Friday, July 29, 2011

Where Rivers Change Direction


29 July 2011

Blatted westward across Wyoming today, keeping to the back roads and loving it. My proclivity for back roads served me well today as I encountered the most stunning scenery perhaps of my life. I took Alt-14 up the eastern side of the Big Horn mountains. Here is a tip for you motorcycle riders that I developed years ago in Arkansas: When you get stuck in a parade following some super slow asshole who won't pull over and let people pass, find a place to pull over, preferably where you can see or hear what is coming from a long ways behind you, stretch your legs, have a drink or a snack. When you see or hear the next vehicle coming it will be the next leader of a parade, so take off just before they reach you. I did this today and had open road in front of me for the rest of the mountain crossing.

The real magic happened on Alt-14 heading down the mountain into Lovell. It was as if crossing the mountain had transported me to Mars and I was looking down on if from ten thousand feet. The photos, as usual, don't begin to convey the drama of this scenery.

My favorite book so far this year is “Where Rivers Change Direction”, by Mark Spragg. It is set near Cody, Wyoming, where I am writing this from, and being here has brought the impact of the book more alive for me. It is a beautifully written book and I highly recommend it.

Tomorrow I start exploring Yellowstone Park and will likely not have internet access for a few days, so blog updates will be delayed.

Americana for the day: a full jug of maple syrup on the breakfast table, for me to do with as I please, for no extra charge.

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA201102

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Devils Tower

28 July 2011

Spent the morning riding through Custer State Park. The road into the park has some amazing curves that spiral back over itself, there are lots of single lane tunnels, huge bison bulls, and cows with calves running free and not shy of the road at all. The Needles road passes through some fantastic rock formations. The scenery was great but after hours of being stuck behind painfully slow cars I was glad to get out of there.

On the way to Deadwood, I got hit by another thunderstorm, this one with hail the size of ping pong balls. I pulled over along with several other bikes and cars. I tried leaning over the fuel tank to protect it but my back was taking too much of a beating, even through my riding jacket. If I sat up straight my helmet and the shoulder armor in my jacket protected me. My hands were bruised and bleeding from hail strikes by the time it was over. Another peak experience.

Eventually continued on to Deadwood and Sturgis. From Sturgis it was a blat west to Devils Tower Wyoming. This is an impressive rock.

Continued west and got a motel in Moorecroft for the evening so I could work on this blog which has been neglected the past few days due to lack of opportunity.

Americana for the day: laughing at the prairie dogs at the base of Devils Tower

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA201102

Looking for Rocky Raccoon

27 July 2011

Was on the road at 7AM headed for the Black Hills of South Dakota to check out the sights and meet up with old friend Bill Davenport. Bill and his traveling companion “Chuck Wagon” Bobby are finishing up a three week motorbike tour of the northwestern States. The logistics didn't work out for us to meet up during the day so I did the usual tourist spots of the Crazy Horse Memorial, which was amazing and well presented in the visitor center, then around the mountain to Mount Rushmore which is also amazing. And the scenery in between is gorgeous.

Finally rode down to Hot Springs at the end of the day to meet up with Bill and Bobby. On the way I got hammered by a severe thunderstorm with lots of lightning and blow me down wind. I was in open plains with no shelter available so kept on going. It was a peak experience and in the end I arrived safe and Bill bought me a well deserved beer. We got a three bed motel room and had a good time catching up and telling tall tales and sampling the single malts.

Americana for the day: slugging down a Moose Drool beer

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA201102

Germany in Casper

26 July 2011

Cathy cooked up a nice breakfast, I gave her a ride on my bike, then it was time to move on.

I rode west to Laramie, took 287 to Medicine Bow then 487 to Casper. 487 is a lonely road through some beautifully desolate country. I rode for hours without seeing anyone else. No photos because it was drizzling most of the time.

My host for the night are Bob and Pat Nagel. Pat is Michael McKeown's sister, whom I met several years ago at the Auckland Folk Festival while she was visiting Michael and Ardeth. I was finally able to take her up on the offer of a place to stay if ever in Casper.

The family was busy cooking up a traditional German meal from the grandmothers recipes.
We had a great feast that night in Bob and Pat's beautiful Casper home.

Americana for the day: beautifully maintained back roads with almost no traffic.

