Fleeter Logs

#149 Northern Neck

2009-09-19T21:54:00.197-04:00

Fleeter Log #149

Northern Neck

2009 Sept 19

The Northern Neck may be a peninsula, but it is not The Peninsula. Of the three peninsulas that make up the shoreline between Jamestown and the Potomac, the Northern Neck is, indeed, the northern most. And the Middle Peninsula is actually the middle of the three. The peninsula on the southern end closer to Jamestown is simply The Peninsula. It's apparent by the inconsistency of the names that those with the naming powers weren't interested in coming together in harmonious accord and simply come up with three names that sounded like they might be found on the map next to each other as neighbors. No, they couldn't even agree on using the term Neck or Peninsula. Sounds like how politicians are running the country today ... no clue what harmonious accord might mean or how to incorporate it into the running of the country. No, in politics it's all about winning, not about using common sense to do what's best for the country.

Northern Neck Bottling Company in Montross, Virginia

Westmoreland County Courthouse

Hwy 3 (Kings Hwy) in Montross, Virginia

Mollusk, Virginia

Rices Hotel & Houghletts Tavern

A local Colonial Tavern has been restored and now serves lunch to those wishing to participate in the tavern experience of 1795.

Old Jail of Northumberland County, Virginia

Heathsville, Virginia

Riding through the streets of Lancaster, I see an example of how the streets have encroached closer to the old buildings. But even though streets and buildings seem to try to occupy the same place at the same time, neither one quite wins the battle.

Instead, they meet together at the curb.

The Old Clerk's Office (circa 1797) has been restored and is home to the Mary Ball Washington Museum & Library.

George Washington's mother, Mary Ball Washington, was born just eight miles from here. Being the mother of the Father of our Country ... Does this make Mary Ball Washington the Grandmother of our Country?

The Old Jail is also a part of the Mary Ball Washington historic site.

#148i Dolly Sods

2009-09-04T12:00:00.221-04:00

Fleeter Log #148i

Dolly Sods

2009 September 4

Entire trip here on Spotwalla

After witnessing the start of the IBR in Spartanburg, South Carolina, then welcoming the ralliers at the first check-in point near Chicago, I wish them well as they continue the rally to the West Coast. Myself? I feel an inner tug to stretch my trip west of the Mississippi and into Minnesota before turning back to the East Coast.

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Fairmont, WV to Fredericksburg, WA

Day 15 - Friday

September 4, 2009

278 miles

A perfect 59 degrees and sunshine! Gonna be a great weather day ... lovin' the mountains in the late summer!

These happy youngsters were enthralled with my mode of transport and enthusiastically saw me off as their dad came out to see what all the commotion was about.

Many times I've passed by Harper's Old Country Store as I passed by Seneca Rocks, but never stopped until now. It was time for a fuel stop and a soda pop break.

Inside you will find a huge snack selection among camping, fishing, and hiking accouterments. It's worth the stop, whether you need fuel or a quick "pick-me-up" snack, for an excuse to wander inside and soak in the history of the building.

West Virginia Hwy 55

Enjoying typical West Virginia scenic byway heading north on Hwy 55 north of Seneca Rocks.

Taking the more rustic Route 28 (Dayton Carr Rd) to Dolly Sods in the Monongahela National Forest.

Later I find out that there are much easier (smoother) roads that lead to Dolly Sods, but none as interesting.

Along Public Road 75 there are many trail heads for exploring further into the Monongahela.

The summit of Dolly Sods rewards with a most splendid view.

Dolly Sods, West Virginia

Here's what the gravel road on the north leads to ... Jordon Run Road (Rt 28), a nicely paved conduit between Public Road 75 and Hwy 42.

Kac-Ka-Pon Restaurant in Wardensville, West Virginia took care of my late lunch needs.

Made it home about 6pm, after 3,606 miles through 12 states. Another successful fleetering adventure comes to an end.

#148h Ferry on the Fly!

2009-09-03T21:55:00.183-04:00

Fleeter Log #148h
Ferry on the Fly!

2009 September 3
Entire trip here on Spotwalla

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Jeffersonville, OH to Fairmont, WV

Day 14 - Thursday

September 3, 2009

263 miles

So many good roads to be found in Ohio and so many painted barns. I'll have to come back and have a Quilted Barn Tour when I can stay in the area longer. This Ohio Star block design will be a good start to that tour.

Holt BMW in Athens, Ohio was on my call list when looking for a tire. Unfortunately, they didn't have the tire in stock I was looking for, but agreed to mount the tire for $50 if I found it and brought it in with me. Holt BMW doesn't sport the latest contemporary facade, but inside you will find real BMW people with plenty of loyal supporters that depend on them for sales, service and parts. The small dealer with a big heart provides all the usual services, but their specialty is custom and restoration paint projects.

The new Tourance rear tire is now mounted, thanks to Holt BMW. My job is to get it scrubbed in. The rolling Ohio River Valley roads will be perfect for such a chore. Off I go!

Moving down Ohio's Hwy 550 is great fun and Fleming is a bonus. I stop to collect a photo to add to my "family names" file. Howdy, Cousin! This one's for you!

Before leaving Ohio, I make a stop in the State's Oldest City ... Marietta. There's a perfect place atop a bluff in the city to get a "postcard perfect" view of the city.

Taking advantage of the "postcard perfect" view, I get a few postcard photos for my own collection.

Marietta, Ohio

Ohio River Scenic Byway -- Hwy 7

The Sistersville Ferry crosses the Ohio River to connect Fly, Ohio and Sistersville, West Virginia.

The $3 fare is worth the experience of participating in the slower, romanticized method of fording the river. As much as I love the small back roads across the USA, the opportunity to take my motorcycle with me aboard a ferry to continue my adventure across the way just adds bonus points to my day!

Sistersville Ferry, established 1818

Sistersville, West Virginia

The sisters' names? Sarah & Delilah!

Not knowing where I'm staying tonight, I start giving it some thought as I head across the hills of West Virginia on Hwy 20. I land at a Burger King in Bridgeport on I-79 where I did motel recognizance while having supper. Generally, it is easier to find a motel closer to the Interstates ... and so I do, up the freeway in Fairmont, West Virginia.

148g Hanoi Taxi

2009-09-02T22:55:00.261-04:00

Fleeter Log #148g

Hanoi Taxi

2009 September 2

Entire trip here on Spotwalla

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Warren, IN to Jeffersonville, OH

Day 13 - Wednesday

September 2, 2009

170 miles

With 20k creeping up on the odometer, it's time to shop for tires again. Last time I pushed my rear tire further than I prefer to push. I didn't learn until too late that BMW used a tire size on this bike that is not one commonly found in their line-up. I ended up putting a tire of slightly smaller width than specified in order to get home from Ohio last May. Now 10,000 miles later, I find myself heading into Ohio again looking for a rear tire. Last night I starting checking my options online, but was unable to get any definitive answers. I will need to make some phone calls today during business hours. But I'll worry about that later in the day once I get into Ohio.

This lone tree caught my attention on a back road between Redkey and Ridgeville, Indiana.

Cemetery on Ohio hwy 49

Clay, Ohio isn't of significant enough size to be found on many maps. It was a surprise to me to stumble upon it. But that's the way fleetering goes ... I often stumble upon unexpected gems.

I stop outside of Dayton, Ohio at a McDonald's next door to a Comfort Inn. I figure one or the other should provide me wi-fi signal sufficient enough to continue my tire search. Besides, it's 1pm and a Mickey Meal sounds good. I stop at he Comfort Inn first. After confirming that they had good signal in the lobby, I asked if it would be okay with them for me to break out my computer and do some searching, price checking, and phone calling. They were very gracious and welcomed me into the empty lobby/dining area. I walked across the parking lot for a burger to go, brought it back and set up at one of the hotel's tables in the breakfast area. With the A/C cooled room to myself and a nice view of the GS parked outside, I couldn't be more comfortable. I make it a leisurely afternoon break. I'm almost tempted to lay down on the couch and take a nap, but resist. After all, I have tire business to take care of before letting the day get away from me.

I locate a tire of proper size in downtown Dayton at Tires Unlimited. However, they aren't able to mount the tire on the GS. During my phone calls, I learned that there was a guy across the street that mounted MC tires. He wants $97 to install the rear tire. I pass on the offer. I've made other arrangements. I may haul the tire around for a day, but it will get installed before I leave the state for much less money out of my pocket.

I strap the Metzeler Tourance tire atop my luggage and continue on my day.

Next stop is downtown Dayton at the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. I get there shortly before closing time, but the employees are still full of energy and eager to please!

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park

Leaving the Heritage NHP, I shoot out toward the Wright-Patterson Air Force Field to see what I can find there. Seems to be a fleeter trip full of big planes. This is a Lockheed C-141, known as the Starlifter ... famous for it's role as the Hanoi Taxi.

This very plane was the first plane to fly into Hanoi on February 12, 1973 to pickup 40 POWs and deliver them to the Clark Air Force Base in the Philipines. And with that flight ... It was over. It was the end of the war.

After spending some thoughtful time honoring the Wright Brothers place in Aviation history by visiting the Wright Brothers Memorial, a 17 foot granite obelisk, located on a bluff overlooking the original Huffman Prairie where the brothers tested the air worthiness of their creations. This prairie later became Wright Field and later a part of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

My day comes to a close 50 miles later in Jeffersonville, Ohio.

#148f Slow Down Through the Corn!

2009-09-01T12:00:00.454-04:00

Fleeter Log #148f

Slow Down Through the Corn!

2009 September 1

Entire trip here on Spotwalla

Day 12 - Tuesday

September 1, 2009

419 miles

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Dodgeville, WI to Warren, IN

Today's plan is to wander south and take a left at El Paso, then head to Indiana for the night.

Word is that the best dam fishing is in Argyle, and this photo shows the dam on the Pecatonica River where those fish are found.

Dam on the Pecatonica River in Argyle, Wisconsin

In 1905, John Young organized the first high school band in Wisconsin.

Argyle, Wisconsin

I love finding small town post offices with good parking out front.

Browntown, Wisconsin

Polo, Illinois

Woosung, Illinois

Veteran's Memorial Arch has been welcoming visitors to Dixon, Illinois since 1919. It must have looked big and impressive to a nine year old Ronald "Dutch" Reagan when he and his family moved here in 1920.

I pass through Ohio on the way to El Paso. Sometimes fleetering geography can be confusing.

