Day - 16

Memorial Day

Today we woke to rain. We waited to see if the Sprint store was open. YEAH!! They were. BOO, wrong store, but, they gave us the number to the right store. Karen called, they didn't have the phone there. They could order a phone after they inspect the phone and we could come back in a day or two. Ya, that's NOT going to work!! Karen called Sprint. This took over three, Three, THREE Hours!!!!!!!

So, we got on the road a little after 1pm. We headed up Rt 191 towards to Spokane, with more of those fields that I was trying to explain yesterday. On U.S.-2, we stopped to get a quick bite and get fuel. We came out and noticed the trailer light connection was separated. The trailer side was ground down and the bike side had parts of the connector in it. Don't know what we hit or when we hit it. We got on the bike and the rain started to come down. So, we moved under the pumps to put on our gloves. Boy, did it come down! It sounded like Pop Rocks. Some sounds were between rain and louder like hail. We stopped in Wilbur, WA. I want to see the Coulee Dam.

We saw a Motel sign "Impecably Clean Rooms - Wifi". It's raining hard and there is a diner across the street. Paid a little more than we think it's worth. Get a key move the bike over. Can you say "Bate's Motel". Wifi? Doesn't work in the room. The diner is closed on Mondays.

Late start, Connector damaged on trailer (have running lights, and left directional working), Heavy Rain, Black Clouds, Low Mileage Day, and Bates Motel.

Tomorrow is looking better even today!!

Starting Mileage 103,374

Ending Mileage 103,496

122 miles for the day

Location: Wilbur, Wa.

Day - 15

What a Great day!!

(You can click on picture to enlarge it, check out the road in the last pic)

We left the hotel under very cludy skies and 38 deg. We turned north on Rt 191, within 20 miles it was raining. 191 was a beautiful ride following the river. We turned west on I-90. At 75-80 MPH it was real cold. We passed a sign now this is real. It was in Bearmouth, MT next to Beavertail, MT. "Testicle Festival" what a hoot. We pulled off the highway for fuel, warm up, breakfast, and to add jackets over the electric jackets and under the suits to keep the heat in. We jumped back on I-90 to Missoula, MT.

In Missoula, we got off and followed US-12 (which is Lewis and Cark HWY, Wild Scenic River Corridor,) which follows Lochsa River. The very same river Lewis and Clark traveled, oh ya, it's also Nez Perce Trail. The raod was newly paved, the river was high with wild rapids, an occasional suspention walking bridge, and full of whitewater rafters. We even saw a Moose on the side of the road. The skies cleared and it even warmed up. We stopped in Kamiah, ID. Just before we stopped at a Railroad crossing we saw all these small one/two person rail cars lined up. We gassed up and ate at a super market that had hot lunchs and benches. It finally warmed up and we're in an air conditioned building shivering. We started to talk with one of the guys and he was from that group of small rail cars. They are 'Speeders'. They're in a club. They're one/two person, they get permision and an escort by the rail road.

We continued to follow US-12 and the river into Lewiston, then crossed the bridge into Clarkston,WA. We then headed south on WA-129. You could call it the 'Dragon Of The West'. What a FUN>>FUN>>Road. You climb steeply on switchbacks similar to Chief Joseph only these had approx 20 deg bank in the corners. After a quick 2,000 foot climb it turns to high plains and peaks at about 4,ooo'. Now 13 miles before the Oregon Border, the real magic happens. You're on the edge of the mountain with quick changing lefts and rights with different radiuses and lengths then into switchbacks, and quick left and rights. You look over the edge and you see ribbons of road below you, in front of you, behind you, and out in the valley. This is all the Same Road. What a challenge. You bottom out (Ice cream stand on a corner in the middle of no where. Then you start to climb again with the same ever changing curves. We hit the Oregon state line (4 states for the day!) and it becomes OR-3. Did I say what a FUN Road, best yet! I wish we had more time (getting late) to continue on OR-3 to OR-82. We turned around and rode it again back North, did I tell you FUN road!!

Got back into Lewiston had supper at a Jack-in-the-Box. Celeste would be proud. Hit I-95 North to 195 North back into Washington. The green fields are not rolling anymore they are more like waving or bumping fields of green on both sides that didn't look real. There is also no irrigation equipment. We took that up to Colfax, WA. about 50 miles south of Spokane,WA.

