Saturday I headed out from St Louis toward Kansas City Missouri. The temps were in the 90's and it wasn't the most pleasant of days, I got to Kansas City and decided to press on to St Joseph Missouri. Getting to St Joseph, I could see some serious clouds ahead and decided to put down for the night at the local Days Inn. A good thing for within 20 minutes of getting settled in my room the skies opened and the rains came down.
Sunday morning broke and it was clear and nice. The weather reports for Sioux Falls didn't look to good, so I decided to head up to Council Bluffs and check again. After a nice breakfast in Council Bluffs and with weather reports of Tornado/Severe Thunder Storms in eastern South Dakota, I decided to modify my route and see if I could slip in behind the weather by heading northwest through Nebraska. Heading west on Route 275 my path crossed with another rider and we struck up conversation as we stopped at bridge repair signals. Stopping in Nickerson Nebraska he introduced himself as "Stretch" and after talking about the trip, and since we were headed the same direction, decided to ride together. When we left Nickerson the heat really picked up as we road through small towns on 275 the temps on the local banks were reading 95, 97, 100. Along with the heat came some pretty significant winds with a steady 20-25 and gusts close to 40. This made for a really hot and dry day 600 mile day for me. At one point my eyes were very dry from the wind and some salty sweat got into then causing some serious eye burning. We stopped at the next gas station and I picked up some Visine and applied a liberal amount to my eyes. After about 10 minutes they were feeling good enough to get back on the road. Arriving in Valentine NE, and with my body weary from the pounding of the wind and heat I decided this was about as far as I wanted to go. I found a hotel "Rosebud Casino" on the border of South Dakota and decided to put down there. After shower, I headed to the buffet (Fathers Day menu "Prime Rib" and I put my name in with an expected 1/2 hour wait. I sat down at one of the keno machines and put in $5 and after the 2nd pull I hit $100 so I pulled the money as my name was called and headed to the buffett. The prime rib was awesome. After I finished dinner, I decided to go back and see if I could give my money back to the keno machine. In 10 minutes I had won $300 so I decided not to press my luck and cashed out.. For a day of riding that was probably my worst, it ended up pretty well. Monday I'll head out to the Black Hills about 200 miles from here.
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After arriving in St Louis Thursday afternoon and spending an pleasant evening with my friend Jerre Baynes and his wife Delma. Jerre and I proceed to drive down to St Louis to meet up with some of my other co-workers. Having a very nice lunch and great conversation Jerre and I headed over to the St Louis Arch to take some pictures. Leaving their we headed over to the Moto Museum and Triumph Grill to see a exceptional collection of old motorcycles. These were collected from all over europe and were retored to almost new condition. It was a very interesting exhibit to say the least. After leaving the museum we headed back to Jerre's home then went to a wine tasting in the local town and then some excellent BBQ.
Tomorrow the trip continues with me headed west towards Kansas City or perhaps St Joseph Missouri where I'll turn north again and head up to Wednesday and Thursday I traveled down the Mississippi River on both Illinois, Iowa and Missouri sides. Rolling past miles and miles of cornfields with little traffic to concern myself with. As I traveled from Davenport Iowa south to Burlington then into Illinois and south to a small town Carthage Ill where my father attended college. Once called Carthage College a small Lutheran college that moved in the mid 60's to Kenosha Wisconsin, the campus now called Carl Sandburg, the old buildings showing their age and and lack of care. I"m sure than my Father would have been disappointed in the condition even though its no longer the institution that he attended. Moving further south I passed through Hannibal Missouri stopping only shortly to see the town, I then headed further south to find a place to stay, ending up in Bowling Green Missouri for the night. Waking up I headed back to Louisiana Missouri where the morning sun made the Mississippi River a great photo opportunity. I crossed the river at Louisiana and rode the "Great River Road" on the Illinois side down to Alton then back across the Mississippi River into Missouri once again and to my friends home in Glencoe Missouri. Today Friday, I'll be going into St Louis to meet up with more co-workers for lunch. Then to a Missouri History Museum where this is a Civil War exhibit.
