to do another ride tomorrow, haven’t decided which yet.

We are in Sevierville, TN.  It was 98 out with 78% humidity.  Too hot to ride so we went looking at rvs again, Found nothing that tempted us.  Went to several antique stores.  There are bunch of them around here.  But unsuccessful with finding a rug beater.  Not even one to be found!  It was a nice hold hands, be together kind of day.  Alan changed the spare tire out so all set again.  It was a leaky valve stem.  Only $10 to fix but it’s the hassle for Alan thats the bummer.  But, still better than the last $143 to replace the last tire.

Loaded everything up today. Off we went, then about an hour in Alan was changing a tire again.  Apparently, another bad tire stem.  Some days it’s just not fun being the guy.  And it’s not like I can do anything to actually help.  We have already decided that before we do this again, if we don’t trade this unit in for another one, we are going to upgrade our tires to “G”.  This is ridiculous.  We are finding out that the newer units come with the sturdier tires.  They are actually dump truck tires.  Apparently, we are by far not the only ones with this issue.  Our neighbor told us that he was on the road when a big rig in front of him blew a tire.  The tread went under his right front tire on his motor home, took out his electric steps at the front door, took out the exhaust system for his generator, took out the front tire of the car he was towing, then took out a tire on the car that was following him!.  The police officer, when he got to the scene, asked if he was the cause of all that carnage.  He said no, he was only the recipient.  Moral of the story is don’t follow to closely behind tractor trailers!  Not a good day for him.  EXPENSIVE DAY.  When you are aware it’s amazing how many times you see someone changing a tire.  Or how many burn marks there are where someone had a car fire.  Ouch!  When you listen every one has a story.  But all is well with the Pauls.

Still in Atlanta – rained all day.  First day that we have actually had a rain day since leaving Rhode Island.  Keith, Michelle, Alan and I had a leisurely breakfast, just hung out and visited then they left to go back to Florida.  Bummer, enjoyed their company.  Hopefully, next year we will do this again with them.  Alan and I just relaxed, did laundry, found a pet store that sold Big Al’s food.  Packed up for tomorrow. It was really to late to leave.  Headed toward Knoxville to do some riding tomorrow.

No pictures today – because Alan, Keith, Michelle and I went camper shopping.  Have stopped in several places during our travels.  Saw some goodies today.  So many choices. We did see one today that could be a real contender.  Now is the time to buy because of the closeouts for 2016.  We shall see.  Then we went to Hobby Lobby – saw some Xmas decorations that might become part of my front window display.  Just saying. After that we went to hunt down a 2016 EOS Volkswagen for Michelle.  Unfortunately, to no avail.  But we are helping her along to her next selection.  Love helping to spend someone else’s money.  They are part of the VW diesel buy back.  Looks like a new car is coming their way.  Had a very pleasant low key family day.  But, make no mistake, Atlanta is hot and sticky.

Travel days to Atlanta, Georgia.  Tuesday was a nice day but boring.  On the snooze fest I40 most of the day.  Stayed at a very nice KOA.  First one that we have been at that had a perfect score of 600.  Only thirteen in 2016 got a perfect score.  Not that it matters.  Wednesday was the worst traffic day we have had since we started this trip.  Thought it would be a very short day.  Only 200 miles.  Thought we would be in by 2.  So not.  First problem was we did not realize there was a time change.  So we lost an hour right off the bat.  Then there was a traffic accident with two big rigs.  One of them could not be pulled over.  So that backed up things.  Once we got past that there was another 3 car accident next to a merge.  Then there was the 285 Atlanta bypass.  Ugly.  Actually, very ugly.  Alan and I have never seen red lights at the on ramps.  Very odd.  And really does not resolve the issue.  Again quite ugly.  Bottom line is we did not get in until a little after 5.  Keith and Michelle waited almost 3 1/2 hours for us.  But all is well at Stone Mountain Campground.  That’s after Keith supervised the selection of our campsite!

Last couple of days have been travel days – so its been a snooze fest.  Been traveling on I40 for the last 3 days.  Just an fyi – it’s flat, then a bump, then flat, then a cow, then a bump, then flat – you get the idea.  I40 parallels with Route 66.  It was sad to see so many derelict signs and businesses that were a big part of Route 66 in its heyday .  In Texas we went by a wind farm – 687 windmills and counting – 900 million dollars worth.  I know – I was rolling my eyes to.  Miles and miles of windmills.  Last nights’ campground was the second one that had tornado shelters.  It is a bit disconcerting.  That and the signs that say if you here sirens turn your radio to a channel. One more day of I40 – Wednesday we will be in Atlanta.

CONGRATS TO OUR SON MICHAEL WHO GOT PROMOTED TO MASTER SERGEANT IN THE AIR FORCE RESERVE.  FELT BAD WE COULDN’T BE THERE BUT HE KNOWS WE WERE THERE IN SPIRIT.  GO AIR FORCE

Note Big Al’s size in relationship to the hoof on this life size buffalo.

Please note what Mr. Cowboy is wearing. He felt that when driving his King Ranch truck he should look the part. Thank God he couldn’t find a cowboy hat that he liked. Ye ha!

I do mean miles and miles of windmills. Yawn

We had him in a tree stump that had a bunch of hummingbird feeders around it but he fell out – that’s why he looks as mad as the bear.

And so it was very very flat.

And flat some more.

Then there was a bump.

Stayed one night on the Arkansas River – the bridges were lit up and kept changing colors. Pretty.

Today was a travel day from Vegas to Flagstaff, Arizona.  Boring!!!!  Good thing we checked in early.  While we were checking in a gentleman came in and asked if we had a motorcycle or atv in the back.  When we said yes and that we were planning on riding in Sedona the next day he said no motorcycles allowed.  We told him that we were only going to unload it, that it was quite and it was still a no.  Fortunately we found another campground about 5 miles away.  That was a first for us – there are campgrounds that restrict how large a group of motorcyclists can camp at one time but this was a bit much.