Weather tonight,Rain, Mon-Rain, Tue-Rain, Wed-Rain, Thur-Rain, Ok next Tue-no rain. I'll look to see if there is any direction we can go to dry weather.

We're going into Spokane tomorrow to hopefully get Karen's phone taken care of. I hope to have internet access, we most likely (depending what happens with the phone to cross into Canada tomorrow or at least Tue. We are 1175 miles to the ferry in Prince Rupert, BC. But we are planing to ride north to Stewart, AK first. It's north of Ketchikan, AK and then head south and west. We need to catch the ferry June 6th and be there for 1:15 the latest (3hrs before departure).

The Blog could possibly not be updated until the 8th if no access is found. I think there may be access at the terminal 6th of June, but just keep checking in. I do appreciate the comments. We look to see if there is every time we log on.

Starting Mileage 102,789

Ending Mileage 103,374

584 miles for the day Time Zone: Pacific

As tomorrow is Memorial Day, keep thoughts of those who have given so were can enjoy the pursuit of happiness. As Karen and I are doing!

Day - 14

If you look at the pic with the bike you can see the water slide in the top of the window.

The pic with the road you can see the snow curtain.

We woke up this morning to fog, snow, and intermittent rain. Were two days ahead of schedule. Go...No-Go...Go...No-Go Check weather here...check the weather in Missula....check the weather in Kooskia, ID. Still passing showers tomorrow but 10 deg warmer (mid 50s),but in two days ride possible Thunder Storms. If we leave today, we could be there tomorrow under partly sunny skies. Go...No-Go...We are ahead of schedule. Go...No-Go...Rooms would be a little cheaper in Missula...Have a 90' water slide here and a big..big room...Go...No-Go...OK decision time. Paid for another night.

It's 10:30 AM and I'm driving Karen crazy. I'm going stir crazy hanging around. I go down stairs Cliff the manager who is a great guy lent me some tools and I started working on freeing the Zerk from the grease gun. I finally got it out. Looking at it it seems to have some burs around the rim. I gave it a pump then. We greased the trailer. The gun released fine from the Zerks on our trailer...

Alright, time to go for lunch and a small ride. We went to The Coral for lunch. Good food, our waitress is from Georgia, moved up in January. Why? Boyfriend got a job in Big Sky as a Ranch Hand. Took a ride up the mountain passed the ski area. Ya.. sprinkles..snow showers. Got some good pics from the mountains could see a snow curtain (clouds and you can see edge to edge of were it is snowing (In the pic it looks like vertical fog). On the way back down the mountain Bighorn Sheep on the edge of the road.

We had trouble with the wi-fi. We were on the phone on and off with tech support for the hotel internet service provider. After the hotel rebooted there server, we had internet again.

We went out to Choppers for dinner. Other than over by bar, and inside the door, we were the only motorcycle there. I guess temps in the 40s had something to do with it.

Starting Mileage 102,746

Ending Mileage 102,789

43 miles for the day

Day - 13

We gt up this morning a little groggy from the late night. We said good bye to Rich and Patrice, they were leaving for Yellowstone and then onto Jackson Hole. We packed up. We headed to Sierra Trading Post Outlet Store, Karen buys from them all the time. There were having a 20% off Memorial Day week-end sale to boot. We then had to go to the Post Office to mail off a box of stuff to make room. You know were I'm going with that.

Now, off to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. It is 5 Museums. There is the Firearms Museum, The Art Museum (Western and Native Indian Art), The Native Indian Museum, Buffalo Bill Museum, Natural History Museum. You could easily spend a few days going through it. If Jim & Pam haven't been there before they should definitely go. We did a quick walk through. Bad weather was on its way and we were running behind. We left around 3 PM.

We left Cody on Rt 14 heading to The Park. As we got to the East entrance it started to rain. I think Yellowstone is Indian for "Place that rains and snows" as we climbed up the mountain the rain got heaver and turned to sleet. Temps were in the high 30s. It was hard to keep our shields from fogging. We took a right at the Grand Loop to Canyon jct took a left towards Norris when a left to the Wast Gate. Still raining hard and fogged up visors. Then, I thought, is the road with the construction with the dirt....mud before or after the West entrance.......Crap it's before it. We hit the mile section of unpaved road and surprisingly it wasn't as loose and muddy as it was two days ago. It was hard packed. We took a right to the entrance road for the Wast entrance. I lot of Buffalo and Elk. We got gas after getting out of the park and took a right on Rt 191.

