Wednesday night and we are now officially done with our adventure.

We drove along the highway behind a oversize load with a windmill part.  The most exciting thing we saw today was a track full of boxcars-and not moving...for a long time as there were weeds growing all around!  This lasted for miles and had a break whereever there was a driveway or road.

We travelled through Kansas, stopping in McPherson for lunch.  We ate at the Main Street Cafe.  It is a busy cafe and gift shop on Main Street.  I enjoyed a turkey sandwich with avacodo, spinach, and cream cheese while Kevin had a roast beef wrap.  To top it off I enjoyed a piece of homemade coconut cream pie.  The crust was light and flaky, the filling was creamy (but not enough) topped with equally creamy whipped cream (a bit too much compared to the filling amount).  Kevin had a piece of carrot cake,  as he puts it, "not the best but okay".

After lunch we went to the local antiques store, Antiques and Rare Finds.  We found a few items but a
bit too pricey for our interest today.  The gentleman who owns the place, Mark, is very passionate
about his items and loves to tell the stories associated with them.

We  ended up stopping  in Lincoln at the Aardvark Antique Mall.  I was on a hunt for a special piece to go in my kitchen.  I found a few small items but not "the" piece I wanted to.  Kevin walked out empty handed.

Having no groceries at home, we decided to eat before getting home.  We chose a local Omaha place that is new to us but very popular, Azteca.  It was delicious but filled us up more than needed!

At homework were greeted first by or precious Kit and Kat kitties. We were all so happy to reunite!  Before we ever got inside, we heard Desi and Abby saying hello!  Now here we are watching tv with cats happy on our laps!  Ah, the comfort of home!

Tonight we stopped in Garden City, Kansas for the evening.  We spent the day driving across New Mexico, hitting a bit of Texas and Oklahoma before ending up in Kansas.

We stopped in Tucumcari, New Mexico at Ken's ice cream on the historical Route 66.  We enjoyed a Reuben sandwich with curly fries topped off with a two scoop cup of ice cream.   Better to fate take you then a plan!

We saw the red bluffs of New Mexico, the wide open ranges in Texas, fields in Oklahoma, and the feed lots of Kansas.  The air was thick with the dust of harvesting.  Makes us thankful for the rich soil of home!

We did stop at a lovely antique store in Dalhart, Texas to stretch our legs.  While there was some beautiful things, there was nothing to fit us today.

One more day and our adventure is complete.

We are now on our way home!  We said good bye to Pawn Shop Paul as he gets a ride from his friend John to the airport.  Kevin and I have chosen the southern route to avoid any major California traffic. We are taking I-8 across the edge of California into Arizona.  It is both incredible and so desolate!

Mountains of rock...

Turns into sand dunes...

We have driven all day until Gallup, New Mexico.  The hotel we are staying at is so cool!  Okay, minus having to figure out how to keep the tv on!  

We stopped for lunch in Gila Bend, Arizona at Sopfia's Mexican Food.  I say it was the most authentic (but what do I know!) tex mex food yet.  I had a burrito and Kevin had gorditos.  Let's just say, we had enough that lasted us the whole day!  The ladies there were very nice.

It was a windy day driving through the desert!  I am so glad we and the riders never had to experience this, it was a sand storm out there!  I also have noticed and have the opinion that I prefer the Sonoran desert more so than the Mohave desert.  There is more vegetation in the Sonoran, which includes the cactus that you think about in a desert.  

As a post note, I want to add that the wonderful Italian resteraunt that we attended in Palm Desert was Cafe Italia.  

Greetings from I-8 in Southern California, Calexico is just south of where we are now.  We went from     mountains of rock to sea level where there are mountains of hay!  I think they have more than Kansas!

Let me catch you up.  After my last entry we ate at a lovely Italian restaurant next to our hotel.  It was a small quaint place.  The atmosphere was intimate and friendly.  The food was as wonderful as the staff!  This a place who has singing waiters!  We were surprisingly entertained with songs from Beauty and the Beast!

Before we ate, Kevin and Paul had a bit of maintain to do on the Indian but not much.  We were in good shape for the last day.

