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
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
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.
Hello Everyone!
I am still alive and having a magnificent time. Let me get caught up on my adventure. The last blog was from Page AZ. It was so hot I got up early and got on the road at sunrise. It was so wonderful riding into the sunrise and singing at the top of my lungs. The road was empty and my singing was only heard by myself and God.
I made my way past the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and on to the Four Corners. The Four Corners is the only place in the country were four states touch. When I finally made it, believe it or not it was closed. I am not kidding. They are building a new monument and there was a big fence all the way around it. I didn't get to stand on the spot but I did walk all around it.
The day continued to get hotter and hotter. My face was so burnt I stopped at a garage sale and bought a large dish towel. I would soak the towel in water and tie it around my face. I rode to Albuquerque looking like an Arab. I spent Friday night at a campground nursing my burnt face.
Saturday morning I decided to find a motorcycle shop and buy a full face helmet. I found a shop and bought one that was on sale. After buying the new helmet my face could finally begin to heal.
On Saturday I rode to Lincoln County. This is the place where the Lincoln County War took place. The town of Lincoln is where Billy the Kid shot his way out of jail. There are 5 museums in town. I met three school teachers in town and spent a lot of time talking history. I stopped at a historical house called the Dollan House and had coffee. The owners were so nice. I asked if I could camp in their side yard and they said I could. Later that evening I was walking down the street looking at a map and I stepped into a hole and twisted my ankle. It hurt so bad I fell to the ground holding my ankle and a little grandma lady saw me and asked if I was ok. She was a retired vet and went home and got me a vet bandage and wrapped my foot. I spent the night with a throbing pain in my ankle. I got up early on Sunday and rode to Rozwell NM. This town is famous for alien space ships crashing in 1947. Everywhere you look you see alien this and alien that. Even the McDonalds has a spaceship theme.
With my foot hurting I rode 500 miles to Abilene Texas to my friends Jimmy and Annette's home. The last 20 miles of the trip I had to dodge thunderstroms, rain and lighting. I was so tired I went to bed and didn't wake up for 11 hours. Today I went to the world famous Harolds Bar-B-Q Pit and had some great food. I plan on resting one more day and then hitting the road east on Thursday.
I am still alive and having a magnificent time. Let me get caught up on my adventure. The last blog was from Page AZ. It was so hot I got up early and got on the road at sunrise. It was so wonderful riding into the sunrise and singing at the top of my lungs. The road was empty and my singing was only heard by myself and God.
I made my way past the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and on to the Four Corners. The Four Corners is the only place in the country were four states touch. When I finally made it, believe it or not it was closed. I am not kidding. They are building a new monument and there was a big fence all the way around it. I didn't get to stand on the spot but I did walk all around it.
The day continued to get hotter and hotter. My face was so burnt I stopped at a garage sale and bought a large dish towel. I would soak the towel in water and tie it around my face. I rode to Albuquerque looking like an Arab. I spent Friday night at a campground nursing my burnt face.
Saturday morning I decided to find a motorcycle shop and buy a full face helmet. I found a shop and bought one that was on sale. After buying the new helmet my face could finally begin to heal.
On Saturday I rode to Lincoln County. This is the place where the Lincoln County War took place. The town of Lincoln is where Billy the Kid shot his way out of jail. There are 5 museums in town. I met three school teachers in town and spent a lot of time talking history. I stopped at a historical house called the Dollan House and had coffee. The owners were so nice. I asked if I could camp in their side yard and they said I could. Later that evening I was walking down the street looking at a map and I stepped into a hole and twisted my ankle. It hurt so bad I fell to the ground holding my ankle and a little grandma lady saw me and asked if I was ok. She was a retired vet and went home and got me a vet bandage and wrapped my foot. I spent the night with a throbing pain in my ankle. I got up early on Sunday and rode to Rozwell NM. This town is famous for alien space ships crashing in 1947. Everywhere you look you see alien this and alien that. Even the McDonalds has a spaceship theme.