We stopped about 7:30 cold and rainy in Big Sky, MT. The Hotel was $71.00 with AAA we got a free up grade of a room with a King and a jetted tub in the bedroom. There is an indoor pool with a water slide in to the pool. It's about 15' high with a right corkscrew and a left corkscrew then into the pool. Karen and I were the only ones in the pool. The side was great fun. I'd go down and go right back to do it again. Karen was sitting in the hot tub laughing.

Starting Mileage 102,564

Ending Mileage 102,746

182 for the day

Location: Big Sky, MT

Day - 12

This morning was warmer. We walked to breakfast and headed out Rt 14 to the East entrance into Yellowstone (27 miles) to the Grand Loop, took a left towards (21 miles) West Thumb to the South Entrance (22) miles. The 22 miles from the Grand Loop to the South entrance was spectacular. The Lewis Canyon is more impressive than the canyon @ Dunraven Pass.

From there we headed to the Grand Tetons, But first a construction zone. We really lucked out, as we approached the line of cars were starting to move. Just as good the dirt section was all hardpan. The Grand Tetons looked so majestic being snow covered. We came down Grand Teton Park Road and then took a right towards Jenny Lake. We came up and over a small dam, what views of the Tetons and lake. We rejoined Grand Teton Park Road and near the end of the park we spotted a herd of Elk in the field. Karen got some great shots. We left the south end and returned on 89 North. We passed the spot that Ansel Adams took his photo of the river in the foreground and the Grand Tetons reflecting in it. We took a left and re-entered the park from the middle and continued north. We hit the construction area, we weren't as lucky. We had approx. 15 min wait. So, we had a big lunch waiting there (Pop Tarts).

We continued the same way we came in. Just after leaving the East entrance we stopped for gas and there was a restaurant. We met a kid seating people and bussing tables. He was a very bright and polite young man. His dream is to go to Alaska some day by motorcycle. We told him to do it when you can.

We got back around 7:30 and already had eaten. Nice... relax and get things done early.....WRONG!

The was a couple (Rich and Patrice) from New Mexico. Riding a Beemer LT with a Harbor Freight trailer. We talked with them. We showed them some stuff with our trailer and the grease gun was there. Karen told them about how much grease we have put into our Bearing Buddies. She asked Rich about their trailer. He said he hadn't thought about it, but thinks it has Zerk's on the inside. We put the grease gun on the Zerk and when we pulled it out so came the Zerk. Ok, we'll pull the Zerk out of the tip of the gun and screw it back in. Ok, pliers didn't work, screw drivers wouldn't pop it out. Ok we'll unscrew the tip of the grease gun and poke it out, nope it has a small orifice. Ok we'll screw the Zerk on with the tip and pull it out. Nope, we'll get it threaded and try to get a wench on it. Good it's in just pull it off with pliers. Nope, cant pull it off. Ok we'll leave the tip hanging there. Nope lets screw the grease gun on and then pull it off. Crap it pulled it out. We'll screw it back in. Nope treads are pulled out. Ok I'll take my bike it's 10 min before 10 O'clock maybe Walmart will be open until 10pm. Don't think they will have Zerks but give it a try.

I hop on my bike fly down there and they're open. Look around, look around, no Zerks. OK plan B. Look for screws to plug the hole. I pick up three different sizes. Ok, I'll just check for Zerks one more time. I go down to automotive and look at there trailer section and this guy (Brent) shopping with his wife and kids asks me. "What are you looking for. I tell him Zerks, and he asks me if I need them tonight. I told him yes. So he says, "I think I have some in my car door." I walk out with him sure enough he has a pack on them in the door and gives them to me. He would not let me give him anything for them. He just says that that could be him some day. I get back and we get the Zerk threaded on. It's now past 12:35am.. so much for the early evening.

Pics are the Tunnel on Rt 14 @ Buffalo Bill Dam out side of Cody, Grand Tetons, and the Canyon on Rt 14 about 10 miles before Yellowstone.