Sunday morning was a pleasant morning, about 70 degrees and sunny.  There were some bikes at the finally starting gate that haven't been running most of the race, or that even had any intention of riding further than out of the gate!  It is only a short 101 miles but any mile can take a rider and I am excited and a bit anxious as I know my Indian is so close to covering every mile!

Paul and I have a route that is about 150 miles as we are diverted to the interstate to Carlsbad, California.  It is on this ride we have seen our last "field" together.  There is a field of about 3000 windmills of small and large sizes!  We see a field of solar panels as well.  As we travelled across the states, we have seen fields of palm trees, dead tour buses, coke machines, pallets, and hay bales as well as the usual fields.

We were able to find our hotel without problem.  It is only 11:00 and too early to check in so we head to the adjoining hotel grill.  As it turns out, Paul ends our journey together on a high note.  First off he
gets to sit on a big bench seat and then has a delicious ahi tuna tostada!  I have to agree, it was pretty
delicious!  I on the other hand, had a boring Caesar salad!  By the time we got done and got our check it was time to head to the finish line.

While some of the support teams used the uber system to get a ride, Paul and I took our motovan.  We ended up finding a spot just a block away from our destination, the visitor center.  We got there about 30 minutes prior to the expected arrival.  I am so impressed with the number of people who are already there!  The first one there is the sadly wrecked one from Nebraska, there on display.

The riders slowly start coming in, a few at first then a bigger group and then staggered until they are all in!  Those who left just to turn around, started a short ways from the finish so they too could ride in with the group.  The desert took a few out today but all got swept up to be able to make the final show for the crowd.  I am proud to say my Indian successfully completed every mile!  This includes
the day when they were given an out due to rain, but nope he rode them all!

There was champagne sprayed and drank!  There was cheering and hugging as friends and family met the riders.  Some had their children and wives welcome them in from all over the country.  We got to share our kazoos with some of them.  Sometimes we had to show them how to use it.

The riders congratulated each other as they went around and introduced their loved ones to each other.  It is bittersweet as this amazing journey ends and the people we have had the pleasure to spent three weeks together, now go our separate ways back to our routine lives. 

We ended the evening with a banquet dinner to give out awards, give special recognition to some of the riders, and to announce each rider that participated in this incredible feat for the machines and their riders. 

While this was not the scenic tour I thought I would I, it was so much more!  The people I met and got to know for this short time is more priceless than I imaged.  Getting to see a glimpse of the country from side to side gives me ideas of where to spend more travel adventures, or as the Europeans say, where to go for my next holiday! 

In case you are wondering, #97 finished in 12th place!  Out of the 92 bikes that started there were less than 20 who were able to complete every mile.  The top bunch of bikes were mostly Henderson's and 

there was one Harley Davidson ( whose rider is 74 years old and has been riding this particular bike 

for 40 years!).  Kevin was the top finishing Indian!  I say this with a bit of sadness because one of the people I am glad to have met had a 4 mile deduction on the 14th day.  If he would have had the part he needed to fix on the road, he could have made all the miles as it took him only two minutes to repair. He has a beautiful blue Indian!

I missed a photo opportunity last night from the lake of the sunset!  My phone and camera were in the room as I took a walk out to the shore!

This morning was perfect as we left Lake Havasu.  I did end up running interference for a group of riders on their way  out of town.  There was a long stretch of no passing or short passing areas so I just kept a steady distance, enough to protect them from crazy drivers!  This lasted about 25 miles!  I'm sure the drivers behind me hated me, but I hope the riders appreciated it.

Paul and I ended up on route 92 through the desert for quite some time time!  If you ask us, it was a lot of nothing!  When Kevin came in he expressed how beautiful he thought it was!  Talk about perspective!

We arrived in Palm Desert about 11:00 thinking there was no way we were getting in, surprise!  We 

were checked in and looking for lunch in no time!  We found lunch at an eatery in another hotel.  It was a huge club sandwich with awesome fries (I restrained and ate only a bit more than half!).  The calamari was less than to be desired (thank goodness it ended up free!).  