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA201102


25 July 2011

I wanted to be in Golden this morning so I could head west without having to battle through the Denver morning rush hour and it worked exactly as planned. I rode west to Kremmling, north to Walden, then east through Routt National Forest, over the Medicine Bow Mountains at Cameron pass, and down through Roosevelt National Forest to Fort Collins. Then it was a fast interstate blat to Cheyenne, Wyoming.

My hosts for the evening are Greg and Cathy Lloyd. Cathy is my former sister in law but still my sister at heart. It was a joy to see her and her wonderful family. Greg cooked an awesome BBQ dinner, we had a nice catch up on the deck, I played some music on Greg's nice guitar and we all went to bed smiling.

Americana for the day: Good ole' American style smoked BBQ, yuuuuumm!

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA201102

Life is Golden

24 July 2011

Had a leisurely breakfast with the Imans then headed for the Mt. Evens loop road. The quickest way should have been down I-70 but it was a parking lot on this Sunday morning. Some creative navigating got me there without too much delay and I enjoyed this twisty scenic road.

Stopped for lunch at the Tommyknocker Brewery in Idaho Springs and had another bison burger and a sample of the in house beer.

My hosts for the night are Richard and Armel; Armel is Jenny Fraser's daughter whom Jenny is visiting for a few weeks. Jenny and I hopped on the push bikes and coasted a few miles down into the heart of Golden, Colorado. There is a fast moving snow melt fed river running through town and people were out in force enjoying it. It felt just like being at the beach with everyone getting wet and playing with the water toys. I had no idea what a great little town Golden is. I almost made it back up the hill without stopping but the altitude and my out of shape body stopped me short.

I had a nice relaxing evening playing with the kids while enjoying the great view from the back yard then was early to bed for an early start tomorrow.

Americana for the day: having a Coors in Golden Colorado

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA201102

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Hangin' With Family


21-23 July 2011

Spent the past three days hanging out with family in suburban Aurora, Colorado. We visited the Federal Reserve Bank where Jon is the firearms instructor and got a tour of the firing range that he designed. Visited Amanda's office where she does cancer research. Spent lots of time eating, looking at photos and playing with Cannon and Kinsley.

Americana for the day: Diet Dr Pepper from the soda fountain

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA201102

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Rocky Mountain High


19 and 20 July 2011

Riding through the night from Kansas City to Denver seemed like a good idea – I could avoid the extreme heat plaguing this part of the country, I could make good time cruising at 130KPH on the interstate and there isn't much scenery to miss across Kansas and eastern Colorado. All was going well until about 4:30AM when my body insisted on sleeping, regardless of my strategies for keeping awake. I had to stop about every half hour for a break but managed to keep going and arrived at Jon (my nephew) and Heather's house in Aurora, Colorado, about three hours after dawn. Including stops, it was a 13.5 hour trip.

Tuesday the 19th was spent napping and hanging out with family. On Wednesday the 20th my nephew Jon acted as tour guide on his Harley-Davidson V-Rod, with passenger Amanda (his sister and my niece). With me I had my good friend from New Zealand Jenny Fraser as passenger. Jenny is in Colorado visiting her daughter.

We picked up Jenny in Golden, rode to Estes Park for lunch at the Estes Park Brewery, rode Trail Ridge Road over the top of the Rockies and took a beautiful valley road down the west side and back to home. It was great to be riding without the excessive heat, was great to see Jenny in the USA and treat her to her first motorbike ride, was great to spend some fun time with Jon and Amanda. Life is good.

Americana for the day: a buffalo burger for lunch in Estes Park

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA2011

Warm Heart, Hot Body


18 July 2011

Said goodbyes to the Eckley family this morning and headed to the local DMV office to try and resolve my bike registration trials. No luck.

On my way to Kansas City I passed through Warrensburg Missouri and cruised around the campus of my old University, enjoying all the evoked memories. By the time I got to Kansas City, the temperature was up to 104F with high humidity. I'm doing much better at coping with the heat but it still isn't much fun and the hyperthermia impairs good judgment. When I got to Cheryl's house in mid afternoon I was drenched with sweat and happy to get out of the sun.

Cheryl is my former sister in-law whom I haven't seen in nearly thirty years. We had a really nice time catching up on our lives, I got to see her daughters Amy and Kelly who were just infants when I saw them last, and meet her lovely grandchildren. Cheryl is a jewel of a person who has made this a better world to live in. I left with a warm heart.