Starting Mileage 102,230

Ending Mileage 102,564

334 for the day. 3,466 so far Weather today Cloudy with intermittent showers

Day - 11

We had another great day!! Only showered on us twice, OK 3 times if you count snow showers, but I'll get to that later.

We were all set to go do the Buffalo Bill Museum, but, it was nice out and it was warming up quickly. That and I was told Chief Joseph Highway and Bear Tooth Pass opened yesterday. Think about it...It's before Memorial Day... It's a Wednesday....and 99.9% of the people think the pass isn't open yet!!! So we hopped on the trailer less bike and headed to Chief Joseph Highway. There was virtually no traffic. We raced into the switch backs and had a ball. We got to the end of Chief Joseph Highway and took a right onto Bear Tooth Pass heading for Red Lodge. Odd, the sign says road closed and gated in 17 miles. We start up Bear Tooth Pass and the views a great. We come to a point that says do not enter, but no gate. so we start up pass the sign and see a white truck with a Ranger in it he just waves. That's good enough for me. We see a construction next 17 miles sign. One side paved. Okay, no flaggers we go for it. Come to think about it it's noon. The construction stopped and that Ranger who waved was most likely a worker coming down this side for lunch. On the way back we stopped and took pictures. (The one of the mountains is from upper Bear Tooth Pass).

We headed down 212 Bear Tooth Pass and into Montana the snow really started to build. Then we're passing Motels with Snowmobiles sitting outside. Very strange. By the time we got to the North East Entrance to Yellowstone, the snow had disappeared. It's 29 miles from the entrance to the Grand Loop. We took a right on the loop towards Dunraven Pass. Lots and lots of Buffalo. We went through Yellowstone Canyon and at Canyon Village We took a right towards Norris. Norris to Madison we saw Hot Pots, boy do they stink. We hit construction (with workers) and got to Madison. Talked with a Ranger about when Old Faithful would blow. He told us we should make it (16miles) Old Faithful is going off every 90 min. So we took off. We got there sat dead front center and talked with a young couple from outside of Detroit. They went to CA and on there way back. Old Faithful did it's thing Karen got many photo's. (Rich sorry I meant to answer your question last night....I want to group the pictures into a slide show and post the link. That might take a bit)

We talked with an older couple who had a BMW Adventure Tourer. They have been all over the world on it. Okay, so we took off from Old Faithful and headed towards West Thumb. Just before the turn Karen spotted Elk and got a pic or two of the three of them. We took a left at Yellowstone Lake, the lake is huge. It is also frozen clear across. You can see it in the pic. We had reservations to camp there. The forecast is rain/snow with highs 42 deg and lows of 27 deg. Our campsite had more than 2 feet of snow on it. I cancelled the reservation. We flipped our plans and doing Yellowstone now and the Museum in the cold rain.

We took a right to head to the East Entrance (27 miles) on the way more stinky hot pots, and we saw a Brown Bear. Karen of course got a pic or two. We took 14 back to Cody. It is flatter through the canyon, very very beautiful, Saw the Buffalo Bill Dam and went through the tunnels. Very cool. Got back to town had ribs and bought a soldering iron. Karen spliced the wires, soldered them and her headset is fixed.

Starting Mileage 101,921

Ending Mileage 102,230

319 miles for the day

Location Cody, WY

Day - 10

Today was a day of contrast. We got up and packed, still cold (I hear from the breakfast club that it's going to be in the 90s back home.), and overcast. We headed for Devil's Tower. The roads clear of any traffic. You could see the Tower looming over the landscape for quite a distance. as we got closer off to the right you could see this brilliant red rock canyon (Not the one in Vegas.). We got to the Tower and took the walk around it. Like Mt. Rushmore you never see the rubble below until you go there. We saw the wooden ladders that climbers from years ago pressed into the rock made out of wood along the way up. We also saw the prayer flags from the Native Americans. Devil's Tower is sacred to the Native Americans.

We left Devil's Tower and where making great time. The scenery just opened up and you could see on and on and on. I was hopping to make it to Buffalo to stop and eat, get gas, and fill the gas can because we would be going into the mountains.

