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.
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