Billings Montana Trip

[Bronxboy]

I guess it's time to post a summary of this epic trip. Starting out I met up with Pappy in Chiefland FL, then we took some back roads over to Milton FL to hook up with Keith. We got about 100 miles from his house when the skies opened up so bad that me and Pappy were under the I10 overpass for about 30 min.

When it got down to a light rain we headed out on I10 to make some time. We arrived at Keith's house around 4pm and pulled into his garage where he had plenty of room for our bikes. Keith is an awesome guest as he had catered in some real good Bar b Q with all the fixings. He also invited some friends who we have met and rode with before to have dinner with us.

After some good grub we went out to his patio for a cigar and some drinks, and some good conversation with great friends. Not long after everyone left we got a shower and went to bed as we were getting up early to start our trip. We left out around 7am and our route would take us on some backroads thru Alabama into Mississippi then into Arkansas where we stopped in Hot Springs for the night.

At this point it was hot, but nothing compared to what we were heading into in the days to come. Leaving Arkansas we made our way on some nice backroads on a North westerly trek of backroads  towards I40. We got on the super slab from somewhere west of Oklahoma City and rode it about 50 miles west of Amarillo TX.

This is where it got fugly, as we made our way North West thru TX and into New Mexico and into CO, Mother Nature thought it would be funny to keep the winds at a sustained 30+ MPH with gusts over 60mph. To add insult to injury, she kept the temps around 108/110 degrees, felt like opening the gates of hell with no relief all the way to Billings.

On a side note, when we got as far as Oklahoma Pappy started having issues with his clutch slipping, and we were down to 45 mph. We googled for a Honda Dealer and found one 1.5 miles from where we had stopped. Unbeknown to us, before he left FL, he had his oil changed at a dealership, and some Morphodite put the wrong oil in with Friction Modifiers!!! I am amazed that he made it that far.

We had the dealer in Oklahoma change out his oil & filter and we headed out slowly again. It took several hundred miles before Pappy was up to speed again because the clutch plates were compromised. So on we go heading north thru Colorado in hopes to do the Million Dollar Hwy, but it would have been dark by the time we got there, and that would be no fun.

So I opted to go up to 50 and across Monarch Pass and into Grand Junction, where we made it, but riding the last 50 miles at dark. We get a hotel at Grand Junction and as we were checking in and getting our bags off the bikes to go to our rooms, Casey cant find his key to the bike, apparently as we pulled in to the hotel, there were a bunch of kids hanging out out front, and the only thing we can figure was that they thought it would be funny to steal his key while we checked in!!

Well Casey was beside himself looking everywhere for the key, but to no avail, these ass hats had to take it!! thank god he had a spare, as he was already having enough issues. We had the front desk check the video, but of course she was having trouble bringing up that live feed. Casey was sure they would be back to steal his bike, so we had him park in front of us and we pulled our bikes right up against his.

Good times!! well we head out of Grand Junction in the AM and headed North to Billings, the entire time we were fighting extreme heat and extreme wind. We made our way on mostly 2 lane roads thru Wyoming and into Montana, hoping to do Bear tooth Pass but we needed to make time because of some slow downs because of winds, Yellowstone was also closed due to Mud Slides and Raging Yellowstone River.

As we got within 50 miles of Billings Pappy started to have the same clutch issues, so we slowed it down to 45mph with Keith in the rear with flashers, and me behind Pappy letting him go at a comfortable pace without doing any more damage. Pulling into Ground Zero was like the best site we could see  

Pappy was convinced it was a final drive or a bad flange, something in the driveline that was causing the issue as we already changed out the oil once already. But as I know and most know, it could take as much as 2/3 oil changes to get the clutch plates right again. Well next morning we got with Daniel Meyer who was doing his annual classes at Inzane, and we used Pappy's bike for a Rear end service tutorial, we drew a nice crowd.