Well...... I should have executed that plan one gas stop earlier. We were coming up to an exit and thought about stopping for gas (I really wanted to stop only once.) Karen at the same time asked if we were stopping and did we have enough gas. The next exit was 30 miles. Low fuel light hadn't even come on yet and I said we should be fine. I didn't even get to the overpass for that exit and the fuel light came on. So I slowed it down to conserve fuel. (Remember when I told you with the strong head winds the MPG went down to 24) Thankfully, the head winds that were there were but not too strong. The only problem is we're on the high plains and the altitude is over 4,000 feet. One more hill to go and about a mile out the gas runs runs to the back of the tank. Yep, you guessed it. I'm pulling the gas can off the trailer and thumbing. A 18 wheeler stops and picks me up, a nice guy, I forgot his name, and he gives me a lift to the gas station. I fill up my gas can and just get to the corner and I get a lift back to the bike. A pick up truck is at the bike. A guy Frank had stopped and had gas with him. When Karen told him I went for gas he offered to take a ride and pick me up, but I was just pulling up. Just one more challenge over come.

After pouring gas in, we got off the highway in Buffalo got gas in the bike and can. They were doing road work on Rt 16 wet, wet sloppy mud from the rains. Good thing I got practice on those gravel switch backs having the front wheel wash out, because it was slicker than (you know what).

We got lunch and then it was time to head up and over Big Horn. As we climbed we could see all the snow they got last night. We climbed over 9,700 feet. The snow banks were 3-4 feet deep and snowmobiles were out. What views. Karen was snapping photos like a mad hatter. (over 1,000 pics today and over 4,000 for the trip so far). We then started our descend and passed a plow truck with the sander on it that pulled over to the side of the road. The views just kept on getting better. It looked like a narrower version of the Grand Canyon, spectacular. We kept on trucking and you could see snow capped mountains. We hit another small section of road work with gravel, loose, loose, loose gravel. More of the front end wash to the right,wash to the left, not fun, but kept it up.

We were about 30 miles outside of Cody real black clouds. We hit only light rain, but what a spectacular double rainbow. Real nice. We got to Cody and went to the Ponderosa campground. Yup, it was cold and they told us it was supposed to rain so we ended up with a cabin. We walked to dinner and had Buffalo burgers. All in all, what a great day!

Starting Mileage 101,573

Ending Mileage 101,921

348 for the day

Location: Cody WY

Day - 9

We started with cloudy Skies. We vacated our teepee and decided to take the path less traveled. Really really less traveled. We decided we would try to follow the George S Mickelson Trail (it's a horse trail). So down 89 to 16A in Custer to 385 North. Took a left on a local road 17 to local 318 a gravel road (this road had loose gravel). We were in a canyon with high ridges on both sides. Being on a small gravel road you got a sense of what it was like traveling on horse back and how vulnerable you were from attacks from the ridge. This was a very empty road, we didn't even see any horses on the trail. We then started hitting switch backs going up the ridge and then some switch backs coming down. Going up the rear wheel would break loose. Around some corners you'd feel the front wheel start to wash out. The really fun part was coming down hill with the trailer pushing . But, I was up for the task. Along the ridge, just a steep drop off into the woods. We saw were some one went off the road years ago down the hill on it's side into the tree's. We finally came out into civilization. We turned on to 14A towards Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway.

As we got onto Spearfish, the fog was making the pavement wet. We shot through the Canyon at a quick pace. Karen clicked of a few pics (114 pics today....986 pics yesterday!!!!) Glad were not using film. Had lunch about a mile away from I-90.

After lunch onto Devils Tower....or, so we thought! I-90 got foggy, real foggy, could only see a few striped lines ahead. Got off at mile exit 185 turned right towards Devils Tower. Could only see a few feet with heavy fog and then lightning. It didn't feel right. Turned around and just as we were approaching the under pass Karen got wacked and then wacked again. HAIL, almost golf ball size! We pulled under the over pass and cars and trucks were trying to fit in. Within seconds there was no more room. In the pic you can see the car that just parked next to us on the roadway. The lightning and hail lasted for a while. We then got to the gas station 1/10 mile away got gas and waited for the rain to slow. We got a room 2 miles down the road.

The Hotel has a hot tub by the indoor pool. Oh, Ya, Baby! I couple from Arkansas staying at the hotel was going to the store and gave us a ride. He is a Judge . Nice couple. Ok, Devils Tower tomorrow.

