I mentioned in an earlier post that my bud Mac had asked me to join him on a bike ride. We left last Thursday at 4:00pm, in the rain. Wasn't sure if that was a good or bad omen, but he had said "rain or shine". Got through Customs and were on the road to Escanaba MI and took a room after about four hours of riding in the rain. We awoke to a clear sky Friday and our destination was Sioux Falls SD. We hit Fairmont MN about 6:00pm after a windy but sunny day, stopped for a bite and before we could get on our way we heard of a nasty storm comming from the west. Just as we got unloaded in our room, the rain came. It didn't come down, but was horizontal.
Woke Saturday to another clear blue beautiful day, and this is where the trip got real interesting for me. I had never been this far west before, not to mention running into many people going to and from Sturgis. We left MN and hit Sioux Fall SD. We took a left and headed south, and hit beautiful Omaha NE. The weather could not have been better, we crossed into Iowa, headed south and Stopped in Nebraska City NE had a damned good burger and couple of Bud's and the End Zone. From there we hit Elwood KS and stopped for the night in St. Joseph MO. I had not noticed, but when we got to Elwood Mac pointed out that after a LOT of miles, we had hit six states in one day, quite a feat on my first extended road trip.
Awoke Sunday in St. Joseph to another cloudless beauitful day (we were blessed with great weather). I was torn between Kansas City to St. Louis and xlcruser's directions to Hannibal. The small town Canadian boys wanted to see Kansas City and the Big Arch in St. Louis. We headed south, hit Kansas City("Kansas City here I come", ran through my mind for hours), and off to St. Louis. We parked in a emty lot to get pics of us and the bikes with the arch in the background, and security approached. One of them asked if we were there for the show? Obviously we had no idea what he was talking about, and when they found out the distanced we had travelled they welcomed us to St. Louis with a smile and a hand shake and gave us directions to the park with the arch. There was a Christian rock concert going on and there had to be 70,000 people there. Quite a site for the two of us, as our city is barely 70,000. Dam, almost forgot about the stop for lunch in Columbia at Hooters
. We left St Louis and this was the start of our way north, towards home. We hit Litchfield IL, just as dark hit and set up tents at Yeagers camp ground. We had the place to ourselfs, lit a small fire, split a 12 pack of Bud's. Wasn't even cool enough fo a sleeping bag.
Couldn't believe Monday am. It looked like rain! We spent a little time on Route 66 a couple different times on our way to Joliette. We rode for about an hour, and behold, the skies cleared and we had 90+ temps and clear skys again. Gotta love being stuck for an hour and fourty five, in traffic 'cus a bridge in under inspection. We were on the road for hours already, and dressed in leathers. (no need to explain what kind of shape my crotch was in then
) We spent some time at Conrads HD as my bud was having a tire issue with his Fatbob. We had no idea that most dealers were closed Mondays in lower IL, but the owner at Chucks HD(very nice woman) made a call for us to Conrads to make sure they were open. After Mac was assured he would make it home on his tire, and buying MORE t-shirts we were on our way to Holland MI. A little dip through Indiana(my 10th state on the trip) we sacked out in Holland MI.
Left Tuesday am, and took 31 north back home. (ya Moose Rocker, much better riding). Stopped for gas in Freesoil MI, and put the rain suits on again. Michigan weather was the only bad weather the whole trip. I guess the omen was we were starting and finishing in the rain. A small price to pay for a great ride.
We hit ten states and rode 2300 mile in 5 1/2 days. Met some great and interesting people along the way. Forgot to mention the worlds best burger in Odell IL. I have some pics in the gallery, and in Odell is where we met the large group from overseas. Not sure where we were when we met the fellas from France. Maybe someone will recgonise the place and can let me know.
xlcruser, now that I'm lovin' this long trip thingy, I'll keep your directions to Hannibal, and just may throw the Wife on the bike and head there next summer.
For the people who are thinking of doing something like this for the first time, all I can say is get out and do it. It was the most peaceful time of my life. A lot of people here questioned why we didn't go here or there, or see this or that. It wasn't the plan, just to tour. We left with no real destination, and no schedule, No stress! Dave63's sig says "*Sometimes it takes a whole tank full of gas before you can think straight." You can't believe how clear my head is after
about 20 of them!!
I'm taking the ol lady over to my buds place tonight, to rehash our trip. I will get his memery card and put more pics in the gallery tomorrow.
Thanks for letting me ramble, but I will be on cloud nine for a long time.
.................bed time, will put up more tomorrow.
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