Another new plan
When it got to be 1930 and I still hadn’t heard that I could stay with my friend from work the next day, I started looking to see where else I could go to escape the bad weather. I initially thought I’d go to Niagara Falls, stay with my friend that didn’t live too far from there, and call that a day. Without hearing I could stay there, I decided to see what else I could do.
The weather was really bad and expected to continue but ease up the next evening if I stayed east. Things seemed to be clearing up earlier to the west. The thought of riding Lucille in the rain and traffic at a tourist destination such as Niagara Falls, did not appeal to me. I made the tough decision to skip the falls and get as far west as I could. It looked like Cleveland would be doable. I started looking for an inexpensive hotel in Cleveland.
That evening, I’d secured a room for myself in Cleveland and got everything organized for the next morning. A bit later my friend got back to me that I’d be welcome to stay at her house. Since I’d made the reservation for less than 24 hours later, I was stuck with it. That’s how it goes sometimes.
Family
I looked at the map and realized Cleveland was only 3-5 hours from my family that I intended to stay with in a couple of days. I reached out to my BFG and asked him if his parents, who I would be staying with outside of Grand Rapids, would have me 2 nights instead of just one. He said they would love it and then asked them. They said i could stay, so I planned to get to them the following day.
Truthfully, I’ve been on the road for a while now, about 2 weeks, and I miss my family and seeing people that I care about and that care about me. It would be great to take a little break to be with extended family.
Late start
I took my time getting ready in the morning. The GPS told me I’d be going about 330 miles, but mostly on the Interstate, so it should go quickly. I thought to leave about 10, but just couldn’t, so I hit the road about 0830.
No rain
The best thing about this completely unremarkable day was the rain let up. The sun even came out a bit and it eventually warmed to the mid 60s! It turned out to be a nice day to ride.
I made it through PA. More New York and Ohio license plates than Pennsylvania ones here!
The ride was pleasant even if not very scenic. There were a lot of dead deer on the road in New York, and they all looked like they’d been killed the previous night or that day. They must have a really large deer population.
Ohio!
Parking garage
I made it to my hotel in Cleveland right down the street from the House of Blues and a few blocks from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The hotel was a high rise with valet only parking. The valet didn’t know how to drive Lucille (not that I would have let him) and I wasn’t allowed to drive it into their garage. The guy didn’t have a clue as to what I could do with Lucille.
After much questioning, he told me of a parking garage down the street and around the corner. I’ve never ridden Lucille, or any bike in a parking garage. This place was STEEP! I took my ticket and pulled Lucille in. The turns were really tight and it was really steep. I found a spot on the second floor and pulled Lucille in. I wasn’t sure her kickstand and transmission would hold her on the hill, but it was the only place I could go.
I unloaded Lucille and carried my stuff back to the hotel. I went back for another load, then covered Lucille and set her alarm. I don’t have a clue how I’ll get her out of this garage. She’s way too heavy for me to hold on a hill and the turns are really tight. I am going to leave that problem for tomorrow.
On the way to my hotel from the parking garage.
Dinner
While I cooked and dehydrated all the food I’ll need for this trip, I looked around me for vegan food. This was the first time I was staying in a city proper, so I thought I’d check it out. There happened to be a ramen place right down the street, so I headed there. I was really looking forward to something fresh! 
The delicious ramen I had for my dinner. Fantastic!
I was looking forward to being with family tomorrow and having a pretty short drive. I refuse to think about the parking garage for now.
Well, phooey, you missed Niagara Falls. You’ll just have to go back (somehow) to enjoy their spectacular show. Good luck getting Lucille out of the garage! You know, it seems like you’ve been on the road a month or even two, and in the cold/wet, but only two weeks? Enjoy seeing G & B and their kin. Love you.
I will go back. I’ve really been liking this travelling business. My next plan is to see Alaska, and after that, I’d like to take the time to further explore individual states and their roads. I see endless possibilities with the motorcycle travels.
It seems longer because I’m slow.