Just a small sign, maybe 3ft x 4ft. painted wood, on the side of the road was all it took for me to take a right in search of my next target. Yes, "I Brake for Covered Bridges."

It didn't take long. I detoured less than a mile before I was rewarded.

The Bureau Bridge, originally built in 1863, is one of only six covered bridges left in Illinois.

The bridge was renovated in 1973 and was damaged in the high floods of 2008, but it is currently open again for traffic.

After making my left turn at El Paso, I start a long straight haul due east on US24.

After about 60 miles of enjoying US24 through the cornfields, I decided to take a stop in Crescent City for a couple photos.

The GS of the Corn

I enter Indiana about 7:30pm and the sudden reality of changing time zones slaps me. I knew that I may be getting in a tad later than usual tonight -- I was thinking maybe a bit after 9pm. But as I cross the state line from Illinois into Indiana, I enter the Eastern Time Zone and lose an hour. This somehow comes as a surprise to me. You may think that I would have this time zone thing down pat by now.

In fact, I do have a method in dealing with crossing time zones as I fleeter the country. Going west, I completely ignore it on the day I gain an hour so that I may enjoy waking up the next morning with (surprise!) an extra hour in my day. Going back east is a bit more of a challenge. No matter how I plan, seems that I always get caught short of time at the end of the day.

So here I am, crossing into Indiana about 7:30pm with over 100 miles left between me and where I hope to lay my head tonight. I've stayed in the Comfort Inn near Warren, Indiana before. It's newly remodeled, less than $50, and next door to Ugalde's Restaurant. This is where I'm headed. But now my estimated arrival time is after 10pm.

This time change and my revised ETA is running through my mind as I push my way through the cornfields of Indiana with the sun sinking lower and lower behind me.

Apparently, in my need to get as far through the land of the corn as possible before dark, I wasn't giving enough thought to how far out of town the small farm communities place their official city limit signs ... and, therefore, reduced speed limit signs. Wolcott, Indiana is one of those small towns. It has a high expectation of traffic quickly slowing down from the 55mph posted limit to a leisurely 35mph posted limit as they enter their small hamlet. I don't slow down quick enough. Mr Constable stopped me to let me know.

Even though it was a slow Tuesday night, he didn't get overly anxious about wasting ink on me. He did have a question though for me. After running my DL through NCIC and Indiana's version of same, he asked me, "Just how does a person get a Negative 2 Points on their record?"

I had no good answer for him. Nor did I have any idea what my driving record showed. "Beats me," I answered, "maybe I'm such a good driver they gave me points when I moved from Texas to Virginia?" I said it with a sincere smile. He chuckled. Said he had never had a record come back with a negative number.

Of course, I apologized for speeding in his wonderful little town. I also explained how I have a sorry way of dealing with traveling east across time zones. He took pity on me or he was very impressed with my negative points on my DL record. Either way, he smiled as he returned my DL and warned me to slow it down. No ticket. I smile and ride on ... a bit slower.

It's after dark when I make a fuel stop in Wabash. I see a few motel options, but decide to push on the remaining 35 miles to Warren. Then just 5 miles from the Comfort Inn, I run up on this sign blocking the highway! Not only a bit of surprise, but not any clue as to how many miles ahead the impediment is located or a suggested detour to avoid the unknown interruption. Thank goodness for a GPS. I zoom in and start dragging the map around to find a path to connect me back to my original route. What I don't know is ... will my newly plotted path put me back on my route before or after the impediment?

My detour was successful and didn't add too many miles or time to my ride. It's 10:30pm by the time I get checked into the hotel and make my way over to Ugalde's Restaurant for my first real food of the day. My last snack was when I finished off my Cheese & Crackers on the side of the road near Polo, Illinois.

#148e Flying down to Dodgeville

2009-08-31T12:00:00.439-04:00

Fleeter Log #148e

Flying down to Dodgeville

2009 August 31

Entire trip here on Spotwalla

Day 11 - Monday

August 31, 2009

179 miles

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Black River Falls, WI to Dodgeville, WI

I bid the Orange Moose farewell, but like the Palace Guards, he never breaks his gaze ... even when I revved the BMW engine. Well, okay, maybe that BMW exhaust note wasn't such a challenge to his concentration. Either way, he was not to be distracted, so I gave up and headed out to find Rustic Road #54 about 15 miles away. Here's where I take to the gravel for awhile.

Almost noon and time for a squeaky cheese break! This is the best road snack one can have while fleetering. And with these August temps running between 55-70 degrees during the day, the cheese and sausage keep just fine on the road.

County Road H between Camp Douglas and Hustler.

Reedsburg, Wisconsin is the southern terminus of The 400 Trail which spans the 22 miles between Elroy and Reedsburg.

Reedsburg, Wisconsin

"Recycled Trails of Giants Vanished"

The 400 Trail is a bike/hike/horse trail developed in 1993 from the abandoned trackbed of the Chicago-Northwestern Railway. The trail is named after the passenger train that traveled the 400 miles from Chicago to Minneapolis/St Paul in 400 minutes.

While stopping for a closer look at The 400 Trail, I came across another fresh water spring supply open to the public. These steps lead down to a spigot that is tapped into a spring. During my short visit at this roadside stop, I saw two families show up with vehicles loaded with containers to fill up with the clear spring water.

Typical Wisconsin barn and silo ... home to the gentle creatures below who came out to get a closer look at the two-wheeled visitor.

Yes, there are flies in Wisconsin.

This small post office sees the need for two Old Glory Flags ... a big one and a smaller one. I have no idea why. I guess I should have gone in to ask.

Rock Springs, Wisconsin

North Freedom, Wisconsin

More Wisconsin Rustic Road collecting.... And more gravel roads.

For the Frank Lloyd Wright fans reading along, you may find something of interest in the area that goes by the name Taliesin.

Riddle: You are in Iowa and Wyoming at the same time, yet you have never left Wisconsin. Where are you?

Town of Wyoming, Iowa County, Wisconsin

House on the Rock has a unique appeal, but I didn't explore deep enough to learn what The Attraction was really about.


House on the Rock

It's after 5:30pm and I have no plans for where I'll be laying my head tonight. Time to start thinking about it. Even though Mondays aren't usually a busy night for the lodging industry in small-town America, you never know when you might land in a community with a reunion, a wedding, and a festival all happening about the same time ... and a limited number of overnight facilities. Don't chuckle. It's happened to me.

Next town ... Dodgeville. The only thing I know about Dodgeville is that a lot of my wardrobe in years past started with a phone call to Dodgeville. For many years, I've known of Dodgeville, Wisconsin as Home of Lands' End. Of course, my relationship with them started out before Lands' End was contaminated by Sears. Sad to say, but it just isn't the same anymore. It is my understanding that in 2002 Sears bought Lands' End in an effort to improve Sears' image. Instead of Lands' End rubbing off on Sears, Sears has altered the image of Lands' End. It is apparent in marketing. I used to enjoy the Lands' End catalog, but now it's like thumbing through the bland offerings of Sears. Back in the 80s, getting a catalog from Lands' End was like getting a glimpse of real-life Wisconsin. Real employees in real Wisconsin settings were used as the clothing models. I'd get to see the local farms, barns, animals, and countryside ... all while they were trying to sell me something. I didn't mind the sales pitch at all. Each edition included a two-page layout featuring a supplier or craftsman for an even more in-depth look into the culture.

With this past affinity, I still feel a connection to the place. Dodgeville is where I will plan to stay the night. Now to get a move on to get there and find a place with a bed to offer.

Just on the edge of town, this caught my eye. How could I miss it? A plane this huge isn't your common, everyday sight along the small highways I tend to travel. Yet, there it is. This requires further inspection.

Here's the story on how an aircraft of this stature came to rest here in Dodgeville.
Don Q C-97 YouTube video

The Farrah Fawcett - Cougar XR-7 connection: video here

The Boeing C-97 was developed toward the end of WWII and dubbed the "Flying Troopship." It was the largest cargo transport of its day and was able to carry 100 fully-equipped troops quickly across long distances. Of the 67 built, only two are still airworthy today. One is operated as a privately owned warbird known as "Angel of Deliverance" and another is used as a fire bomber. The civilian version of the C-97 Stratofreighter, was the Stratocruiser, the luxurious transoceanic airliner.

Yes, I even got a closer look on the inside.

When was the last time YOU took the controls of a Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter?

Fleetering has brought me many unique adventures, and so again ... This is a chance that doesn't come along every day ... I get to take the pilot's seat of a C-97!

My GS seems so small ... patiently waiting for me down on the ground.

After playing pilot in the pride-of-the-airways of mid-twentieth century,
I come back to earth and head into town on my pride-on-two wheels of today.

I make a quick drive by the Lands' End corporate office. Just like I feared, nothing much left in the way of character ... just a sterile corporate sign divulging what has become of my once cherished brand. Nothing here to see...

The Ugly Truth is showing a the Dodge, movie house in downtown Dodgeville.

I find a bed at the Super 8, have a butterburger for supper from the local Culver's and call it an awesome day of fleetering in Wisconsin! And that's The Beautiful Truth!

#148d Chippewa Club in WI

2009-08-30T00:29:00.915-04:00

Fleeter Log #148d

Chippewa Club ... Where Everybody Knows Your Name!

2009 August 30

Entire trip here on Spotwalla

Day 10 - Sunday

August 30, 2009

196 miles

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Savage, MN to Black River Falls, WI

Some days start out good, then ... just get better and better. Today is an example of why I fleeter. My readers in Texas will understand this sentiment: It's 9am and 50 degrees when I start my daily adventure. In August! Under a strong sun! Yes, the sun is out and the air is crisp ... much like a nice, cool March morning in Texas. Perfect start to a fleetering day. I pull on my neck buff, zip my jacket up to the top and proceed to saddle up to head out.

My first stop comes in Red Wing, Minnesota just before crossing the Mississippi River into Wisconsin. I find this elucidative mural to document that I was here. Someone had to park my GS there! Wherever my motorcycle is photographed, I have trod.

Red Wing, MN

This is the second time I've ridden through Red Wing. Last time, I was just passing through. But today, I want to take time to learn a little more about what Red Wing has to offer. A good starting place is Soldier's Park on the southeast edge of town. From here one can survey the entire town and the Mississippi River separating Minnesota from Wisconsin.

Red Wing, MN

While looking out toward the north from my high perch, I see an interesting bluff. Then leaving Soldier's Park, I see a sign ... Barn Bluff, that way. I decide to take a look.

