Over the memorial weekend, a number of us took a return trip to Hannibal. Attendees were Donna and I, Glenn and Pat, Ernie and Louise, Carl and Donna, and Don and Wanda.
Glenn and Pat drove down starting out Friday morning taking the scenic route and doing some stopping along the way checking things out. The rest of us started out after work and got a little later start than was hoped for but it couldn't be avoided. Don and Carl took off with Donna and Wanda in the car behind them. Donna decided to drive due to the weather forecast. Donna and I along with Ernie and Louise were the last to get under the way. Not sure about Don and Carl's route but the trail party took the most expedient route to get down there.
Ride down was nice. Beautiful weather and scenery. One hiccup was when we stopped at a Denny's in Wayland, Missouri to have some supper. After about an hour of waiting, we still had not gotten our food. We were not the only ones in the restaurant that had not been served. Seems as if they were short staff and about the only thing they seemed to be able to produce was breakfast. It was getting late and we still had a fair distance to go so we opted to forget getting some food in our stomachs and hit the road. Denny's lost a lot of business that night. We jumped back on the bikes and headed for the road to start south again. I don't remember now but I believe it was around 10:30 when we finally reached our destination in Hannibal. A few were still up and we had our greetings and went to bed.
Next morning we got up and rain and thunderstorms were in the area. Also found out a tornado had gone through the town the previous Monday. Parts of the town were still without power and there was a lot of tree damage. We went to breakfast at a restaurant next to the motel and weather was still not looking so good. We were trying to wait it out but it seemed as if it was not going to quit so a couple of the women talked me into going and renting a car so that we could get everyone in a vehicle and travel around to some things instead of sitting in the motel. Of course after we got back with the car, the weather started to clear up. We still took the cars and did some sightseeing. Later on, we took in a haunted house tour. It was kind of interesting. The couple running this attraction made it a fun time. Back to the motel for some socializing and then hit the sack.
Sunday came and the weather was breaking although the forecast was for more showers and thunderstorms. A little slow to get around but finally got moving and decided to take the car back before going on a ride. Don and Wanda decided to head back home and we bid them farewell before taking off and riding some of the local roads. Got in about 4 hours of riding before coming back in. Dinner and back to the motel for more camaraderie before heading to bed.
Up and at it somewhat early as the weather was not looking good. We got on the road and were able to get out of town before the storms hit. Glenn and Pat left after us and said not long after we left it rained very hard. Very similar to what we had to travel back home in the last time we visited Hannibal. While it was gloomy we didn't have any rain until after we stopped in Hills to fuel up and take a break. We donned rain gear here and put Donna and Louise in the car with Donna White just to make it easier on the riders. From Iowa City to Grinnell we hit rain but it was not as bad as it was forecast to be. Once we got to Grinnell and took a break, we hit the road again and made it home without any more troubles.
All in all, despite the weather, it was a fun time once again. I would consider doing it again down the road. Maybe some time we can pick a time when the weather will cooperate with us. We are looking at maybe going down this winter and checking out some of the stuff we didn't get to do this time, or the last time for that matter. Looking at staying at a bed and breakfast and taking in some of the local flavor.
Oh, and by the way, I was never charged for the rental car so we made out good on that.
Thanks to everyone that went. Without you all, it wouldn't be as much fun.
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