Saturday, August 7, 2010
Last two days - what a ride!
7/23/10 Headed out about 9:00 AM. Back on 90 through Minnesota and into Wisconsin. Got to Madison and began to have electrical problems. No trip is complete without a bike repair. I had no idea where I was so I began to pray, “Lord, I don’t want to get stuck on the side of the road so I need a place to get is bike fixed.” As I came over the next rise, there it was like a beacon in the sky…Harley Davidson! I pulled in and 3 hours later and 541 dollars poorer, I was back on the road.
Decided to take 39 through Rockford Ill. to 80 and go around Chicago. Storms had been all around me most of the afternoon but I just kept missing them. However, to the west the sky was beginning to turn ugly. It seemed to parallel me all the way to 80 but then the sky turned “Green.” I haven’t learned much but I know when the sky turns green, you better go the opposite direction. I made the exit and headed east on 80. Unfortunately, I was not fast enough. Before I could get off the highway the winds were stronger than I have ever felt on a bike. Dirt was blowing and debris was flying all around me. I saw a little inn so I pulled in behind the building to get some wind break. As I pulled up, the owner locked the door. Two other biker couples pulled in and we decided to stay put.
The wind, they said, was over 50 mph with thunder and lightning to match. One of the guys pulled out a bottle of Jack Danials and offered me some. “No thanks,” I said with a smile. I was taken back to 20 years earlier when I would have gladly accepted a swig. We stayed under a little tin overhang and waited out the storm. Eventually, one of them asked what I did for a living. “A Baptist Pastor,” was my response. Immediately, the conversation changed…like always. Eventually storm subsided and I asked if I could pray for their safe return. They eagerly accepted. After saying our goodbyes, we exchanged business cards, I was back on the road again. Drove to Morris IA and spent the night at a Super 8. As I pulled in, a 70+ year old guy hollered out the window, “How bout a drink?” There were three couples coming back from a Motorcycle trip to Niagara Falls. I parked my bike, checked in, and as the Lord would have it, found myself next door to this group. I grabbed my Diet Pepsi and went next door.
The offered my beer, I declined, and for the next 45 five minutes we talked and laughed. Surprisingly, none of the men were retired. Two were farmers and one was an Electrical Engineer (all driving Goldwings) while the single man had a Harley Trike – as a result of a bad crash he had two years earlier. They travel together every year somewhere. Nice folks. Mileage 301
7/24/10 Well, today I get to see my family. Super 8 had lousy ”continental” breakfast, so I decided to treat myself to eggs and bacon next door. The sun came out and I headed east on 80 to 94. Took it to I96 up through Holland MI. At Grand Rapids, I caught 131 N to Reed City. Left on 10 to Baldwin. North on 37 to Wolf Lake. Got their about 3:30 and took a nap before my “crew” got there. Boy, it was good to see them. Stayed a WL until Saturday the 31st. The biked hadn’t moved all week. Mileage 235.
Total trip 3114 miles from home back to home. A great ride and I praise the Lord for allowing me to go on this trip with just me and Him.
Decided to take 39 through Rockford Ill. to 80 and go around Chicago. Storms had been all around me most of the afternoon but I just kept missing them. However, to the west the sky was beginning to turn ugly. It seemed to parallel me all the way to 80 but then the sky turned “Green.” I haven’t learned much but I know when the sky turns green, you better go the opposite direction. I made the exit and headed east on 80. Unfortunately, I was not fast enough. Before I could get off the highway the winds were stronger than I have ever felt on a bike. Dirt was blowing and debris was flying all around me. I saw a little inn so I pulled in behind the building to get some wind break. As I pulled up, the owner locked the door. Two other biker couples pulled in and we decided to stay put.