Barn Bluff is a large bluff to the east of Red Wing sandwiched between town and the Mississippi River. It's so named because of its towering size and the way it stands out to anyone traveling the River.

For the more adventuresome, there's the Barn Bluff Trail leading to the top of the bluff. I only went to the top of the second landing. When I saw the extensive trail leading far and beyond to the top, I decided that I wasn't properly attired for the two mile hike to the top.

Watch out! Looks like Gulliver is taking a stroll in Red Wing.

Not Gulliver, but a really big Red Wing boot.

Size 638 1/2, to be precise ...
The World's Largest Boot!

Red Wing, Minnesota is home and namesake to the famous brand.

Fiberglas boots are spread all about town. Some are a bit more dressed up than the traditional style.

Moving eastward into the Land of the Cheese ... Wisconsin. But today, it's the land of the Chippewa. I head south on hwy 35 a bit before I take use of hwy S to connect to US10 in Plum City. Just shy of Durand, as I am crossing the bridge over Thompson Lake, I look down and see some fishing going on. After a few seconds of debating, I pull a u-turn and then proceed down into the gravel parking area.

This young fellow is proud to show off his catch of the day!

After the little master fisher fella took his heavy stringer to meet his dad at the waiting pickup, I turned my lens to the fly fisher.

He was making fluid moves with the line as it danced over his head. This art has long been a skill I've thought about giving a try, but never have ... until today.

Fly fishing can be such a graceful art. John is the guy making line dance in the space around him. After snapping a few photos, I set my camera down on my bike and wander over to compliment him on how easy he makes it look. John shrugged off the complement with a timid smile explaining that it really isn't so difficult. Then, he even offered to show me how it's done. To my delight, he walked over to his pickup and pulled out a smaller fly rod -- easier for beginners, he explained.

As amazed as I am that he is willing to take time to show a beginner the basics of getting a fly from the shore to out there in the water, I don't want to disturb his fishing. He explains that today he is just working on his technique and experimenting on how some of his new home-tied flies will behave in the air and on the water; not really looking to catch anything.

After almost an hour of "fly-fishing 101", I decide it's time for me to shove off. Here it is almost 2pm and I haven't even made it 100 miles from my morning start in Savage. And now, I'm thinking that all this fly-fishing has made me hungry.

Just across the Chippewa River from Thompson Lake is the small town of Durand.

I take a turn down Durand's old Main Street along the Chippewa River. I ride to the end of the street and back up again. I spot a couple options, but it is hard to tell what might be a place that serves food versus what is just a bar serving alcohol and the occasional cola.

Even though I'm really wanting to stop at a place away from the typical fast food joints on the other side of town, I'm not too sure about the options I'm seeing along the old main drag. As I make my second pass on Main Street, a guy is waiting to cross the street. I stop to ask his opinion on where to get a decent burger. Without hesitation, he points to the establishment across the street to where he is headed. He answered so quickly, I question him. I ask him if HE spends much time there. He responded in the affirmative and went on to explain that he and his wife, Shari, own the place. Well now, at this point, it would be just rude for me not to stop and give it a try.

He walked on across the street and inside the Chippewa Club while I made a u-turn to park the GS under the flag hanging near the front door. A few minutes later, I followed him through the same door.

Not sure what I expected as I entered inside ... I've never stopped at a small town, Wisconsin tavern in the middle of the day for lunch. But, whatever I thought, ... it isn't what I got.

However, it is what I hear that surprises me, not what I see. Before the door even closes behind me or my eyes can fully adjust from the bright outdoor sun ... I hear someone call out my name to welcome me. My name?! How the heck?! I just rode into town. I haven't been inside these town limits for even 10 minutes and have never been here before today. The only person I've even spoke with while in Durand, was ... oh yea, I spoke with Rob, the owner ... and he walked in a few minutes before me.

As my eyes adjusted, I looked where the greeting came ... she was smiling and looking my way from her spot behind the bar. Sarah, the bartender, was already sitting a coaster out in front of an empty stool at the bar as she indicated a place for me to join the regulars. I looked around, but didn't see Rob.

It is an odd feeling riding into a town I've never visited, knowing no one, then walk into a local tavern to be welcomed like you are a Cheers regular,and just entered into a place where everybody knows your name. The Coke tasted better when offered by a friend...

Even though the simple menu had a handful of selections, I opted for my standard ... cheeseburger and fries.

While Sarah went to work at the grill, I left my red riding jacket on the barstool and went to find the washroom.

A couple of the regulars showed me around the place. The right half of the joint is where a stage is set up for bands. A most interesting history ... the stage is set up in an old bowling ally. Backstage, in this case, is what used to be the set up area for the bowling pins.

The Chippewa Club Stage is not only known for the bands that play here, but also the setting for an award winning photo by Carl Corey featuring Marty (the guy sitting to the left of me at the bar).

Chippewa Club hosts a number of bands playing a variety of genres, but best known for the house band ... LOVE BUZZARDS Blues Band.

Speaking of blues ...
Can you identify the seat I've slid in to here?

It may be kitschy, but, parked next to my motorcycle, is the Blues Mobile.

As if the day wasn't special enough already. While I was outside saying my farewells to Rob and the regulars ... I look up to see that, of all things ... I know the guy driving by in his pickup. It's my friend, John Welch, the fly fisherman. Turns out he's a regular here at Shari's Chippewa Club. And, he has even been known to blow harmonica on the Chippewa stage every few weeks.

It's almost 4pm before I leave my new friends in Durand. With a smile under my helmet and a warm spot in my heart for a small town in Wisconsin, I continue my way through the heartland.

As I ride, I think about my interactions in Durand and how they've left such a positive impression on me. It comes to me that ... As people and places make impressions on us, so do we make impressions on other people.

I dwell on this as I pass through small towns and the people in them. I think about the people I interact with as I fleeter about the country. As these people cross my path, I am making an impression upon them.

I grasp the importance that I should keep this certitude in mind, because as I travel, it is me crossing their path. And in doing so, I should strive to leave them with a smile and a warm place in their hearts.

Next stop, PIE!

Located off I94, I predict that Black River Falls will have plenty of lodging options. As many small to medium towns have little to offer in the way of places to stay a night ... especially if rolling in at 7pm. Despite the many lengthy stops I've afforded myself today, I still make it to Black River Falls with plenty of light left.

There's a lot of ice cream eating going on this time of evening ... even at a mild 65 degrees.

The ice cream doesn't melt all over your hand before you get down to the cone.

August in Wisconsin...
You gotta love it!

I sleep well with the orange moose keeping watch at Best Western's Arrowhead Lodge in Black River Falls.

Leave a smile in the hearts of those whose paths we cross.

#148c Rustic Roads Leading to Shonah!

2009-08-29T12:00:00.113-04:00

Fleeter Log #148c

Rustic Roads Leading to Shonah!

2009 August 27 - 29

Entire trip here on Spotwalla

Day 7 - Thursday

August 27, 2009

173 miles

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St.Charles, IL to Dubuque, IA

I slept in while the rain hammered down on the covered GS a few feet from me in the parking lot. The storm is moving eastward. The skies lightened up and the heavy rain turned to a drizzle about noon, so I loaded up and headed northwest toward hopefully, clearer skies. In 2008, I followed the Mississippi River down from its headwaters in Minnesota all the way to its mouth where the ol' muddy waters dump into the Gulf of Mexico. During that trip, I experienced the St. Croix area for the first time. I learned that this area of Wisconsin and Minnesota is among my favorite places to ride. So I left the Chicago area heading to Minnesota.

I reach the Mississippi River at Clinton, Iowa and turn north.

I stop in Dubuque, Iowa for the night just as the light rain turns heavy and starts trying to seep through the seams. Finding a restaurant sharing your motel's parking lot is always a plus when one hasn't eaten all day.

Day 8 - Friday

August 28, 2009

344 miles

View Larger Map

Dubuque, IA to Savage, MN

Before leaving Dubuque, I located the waterfront just off downtown and found the Mississippi River Visitor Center.

The Mississippi River Visitor Center is also home to another ink stamp. The collection grows!

I leave Dubuque and head into Wisconsin on US151 with the intention of taking US61 to Tennyson, but somehow find myself in Platteville. No worries, I missed a turn. Not the first time and won't be the last time. That's okay WI81 is a nice road. I take it to Lancaster to find my way back to US61.

North of Lancaster, off of US61, I turn onto Liberty Ridge Road (county road F), otherwise known as WI Rustic Road 70. This detour is to add to my collection of WIRRs. Wisconsin Dept of Transportation developed the Rustic Road Program in 1973 to help preserve the state's scenic, lightly traveled country roads. Sounds just like the kind of roads I seek out to ride.

When I learned that Wisconsin DOT offers an Award Program for Motorcyclists seeking out the RRs, I was IN! There are 108 roads designated as Rustic Roads. Document your travel of at least 10 scenic roads and WIDOT will send you a patch. Travel 25 or more, and receive a certificate. You know I'm going for the certificate!

WI Rustic Road R70

Following county road F, I find Stitzer and its small post office. Love these little communities!

I loop over and connect back to US61 at Fenninmore.

Boscobel, The Wild Turkey Hunting Capital of Wisconsin.

Typical views riding along US14 between Boaz and Viroqua. Farmlands in Texas are never this interesting!

Coon Valley Post Office

Rustic Road 26 between Coon Valley and Chaseburg was an especially scenic and twisty ride.

WI Rustic Road R26

I meet a new rider on an older Honda CM250. This was close to the same model I started out on in 1980. I am amazed at where I am today as I tour via two wheels, compared to where I was almost 30 years ago when I was running around on my 250. I barely crossed COUNTY lines back then. Now I cross STATE lines like I'm riding across town. Am I lucky, or what!

I turn left in LaCrosse, Wisconsin ... cross the Mississippi and arrive in Minnesota. About now I'm thinking about my friend, Shonah, that I used to work with in Texas. She is from Minnesota. So, I decide to call her at work to tell her where I am. But the surprise is on me when her co-worker tells me that she is off today. Apparently, she has gone to Minnesota to visit her family!

I immediately start calling her cell phone. But, she left it in Texas. I start leaving messages for her at all the numbers I can think of that she might have contact with. It's about 3:30pm.

I decide to head on to Minneapolis to snag another ink stamp for my collection and then head the in direction that her family lives. I have no idea of the local address or phone number. I just hope she gets my messages while I'm still in the area.

