CUBA, MO TO EMPORIA, KS

Once upon a time today six brave knights us of the round table it was round at dinner last night donned their suits of armor rain gear.

Then mounted their mighty steeds self explanatory and went forth to do battle with the dangerous dragon wind, rain, lightning, trucks and save the damsel in distress meet Susie for lunch.

The brave knights slew the dragon saved the damsel and raised their tankards in salute to their bravery a cold one and a trip to the jacuzzi.
The leader of the knights then finished his day with a skype video call to the damsels husband.

That's how I remember the day, it sounds a little better than road in the rain to KC.

Actually started the day under sunny skies with mild temps. A check of the weather channel prior to leaving Cuba showed a line of severe storms heading our way. Since it was going east and we were going west we hoped to minimize our time in the barrel. North for about an hour then west on 50 and the storms started. Everything the weather channel predicted rain, hail, more rain, and lightning.

We even saw those kind of cloud formations that the guys chasing tornadoes on the Discovery Channel always drive towards. Once in KC had no trouble finding the barbecue joint with Al's GPS and Suzy was there just ahead of us and met us in the parking lot. That also was the end of the rain and we packed our gear away.

We had a good lunch and a good visit, Susie and JB have been friends for almost thiryfive years and it's always good to catch up.

Said our goodbyes and once more west on 50 which runs with I 35 in this area. In for the night, clear skies predicted for tomorrow, total time in the rain today probably less than ninety minutes seemed like more.

PS Rhonda, saw Bruce riding with no hands several times today. Will call if you need to make quick trip to bank with one of those presigned checks.

DAY 13 SEYMOUR TO ST LOUIS TO CUBA MO

Grab your ticket and your suitcase
Thunder's rolling down the tracks
You don't know where you're goin'
But you know you won't be back
Darlin' if you're weary
Lay your head upon my chest
We'll take what we can carry
And we'll leave the rest

Big Wheels rolling through fields
Where sunlight streams
Meet me in a land of hope and dreams
Bruce Springsteen

Left Seymour heading west on 50 and before to long had entered a range of low mountains in western Indiana. This area bills itself as the limestone capitol of the world. Passed several limestone and gypsum processing plants along 50 but didn't see any quarries. The road continued to be interesting twisty two lane under sunny skies with very little traffic excellent morning ride.

After riding a while we entered Illinois and quickly found out why it's called the prairie state. Straight roads with lots of wind blowing from the south, made riding more tiring. In this area US 50 is used as a truck route and we had lots of trucks going the other direction made fighting the wind even more fun.

Just before leaving Illinois got onto the freeway crossed the mighty Mississippi and into St Louis. Quickly off the interstate the gps guided us right to the Gateway Arch. Spent about an hour or so at the arch very impressive.

Stayed on the interstate to get away from St Louis, rush hour was already in progress. I lead us southwest until we got to a town called Cuba where we stopped for the night.

We must have crossed at least two hundred rivers since leaving Phoenix, probably more. The bridges on these old roads are lower on the sides allowing you to look up and down the river. Many of them had very interesting names but other than the Miss, Ohio, Kentucky, and a few others I can't remember any of their names. Today however we crossed a bridge where the river below was aptly named. I saw the sign then glanced down and yep there it was Little Muddy Creek, they got it right.

DAY 13 (PART 2)

After breakfast this morning, just before we left for the day, tried to call Krys and she was at work which I had forgotten. This is usually my favorite time of the day the anticipation of a new day on the bike riding new roads, the packing up, giving the bike a quick once over, and heading down the road. Today it just didn't seem right I hadn't talked to Krys for a few days, everyone else did their obligatory call when we got in last night.

Threw a leg over and headed out, soon out of town switched on the radio. There was Billy Joel singing his heart out on the radio:

Don't go changing, to try and please me
You never let me down before
Don't imagine you're too familiar
And I don't see you anymore
I wouldn't leave you in times of trouble
We never could have come this far
I took the good times, I'll take the bad times
I'll take you just the way you are

Once again music makes the moment and the day was alright again.

On a different note I'm always amazed at the people that walk up to us and start a conversation. We meet some interesting people everywhere from the hotels to gas stations and restaurants. In the last few days I was approached by a guy who had a Harley but his wife sold it while he was in prison. An older gentleman in an electric wheelchair at the store today wanted to tell us about his trip on a Harley in 1954. Jan was talking to a guy who wanted to take a trip east on 50, he already had a bike. He had grown up on the road but never been to far out of town.