Saturday will find me back on the road, headed west toward either Kansas City or St Joseph, Since I'm not content with riding interstate, I'm not sure how long it will take to make the 200-300 miles After resting up at my friend Robins and meeting up with some of my previous co-workers I headed out from Bolingbrook Illinois (Suburb of Chicago) and headed west to reconnect with my roots. Heading west on Route 30 through miles and miles of farmland and small towns was very refreshing. I rolled into Dixon Illinois to meet up with my cousin Cyndie who I saw last in 1960. As I rode into Dixon, I wanted to stop to get my bearings and call Cyndie. As my bike came to a stop I could hear my phone ringing. To late to answer it, I redialed and it was Cyndie. She had actually been just in front of me on the road as I pulled into the McDonalds to use the WiFi. Very strange. We had a nice breakfast and some great conversation about our recollections of our respective families. It was a very pleasant time. We had the waitress take our picture in front of the restaurant. Riding from Dixion I headed to Freeport Illinois where my father was rasied and my grandparents are buried. I had previously contacted the cemetery and the gave me the information to find the marker. I was struck with the image that my grandfather was born 8 years after the Civil War and I actually remember him. My Grandmother is interned next to my grandfather. I paid my respects and headed out for my next destination... Heading north from Freeport, I wanted to at least touch Wisconsin to be able to put it on my list of places I had been in. I had also while looking for ancestors found a street called Stubbe Road that was about 3 miles from the Wisconsin border. We not to miss a photo op like that I rode north and in fact found STUBBE RD. I know there must be a story here, so I need to do some more research. From there I headed Southeast toward the Mississippi river and Savanna Illinois with hopes of riding down the Mississipi River once again. After taking a couple pictures, I headed back east out of Savanna to Route 84 and started South down the river where I came across this Biker Bar & Grill...POOPY's.. I finished out the day riding to Davenport Iowa. It was a very pleasant day with clear blue skies and moderate temps. Tomorrow I'll ride down the Iowa side of the Mississippi to Keokuk IA then back into Illinois to visit Carthage Illinois to visit where my dad went to college and then to Hannibal Missouri to see Mark Twains Childhood home.
Sunday morning in Bolingbrook Illinois and after 6 solid days of riding, I'm taking a day to relax. The downtime after several days on the road is nice and give me time to post to this page as well as reflect on the trip.
This trip for me has exceeded all my expectations. Generally the weather has been favorable and when it turned sour, I was always able to find a place to hole up. There have been only a few disappointments on this entire trip. 1. Not making it to Key West. To much bad weather in the form of 10 inches of rain and Thunderstorms to take the risk. 2. Not being able to see the C.S.S Hunley, the confederate submarine that was recovered from Charleston Harbor a few years back. It was only open for viewing on Saturday's and Sunday's. 3. Probably my biggest disappointment was all the rain and forecast of extended rain in Maine/New Hampshire and Vermont, This was high on my list of places to come back to and ride. From the water drops on my windscreen, I could tell that this would have been a highlight of the trip. The funny thing about this trip, though nowhere near done, I feel like its nearing its end. I've traveled 2/3s of it and like the spring of a clock I can feel it winding down. Not that, that is bad, it just I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. The funny thing about this adventure is that I actually thought it would be harder to accomplish. Maybe because of all the planning or just good fortune or both, I never really experienced any really trying times. The 2 full days of riding in the rain, one in North Carolina and one in Maine/New Hampshire/Vermont, wasn't all that pleasant, but, it wasn't catastrophic either. North Carolina was a little harder only because I had never been in the rain on the bike and that took a bit getting used to. Several people have asked me what the best thing was. For me that is a really hard question. There are several that left an impression. Appomattox Courthouse Virginia,- probably because of monuments. Most Civil War Battlefields have hundreds if not thousands of monuments to this state or that group or this general. Appomattox was unique to me for its simple recreation. The buildings the dirt road going through the village, lent and air of realism that I wasn't expecting. You could almost feel Robert E Lee signing the surrender papers in front of U.S. Grant. Monticello - Thomas Jefferson's Home This place almost had a hallowed feel to it. The home showed the best in Jefferson's character. In 21st century terms he was a super geek, with the latest inventions and gadgets. He was meticulous in his documentation and and it was very evident that no minute of his day was wasted, how he accomplished everything baffles me. National D-Day Memorial - Bedford Va This is a case where because of the detour we took as a result of the North Carolina rain day ride, we stumbled on this gem. Between the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appomattox Va. Bob Kendall and I found this special place. This is a memorial to the men that invaded France June 6th 1944. Built as a timeline, it starts with busts of the Military and Political drivers to the invasion, progressing to the actually landing with statues replicating the landings. Water jets going off randomly representing bullets hitting the water. Further along a tall bronze of Rangers Scaling the cliffs and finally a statue of a battered "statue of liberty" representing the sacrifice our soldiers made in 1944. I was a very moving place and well worth the stop, something I'd recommend to anyone that passes by it. That being said, The best thing about this trip hasn't been a place or a road, but more the nuances of the trip the subtle things. The people I've met and friendships I've made. The changes in architecture as I've seen from region to region. The excitement of waking up each morning anticipating what the day had in store for me and going to sleep happy at what I had seen that day. The feeling of history each day as I'd pass homes and churches. The feeling of accomplishing something more than just a motorcycle ride. Most importantly though the feeling I have made myself a better person for the effort. Its been a great time for self reflection. Now as I look back at what I wrote, I probably should have saved that for the end of the trip, but I'm sure I will have even more observations by the time this adventure ends, since I have a few more weeks of riding to do and many more things to see. This is what happens when I take a day to rest... Saturday Morning I got up and after packing up and thanking Jeramy for the great day and soft bed, headed north from Indianapolis with a destination of Bollingbrook Illinois a suburb of Chicago. I took some rural routes through the farm country heading north remembering that when I was riding through Mississippi the corn was only about 1-2 inches tall and now in Indiana the corn was 12-18 inches tall. As with everything change always continues. The ride through the countryside was great passing small towns and weekend motorcycle riders who seemed to be everywhere. Rolling into South Bend and then a few miles north into southern Michigan before turning west to ride along Lake Michigan into Chicago then west to Bollingbrook when I met up with another co-worker, Robin Lively. Robin and I go back several years and a couple projects where we worked production support. Robins family lives in California and we had met several times in the past and she graciously offered up here home for me to stay. Monday we will go into Hoffman Estates and meet up with other co-workers I have never met face to face so it should be a great day.
