SWEET SPRINGS, MISSOURI TO HUTCHINSON, KANSAS...332 MILES (1672 TOTAL)

Today, the last day of my trip, couldn't have been any better. It was nice and cool all day, with very little wind to compete with. The only rain I had to contend with on the trip home was on Saturday afternoon around Saint Louis, Missouri. It rain for about 5 miles, and then the pavement was dry again.
I arrived back in "Thumperville" a little after 2:00 P.M. this afternoon, the KLR never missing a beat, with almost 46,000 miles on the odometer now.
Thanks again to all those that came to the event. It's always great to see all of you again, and also to see new faces I've never met before. It's all of you that make this such a great organization.
Looking forward to seeing some of you in Nebraska in October. Just as soon as the location is decided, Jack will let you know.
Motor Mike

ROCKVILLE, INDIANA TO ROSEDALE, INDIANA TO SWEET SPRINGS, MISSOURI...380 MILES (1340 TOTAL)

Considering it was supposed to be raining this morning when we got up, it was a beautiful day. The sun was shining and the temp was cool as we left the motel for Rosedale to get set up for the ThumperCafe. By the time noon rolled around there were almost 60 bikes parked out front of the restaurant. It was a great day and everyone seemed to have a good time visiting with old friends and in some cases making new ones. I was busy signing in those attending, so I didn't get a chance to take pictures. I did get several after everything was over, so I'll post those. This was a Thumper and Twins event, so both of these bikes are twins. The 1915 Harley made the yearly coast to coast run and finished with a perfect score....no breakdowns.


Thanks to everyone that attended...we'll see you next time. (Maybe Nebraska in October)
Motor Mike

ROCKVILLE, INDIANA TO ROCKVILLE, INDIANA...58 MILES (958 TOTAL)

I woke up a little later this morning, and I will blame it on being in the Eastern time zone. It was 57 degrees with sunny skies, so it was shaping up to be a beautiful day to hunt for the covered bridges. They are scattered out over the countryside, but all fairly close to Rockville. Some of the roads we rode on were completely shaded by the trees on both sides, and with the morning sun peaking through the leaves, it was a really nice ride. It's really pretty interesting looking at bridges that were built in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Most are in remarkably good shape for as old as they are.




This particular bridge was really neet.

Don't even ask!!!! Jack checking out the nail type holding the bridge together.

The rest of the afternoon was really productive, which accounts for the low mileage total.

All the FSSNOC members that showed up at Rockville tonight ate at a Mexican restaurant down the street from the motel. The motel parking lot was slowly filling up with Thumpers as the night went along.




And of course.....Jack had to have his ice cream.

We all had a great time and are looking forward to the Saturday event.
Motor Mike

DAY #3...GRAYVILLE, ILLINOIS TO ROCKVILLE, INDIANA...192 MILES (900 TOTAL)

For everyone's information, the picture last night of the Statue of Liberty replica is one of the statues sold by the Boy Scouts back in the 50's, and is located in Kansas.

Now for tonight's breaking news, and no we aren't in New York. We were in Paris for a while today. Who would have ever thunk they had a bridge all the way across the big water. We finally got turned around and back on course, so all is
good.


These road signs are all over Illinois. Just think.....if Ihad been around 100 years ago, this could have been the Motor Mike Heritage Trail.

We rode through Hutsonville, Illinois, home of the Hutson Hornet, then crossed the Wabash River into Indiana.The roads changed almost instantly to being tree lined, twisty and scenic.


Arriving in Rockville, Indiana early afternoon, we searched out several of the covered bridges in the area. As mentioned last night, this is the covered bridge capital of the world. We plan on hunting for more on Friday.



That's all for tonight.....I'll be back tomorrow, from the same location.
Just a reminder...all pictures will enlarge if you click on them.


Motor Mike

SALEM, MISSOURI TO NEW YORK CITY....

NEW YORK CITY!!!!!????? We must have made a wrong turn somewhere. And I was always under the impression "Lady Liberty" was a little larger than this...I guess not.
We stopped at the Fort Davidson State Historic Site in Pilot Knob, Missouri. This visitor center is on the actual site of the Battle of Pilot Knob, between the Confederates and the Union. It was really interesting and well worth the stop. One on the Infantry men actually let me feed his horse.



We stopped along the road in Illinois to stretch and admire the beautiful countryside. The corn and beans in this part of the country are doing great.
Where's Waldo...(Motor Mike)?

By the way...we really aren't in New York City, but you probably already figured that out. If not...I have some ocean front property in Kansas I'll sell you.
We are in Grayville, Illinois, only 140 miles from our destination of Rosedale, Indiana, the covered bridge capital of the world.
We rode just shy of 300 miles today for a total of 708 miles the last two days.
I'll talk to you tomorrow night....hopefully not from New York.
Motor Mike

DAY #1...HUTCHINSON, KANSAS TO SALEM, MISSOURI...425 MILES

What a beautiful morning to ride in comparison to what Monday would have been. We left "Thumperville" at 8:00 a.m. under perfectly clear skies and no wind. Thumping southeast towards Eldorado, Ks. we got on highway 54 and headed for Missouri, picking up highway 32 just south of Eldorado Springs, Mo. Our original route would have taken us to the southeast corner of Nebraska, but because of all the water on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, we were afraid we wouldn't be able to make it across in that area. A lot of the bridges are closed in that general vicinity. We're going to try and cross the river at Chester, Illinois in the morning, which is southeast of St. Louis, Missouri.

One thing I noticed is everything is green around this area. I don't think they are lacking for moisture here like we are at home.

Tomorrow we will continue our trek northeast towards Indiana.

Check back Wednesday night for my daily update. Maybe I'll have some pictures...

Motor Mike

PRE-TRIP Chatter......

Well.....Day #2 has now become Day #1, because Day #1 had thunderstorms along our entire route of travel. Stay tuned for the details of Tuesday's ride!!!!
We WILL leave on Tuesday!!!!