These people are a part of this trip also, part of the whole find America theme and add there own flavor to our trip. I know I often mention different people we meet as I'm constantly amazed by the waitresses, clerks, and others who talk to us. I Always expect them to be stereotypical for the area or job they fill but it just isn't so.

Each of these different people has much in common with us, we get the same TV shows, the same ads for new cars and deodorant. They all also have there differences allowing us to learn from our encounters and appreciate the geographical differences.

Well thats enough rambling it's past time for bed. On to Kansas City, weather permitting, to visit an old friend tomorrow.

DAY 12 CHILLICOTHE, OH TO SEYMOUR IN

Before we left Phoenix we had talked about the Air Force Museum in Dayton Ohio as a possible stop along the way. Woke up this morning to sunny cool skies and decided that the eighty miles to the museum would be a good idea.

Once we got there we found that the parking lot was only about a fifth full and near the door was motorcycle only parking. Went inside and the admission price was good also, free.

The exhibit consists of several very large hangers containing about 400 airplanes from the dawn of military aviation to the present. Very impressive divided into areas themed by the war they were involved in. We saw fighters and bombers from not only the US but several Russian and British planes also, I could spend a week there. Stood in the open bomb bay of a B-52 and listened to an elderly gentleman telling his family how the bombs were loaded on his plane with the Strategic Air Command in the 50's.

After that back towards Cincinnati and onto US-50 headed west. Ohio farmland with green fields and acres of grass. You new when the next small town was coming by spotting the water tower or grain silo in the distance before you saw any signs. Traffic leaving Cincinnati was a pain but after that smooth sailing.

Stopped a little early today at a Holiday Inn Express to do some laundry after negotiating a good price, negotiated two drinks which we plan to follow with a trip to the jacuzzi.

Onward across Indiana in the morning.

WINCHESTER,VA TO CHILLICOTHE, OH

Left the hotel this morning and headed into downtown Winchester on route 50. We were soon into the old section of town. These roads were meant for horse and buggy so now the houses go right to the edge of the sidewalk. The homes were built in 1750 when the town was founded. At one stop sign the house on my right was George Washington's construction company office in 1752. Down the road was a cannon with a sign stating that Washington and his army used it in defense of a nearby fort in 1760. Incredible, this type of history is normal for the area and commonplace.

Left Virginia for West Virginia and started climbing into the Appalachians. The weather turned colder with the temperature falling to the high 40's. By this time 50 had turned from a nice road to a narrow two lane road twisting back and forth up and down through the mountains. A driver of an eighteen wheeler had pulled to the side to let us by then kept right on our tail for the next 30 miles.

As we passed the driver he looked out at me and had a sort of toothless evil grin as we drove by. The way he was handling that truck I knew that he had grown up in the area. I would also bet that he learned to drive riding shotgun with his daddy while running moonshine in the mountains.

Almost heaven, west virginia
Blue ridge mountains
Shenandoah river -
Life is old there
Older than the trees
Younger than the mountains
Growin' like a breeze

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country road
John Denver

Continued into the mountains passing small groups of homes along the road and side roads with names like Dark Hollow, Berts Hollow, and I'm not making this up, Sleepy Hollow. All of a sudden Ken pulled off the road into a gravel parking lot with a small wooden sign that said Melanie's Restaurant, lunch time. The waitress was a young girl with a quick smile that kept holding it back due to some bad teeth that she was obviously self conscience about. She said the special was a burger with ramps and laughed outloud when we didn't know what a ramp was. Thanks to google later found out that a ramp is an early spring type of leek grown in the area, oh yea had the burger and ramp special.

Continued west beautiful two lane with a canopy of trees covering the road above as we went from west Virginia to Maryland back to West Virginia and finally into Ohio. The road turned to divided highway for a while then back to two lane before we stopped for the night in Chillecothe. It's an old Indian name and also the first capital of Ohio.

DAY 10 EXMORE TO OCEAN CITY MD TO WINCHESTER VA

Left Exmore this morning under clearing skies and shirt sleeve weather. Headed north up the Virginia peninsula towards Ocean City Md. Ocean City is the eastern terminus of US 50 our road west.

