Day #43 Saturday September 22, 2007

Day #43

Saturday September 22, 2007

Batesville, IN to Washington, PA

352 miles today (23,067 - 23,419)

8,852 miles total

3 new states today: Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania

24 states total (Half way to 48!)

It was good to visit with my ol’ college buddy Daryl yesterday.
I got to meet his wife and 3 of his 5 kids. Things like that are
always good to do. I was able to get up and get out of Batesville before

8AM. Taking the back roads he suggested, I made my way north from

Batesville through the Indiana countryside. What a way to start my

day. The air was still cool. It wasn’t cold yet, but just cool enough to

let me know it was early morning. On a Saturday, there was very

little traffic. I went up and down many hills. There were several

20mph posted curves. I came across at least 6 90 degree turns.

All of this was set with the backdrop of Indiana corn fields, thick

woods of oaks and other trees, and gentle rolling terrain.
It was absolutely beautiful. Quiet, peaceful, slow…

what a way to start my day.

I went through a little town called Connersville on the way north to

I-70. It had some kind of railroad roots, as there were several old

engines, Pullman cars and cabooses on several sidings. Along the way

this morning, I saw several signs that mentioned I was on some

historic route that related to the railroads that built the west. I just

love seeing the cabooses. I’ve always wanted a caboose in my back

yard! It would make a neat place to retreat to.

Once the little 2 lane Indiana state route 1 intersected US 40, I

turned east and road on super smooth new asphalt for several miles.

I did have to slow down for several small towns, some with posted

speeds of 30mph. US 40 parallels I-70, so after 30+ minutes of small

towns, I found I-70 and joined the RUSH! I crossed into Ohio

somewhere along 40 (not exactly sure where) and took my first

break to get coffee and gassed up the bike.
I swapped helmets, from the “brain bucket” to the full face with

radio headset in it. When on the interstate, I like to be “entertained”

by the truckers. I’ve actually avoided some road hazards, and have

been able to be in the correct lane for avoiding construction, all due to

knowing what’s going on ahead of me via radio.

I got to Columbus, OH and visited the National Motorcycle Hall of

Fame Museum. It was NOT what I thought it would be. The entire

thing is devoted to motorcross. It was somewhat interesting, but I

enjoyed the Sturgis, SD and Anamosa, IA museums more, as they

had a much broader representation of motorcycles and their history.

But, I can say “I’ve been there” now. Just prior to visiting the museum,

I noticed a little oil “weeping” from an inspection cover plug. I would

later find out this plastic threaded plug allows the techs to view top

dead center while adjusting the valves. I guess it was over tightened

on the last service, as it (the plug itself) was cracked slightly. A very

helpful tech named James at ASK Motorsports in Columbus, OH got

a replacement and got me back on the road in 20 minutes or less.

Just another one of those things I guess.

I need to give THANKS to University Motors in Fargo, ND, Town and

Country Yamaha of Murray, KY, as well as ASK Motorsports in

Columbus, OH for their excellent treatment of me and my bike. The

Fargo dealership actually let me BORROW a Stratoliner for the day

while they did my 16K service. Unbelievable, but true!

They were great!

I booked on across I-70 the rest of the afternoon, stopping only for

gas, and combining my breaks with the stops. I arrived in

Washington, PA and the KOA campground just a few minutes before

6 PM. I’m glad to be here early enough to do laundry, set up the tent,

and “relax” a little, all before dark. The owner’s daughter has been

married and I would guess the reception is being held here on the

grounds. Strange to see some of the visitors in wedding attire, while

some of us are strolling around in shorts, flip flops and laundry bags

slung over our shoulders!

I have made 24 states today, and only 24 left! Tomorrow, if I get to

New York, I will be on the downhill side! Of course, down one coast

and back up the other in Florida, Texas east to west and California

south to north won’t be traveled in a day or two…or three or four,

I’m sure! But, I do see the half way point, Madawaska, Maine within

sight of being accomplished! It will be Corner #2 of the 4 Corners

Tour, with only Key West, FL and San Diego, CA remaining.

There are many, many, many miles left to ride.

It was a great day of riding today, even on the interstate. I’m glad

to be back on the road, camping and cooking, doing what I think I

need to be doing at the present time.

Day #42 Friday September 21

Day #42
Friday September 21

Clarksville, IN to Batesville, IN
113 miles today (22,954 - 23,067)
8,500 miles total

21 states total

Started the day out riding on I-65 north...again.
Stopped just north of Clarksville for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel
restaurant. Once I sat down, the waitress asked me if I'd ever
been mistaken for the man that played "the dad" on the old
Family Ties show, featuring Michael J. Fox. HA! "No" I told
her but thanks anyway. Must be the beard!

I rode up the freeway as far as Seymour where I gassed up and
turned on to US 31. Much better riding, fewer trucks, and much
more interesting scenary.