Sure enough ... about 6pm, as I'm leaving Fort Snelling with a fresh ink stamp, my phone rings as I am walking from the visitor center to the GS. It's Shonah! I get an address and leave Minneapolis heading to Apple Valley to the south of the city.

How cool is this?! I get to see my good friend, Shonah, while in Minnesota!

After meeting her family and visiting with Shonah until about 9pm, I head over to a motel in Savage where I have a reservation. But I have an invitation to come back tomorrow and have lunch with Shonah's family. I wasn't planning an the extra day in Minneapolis. Matter of fact, I thought I'd be back across the Mississippi River into Wisconsin or close to it by now. But to spend time with a close friend ... it's worth some schedule adjusting! I told the family that I'd accept their invitation and see them for lunch tomorrow!

Day 9 - Saturday

August 29, 2009

20 miles

Savage, MN to Apple Valley and back to Savage

I didn't get settled into the hotel until after 9:30 last night so I wasn't eager to get a very early start. I lazed around my room, making notes in my journal and updating my routing map until almost noon. Then I headed back over for my lunch date with Shonah's family.

The family that took me in for the day and treated me like a special guest.

I enjoyed my visit so much and felt so comfortable with my new friends that it was sunset before I left Apple Valley and headed back to my motel in Savage. The beautiful sunset was apropos as a perfect ending to a wonderful day!

#148b Following the IBR

2009-08-26T23:00:00.397-04:00

Fleeter Log #148b

IBR Start / Minneapolis

2009 August 21 - 26

Entire trip here on Spotwalla

The Iron Butt Rally (IBR) is only run once every other year. 2009 is one of those years. The 2009 start is in Spartanburg, South Carolina with the first leg ending in St. Charles, Illinois. My plans are to see the rally riders off in Spartanburg, then be in St. Charles to greet them as they arrive there. At that point, I will leave the rally riders to continue the rally by zigzagging their way to southern California for the of end leg two, then to make their way to the finish in Washington by any way other than the straightest route.

Day 3 - Sunday

August 23, 2009

0 miles

Spartanburg, SC

The way the rally works, in short, is much like a scavenger hunt using the USA and Canada as the playing field. Each rally rider will be given a book of bonus locations the night before the start. They will have the next several hours to make sense of the hundreds of bonus locations and pick out a handful that they think will give them enough points to stay in the game and still allow them to get to the checkpoints before being time-barred (disqualified). Oh, and they need to get a good night's sleep before starting what many have described as being the most challenging 11 days spent on a motorcycle.

The theme of the 2009 IBR is Crime Scenes. Each bonus will have a connection to a famous historical crime.

Official group photo of the 2009 IBR entrants.

Riding boots getting a professional spitshine before the "big dance"!

Day 4 - Monday

August 24, 2009

394 miles

View Larger Map

Spartanburg, SC to Clarksville, TN

Nervous tension hangs in the air as the ralliers make last minute preparations minutes before the 11 day rally starts.

Final adjustments were being attended to as the rally entrants hovered around their long distance motor machines in the start area. I mingled close enough to take some photos and wish them luck, but was careful to stay out of the way and not distract them from their pre-start routines.

The two Suzuki Rotary Engines were given an honorary 5 minute early start. Then at 10am the field of 100 were sent from the parking lot one at a time. Rally Official Warchild walked the line and deliberately pointed to each entrant to give them the okay to release their clutch and begin the grueling 11 day IBR. Within eight minutes the parking lot was empty. 102 riders have achieved their dream of being an IBR participant. Their next goal is to qualify as an IBR Finisher. And a few will even strive for a podium finish.

Videos of the start from YouTube:

IBR Start Video, part 1

IBR Start Video, part 2

As the riders head out to find their first bonus, I head to my hotel room to upload the videos to YouTube. There are many IBR fans across the country hungry for news of their sport, but unable to tune into CNN for coverage. I will feed the hunger. As the videos are uploading, I pack and wait...and wait, and wait. I call the front desk to ask for a late checkout. Finally, the upload is complete. Within minutes, I am loaded up and riding out of Spartanburg.

When I stop for the night in Clarksdale, Tennessee and get online, I find that the IBR Start videos I uploaded to YouTube has had over 2,500 views ... in less than 12 hours. I told you there were IBR fans out there hungry for news of their sport!

Day 5 - Tuesday

August 25, 2009

425 miles

View Larger Map

Clarksville, TN to Bloomington. IL

Though we are both in search of " interesting bonus" locations around the country, my riding style is very different from the mass start of riders that left Spartanburg a few hours ahead of me yesterday. My touring is much more relaxed and of slower pace. I take the time to see what is passing me by as I ride the back roads in search of interesting stuff.

Today, I make my first "interesting bonus" stop at Fort Donelson NMP in north western Tennessee in hopes of getting a glimpse at the Bald Eagles that I've heard hang out there.

I made it all the way to the end of the park's road, but no eagles showed themselves to me today.

Leaving Tennessee, my route takes me through the Land Between the Lakes. I've often heard of the unusual stretch of terra firma between Lake Barkley to the east and Kentucky Lake to the west, but this is the first time I've passed through this National Recreation Area ... another "interesting bonus".

Then there are even times that I find some unusual sights while running down the freeway. But, usually not. Freeways are usually boring; must be true if these tires earned the only "interesting bonus" label in 300 miles worth of freeway.

After an "interesting bonus" stop in Symsonia, KY to see a friend, I spent much of the rest of the day on the freeway heading to Bloomington, Ilinois for an overnight stop on my way to St. Charles, Illinois.

Day 6 - Tuesday

August 26, 2009

150 miles

View Larger Map

Bloomington. IL to St Charles, IL

Just a hundred miles into the day put me in downtown Joliet where I find my first "interesting bonus" stop of the day. Here, I park at the front door of the Joliet Area Historical Museum, then run inside to the gift shop to collect an ink stamp for my collection.

I'm not taking time to find a parking place and touring the museum today. I'd rather stay close to the GS and spend time riding north along the I&M Canal to the small town of Lockport and my next "interesting bonus" stop.

The Gaylord Building is at Lincoln Landing in downtown Lockport. It is home to historical exhibits featuring the canal, President Lincoln, ... and another ink stamp.

I arrive in St Charles and get checked in just before the rain starts. Then I head a couple miles down to the St Charles IBR Check-In location at Pheasant Run Resort and wait in the rain for the IBR ralliers to start rolling in. Fortunately, the rain came in waves so we were able to wander around in the parking lot and welcome the weary (but pumped up) riders roll in over the next several hours.

Close up example of a rallier's cockpit. Possibly the most important item on day 10 and 11 will the reminder note of important things to remember -- rally flag, camera, receipts, fuel log, etc.

The parking lot slowly emptied as the ralliers headed inside to the scoring table, then a well-earned shower and rest before receiving the next set of bonus listings in the hours before daybreak.

I cleared the area and headed back to my motel about 10:30pm in a light rain. I checked the weather when back in my room, and learned that the bigger storm was headed our way. Unlike the ralliers, I will have the option of sleeping late in the morning while the rain hammers away outside.

#148a Betwix the Peanuts and Corn

2009-08-22T12:00:00.033-04:00

Fleeter Log #148a

IBR Start / Minneapolis

2009 August 21 - 26

Entire trip here on Spotwalla

The Iron Butt Rally (IBR) is only run once every other year. 2009 is one of those years. In full groupie form, I will go to Spartanburg to cheer the rally contestants on at the start of the 11 day endurance rally. But first, I will spend time on some back roads betwix the peanuts and corn.

Day 1 - Friday

August 21, 2009

384 miles

View Larger Map

Fredericksburg, VA to Sanford, NC

After only 100 miles of freeway, I peeled off I95 and headed through the peanut fields of southeast Virginia.

These fields have been growing peanuts since the 1840s. They were brought over from Africa by the people sold into slavery and planted all over the Southeast. Years ago they were known as groundnuts or ground peas and used for pig food. During the Civil War their use expanded when they became popular with the soldiers, both Union and Confederate.

Fields that had been growing tobacco and cotton for years, started to be rotated with peanuts.

Southampton County, Virginia

Riding betwix the peanuts and corn in Southampton County, Virginia.

Como, North Carolina

Old Sparta, North Carolina

Taking a break behind an old church in Old Sparta, North Carolina.

Day 2 - Saturday

August 22, 2009

213 miles

View Larger Map

Sanford, NC to Spartanburg, SC

Overnight at the Quality Inn of Sanford, North Carolina. It is always a plus to find a "drive-up" motel when it's time to stop for the night.

Sanford, North Carolina

Cornwallis Service Station in Carthage, North Carolina

Stopping for a late lunch at Pete's.

Jonesville, South Carolina

Grand central for the IBR is the Marriott in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

I pulled into the Marriott parking lot at 2:30pm. After checking in, I set out to see who I could find roaming around that I might know. I'll spend the next couple days here mingling with the Iron Butt Association (IBA) rider types.

#147 Tidewater

2009-08-16T12:00:00.053-04:00

Fleeter Log #147

Tidewater

2009 Aug 16

Virginia's Tidewater Region is the area east of IH95 to the Chesapeake Bay and north of the James River. Today, this is where we ride. It will be a short one day ride routed through cornfields and past small town post offices.

View Larger Map

Looking out over the Chesapeake Bay from New Point, VA.

New Point, VA

Susan, VA

Tidewater Oil Service? in Hudgins, VA

Hand crank ECO Tireflator?

Hwy 3 over the Rappahannock River

#146 West Virginia Summer Mountain Ride

2009-08-06T12:00:00.466-04:00

Fleeter Log #146

West Virginia Summer Mountain Ride

2009 August 6-9

Time again for the MTF to gather in the mountains of West Virginia for a Summer Mountain Ride. We'll muster in Beckley and ride loop tours from there.

View Larger Map

Cloverleaf touring around Beckley, WV

Entire trip here on Spotwalla

Day 1 - Thursday

Aug 6, 2009

276 miles

Fredericksburg, VA to Beckley, WV

"Sic jurat transcendere montes"

Today on my way westward, I choose to cross the Blue Ridge Mountains following the route of the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe Expedition of 1716. I crossed the the mountains at Swift Run Gap on Spotswood Trail (US33), near where Governor Spotswood led his group of explorers as they traveled west to see what was there. They were hoping to find land worth settling. Turns out that there is a lot of land west of the Blue Ridge Mountains worth developing.