By the time we got there it was high 40's with a strong wind coming off the ocean. Nice lady at the welcome center sent us to a city parking lot that during the "season" fills to capacity early in the day. We got there and besides our bikes there was maybe three other cars and room for hundreds. We walked the boardwalk and most of the bars and tourist traps were shuttered and empty, the whole place had a desolate feel that will be gone in a month when the "season" is here. Looking at the empty stacked deck chairs and steel shuttered windows reminded me of a Jimmy Buffett song

They're closin' down the hangout
The air is turnin' cool
They're shuttin' off the superslide
The kids are back in school

The tourist traps are empty
Vacancy abounds
Almost like it used to be
Before the circus came to town

Chorus:
That's when it always happens
The same time every year
I come down to talk to me
When the coast is clear.

Well that's the way the place looked to me.
Took the necessary pictures at the mileage to Sacramento sign over the road at the start of 50. West on 50 actually takes you north then across the bay to Annapolis and then to Washington DC. DC was a challenging ride that caused the muscles in your neck and back to knot. Light rain, roads under construction, rush hour on the beltway. It all adds up to less than enjoyable for a while.

Once out of traffic and back westbound on 50 the scenery and the weather just continued to improve as we quickly left the suburbs. Soon we were on roads that narrowed through small towns with buildings dating back to civil war or in some cases revolutionary times. In between towns we found farms interspersed with small private label vineyards.

A good day with a great start and a great finish. If you look at a map we took VA 13 to 113 to Ocean City then 50 to DC and from DC, a little bit more of Virginia tomorrow.

LEXINGTON VA TO EXMORE VA

Rained a lot during the night. Woke up to wet bike covers and wet roads. After a nice breakfast and checking the weather channel, 90% chance of rain. Debated whether 90% should be called a chance but headed out anyway. We were soon on US 60 heading into the George Washington Forest and crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway. The road then became steep grades, sharp curves, wet, and nearly hidden in thick fog. This gave us a chance to check if everyone still had a working adrenal gland, we all passed.

Once we were out of the mountains the road straightened out and we set our sights on the end of 60 in Virginia Beach. We found the end of the road but no real good picture spots. Decided to head north and find a place for the night feeling good about finding one of our goals for this years trip.

Today we passed many historic sites, everything from battlefields to Appomattox where General Lee surrendered at the end of the civil war. We also passed through Jamestown and any number of other revolutionary and historic areas and towns. I'm often asked why we don't stop at these famous locations. If we did we would need three weeks just to do the state of Virginia, and still miss some places. We find our treasures in the locations like we hit yesterday. A small falls, a century old power house, and a couple picnic tables. No markings just a small parking lot with room for our six bikes and a new memory.

We ride for the ride itself to us the sights are the ones seen from the seat moving down the road With the occasional special or unusual stop thrown in. That isn't to say that we don't enjoy the occasional tourist area just that it isn't our priority.

Oh and about that 90% chance of rain? We managed to ride the entire day in the other 10%!

BARBOURSVILLE WV TO LEXINGTON VA

Once more east on 60 towards Charleston WV, the largest city in West Virginia, population 50,000. Once out of Charleston 60 dove into the mountains and quickly became very interesting, very rural, two lane twisty road. We followed a river for several hours and the every present railroad tracks. Passed the surface buildings of some large underground coal mines with huge piles of coal. Passing through the small unincorporated mining communities the flags at many places are still at half mast for the miners lost recently.

The portion of 60 from South Charleston to the town of Sam Black Church is known as the Midland Trail. This is not only one of the best motorcycle roads it is also a historic trail. Originally used by settlers heading west in 1790 George Washington, in an early example of a stimulus program, ordered the trail improved for wagon travel. Stopped for a break at a small park next to an old water driven power house on the river at a small falls. Then lunch along the river later watching a couple drift and fish from their boat.

Once we approached Virginia 60 merged with I-64 and we headed into the Appalachians and heavily forested area until stopping for the night in Lexington.

The place names today were very interesting named after the mines or saw mills. Small roads running off of 60 with street names like Bouber Hallow, Crestfallen Hallow, Dupont Haller.

West Virginia is definitely worth the time to travel, beautiful state.

DAY 7 SHELBYVILLE KY TO BARBOURSVILLE WV

Didn't get a very early start weather was threatening to rain all day. Left the motel after nine and only drove for two or three miles in a light rain to the town laundromat. A hour and a half later we were on the road in clean clothes under threatening skies.

Drove US60 for miles through horse country. Nobody was waving from the porches of these homes. Most of them were far bigger than anything in Paradise Valley set on rolling hills far back from the road. They were surrounded by four rail fences and acres and acres of Kentucky Blue grass. Certainly the most impressive homes we have ever seen. Private gated roads with names like Man Of War Drive leading up to the houses. This was in contrast to some very depressed areas we went through today where land and homes were up for sale on both sides of the road with lots of maintenance issues.