My next stop is Denver, about eleven hours riding away, and I decided to ride through the night to avoid the heat. As I left Kansas City at 11PM it was still 92F but at least I didn't have direct sun to cope with.

Amreicana for the day: falling into the bureaucratic black hole of the DMV.

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA2011

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Bass Pro Mania

17 July 2011

I know i've gone on about The Bass Pro Shop before but the one here in Springfield is so incredible that it warrants another look so look at the photos. We toured it this morning. I spent the afternoon giving Chase guitar lessons.

Americana for the day: gobsmacked at the Springfield Bass Pro Shop

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA2011

Facing West

16 July 2011

Had a nice relaxing morning with Doug and Cindy at their lovely Nashville home then decided late in the day to head west to Springfield and spend another day at my sister Charlotte's. I'm having some difficulties trying to get temporary registration for my bike and need to be near the Missouri DMV early on Monday.

Because I got such a late start in the day I chose to ride the interstate all the way. It's boring but you can sure make good time.

The tentative itinerary from here is Kansas City on Monday, Denver, South Dakota, Casper, Yellowstone Park, Seattle, Oregon, Northern California, zig zag to Dallas, head west to be in Los Angeles the first week of October.

Americana for the day: deep fried catfish and hush puppies

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA2011

Saturday, July 16, 2011

On Broadway


15 June 2011

Started the day exploring Broadway in downtown Nashville. The instrument selection in Gruhn Guitars was amazing. I stopped in the Bluegrass Inn, not because of the name but because of the kick ass country rock band that was rockin out. I fell madly in love with the bass player, but alas, my parking meter was running out so I had to move on.

Back at the Chet Atkins Appreciation convention, Loren and Mark stole the show once again and had the crowd in a frenzy. They are a world class act. Then Tommy Emmanuel cranked it up another notch. It was the ultimate finger picking show.

Americana for the day: sipping on a Bud in a honky tonk in Nashville

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA2011

Friday, July 15, 2011

Thumbstruck


14 July 2011

It was fingerpicking heaven today at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Convention here in Nashville. I got to meet Fred Kelly, the inventor of my favorite thumb pick. It was especially nice to catch up with New Zealand friend Mark Mazengarb, who along with Loren Barrigar, is a headline act at this years convention. Mark and Loren played in the main concert this evening and were far and away the best and most enthusiastically received act of the night. It was great to see New Zealand so well represented with Mark playing his New Zealand made Peter Madil guitar.

I got back “home” in time to have a nice chat with my hosts Doug and Cindy in their lovely 107 year old villa.

Americana for the day: Ho don a minute.

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA2011

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Dragon Slayer

13 July 2011

My goal for today is to get to Nashville so I can attend the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Convention for the rest of the week. However, it is only a few hours out of my way to get to the Tail of the Dragon – one of the most famous motorcycle roads in the world. It has 311 curves in 11 miles as it crosses the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. An entire industry has sprung up to serve the bikers who migrate here. I rode The Dragon south into North Carolina, where Susan told me the fastest way to Nashville was to ride The Dragon back north into Tennessee. It was a great morning and worth getting up a 4AM for. I was thinking of you, DaveW. The most amusing part of the trip was the “Tree of Shame” (see photos) - I think they are a bit biased though, there are no HD parts on the tree; perhaps Harley's never crash?

By the time I got to Nashville in late afternoon the temp was up to 100F again and the relative humidity was about the same. I used to think Auckland could get humid. I must be getting used to it though, at least I didn't feel on the brink of a heat stroke.

One glaring aspect of the flora in this part of the USA is that the kudzu vine is taking over. Scenes like this are common: http://www.jjanthony.com/kudzu/houses.html.

The Tennessee Valley Authority builds and manages a vast series of dams, providing hydroelectric and flood control. These facilities are highly visible while riding through the state.

Americana for the day: breakfast at IHOP

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA2011


Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Over The Moon in Hazard

12 July 2011

News Flash: if you have internet access you can hear me being interviewed on WSGS today, from Hazard, Kentucky. The show starts at 7:00PM Eastern Daylight time (11:00NZ) and my part starts about 8PM (12:00NZ) We will be showcasing Wires & Wood's album “Over The Moon” and talking about bluegrass music in New Zealand. Listen at:

WSGS.com

The radio interview was fun and it was a real honor to have our music played on the radio in the heart of bluegrass country. Many thanks to Chris and Dean for making that happen.