After the journey, the Governor presented the explorers with a Horseshoe shaped pin inscribed with "Sic jurat transcendere montes", which translates into English as "Thus he swears to cross the mountains."

Once I crossed the mountains, I drop into the Shenandoah Valley where I turn south to Grottoes before I turned back to my westward heading to Beckley.

Day 2 - Friday

Aug 7, 2009

200 miles

Beckley, WV

I join a few friends to wander around Beckley to see what we can find.

After checking out the Glen Jean Bluestone National Scenic River Visitor Center and collecting an ink stamp, we found our way to the old Thurmond Train Depot.

Highway 25 between Glen Jean and Thurmond

Thurmond Depot

Just across the tracks and up the hill, we find the abandoned town of Thurmond, West Virginia. The US National Park Service now owns most of the old boom town. Only a few families are left; the 2000 census listed just 7 current residents. Their homes sit high above the original commercial section of the town, now designated as a Historic District.

Abandoned town of Thurmond, WV

After convincing some of the my fellow riders to follow me up the narrow switchbacks above the historic main street and into the residential area perched on the mountainside, we were rewarded with a bird's-eye view of the route that got us there.

Thurmond, WV

View of the New River Bridge on US19 from the Canyon Rim Visitor Center.


US 19 New River Gorge Bridge at Canyon Rim

Kanawha Falls near Gauley Bridge, WV

Lunch at The Kitchen in Clay, WV.

Sometimes you have to watch out for even the good roads or they can drop right out from under you! Highway 11 between Clay and Dille.

Dille, WV post office

After wandering around the New River Gorge area all day, we met the rest of the MTF group at Dirty Ernie's Rib Pit in Fayetteville for a group supper.

After supper, some of us went back to see the new bridge from the bottom of the gorge, where we crossed the narrow, old bridge.

New River Gorge Bridge near Fayetteville, WV

Day 3 - Saturday

Aug 8, 2009

260 miles

Beckley, WV

After spending yesterday riding with some friends, today, I am ready to get back to my solo riding. I start my lone ride by heading to Pax and then heading west deep into the coal miner country.

Railroad into the unknown.

Sylvester, WV

Unlike Pie, New Mexico, there are no Pie vendors set up to serve those looking to feast on pie in West Virginia

Pie, WV

US52 in West Virginia

My path crosses the Hatfield-McCoy Trail in Matewan, WV.

Hatfield-McCoy Trailhead at Matewan, WV

Rangers patrol the Hatfield-McCoy Trails to avert any new feuds breaking out.

Mullens, WV

Hotel Wyoming in Mullens, WV

Back to Beckley in time to meet the MTF folks at Pasqualie's Restaurant for supper at 6pm. Dessert at Dairy Queen afterward ... I followed the Goldwingers.

Day 4 - Sunday

Aug 9, 2009

300 miles

Beckley, WV to Huntersville, WV to Fredericksburg, VA

Time to leave the the SMR gathering and head back home. Of course, I'll be taking a detour or two along the way.

I64 in West Virginia

Back to the smaller roads ... now the fun begins!

West Virgnia's hwy 19 known as Richland-Carol Hill Road

WV Highway 19

Bio break time at Blue Bend in Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia.

Blue Bend Rec Area

Entering back into Virginia at Bath County.

Entering Brownsburg, VA

Wades Mill, VA

Minutes after leaving Wades Mill I was back on I81 for my last leg home.

Total Trip: 1,121 miles in 4 days

#145 The VStar Moves On

2009-08-02T12:00:00.087-04:00

Fleeter Log #145

The VStar Moves On

2009 Aug 1

The Yamaha VStar1100 Custom provided me with over 38,000 miles of smiles . . . well, mostly smiles. I crossed my first state line by motorcycle from the VStar's saddle. After crossing that first state line from Virginia into North Carolina, we crossed many more state lines in the following two years that we rode together.

It took me to 43 of the lower 48 states and even a jaunt into New Brunswick, Canada on to Campobello Island. There, I saw a whale surfacing in the Bay of Fundy while sitting in the saddle on shore.

Such was the two years I spent astride the VStar wandering back and forth across state lines, going places I'd never gone before, with the handlebars leading the way. The VStar took me from the Southernmost Buoy in Key West, Florida to the Easternmost Point Lighthouse at West Quoddy Head near Lubec, Maine. We rolled across the plains of North Dakota on our way westward to find where the Columbia River empties into the Pacific Ocean; the same place Lewis and Clark found the Pacific over 200 years before. I rode the VStar right up to the crater's rim to see the most magical, bluest of blue waters of Crater Lake in Oregon. Temperatures dropped over 30 degrees as we crossed the magnificent Rocky Mountains in Colorado passing young elk playing on the side of the road high where birds soared below us.

The VStar gave me a great ride as I discovered what this country has to see.
These stories and more are documented in the earlier Fleeter Logs of this blog (#1 - #112).

Southernmost Buoy in Key West, Florida

Easternmost Point Lighthouse at West Quoddy Head

near Lubec, Maine

Stevens Canyon near Mt Rainier, Washington

Crater Lake, Oregon

Giant Redwood Trees in Northern California

The VStar will now embark on a new life with Bob of Illinois. Bob is a very experienced rider that was looking to downsize his ride and the VStar has many miles left in it yet to be traveled.

#144 BMW MOA Rally in Johnson City, TN

2009-07-13T12:00:00.681-04:00

Fleeter Log #144

BMW MOA Rally in Johnson City, TN

2009 July 13-21

Over 90,000 miles have passed under my tires in the last four years as I've fleetered about visiting all the lower 48 states; but a rally such as this, I have never attended. At least not the typical, large kind of rally where many riders ride in from far and wide to spend a few days in the same place. This year that will change when I attend the BMW MOA International Rally. This being a BMW Rally, it will still not be the stereotypical biker rally that many people would tend to visualize. Most people start thinking Sturgis, when they hear biker rally, but a BMW Rally is much removed from Sturgis. A simple way to explain the difference would be ... where the Sturgis Rally is X rated, BMW MOA Rally gets a easy G rating.

Even though this rally will be a rally full of "family" fun, there will still be a lot of people there. Large crowds are something I typically try to avoid. But in the spirit of expanding my horizons, I will be one in a crowd of 8,976 people, according to later reports. Not my first choice (or second, or even third) of places to be, but I agreed to help out a friend that is in charge of recruiting and organizing volunteers to help make it a smooth running rally.

So I will be there, sitting at a table near the registration area, recruiting volunteers for such duties as: securing the gates, running the shuttle, working the first aid room, sewing on patches, monitoring the Cyber Cafe area, etc. And when my shifts are fulfilled, I will get to then go play on the rally grounds myself. There are many seminars being offered on a variety of topics and the vendors are expected to be varied and plentiful. I shouldn't have a problem finding something to do.

View Larger Map

Fredericksburg, VA to Johnson City, TN to Asheville, NC,

and back home to Fredericksburg

Entire trip here on Spotwalla

Day 1 - Monday

July 13, 2009

260 miles

Fredericksburg, VA to Wytheville, VA

Early starts aren't my specialty. Today I finally pull out of town in the afternoon heading south. My first stop, to get me into fleetering mode, is for a quick photo of the Gordonsville post office just 48 miles into my trip.

One hundred miles later, I decided to try the Pink Cadillac Diner. I have passed near it many times when going south on I81. Interesting place, nice people, better than average food. I'll not hesitate to go back next time I'm in the area and hungry.

Hope I don't have Humpty Dumpty nightmares tonight...

Day 2 - Tuesday

July 14, 2009

233 miles

Wytheville, VA to Johnson City, TN

As yesterday was all about freeway and getting a few miles between me and the house, today is about the twisty roads through the mountains of Appalachia as I duck in and out of the Jefferson National Forest. Virginia's highway 16 between Marion and Tazewell is the kind of road the motorcyclists ride across many states for the chance to ride. Today, I use it to add more miles between me and Johnson City, Tennessee.

As I pass this creek, I look upstream and see something worth turning around to get a better look.

Do you see it?

Now do you see what I see?

It was obvious that I was traveling through coal country as I passed through Buchanan and Dickenson Counties of Virginia.

Coal Miners' Memorial in Clinchco, Virginia.

Rally Days

Day 3-6 Wednesday through Saturday

July 15-18, 2009

21 miles each day riding to rally and back to motel

Johnson City, TN

The next four days my only riding was back and forth between my motel room in Johnson City and the Appalachian County Fairgrounds where the rally was located. Entertainment was varied. Here a local bluegrass combo played for tips.

More on the daring side. Chris "Teach" McNeil performs a stoppie to steal a kiss from a brave admirer.

Video on YouTube of some of his antics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBs7iveuJdo

Meanwhile, midway across the rally grounds, we find this nut sitting on a platform suspended over water while this little league hot-shot takes potshots, putting our nut in the water ... time and time again.

But Charles keeps a smile handy for the camera. What a sport!

For those of you that have an eye for detail, you will notice that I will start sporting a new riding bonnet. Here's the story. It was time for me to retire my colorful bonnet that has had a home on my noggin for near 90,000 miles. So I bought a Nolan modular (flip-up) helmet. This was its maiden ride, but it won't make it back home. It was stolen along with my silver mesh jacket and BMW gloves while I had a late (and long) supper at Appleby's in Johnson City. Sharon (Sojourner's MotoTales), Charles (the dunking booth nut shown above), and I were visiting over a long supper and the time stretched late into the night (or more accurately, early into the morning).

The parking lot that was packed when we arrived hours earlier was nearly empty by the time we finally made our way out the door. It was my lapse in judgment that made me think it was okay to leave these items on the RT rather than taking them in with me or locking them to the bike. I had gotten lax from the last few days immersed in the BMW culture where 1,000s of bikes were left unattended in the blocks surrounding the Fairgrounds. No one worried about the safety of unlocked helmets, jackets, and even boots left with their bikes. My mistake was taking this trust away from the Fairgrounds and into Johnson City 10 miles away. A police report was made and I rode the three blocks back to my motel feeling naked without a helmet or jacket.

Charles was my knight in shining armor the next morning when he procured and delivered a borrowed helmet from one of his friends at the rally campground for me to use for the 10 mile ride back to the rally site. The last day of the rally I spent extra time visiting with the helmet vendors until I made my purchase for a replacement. How lucky is that though?! That when I have something stolen, I have a whole selection of rally vendors where I can go helmet shopping. I select the newly introduced Scorpion EXO-900 modular helmet as my replacement bonnet.