Speaking of wealth, when doing our laundry today a young couple was also doing laundry and started a conversation about the bikes and where we were from. When we explained what we were doing you could tell that they thought we all came from some kind of wealth. I guess it all depends on your frame of reference,we have little in material things compared to the homes we saw later. We are all comfortable and very rich in the things that matter like family and friends and the ability to take these wonderful rides.

Continued on 60 until later in the day when we decided to make it to West Virginia for the night so jumped on the interstate that paralleled 60 for the last 80 miles or so under very threatening skies In for the night in a town called Barboursville, nice Holiday Inn. Other than the trip to the laundromat didn't get rained on the rest of the day.

DAY 6 SIKESTON MO, TO SHELBYVILLE, KY

Left this morning and instead of cutting south a few miles to get back on 60 went straight. This had us going across the Mississippi River into Illinois then south across the Ohio River into Kentucky.

Then right back onto 60 which runs along the Ohio River and the Indiana border. The road then will dive deeper into Kentucky through forests with active logging, twisting and turning back to farm land. Then you come upon huge houses with front yards measured in multiple acres and beautiful green fields.

With the exception of the last one hundred miles today it was once again all two lane road. Some times nice wide lanes with paved shoulders other times a narrow aging road with no shoulders and very little traffic. With a few clouds and a temperature of 70 it was another perfect day to ride. Finished the day a little east of Louisville, towards West Virginia tomorrow.

I know this sounds repetitious with the last posts but it isn't to us. Riding with friends on great roads with ever changing scenery never gets old or repetitious.

Finally for you fellow Simpsons fans. A few days ago we were in Springfield, we are currently in Shelbyville and passed through Simpsonville just before Shelbyville.

DAY 5 SPRINGFIELD TO SIKESTON MO

Yes we are still in Missouri but had an absolutely incredible day. Beautiful weather and beautiful roads that twisted and turned and climbed and fell through oak forests along lakes and rivers with little traffic.

We were talking about Branson yesterday so this morning at breakfast decided that we would head south. Explored Branson for a while, lots of theaters with older stars still entertaining. I imagine one day the Stones will have their own theater.

Left Branson and decided to keep heading south into Arkansas. This was because the Rand McNally atlas showed several roads across the top of Arkansas with green dots which we all know means scenic two lane roads.

Spent most of the rest of the day exploring these great roads into the Ozarks then finally back into Missouri and back onto US60. Last thirty miles or so on divided highway then in for the night. An absolutely perfect day for motorcycle riding.

The Ozarks like most of the rest of the country ranges from beautiful homes and resorts to more depressed areas. Several sections are apparently where old Fords and Chevys come to die and rust away in peace. There was also a few where taking out the garbage just means stepping out to the porch and throwing it into the front yard. Met a few other riders on the road today and everyone had a smile on their face.

Finished the day with dinner at Lamperts a Cracker Barrel on steroids. Lamberts Cafe- throwedrolls.com

DAY 4 ENID OK TO SPRINGFIELD MO

Started a little late today so Ken could get a headlight fixed at the Honda dealer. Had breakfast while the bike got fixed and it was back on US60. The day was a great day to ride temps in the 50s and 60s with scattered clouds breaking up the horizon. Mostly two lane running straight for several miles before dipping and turning through valleys and hills with a speed limit of 65. Of course every few miles you had to slow to 20 for a small town.

Two years ago we rode US66 from end to end for the nostalgia and to find middle America. This time I think we actually found it on 60. The towns and farms are much more alive along this route. We were talking about that at lunch and decided that 66 has been mostly replaced by interstate. Most of 60 is still the main route serving the farms, ranches, and small towns, that show up every twenty miles or so.

Much of the day the road also followed the Trail Of Tears. This trail was the route that the Cherokee Nation was forced to walk when moved from there original home in Georgia to the reservation in Oklahoma. Fifteen thousand Indians under the guidance of the US Cavalry started the march eleven thousand made it to Oklahoma.

On a different note all six Arizonans made it to Springfield Mo had a nice dinner then recapped the trip in the jacuzzi. Yes it was as good as it sounds.

On a side note we all take turns leading and we all occasionally miss a turn. Two days a ago CE missed a turn and I went and got him, today Ken missed a turn and I went and got him, later Al missed a turn and I went and got him. Do you see a pattern here? Later today I missed a turn and they all went the other way nobody came and got me!

