Rain Delay in Midland Texas
Rain Delay in Midland Texas
Ending Mileage:
Day of Travel
Departing From
Destination
Distance (in miles)
Distance (in kilometers)
Departure Time
Arrival Time
Total Travel Time
Average Speed (in mph)
Average Speed (in kph)
s
When I went to bed last night, I was nearly certain that I would be staying in Midland for another night. An arctic air mass has moved down across the plains causing temperatures to plummet as far south as Atlanta and Dallas. In the area around Midland, the cold air colliding with warmer moist air from the tropics is generating significant thunderstorms. Reports of storms with hail as big as baseballs. Tornados are reported within about 40 miles of Midland. Tuesday would be a cold and wet with the prospect of drier and warmer weather on Wednesday.
I got out of bed this morning with a can do attitude of I don't care if its a little wet, I'm out of here! My things were already packed. I got dressed and left the room to grab some breakfast.
WOW! It is definitely cold outside and is now pouring rain. A little wet is one thing, but pouring rain and a temperature in the low 40s does not sound good to me. I fall back to Plan B.
This trip is already teaching me many things about myself. Early on, I realized that I would need to consciously work to be more methodical. For example, to always putting things in the same place when packing. Following a set sequence of gearing up and getting the bike ready -- it makes the process faster and assures me that everything is in order, ready to roll and easy to locate when required.
But this definitely works against my normal mode of operation. Yesterday when I came back from doing laundry and errands, I violated these rules. Rather than methodically shutting down the bike and securing it before worrying about the laundry and purchases, I jumped off the bike and went into the room -- arms loaded with helmet, gloves, laundry and grocery items. It was hot outside and the hotel room was cool and inviting.
Hours later, I decide to go grab something to eat. Where is the key? One of my other rules, is that when I walk into a new hotel room, I designate a spot where I will lay, put, place all my items that need to be picked up before I can depart the room. So still not in the swing of things, the key was not where it belonged. Oh wait! More tearing through the room and the key is nowhere to be found. In desperation, I go out to the bike to see if I have dropped the key beside the bike or between the bike and the room. Phew, the key is in the ignition. Not smart but I am relieved to now have it.
Now for the big surprise. The key isn't just IN the ignition; the ignition is still switched on. And that means, dear readers that while the motor is not running all lights are blazing. Or would be blazing if the battery weren't dead. Not just dead -- there is not a glimmer from a single light dead.
Now it is late morning. The rain has subsided and I call Honda Riders Club to arrange a jump-start. The wrecker finally shows up just after noon. The bike finally starts and I gear up for a drive out to the Confederate Air Force Museum. A very cold windy ride out to the airport where the museum is located proves the wisdom of the decision to not continue beyond Midland today. As I pull in and stop, I test the bike to see if it will start. Despite the ten-mile drive -- the battery still lacks enough juice to start the bike. Luckily there is a friendly guy at the museum who jumps me again and directs me to the local Honda shop.
At the Honda shop, they put the battery on the charger for two hours. I get to loiter in the showroom. One of the things that really amazes me is the contrast between most any Harley Davidson dealer and nearly every other motorcycle dealership that I have visited. In most Harley dealers, the bikes and other merchandise share the floor. I think I have read that most HD dealers make as much money from accessory sales as from new motorcycle sales. In contrast, non-HD dealers tend to have a mixed bag of accessory items. What they do have is usually poorly stocked (not enough variety, sizes, colors), poorly displayed and treated as an afterthought.
If my memory serves me correctly, Harley Davidson corporate has to authorize all the products on the floor and probably makes a cut on every sale. In contrast most non-HD dealers have to coordinate inventory acquisition from dozens or hundreds of vendors and it shows. I wonder if there is a business opportunity to coordinate, stock, display and merchandise the accessory areas of motorcycle dealership? The goal would be to increase dealer overall sales, drag in additional customers and provide a more satisfying experience for customers.
So after two hours in the showroom, the bike cranks right up. I head back to Midland for gas and a late lunch / early dinner. I stop at the gas station and after the fill-up; the bike starts without any hesitation.
I'm in for a night of TV including Who is the Weakest Link?
I didn't waste the morning. I've updated my itinerary for the next two weeks (the calendar page is updated). I have prepaid nonrefundable hotel reservations for New Orleans on Friday and Saturday night. I need to make my way south -- so I have to cut some time out of Texas. I also finalized a reservation for Key West. I wanted to stay the following Friday, Saturday and Sunday but the Friday night is unavailable. So I've moved Orlando ahead of Key West, deleted Tampa and added a day in Savannah. I think this will be more satisfying than the original plan. But, until your ass is halfway to where you're going -- you don't really know if you're going to get there or not.
Will I get to the Hill Country Tomorrow?
(c) 2001 Thomas N. Engler Revision Date: 04/17/2001 revised
08/12/01
