"They call me the Rain Man..."

"Hey, you picked a great day head out riding."
"Yeah, you bet. Once you get that wet cold in your bones, you're done, like me right now, hehe."
"I know, I used to go riding in this kind of stuff all the time. My friends, they call me the Rain Man."
(laughs)
"Ok, man. You ride safe out there. And try to stay as dry and warm as possible."
"Thanks. Take care."

Such was the exchange at the men's bathroom in the Pennsylvania Welcome Center this morning (nice, but a little weird, kinda like a high school locker room feel). Real crappy weather once I got in to those mountains. Cold and wet, threw all the layers I could on and continued. But I made the right choice by avoiding I40 to the south. That's real bad stuff down that way.

Lesson: when riding anywhere on a motorcycle, it behooves you to keep monitoring the weather constantly, especially on long trips. Also, be flexible to change routes, destinations. Have a plan B. I didn't so I'm making it up as I go.

So I'm heading out west on I70 which is more to the middle of the country. Stopped just outside Wheeling, West Virginia. That's about 400 miles today, 100 short of my goal. But I was just plum tired and falling asleep by 6pm. Didn't sleep much last night, the anticipation of the trip, I think, and I left a little late at 9am. I76 through the Appalachians is a real nice ride, winding, up and down, farms, picturesque, and somewhat challenging. Recommended. Also recommended is the decaf coffee at Country Club Diner in Carlisle, PA: divine. I had two cups. What the hey, sometimes you have to throw caution to the wind and live a little.

Tomorrow I hope to get better distance. Hope to get to St. Louis, MO. That's 555mi.