Day 7 - Sunday

July 19, 2009

183 miles

Johnson City, TN to Asheville, NC to Boone, NC

Enough of the short distance riding back and forth to the rally and being surrounded by more people than what lived in the entire county of Texas (Goliad County) where I grew up! Time to get back on the road. I head to Asheville to meet a handful of friends for lunch.

Bad news about the new Scorpion helmet: Even though the helmet was comfortable as I walked around the vendor area, by the time I arrived in Asheville, I felt as though my head were ready to implode inside the vise bonnet on my head. I had barely gotten my kickstand deployed when I was yanking the painful devise off my head. My buddy, Rick, was quick to see I was in agony and supplied a handful of orange flavored Goody's Headache Powder. How appropriate to be introduced to this pain reliever in its home state of North Carolina. Since I had never partaken of such powder, I waited until I got inside Barley's Taproom & Pizzeria before trying the Dump & Chase method of application. Hence, with the preoccupation with an imploding head, there are no photos from lunch.

After eating, socializing, and relieving my headache, I pursued a much slower-paced afternoon along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

There's that new bonnet on my head -- the Scorpion EXO-900. To relieve the pressure, I used my thinnest headliner and shifted its position often. And I'm sure the Goody's in my system helped.

Day 8 - Monday

July 20, 2009

104 miles

Boone, NC to Hillsville, VA

A visit to the Mast General Store down on King Street is a must before leaving Boone, North Carolina. I end up spending the entire morning browsing the shops along King Street and thoroughly poking around in the Mast General Store.

Leaving Boone, I head to Meat Camp on my way to US231N.

Winding my way along NC194, an isolated water wheel gets my attention. Water was running down the sluice and giving the wheel a spin on its way down. Not sure where it was going from there.

Shortly before crossing the state line into Virginia, I find the South Fork of the New River and the local General Store.

For lunch, I decided it was sandwich time at the New River General Store.

When I rolled into Galax, Virginia, I recollected that my friend Charles (dunking booth nut), had headed to Hillsville after the rally to visit a friend. I gave him a ring while stopping for fuel in Galax. Sure enough, he was still around, matter of fact ... just 13 miles down the road at the grocery store. I headed that way. It was decided in the grocery store parking lot that I would have supper and spend the night at his friend's house. It would be a party of three!

Day 9 - Tuesday

July 21, 2009

290 miles

Hillsville, VA to Fredericksburg, VA

The next morning Charles and I get loaded up. The plan: Each of us will take our own transportation into Floyd for breakfast at the Blue Ridge Restaurant.

Charles and Barry following the smell of bacon & eggs.

After breakfast, Charles heads back to Georgia, Barry heads off to run errands, and I head home. Shortly after leaving Floyd, I find a small gravel road going more or less my way.

Sedalia Country Store and time for a coke break.

Sometimes when I'm out riding on these back roads, especially a bit after having a coke break, I find the need for a "relief station." Unlike when riding the freeway littered with informative exit signs describing the many varied options to weary travelers, there is not always facilities so handy to traveling passers-by of the back roads of rural America.

But sometimes when the Universe and I are properly aligned, my needs are mysteriously met. Like today. There it was, clean and stocked with toilet paper, as if I had projected the PortaPotty from a vision in my mind to this handy roadside location.

Near the small town of Norwood, I see these stairs with a very small, wooden, white cross posted at the bottom. I follow the stairway up to a small family cemetery surrounded by a wrought iron fence. Another little gem hiding on the back roads, just waiting to be discovered.

Signs of decline on the James River side of Nelson County in Virginia.

Total Trip: 1,140 miles in 9 days

#143 North Carolina In-State SaddleSore 1000

2009-06-28T12:00:00.723-04:00

Fleeter Log #143

North Carolina In-State SaddleSore 1000
2009 June 26-28

Every other year, generally, the MTF plays host to several Iron Butt Association (IBA) SaddleSore rides. This year, my buddy Mike "Grizz" Newton is organizing a ride in North Carolina. A SaddleSore 1000 (SS1k) is achieved by riding 1,000 miles or more in 24 hours or less. It is an exercise in time-management and consistent riding. It is not about speed. The objective is to not waste time while stopped and to keep those stops to a minimum.

Some people ask, "Why? Why would you want to knock yourself out to ride 1,000 miles in 24 hours?"

The answer may be different for different people, but for me the answer is twofold.
1) Just to prove to myself that I can. Maybe the same as why people climb those mountains or run those marathons.
2) Being able to ride 1,000 miles in 24 hours expands my riding area. Just knowing that, if I set my mind to it, I can be 1,000 miles away in less than 24 hours and that is empowering. Just think of the new riding areas that can open up with that kind of riding range.

That said, my preferred riding style is still to flower sniff my way along the back roads ... true fleetering at its best! When I am making time by riding the freeway, I can't help myself but to longingly look down at the smaller roads I'm crossing and wonder what interesting places they would take me. Or, even if I am riding the back roads while on the clock, I continue to see spot after spot that I would normally stop to explore deeper if I were in normal flower sniffin' fleeter mode.

But this Saturday, I will be riding on the clock doing an In-State SS1k within the borders of North Carolina. Just because.

Day 1 - Friday
June 26, 2009
376 miles

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Fredericksburg, VA to Matthews, NC

Entire trip here on Spotwalla

The ride will start in Matthews, North Carolina on the southern border of the state near Charlotte. As I ride down to the designated start location, the heat of the afternoon has me reconsidering my commitment to the ride. A humid and stifling 96 degrees does not sound like the kind of weather I want to test myself in. I'll go ahead and get myself to Matthews and see how I feel about it in the morning.

I get checked into the Holiday Inn Express about 7pm for, hopefully, a good night's sleep. The alarm is set for 4:30am.

Day 2 - Saturday
June 27, 2009
1,051 miles

View NC in-state SS1k in a larger map

Loop inside North Carolina
Starting/Ending in Matthews, NC

Entire trip here on Spotwalla

Alarms can be set, but they will not sound off to wake you up unless they are turned on. I roll over and look at the time. Brain signals start firing off when I realize what time it is as the red blurs turn into numbers ... 5:05am! CRAP! We are supposed to be getting our start receipt at 5:30am ... in only 25 minutes!

My normal practice is to lay out my clothes for the next day. Good thing! I jump up and start changing into my base layers as I brush my teeth. Within 5 minutes, I am tightening down the RAM mount for my GPS. As I attach my tankbag to the GS, my heart is still racing and my brain is overloaded with all that I need to get done. GPS, SPOT, tankbag, camera, Camelback, powerbars, flashlight, gloves, earbuds, etc ... check, check, check, check, etc. I only have 5 minutes to prepare everything and anything I may need for the next 20-24 hours. No problem. Most is already in place or laid out for me from the night before. Fortunately, I'll be returning to this same room tonight and don't need to pack everything up and check out.

So much for taking time this morning to consider with how I feel about participating in the ride today. No time to think. Just do it. At 5:18am, I arrive at the appointed meeting place at the BMW dealer's parking lot ... all the way across the street from my motel. Commute time time: 30 seconds. Thank goodness for the proximity of the motel to the meeting spot! Good planning Grizz!

When I pull up, I find three people wondering if I was going to show up or not. Grizz and Mike Eddins are discussing final details. Mike Eddins is there to see that everyone has what paperwork they need and that it is properly filled out. He also has an open box of Powerbars sitting on his tailgate and encourages us to stuff a few in our tankbags for later. I add a couple to my selection already packed. His look tastier. Thanks Mike.

Another group participating in a regular SS1k had an earlier start. This regular SS1k was routed mostly on Interstates for simplicity and ease of maintaining a higher average speed. They left an hour to thirty minutes earlier. I never saw them. They were long gone by the time I arrived.

Also preparing for the In-State SS1k start, is a rider named Jeff. I was expecting my friend, Russell, but Mike explained that Russell was itching to get started and has already taken off. The three of us (Grizz, Jeff, and I) get geared up and head down the street a block to fuel up and get our starting receipt. With the time on the printed gas receipt, we now are on the clock. We have up to 24 hours to complete our 1000+ mile tour of North Carolina.

We can ride alone or with each other. There are no rules. Fact is, most MTF members, like most long distance (LD) riders, prefer to travel alone. But as long as it is a small group and we are comfortable with each others' riding styles, we may tag along with each other. But it is an understood agreement that at anytime, anyone of us is free to break from the group and ride alone. No harm, no bad feelings. Just let the others know that you are striking out from the group to ride solo so there won't be any wasted time or energy worrying about what happened to the missing rider from the group. This agreement has already been seen in action when Russell started his ride before I even made it out of my motel room.

As luck would have it though, 86 miles into the ride when we pulled over for our first required stop, we find Russell. He was waiting around thinking we might catch up to him. We did, and he joined our merry band. We are now four. This is probably the largest group I'd ever want to ride with while on the clock.

I should explain that our stops will not only be determined by how often we need fuel or by when we might need a break, but required stops have been predetermined to fulfill the route documentation requirements. We will be making numerous stops to obtain qualifying receipts (with location/date stamp) to prove the route we rode.

Russ, Grizz, and me at Bridal Falls on US64. Even though we are "on the clock," we still take time to do some quick flower sniffin' and picture taking! Jeff worked the shutter.

We spent the morning between 8:00-10:30 in prime motorcycling country twisting and turning through the southwest portion of the state along US64 riding through Sapphire, Cashiers, Highlands, and Ellijay. As pleasant as this ride was, the enjoyment factor was diminished by the fact that the clock was ticking and we were stuck behind a river rafting outfitter bus shuttling rafters upriver to their put-in spot. No fear we still have lots of time to complete our tour and our time is looking fine. We continue to settle in and enjoy the ride. Here, I follow Grizz as he bends his way along US64 on his ST1300.

Below is Russ on his ST1300. He has a unique hobby. Some people collect shot glasses or baseball cards ... Russ collects In-State SS1k certificates. He holds the record for the most In-State SS1k rides with 17 different states ridden. Actually, he already has an In-State SS1k in North Carolina, but chose to ride another since the MTF is hosting this one.

[update: As of Sept 2010, Russ has completed In-State SS1k rides in 25 different states.]