The wind, they said, was over 50 mph with thunder and lightning to match. One of the guys pulled out a bottle of Jack Danials and offered me some. “No thanks,” I said with a smile. I was taken back to 20 years earlier when I would have gladly accepted a swig. We stayed under a little tin overhang and waited out the storm. Eventually, one of them asked what I did for a living. “A Baptist Pastor,” was my response. Immediately, the conversation changed…like always. Eventually storm subsided and I asked if I could pray for their safe return. They eagerly accepted. After saying our goodbyes, we exchanged business cards, I was back on the road again. Drove to Morris IA and spent the night at a Super 8. As I pulled in, a 70+ year old guy hollered out the window, “How bout a drink?” There were three couples coming back from a Motorcycle trip to Niagara Falls. I parked my bike, checked in, and as the Lord would have it, found myself next door to this group. I grabbed my Diet Pepsi and went next door.
The offered my beer, I declined, and for the next 45 five minutes we talked and laughed. Surprisingly, none of the men were retired. Two were farmers and one was an Electrical Engineer (all driving Goldwings) while the single man had a Harley Trike – as a result of a bad crash he had two years earlier. They travel together every year somewhere. Nice folks. Mileage 301
7/24/10 Well, today I get to see my family. Super 8 had lousy ”continental” breakfast, so I decided to treat myself to eggs and bacon next door. The sun came out and I headed east on 80 to 94. Took it to I96 up through Holland MI. At Grand Rapids, I caught 131 N to Reed City. Left on 10 to Baldwin. North on 37 to Wolf Lake. Got their about 3:30 and took a nap before my “crew” got there. Boy, it was good to see them. Stayed a WL until Saturday the 31st. The biked hadn’t moved all week. Mileage 235.
Total trip 3114 miles from home back to home. A great ride and I praise the Lord for allowing me to go on this trip with just me and Him.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
I figured it out- here is the updated trip info.
Sturgis Trip July 17, 2010- July 23, 2010
7/15/2001 Well my plan is to leave at 8:00 am on Saturday but as of today my bike is still in the shop getting an oil leak fixed. I am excited to leave and start this solo trip to SD. I will head to Davenport IA- about 450 miles on day one. I hope to be able to swing by Dyersville to visit the “Field of Dreams” set.
7/17/10 Left Plymouth at 8:30 am and headed west on 94. At 50 and 59 miles mile from home, 94 became a parking lot. Merged onto 80 east of Chicago (Lots of construction) until I reached the Illinois side of the Mississippi river and headed north on 84 all the way to 20 near Galena and then to Dubuque Iowa. Made good time so went on to Dyersville Iowa and saw “Field of Dreams” at about 6:20 PM local time. Took some neat videos. Went on to Manchester Iowa and spent the night at Super 8 ($55 + tax). Traveled about 600 miles and got 40 MPG. Oil leaking from breather and primary (J&R is toast when I get back). Planning to get to Mitchell SD and see the Corn Palace. I am such a redneck. Missing my family but this is good for me. Hoping God will speak to me this week for more vision. All I seemed to get today were the VBS songs over and over again in my head. Oh well, it is only day one.
7/18/2010 Left Manchester at 9:00 AM and headed west on 20. Prayed for God to lead me to a church. First exit he told me to pass. Second exit at Waterloo went down the road and found Cedar Valley Community Church. Parked in guest parking and saw people with Bibles in hand so I thought it to be good. It was a contemporary worship center (pics to follow). I met the pastor- church has struggled but he thinks things are turning around. Spoke out of Luke 22 – Peter’s denial. God back on the road and found that things were pretty sparse past waterloo. Fuel was low and I found a town called Karmar so I took the exit. Four miles later, of course no gas station. I went into the only place open (a bar) and asked about getting fuel. 10 miles away in Webster they said. So I’m standing in this ghost town and look across the street and see a Lions Club event. I went in as asked about gas- 10 miles to Webster, they said. I’m on fumes so I know I can’t go far. Then comes John Coke- a barrel chested man about 5’ 6” with fuzzy beard and hair to match. He said “gimme your phone and I’ll make a call.” After a short conversation, he said follow me and he hopped into His big red Chevy dually. I followed him about a mile- the bike sucking every last drop and we arrived at a farm house. Sally was a nice farm lady. She led me to her gas pump and said get what you need. I pumped 2 gallons and gave her money. We talked and laughed and then I was back on the road.
