Day #14 August 6, 2007

Day 14
August 6th, 2007

Pueblo, CO to Kimball, NE
344 miles today (16,880 - 17,224)
3,114 total
1 new state today: Nebraska
7 states total

It rained hard, saw lots of lightning and had some thunder last
night. I have been waking at 6AM most mornings.
Packed the trailer, except my clothes, so I was pretty much ready
to go. Checked the oil again and it looked good. Later the low oil
level light would come on.

Lori went to work about 8:30. She was glad I came and wants me
to come back. Guess I wasn't THAT BAD of a guest! I showered,
got ready, hitched the bike up and prayed with Terry before leaving
shortly after 9. Went by the post office to drop a card to Stacey,
then headed out. Before I even got to the freeway (I-25) the low
oil level light came on. Grrrr...so I pulled in the Days Inn where
Amber (Kraus's daughter) works and said goodbye to her AND
added some more oil. The bike has an aftermarket oil filter
relocation kit. The additional lines require a little more (1/3 qt)
oil than factory specs. It's taken a little fussing to determine this.

Got to Colorado Springs with no additional problems.
Called Judy (my sister) then Zachary (her son). He was still in
Salida, so we didn't get to meet. :( Went to the Vistors Bureau and
got a map of Colorado. Found out the cycle shop I came to Springs
for was CLOSED on Monday. Visited with the groundskeeper for
15 minutes. He's been all over the US on his Goldwing.
He gave me some gas and road tips. It's funny how just being in
leathers, or pulling the trailer, just really opens people up to talk
to me about my journey.

Got out into eastern CO and it was pretty dull and boring.
Had two hours to go to the Kansas line. Thought I'd pick that state
up on the way north. Just TOO BORING to go two hours to check
it off. I'll have to get Kansas City on the way to KY I guess.

Headed north from Limon up Colorado 71. Little traffic,
fair scenary, and good roads. I made 344 miles today. I think
that's my 2nd highest day.

Had lunch in Limon where I "tried" to put diesel in the bike.
OH NO! DUMMY! The pump would not let me select the diesel
hose, then try to select a gasoline grade. GOOD THING as I had
the diesel nozzle IN MY TANK. I was ready for lunch. I was hot,
tired, and ready to be refueled myself.

And God answered my prayer. I prayed earlier today
"Lord, get me WHERE I need to be, WHEN I need to be there."
A trucker named Mario, from FLA, came by and inquired about
the trailer. He had sold 3 other trucks (tractors) just to keep 1 so
he could keep driving. He was near bankruptcy and foreclosure.
They saved some cash back in case they were evicted and his
26 year old son gambled it away (he thinks). He just needed
someone to vent to. God provided me. I offered him the HOPE
of God. We chatted a few minutes and parted.

My "low oil level" light came on again (flickering) just after lunch
outside of Limon as I was climbing the first hill. I stopped, added
just a little bit of oil, and went on my way. Not know exactly how
much I lost before getting the drain plug in, it's hard to determine
exactly where the oil level is at. The little sight window at the
bottom of the crankcase is USELESS! I can't hold the bike upright
AND look UNDER the bike at the same time!! BAD DESIGN
I think....

I had a good afternoon of riding. Staying in Kimball, NB tonight
at the KOA. Cabella's the big sporting goods store is just down the
freeway about 25 miles. I spent about an hour there I'd guess.

Bought a cap for $5, some wire clothes pins I'd been looking for,
and some candles. I still can't find the wire basket filter for one
cup of coffee. I think I left my OREGON cap in Whitefish, MT.
Ready to hit the hay. Thunder and lightning has tapered off here.

It sprinkled while I made my dinner of canned soup.
I ate so much at Terry and Lori's. Glad to be back to small meals.
I'm limiting myself to two meals a day usually.