Mystery Ride Ends with Jail Time

By Tom Johnson, Chapter President

How crazy was it to plan a “mystery ride” when I didn’t have any idea where I even wanted to go…..for the ride? 

Well, with my powers combined, I did it!!! I don’t know how, but it was done.  We were supposed to do an Iron Butt around Lake Michigan & Erie, but due to logistics, that ride didn’t happen.  Maybe another time.  

I gave it quite some thought before I wanted to do this ride, and I wanted to keep it a secret….as long as I could.  I told the group at one of our monthly meetings to just be prepared.  The time came for the ride, and I did NO PRE-RIDE for this.  I was nervous about it.  I had some idea of where to go and how to get there.  The time came for the ride, and everyone in the parking lot was ready.  I said we were going to West Virginia and paused for a second…then I said Penitentiary.  I believe everyone simultaneously was like,” Oh, my”.   We all headed to Moundsville, WV, to visit the historical West Virginia Penitentiary. I think this might’ve been one of my best rides.  Some small towns were included, but the number of twists and turns that everyone wanted for the ride was there! 

I changed our lunch place from Wendys to VanDynes Restaurant. They had a small car show going on, and it was very cool to see it.  The staff was very friendly and busy, but they cared for us.  I had a few mishaps, but other than that, they had one server, and she did well.  While we were waiting for lunch, I purchased our tickets to the penitentiary, but we had to move it by an hour, which worked out for us all.  This place was closed in 1995 because inmates said the cells were too small.  Also, Charles Manson’s mom was there as well.  The outside of this place was amazing, and the inside was just like I had imagined.  Our tour guide, Tina, was fantastic. She also had laryngitis, which added to the ambiance.  It was a great tour, and I will go back again in the near future.  We jumped on OH-7 and crossed over to WV for a short mile.  

We left just before 4:30 p.m. and headed home like going there: many turns, curves, hills, and bumps. We finally got to our last stop of the day……DAIRY QUEEN!!! I believe it was after 8 p.m. Everyone was ready for the day to end, but many would have done more.  

What an amazing ride! I don’t know if I can repeat it again……ever…..that’s how good it was.  

So, until the next adventure, you never know where we might end up!!!!