Most riders would hate Hwy20, a long straight piece of road that splits Iowa in half, but I liked it. With white and yellow wild flowers lining its edges and miles of corn for a back drop it was beautiful. The sky is huge in Iowa and I found it very peaceful as I spoke with the Lord at 70 miles per hour. Saw some windmill farms on the way to Sioux City. Not very complementary to the landscape. Took 29 north– another very straight road - after a bite at Chile’s. Reached Hwy 90 at Sioux Falls SD and headed west. Stopped at Mitchell SD – home of the corn palace for the night at 8:30 PM.
7/19/10 Raining this morning at the Super 8. Lots of bikers stayed here last night. No rowdiness, just having fun. After a quick continental breakfast, I donned my rain gear and headed for the Corn Palace at 8:30 am. It is a building in the middle of town that is decorated with corn, stalks, and other natural items inside and out since the 1800’s. Inside it looked like a gym that they converted into a big gift shop. I looked around for about 10 minutes and then headed east. These last 200 miles were the hardest. Lots of open land dotted with a tree or two. I will make it to Sturgis today.
Arrived in Sturgis about 4:00 (not really sure since I hadn’t seen a clock all week.) Made my way to 2409 Dolan Creek Rd. – the home of Steve Johnson’s Aunt Vee and Uncle Herb. They allowed me to stay with them while in Sturgis. Upon arriving, I found the cousins Walt, Tina, and Ash were also staying with them. I felt like I was intruding but Vee said no. We had a delicious dinner and I headed to bed at 9:00 PM local time.
7/20/10 Left the house at 6:30 local time. Had breakfast and headed to the Black Hills. They were magnificent! Darted across Spearfish canyon and stopped at the Roughlock Falls. It was a dirt road to get there but it was worth it. The Black Hills were unbelievably beautiful. There was almost no traffic and I had a blast riding the twists and turns. It was not like the “Dragon” but the ride was awesome. When I reached Spearfish SD, I hopped on 90 west and headed to Devil’s Tower Wyoming. It took about an hour to get to exit 199 – a big mistake because it took me the long way to DT. Plus there was road work being done and we had to follow a “pace car.” Finally, I reached the tower. Wow! This huge rock jetting out of the ground. It may be called the devil’s tower but it is definitely God’s handiwork. I stayed at the tower and then headed back to the Baldwin’s for the evening. I bought a “Hilly Billy golf game” as sort of a thank-you-for- opening-your-home gift. Nine year old Ash and I played several games in the front yard. Vee made chicken and dumplings…they were great. After dinner, Herb showed me his rick collection. I had driven by it several times and just thought it was a wall that had fallen down. Instead, Herb had been collecting rocks for the surround area since 1936. He had all types of rack and a lot of petrified wood. He told me what each piece was and where he got it from. It was quite an education. Stayed and chatted with them for a while. Vee told me she went to an LDS church and that 4 of her children went “on mission.” I listened and conversed with them, then off to bed.
7/21/10 Up about 7:00 AM. Vee made breakfast for me. They have been so kind to me and I appreciate their hospitality. After packing the bike and saying good-bye (Vee gave me a hug), I pointed the bike east to Rapid City then 16 south to Mt Rushmore. Although it cost me 10 bucks to get in, I can’t say enough about what it was like seeing that mountain again after 32 years. The surroundings had changed but the faces were the same- it made me proud to be an American. I listened to the park ranger’s tour for about 10 minutes and got tired of his liberal slanted presentation, so I wandered through the park on my own. The boardwalk took you to the base of the mountain. I joked that you were so close you could see Lincoln’s nose hair. I then made it to the sculptor’s studio. It spoke how the design was made and duplicated on the hill. The mist had just begun and I finished the walking path and the faces of the four presidents were beginning to be shrouded so I got the bike and headed out. I wanted to ride “Needles Hwy” and see the Crazy Horse monument but the weather was getting bad I and didn’t want to get stuck in a SD hail storm like they had a few nights earlier. Hwy 16 to 90 east and I was heading to Sioux Falls SD.