We tore down Casey's entire driveline and inspected everything, including the universal joint. Everything was perfect, having torn the universal boot taking it off, he found a member selling one there in 2 min . We put everything back together, left Casey to fight the universal Boot install   and he finally got it after a few cusses and some cut up fingers

Sooooo we found another Honda dealer down the road from Ground Zero and me and Keith took a ride over and got Casey some new oil & Filter again...and well I will let them pick it up from here, because the ride home was an adventure as well  

[larue]

Great write up there Nick, eventful trip indeed but I’m glad it was concluded with a happy ending. Glad you’re all back safe

[Thunderbolt]

Thanks for posting this.  You must have taken notes, either that or those temps burned the events into your brain.  I would not have remembered all you did.  What bikes does Honda sell that use oil with friction modifiers?  I remember always using oils without them on all our Honda's and the Rocket III.

[flsix]

Wow, that was a heck of a ride out. The mechanical problems are one thing, add the high winds and heat and you have a real stressful ride. Sure glad to see you all got back ok.

[Steel cowboy]

Great write up of the trip Up, Nick. The ride sounds like it was an adventure of its own. Love to read about the trip back.

[Bronxboy]

Didn't mean to make it sound like a bad trip, as we had a bunch of fun at Billings and Eureka Springs, and all the small towns we stopped at going and coming. I am sure Keith & Pappy will jump in and fill in the blanks.

[TJ]

 

[Farside]

 PART 2: Nice write up Nick. I had a great time. I can handle the heat better than any cold.
I was glad that you and Pappy- Casey could make the trip. I'm glad I took my F6B instead of Renegade.
  I have never been in consistant wind of 30 mph then gust of 50-60 mph for days like we did on that trip.
One day we actually turned around after starting a ride out of Billings only to stop becasue the winds were even higher.
  InZane was fun and we all got to meet fellow Valkyrie riders from the west side of the Country. We left out of Billings on Thursday getting to Deadwood, SD for 2 nights. A great town with good riding around and a terrific down town area that caters to tourist with a outside theater for performances. They shut down main street the next night for a Country Western singer, Sawyer Brown. Before he started we went to a couple shops - saloon's even had a Schlitz beer, most of you remember that beer.    The down town was packed and Sawyer Brown was just getting started but only got to sing a couple songs. There was a thunder storm headed our way with bad lightning.    So picked up something for the wife and we made it to the shuttle for the hotel. The hotel had a nice area for Nick and Casey to smoke a nice cigar and we all enjoyed a nice drink or two as well.  Leaving out the next morning we headed to Sturgis for breakfast. Gezzz, the town was dead at 8:30 am. But we found a popular local spot for a great breakfast.
Heading out of Sturgis was still pretty windy but not the gust of 50-60 just consistant winds of 20-30mph.  Riding south out of Sturgis and maybe in NE by then but at one point the winds were blowning the dirt from some plowed fields and it created a situation where I lost sight of Nick in the dust from the fields. It lasted for about a 1/2 mile and thank goodness that was all. No traffic coming towards us either. We then were concerned about getting gas as the station we pulled into just had desiel.  Well we made it 20 miles and got some gas and rehydrated then on to a small town in Southern NE for the evening. Right across the street was a DQ and about 20 bikes on a memorial ride for a fellow rider. Found out a little as they were leaving. We were beat and glad this was a sleepy little town.  We left out the next morning for Joplin, MO with the wind still blowing but was starting to let up. The temps weren't as hot but still pretty warm.  From Joplin we got to Eurka, AR. We got there at a earlier time so found a really neat ol' hotel in the old downtown called the New Orleans Hotel, rebuilt in the early 1900's after fire took it out in the late 1890's. It was  a really neat ol'hotel and Nick really hit if off with the Manager She told us of a nice dinner spot and breakfast diner mom & pop for the next morning as we found both for some fine eats.  I really would of liked to stay another night but was out voted so we left out the next morning. Casey was going to split off from us after about 60 miles and head to see family in TN as Nick and I got to Hattiesburg, MS that evening a little over 600 miles later. We were tired for sure. We got up and left Hattiesburg fairly early as we made our way on back roads to Milton, FL where I live. About 1/2 way there on the hilly - curvey back roads we came over a hill and thank goodness the log truck was as far down the hill as he was. We came over the hill and BOOM there was that truck with the logs sticking 10 feet out the back of the log truck at a full STOP. There were many logging trucks, pulpwood containers trucks and lumber trucks all lined up at a stop. No cars coming at us casue one of the trucks lost his load about a mile up and it was all over the hwy. Nick and I talked and I followed him east down the west bound side to where the cops were. Nick let him know someone needs to be at the top of the hill to alert on coming cars casue they will rearend folks. Cop says we don't have enough officesrs to do that. So we noticed a trucker was walking his way up to the crest of the hill, thank goodness. The officer said this will be blocked for maybe hours. I was going to go back several miles to a crossroad to get around but Nick asked the cop if there was  closer road to get around this mess. Back about a mile was a dirt road. He described it as being pretty packed and only about 3 miles long. That is all Nick needed to know.  With his car tire tires he was taking it as I was not so sure.  Well he talked me into it and it was a fine. The road was not too bad only a couple sandy- soft dirt spots. A good call probabley saved 30-40 min. Then 1 1/2 hr later I was home in Milton. Nick splint off from me about 30 miles north of my house heading west on hwy 4 towards Crestview to get on I-10 east for a ways. I'd post pic's but can't anymore.
 Believe me it was fun An EPIC trip that I really enjoyed. The company was great and I'd do it again. Thanks guys

