Don't pop that.
One reason to proofread, before buying a sign.
Although the day started with a brief UDF (Ural delay factor) Chris managed to answer the usual questions ("what is it?" "is it comfortable?" "how fast does it go?" "can I ride in the sidecare?") without too much time taken and they were on the road by 07:30.
Found a cock pheasant at about 08:00, but only retrieved a couple of tail feathers, as the bird was a touch... ripe.
Chris was a little disappointed, as he was looking forward to skinning his first bird sample. No matter, back on the road, and as there is a bit of a time crunch. (there is an auction on saturday that Chris wants to go to in Millville or nearabouts.) Chris has decided that they will only stop for really unusual samples. Like a Rhino or something.
On that note, really ripe racoons swell up like party balloons, it is strongly recommended that you not pop them.
As most of you have no doubt gathered, the Ural is not exactly a fast vehicle, 60mph is comfortable, much more starts to get wearing. But Mum informed me that they overtook a number of vehicles on the route between Seattle and Millville. Two to be exact, one of them, an 18 wheeler creeping along the side, with all emergency flashers, and the other, a heavily laden farm pickup truck. Hey, take the small victories where you can.
Another issue with the Ural, is the occasional backfire, which will sometimes blow the carb off the head, leaving it dangling from the airhose. According to one of the other Ural riders I know, it's a result of the EPA mandated mods made to the bike's carbs for US certification.
Weather was very English, grey and threatening rain, but didn't actually get around to rain. In fact, Mum said that the whole trip was a nice dry one. It seemed that the bad weather was allways 24-48 hours behind them. I guess Urals carry around a little sunshine with them, they sure bring out the smiles.
At 19:17, Chris and Mum pulled into the long driveway to Carpenter's Arms, With a CD blaring bagpipe music, and a rack from a 4 point buck, salvaged earlier in the trip. I can't wait for that photo.
Anyway. This leg of the trip is over. Chris will relax for a couple of days, and they will send me photos for the part of the trip between Missoula and Millville, plus he is going to give our Grandma a ride in the sidehack, and I have to have pictures of that. She has been so looking forward to a ride in the chair. Actually, there's a long list of people who want a ride in the chair.
A good ride, some 430 road miles, from Cozad Nebraska, to Millville Missouri.
