End of the Ride

1852 miles to go to get home. Norm and I were going to ride with Richard and Pat to Nashville, TN. It would take four days of riding about 350+ miles a day to do it. Norm wakes up the morning we are to leave and tells me he is dizzy and light headed. I suggested we send Pat and Richard on their way and we spend the day in Keystone, heading to a doctor. Norm assured me he would feel better soon. Later he would tell me he had gotten up during the night and fallen he was so dizzy and later in the night had staggered all the way to the restroom. What was I thinking? Getting on the back of a bike with a "dizzy" driver.
We figured 5 days of riding 400 + miles a day would get us there. Day 1 we rode from Keystone, SD to Sioux Falls, SD.  Everything seemed to go smoothly with no incidents of dizziness. Day 2 he awakes and has a problem getting out of bed. I again suggest we stay behind and lt them get on home. They wanted to get home to see a friend who was not expected to live.  Again, he said to give it some time and he would be fine. So, again, I get on the back with a driver who has been dizzy. I really think I was the one who was Dizzy...HAHAH.   We make it to Sioux City, IA- again close to 400 miles. Day 3 dawns and Norm is dizzy once again. Once again, it passes, and we get on the bike and ride. This time we make it to Columbia, MO, about 400 miles.
That evening, Pat and Richard and I, and much to our surprise, Norm agree, Norm needs to see a doctor. We encourage them to go ahead without us so they can get on home. They do not agree and the next morning send us on our way to the urgent care facility. We get to the urgent care and sit for over two hours until Norm is called back. The doctor comes in and begins to examine him. He tells us he believes Norm has vertigo. Now, I think to myself.. Oh, no. that could not be good. All the folks I have known with vertigo have been dizzy for days before they are better. I am thinking of a way to get him home.  I can ride a motorcycle. I have ridden an 1800 a "few" times, but not in awhile or for long.  Some practice might get me there and ready.  Maybe there is a CMA chapter close by. They are known for their helpfulness in dire times all across the country. All these thoughts were running through my mind. The doctor goes on to say he would like to take him to the Physical Therapy clinic in the same building. There is a doctor there who does a procedure called the Epley Maneuver on vertigo patients. He will also give Norm some meds to take. Only thing with them is they make you sleepy.  Great!  We go to the therapist. The young lady explains the procedure and says they have had 90% cure rate with the first treatment. I am praying so!  By this time we had decided to stay over another night, but could not stay in our same hotel. Hmmm, we will see where this leads.  We go to get some late lunch, fill the prescription and head to our new hotel. Norm is going to take meds and lay down. Pat and I will go swimming and Richard will rest with Norm.
Day 4 and Norm is awake and ready to go. He says he is only having very slight dizziness and it passes quickly. He wants to go ahead and ride to Nashville, TN with Pat and Richard. After a good breakfast at Cracker Barrel we head out. Today we would ride 460+ miles. It was a long day and all were glad when we reached the hotel and I-40. Closer to home now.
Sunday, Richard and Pat, get packed up and head out for Ashville. They have a daughter who lives there and they planned on having lunch with her and her husband. Norm and I checked out some tourist attractions in the area. We headed out to the Country Music Hall of Fame and some shopping. We ended the day eating dinner at Chili's and an early night.

God is so faithful. He watched over us for 10,000 plus miles. We had no serious health issues, no wrecks, no bike problems and very little bad weather. Best of all, we had great fellowship and saw many amazing sights and landscapes as we traveled the country. What more could we ask for?

God granted mercy and grace as we rode over many mountain ranges and around many switchback curves and He guided our husbands as they drove. Sometimes it was hard to drive and be able to look at the beautfiul scenery at the same time.

God cares about the things we care about. He probably doesn't care about motorcycles, but He knows we do, so He does too. He cares about our families. As we traveled we thanked Him daily for His traveling mercies and prayed for any needs in our families and friends. Some prayers were answered quickly and some have not been answered yet.

It's hard to believe we were on the road for 49 days. I am looking forward to the next trip to see more of this beautiful country!!!!

I praise you Lord for the way You watched over us and provided of us during our trip. May You receive the honor and glory.