[Pappy!]

I had done the rear end service just prior to leaving on the trip. When the clutch acted up the second time just South of Billings it sounded and felt just like splines slipping with a BUzz sound and an equal feel at my feet. Apparently clutch was chattering/slipping then catching again.
While Daniel was doing his seminar we pulled the rear and the shaft and the U-joint out of the bike only to find that everything was in top shape except for a U-joint boot.
Nick and Keith found Honda oil and filter for me and a turkey pan to dump oil into and we did all this in the Courtyard of the Hotel !!! Amazing.




After getting it all back together a test ride was necessary, right??
We decided that a town called "Round Up" was the target for a well deserved dinner. It was about 45 miles away. Cross winds were howling as we left the Hotel. After finally finding the right road we headed out over some pretty barren prairie. Cross winds were so bad that when a Fed Ex truck passed me going the other way I thought my helmet was going to rip my head off! We were leaning so far into the wind it was not a fun ride
We lasted 8 miles before turning around and heading for a  Roadhouse Steak! One of the best steaks I have had in a long time as well !
 More to come.....have errands to run.

[Skinhead]

Nice write up of your adventure.  It seems like everyone had an adventure of some sort on this trip.  My biggest disappointment was that Yellowstone and Beartooth Pass were closed, but we were lucky compared to what some of the locals went through in Red Lodge and other areas.

[Wing-Nut]

Nice recap of the events!  I wish the weather would have better for you, but glad to hear that all is good now.
 

[_Sheffjs_]

Well I’m tired just reading this. Thanks for taking the time so we can live through you in all of this and lessons learned with the key situation, I know I have always been very lax with leaving keys in the bike.

[Pappy!]

This is what the wind was up to at the Roadhouse Restaurant in Billings. Check out the branches on that tree!



The courtyard at the Convention Center was the arena for swapping stories and trying to lighten the Flammable material load on the bikes on the way home.....we were willing to help when we could! Bronx, being the classy individual he is, made sure he had he most unique rocks glass of the group.



The next day Nick and Bronx took off early and explored the area. Apparently on the way back the winds again were playing Hell with them but got back just fine. I stuck around and relaxed and did laundry, sent some stuff back home and cleaned the bike back up a bit.

Thursday morning we set out for Deadwood South Dakota. Deadwood is a really cool little town that has preserved it's long heritage with both tourist traps and buildings rich in history. It is where Wild Bill Hickok was shot and killed. Every day there are re-enactments of this piece of history.
Nick, Keith and I made sure we had a drink at Bar #10 and it was well worth it! Tons of history on the walls and beams across the place.




Even the bar gals were dressed period correct!




The next morning (Friday) we took off early and enjoyed an amazing trip through Spearfish Canyon. The roads are very well maintained out there and running them was a pleasure. The scenery was spectacular! I have GoPro footage of it but apparently no photos.
Rushmore was next.
Mt. Rushmore is something I have wanted to see for most of my life. Today was the day. Picture perfect weather and this monument was truly a sight to behold. I cannot imagine what it took to carve this!
Here is a pic of four very famous guys over the top of three not so famous characters.