Until tomorrow.

DAY 3 HEREFORD TX TO ENID OK

Headed out this morning and soon found ourselves gassing up in Amarillo. The gas station was busy and as I was standing in line with my cup of coffee the truck driver in front of me was talking to the clerk. When he told her she didn't look happy she said she would like to be anywhere but here. I just smiled as I paid for my coffee thinking that in fifteen minutes I'll be done with my coffee getting on the bike and soon will be "anywhere but here".

Before long we were out of Texas having crossed the panhandle and into Oklahoma. Route 60 was now beginning to look just like I envisioned it. Large cattle ranches and farms bordered with white painted rail fences. Every twenty or thirty miles we would come upon a small town driving right down the main street on 60. These towns had their share of closed businesses and empty buildings but overall appeared well kept. Many of the houses and buildings were built in the 20's or 30's with a style you don't see outside of middle America. Not a Starbucks in sight, just little mom and pop places with names like Eat, Cafe, Best Pie, and my favorite, Food. These were interspersed with grocery stores, dry good stores, and farm equipment dealers.

We actually ended up at Dairy Queen for lunch in a town of a few hundred. This DQ was also the place to be with older couples, truck drivers, and farm hands all enjoying lunch. The weather today was a little on the cloudy cool side but bearable. The people at Dairy Queen said we were lucky since it had rained everyday for the last week.

Stopped for the night in Enid OK a good sized city with an air force base. Driving into town noticed that most businesses are flying flags and all are at half staff. We quickly found out that it is the fifteenth anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing a somber day in these parts.


A thousand plus miles down thousands to go.

DAY 2 SOCORRO TO HEREFORD TX VIA ROSWELL

Started day 2 with what has become typical for us every year. Route 60 leaves Socorro and heads north then northeast towards Amarillo. Jan said he has never been to Roswell where the Alien spacecraft supposedly crash landed in 1947. A few minutes looking at a map and we found that the road to Roswell is full of green dots indication of a scenic drive. It also was at least a hundred miles farther. So gassed up and headed to Roswell. After all route 60 is a suggestion and not a hard and fast daily route. If we are still heading east we are going the right direction.

The road to Roswell varies from high desert, 7000 feet, to pine covered mountains back to the wide open white sands area. We actually drove right by White Sands Missile Base and the Trinity Site where the first Atomic bomb in the world was detonated in 1945. At the time it was just a theory that it wouldn't destroy the earth.

The road was mostly two lane and unoccupied by anyone but us and a few antelope along the side. Several small towns appeared most of them very depressed appearing. An exception was Lincoln NM a small unincorporated town established in the 1850's where the main street has been largely preserved. The towns claim to fame is as the home town of Billy The Kid.

Roswell was just a quick lunch and a drive down Main Street, I suppose we could have stopped at the museum but Ken was already disappointed that they didn't have an alien petting zoo.

The last couple of days have been full of space stuff, Saturday we also drove through the Very Large Array. This is a system of twentyseven eightytwo foot diameter radio telescopes on tracks that can be moved up to 22 miles apart. It has been in several movies such as Contact and 2010, impressive sight.

Lost another hour and stopped short of Amarillo in someplace called Hereford, TX, nice motel good hottub.Started the day with a jacket finished in shirt sleeves.

DAY 1 PHOENIX TO SOCORRO NM

Meet everyone at Dennys and didn't get on the road until pushing ten o'clock. Fortyfive minutes of the 17, 10, 202 loop and we were on US60 with me in the lead. After a short while the freeway ended the road started to curve with the Superstitions rising from the desert to our left, scattered clouds overhead, and the prospect of a three week ride ahead.

Here we were the six friends in a close staggered formation, smooth roads, wild flowers everywhere, mountains roads ahead, big v-twin rumbling underneath me and I just had to smile. Once again we are on our way.

We had about 400 miles of great weather and great roads today before finishing off the day with a home cooked style meal at a small local restaurant here in Socorro.

Lots of talk at dinner about last year and how much we all were looking forward to this year. If today is an indication it's going to be another great one.

IT'S TIME

The family was over for dinner and left about an hour ago. I've just finished the last of the packing and it's sitting on the counter ready to walk it out to the bike. I should be thinking about sleep but my mind is on tomorrows ride, the first day of a new adventure. From talking to the other five I know we are all ready to get started. Oh well, can't do anything until morning.

Chuck