THE LAST INSTALLMENT OF THE MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURE
Yes, I finished the trip. More importantly, we reached our goal of riding all 48 states in three summers. Here is the end of the story:
DAY 15
Beginning location: Bourbonnais, IL
Day 15 destination: Sikeston, MO
States visited: Illinois, (24) Missouri, (25) Kentucky
Daily mileage: 439
Cumulative mileage: 7,539
Day 15 was to be our last day together. Most of us had our sights set on home, while I was on the way to Nashville to spend time with Jaimee, my oldest daughter. But first, we wanted to experience more of The Mother Road, historic Route 66. We spent the day riding from place to place on Route 66, taking our time to stop and recall things we hadn't seen since our childhood days - the Texaco star, old-school gas pumps, Standard Oil stations, and more. Along the way, we met some interesting people, including a man traveling the country alone in a Mini-Cooper, had a pleasant lunch at Roy's Route 66 Family Diner, took a roadside nap... so many memories that will last us a lifetime.
We decided to end the day in Sikeston, Missouri - affording us an opportunity to have a late dinner at Lambert's Cafe, home of the famous "throwed rolls". The Lambert's motto is "we hope you come hungry, leave full, and hopefully have a laugh or two." All of this was certainly true of our experience at Lambert's.
Before getting to Lamberts, though, we had quite the adventure finding Kentucky! Kentucky was oh, so important - the final state... state number 48... the finish line in achieving the three-year goal of riding all 48 states in three summers. I knew I would be riding through Kentucky on my way to Nashville the next day - but I wanted us to achieve this milestone together, before we headed separate ways. There is satisfaction in dreaming a dream and seeing it through to completion. There were times we could have quit for so many reasons - weather, fatigue, the expense of it all - but we pressed on. Richard Nixon said, "Defeat doesn't finish a man, quit does. A man is not finished when he's defeated. He's finished when he quits." I am SO glad we didn't quit, saw it through, and finished the course!
Anyway... back to the narrative: While planning, I had not noticed how Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky converge at a point where the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers meet. It's called the "confluence" of the rivers, and the state lines are actually "in" the rivers, causing me to be confused... causing me to call home and say to Annette, "I need help. I can't find Kentucky." Annette was driving and couldn't help, but one of Randall's friends was able to check a map, explain the situation, and help us out. Yes, we could have stopped and checked real maps ourselves, but we were racing the clock, trying to get to Lambert's before closing. We succeeded on all counts: found Kentucky, completed the 48-state challenge, and made it to Lambert's on time.
What a day! The photos below help me to recall some of the great Day-15 experiences - many of them, obviously, along Route 66. Lambert's was our "last supper" before parting ways the next morning. The New Orleans crew headed south for home, while I set my sights on Nashville to see my little girl.
Family is a big, big deal to us. No doubt, the time with great friends is a blessing, and we cherish every moment of the 15 days together on our 2014 adventure. I mean, how many can say they spent that kind of always-together time with a bunch of crazy motorcycle people and never - I mean NEVER - experienced a harsh word spoken? We are blessed with great friends, for sure. But family is a big, big deal to us, and I have spent precious little time in Nashville with Jaimee, our first-born, since she moved there some three years ago. So, as sad as it was to say goodbye to great friends - I was ready to see my little girl!
We don't like Jaimee being so far away from the rest of our family, but we know God called her to her place of work and ministry in Nashville. Seeing God's plan and purpose for her continue to unfold in Nashville has served as confirmation that she is exactly where she is supposed to be.
After breakfast with the guys and goodbyes, I headed to a car wash to wash some of the 17 days of road grime off of the Road Glide (I mean, I can't show up to see my daughter with a nasty bike!), then set my sights on Nashville. Jaimee works for an adoption and orphan care ministry called Show Hope, helping children without parents to find forever families. Show Hope also equips adoptive and foster parents with tools and education that helps them deal with issues unique to their circumstances - something Jaimee is particularly passionate about. Show Hope's offices are actually in Franklin, Tennessee, so that's where I headed. After a short 239-mile ride to Nashville, I was able to spend the rest of Day 16 and all of Day 17 with my daughter and her friends. I was also able to squeeze in a late-night visit with my brother and his family before heading for home. The pics below highlight some of my time in Nashville - only some, because Jaimee is not much of a fan of the camera. So much so that, arriving at a lunch with some of Jaimee's close friends, I grabbed my camera. "What are you going to do with that?" was the question I got - so... no pics of that lunch. No pics of the night life in downtown Nashville (honkeytonking, she calls it)... But it's okay. Those memories remain!
We decided to end the day in Sikeston, Missouri - affording us an opportunity to have a late dinner at Lambert's Cafe, home of the famous "throwed rolls". The Lambert's motto is "we hope you come hungry, leave full, and hopefully have a laugh or two." All of this was certainly true of our experience at Lambert's.
Before getting to Lamberts, though, we had quite the adventure finding Kentucky! Kentucky was oh, so important - the final state... state number 48... the finish line in achieving the three-year goal of riding all 48 states in three summers. I knew I would be riding through Kentucky on my way to Nashville the next day - but I wanted us to achieve this milestone together, before we headed separate ways. There is satisfaction in dreaming a dream and seeing it through to completion. There were times we could have quit for so many reasons - weather, fatigue, the expense of it all - but we pressed on. Richard Nixon said, "Defeat doesn't finish a man, quit does. A man is not finished when he's defeated. He's finished when he quits." I am SO glad we didn't quit, saw it through, and finished the course!
