Day 1 - Two Troubled Helmets

ll it didn't take long to stumble upon our first character.  Our very first fuel stop resulted in a fascinating meeting with a gentleman named Anthony. 

Anthony approached us…..errr make that staggered toward us with a look of curiosity mixed with puzzlement mixed with….a stupor.  Of course the first question everyone seems to ask is "Where ya headin'?"  and that's what Anthony wanted to know.  We told him he wouldn't believe us and he challenged us to try him.  "Maine" was the response.  "Whoa, no way!!! Really? as he staggered back against the wall.  Once recovered he informed us that he too was heading out on the road….To Denver….on a lawnmower.  A John Deere lawnmower.  Problem was we didn't see a lawnmower anywhere near the gas pumps.  We noted that he already had the helmet, but he shook his head and informed us that the helmet was for a tumor.  Oops.  After some small talk, which included his imminent quarter million dollar windfall and his seven years of living on the streets, by choice, he emphasized, he asked us where we were heading.  Maine we told him.  "Whoa, no way!!! was his response….again.  Then he got to the point, which was to ask for a little money so he could get a beer.  We happily complied and bid our new friend Anthony adieu. 

Anthony - Ready to Head to Denver on His Lawnmower

Things proceeded without any significant events as we made our way through California and Nevada.  Not more than a mile into Arizona Ron was leading the gang through a wonderful two-lane section of old highway 91 enjoying the scenic beauty and the rolling, twisting road....until he noted that his faithful companions, Kenny and Mark, were no longer behind him.  Standard motorcycling procedure calls for the group from which the separation occurs to stop and wait for the separated group to catch up.  The group of one, which was the group that had been separated from, did just that, pulling over, and watching the mirrors in vain for headlights to appear.  After several minutes when no such headlights appeared the separated from group turned around looking for the stranded followers.  It didn't take long to find the two followers with bikes pulled over to the side of the road and the followers roaming across the two lane highway collecting.....things.  Things that looked vaguely familiar to Ron.  It took a while for the items to come into focus, the most recognizable of which was a large white helmet.  Hmm, Ron thought to himself, that helmet looks like the one that was tied to the back of.........oh, crap! 

Yes rolling down the scenic, beautiful, rolling, twisting two lane highway has somehow resulted in dislodging the helmet which was described by the followers as having "exploded" off the back of Ron's bike.  Scratch one modular Shuberth C3 helmet.  Maybe Anthony can put it to good use on his journey to Denver.