Last night was a bad night for me. I had to say goodbye to my best friend for the last eleven years, my cat Stinky. Mr Stinky, Stinky McDoodle, Stinky McFly, Stinker-Doos, the Stinkster, the Stinkernator. He was my best friend, he would always come to greet me, would talk to me, would follow me everywhere, sit with me, purr with me, basic unconditional love between a man and his cat. I guess you could say I was pussy-whipped by Stinky. Whenever I was having a bad day Stinky would curl up in my lap start purring, rubbing me and giving me every bit of his love that would make my other problems wane, for even a few minutes. I've never been a dog person because I've always had cats who love me, but I've never had one who was a part of me like Stinky.

Goodnight my buddy, I hope you find a big soft couch in the sky, endless cans of tuna and salmon, birds to chase, mice to catch and prizes to bring back to show off your hunting skills.  Maybe you'll find Pete and will be reunited. Sweet dreams Stinks, thanks for being a great cat and a great friend to us all.

We traveled to Spokane today so I can ride my Ducati on the race track tomorrow. This will be a first for me, hopefully a great new experience to broaden my reborn love of motorcycling. I rented a UHaul, hitched it up to the Denali, strapped down the Paul Smart bike and all the support do-dads needed for a day at the track and we left this morning to get here early enough to check out Spokane for a few hours this afternoon. We got here a bit early so Michelle could browse a few quilt shops she found online. Spokane is very different from Seattle and western Washington. Farm country, lots of open space, lots of flat, flat, flat. I've never been to the eastern part of the state before (well we flew in here once for my friend's wedding, but that was passing through, not really staying here for the full experience) and we happen to be here during a "normal" 103 degree day. Holey smokes it's hot here!  Tomorrow is supposed to "cool off" to 95. Yikes! It will be a total melt down tomorrow in full leathers, lots of water and not pushing too hard should get me through the day. On the way back to the hotel tonight it was still 95 degrees at 9pm.  But it's a dry heat.

Should have some pics to post tomorrow after the ride is over. ttfn