We got to stretch out along I40 after leaving Asheville. It almost felt good to be on a freeway for a while for easy miles. This stretch between Asheville and Durham was ridden in the heat of the day, between 1:00pm and 4:00pm where we saw a high of 96 degrees. We were all feeling the heat, but being careful to stay hydrated. I had my Camelback available for sipping water while riding. I would refill it with water and ice at fuel stops. The water was supplemented with cold Gatorade bought during the rest/fuel stops.

Grizz running northeast on I85 on the way to the northeast portion of the state.

Leaving I85 behind, we head south onto US158. Not the best type of road to maintain a consistent speed, but more to my liking considering my flower sniffin' tendencies.

About the time we turned onto southbound I95 near Roanoke Rapids, Jeff split from the group to make his final push in the last 380 miles back to our start/finish point in Matthews. We wished him well as he rode off. And now we are three.

We saw quite a few fuel pumps in our 1 day tour of North Carolina.

By 2:30am, we were back in Matthews having completed our whirlwind tour of the State of North Carolina. It's not the best way to enjoy all that North Carolina has to offer, but satisfying to be able to complete such a tour in less than 24 hours.

The numbers: 1,050.8 miles in 21 hours, 10 minutes with an overall average speed of 49.6mph. Four hours was spent not moving. This included not just fuel stops and rest stops, but also sitting at stop signs, red lights even sitting behind the river rafting outfitter bus -- anytime we were not making progress. Disregard that max speed field. 806mph! ... not even in my dreams!

By 3am, the paperwork was done -- collected, signed, and turned in to Mike Eddins. He will collect everyone's paperwork and submit it to the IBA for approval. Thanks to Mike Eddins, Grizz and everyone that had a hand in organizing this ride.

[update: A few weeks later this came in the mail.]

Day 3 - Sunday
June 27, 2009
390 miles

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Matthews, NC to Fredericksburg, VA

Entire trip here on Spotwalla

I slept until noon, but still got myself up and loaded to leave the motel before 1pm. When I saw the home-made peach ice cream sign just 38 miles down the road, I decided to stop ... just because I can. Heck, I'm not on the clock. I'm not in any hurry to be anywhere and home-made ice cream just sounds good!

These ruins looked interesting, but I didn't take time to figure out how to get a closer look. Maybe next time I'm through Rockingham, I'll putz around and see what I can learn.

Could be that I'm still in SS1k mode or maybe it's just too hot to keep stopping to flower sniff. Either way, today I spend most of my time with "seat to the saddle" and the tires turning. It's time for a fuel stop in Nashville, so I make the stop worthwhile by getting a fried chicken supper from Smithfield's. I didn't stop again until four hours later for another fuel stop. Next thing I know, it's 9:30pm and I'm pulling into my driveway.

Total Trip: 1,817 miles in 3 days

#142m Pennsylvania's Backroad Post Offices

2009-06-21T12:00:00.269-04:00

Fleeter Log #142m

Pennsylvania's Backroad Post Offices

Day 15 - Sunday
June 21, 2009
320 miles

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Lamar, PA to Fredericksburg, VA

Entire trip here on Spotwalla

I saddled up under a wet sky, but the rest of the day was one reward after another. It made the wet start just a minor annoyance in my distant memory before the day was done.

The first small post office digitally documented today is in Lamar. I didn't know at the time that this would be a theme throughout the day.

PA445 runs south of Lamar to Madisonburg. It's only 7 miles long, but it offers plenty of joy in that short distance.

At the end of PA445, this unique post office was waiting for me to take its photo with the GS.

First, the old barn got my attention, then I saw the black horse. Then, I had to stop for a few photos.

No doubt he had been wallowing around in the mud from the overnight rains!

Let me pass on a small warning to anyone stopping to take photos: Watch where you step! I almost trod right over this guy. He didn't seem to be too worried about getting stepped on though. I suppose he just figured that he was there first and I could go around him.

The good news is, no rattles giving me warning since it's just a small rat snake. So I left him alone ... after snapping a few shots of him.

Reedsville, PA

Allensville, PA

Mill Creek, PA

Cassville, PA

Saltillo, PA

I couldn't resist this picturesque old mill building in Saltillo.

In Robertsdale, I took Six Mile Run Road to Coaldale. It ended near this post office.

Six Mile Run, PA

Just a mile down the road, I come across another unique post office in Defiance, PA.

Riding down PA28, minding my own business, enjoying the scenery and then it happened ... I saw a sign for a covered bridge. Well, we all know that I seldom have the will power to resist those!

Hall's Mill Covered Bridge

Rainsburg, just another impeccably groomed small town found on the backroads of Pennsylvania.

Then another covered bridge. Apparently, Bedford County, Pennsylvania has 14 covered bridges. I stumbled across two of them.

Hewitt Covered Bridge

When I looked back up the trail from the creek and caught this view of the GS, my heart skipped a beat. That's my GS! What a great looking motorcycle. I am so lucky to get to ride around the country on that!

It really is no wonder that I don't make better time during the day. The simple nature of pure fleetering keeps me plenty distracted with small post offices, old barns, covered bridges, etc. The roads leading to these fleetering treasures tend to be those of the smaller variety. That's the only excuse I have to explain how I find myself on roads such as this -- at least this one is paved.

Sweetroot Natural Area, Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry

Then some more roads like this one as I make my way through southern Pennsylvania toward the Maryland state line.

Bridges don't have to be covered to catch my eye. This old bridge off to the right of the newer bridge deserved a U turn for a closer look. The road was blocked off to the bridge, but I was able to park and walk across it.

See the little guy there? Does he look a bit out of place? The little mule's momma is likely in the bunch, but I didn't see his daddy anywhere around. For those readers that aren't aware, a mule is the offspring of a female horse and a male donkey.

A few more miles through Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia and the next thing you know ... I'm home.

Total Trip: 2,794 miles in 15 days through 7 states

#142l Forksville General Store

2009-06-20T12:00:00.124-04:00

Fleeter Log #142l

Forksville General Store

Day 14 - Saturday

June 20, 2009

97 miles

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Canton, PA to Lamar, PA

Entire trip here on Spotwalla

The light rain falling, as I left Doc's, was only a precursor to the rest of the day. The sun wouldn't bother to come out of hiding at all for the rest of the day.

Today, I actually have a schedule to meet ... at least for lunch. Knowing that today is suppose to be wet and that I have someplace to be by late morning, I was glad to have pushed my route yesterday to get a room in Canton. That leaves me only 22 miles down the small, twisty road known as PA154 to Forksville. I will meet some MTF friends at the Forksville General Store for a bite to eat and swapping of stories.

PA154 is a fun road leading through some interesting places ... even in the rain. Enlarge the photo for a closer look at the car parked next to the building.

Shunk, Pennsylvania is one of the few wide places in the road ... but not very wide.

That's Shunk, with an SH.

Entering Forksville in the rain, it is obvious there is even more rain in the hills just beyond. Over the next hour, that rain would escort my friends as they ride into town from all different directions. There's the backside of the Forksville General Store, just on the other side of the covered bridge.

During a brief interlude in the rain showers, I coaxed the group to gather for a couple photos.

The group included riders from Texas, Mississippi, Illinois, Georgia, Maryland, Virginia, and even Pennsylvania.

Leaving Forksville in a light rain, I head south. Two weeks on the road and it's time to head home. I dodge the heavier rain past Williamsport to Lamar where I stop for the night.

#142k Doc's Irish Inn

2009-06-19T12:00:00.358-04:00

Fleeter Log #142k

Doc's Irish Inn

Day 13 - Friday
June 19, 2009
310 miles

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North Lima, OH to Canton, PA

Entire trip here on Spotwalla

The day started wet and stayed wet for miles and miles into Pennsylvania.

"The Valley That Changed the World" is located in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains where Oil Creek runs into the Allegheny River. It is near here, close to Titusville, Pennsylvania, where Colonel Edwin Drake found success in drilling the first oil well in the world on August 27, 1859. The world was indeed changed. For many years, companies such as Pennzoil and Quaker State called the Valley home. Now you know where they got their names.

The old post office building is currently home to the Venango Museum of Art, Science, and Industry. The private museum is usually host to some type of oil history exhibit. This year it is "Black Gold, Black Magic."

The "new" Post Office is across the street in a building that isn't near as impressive as the larger one with "United States Post Office" engraved over the entrance.

Hasson Park sits high above Oil City in Hasson Heights. It takes some twisting and turning to get up there, but is a nice place to take a moment of rest.

Drive Inn Theater in Kane, Pennsylvania

A touch of the past comes alive.

US6 is full of oddities. This building almost looked out of place in rural Pennsylvania ... except it is located along US6, so it fits right in. Do you see the camouflaged barrel in the bottom left corner? Can you identify it?

Here's a closer look. The red plate on the arm is the target. The board on top is the seat. No protective netting or barrier in place for the person sitting on the board waiting to get DUNKED, but it looks like a Dunking Booth to me. A form of legal torture commonly found in small community festivals around the country. This one is found near Mount Jewett.

The Hazel Hurst Post Office could use a coat of paint. While I was taking this photo, I about jumped out of my riding boots when I heard a loud, cracking BOOM. My initial thought was to duck and run for cover. But not wanting to overreact, I calmly looked around thinking I'd see a backfiring vehicle going by. I was the only traffic in sight. Hoping it was just someone safely target practicing in the backyard (we do that in Texas), I continued to take a couple more shots of my own. As I was getting back on the GS ... BOOM! ... there it went again. That isn't target practice. If it is, they are missing the target. You can tell because the boom ends with an echo, not a thunk. Another bit of common knowledge among gun owners and hunters in Texas (and probably elsewhere). I take another look around and see some activity a few houses down in the open garage. I purposely head that way.

Here's the source of the booming. He said he gets a visit from the police about once a week. No doubt he does. He builds small replica cannons out of PVC. And they work! He personally tests each one . . . maybe several times.

VIDEO demonstration: Fire in the Hole!
The volume isn't near as loud as it was in person.

Hard to miss the popular Wellsboro Diner if you pass through downtown Wellsboro on US6.

After checking out the overnight options in Mansfield and getting sticker-shock at the lodging prices, I decided to check out the options further down the road. The options started dwindling to a few when I wandered off the US highways and into the Wilds of the Allegheny Mountains. I called ahead to save a room in Canton at Doc's Irish Inn. I wasn't sure what to expect, but my buddy Rob gave the place a thumbs up. I pull into Canton glad to know that I have a room saved at the only lodging option in the small town. Here's what I found: An impressive large Victorian building where a very nice restaurant and bar is found on the first floor with rooms to let upstairs. My room was on the very front left corner.

