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.

Day #35 September 14, 2007

Day #35
Friday September 14, 2007

Eureka Springs, AR to Symsonia, KY (again!)
441 miles today (22,062 - 22,503)
8,022 miles total

1 new state today: Tennessee
21 states total (almost half way!)

First about the day, then about the whole WEEK!
Spent a beautiful quiet night in the middle of the Ozark Mtns.
So many stars visible during the night. Funny how I can
be amazed by looking at the stars. I think for years I went
without taking the time to LOOK at them! Perhaps we all
need to "linger" more and longer...

The KOA was nearly deserted.
There were 3-4 RVers, me, and 2 other motorcyclists who
were staying in the Kabins. The KOA manager let me pick any
spot I wanted. One of the bikers was a guy traveling alone,
from Nebraska, just out for 10 days to see the Ozarks.
He was on a new V Star 1300 and really liked it.
(Nate, do YOU have a NEW BIKE yet???) He had put almost
10,000 miles on it since May, including a trip over the Beartooth
Pass in Montana. The other couple, also from Nebraska, had
already been out a week and were slowly making their way home.
The man said they have a Trailmaster trailer just like mine, but
after 3 years of summer outings, it just got old and tiresome to
set it up and tear it down every night and morning. I understand
completely! But he did share some good tips on some lighting, a
good heater to purchase, some rugs and other things. It was
helpful to talk to someone who has used one for such an extended
period of time.

My goal today, originally, was to make Memphis which was 200+
miles away. But the roads in the Ozarks I thought would prevent
that. I was to learn differently.

I stopped for breakfast in a town called Harrison, after riding an
hour or so. There I called my college buddy Darrel and let him
know I wouldn’t make Indiana tomorrow, or even this weekend.
I also called a bike shop in Murray, KY to schedule a 20K service
and a new rear tire change. It’s better to get this out of the way
before I head into the northeast. I will probably make Oregon
again without another tire, but will have to have at least 2 more
4,000 mile services between here and home.

I took US 62 most of the day. What a beautiful ride. Most of the
road was excellent, although lots of hills. Some patches were
narrow with little to no shoulder, but all in all, the US highways
are still in great shape. And the best part, my whole attitude
and enjoyment of the ride goes WAY UP once I get off the
interstate. I am finding I am not a destination rider, but
rather a “flower sniffer” or someone that enjoys the journey.
But I am also discovering I do better with a daily goal to push me
forward. The last month of my trip is going to have to be goal
driven if I am to beat the weather and change of seasons.
But my wife is encouraging me NOT to neglect stopping and
seeing the things I want to see. Thank you dear!!

When I got out of the Ozarks and into the river bottom land,
approaching Jonesboro, I eventually had to come out of my
leathers. It was also there I made the decision to skip Memphis,
another hour away, and shortcut back to Symsonia. I would have
hit Memphis at rush hour, and would be hard pressed to make
West KY by dark as it was. I took Missouri route 18 east out of
Jonesboro to Blytheville, MO, then north on I-55 to I-155 where
I crossed the Mississippi into Tennessee. I have made 6 states
this week.

What a week it’s been. Lots of interstate riding where I made
good time and covered good distances, but I hated most of it.
I got rained on real good Monday PM. I got driven indoors
(motel) again Tuesday PM by forecasted cold. I woke up sick
Wed AM due to bad hamburger (???) the night before.
I couldn’t eat for 2+ days and had to ride nauseous most of the
time. Once off the freeway I felt better and enjoyed the ride
more. Here I am back where I started on Monday of the week.
Will get ready to ride into the northeast after Tuesday of next
week. A good clearing spell is forecast for that part of the country
later in the week. Wonderful!

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines
his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 How my plans have changed this week!

Day #34 September 13, 2007

Day #34
Thursday September 13, 2007

Oak Grove, MO to Eureka Springs, AR
307 miles today (21,363 - 22,062)
7,581 miles total

3 new states today: Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas
20 states total

I went to bed last night at 8PM! Didn’t eat any dinner and took a
Benedryl to be sure I would sleep. I slept good, but the phone call
at midnight from someone looking for “Brandon” was an
unwanted interruption!

Felt like eating this morning. Had cereal, fruit and 2 cups of hot
chocolate. What a beautiful day. I woke up and got started before
the sun came up. The sky was getting lighter, and I would get to
see the sunrise. After breakfast, I hit the shower and packed
things a way at a leisurely pace. This was the first night in nearly
3 weeks I camped in the tent trailer. Strangely, it felt like “home”
for a change.

