Seeing the sights along I-40

We left Janet's sisters bright and early this morning and stopped for the night in Elk City, OK. We'll make it home before dark tomorrow and then it's back to the retirement grind until the next trip.

Park the bike

I just arrived in Carbondale, IL at Janet's sisters house. The motorcycle portion of this trip is done with 3,098 more miles on it. Janet's younger sister is driving down from Chicago today so we will stay here and visit for another day. Probably load up the bike and head towards home Sunday morning. For those that followed along thanks for the company. I'm glad we went all the way to Key West but frankly Steve and I agree we will probably never do that again. 

We're looking forward to our next trip starting July 16 where we will be in our favorite part of the country which is in the Rocky Mountain states.

Elvis has left the building

We made it to the north side of Memphis after a short 690 mile ride. The weather was nice starting out at 60 and getting up to 89 and dry. Not much for scenery along the stretches of interstate highways we road today but it was green and lush. A short 200+ mile day tomorrow.

A day closer to home

 We road 427 miles today and ended up in Lake City, FL. Lots of traffic and up and down speed limits. We hit hard rain for a couple miles about 15 miles from our final stop. No pictures today. 

No Key Lime pie for supper :o(  We ate at a Steak and Shake so I had settle for a chocolate shake.

Now to figure out which way to go tomorrow. Stay tuned.

End of the road

We made it to Key West and the end of highway 1 along with the most southern point in the continental United States. We road in a light rain but it stopped by the time we entered Key West. Lots of tourist traps to dodge. Had lunch and 2 small pieces of Key Lime pie. Took pictures then road back to Key Largo and camp. If you're watching my SPOT you'll notice a bee line from Key West to our camp. That's because I had turned off the unit in Key West and didn't turn it back on until we returned to camp. A hot shower and it was time to eat again. I had fresh Hog Fish and another slice of pie. 

We will start our journey north in the morning.

7 mile bridge

Banyon tree

Key Largo

Spending the next 2 nights at a State park in Key Largo. We'll take a day trip to Key West tomorrow. Saw an alligator today in a canal near the Cypress Nat. Park visitors center. We've had enough sea food for awhile so it was burritos tonight.

My 3rd piece of Key Lime pie. I'm not done yet.

Venice tonight

After a fairly long day with over an hour traffic delay where our bikes almost over heated we arrived in Venice. Found a retirement campground that had some tent sites and an oyster bar with cold Yinlinger (sp) beer. On to Key West tomorrow.

Bob Donaldson memorial

Today was the memorial ride for Bob Donaldson. Over 50 riders assembled along with Bob's 2 sons a 2 of his grand sons. The family scattered Bob's ashes in the Gulf waters. We then gathered at a local BBQ for lunch and then road to Apalatchicola for a tribute to Bob at a Vietnam memorial.

Friday a day of rest

Today was a leisure day for us. Walked the beach this morning and picked up more shells. Then off to Apalachicola (there's a mouth full) for a plate of fresh oysters for lunch. Then back to camp to lounge around and visit with other riders. Kevin and his gang showed up around 4:00 pm. 

Made it to the Gulf of Mexico

We arrived at Port St. Joe in Florida on the Gulf coast around 5:30pm. Steve had camp site reservations so set up our tents and visited with some of the other riders who are gathering this weekend. Kevin will roll in tomorrow night.

I found shells for Janet already.

Done for the day

We are spending the night in Athens, AL. The day was a perfect riding day, 70 and dry. After we got settled into our Motel 8 a car carrier with 11 new Corvettes all with white covers pulled in, pretty neat.

Riding the bike today

We arrived at Janet's sisters yesterday and now I've got the bike loaded and ready to meet Steve in a few hours. Then we'll be riding south.

A rainy day

We drove through heavy rain most of the day. 

Finally the last couple hours were dry.

We are spending the night in Russellville, AR

On the road

We got kind of a late start this morning but that's OK we're retired you know. Ran into some snow country around Williams and Flagstaff but the roads were clear. Drove in rain off and on all day. Decided to stop in Tucumcari for the night so after gassing up and dining at Denny's we're ready for a quick start in the morning. 

Leaving in the morning

All packed and ready to head towards Illinois in the morning. Janet and I should get there by Tuesday afternoon. I'll unload the bike and Wednesday afternoon I'll meet up with Steve and head to Florida.

Going to Key West, Florida

Sunday April 26 Janet and I will be driving to Murphysboro, IL with the motorcycle in tow. Once there I will unload the bike and leave Janet so she can visit her Dad and Sister while I connect with Steve and we will ride to Port St. Joe, Florida for a memorial for Bob Donaldson who was a member of the ST Owners Group and a great guy. From there we plan on riding to Key West a place we intended to get to back in the Spring of 2012. We got turned back when a hurricane hit Florida and along the way we bought our BMW K1600 motorcycles in Birmingham, AL. I wonder what adventures await us this time.

The last day

I started the last leg of this trip Tuesday morning at 7:00am under clear skies. The day couldn't have been a better Fall day for motorcycle riding. Not a cloud in the sky for the entire 800 miles it took to get home. The temperature started out in the low 40s and slowly worked up to 72 by the time I got to Arizona. Nothing exciting on this part of the trip just sit and stop for gas and a bite to eat. Twelve hours later I pulled into the garage. This trip ended up being 3,467 miles long.

Now to clean the bike and store all my gear for next year and get after all the house hold chores I've been neglecting.

Thanks for following along.

A day in Canadian, TX

I spent Monday visiting with Jim and Marge. Jim took me to the site of old Fort Elliott from back in the late 1870's. There is a plaque erected near the site on the highway telling a little history of the fort and then Jim knows the land owner, where the fort stood, so we looked him up and he took us out to the property, drove us around and showed us some of the footings that still exist. We also went to a local museum where more information was available to see and read.

The fort was named after Joel Elliott who was an officer in the 7th Cavalry with Custer but was killed by Indians in a battle before the one at The Little Big Horn where Custer died.

The day was chilly and VERY windy so I was glad to have something else to do besides riding my motorcycle.

Marge, daughter Janet and Jim at a local restaurant.

Road side plaque and monument.

The fort sat on top of this hill which is planted in corn right now.

An old jail cell from the fort.

A modern Elliott in the cell

Headed towards home

Up at 6:00 am this morning and packed up for the ride home. Just as I was ready to get on the bike it started raining again. Duane left a few minutes earlier so I know he got into it as well. I rode solid rain for an hour or so and then light rain off and on for at least 300 miles. After that it was just cool, 55 or so , for most of the day with over cast skies. At the Missouri/Oklahoma border I got off the Interstate highway and took back roads the rest of the day. The last hour of the day the clouds broke up but there were still thunder storm cells in the distance that looked ominous. The last hour, of the ride, I had terrific side winds that were a struggle to drive with but I made it to my destination in tack. It was a 644 mile day.

I'm spending the night and tomorrow with friends, Jim and Marge Hoobler, in Canadian, TX. Jim is going to show me some of the old west historical things in the area tomorrow.

No time for pictures today.

Saturday was dry

It was dry Saturday so we went for a ride on the local county roads which was a lot of fun.

That evening was the closing ceremony were they gave out awards for the person who rode the furthest, or the oldest etc. I didn't win anything.

They had an interesting display of shooting an anvil into the air with a black powder charge. It was pretty loud and impressive.

The plan is to get on the road by 7:00 am and make it to Canadian, TX for the night at Jim and Marge Hooblers.

One anvil on top of another with black powder between them.

The impression in the earth after it landed.