Man Down!

I can tell you how we crossed the most narrow section of Texas and through Oklahoma, which was never part of our plan, but frankly, we don’t have many pictures and sitting in a truck’s cabin isn’t all that interesting. Our saving grace was watching Django Unchained on Gomes’ iPhone just before getting into Memphis.

To make a long story short, we make it into Memphis with enough time to grab some dinner and try to make the most of our last night as a unit. Couple of drinks later we call it a night.

The following morning consists of pulling the two working stallions out of the truck and securely strapping Bruno’s bike back down. By now, the risk of running out of gas on the road is almost non existent so the 5 gallon Jerry can I’ve been lugging around is going home with Bruno. It was purchased mainly for the dessert areas out west where towns and gas stations were few and far between but on the eastern half of the country we are densely populated enough to no longer run the risk of being stranded gas-less. An assortment of other items between myself and Gomes get thrown in the truck as well as they are no longer needed, which lightened our load thankfully. 

  
Before the uninvited Memphis humidity became unbearable, we had everything ready to go and made our way to a little restaurant called Tart for breakfast. We reflect on the trip up until this point and reminisce on some of the places we’ve come across and how it felt like months ago. The time to part ways has come, however, so this conversation will continue when we link up again back home. Rain comes in so Gomes and I suit up before we say our good byes. 

  
Bruno will be heading north east whereas we have 400 miles straight south to New Orleans that we are covering today rain or shine. More like rain and shine. We put on and remove our rain gear about 4-5 times on the way down until it finally clears up towards the end of the day.

    
At one of our stops we get a message from Bruno that our story has been posted on a small Portguese news organization which excites the three of us. It’s nice to see some eyes on our project, if only to convince our families this wasn’t a glorified vacation.

  
The sun has set by the time we get into New Orleans and although the next few days promise rain, we are hoping to make the most of our stay, especially given the fact this will be the first time we booked a place to stay for 3 days so we can have some time to ourselves. The excitement starts to rise between the two of us as we get closer to the city. I pull up next to Gomes at a stop light for a celebratory laugh but with one look at me, this guy starts laughing at me, not with me. Turns out I had quite the extensive insect portfolio decorating the bucket on my head. Can’t imagine how some of these Harley guys ride with no helmets.

  
We get to our destination and my bike starts to act funny. Lights are dimming and after turning her off I try and start her again and there isn’t enough power. Uh oh. The multimeter will later tell me I have less than 12V so I pull the battery and get it charging overnight. I must say, without any deadlines attached to the last leg of our trip, I’m not even worried.