On the way out of Oak Grove, I heard on the CB that 19 cars
were left in a tangle on I-435 outside of KC by a semi truck that
left the scene. A whole lot of people will have a bad day today…

Made my way south on US 71 to Nevada, MO, then turned west
to Fort Scott, KS. An old army fort and barracks remain on what
was once the “frontier” to the west. From here I turned south on
US69 and made my way to Oklahoma, stopping for lunch in
Miami, OK. I felt like eating lunch, and that’s a good sign I think.
I have made good time, but barely 200 miles as of lunch, and
would like to do 200 more. But the Ozarks are in the distance,
and I’m afraid fast miles are not in my future.

One of the waitresses at the Hungry Henry’s restaurant, was
actually born in Hillsboro, OR. She left there when she was 2
and of course does not remember it. But she said she’d love to
go back and see it, as she hears it’s very beautiful in Oregon.
I confirmed that! The other waitress was helpful to write down
some directions to the library and a motel with a wireless
connection. And a man in the parking lot had a business buddy
who lives in Eugene, OR. Again, that Oregon connection is just
all over the place.

My last goal for this day was Bentonville, Arkansas the home of
Wal-Mart. To some of my friends, they will be shocked that I
wouldn’t AVOID the Wal-Mart corporate headquarters town!
But I just HAD to go there. Wow! The city map handed out at
the visitor’s center is dotted with Wal-Mart corporate buildings
just all over it. The guest book at the visitor’s center had been
signed by a Roseburg, OR couple last week, and the other
receptionist has a sister who lives in Hood River, OR.
Ah, the never ending Oregon connection….

I went to the “official” Wal-Mart visitors center, and it is
separate from the Bentonville visitors center. They have a
museum there, lots of corporate history, awards, etc.
At one of the corporate buildings, on an electronic reader board,
they have a big “We have saved our customers $XXX,XXX,XXX.”
I can’t remember the figure.

I made a very scenic ride from Bentonville to Eureka Springs.
It was only 50 miles, but very twisty and hilly. A true
motorcyclist’s road. Saw several sportbikes heading toward
Bentonville. It is quiet here. There are only 6 or 7 campers
in the whole place. The two cabins are occupied by bikers.
The lady at the desk told me to take my pick of spots. One of
the campers in the cabins has a trailer just like mine, but said
after 3 years of using it off and on, it’s just too much work to
tear it all down each morning. I am finding that to be true.
As I continue my musing on how to cover all the ground I want
cover, even ditching the trailer is coming into play as an option.
I’ll just have to wait and see.

Day #33 September 12, 2007

Day #33
Wednesday September 12, 2007

Monticello, IA to Oak Grove, MO
392 miles today (21,363 - 21,755)
7,274 miles total

17 states total

Not a very good day today. I woke up at 3AM very sick to my
stomach. I think the hamburger at J&P did NOT agree with me.
So I stayed up an hour and a half catching up on some blogging.
Slept till after 8AM, which really set me behind for the day. I was
still nauseated when I woke up. This was going to be an all
interstate day, and I just wasn’t looking forward to it.

I finally got on the road about 10, and it was clear and COLD.
I stayed cool all day long until nearly 3PM. I had been on I-80
west of Iowa City only a little bit, about 15 miles, but on the road
nearly an hour, when I called Natalie. She had called the night
before just as I was getting ready to leave J&P, and it was just
getting to be dusk. They had warned us of the deer, and I wanted
to get back to the motel before completely dark, so we didn’t get
to talk but a minute. She was in better spirits today, but was
missing me, and I was missing her. We talked for probably 20
minutes or more, and when we hung up, now I was really
“homesick” for the first time on the trip. I wasn’t feeling well
physically, now I was homesick, and I had hundreds of miles to
make up in the middle of the country. I was dreading it.

I feel like today I have hit a “wall” of some sort. It is a mental,
motivational, attitudinal wall. I have been on the road 33 days,
but gone from home 51 days, almost 2 months. I have a LOT
of country I still would like to see, but the miles, the weather and
the calendar are all pushing against me it seems. This is only
Wednesday, and I’ve only been out 3 days from my “KY pit stop”
so I have to give it a little more time.

I hit Des Moines late morning, so the rush hour was long past.
I turned south on I-35 and just endured miles and miles of
interstate. The air was cool, and I wore my winter gloves
(big cuffs over my jacket sleeves) until mid afternoon. The high
temp I saw was 65 degrees somewhere. As I crossed the
Missouri state line, I knew KC was not too terribly far away.
I reached Kansas City about 5:30 in the afternoon. At my last
gas stop in Kearney, about 25 miles northeast of KC, I decided I
would go east on I-70 to a KOA in Oak Grove, instead of going
west into Kansas all the way to Lawrence.

The day ended much better than it started. I hadn’t eaten
anything all day, but still wasn’t hungry. Every now and then
I’d get hit with a bit of nausea. I can hope and pray it was the
hamburger and not my CamelBak water bottle that has got my
stomach upside down. I am still dogged by the concerns of
distance, weather and seasons, but will trust that gets resolved
with some rest, reflection and prayer.