After the interview we went back to Chris and Jeni's and had a jam with Jeremy and Katie into the wee hours. It'll be tough getting up a 4AM for tomorrows departure.

Americana for the day: a live interview on a bluegrass radio station

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA2011

It's a long way to Harlan and a long way to Hazard

11 July 2011

I normally avoid the interstate highways and stick to the back roads, especially in scenic places like Kentucky. However, with Excessive Heat Warnings all over the news today, I decided to blat down the interstate in order to arrive at my destination before the afternoon heat peak. I arrived in Hyden about 11:00 and since the heat wasn't to uncomfortable yet I explored the small town and the roads in and out. Hyden is typical of small towns in these foothills of the Appalachian Mountains – businesses and homes exist one deep along the roads that pass through the valley floors. They are only one deep because the steep rise of the hill behind them precludes building.

Coal is king in this part of the world. Bumper stickers abound saying “Friend of Coal” and “Coal Keeps the Lights On”. The big coal trucks are definitely king of these twisty roads that they need both lanes of to round a tight corner.

Hyden happens to be in what is known as a “dry” county, meaning that the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. The two nearest towns to buy beer are Harlan in one direction and Hazard in the other. Hyden must be where that famous bluegrass song was composed.

I was made very welcome by Jeni and Chris and their dog Otis. We spent the evening catching up, had a nice Mexican meal, and relaxed with a DVD movie.

Americana for the day: Thirsty in a Dry county

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA2011


Sunday, July 10, 2011

Three Rivers in One Day


10 July 2011
After three weeks with family it's time to start wandering the country. First destination is Hyden, Kentucky to visit my friend Chris Mullins. I didn't realize until I started writing this that I crossed the nations three biggest rivers today: Missouri, Mississippi and Ohio. Tony Rices' version of “Banks of the Ohio” was stuck in my head the rest of the day.

I went ten miles out of my way to get a photo of Caledonia – this particular one doesn't live up to the song, I was glad to get out of there.

This part of the USA is currently under an Extreme Heat Advisory. I made it about half way to Chris's house today and got a motel, it is just way too hot to consider camping. After meeting about a hundred motorcycles today and being the only one wearing a riding jacket, albeit a summer mesh one, I finally caved when the air temperature got up to body temperature and rode with just a sleeveless shirt. In New Zealand, it is very rare to see anyone riding without protective clothing, here it is the opposite. I was asked several times if my jacket was air conditioned, no one could conceive of any other reason I would be wearing it.

I plan to depart about 5AM tomorrow to arrive before the mid-day predicted triple digit temperatures.

Americana for the day: Extreme Heat Advisories

Saturday, July 9, 2011

The Wedding


9 July 2011

Today was all about the wedding of my niece Katherine, Sharon (my sister) and Fred's daughter. I got to catch up with lots of family.

Americana for the day: A country church wedding

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA2011


Watch out for buggys

8 July 2011

Charlotte, Leigha, Chase and I kicked off the day with a major hi gly carb hit of Krispy Kreme donuts. The entire baking process is just the other side of a glass wall so you can see your meal being assembled and cooked. Wickedly good stuff.

After some heated arguments with my navigator Susan, I rode back to Centralia in preparation for my niece Katherine's wedding tomorrow. I'm staying at Mom's place this time and got there just in time to rush to the rehearsal. It was a nice days riding with partly cloudy skies and a high of 88F.

One interesting aspect of today's ride was passing through Mennonite country.

Americana for the day: Kirspy Kreme Donuts

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA2011


Zoo do

7 July 2011

My niece Leigha is a volunteer at the Springfield zoo and had arranged a noon demonstration for us of the animals she works with. Our time at the marina was at an end, we packed up the vehicles, secured the boat and rode to Springfield in a gentle rain.

Leigha gave gave us a good demonstration at the zoo and we got a nice discount on lunch becase she is an official volunteer. On the way home from the zoo we stopped and Andy's Frozen Custard. It was my first taste and I sure hope it isn't my last, that stuff is wickedly good.