From the NFL Hall Of Fame, I road southwast through Amish Ohio to Columbus Ohio where I spent the night, then getting up the next morning and heading West on I70 (did I mention I hate interstates). For about 70 miles to Richmond, Indiana, where my GPS mercifully got me off onto the old highway 40, this was a much more pleasurable and scenic route into into Indianapolis. When I was with at&t, all the people that I worked with were in the midwest mostly St Louis, Chicago and Indianapolis. I had worked with these people for more than 10 years but had never met them face to face. I was pretty excited to get to finally meet the voice on the end of the phone line. One of these people Jeremy Foltz had offered to put me up for the night a very kind thing for a weary traveler. I rolled into Indy about noon and met up with Jeremy and after unpacking my gear, we headed into Indianapolis. Here are a few pictures I shot from the at&t building in the center of town. In the center of town is the Indiana State Soldiers and Sailors Monument that is quiet impressive. The State Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument was dedicated in 1902 to Indiana's heroes who died in wars before World War I. Erected as a memorial to the soldiers and sailors of the War for the Union (1861-65), it also commemorates the War with Mexico (1846-48), Indian and British Wars (1811-12), War of the Revolution and the capture of Vincennes from the British on February 25, 1779. The Monument rises from a circular plaza, 342 feet in diameter, where once stood the governor's house--but where no governor ever lived. At the lower level of the Monument is a Civil War exhibit. . Meeting up with my co-workers (left to right. Jeff, Gene, Paul, myself, Jeramy) it was a great afternoon. I also spent a pleasant evening with Jeramy and his wife Christen (who I worked with a few years before). I went to bed that night and slept like a baby. The weather was again near perfect as I headed out from Brecksville Ohio with an ultimate destination of Columbus Ohio, but first, a stop at one of my highlighted stops for this trip. Canton Ohio the home of the NFL (National Football League) Hall of Fame. This is where those American Football Players/Coaches/Owners, who have achieved the highest level of performance have been honored. Players like Red Grange, Y.A.Tittle, Bart Star are honored. The building is being expanded and there was a lot of construciton going on at the sight but it didn't dampen the excitment of walking through the halls of the legends of American Football. Players like Dione Sanders calls of 2011 John Madden Coach of the Oakland Raiders and NFL commentator Marcus Allen a great USC Trojan and Oakland Raider Anthony Munoz - Cincinati Bengal and USC Trojan Even the infamous OJ Simpson has his HOF bust there. Its about the game not what happened afterwards. and Dan Fouts "THE ARM" from the San Diego Chargers. All-in-all it was a great morning at the NFL Hall of Fame and I'm glad I took the time to visit it.
Sunrise broght a pleasant surprise with only spotty clouds. I had contacted Ken Gansel, who had sent me information on what to see in Niagara Falls and we made arrangements to meet on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls.. Ken was kind enough to take me on a tour of "Niagara On the Lakes" a historic town with history tied to the war of 1812. The ride around the Niagara Falls area was very nice and the views from the Canadian Side the best views of the falls. The view of the Falls from the Canadian side was epic.. With some rare (for me) sunshine it was a perfect morning to view the water cascading over the falls. After my visit to Niagara Falls, I headed west along Lake Erie to Cleveland where I met up with a co-worker from my employed days. John Adams and I had talk on the phone for over 10 years but had never met and this was the first time we met face to face, so to speak. We spent a nice evening with John showing me the highlights of Cleveland. The redevelopment that is going on in that city is turning Cleveland into a very tourist friendly place.
So thanks Ken and John for a great couple of days. I really enjoyed it. Today, I woke to a light mist in the air and headed out again westward with Niagara Falls as my destination. The mist faded about an hour out and though overcast, it was much better than the rainy ride I had the day before. By the end of the day I had 340 miles under my belt and was in Niagaria Falls. The clouds finally broke about noon and the rest of the day was pleasant riding with 60 degree temps and light breezes.
Tomorrow, I'm going to visit the Falls from both the U.S. Side and Canadian Side. I'll make some tracks in the afternoon toward Cleveland. I"m hoping to be in Indianapolis by Friday afternoon to meet some of my co-workers (face to face for the first time since all my contact with them was by phone). I'm really looking forward to that. From there to Chicago to see another group of co-workers before continuing west.. It was nice to get a full day of riding (10 1/2 hours) in today. |
AuthorTim Stubbe AKA Archives
June 2013
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