Starting Mileage 101,458

Ending Mileage 101,573

114 for the day

Location: Sundance, WY

Looking for the kid.

Day - 8

Last night temps were high30-low40s. We froze are butts off. Of course rain, OK downpours.

We got up and it slowly warmed into a nice day! We took off to Iron mountain, what views. You can't beat heading into a small rock tunnel with Mt Rushmore framed through the hole. Then it was off to Custer's Park and to do the wildlife loop. All the animals came out for the show.

Yesterday and today I never enjoyed going so slow through the mountain passes, it was great. The views were spectacular. So we took a second ride through Needles Highway at a much more spirited pace.

We're back to camp, fire going. Trying to pack it's going to rain starting tonight into tomorrow. We'll be heading to devils Tower in the AM and then try to get a head set for Karen and a Sprint store, her phone has gone south as well.

Ending Mileage 101,458

119 for the day

Day - 7

Ok, let me start by saying Karen took 683 pictures today!!!!!

We're in our Teepee and it's cold with thunder and lightning.
We started out this morning and went to Carhenge. There is a pic. It is in Allience, NE. It's Stonehenge made out of cars. We met "Fast Edy" there. (He had rode to Alaska and got married up there.) There was a Bike ride starting from Carhenge. We rode into South Dakota through Hotsprings. Then into Wind Cave National Park. We saw Buffalo, Antelope, Deer, and Praire Dogs. We then hit Black Hills National Park and onto Custer where we rented a Tepee for a couple nights. What was I thinking? We dropped the trailer and hit Needles Highway and then up to Mt Rushmore. Hoping for warm dry weather for tomorrow.

Side Note - Teepees leak.

Starting Mileage 101109

Ending Mileage 101339

230 for the day

Location: Custer, SD

Day - 6

We woke to overcast skies and wet ground. We had a great time with Pete and Alicia, what a great couple.

The sun broke out and the roads dried. We headed out on I-80 for an hour and decided instead of hitting northern CO, we would take route US-2 just shy of Grand Island, NE. US-2 was a wagon trail. Started out flat with rich soil and huge fields. We would do 80 mph or so for hours with a slight bend in the road here and there. It seems never ending @ that speed, I can't imagine what it was like in a wagon. We had stopped for gas and talked with a guy delivering horses. He asked were we were shooting for for the day. I told him most likely Alliance, he called a friend in Alliance for a recommendation for a campground.

As we continued on US-2 we saw (tracks run the whole way) train after train of coal. These trains had over 125 cars. The terrain started to get more like the dunes you'd see on the cape. The soil got sandier as well. We went from seeing crop fields to fields with cows and horses. The wind was real strong. Mileage on the bike went down to 24 MPG. We stopped in Alliance and found out we were under tornado warnings/hail, and severe thunderstorm warnings. Well, there goes the camping idea.

Alliance is about 120 miles or so from Mt Rushmore, SD. Guess what weather they're predicting for tomorrow.

Starting Mileage 100,742

Ending Mileage 101,109

367 Miles for the day

Location: Alliance,NE

Time Zone: Mountain

Day - 5 (5/20/2010)

Woke up to Rain. Tried to wait for a lull, but it didn't happen. Rode into Kansas on US36 which is also the Pony Express Highway. One of the Pony Express routes. Lots of fields and some with Teresita. It was raining hard and windy, no flying houses or dogs named Toto. Just shy of US-75 stopped at a Bar/Restaurant. Ordered the Roast "Boston Style" Pork. Ya, I had to ask what it was. I got it anyway.

We made it to Lincoln, NE. I meet Pete and his wife for 1st time. Pete collects turbo bikes. He's a great Guy!

Starting Mileage: 1000,509

Ending mileage 100,742

233 miles for the day

Wather Rain in the 50s

Routes: US-36 west into Kansas followed us 36 pony express route headed north up us-75to Rt-2 wast. Got to meet Pete and his family. We all went out to diner and back to Pete's to talk and a snooze.

Pics - the horse is smiling and the next one is a pic from the top of The Arch - you can see both legs and the flooded Missippi.

Day - 4

Ok, I got some of this figured out. Pictures.

So here is the pic just after hitting 100 @ 100, A pic of the Arch.