7/22/10 Spent the night at quality inn at Hwy 90 and 29 in Sioux Falls. Bad rain last night (reported 5 inches in Sioux Falls alone) but it cleared about 10:00 AM. Got on Hwy 90 east and drove just past La Crosse WI. to a town called Sparta and another Super 8. Stopped about 5:30 local time because of major storms all around me…some the tornados though I didn’t see any. No need to take the chance. Took a swim and just chilled. Tomorrow I head for Chicago and then up the coast of Michigan to Wolf Lake and my family. I have missed them and appreciate my wife allowing me to have this week to clear my head. Though we really couldn’t afford for me to go, she thought it would do me good. It has.
7/15/2001 Well my plan is to leave at 8:00 am on Saturday but as of today my bike is still in the shop getting an oil leak fixed. I am excited to leave and start this solo trip to SD. I will head to Davenport IA- about 450 miles on day one. I hope to be able to swing by Dyersville to visit the “Field of Dreams” set.
7/17/10 Left Plymouth at 8:30 am and headed west on 94. At 50 and 59 miles mile from home, 94 became a parking lot. Merged onto 80 east of Chicago (Lots of construction) until I reached the Illinois side of the Mississippi river and headed north on 84 all the way to 20 near Galena and then to Dubuque Iowa. Made good time so went on to Dyersville Iowa and saw “Field of Dreams” at about 6:20 PM local time. Took some neat videos. Went on to Manchester Iowa and spent the night at Super 8 ($55 + tax). Traveled about 600 miles and got 40 MPG. Oil leaking from breather and primary (J&R is toast when I get back). Planning to get to Mitchell SD and see the Corn Palace. I am such a redneck. Missing my family but this is good for me. Hoping God will speak to me this week for more vision. All I seemed to get today were the VBS songs over and over again in my head. Oh well, it is only day one.
7/18/2010 Left Manchester at 9:00 AM and headed west on 20. Prayed for God to lead me to a church. First exit he told me to pass. Second exit at Waterloo went down the road and found Cedar Valley Community Church. Parked in guest parking and saw people with Bibles in hand so I thought it to be good. It was a contemporary worship center (pics to follow). I met the pastor- church has struggled but he thinks things are turning around. Spoke out of Luke 22 – Peter’s denial. God back on the road and found that things were pretty sparse past waterloo. Fuel was low and I found a town called Karmar so I took the exit. Four miles later, of course no gas station. I went into the only place open (a bar) and asked about getting fuel. 10 miles away in Webster they said. So I’m standing in this ghost town and look across the street and see a Lions Club event. I went in as asked about gas- 10 miles to Webster, they said. I’m on fumes so I know I can’t go far. Then comes John Coke- a barrel chested man about 5’ 6” with fuzzy beard and hair to match. He said “gimme your phone and I’ll make a call.” After a short conversation, he said follow me and he hopped into His big red Chevy dually. I followed him about a mile- the bike sucking every last drop and we arrived at a farm house. Sally was a nice farm lady. She led me to her gas pump and said get what you need. I pumped 2 gallons and gave her money. We talked and laughed and then I was back on the road.
Most riders would hate Hwy20, a long straight piece of road that splits Iowa in half, but I liked it. With white and yellow wild flowers lining its edges and miles of corn for a back drop it was beautiful. The sky is huge in Iowa and I found it very peaceful as I spoke with the Lord at 70 miles per hour. Saw some windmill farms on the way to Sioux City. Not very complementary to the landscape. Took 29 north– another very straight road - after a bite at Chile’s. Reached Hwy 90 at Sioux Falls SD and headed west. Stopped at Mitchell SD – home of the corn palace for the night at 8:30 PM.
7/19/10 Raining this morning at the Super 8. Lots of bikers stayed here last night. No rowdiness, just having fun. After a quick continental breakfast, I donned my rain gear and headed for the Corn Palace at 8:30 am. It is a building in the middle of town that is decorated with corn, stalks, and other natural items inside and out since the 1800’s. Inside it looked like a gym that they converted into a big gift shop. I looked around for about 10 minutes and then headed east. These last 200 miles were the hardest. Lots of open land dotted with a tree or two. I will make it to Sturgis today.