There was now free time time and no errands to run!  It is Pool Time!  Not wanting to burn I made it short, only 75 minutes.  By the time I got back to the room and showered, it was time for the bikes to come in.  

Here we are in California and there is a gentleman who tells Kevin he so appreciates his blog and videos on the Indian!  And then he tells me thank you for my blog!  (Yeah!  I'm being read!). More kazoos are handed out  and I apologize to the parents! 

Tomorrow is the big finish with 101 miles to go!  Please wish my Indian well as she /he has finished every mile so far!  

We have finished day thirteen again with all the miles complete!  As of now, my Indian is in 14th place!  This has not been without some difficulties to the other riders. Turns out there was a misunderstanding that caused the first place rider to get a penalty which sent him to 21st place.  Others have had bike problems costing them miles.  Kevin keeps chugging along in second gear most of the time which leaves him a bit frustrated yet he gets the day done in time!

Yesterday we left Williams, Arizona with a beautiful clear sky!  It was a chilly start at 43 degrees but the end of the day will be in the 80's in Lake Havasu, Arizona.

As we got out on the road it was terribly windy!  Of coups we were sent on the interstate while the riders got to enjoy the historic Route 66.  I learned later by some riders talking there are still a number of the Burma Shave signs along the route.  Evidently if you have seen the movie "The Fastest 

Indian" they have a scene about them.  Well let me tell you, there was nothing like that on I 40!  

Needless to say, Paul and I had a boring ride most of the way.  I did think the was one section as we cut through the mountains that was amazing.  

As we neared Lake Havasu, Paul told me the story of the town.  It was founded in 1964, the founder bought the London Bridge in 1968 AR a public auction, and it was completed in 1971.  

Here it is, in it's new home!  And when you view it up close, every brick has a number on it to assure it is placed correctly.  

Here is a view of the lake from one of the public areas.  Palm trees on a lake!  How tropical!  

We went to the town park area where the bikes came in, what a great crowd!  Kevin had some friends form Phoenix drive up to see him!  Thank you Chuck and Tina, as well as Warren.  We were given a nice taco dinner buffet here as well.  The crowd was wonderful,  and yes a few more parents are cursing us for the kazoos!

We found out one of our fellow Nebraska riders got in an accident today.  Thankfully all is well!  The rider is a bit banged up and the bike is in rideable but we are so thankful nothing worse.  We are happy to say they plan to continue on this hard journey.  

Everyday I am proud and more so thankful of my Indian's progress.  The boys have been able to put just a few adjustments into the bike at the end of the day without long hours.  

Tonight I once again got to have a bit of my favorite time, social hour!  I was fully intending on going to the room until I stopped to talk to another team. (hard to believe!).   Very nice gentlemen, I love this time of day! 

Good evening from a very windy and chilly Williams, AZ.  Forgive me for not posting last night.  Apparently the slow internet and tired eyes were not a good match for blogging!

We left Durango on Wednesday morning in the rain and continued to go in and out of it all day.  It did hold off while we went through the Four Corners.  I was able to take some photos before the sprinkles started again.

Paul was excited about the long straight stretches of highway!  He races his NXS and figured this would be the perfect road.  We did not, however, race our motovan!  The scenery slowly changed from the high dessert mountains and cliffs to more red rock as we continued into Arizona .

This is an attempt to give you some appreciation of the drive today.

There wasn't too much to stop and see until we got closer to Page,Arizona.  I noticed a lot of cars and people transport vehicles for some antelope creek canyon.  Further down the road I saw what looked like a line of ants going down a long flight of stairs.  I didn't really give it any more thought until later.

We got to Page too early to check into the hotel.  Paul and I took this time to run our daily errands and grab some lunch.  ( Nothing worth mentioning unfortunately.). We got checked in and waited for Kevin to arrive, by this time it was a very pleasant day/evening.

