Day 3: Parkersburg, WV to New Richmond, OH

Total Miles Driven - 686

Today’s Miles - 180

Friday, May 27th

I left Parkersburg around 9:00 am after a rainstorm passed. What should have been a low mile easy riding day across Ohio Route 32 became a rain soaked morning of riding. This was my first time riding my Vespa at higher speeds in the rain. I feel I weathered it (pun intended) pretty well. Today’s ride gave me more confidence in my riding skills and in my bike.

Ohio 32 is a very familiar road. So, I reminisced a lot during the three and a half-hour trip. I thought a lot about my good friend Mel, who died about a year ago. Mel was more of a grandfather figure to me and my sisters. He was a godly and caring guy. Mel also loved to ride motorcycles in his day. Real motorcycles, not a want to be Vespa. It was him sharing his stories of driving across the country that gave the initial desire to see America on two wheels. Sweet memories of our talks helped pass the time driving through the chilly rain.