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| Black clouds with slivers of blue sky peeking through - the order of the day. |
If you know me you might also know that when the weather forecast is against me I play a game of Motel 6 Hop (Motel 6 because I have a book with all their locations across the continent, and because they're cheap!) If you're new here, Motel 6 Hop is a great motorcycle game to play if you want to reduce your odds of getting wet. It's simple to play; just plug all of the possible Motel 6 locations into your GPS along the route you want to take. If you get to the first one and it isn't raining head for the next one. If you get to where you wanted to go by quitting time (the last Motel 6 location) and you didn't get wet, then you win. Today, I won! Now it was iffy near the first location only 100 km out of Virginia Beach, but I passed through a quick shower and was on my way. (Quick showers don't count.)
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| Monocacy River Valley Scenic Outlook near Frederick MD - PA in the distance |
Every once in a while I would see a sliver of blue sky that encouraged me to go for it. Now you generally increase your odds of winning if you don't dilly dally - today it was straight up the pike so to speak. Of course what this all means ... I'm at a Motel 6 (still cheaper than camping Virginia Beach) and I got a whole lot further north (535.2k) than I really expected to today. Yikes, if the weather holds (only 40% chance of thunder storms tomorrow) I'm going to have to get off the highway and meander a bit.
Tonight I'm watching the Weather Network as I like to do whenever I can and what are they talking about ... the worst tornado ever to hit the Washington DC area. They just mentioned that there are 450,000 commuters everyday ... dam, I knew it was busy when I passed through there.
Karen:
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you won today. Not enjoyable riding in the rain when you are in unfamiliar territory and trying to see the sights.
I guess we're too far away to hear the weather reports where you are. Never heard about the tornado on the news. Cooling down here. 13°c at night with highs of around 18°c. Perfect riding weather
can't imagine a Motel6 being cheaper than camping.
bob: Riding the Wet Coast
Bob - the tornado wasn't this year, it was one of TWN's features about incredible weather incidents ... not sure when that one happened. I just found it fascinating how many commuters there are in the DC area especially after having ridden through there today. Good thing Garmin Dan knows when I can go in the HOV lanes and can zip by most of the traffic.
ReplyDeleteMotel 6 Hop, now I've heard everything. A lot of the Motel 6's have gotten really expensive. The one in Anchorage is approaching $150/night.
ReplyDeleteI've come across a few over priced Motel 6's (last year one quoted $110, needless to say I didn't stay there.) But this year the three that I've stayed at have been $43 to $45 (Camping has been $45 - $90.)
DeleteWinning is always good Karen and it sounds like yesterday was your day.
ReplyDeleteI remember well my time in that part of the country along the coast; you are doing well to not only cope but enjoy your time there with the congestion.
Seems too often these days the cost of some camping gets frustratingly close to the cost of sleeping inside somewhere. When camping is really just tent sleeping, just that much more so. So nice to have the luxury to pick and choose.
Hopefully warm and dry ahead for you!
Coop, despite the weather, I've been extremely lucky - but then I've been lucky enough to be able to switch directions when I needed to.
DeleteHooray, you won.
ReplyDeleteAnd pretty flower photos too. That's a bonus.
Echinacea and Lavender planted at a roadside stop ... a real bonus especially for a dry rider.
DeleteOh, look at those flowers. Brilliant colour. The weather pattern in your travel area seems very similar to ours here.
ReplyDeleteThe weather is really doing odd things this summer. I am not complaining about almost perfect temperatures though.
DeleteInteresting. I'm a minimal camper too and because I never have a set route or timeline I find myself waiting far too long for a spot to settle for the night. It's too easy to miss small signs for campgrounds when eyes are focused on the ditches looking for lurking deer! I have found State Parks the best bargain and have begun wondering if there isn't a State Park nearby that I would be just as ahead to grab a cheap motel. One private camp on my trip was 45 bucks for what was a spot I could feel pointy gravel, even through my sleeping pad. I wondered why I just didn't grab a cheap hotel.
ReplyDeleteIf I was travelling with other people I'd have to say I'd probably pick state parks over private campgrounds, they're usually less expensive and often more picturesque. But for now I tend to pick the private ones and pay the price for 'security' reasons. I like to stop by 3 or 4 - before the 'wildlife' time and in lots of time for a swim (another plus for private camps) in the pool or a nice hike.
DeletePS - The new 31/2" air mat (Big Agnes was only 3") did a great job keeping my body away from the sharp things. I'm still looking for a small pump to fill it though, am really tired of using my own air =D
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