The restaurant was obviously a popular spot. The number of customers present suggested that Doc's Irish Inn is a destination restaurant bringing in additional appetites from out of town. After getting settled upstairs, I made my way downstairs to enjoy an excellent meal myself.

My room had a street view and in addition to traffic noise, I could hear the muffled music until after midnight from the bar below. However, neither bothered me and only added to the ambiance of renting a room in a small town over a tavern. The room was nice with a private bath and wi-fi. Fair warning though to anyone traveling by motorcycle that might want to let a room over a tavern in Canton, Pennsylvania -- the only parking available is either on the street or in the gravel parking lot up a small hill behind the building. To get upstairs, you either take the main interior stairs from the front entry or the back deck stairs above the restaurant's service entrance. I fought with the gravel and hauled my gear up the back deck stairs. When making my way down the upstairs hallway and past the other rooms (some which share a hall bathroom), I got the idea that some of my fellow roomers are out of town workers renting their rooms by the week. But I was still quite satisfied with my room, the price, and the unique character of the location.

#142j Wooster: Before It's too Late

2009-06-18T12:00:00.185-04:00

Fleeter Log #142j

Wooster: Before It's Too Late

Day 12 - Thursday
June 18, 2009
187 miles

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Tiffin, OH to North Lima, OH

Entire trip here on Spotwalla

Can a mural kill birds? If it is realistic enough, it might. Eric Grohe did such a good job on the mural in downtown Bucyrus, Ohio that a few birds have been reported to have died when trying to fly under the archway into the enticing blue skies beyond.

Some folks might put their old classic motorcycle in a museum and some might leave their old love forgotten in the shed or out behind the garage, but someone in Bucyrus had a different idea.

Before leaving Bucyrus, I spent some quiet time in the local cemetery.

Leaving Bucyrus east bound on the Old Lincoln Highway (US30), I started seeing signs for Wooster. This made me wax nostalgic. I've never been to Wooster, but once upon a time I knew someone from Wooster. Mary Elizabeth Leppla was friends with Grandma Elizabeth (my friend Lisa's grandmother). Both Elizabeths were retired school teachers, widowed, and loved to travel. I met them over 17 years ago on one of their many trips to Texas. Grandma Elizabeth has since passed on a few years back. After her passing, I haven't heard any updates from Wooster. After leaving Bucyrus, I called my friend in Texas to inquire if Mary Elizabeth was still living. As far as she knew, "Yes." And so I stopped by a local library and looked up the Wooster address and phone number for Mary Elizabeth. I got back on the road and thought about what to do with the information. Should I stop? It's been many, many years? How is Mary Elizabeth's health? Mental state? Will she even remember me?

About an hour out of Wooster, I pulled over and found a quiet side road to make a phone call. "Hello, Mary Elizabeth? It's Claye. Claye ... from Texas ... Lisa's friend. Lisa ... Elizabeth's granddaughter ... in Austin, Texas. My name? Claye ... from Texas." Not real sure if she really figured out who I was, but I offered to pick up lunch for both us and come by to see her. She's now 92 years old, still living alone in her house, but gave her car up a while back. Since taking us out to lunch on the GS isn't really an option, I decide to pickup something for eating lunch in.

Mary Elizabeth greeted me at the door. She may even have dressed for company, but knowing Mary Elizabeth, I bet she gets up everyday and dresses for the day whether or not she's expecting company or going out herself. We enjoyed our lunch and reminisced about some of her trips to Texas. I offered to make a trip to the store if she needed anything in the house, but she said she was fine. After a couple hours it was time to say goodbye. I wished her well and continued eastward on The Lincoln Highway.

P.S. Mary Elizabeth passed away four months after my visit. I'm glad I made my stop in Wooster when I had the chance. obit

I made an early stop for the evening in North Lima, Ohio. I stopped here because I've stopped here before and was impressed with the motel -- nice location, layout, and price. I especially like the courtyard layout. You enter the closed courtyard through the drive through pavilion at the front office. Supper was at Steamers Restaurant next door.

#142i Fallen Timbers

2009-06-17T00:00:00.035-04:00

Fleeter Log #142i

Fallen Timbers

Day 11 - Wednesday
June 17, 2009
173 miles

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Coldwater, MI to Tiffin, OH
Entire trip here on Spotwalla

My already delayed departure from Coldwater met yet another delay before I could clear the area. Just a few blocks from the hotel, I realized that the GPS wasn't routing right so I pulled in to a medical office parking lot to address the problem. While I was sitting at the side of the parking lot fiddling with the GPS, I was joined by a marked patrol car piloted by a Branch County Deputy. First thing I thought was, "What? I wasn't doing anything wrong!" But my defensive stance was unfounded. He just wanted to get a better look at the fine looking motorcycle I was sitting on. Oh. Well, then. In that case . . . let's chat. I have all the time in the world.

It was quite late in the morning before I truly felt the joy of the breeze on US12. Fifty miles down the road I came to what is apparently a big deal in the southern part of the Automotive State known as Michigan. I rode right up on . . . The Michigan International Speedway. Here, names like Andretti, Petty, Earnhardt, and Gordon are spoken as in the worshiping of gods. Danica still stirs up controversy among those that just can't seem to accept that a woman can drive a car in a circle as fast as the guys can.

But my target was just past the Speedway. I found what I was looking for at Cambridge Junction. . . The Walker Tavern. This welcome sight offered respite to travelers during their five day journey on the Detroit to Chicago Stagecoach Line.
Lucy & Sylvester Walker from Cooperstown, New York bought the first tavern made of wood in 1832, then in 1853 the Walkers built another, larger tavern of brick. The historic brick building has been recently bought by Tom & Jennifer Lee.

Below is the "newer" tavern that is located to the south of current day US12 at MI50.

After checking out both Walker Taverns and getting my NPS stamp at the older tavern that is located inside the Cambridge Historic Park, I made a stop for fuel at Yoder's on my way to Onstead, Michigan.

Making my way to Toledo, US223 takes me through Blissfield, Michigan.

My primary goal, riding through Toledo, is to obtain the NPS ink stamp for Fallen Timbers. First I visit the Monument, then go find the ink stamp at the Maumee Library a few miles away.

Maumee Library home to the Fallen Timbers ink stamp.

When passing by this Quality Inn, I decided to stop early. I made a u-turn, a phone call from the parking lot to reservations, then a quick check-in. Soon I was eating at the restaurant next door.

It's hard to pass up a room with front door parking, appealing restaurant that shares the parking lot, and a location far away from most retail/commercial areas.

#142h Any Burketts in Burket?

2009-06-16T12:00:00.057-04:00

Fleeter Log #142h

Any Burketts in Burket?

Day 10 - Tuesday
June 16, 2009
207 miles

Warren, IN to Coldwater, MI

Entire trip here on Spotwalla

What's a four letter word for Sicilian volcano? Any halfway serious cross-worder will know the answer is ETNA. More obscure trivia may be that Mt Etna is "Indiana's smallest town" and the Purple Martin Capital of Indiana. Now you know some Indiana trivia, but the crossword answer will likely be more helpful.

On the night of March 31, 1880 the moon was entering into the last quarter, but the City of Wabash, Indiana made the phase of the moon seem less significant . . . at least to the folks on the city streets of Wabash. That was the night that Wabash became the First Electrically Lighted City in the World. At 8pm the local population of 320 was joined by 10,000 other people to witness the streets being flooded with electrical light. The lighting test was a success and the taxpayers agreed that the annual cost of $712 was worth the benefit of having lit streets all night, every night.

In other Wabash trivia notes:

Country singer Crystal Gayle (born Brenda Gail Webb) is from Wabash . . . moving there from Butcher Hollow, Kentucky with her parents when she was four years old.

Wabash was named after the Wabash River and has nothing to do with the fictitious train, "The Wabash Cannonball."

The Stockdale Mill caught my eye as I traveled east on IN16.

Then, as an additional bonus in the area, I spotted a covered bridge just around the corner. The Roann Covered Bridge (built in 1877) over the Eel River.

You can see the newer bridge framed by the timbers of the old Roann Covered Bridge.

Checking roots in Burket, Indiana. Burkett is a family name so a little history research seemed the appropriate thing to do when passing through the small town of Burket. The whole town is only about ten blocks total and only as many streets.

Much can be learned from small towns at the local tavern, cafe, or post office. It wasn't hard to locate the post office. That's where I make my first stop to inquire of the town's history.

The woman running the post office wasn't a long time resident, but she did have a newspaper clipping of one of the town's early residents: Joe Burket.

My next stop in search of historical information was the Methodist Church where a few church members were in the basement sorting items for a yard sale. They didn't know much more about the history of the town's name than the postal clerk, but they did agree on who the town's resident historian was. Unfortunately, she was not in attendance at the yard sale preparations today.

I did learn that the Burket name in this area was likely shortened from the name Burkhardt or Burkhart, (Johann Jacob Burkhardt immigrated from Germany 1754). The spelling Burket added a "t" somewhere in the 1800s making this family tree filled with Burkhardts, Burkets, and Burketts as they then moved from Ohio into the Indiana area.

My Burkett History:

My grandfather is Edgar Lorenza Burkett born in 1889 in Texas.
My great grandfather is Joseph Lafayette (J.L.) Burkett born in 1853 in Tennessee.
My gg grandfather is Jacob Lorenza Burkett born in 1830 in Tennessee.
My ggg grandfather is Henry Burkett Sr. born in 1796 in Virginia.
Possible information on my gggg grandfather is that he emigrated from Germany during the time frame that the Johann Jacob Burkhardt listed above arrived from Germany.

Unknown whether my family line is connected to these Indiana Burkets or not, but it was fun to stop and ask the questions. No more answers for me today in Burket, Indiana so time for me to continue my trek northward.

Etna Green has a grain elevator right across the street from the town's central park.

Enough playing around in Indiana. Time to move into Michigan.

The Cass County Maintenance Department building in Cassopolis, Michigan showcases several murals depicting the auto dealership that was housed in the same building in past decades.

http://classiccars.com/Articles/LE_Murals.aspx

The huge rainstorm that has been nipping at my back tire ever since leaving Cassopolis caught up with me as I was eastbound on MI60 and MI66.

I get slightly ahead of the rain then stop for the night in Coldwater, Michigan.