It was my last night staying with Charlotte's family and we toasted our time together with a nice dinner at Nonnas Italian resturant in downtown Springfield.

Americana for the day: Andy's Frozen Custard

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA2011


Independence Day

4 July – 6 July

Was sitting at the dock before breakfast talking with Charlotte and wondering how long my neck would take to recover and if it would impact my plans. I sat down on Chase's hammock and promptly fell over backward and whacked my head on the concrete. It hurt like hell but all I could do was laugh. Strangely, after the pain in my noggin subsided my neck seemed to be much better. Maybe my guru, Dennis, is onto something (inside joke for Trude).

Charlotte was keen for me to teach them how to sail their boat but along with the high heat there was zero wind. In the evening we went out on a friends 80 foot house boat to watch the 4th of July fireworks show. Before long we were rafted up with a couple other boats, all just in time for the lightning, thunder and wind of a big thunderstorm. Everyone here is a bit twitchy about storms after the Joplin (near here) tornado so we broke up the raft and everyone scrambled back to the marinas and boat ramps. Just before leaving the houseboat I managed to try and walk through a sliding door that wasn't actually open and gave my head another good whack, much to the amusement of the crowd.

The next several days were spent hanging out at the marina, taking various water toys out and trying to manage the heat. There is WiFi here, and air con on the boat, so i've been able to make progress on this blog after several days of no internet access.

Americana for the day: powerful evening thunderstorms on the lake

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA2011


HOOOTTTTT!


3 July 2011

Left Centralia at 6AM to try and get some hours on the road before the predicted heat wave.
Rode through some lovely backroads of rolling Missouri hills that reminded me of the
Waikato region of New Zealand. When I stopped at midday for lunch it was 80F. Lunch was at the Macks Creek Old Town Cafe with a lot of local cars outside so I figured it would be good. The cutest waitress served up smiles and over the course of the meal called me “hun”, “sweetie”, “darlin'” and she of course got a nice tip :-). When I got back on the road again it was 90F.

A couple of hours later I was riding through Big Bear Lodge, the lake community where the family of Duane, Charlotte's husband, was having a birthday party for Charlotte's 12 year old son Chase. I couldn't find their house, the temperature was at 100F and I was getting desperate for relief from the heat. I found a small patch of shade on a sloping gravel patch and decided to stop. With the sidestand down and digging in the gravel I went to dismount from the bike. I was moving too fast trying to escape the heat, my foot got caught in the handle of the gear bag that rides pillion and I fell onto my back in exactly the way I did a year ago when I broke my neck. Fortunately, this time I had a helmet on and it helped minimize the impact. Still, my neck was very sore and tender. I rang Charlotte and decided to ride to the marina where their boat is. The temperature was now way over body temperature at 102F, I was in mild shock from the fall and the heat and I got lost. I passed by Scoops, an ice cream parlor, and stopped to compose myself with a bit of Blue Bell ice cream. Called Charlotte, fortunately Duane was in the area and he stopped by and escorted me to the marina on Table Rock Lake.

I secured the bike, took some ibuprofen and we drove over to the birthday party in Charlotte's jeep. Had a great all American 4th of July meal, including the best venison steak I have ever had from Chase's first deer, prepared by his grandfather George. The heat was incredible throughout. After the party it was back to the marina and an evening motor around the lake. Had a miserable nights sleep due to the pain in my neck.

Americana for the day: heat stroke

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA2011


Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Now That's a Breakfast

2 July 2011

Woke up to find Sid making a traditional American country breakfast: tons of crispy bacon, eggs fried in the bacon grease, cinnamon rolls. I hadn't had a good cinnamon roll in years. Uncle Carl dropped by for breakfast and we all had another good catch up and some laughs from the old days.

Got an early start, to beat the heat, for Centralia and another evening with Sharon and Fred, doing air conditioned trip planning for my trip to southern Missouri to visit my youngest sister
Charlotte and her family.

Americana for the day: delicious sweet cinnamon rolls for breakfast

Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA201102


Monday, July 4, 2011

Hot!


30 June – 1 July 2011

Spent 30 June just hanging out with Mary-Alice and Jim and cousins Scott and Debbie. On 1 July I was away from Chicago at 6AM headed for Huntsville Missouri. It was 80 degrees at that time. By the time I got to the pretty little town of Nauvoo in western Illinois it has risen to the mid 90's. By the time I arrived in Huntsville Missouri it had maxed out at 97. This is getting pretty close to body temperature and starts getting very uncomfortable when moving and nearly unbearable when stopped.

