On The Road Again

Today's Mileage:  340
Loop Mileage:  7612
Quest Total:  13102
State Total:  32
Current Location:  Barron, Wisconsin

Started off today heading east.  Wanted to get over to see Diana's Uncle, before I headed up into Minnesota.  Her Uncle lives in an area of a wind farm.  Iowa is second only to Texas in the number of wind powered generators in the state.  After a quick visit, I headed north into MN.  Was a rather short leg in MN. and I crossed into Wisconsin at Red Wing, MN.  This is where they make the work boots of the same name.  This was my sixth and final time to cross the Mississippi on this quest.  The river is definitely narrower here but it is still pretty hefty.  As I was riding along, I passed a Harley/Ural motorcycle dealer.  I had to go back, so that I could take a look at the Urals.  I had heard of the bike, but never actually seen one, and there really aren't very many dealers.  They come from Russia, and basically haven't changed looks since the original concept in WWII.  Was kind of interesting, but I'm thinking getting spare parts could be an issue (I don't care what the salesman claims).  Tomorrow it is east across WI., and then into the UP of Michigan.

Up And Running

Current Location:  Algona,  Iowa

The bike is back together and up and running.  I'm off tomorrow morning.  Can't leave though, without a big thank you to my friends Randy and Colleen.  Their help and support made this ordeal a much easier thing to overcome.  And how can I leave without introducing you all to my Mom and my brother and sister-in-law.  Certainly could have done without the maintenance issue, but even with it, it was a good break.

Down For The Count

Current Location:  My Mom's House

So what didn't get mentioned yesterday, is that I had a pretty major mechanical problem with my bike yesterday.  I knew that i had a problem, and I was trying to nurse it along to get to Algona (my home town), but I had to stop about 30 miles out.  You really don't want to have a problem like this, but if it had to happen, I couldn't have been luckier.  The u-joint on my drive shaft came apart.  I called an old high school friend, who brought a trailer and picked me and the bike up and towed it to his place.  I ordered the part I needed with overnight delivery, and it showed up today.  I spent my day in Randy's garage, used his tools and his help, to tear the bike down and replace the part.  It's not totally done, but it will be by tomorrow afternoon.  So I should be back on the road tomorrow. 

Eye Of The Beholder

Today's Mileage:  248
Loop Mileage:  7272
Quest Total:  12762
State Total:  30
Current Location:  Algona, Iowa

So I started out today with the main objective to get to my home town of Algona,  Iowa.  It really wasn't that far to go and the weather was pretty decent.  I have to admit, that the scenery in Iowa really can't compare to what I had seen out west.  But as i was riding thru the state, I realized that this is what I grew up around, and there was a real sense of familiarity to it, that made it look pretty good to me.  I will also admit, that i probably appreciate it more now than when i was growing up.  So i am now at my Mom's house, and will stay here for a few days, do some maintenance on my bike and then move on.  So I hope everyone has a great weekend, and I'll get back to you later.

A Better Day

Today's Mileage:  423
Loop Mileage:  7024
Quest Total:  12519
State Total:  29
Current Location:  Osmond, Nebraska

Today started in the 30's, but the skies were clearing, and there was no moisture.  As the day went along the weather got progressively better, which made for a much more pleasant ride.  I basically headed straight south to exit South Dakota.  Along the way I went thru Pierre, and crossed the Missouri River.  Was surprised at all the pheasants I saw along the roadways.  It's kind of like they know it's not hunting season, so they were strutting their stuff.  Must admit, neither SD nor Nebraska had any great scenic ways, but it is pretty to see all the fields turning that great early shade of green.  At one gas stop, I couldn't resist getting a picture of the two dinosaurs together.    When I entered Nebraska, I made a left and headed east.  Usually, I am only interested in hwy designations, and don't really pay attention to where I'm at.  Luckily, a sign along the hwy helped me out with that.  Only other point of interest was at the clown doll museum (which I was glad was closed).  I'm a fan of the carved bears, but I thought this clown was a little creepy.  I'd swear his eyes followed me as I moved to take this picture.  Tomorrow it's on to Iowa, and into Algona to spend a couple of days with my Mom.

Remembering The Trace

Today's Mileage:  290
Loop Mileage:  6601
Quest Total:  12096
State Total:  27
Current Location:  Mobridge, South Dakota

I woke up this morning to the sound of rain.  Not a good thing, but one of those things you have to handle.  I had considered going east into North Dakota and then cutting back and heading towards Rapid City, South Dakota so that i could go see "Them Big Faces".  I took a look at the weather on the local TV, and found out that the highest temp for the state of SD would only be in the low 50's with most of the state in the 40's for a high.  In addition, he said it was snowing in the Black Hills.  That cancelled my original idea.  I decided to just head east for awhile and the turn south to cross SD and enter Nebraska.  That sounded good, until I actually started riding.  The rain never did let up, and the temps just seemed to keep dropping (there's actually a freeze warning for tonight.  After five hours of riding, I called it quits and got a rom for the night.  So there is nothing to report.  It just now stopped raining, and there are a few breaks beginning to show in the clouds.  I'm hoping for a better day tomorrow.  So it wasn't a great riding day, but I did keep thinking about when I was riding the Natchez Trace in Miissippi, and the weather was so great.  I told myself that things were just averaging out.  It didn't help, I was still cold, wet, and somewhat miserable

In The Rear View Mirror

Today's Mileage: 458
Loop Mileage:  6311
Quest Total:  11806
State Total:  26
Current Location:  Baker, Montana

Today started cool, but there was sunshine and clear skies.  As i headed east out of Cody, I could see the mountains in all their glory in my rear view mirror.  They looked a lot better that way, than they did when i was crossing them.  As i continued east I passed an airport that had quite a few old transport type aircraft sitting on the field.  I turned in, but everything was fenced in and all the gates required a password.  There was a small museum, but it appears to have been closed for quite some time.  I tried a couple of different roads but couldn't find any way in, so i don't know what that was all about.  Out of Grey Bull, I took scenic highway 14 towards Sheridan.  This road takes you up thru the Big Horn Mountain area.  It was really a great ride, and the scenery was outstanding.  I had never really heard of the area, but it was well worth the trip.  Out of Sheridan, I headed north into Montana.  Had already checked off Montana, but needed to head north so that I can get into North Dakota tomorrow.  I have to admit, that i totally agree with their Big Sky motto.  Pretty sure I wouldn't want to live here, but I do like driving thru the area.  One thing about driving thru these western states, even on the secondary roads, the speed limit is 65-70 MPH, and there are very few towns to slow you down, so you can really cover some territory in a day.
One final comment.  I'm not sure how this tablet decides on how to order the photos.  The order that i attach them in, usually isn't the order in which they show up.  You will have to use your best guess as to which photo belongs with which comment.
Tomorrow:  the Dakotas.