Hello to all of my friends following my cross country trip.

I left Abilene TX last Thursday and made my way to Dallas. I am a huge history buff so I had to go to Daily Plaza the scene of JFK's assassination. I spent a long time at the museum on the 6th floor of the School Book Depository. I also walked all around the area, from the grassy knoll to the exact spot Kennedy was shot. I made my way North to McKinney TX where I spent the night at the home of Shane and Andrea Collins. (THANK YOU)

Friday found me heading north into Oklahoma. This was such a pretty ride. After riding through dessert and range land it was nice to see farm country. I rode east into Arkansas and had to stop at Fort Smith. This was the location of Judge Parker who oversaw the entire Indian Territory. He was known as Hanging Judge Parker. I spent several hours touring the courthouse and gallows. (I know, more history) After leaving Fort Smith I rode north into the Ozark Mountains. They are magnificent. I stopped at a local church that had a fireworks tent set up. I ask if I could camp on there lawn and they said I could. I went into the small town called Mountain Gap to have some dinner at the only restaurant in town. The lady that ran the place told me she was going to make me the best hamburger in the world and I have to say it was great. While I was eating a bluegrass band started to play in the room next door. I spent a couple of hours with the local towns people listening to music. It was a lot of fun.

Saturday morning early I was woke up by some of the church people inviting me to have coffee with them. They were wonderful people. I packed up and headed north into Missouri. I rode through Ozark the town I graduated from high school. It did not look the same. I rode east and spent the night at Harold and B****** Wiggs.(inside joke) Harold has a wonderful radio program called "Sunday Morning's Country" The best music this side of Heaven. I went to church with them and had a great time.

Monday morning I was up early and heading east. I crossed the Mississippi into Tennessee. Once again the landscape changed. I was looking on my map and saw a town called Skullbone. I said to myself, I have to go there. It is just a little place. I ask a local how the town got its name and she said it was because they use to hold bare knuckle boxing matches there. The only rule was you could only hit the skullbone, thus the name. I rode for 11 hours and made it to my daughters house in Franklin TN. I need to get a new back tire for my bike while I am here. I hope you enjoy the pictures.
In Him
Mike

Dodging thunderstorms.
Hurt!
Before I twist my ankle in Lincoln NM.
Fighting the sun burn.
In Mt Zion National Park.

This is Darren Flood. He grew up in Kenya and knows some of the same people my son-in-law knows.

I found this old house in the desert.

Looking North. Even though it was very hot, the ride was very peaceful.
Looking East.
Looking south from the same spot.
Looking west in Nevada.
Within one minute a gas tanker stopped and gave me some gas. Praise the Lord!
I ran out of gas 5 miles short of the next gas station.
I saw only 7 cars during this 120 miles.

This was so much fun. I came around a corner and found a heard of cows in the road.

Riding across the desert.