“No, it is 22 years old.” I had put a ZA (South Africa) sticker on
the back of the bike, being sure that it would intrigue people and lead to many interest- ing conversations. In three weeks not a sin- gle person asked where ZA was or even mentioned it. I suspect that 3,000 miles of Americans think of me as the dyslectic man from Arizona.
Things I wish I had known earlier
1. The usual tip in the USA is 20 percent, not 10 percent as in the rest of the world. Fortunately I never ate in the same place twice, so the waitresses never had an opportunity to spit in my food.
2. On the interstate, just across the state line in every state, there is a visitors’ centre with free maps and books of motel coupons.
3. Many libraries will provide free maps - gas stations do not.
4. Librarians are the most helpful people in America. They will warn you about road conditions and give you interesting, free trip advice. Next trip I will look for a lady librarian who is single and has her own helmet.
5. If you put your muddy boots outside your motel room door they will still be there the next morning - still muddy.
6. Many motels have a self-service, coin- operated laundry. Nobody will steal your clothes while you are away. If you are lucky (I was in Moab) some kind ladies will take them out of the dryer and fold them while you are eating next door. (At my age “getting lucky” is getting your clothes folded.)
7. How to do a left turn in Michigan: You turn right, travel 300 feet and make a 180 degree U-turn left. For a while I thought one had to pass the intersection, turn right at the next opportunity and go round the block to get back to the main road. Fortunately someone explained it to me before I became Michigan’s leader in the mileage contest.
September 2015 BMW OWNERS NEWS
87
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