Kevin and another rider, Ryan coming in together.  As the riders settled into working on their bikes, there were a number of people stopping to look, take photos, and ask questions.  We had two separate couples from Germany stop by, one from Ontario, a man from Oregon and his friend from San Francisco, and a few locals.  It was at this time the gentleman from Ontario showe me photos of Antelope Canyon. Oh my goodness!  It is spectacular!  We do not have the time to go to it now but it is definitely on my list to come back to!  I recommend you checking it out for yourselves as well.

So here is the sign for yesterday, we found it in the toilet facilities at the Four Corners.  It was an outhouse type bathroom, not a port-a-potty!

Okay, so we left Page this morning with some cloud cover but overall not too bad-except for the wind!  It has blown ALL day!  We had the chance to stop by the Grand Canyon but it turned into a rainy day on top of all the wind.  All this with a temperature of about 55 all day.  Paul and I did take some short stops at a few scenic overlooks.  One such stop was a bit uncomfortable as we had a "local tour guide" come talk to us and gave me a quick setting advisement on my camera.  As he had my camera(gasp!) I kept thinking of how to take him down if needed!  No need, all is well!

The road is full of signs about animals but we never saw any.  As we neared Flagstaff we came across the Coconino National Forest.  As a few rays of light peeked through the clouds the mountainside lit up with the fall color!  

We arrived in Williams by 10:45!  Far too early to check in.  We drove up and down the streets 

(there's only two main streets and they are each one way!) to find our hotel and check out the eating 

choices.  I am happy to say, today was a good eats day!  We went to the Historical Brewing Barrel & Bottle for lunch.  It was very tasty!  We each had one of their homemade pastrami sandwiches.  It was on rye bread, ground mustard, sauerkraut, and cheese accompanied with homemade herbed French fries. They brew their beer and make wine as well.  So, rainy day sounded like a wine tasting day!  The staff was very friendly and the atmosphere pleasing.

As I mentioned before, we had the chance to stop at the Grand Canyon, and so did the riders.  It was raining and windy and so most of them just rode through and got in early.  By the time it was time to check in, the rain had stopped, but the wind prevails! 

Kevin came in finishing all his miles again today!  He had a stop at lunch where there was a little boy and his dad.  He even let the little boy sit on the Indian!

It was somewhere during the day when there was no rain Kevin could have really used it!  He had his rain gear on which is a bit poofier than usual and nylon.  Nylon and hot exhaust do not make good together as you can see here:

Yep, it burned a hole after actually having a fire on his pants!  He said he was going down the road 30mph while hitting to get it out!  All is well, don't worry.  They guys had a couple hours of work tonight before we went for supper.  

Once again, a great food night!  We ended up at Station 66 Italian Bistro.  Wood fired pizza, homemade wood fired Mac and cheese, and grandma's lasagna- so delicious! The lasagna was the winner as we each shared bites to sample all.  

As I close this edition, the wind is still howling! Hopefully it blows it self out by the morning!

Hello from Durango, Colorado!  Today was day ten of riding and the hardest of all.  We had to go through Wolf Creek Pass at an elevation of 10,800.  They started the morning at 8:00 in Pueblo.  Kevin wore his lucky vintage Indian jacket today.  Notice the bead work in the top center, it is done by real Indians.

 

 The bikes had an option to get a 22mile deduction if they wanted to bypass and get a ride over the pass.  There is no way my Indian was taking the pass!  He may have gone up in first gear for a ways but he made it up and over and back down safely and on time!  As of yesterday his standing is 17th!  With the hardest days behind we feel we just have to finish everyday and we will be so happy!

The ride across Colorado today was one through the high desert.  There are a few flowers still blooming but not many, but the trees are starting to turn!  The mountains  are full of evergreens, aspens, and birches.  The trees are golden yellow and the sumac are red.  Together mixed with the green it is brilliant! 

Durango seems to set in a valley with a creek running through it. It is very scenic from the little we have seen today.  It is as physical and green as what you image Colorado to be.

After a short night of work to the bike, we headed to hotel restaurant.  Nothing too noteworthy today, sorry to say! 

Here is a sign across the road from our hotel:

Yep, that's right, there a number of them in a row and evidently it helps to have a sense of humor!

