Don't worry parentals that sounds more dramatic than it is!
A very early start at 6.45! The road to where we had to catch the helicopter was straight and simple, so Craig got his foot down (throttle open) and we made it in good time. We had to watch a safety recording which was very similar to the ones you have on a plane, (craig thought it was like the video briefing before the simulator Starwars ride at MGM studios), basically the exits are here, here, this is how u put your life jacket on and if the helicopter crashes this is how you eject the door! Like you'd remember if you're crashing? However this was no help for Clare as when we got in the Helicopter she couldn't get her seat belt on, but luckily there were staff on hand to help all 6 passengers get in correctly. We were both very excited as you will be able to see from the photos! Craig got some really good pictures with being sat by the window. There are not many words that would describe the views, just that they were amazing and we hope you like the photos. We were also treated to audio commentaries in Dutch and Italian, for the other two couples on our flight, who took our couples photos for us as we did for them.
That excitement done and not having to reach another distant destination this evening we decided to go back to Flagstaff to have a late breakfast and enjoy the classic car show which was organised by a route 66 association! We parked the bike near a hostel next to another bike, but on the front of the building it said No Parking in front of our property or you will be towed! Now family and friends who know of the Smith family holidays will understand why Clare was a little worried about the sign. Craig re-assured Clare that it was a private sign and nothing could be done about it as we were on a public road without parking restrictions. We went on our merry way and enjoyed the many different classic cars. Clare found a very nice VW Camper Van and even Britain was represented with a classic rat style BSA dirt bike. By 12 noon it was getting very warm so we decided to make our way back to the hotel. When we got back to the bike Craig delighted in saying that the bike was still there. However as Clare noticed rather quickly, he had not yet seen the huge dent in the front mudguard (and much more damaged bits incl a side stand which wouldn't hold up a daisy let alone the huge bike).
It turns out that because of the classic car fest, the hostel owner asked an employee to park his classic Cadillac around front, the lady had then reversed the pink Cadillac (called Pinky) into our bike and knocked both ours and the one next to it over. The owner was waiting to give us his details which was fairly simple but as its a rental a Police report was needed for insurance. The cop wasn't a very happy guy but Craig got talking to him and he cracked a smile eventually, probably when Clare asked to sit in the police car! The car that did the damage didn't have a scratch on it as it was such an old car it didn't have seat belts or a hand break (and it turns out its brakes haven't worked for ages!!!) and was built like a tank! It could have been worse and no one was hurt apart from our lovely bike and our desire to go back for a rest!
Time then for a conversation with the rental lady at Harley Davidson, she took it well but the conversation was difficult as the Amercians struggle with the English language! Mudguard = Fender, Brake disk = Rotator, fork guards = shields and on and on and on.
We took our bike to the nearest Harley dealership in Bellmount where they were very friendly and helpful. At first they thought they would have to get the stand Fed Ex'd to the dealer ship but they managed somehow by stealing of a showroom bike and we were on our way with a wounded steed!
Overall a very eventfully day for lots of reasons, it could have been a lot worse and it has not affected the trip, we will be on our way to needles on sun.
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