June 28 - Part 2 - Meeting Phil

After leaving Jarman's in the late afternoon, we went to get gas down the street.  We knew the rain was coming, but we didn't know how fast.  We thought we could get a little way.  We were wrong.  We had to wait out the storm for over an hour right there at the gas station.  Thankfully there was some good dinner food to eat, coffee and LOTS of folks to talk to and pay attention to Cooper.  He got TONS Of attention.  

One of the men we met was an incredible man who was very generous with his heart. He loved Cooper.  Cooper was very interested in him too.  The man's name is Phil.  He gave me a ring and I gave him a 'Friend's of Cooper' patch.  He and Jesse talked for the whole time we were there.  I fed Cooper his dinner right there outside the convenience store. 

Folks enjoyed learning about him and trading motorcycle stories.  Two little boys have become my 'assistants' at the older boy's request.  I gave them each a small stack of cards to pass out to their friends.  They were thrilled with the job.

What fun this day was.  When we finally got to move on from the gas station, we rode until about 9pm.  Some of the time in the beginning it was still raining off and on.  Cooper got to see what it would be like to stay dry inside his NEW crate.  He did great!  He seemed to like it a lot, but was none too happy about having to keep his head down inside, so I left the top opening unzipped to let his head come out of the top.  I thought, if he didn't want to get wet he could duck in.  This new crate was the PERFECT find, except that I would rather it was made of harder material so he couldn't crush it down and lay on top of it. I keep having to correct him when he does that.  

We rode 220 miles of the most amazing scenery.  Mist and fog came up from the mountains into the pink sky of West Virginia.  Just breathtaking views.  I wish I could have had my camera ready.  I only have those pictures in my memory.

We rode until dark and pulled into a Budget motel. He was glad once again to see a BED!  He loves his beds.  They seem to represent 'family time' to him.  He settles right in and naps until the real sleeping begins.  Then he settles down for some serious snoring competition with his Daddy!

This moth was outside our motel room at the motel in Kansas