DAY 7....491 MILES (2572)....HOME

Rising early in Plankinton, SD., it took me an hour to load the bike. You would think after this many days I would have it figured out, but it never seems to load the same way two days in a row. I headed south on 281, which would take me all the way to Kansas. I stopped in Grand Island, NE. to get a sandwich for lunch and to shed some clothes. It was gradually getting warmer the closer I got to Kansas. The rest of the trip home was brutally warm (HOT), but I survived. I had left the event site at 2:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon and arrived home at 3:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon. The picture says it all!!!!!!!!!!
I rode a total of 2572 miles in 7 days, and was in 4 states and 1 other country. The weather was great other than the temperature extremes, but still a VERY pleasurable ride. For those of you that have never made one of these events, you don't know what you're missing!!!!!!
See you in Maryland...............
Motor Mike

DAY 6....539 MILES (2081)....LAKE METIGOSHE/PLANKINTON, SD

BIKES ARE LOADED......JUST WAITING FOR IT TO WARM UP.

SOME OF THE BIKES IN ATTENDANCE.

GOOD EATING AND GOOD VISITING

We arose in Minot on Saturday morning to very brisk temperatures. In fact the low tied a record low set years ago, which was 44*. We stalled as long as possible, but it finally came time to leave for Lake Metigoshe and Thumpercafe #21. The ride was about 1.5 hours, and was plenty cool. Several of our group decided to ride a loop in Canada, joining us later at the lake, but one of the bikes broke down shortly after crossing the border. One of the other members went to rescue him with a new spark plug, but it turned out to be more serious. They did get him back to the U.S., and he is on his way home in a vehicle with 4 wheels instead of two. I'm sure he will tell more about this adventure when he has the time.
The Thumpercafe was great as usual. There were about 30 bikes in attendance, and the food was great too. Thanks to Dave and Wade for organizing this, as it went off with no problems, and you couldn't have ordered any better weather. In my opinion the best thing about these events is the people. This is a great group of people and if you don't take the time to make some of these events, you're really missing out.
After everything was over I jumped on the KLR and headed South. I rode for 7 hours, stopping in Plankinton, SD for the night, just before it got dark. I rode a total of 539 miles for the day.
I'll do one last post when I get home Sunday afternoon. Talk to you Sunday.
Motor Mike

DAY 5....253 MILES (1542)....MINOT, ND

INTERNATIONAL PEACE GARDENS

INTERNATIONAL PEACE GARDENS

911 MEMORIAL

IT HAD TO HAPPEN SOONER OR LATER SPENDING SO MUCH
TIME WITH JACK. I WENT NUTS AND THEY LOCKED ME UP!!!!!

TURTLE MADE OF AUTO WHEELS

GEOGRAPHICAL CENTER OF NORTH AMERICA

We left Minot mid morning, and I made one mistake. I left my heated jacket in the motel room thinking I wouldn't need it. I was wrong!!!! The air was cold and I was cold. I've already got it unpacked for Saturday morning with lows forecast in the mid 40's. We rode up to Lake Metigoshe and had lunch at the site of the Thumpercafe on Saturday. It is a beautiful setting with the lake in the background. After lunch Jack and I rode into Canada to see the International Peace Gardens. It was nice but neither of us was overly impressed. On our way back to Minot we stopped in Dunseith to see the turtle made of auto wheels, then on to Rugby to see the Geographical Center of North America. The winds were brutal and very cold. We made it back just in time for the BBQ in the backyard of one of the local FSSNOC members here in town. The food was delicious, and the company of all the local Thumper riders was even more fun.
It's hard to believe that the week of riding is almost over and Thumper Cafe #21 is about to happen. After the event tomorrow I will start my long trek home. It's a little over 1,000 miles to home, and I plan on being there sometime Sunday afternoon.
I will try to post on Saturday night to let you know how I'm progressing.
Motor Mike