Needles Highway is a must ride as well however it will be congested. 10mph switchbacks are there complete with sand and gravel in the lanes of travel and cages more than willing to stop mid-corner. Always fun on an 800+ pound phat gurl when in the middle of one and turning uphill at the same time.
The passageways through the rocks are a one-way only hole in the rock walls. Loved those things! The rock formations and pines and clean air were so different than Spearfish Canyon.



Each night when we got back to the Hotel we sat out back in a covered pavillion and had a good cigar and a libation and discussed the plans for the next day.  The next morning we were starting the trek back East and South, crossing what is sometimes referred to as the "Fly over states"

More to come.......

[Bronxboy]

Gil was out there as well, but stayed at a different hotel down the road. He guided us up to Bighorn Mountain where the temps dropped down into the 30's. This to me was very refreshing after enduring all that Heat.

We also made our way over to Little Big Horn and the site of Custer's Last Stand. Still windy as hell, but glad we got to see this memorial. It truly was a Great Trip that we will remember, The Black Hills & riding thru the Badlands were pretty awesome as well.

[hubcapsc]

He guided us up to Bighorn Mountain where the temps dropped down into the 30's.

That's a place I'm sorry I missed... we left the Billings area on 212 to Deadwood...

-Mike

[MotoRod]

Great write up all.   

[Bronxboy]

He guided us up to Bighorn Mountain where the temps dropped down into the 30's.

That's a place I'm sorry I missed... we left the Billings area on 212 to Deadwood...

-Mike

Yeah Joe told me u headed that way, we spent a few days there 

[flsix]

It truly sounds like an epic ride with a few challenges thrown in for good measure.
Wish I could have made it.

[Flrider]

What great memories !!!

Thanks for the write ups it is fun to live through them, not as fun as being there but it gives us a good feel for all the fun and adventure. 

[Pappy!]

We started the ride East with a great breakfast in Sturgis! Gunners was the name of the place and I remember seeing it in a few Sturgis videos in YouTube.



Had to get a Sturgis Pic just to say we have been there, right?



From Sturgis we rode all the way to O'Neill, NE and along the way we saw the Eastern side of the "Badlands". I can truly see why it is called that name. That is one place I would not want to be stuck in.
Miles and miles of hills faded into prairie lands for hundreds of miles. So this is what the "Flyover" states looks like...  
Mother nature was having a field day with us. Not only were we under a "Heat Dome" as told to us by the weather folks but we were riding in sustained 45 mph crosswinds almost all day not counting the gusts. Thankfully there was almost no oncoming traffic as each one of us was blown out of our lane and into the oncoming lane on numerous occasions yet never had a close call. One place we stopped at a guy on a Harley passed then turned around and came back and talked to us. He was riding toward Sturgis. Noticed he only had one saddle bag. He told us the other one fell off........ Paid the guy that found it $100 to ship it back to his house. Wonder if it ever made it?
We continued on. Occasionally the wind would grab my helmet and try to weathervane it into the wind, that was interesting in a not so fun way.
The prairies got flatter and turned into farmlands. One one stretch of farmland that had apparently been plowed we encountered one Hell of a dust storm. Nick was leading and was only about 150 feet ahead of me with Keith in the middle. In this dust storm...Nick totally disappeared!  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9v06zzIcoM

We kept riding. Getting tired both physically and mentally from the conditions. O'Neill Nebraska was in sight! A dusty little town claiming to be the Irish capital of Nebraska. We pulled in to the very first motel we found!
There was a DQ across the street from the Motel 8 we stayed at. We all spied it and there were a ton of bikes out in front of it as well. We checked in to our rooms and walked back out and rode our bikes over there....dirty and all.
As we pulled into the parking lot they came out and left! Was it something we said? Oh well..... light dinner and a big mint cookie blizzard and we called it a day. Nowhere to smoke a cigar and have a libation. This was merely an extended rest stop. Two alieve and I went into a well deserved sleep.
Good thing was that the bike was pretty much back to normal. Sort of. Clutch seemed to be holding just fine and the lever seemed to be normal as well.
I did have an issue as we were leaving the parking lot in Billings. It was cold that morning and the left front caliper started dragging. Told the guys to wait up a second and rode around the building pumping the fronts and getting them going. Seemed to free up. Ended up sticking open! From that point on I was stopping the big girl on one front caliper and one rear. Extra care had to be taken from this point.