I was early arriving and spent a couple of hours hanging out in the dark and cool Victory Bar while my body heat got back to normal.

Rode out to Diane (my (both first and second) cousin) and Sid's place out in the country. Had a great dinner and catch up with them and my uncle Carl. I had to give Susan a scolding after she led me down about 10 miles of unsealed roads when I could have gotten there with less than one mile of unsealed road.

Americana for the day: finding broken robin eggs on the sidewalk

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA201102



29 June 2011

My favorite book of 2010 was “The Omnivores Dilemma” by Michael Pollan. The grand scale of corn farming in American was brought home today after riding for hours and hours through nothing but corn and more corn.

Since being here I have been repeatedly warned to keep close watch for deer crossing the road. Today I crested a hill to find a large doe right in my path. I was able to stop before colliding and saw her give me a reproachful glance before ambling off into the woods.

Susan is back in “fastest route” mode on the way through Chicago. While jockeying with Chicago traffic, Susan said “take the next exit” and just after I was committed to that road I noticed that it was a toll road. My wallet was in my pannier so I had to stop and get some cash before proceeding and hope that exact change was not required. It all worked out fine in the end.

Susan did a great job of directing me to Mary-Alice and uncle Jim's place through the confusing Chicago roads – without her I would still be looking.

Americana for the day: nearly hitting a deer in the road

https://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA201102

Fast Eddies Makes My Day


28 June 2011

Off at 6AM to get my bike into the St Louis dealer for it's break in service. Then rode through the country to cross the mighty Mississippi river at Alton, Illinois. Alton is significant to bikers because of the bar and grill “Fast Eddies”. I parked in the motorcycle only parking lot, walked in and ordered my 99 cent burger and $3 Budweiser. This was my first “real” American burger since arriving: a flame broiled beef pattie smothered in Heinz ketchup, crinkle cut dill pickle slices, diced raw white onion, all between a toasted bun, yuuuum – as they say here - “God Bless America!”

Rode up the western Illinois “Great River Road”, a gorgeous road that follows the Mississippi river. You kinda had to be there to see the humor in this but when I stopped for petrol and asked the attendant for directions to my next waypoint, he spewed out about three minutes of non stop detailed directions and was totally serious when he finished by saying “it's simple really”.

If you ever want to see some real back roads, set your GPS to “shortest route”. My navigator, Susan, sent me zig zagging through some back roads that are about as far back as a road can get.

Finished riding at dusk at a motel in Lincoln, Illinois. Was a dawn to dusk day of riding. Spent the evening doing route planning for tomorrows journey through Chicago to my aunt Mary-Alice's.

Americana for the day: A Fast Eddies burger

http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA201102

Bass Pro Shop


27 June 2011

Into Mexico for a photo shoot with Dad – they are doing an article for the VA Home newsletter about the Tui award that Wires & Wood won. Next, over to Columbia for a stop at the Bass Pro Shop – it is an enormous sporting goods retailer that I am always wow'ed by. It is too incredible to describe, you just have to see it for yourself. For a New Zealander, the gun and ammo section was especially amazing. Back in Centralia, Fred generously used his woodworking skills and tools to make me a “magic seat board” - more about this in a later post. Back to Mexico to visit with my aunt Dorothy and her daughter Janet, whom I hadn't caught up with for decades. Back to Centralia where Fred had cooked up a big fish fry. I gave some more motorcycle rides then packed for my Illinois trip.

Americana for the day: chasing fireflys at dusk

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA201102

Motorcycle Mama


26 June 2011

It was a family kind of day. Went to church with Mom and Sharon and Fred. Had lunch with Mom and Dad at the VA home. Sharon and Fred have been very generous to me, providing room and board. They have stubbornly refused to let me contribute to groceries or anything else. I had heard Sharon mention several times that she wished she had time to wash her car so I took advantage of the hot afternoon to do that for her. Spent the evening giving motorbike rides to niece Katherine and my thrilled motorcycle mama (literally! :-))

Americana for the day: spotted a red Cardinal, the state bird of Missouri

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/T.Micheal.Young/USA201102