DAY 4....257 MILES (1289)....MINOT, ND

Canyon Twisties on the road to Minot

Leaving Bowman North Dakota this morning about 8:15 A.M., it was a little cool riding out of town. I still haven't got my heated jacket out, but I think it's going to happen soon. Jack brought his but forgot the cord to plug it in, so I would guess he's going to be cold. The low tonight and Friday night is supposed to be in the 40's., so it's going to feel good to have heat. About 30 miles out of Bowman my bike turned over 25,000 miles. Not bad for a 2.5 year old bike. We were sure glad we went back to Bowman last night instead of going to Dickinson like we had planned. You will recall we changed our plans because of the weather. Dickinson had a tornado last night that really destroyed a lot of buildings in town. We had to ride around the town because of all the damage.
The rest of the ride to Minot was very beautiful, riding through a canyon that looked like a miniature Grand Canyon. A lot of twisty roads, that are always fun, but the wind was blowing extremely hard. This always makes things interesting on a motorcycle, but all in all it was a great day.
Tomorrow we're going to ride up North to Lake Metigoshe, then on into Canada to see the International Peace Gardens. We will return to Minot on Friday night for a BBQ at a local FSSNOC members house.
Talk to you on Friday evening.
Motor Mike

DAY 3....270 MILES (1032)....BOWMAN, ND

BREAKFAST, CLOSE TO CUSTER STATE PARK

OUR HORSES TIED UP OUTSIDE THE RESTAURANT

PROOF THAT I ACTUALLY RODE IN THE DIRT

GEOGRAPHIC CENTER OF THE UNITED STATES

FLAG AT THE CENTER OF THE NATION

ENTERING NORTH DAKOTA

CLICK ON THE PICTURES FOR FULL SIZE

We left Custer about 8:00 A.M. Wednesday morning and rode into the Custer State Park, riding some twisties, and seeing Mt. Rushmore. We ate breakfast at the Elk Haven Restaurant, then headed towards Deadwood, Lead, and Spearfish South Dakota. Leaving Spearfish headed North on 85, we came across a sign that said "Center of the Nation". It was a dirt road, but we decided to go see what it was. Out in the middle of nowhere was a marker that marks the geographic center of the U.S. It was worth the trip, even though both of our bikes are now so dirty you can't tell what color they are. We need to find a car wash soon!!!!!
We stopped in Bowman North Dakota for late lunch/supper, and when we got ready to leave everyone was telling us that Bowman was in a severe thunderstorm warning. We headed North towards Dickinson but after 6-8 miles turned around. It was obvious we were going to get wet, so we're in Bowman for the night. It's a good thing, because they spotted a tornado just west of Dickinson tonight. Hopefully the sun is shining once again on Thursday morning.
Where are we are headed for on Thursday?? "Why not Minot"
Hey.....I'm a poet and didn't know it"
Talk to you Thursday evening.
Motor Mike

DAY 2....385 MILES (761)....CUSTER, SD

WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO HANG OUR CLOTHES SO JACK
CAME UP WITH THIS. CAN YOU FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS? JACK IS SO SMART.

ENTERING THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA. DO YOU SEE
ANYTHING UNUSUAL?

BUFFALO HERDS

MOTEL IN CUSTER, S.D.

CLICK ON THE PICTURES FOR FULL SIZE

Sorry, I didn't have internet on Tuesday evening.
We left North Platte on Tuesday morning about 9:00 A.M. Traveling North through Western Nebraska we were treated to rolling green hills, being able to see what seemed like eternity. The only thing negative was that it all begins to look the same, with 100 miles seeming like 500. We actually went over a river called Dismal River in Hooker County, if that tells you anything. After lunch we headed towards the Black Hills in South Dakota, arriving in Custer early evening. We saw several buffalo herds on the way to Custer, some standing in the middle of the road. Wednesday morning we are riding some of the roads inside Custer State Park, then going to Mt. Rushmore before heading North towards North Dakota. Weather has been great so far, and the bikes evidently like it too, as I've been getting in the low to mid 60's for mileage.
Talk to you Wednesday evening.....
Motor Mike

DAY 1....NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA....377 MILES

CLICK ON THE PICTURES FOR FULL SIZE

Jack and I left Thumperville bright and early this morning........well , it was bright........and it was early for Jack. We thumped through the NW corner of the wheat state, under beautiful blue skies and puffy white clouds, headed towards Nebraska. I saw parts of Kansas I didn't even know existed. We just took our time and stopped in several of the little towns, one being Paradise. Paradise was a nice little town, and very unique, but I'm confident the Paradise that God is preparing for us will be much better. We were going to stop in McCook, but had plenty of time so we rode on to North Platte. Tuesday we are heading towards the Black Hills and Mt. Rushmore.
Talk to you Tuesday evening.
Motor Mike