Quick trip to do laundry and then northbound. It seems like every time we stopped today we decided on a new route but ended up spending most of the day on the Great River Road along the Mississippi. We have ridden the river road on the west side several years ago but this year found us on the east side. Stayed away from main roads by riding County Road F, A, AA and a few others.
All the small towns were busy with flea markets, garage sales, fishing, and 100's of motorcycles taking advantage of a great spring Sunday. For us just another day exploring the backroads of America. Locals were dressed in t-shirts, we stayed in jackets, clear skies temps in the 60's.
Yeah tomorrow I'm takin’ me fishin’
Hang a sign on the door of my life
Tell the world that I’ve gone missin’
An’ I won’t be back for a while
I’m so tired of only wishin’
I could leave my troubles behind
I wanna be front porch rockin’
With a big sun droppin’ in a blue sky
Kick back an’ get high
On the livin’ part of life
Eric Church
So true Eric, leave it behind to find where you are and what's important.
Ended the day in Rice Lake Wisconsin fighting waves of nostalgia. My parents lived here in the late 40's after my Dad came home from the war. I listened to their stories of living in a trailer, walking across the street to fish out of the lake, celebrating with friends. Ended the day in a "Supper Club" next door to the hotel that has been open since 1934. I had little trouble imagining my folks having dinner and a drink while dancing to the band in the very room I had dinner in, waves of nostalgia.
Sunday, May 7, 2017
Saturday, May 6, 2017
DAY 7 WHY WE RIDE
Left this morning heading northeast then due north to 20. Following a rough area in a construction zone pulled off to reattach a kick stand spring and after that the day day just got better.
After a quick fix rode a short way north for lunch and after lunch decided to continue on north on an unplanned route. We soon found ourselves in Independence Iowa, a small town that is still thriving, all the old downtown stores open, brick roads, people out and about on a beautiful Saturday. There were kids in yards waving, people out on the sidewalks. If you changed out the cars and gas stations for 50's vintage everything else would be straight from a movie.
The day continued to excel with great two lane unplanned roads with beautiful weather, good friends, smooth roads. Ended up on the river road along the Mississippi before calling it a night in Onalaska Wisconsin.
Babe, there's no red lights or stop signs around for miles,
Just swaying trees, your hair in the breeze, and that smile, and I know
God's working down from that sky blue ceiling,
He made these old country roads for driving and dreaming,
Mine's coming true girl here with you on two lanes of freedom.
Two lanes of freedom.
Two lanes of freedom.
Two lanes of freedom.
Tim Mcgraw
Just one of those days that clicked on all cylinders and reminded me of why we ride.
After a quick fix rode a short way north for lunch and after lunch decided to continue on north on an unplanned route. We soon found ourselves in Independence Iowa, a small town that is still thriving, all the old downtown stores open, brick roads, people out and about on a beautiful Saturday. There were kids in yards waving, people out on the sidewalks. If you changed out the cars and gas stations for 50's vintage everything else would be straight from a movie.
The day continued to excel with great two lane unplanned roads with beautiful weather, good friends, smooth roads. Ended up on the river road along the Mississippi before calling it a night in Onalaska Wisconsin.
Babe, there's no red lights or stop signs around for miles,
Just swaying trees, your hair in the breeze, and that smile, and I know
God's working down from that sky blue ceiling,
He made these old country roads for driving and dreaming,
Mine's coming true girl here with you on two lanes of freedom.
Two lanes of freedom.
Two lanes of freedom.
Two lanes of freedom.
Tim Mcgraw
Just one of those days that clicked on all cylinders and reminded me of why we ride.
Friday, May 5, 2017
DAY 6 RIP JOHN PARHAM
Knew we were going to stay around Altoona to give CE time to catch up so booked a second night at the motel. Let them know we wanted the rooms and it was a good thing we did only five rooms left.
Decided to run over to the National Motorcycle Museum while we waited to hear from CE. We were only about 150 miles away so geared up and headed out. Beautiful two lane roads through rolling hills with clear skies and temps in the 60's.
The museum was well worth the ride with over 300 great bikes on display, on a sad note the museum was planning a service for the founder of the museum, and owner of J and P Motorcycle parts, John Parham who had passed away after a battle with cystic fibrosis.
Great ride back with CE there to greet us on arrival followed by a celebratory dinner for CE's return.
Northeast tomorrow.
Kurt Vonnegut quote of the day
"I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different."
Decided to run over to the National Motorcycle Museum while we waited to hear from CE. We were only about 150 miles away so geared up and headed out. Beautiful two lane roads through rolling hills with clear skies and temps in the 60's.
The museum was well worth the ride with over 300 great bikes on display, on a sad note the museum was planning a service for the founder of the museum, and owner of J and P Motorcycle parts, John Parham who had passed away after a battle with cystic fibrosis.
Great ride back with CE there to greet us on arrival followed by a celebratory dinner for CE's return.
Northeast tomorrow.
Kurt Vonnegut quote of the day
"I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different."
Thursday, May 4, 2017
DAY 5 MAY 4TH HAPPY BIRTHDAY GENNA
A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my oldest daughter who has once again graciously allowed me to miss her birthday for a motorcycle trip.
Quick run this morning to Lincoln Nebraska to get CE's bike looked at. I was advised that the town was not named after Lincoln Hayes from the old Mod Squad 60's TV show. Problems with CE's bike turned out to be more serious than originally thought and the decision, with his blessing, was made to leave him for a day or two.