Arrived in Sturgis about 4:00 (not really sure since I hadn’t seen a clock all week.) Made my way to 2409 Dolan Creek Rd. – the home of Steve Johnson’s Aunt Vee and Uncle Herb. They allowed me to stay with them while in Sturgis. Upon arriving, I found the cousins Walt, Tina, and Ash were also staying with them. I felt like I was intruding but Vee said no. We had a delicious dinner and I headed to bed at 9:00 PM local time.
7/20/10 Left the house at 6:30 local time. Had breakfast and headed to the Black Hills. They were magnificent! Darted across Spearfish canyon and stopped at the Roughlock Falls. It was a dirt road to get there but it was worth it. The Black Hills were unbelievably beautiful. There was almost no traffic and I had a blast riding the twists and turns. It was not like the “Dragon” but the ride was awesome. When I reached Spearfish SD, I hopped on 90 west and headed to Devil’s Tower Wyoming. It took about an hour to get to exit 199 – a big mistake because it took me the long way to DT. Plus there was road work being done and we had to follow a “pace car.” Finally, I reached the tower. Wow! This huge rock jetting out of the ground. It may be called the devil’s tower but it is definitely God’s handiwork. I stayed at the tower and then headed back to the Baldwin’s for the evening. I bought a “Hilly Billy golf game” as sort of a thank-you-for- opening-your-home gift. Nine year old Ash and I played several games in the front yard. Vee made chicken and dumplings…they were great. After dinner, Herb showed me his rick collection. I had driven by it several times and just thought it was a wall that had fallen down. Instead, Herb had been collecting rocks for the surround area since 1936. He had all types of rack and a lot of petrified wood. He told me what each piece was and where he got it from. It was quite an education. Stayed and chatted with them for a while. Vee told me she went to an LDS church and that 4 of her children went “on mission.” I listened and conversed with them, then off to bed.
7/21/10 Up about 7:00 AM. Vee made breakfast for me. They have been so kind to me and I appreciate their hospitality. After packing the bike and saying good-bye (Vee gave me a hug), I pointed the bike east to Rapid City then 16 south to Mt Rushmore. Although it cost me 10 bucks to get in, I can’t say enough about what it was like seeing that mountain again after 32 years. The surroundings had changed but the faces were the same- it made me proud to be an American. I listened to the park ranger’s tour for about 10 minutes and got tired of his liberal slanted presentation, so I wandered through the park on my own. The boardwalk took you to the base of the mountain. I joked that you were so close you could see Lincoln’s nose hair. I then made it to the sculptor’s studio. It spoke how the design was made and duplicated on the hill. The mist had just begun and I finished the walking path and the faces of the four presidents were beginning to be shrouded so I got the bike and headed out. I wanted to ride “Needles Hwy” and see the Crazy Horse monument but the weather was getting bad I and didn’t want to get stuck in a SD hail storm like they had a few nights earlier. Hwy 16 to 90 east and I was heading to Sioux Falls SD.
7/22/10 Spent the night at quality inn at Hwy 90 and 29 in Sioux Falls. Bad rain last night (reported 5 inches in Sioux Falls alone) but it cleared about 10:00 AM. Got on Hwy 90 east and drove just past La Crosse WI. to a town called Sparta and another Super 8. Stopped about 5:30 local time because of major storms all around me…some the tornados though I didn’t see any. No need to take the chance. Took a swim and just chilled. Tomorrow I head for Chicago and then up the coast of Michigan to Wolf Lake and my family. I have missed them and appreciate my wife allowing me to have this week to clear my head. Though we really couldn’t afford for me to go, she thought it would do me good. It has.
I stink at blogging!
Okay, so I have figured out that I am a lousy blogger. By the time I get done riding for the day, I just want a shower and to chill. However, if I can figure out how to copy and past my daily journal from MS Word , then that will bring this trip up to date. It doesn't want to let me bring my info from word to blogger. Be patient, I am new at this. Blessings in Christ.
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