I’ll be home tomorrow night.

As I draw closer physically, I seem to be drawing closer mentally as well.

I just realized today that I haven’t read a newspaper, listened to the radio, or watched television news for three weeks.

While I have been out touring America – I guess I haven’t been interested in what America looks like from an anchor desk in New York – or from a pundit’s point of view – from inside the beltway. The America I have seen – seems to be doing just fine – thank you very much. I keep wondering how all those stories on the national news about New York, Newark, Baltimore – and the other over crowded East Coast cities – are received – for instance – by the residents of Red Lodge, Montana. I suspect that most of what gets said by the major network newscasters – doesn’t get much attention at the Grange Hall or the 4H club meetings.

When I left Connecticut, the Democratic National Convention was soon to begin. I suspect the Gore and Lieberman were nominated, that they got a bump in their polling numbers right after the convention was over – and now they are out on the campaign trail. How am I doing?

The Firestone tire problem was just beginning – I suspect that is still a big story every day. The fires in Montana and Idaho probably aren’t getting much airtime these days. The fires are still burning, I suspect, but people losing their homes and massive forests being consumed by fire – have probably taken a back seat to SUV tires. How am I doing?

As I am riding across Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio – none of that seems very important. I am surprised by the arrival of trees today. Trees and more trees – haven’t seen many of them since I left Northern California over a week ago. The farms in Indiana and Illinois are smaller than the Kansas farms. But for many miles today, I enjoyed the farm fields and the farms houses – the barns and the silos. I will see some more of them in Ohio and then the farming country will be gone as well.

Moving through the cities today was much easier – especially St. Louis. Took the 370 bypass and was treated to a really beautiful ride through the countryside – with hardly any traffic – but I can already see the development starting along both sides of the road – so the next time through here it will probably be clogged with traffic.

It took me over an hour to go five miles near Dayton this afternoon. Turns out it was a little accident that everyone wanted to gawk at – moving five feet at a time in 90 degree heat is not fun on a motorcycle. Thankfully, yesterday’s 110 degrees did not reappear today.

Just after the accident I hit some really heavy rain, and was quickly reminded to get off the throttle before changing lanes. Seems all the good weather riding has eroded my riding skills. As soon as my rear tire hit the painted stripe in the middle of the road the engine jumped about 500 rpm’s and the bike went into a real knee slapper and I nearly highsided right over the jersey barrier. Fortunately I was able to control it – but it reminded me very quickly how a moment’s loss of concentration can put a hurtin on you.

Saw the first Connecticut plates of my return trip – on the back of two Harley’s heading north on I-71. They pulled up and shouted for me to look at their tags and then waved. I guess I’m not the only Connecticut Yankee out looking for America.

And tomorrow will be my last day – looking for America. Tomorrow I hook up with I-80 and start to retrace my earlier travels across a small part of Ohio and then Pennsylvania. I did make one change for the return trip – and that is the part nearest my home. When I went to the Honda Hoot in June – I came home through the New York Metro area and across the Hudson River on the Tappan Zee Bridge. I ended up being in a ten-mile traffic jam – just to get across the bridge – a terrible way to end a beautiful trip down the Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway. This time, I decided to take I-81 up to Scranton and then I-84 to Danbury, Connecticut – and come into Stamford the back way on some really beautiful country roads. I think it will be a more fitting end for this trip.

I am interested to see how I react to my own favorite roads – after having been all the way to California. I suspect that I will have a greater appreciation for the beauty in my own back yard.

Frankly, I’m not sure how I am going to react to being at home and going to work. This has been such a life changing experience, that I’m certain that nothing will ever be the same again.

As I sit here right now, I can hear the fog horn and feel the breeze gently rustling my tent – at South Beach State Park – on the Pacific Ocean in California.

The bike trip meter says 583.7 the Garmin III+ trip meter says 601.1 and I say Goodnight from Mansfield, Ohio.

Connecticut Yankee in Yosemite Valley- the Trek
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