Hello All,

I just wanted to share some thoughts and ideas from my trip to the '97
Honda Homecoming in Marysville, Ohio. 

I traveled the scenic route via Indiana State Route 6 to Ohio. The 
majority of the trip down to Marysville was via two lane highways. 
The route was scenic but after the first 300 miles, I couldn't feel 
the muscles in my legs, from the hips down. The last 79 miles they 
basically flapped in the breeze. I should have listened to my younger, 
but more experienced, cousin, who I went with. He told me told purchase 
highway pegs, a padded backrest and a lambs wool pad to sit upon. Though 
my cousin is younger than I, he has traveled to California and back for 
the last three years on his bike and has experienced all types of 
inclement weather and riding condition. I was sincerely thankful for 
his advice and guidance.


We actually did not see a biker traveling our way (to Marysville) till we
were approximately 65 miles out on Interstate 68 in Ohio. He came from 
Quebec, Canada. His name is Jim Crane and is now considered a good friend
to me and most folks that were lucky enough to meet him. He was on an 
immaculate Gold Wing 1200. We asked if we could follow him since he had 
been to the event twice before. He agreed and away we flew. 

We pulled in Marysville about 6:45 P.M. departing Mt. Prospect at 9:30 A.M. 
Once we were there, bikers were visible going in every direction. It was a 
nice feeling to get waved and greeted by fellow motorcyclists from every 
imaginable place.


Friday morning started with a trip to the Honda plant and the incredible
number of vendors selling every imaginable device, gadget and do-hickey
for motorcycles. Everything from sunglasses to tires, pin-stripping,
air-brushing, clothing, etc... My cousin Vic made me purchase a pair of
black leather chaps. The price was very reasonable and they fit extremely
well. I sort of felt like the Marlboro Man on a bike. 

We signed up for the tour of the factory and I was amazed and impressed 
by the pride, quality of workmanship and attention to detail. I saw the 
new '98 Valkyrie's being assembled. They have a beautiful two tone pearl 
blue and cream colored bike with an orange pin stripe. It was just gorgeous 
to look at. I was amazed at how they test/rev the engines at approximately
9000 RPM's before packing it in a shipping crate. 

As we left the tour and started the second leg of the vendor tour, we met 
with Big John Holmes, Little (Bad Tatoo) John Rennau, Mike (Mr. Slick) Spencer 
and a new friend of theirs also named Dan from Michigan. Big John produced his
new Polaroid Spectra and took some beautiful photos (see the scanned
product on the web page soon). Also we ran into our good friend Tim Ruiz
from Waukegan on his very cool Shadow.


That evening the town of Marysville blocked off their downtown business
district set up tents, tables and chairs, and a bandstand and had the
local eateries serve their wares at reduced prices. We all met there and
had some great food, drink and, most of all, conversation and fraternity.

It was truly a great day and one that will not be topped for awhile. Big
John also took some snapshots at the party. The parade of light started
after dusk and we all watched some great bike ride through. The whole
gathering heard the Shadows come through. You couldn't help, but feel
proud when they did.


The thing that was really great was the number of nice people that you
met at every event. All ages, all kinds of bikes from all different
places. 

Saturday was spent going to the American Motorcycle Association
Museum in Westerville, Ohio. The featured exhibit was the Honda impact
on American motorcycling. It was quite nice to feel in the over whelming
majority for once and not be slighted by Harley riders that were there. 

That evening we attended the banquet at the Honda plant and ate our fill
of food and drink, with our good friend Jim from Quebec. Later Big John
and I decided we might try to leave Saturday evening and try to get 
close to home before dealing with the extreme heat and humidity that
plagued Chicago on Saturday. 


We packed our bags, checked out and left Marysville about 9:30 P.M. 
enroute to Fort Wayne, Indiana. We traveled 10 miles out before a terrific 
lightning storm started in the direction we were traveling. We made it as 
far as Lima, Ohio before it started to rain and the winds picked up. Cousin 
Vic asked a Deputy Sheriff for directions to US30, but was told that a 
tornado was sighted approx. 25 miles north of us on Rt.30. We decide not 
to mess with Mother Nature on bikes and in the dark, and so, decided to 
rest the night at the luxurious ( It was BAD ) Super 8 Hotel in Lima, for 
the night. Though we were tired, hot and sweaty - we managed to make the 
most of it and get showered and try to sleep with all of us snoring away. 
Big John won the "sawing wood" contest easily noting that cousin Vic and 
I were mere amateurs. 


We left Sunday morning and headed back home via US30. The ride was smooth 
and comfortable. It was here that we faced our first attitudes from Harley
riders who passed in the other direction. How ironic - coming from Harley
riders! 


We stopped for lunch in Plymouth, Indiana and continued on. We dealt with 
the rising heat ,but noticed extremely black and threatening clouds ahead. 
Once the temperature dropped 20 degrees in 2 miles, we knew we were going 
to get wet Quickly and did. We traveled on till we couldn't see anymore 
and stopped at a gas station. We waited briefly and continued on. We made 
to the Skyway and hit the Dan Ryan with pleasure. My home's air conditioning 
never felt better!


Overall it was a fantastic voyage and a great adventure. I can't wait to
do all over again next year. 

Take care all, Danny

P.S. Big John, you're an animal !!