Next stop....Joplin Mo.  More to come.............

[sixlow]

Wow, you guys had an adventure,  glad you all made it back safely and thanks for the write up..

[Pappy!]

We got up early and had plans on leaving O'Neill around 6:30am. We finally pulled out around 7am. Good enough!
The air was warm but not hot....yet. No wind this morning either.
We headed South today. During the day's ride we ventured into Mo. then Kansas then back into Mo. again and the roads were good all the way. Traffic! That was something we had not been used to for literally thousands of miles. Traffic was once again added to the list of things to be aware of again. We were riding pretty hard again today. Stopping for fuel and I really don't remember eating anything for breakfast except what the ??? was at the Super 8. Nothing resembled food as I remember. That would come back to haunt me later on today.
It had gotten hot! First day for the evaporative cooling vest. Put that on in one of the fuel stops. We were in Kansas when it hit me and we were in traffic as well. That feeling of lightheaded and queasy and a bit dizzy. Uh-Oh.....low blood sugar and on a motorcycle. Signaled the guys to get off the highway and that in itself was an adventure. We finally made it into a gas station and they were feeling the heat as well. I ate a couple of cliff bars and a vitamin water but it wasn't enough. We decided a good lunch in a place with great air conditioning was in order. We hit the jackpot on this one!
We sat at the bar and I told the bartender I wanted good food and fast. She seemed to understand and she really delivered! Big old piece of meatloaf on top of mashed potatoes and green peas!



This was a fairly upscale restaurant as defined by the caliber of people in it. Bartender told us this was the good section of town to be in for sure.
We continued on.
We arrived in Joplin Mo. later on and to tell you the truth I could not tell you the name of the motel or hotel and what if anything we ate that night or where! 
It was a long day of riding and the heat was pulling it out of each and every one of us. 
Next stop? Eureka Springs for breakfast or so we thought!   More to come.

[Steel cowboy]

Loving the write ups.

[OLDFRT]

Loving the narrative from 3 different perspectives. All of you have done a great job!!!!!

[Bronxboy]

After doing the 6K miles on the Valk, which was comfortable and extremely reliable thru all the different terrains, weather extremes and elevations, I am convinced that if I continue to do this type of riding, it will be on a ADV type machine. I have been looking for a Yamaha Super Tenere ES for awhile now, I definitely have got my searching for the best machine down to this specific Bike.

After researching and videos, and friends who personally have or had one, it seems to be bullet proof. First off it's a Yamaha, the kicker for me is that it is a spoked tubeless tire with a Driveshaft Final Drive. It also has electronic suspension, heated grips, cruise control, adj windshield.

I want to travel the roads less taken, and there are many to ride, just need to get lost to find them. Maybe bring some camping gear for the months that are cooler and more enjoyable. Pick a great spot somewhere for a few days, use it as ground zero, then head out and explore. Seems as I get older, I really crave the adventure. I did a bunch of this as a young kid, never really stopped to smell the roses, just hurry up get there, then ride again.

I know I am not alone with my thinking, most everyone here is retired or real close. Being able to pack up a bike like this with everything needed for a great trip, with plenty of room to spare, sounds good to me. I learn with each long trip what is necessary and what is extra luggage. I learned that I can do 2/3 weeks with 2 pair of Jeans, 5 T-Shirts, 5 pair Socks, 5 pair of Draws, but they must be the Duluth Boxers which are amazing for hours in the saddle. No chaffing they are wicking and dry out real quick. Doing laundry every 3/4 days saves lots of room

Keep one hard bag for your readily accessible rain gear, tools, maybe cooling & heated vest, God knows the mountains have their own weather system, and what happens below, is totally different than 11K feet. Extra fuel is a must, they make some real cool 1/2 gal flat gas tanks that mount to the paniers. That is another thing I love about the Tenere, the 6gal fuel tank will get u 250+ miles on a tank, with an additional 2gal fuel can, there are no worries when u hit those signs that say last gas for 185 miles.

