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.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
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
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
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, April 19, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, April 16, 2010
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
Chuck
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