With my foot hurting I rode 500 miles to Abilene Texas to my friends Jimmy and Annette's home. The last 20 miles of the trip I had to dodge thunderstroms, rain and lighting. I was so tired I went to bed and didn't wake up for 11 hours. Today I went to the world famous Harolds Bar-B-Q Pit and had some great food. I plan on resting one more day and then hitting the road east on Thursday.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
It is Thursday evening and I am in page AZ. The second day on my trip took me from Burns OR to Austin NV. The most exciting thing that happened was I ran out of gas just short of the NV border. I was only on the side of the road for less than a minute when a fuel truck stopped and gave me some gas. Praise the Lord. In Austin I met a guy from Colorado who grew up in Kenya. He is friends with one of the groomsmen that was at Heidi and Chris's wedding. (my daughter and son-in-law) Small world. We shared a campsite and got to pray together.
On the third day of my trip I drove by area 51 and had lunch at the Groom Lake dinner. They had all kinds of extraterrestrial stuff for sale. I don't know how I was able to resist buying a glow in the dark spaceman but I somehow I found the will power. I stay at a campground in Calente NV and the Lady that ran the place was Dutch. Her father came to America after WW2. I told her about my wife and father-in-law being Dutch and it was like old home week.
Today I stopped at The Mountain Meadow Massacre site. For that matter I have stopped at every history marker I have come across. I went to Mt Zion National Park and it was magnificent. My face and hands are burnt. The temp was well over 100 today. Hannah and Tyler got me a camel back canteen and I have to say it is a life safer. I fill it up two or three times a day and I can drink from it while I ride. I am camping in Page AZ tonight and I want to leave early and go see the Grand Cannon in the morning. I have taken lots of pictures but I don't know how to post them. When I get to my friends in Texas maybe they can help me.
It is really great not having a radio or tv to entertain me. I have spent lots of time singing praise songs on my bike and I have done lots of praying. It has been a great time with my Lord. Well I am going to bed as I am really beat.
On the third day of my trip I drove by area 51 and had lunch at the Groom Lake dinner. They had all kinds of extraterrestrial stuff for sale. I don't know how I was able to resist buying a glow in the dark spaceman but I somehow I found the will power. I stay at a campground in Calente NV and the Lady that ran the place was Dutch. Her father came to America after WW2. I told her about my wife and father-in-law being Dutch and it was like old home week.
Today I stopped at The Mountain Meadow Massacre site. For that matter I have stopped at every history marker I have come across. I went to Mt Zion National Park and it was magnificent. My face and hands are burnt. The temp was well over 100 today. Hannah and Tyler got me a camel back canteen and I have to say it is a life safer. I fill it up two or three times a day and I can drink from it while I ride. I am camping in Page AZ tonight and I want to leave early and go see the Grand Cannon in the morning. I have taken lots of pictures but I don't know how to post them. When I get to my friends in Texas maybe they can help me.
It is really great not having a radio or tv to entertain me. I have spent lots of time singing praise songs on my bike and I have done lots of praying. It has been a great time with my Lord. Well I am going to bed as I am really beat.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Monday June 21st, 2010
I am on my way! I left this morning at about 8AM and drove east on Highway 14. I hit sunny weather at about Hood River and it was joy to see. I crossed over into Oregon at Bigs Junction and took the highway to Condon, Fossel, John Day and here I am in Burns. Rode about 330 miles with no trouble at all. Praise the Lord! I will try and add some pictures but we will see. Sorry no can do. Blessings to all.
In Him
Mike
PS The ride along the John Day River was magnificent. I highly recomend it to all.
I am on my way! I left this morning at about 8AM and drove east on Highway 14. I hit sunny weather at about Hood River and it was joy to see. I crossed over into Oregon at Bigs Junction and took the highway to Condon, Fossel, John Day and here I am in Burns. Rode about 330 miles with no trouble at all. Praise the Lord! I will try and add some pictures but we will see. Sorry no can do. Blessings to all.
In Him
Mike
PS The ride along the John Day River was magnificent. I highly recomend it to all.
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