The bike is extremely comfortable, I see most don't even change out the stock seat. I sound like a commercial for this Bike, but it is something I have been pondering for awhile. The Valk is an Awesome Machine in it's own right, but I think this is the way I will be heading. Heck maybe I can tawk a few of u old coots to join me on an adventure. Just one thing I will say about heading out west, I will never do it in June again. April/September are probably the best riding months across the Country. Yeah u may not be able to go up to the higher elevations or do some of the passes because of snow, but the rest of the riding will be enjoyable and not oppressively HOT !!

So I am thinking that I have Friends & Family around this Beautiful Country including Canada that I can visit. When I get done visiting everyone, then I can wash my Draws and head out to do it again  Hopefully see ya down the road 

[flsix]

Nick now you are taking me back to the KLR 650's I had before the VTX and the Valk. There were two of them and the only problem I had was a blown out rear shock from running too hard in the jumps. Not really a good bike for that. Lots of fun though.

[Bronxboy]

Nick now you are taking me back to the KLR 650's I had before the VTX and the Valk. There were two of them and the only problem I had was a blown out rear shock from running too hard in the jumps. Not really a good bike for that. Lots of fun though.

Look into the Tenere and let's pick up Sheffer on the way to Alaska   Mike already has the bike for the trip. Who else is down   We know that Jerry & Sherry already like whale meat so we wont starve 

[_Sheffjs_]

Nick now you are taking me back to the KLR 650's I had before the VTX and the Valk. There were two of them and the only problem I had was a blown out rear shock from running too hard in the jumps. Not really a good bike for that. Lots of fun though.

Look into the Tenere and let's pick up Sheffer on the way to Alaska   Mike already has the bike for the trip. Who else is down   We know that Jerry & Sherry already like whale meat so we wont starve 

The Norwegian whale was like a fine steak! Always jump at the shot at whale meat! I’m sure Nick will find the perfect Tenere and when he does I am definitely stealing it for a ride!   

[Pappy!]

And the back story to that one is ???

Whoops the Whaler himself beat me to it.

[pocket aces]

Great write guys 
Made me feel like I was there. That wind sure sounded like a real Bitch to deal with thou.
Glad everyone made it home safe!

[Pappy!]

Joplin, Mo. to Eureka Springs.
We got up and had some coffee and yogurt at the hotel....free so why not.
Loaded up the bikes and headed out a touch later than normal thinking that we had around 60 or so miles to get to breakfast. Wrong. More like 120 miles !
The riding in Mo. was good on the super slab. Beautiful hills and rocks lined the 4-lane. We were doing around 80 or so and not too much traffic when I got startled big time when a guy on a zip-splat passed us at what looked like 130+mph! He was tucked in behind the shield, bike was fire-engine red and he was gone over the next hill and out of sight before we got over the hill we were going up! Lordy!
We started heading East toward Eureka and got into Arkansas. The road went to a good 2-lane and then that one turned into another road that started us into the twisties. Arkansas twisties are not like North Carolina twisties.......
These were more narrow and no good shoulders at all on the road. Several 20 mph corners and you could see where tires were dropping off the insides of the road on each one. Nick is the guy that loves this stuff and he was leading. Keith was on his F6B and had no problem keeping up. Me? Seemed like every single 20mph corner had a box truck coming around it the other way and hugging the inside at that! I sort of white knuckled my way through them and accelerated really hard coming out of them to try and keep them in sight. Lost interest in doing that real quick and relaxed and rode at my pace. More fun for me.
We finally got to Eureka and found a super place to eat breakfast. There were qiute a few bikes there and when we parked some folks came out just to talk about the Valkyries. They had not seen any for a while and wondered where we had been with them and where we were going. They were touring with their wives and running the hills and mountains up here and basing themselves here in town. Hmmmmm.
We got done eating and rode into the old part of town...What a cool place. Got off the bikes and started walking and looking. Gorgeous old buildings that are still up and running as Hotels and curio shops all over. I walked into one called the Old New Orleans Hotel. It was built around 1902 !! Here is a pic from the balcony overlooking the main street running through the old section.