I arrived in Batesville, IN about 12:10 and called my "old college
buddy" Daryl Miller. He led me to his shop where I parked my
bike and trailer in one of the service bays. The only way we were
going to get to visit with both our schedules was for me to go
to work WITH him! He runs a windshield install business where
he goes to the customer's site to install glass. We drove out in
the country several miles, and made 3 different job sites. It gave
us lots of time to catch up. Daryl was one of those guys that had
a significant impact on my spiritual life as a young college student.
He also was the one to introduce me to MOTORCYCLING!!
THANKS MAN!!! We took lots of short trips together, and would
go to the local dealer (Town & Country in Murray, KY) while in
college and just drool over the new bikes.

We got back too late for me to travel any further, and not knowing
about any of the campgrounds around, I decided to stay in a local
hotel. I needed dinner, gas, set up time, etc. and just didn't want
to mess with it all in the dark or with so little time.

Tomorrow I hope to get completely across Ohio, and into PA or
WV. Yesterday's goal was met, and today I really didn't have one
not knowing how much time I would spend here in Batesville.

Day #41 Thursday September 20

Day #41
Thursday September 20, 2007

Murray, KY to Clarksville, IN
288 miles today (22,666 - 22,954)
8,387 miles total

0 new states today
21 states total

I pulled out of Murray, KY and headed east on KY 94, heading
towards KY Lake. I have ridden this road 31 years ago many,
many times.

Later in the morning I stopped at the Jefferson Davis Memorial.
This is located between Hopkinsville and Russelville, KY. I toured
the museum and took the elevator ride to the top of the 361 ft
obelisk. Of course, I discussed motorcycles with the tour guide
when SHE brought it up.

I snaked my way down several state and county roads all the way
to Portland, TN where I found the Olhausen Pool Table factory.
I sold Olhausen tables for well over 20 years, and have installed
well over 1000 of them. They moved from Poway, CA (San Diego)
to Portland last year and I was hopeful to get a tour of the new
facility. Larry Olhausen (son of one of the founders) was there,
remembered me, and was SO KIND to take the time to give me
a short tour. It was so neat to see it compared to the old, cramped
factory. I also got to meet Sue Doyle, the marketing person, who
I have spoken with over the phone many, many times through
the years. Thank you, too, Tanya (receptionist) for your hospitality
and kindness. This is a great company, they make a great product,
and they were very responsive to me as an Olhausen dealer.
Hearing from other dealers carrying other brands, Olhausen
really "set the standard" by which all others should be measured.

I had lunch at the Flying J truck stop and had to come out of the
leathers here. It was really warming up. It would eventually
get above 93 degrees.

Later in the day, about 3PM, I stopped at the National Corvette
Museum in Bowling Green, KY. It was good to walk a while and
view a lot of neat Corvettes. I traveled further up I-65 north to
Elizabethtown and then moved off to 31W north. This led me
past Fort Knox, KY. WOW! It really is a fort! It sits on the
army base of Ft. Knox. About the time I pulled off to make a
picture I noticed the NO PARKING, NO STOPPING, NO
STANDING AT ANY TIME sign posted on the fence. Oops.

I traveled north a little longer on 31W until I could get back
to I-65 north. I crossed the Ohio River about 6:30 PM and
pulled off to the KOA in Clarksville, Indiana, just across from
Louisville, KY. Here I camped next to 3 brothers from Iowa.
They had been to the Smoky Mtns, each on their own bike.
One brother was 72, one was 76, and the oldest was 82 years
old! They were hillarious. Of course, they had lots of questions
for me. We talked quite a bit. I was late getting to bed, but
slept fair, in spite of the planes, trains AND automobiles that
were passing nearby.

Tomorrow: College friends reunited!

WEST KY PITSTOP Part 2 Sept 15-19

Days #36 -40
Saturday Sept 15 - Wednesday Sept 19

I arrived last night in West KY (See yesterday's notes) after only 1 week
back on the road. Not my plan, but just the way it worked out.

I ran my errands on Saturday, including purchasing a small ceramic
heater for my trip up into the northeast. I spent Sunday repacking
my trailer. I pulled over 30 lbs of things out, purging my gear of all
the things I had not used, or used very little on the first part of the
trip.

I spent Fri - Sun nights in Symsonia, and Mon - Wed nights in Murray
at my sisters. I dropped my bike off at Town and Country Yamaha in
Murray, late Monday afternoon. The replacement new rear tire did
not arrive until Wednesday, and they put in on that day. They also
performed my 20,000 mile service.

It was good to see both my sisters again, but a week (5 days) detour
again so soon after only 1 week on the road (Sept 10-17) really does
not allow me to get back into the "groove" of riding again. I am
looking forward to hitting the road again....for a long spell.

Next destination: Central KY, north to Indiana, east through Ohio,
north across Pennsylvania toward Buffalo, NY and Niagra Falls.