.... so with a loaded tourer I figured heck... why not add the laptop. On the previous sunday when I was dodging Tornado's up in the Nobs (see Louisville pics below), being able to log in and see a realtime doppler loop of the regional weather could be helpful. Along with come realizations like 'Yikes, that thing seems to be comin RIGHT AT ME !'. So when I pulled out of Salem on a dark and windy morning, a bit later than I'd hoped for, I got curious about what was ahead.

I stopped at a local drive'in, checked the doppler map, and quickly realized if I took Charlies route using the slow roads north and east of Salem as planned, I was probably going to spend the day being soaked. So instead, I calculated that I may have JUST enough time to outrun the clouds into Scottsburg and find some dry stop in the town. Great plan, and I missed it only by THAT much !!! I was hit with the hard stuff about 3 miles outside of town. Man, was I glad for the huge leather fender 'flap' mounted up front on my touring bike - that roadway was flooded side to side as I pulled into the local Mc'y Dees. I hung out there while my temperature came back up, and my duds dried out hanging from the bike out back. All good, actually.

After it cleared, I had a beautiful ride down to again meet the Ohio River at Madison, IN - birthplace of my Grandma, and a historical treasure trove of interesting family facts. See below for more details, but getting to town on a short day riding allowed me to swing by the local historical society just in time before they closed for the day. Madison, with it's long rail road and river front history seems to have a super rich and interesting heritage -it's a great destination not to miss if you're anywhere nearby.

For a wonderful history story of Jefferson County Indiana and the treasures of Madison, visit the Jefferson County Historical Society website.

Day 4 - Salem to Madison- 45mi