Today we started out the day walking to the Arch. The Mississippi River is even higher today. We had tickets for the first showing of the building of the Arch. We found out by talking to a Ranger that the tram was not in the original drawings and designed after the Arch was built. The designer was given two weeks to design it.

We then went to take the tram up. While waiting, we were talking with an other Ranger and noticed a small door with a window behind where the Ranger that controls the tram. We got to look through it and took pictures of the track the tram used and the cars coming down.

The top of the Arch is a triangle shape with the point facing down. This means you lookout the window and you can look straight down and see underneath you and see were both legs touch the ground.

We headed out and half way through the ride, you guessed it....it started to rain on and off. We stopped so I could grab a coffee and wake up more. Started to talk with a couple and suggested an alt. route US 65. Great ride with farm land and through Amish country with rolling hills and curves.

Starting Mileage 100,264

Ending Mileage 100,509

245 Miles for the Day

Location: Chillicothe, MO

Route: I-64 w- 70 w to US 65....@ US 65 & US 36

Day - 3

Left in drizzle, rained on and off most of the day. Left Ohio, went through Indiana, through Illinois, to St Louis, MO.

About 18 miles outside of Indianapolis (fitting home of Indi 500) we were approaching the 100,000 mile mark and traffic started to slow down. We pulled over to a dead stop in the break down lane @ 99,999 miles, let some traffic go by and booted it. We were going 100 MPH from a dead stop fully loaded two up and pulling a trailer @ 100,000 miles. Karen took a great shot of the mirror courtesy of a bump. She took a second shot and with the camera delay and me coming on the brakes because of a fast approaching tailgate, we got a pic of 98MPH @ 100,000 miles. 9 miles later we pass a cop doing radar.

We got to St. Louis and our Hotel is in walking distance of the Arch. The hotel is next to the Casino and across from The Dome. We walked down to the Arch, took some pics, and picked up our tickets for tomorrow to go up the tram inside the Arch to the top. The Mississippi is over her banks.

Walking back from the Arch we stopped at Hannagen's restaurant. We talked with a bus boy out side. The outside dinning was full and about a 20 min wait. So he went inside and took one of the inside wooden tables and carried it outside to accommodate us. A Blue Moon draft and St Louis Baby back ribs, with a fudge pecan pie dessert, now that's good eating.

Walking back, after eating, Karen needed to say Hi to the horses pulling the Hansom Cabs. Moe, Larry, and Curly. Curly was doing tricks for us bowing, smiling, and a few more. Then, Karen had the treats and had the horse doing tricks. I got some pics, and ya, I need to get some up here.


Starting Milage 99,888
Ending Milage 100,264
376 miles for the day

Location: St Louis, MO

Day - 2

Started out this AM partly cloudy weather that turned into Rain about an hour into the ride. Rain got heavy, windy, and the temps never got out of the 50s. Despite the rain, cold, and construction traffic we did 500 miles today. We are about 375 Miles to the St Louis (Gateway) Arch. Tomorrow's destination.

Tomorrow we will turn 100,000 miles on the bike. We are hoping to do 100 @ 100 .
That's turn 100,000 miles on the odometer while going 100 MPH on the speedo and get a picture of it.

Speaking of pics I will learn and post some pics to the blog so stay tuned



Location: Springfield, Ohio

Route: I-81-80w-76w-71s-270-70

Starting Mileage: 99,388
Ending Mileage: 99,888
500 Miles for the day

Day - 1

I worked a 24 Hr shift last night. We had three calls after midnight. I got to bed @ 3:30am and got up @6:15am.
After getting home we got a late start. 3:30PM-stopped 9:30pm

Starting mileage 99,098
Ending mileage 99,388
290 Miles for the day

Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA

Routes 16-146-I-90w-I84w-I-81

We saw some hot air balloons, also as it got dark the moon came out and you could see Venus @ 5 O'clock to the moon. As we got closer to Scranton the sunset was a stratified colors of orange, changing to red, and deep purple.

Alaska Trip 2010

Prep to Bike (2000 Goldwing Milage 99,098)

New Airfilter
New Fuel Filter
Changed Spark Plugs
New Rear Brake Rotor, Brake pads, and Brake fluid
Oil and Oil filter
New head light bulbs
Front Bra - for the front, mirrors, fender, along with head light protecter.
New Battery