When I walked into the lobby of the place I was blown away by the old dark and rich wood in it and the grandeur of the place. They had a small bar in the back of the lobby that looked perfect to enjoy your favorite libation in.




We all decided we were having a short day and we liked the place and the possibilities so we booked a big suite in it that fit all of us easily. Cool !!

Here is a reproduction of a water color done depicting the downtown area here.



We asked about a good restaurant to have dinner at that evening and they directed us to an Italian place that was really good and within walking distance. Was a bit farther than we thought and we had already had at least one libation so ......Nick spied a gal outside her house taking groceries out of her truck and......$20 later we had a ride to the restaurant!  
The wait time was going to be long so we ventured up a steep set of stairs and into the bar. Had another libation and waited to be called for dinner.  
On the way home I'll be darned if we didn't cross paths with the same gal who picked us up and took us to the restaurant. We continued walking and ended up on the balcony overlooking the main street with cigars and good whiskey! What a good way to end  up the day!

[Pappy!]

Next day.....Eureka Springs to ??
We got up later than normal and walked downhill to get breakfast. Lots of locals in there and it turned out to be a good place.  We originally were thinking we would ride the area for a day and stay one more night but decided to head East and homeward bound.  We walked back up to the Hotel, got packed up, checked out and discussed the roads for the day. I decided to head to Dyersburg, Tenn. to see Lesa's Daughter and family for a night and take them to dinner. My route would take me East and back North again. Nick and Keith would be heading East and South and end up in Hattiesburg, Miss. that night. All of us were heading  East on 412 so we stayed together for the better part of two hours at least.
When It came time, I split off  and continued on 412 and hit nothing but low flat land and farming country. Brutally hot...Brutally hot!. Add fresh black asphalt on probably over a hundred miles and it was miserable riding once the temps got up there.
Stopped for gas and to wet down the wicking vest and one corn dog and Cliff bars, water, and Gatorades only. Had more confidence in the clutch by now so speeds were creeping up into the 85mph range now (Nick would have loved it). Was a long day in the saddle again having to head North and back up into MO. again. Once I crossed the Mississippii River I knew I was there. Dyersburg is a very short distance from the crossing point. I throttled back a bit and let the engine sing a bit more of a relaxed song until the exit came up. Stopped off the exit and fueled up and headed less than  two miles to their house. They were fantastic hosts! The kids have grown since I have seen them, WOW!  Mentioned taking them out to dinner and the plans were set in motion. Next thing I know I took a shower and had a nap and woke up to a Father's day present of a great bottle of 12 year old Whiskey! Lesa's daughter was a bartender and manager at an upscale bar/restaurant for several years and knows her good liquors very well. We had a good dinner at a Mexican Restaurant Lesa and I have eaten at a few times and came home and cracked open that bottle and sat outside and enjoyed catching up  and enjoying a cool evening.
Next morning? Heading homeward through Mississippi and Alabama.

[flsix]

Thanks for the latest update Pappy.
 That hotel sound like a great place to hang out.

[OLDFRT]

Many thanks to all 3 of you for your narrations of the trip. As Pocket Aces said, it makes you feel as if you were there. Well done!!!!!

[MotoRod]

 

[_Sheffjs_]

Sherry and I always enjoyed Eureka Springs.  The hotel looks amazing! 

[Pappy!]

There was another one down the hill from this one that I would like to look inside. Looked great from the outside. Eureka is a cool place to stay.

[_Sheffjs_]

In the fall it would be insane. 

[Oss]

late to the party but this was a terrific thread

Really enjoyed your descriptions of this adventure

I am a wimp, turned south when I hit Iowa rather than continue into that wind

Been there done that alone each time. Nothing left to prove

Ended up having a great time in Indiana, and North Carolina but still sad I missed Inzane this year

Maybe get to meet some of you when I am in Naples for 3 weeks in March

[Pappy!]

I remember reading one of your posts about the winds you encountered riding out West. Apparently worse than what we went through but our cross winds were bad enough. Thanks for the comment. May finally meet this year in Florida or Virginia.