At the end of day nine of riding, my Indian is getting ready for tomorrow's ride in Pueblo, Colorado.  Today the ride was a hot 270 miles through Kansas into Colorado.  Although the day started out very foggy, even worse than Saturday, it only lasted for about an hour.

Driving across Kansas, we saw the biggest feedlot ever!  I should have taken a photo it was so impressive!  Then we saw the biggest wind power parts yard!

We got to Pueblo by noon.  We checked in and got a place to eat lunch.  Let me just say, so much better than the last couple days!  We were given the recommendation to an Irish brew pub.  So we took the two block walk to the Shamrock Brewing Company.  It was delicious!  Both Paul and I had the green chili chicken mac cheese.  It was a pasta dish with chicken and a creamy cheese sauce with a bit zip to it.  To make sure every bit of sauce was enjoyed, two prices of wonderful tasting bread accompanied the dish.  Talk about a carb overload!  It should have been two meals but oh no, I ate it all in one!  Paul, nope he quit and did not get the clean plate prize!

We then walked it off by finding the Riverwalk.  It is a small version of San Antonio's Riverwalk.  We were entertained by a toddler playing in a fountain.

Here is Kevin as he arrives this afternoon.  Again, all miles complete in the allotted time.  We then found out the riders got a free supper from non other than Shamrock Brewing Company!  Support people got a discount.  Having already eaten too much,  I did not feel like another try at it.  Kevin and Paul went to work on the bike while I got some take out.  Even with that it was wonderful.  Paul had the Irish ale cheese soup. The same bread came with it, Paul was in heaven!  Kevin chose the Irish club sandwich, a fancy Reuben!  Another palette pleasing choice.

I forgot to mention while we were in the restaurant earlier today, I noticed how supportive of October breast cancer awareness they are.

Now that's a big pink bra!  

The sign of the day:

You won't find this one in Nebraska!

After a long day yesterday (they worked until 2am!) they only had to work until 9pm tonight.  Tomorrow we have to be out by 7:00,  so it off to bed for us now.

Good night

Here it is Sunday in Dodge City, KS.  Sunday for this group is definitely not a day day of rest!  Kevin  has been working all day on cleaning the valves and timing case or some such thing (once again, if you want the full details you'll have to ask Kevin!).   He had some help this morning from Joel who came down from Fort Calhoun to see the three area riders.  He also got some help from Spike and Mark Bare as they help Paul run errands.

See this high tech tool?  Well, the maid whose cart this came from came looking for it!  So one item put on the list was a small shop vac ( which by the way cost about as much as the "rent"!).  

While Kevin and Paul have been busy working on the bike, I have had the joy of doing laundry!  The good thing,  I got a chance to update my journal and get in a workout.  I now have the route chart rolled.  Whew!  rough day!

Now that I've covered today, let me tell you about yesterday.  We had a short day of 187 miles from Wichita to Dodge City.  It started out with some very dense fog which opened up to a sunny day ending with a beautiful harvest moon.

Today was the first time Paul and I witnessed some of the people that lined the roads to watch the 

bikes go by.

This is at a Casey's as some of the other support trailers go by.  We actually started a bit after some of the riders and passed them about 15 minutes prior to this.  

We haven't had time to go sight seeing but today we got lucky enough to pass by something cool!  We stopped to take a photo and then I had Paul Google what it was.  Turns out it is M.T. Liggett's political sculptures near Mullinville.  

We checked into the hotel and dropped off all our bags before heading over to the museum to see the bikes come in.  We got a recommendation on food but I am afraid this time, not a good experience!  There will be no names mentioned but as the only two customers in there it took what I thought to be an unacceptable amount of time to get service.  We decided that we should ear light since there was a hosted meal in several hours.  We got dessert and coffee, not a hard order.  Let me just say Paul's was a frozen cheesecake and mine was some sort of flavored fluff on a semi frozen wafer layer.  We certainly had room for supper.