Earlier in the trip we had entertained the idea of a motorcycle museum in Anamosa Iowa so we headed east with the idea of meeting back up after the bike is repaired.
To much time on I-80 with wind made for a mileage short, wear and tear long afternoon. Now bedded down east of Des Monies with bellies full of barbeque and kinks worked out in the hot tub.
Almost forgot, don't be worried about us and the weather, blue skies and sunshine all day.
Quick run this morning to Lincoln Nebraska to get CE's bike looked at. I was advised that the town was not named after Lincoln Hayes from the old Mod Squad 60's TV show. Problems with CE's bike turned out to be more serious than originally thought and the decision, with his blessing, was made to leave him for a day or two.
Earlier in the trip we had entertained the idea of a motorcycle museum in Anamosa Iowa so we headed east with the idea of meeting back up after the bike is repaired.
To much time on I-80 with wind made for a mileage short, wear and tear long afternoon. Now bedded down east of Des Monies with bellies full of barbeque and kinks worked out in the hot tub.
Almost forgot, don't be worried about us and the weather, blue skies and sunshine all day.
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
DAY 4 SUN, CLOUDS, RAIN
Today started out with a great breakfast at a small bar and restaurant in Hill City. We then headed west on Kansas 24 through some gorgeous country of rolling hills, some planted with spring crops some not. Partially cloudy skies and cool temps had us all dressed in nice warm gear, face shields down. This gives you a feeling of being in a high speed cocoon and with the radio off leaves you alone with your thoughts. This always leads to some interesting conversations with myself. An old friend, Dale, left a comment yesterday quoting one of my favorite authors. On The Road by Jack Kerouac was a favorite book in college, wore out a copy by rereading it several times. This brought to mind other authors that shaped my early ideals besides Kerouac, there was Ginsberg, Dylan, Vonnegut, Hunter Thompson plus so many others,and of course for the girls readings from Rod McKuen coupled with appropriate music.
Back to today, 24 into Manhattan for lunch, backtrack to 77 in rain gear then north to Beatrice Nebraska in for the night.
Rain never got heavy, rain gear felt good blocking a little of the wind. Watching the weather decide on route tomorrow.
Back to today, 24 into Manhattan for lunch, backtrack to 77 in rain gear then north to Beatrice Nebraska in for the night.
Rain never got heavy, rain gear felt good blocking a little of the wind. Watching the weather decide on route tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
DAY 3 May 2nd We Broke It
Started the day with a 90 mile ride up to Dodge City to get CE's bike looked at and it was a good thing we did. The bike was developing a serious brake problem that could not be left unattended. The dealership a combination Honda, Harley dealer was very helpful and got us back on the road same day. Over the years each one of us has at one time or another had to get a repair of some sort. We have been very lucky to find great people at almost every dealership and these unexpected stops lend themselves very well to our no reservations, no destination style of riding.
Left Dodge City north on Kansas 283 stopping in a small Mom and Pop Motel in Hill City Kansas. When we pulled into town we pulled over to figure out the direction to the motel and were greeted by a group of young boys on bicycles that wanted to know all about us. This evolved into being followed to the gas station and motel by three kids on bikes. Thanks to JB filling them in I was soon being pointed at and could hear them say that one is Chuck, JB said he's there leader. I'm pretty sure the tone in their voice was one of disbelief.
Left Dodge City north on Kansas 283 stopping in a small Mom and Pop Motel in Hill City Kansas. When we pulled into town we pulled over to figure out the direction to the motel and were greeted by a group of young boys on bicycles that wanted to know all about us. This evolved into being followed to the gas station and motel by three kids on bikes. Thanks to JB filling them in I was soon being pointed at and could hear them say that one is Chuck, JB said he's there leader. I'm pretty sure the tone in their voice was one of disbelief.
DAY 2 May 1st Running On
Today is a pretty easy one to comment on. Left Socorro on US 60, turned north on US 54 to Liberal Kansas.. Ok that about sums it up from a map stand point, but it was so much more. Second day out, routine starting to jell with everyone getting acquainted again and the requisite sharp humor that is only tolerated between friends.
You also have the irony of me leading a gaggle of conservative retired bikers into a town called Liberal! Add to all that, mostly, good road with clear bright blue skies. We did pass five miles of downed power lines with snow on the side of the road a few feet deep and temps in the mid 60's, a great day to be on a bike. Managed to ride a little over 400 again putting us just overe 800 for first couple days.
Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels
Looking back at the years gone by like so many summer fields
In sixty-five I was seventeen and running up one-o-one
I don't know where I'm running now, I'm just running on
Running on - running on empty
Running on - running blind
Running on - running into the sun
But I'm running behind
Jackson Browne
Met JB in Liberal and our group was complete. Desk clerk recommended a good local restaurant (fish tacos in southern Kansas?)and our day was complete.
You also have the irony of me leading a gaggle of conservative retired bikers into a town called Liberal! Add to all that, mostly, good road with clear bright blue skies. We did pass five miles of downed power lines with snow on the side of the road a few feet deep and temps in the mid 60's, a great day to be on a bike. Managed to ride a little over 400 again putting us just overe 800 for first couple days.
Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels
Looking back at the years gone by like so many summer fields
In sixty-five I was seventeen and running up one-o-one
I don't know where I'm running now, I'm just running on
Running on - running on empty
Running on - running blind
Running on - running into the sun
But I'm running behind
Jackson Browne
Met JB in Liberal and our group was complete. Desk clerk recommended a good local restaurant (fish tacos in southern Kansas?)and our day was complete.
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