We got over to the museum where we had the pleasure of seeing my mom and dad!  They made an 8 hour trip to see Kevin arrive as well as the others.  I am so impressed my mom has been keeping tabs on the event and they know more about the points and such than me!  Unfortunately our time was 

short so not a great visit.  They went to go eat while we went to the hosted dinner.

The hosted dinner was from the Boot Hill restaurant ( I didn't catch the name ).   Let me say it was one of my favorites- chicken fried steak!  It was delicious!  Complete with real potatoes and green beans.  I am so glad I had room to eat it all! 

We got back to the hotel where it was time to tear into the bike and see what work was to be done.  By the end of the night everyone was more relaxed and ready to be done for a bit.  One of the nearby camps had a guitar player who could sing as well.  So this started the impromptu campfire sing along!  There was an attempt at line dancing and a chorus of kazoos to join in for a few songs! It was a beautiful night to be in the parking lot!  

As this entry ends, I have learned Kevin is still in 18th place!  There are 60 bikes still running but only 22 that have run all the miles.  Evidently the only way Kevin can move up is to suddenly age a lot or have something go wrong with the bikes in front of him.  I  wish no ill to anyone and I am so pleased to get everyday completing all the miles.  Have I mentioned how proud I am of Kevin?!  Of course I have to give a shout out to Paul who has been so helpful.  I know that both Kevin and I owe him so much and he has made both our days much easier.  Thank you, Paul. 

Friday has finished on a dry note after raining all day!  It rained so hard I had to put my wipers on fast!  If it was that bad in a vehicle, image wha t it was like to be  on a bike!  And not just any bike, one that can only go about 45mph on a very busy (both cars and lots of semis!) road.

Paul and I got to our destination when Kevin called, they called the ride due to weather at the lunch break, could we come pick him up.  Twenty miles later, never mind, he's riding all the way in!  He wants to be able to say he rode all the way!  And I am so proud to say he has!  He rode in wet and
safe!

We were hosted by three of the riders here with an amazing steak fry!  The best grilled corn and dilly bars to go with it!  The local club was so generous they gave goodie bags to the riders with different Kansas treats.  Definitely the best stop yet!  

When we got done we viewed the local motorcycle museum, OZ Museum.  They are small but cool!  And you have to check out their bathroom!

But let me go back to this afternoon.  When Kevin said he was going to ride, Paul and I waited enroute at the historical Beaumont, KS hotel/cafe.  There is a shadow of a booming town that is still very active with small planes and motorcycles.  In Beaumont you can fly your plane in landing on a grass strip and taxi it to the hotel!  Stop by and talk to Kim, she is so passionate about this wonderful piece of history and still in the making!

Thursday started off with Kevin leaving from Cape Girardeau having all his miles in for every day!  It was a cloudy day for Paul and I but once again, Kevin got stuck riding through some rain.  But never fear, my fearless Indian came through yet another day with all miles completed in the appropriate time!  This marks the end of six days and ranked 18th!

This is the crowd gathered to meet the riders in Springfield, Missouri.  It had a few thunder cracks and sprinkles but it held off for a beautiful night.  There was some work to be done again tonight but it was done in the parking lot with the people wondering and talking to the riders.  I was left alone some of the time as the boys had to go various places for items.  I was so happy I listened and watched Kevin with the bike because there were those who asked questions and I could answer partially.

One of the fans was riding this motorized bike and had Kevin take a seat.  I'm thinking he looks much better on the Indian!  

It took several hours to make the needed repairs and then it was off to supper.  We ate at the Italian restaurant across from the hotel, Gilardi's.  I had tuna and shrimp special that was wonderful!  Top that with but what else... tiramisu!  

All this goodness after a spectacular burger for lunch at Black Sheep in the downtown area.  I chose the newest item that was 4ounces of burger topped with 4 ounces short rib, egg, truffle mayo and chipotle bbq sauce! OMG!  It's like three sandwiches in one!  (Yep, you guessed it-Friday morning workout!)  and that was washed down with a delicious Oreo shake!

This is Sly.  He is 4 1/2 months old and so cute!  He was one of the spectators this afternoon (and the cutest!).  On that note, I am off to sleep.  Tomorrow we head for Wichita.