Anyway... back to the narrative: While planning, I had not noticed how Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky converge at a point where the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers meet. It's called the "confluence" of the rivers, and the state lines are actually "in" the rivers, causing me to be confused... causing me to call home and say to Annette, "I need help. I can't find Kentucky." Annette was driving and couldn't help, but one of Randall's friends was able to check a map, explain the situation, and help us out. Yes, we could have stopped and checked real maps ourselves, but we were racing the clock, trying to get to Lambert's before closing. We succeeded on all counts: found Kentucky, completed the 48-state challenge, and made it to Lambert's on time.
 |
| Mission accomplished! |
 |
| 48 states in three summers - and Kentucky was the last one. |
What a day! The photos below help me to recall some of the great Day-15 experiences - many of them, obviously, along Route 66. Lambert's was our "last supper" before parting ways the next morning. The New Orleans crew headed south for home, while I set my sights on Nashville to see my little girl.
DAY 16 and 17
Beginning location: Sikeston, MO
Day 16 destination: Nashville, TN
States visited: Kentucky, (26) Tennessee
Daily mileage: 239
Cumulative mileage: 7,778
Family is a big, big deal to us. No doubt, the time with great friends is a blessing, and we cherish every moment of the 15 days together on our 2014 adventure. I mean, how many can say they spent that kind of always-together time with a bunch of crazy motorcycle people and never - I mean NEVER - experienced a harsh word spoken? We are blessed with great friends, for sure. But family is a big, big deal to us, and I have spent precious little time in Nashville with Jaimee, our first-born, since she moved there some three years ago. So, as sad as it was to say goodbye to great friends - I was ready to see my little girl!
We don't like Jaimee being so far away from the rest of our family, but we know God called her to her place of work and ministry in Nashville. Seeing God's plan and purpose for her continue to unfold in Nashville has served as confirmation that she is exactly where she is supposed to be.
After breakfast with the guys and goodbyes, I headed to a car wash to wash some of the 17 days of road grime off of the Road Glide (I mean, I can't show up to see my daughter with a nasty bike!), then set my sights on Nashville. Jaimee works for an adoption and orphan care ministry called Show Hope, helping children without parents to find forever families. Show Hope also equips adoptive and foster parents with tools and education that helps them deal with issues unique to their circumstances - something Jaimee is particularly passionate about. Show Hope's offices are actually in Franklin, Tennessee, so that's where I headed. After a short 239-mile ride to Nashville, I was able to spend the rest of Day 16 and all of Day 17 with my daughter and her friends. I was also able to squeeze in a late-night visit with my brother and his family before heading for home. The pics below highlight some of my time in Nashville - only some, because Jaimee is not much of a fan of the camera. So much so that, arriving at a lunch with some of Jaimee's close friends, I grabbed my camera. "What are you going to do with that?" was the question I got - so... no pics of that lunch. No pics of the night life in downtown Nashville (honkeytonking, she calls it)... But it's okay. Those memories remain!
DAY 18
Beginning location: Nashville, TN
Day 18 destination: Winter Garden, FL - HOME!!
States visited: Tennessee, Georgia (27), Florida
Daily mileage: 697
Cumulative mileage: 8,475
Day 18... actually Day 19 for me, because my journey started with Day 0 - the day before I met the riders from New Orleans. After a 15-day journey in 2012 and followed by a 17-day adventure in 2013, this one was a record for me. After 19 days away from home and almost 8,000 miles in the saddle to this point, honestly, I was ready to head home. The goal had been reached and my heart was full with the joy of family and friendship as well as the beauty of all we had seen of this great land we call America. So I set the GPS to "home". I blew right past those great motorcycle roads in the north Georgia mountains - though they have offered plenty of excitement in the past - and used the interstate to get back to the Sunshine State as quickly as possible. Weather was great, and I was home to park, unpack, and get a good night of sleep - in my own bed - to conclude an adventure of a lifetime.
FINAL THOUGHTS
At the end of each of the three rides, I created a keepsake... a photo album. These books are great conversation pieces, for sure. Best of all, I can grab one at any time, flip through the pages, and remember.
As you can see, each year, we chose a word to describe the ride... Journey in 2012, Adventure in 2013, and Challenge in 2014. We chose "challenge" because we knew the ride would be the longest of all. We knew everything would have to fall into place perfectly for us to finish the route and complete the 48-state. The ride was going to be... well... challenging. To highlight the "word" each year, I found quotes that expressed our sentiments. Some of these capture the essence of the 2014 ride:
I would be remiss if I articulated "final thoughts" without expressing gratitude to my wife, who not only responded with encouragement when I said, "Hey, I have an idea...' - but who was also willing to ride along and share the adventure with me. My best friend said "yes" - enthusiastically, I might add - to 51 days away from home, the cost of 48 hotel nights, nearly 19,000 miles, approximately 475 gallons of fuel, and so much more. In sharing these journeys together, we share more memories than any number of photo books or blog posts could ever capture. I am a blessed man.
Since I haven't updated since mid-September, I've included links to previous posts and to a few ride videos I've uploaded to YouTube. If you haven't seen these previously, enjoy!
PART 1: Days 0, 1, 2, and 3
PART 2: Days 4 and 5
PART 3: Days 6, 7, and 8
PART 4: Days 9, 10, and 11
PART 5: Days 12, 13, and 14
Video of our ride on the Golden Gate Bridge, Panoramic Highway, and the PCH
Video of our ride on The Devil's Tail at Hell's Canyon
Video of our ride on Chief Joseph Highway and Beartooth Highway
COMING SOON...
Things that have been keeping us busy, and highlights from our 30th anniversary holiday. Soon...
Day 18... actually Day 19 for me, because my journey started with Day 0 - the day before I met the riders from New Orleans. After a 15-day journey in 2012 and followed by a 17-day adventure in 2013, this one was a record for me. After 19 days away from home and almost 8,000 miles in the saddle to this point, honestly, I was ready to head home. The goal had been reached and my heart was full with the joy of family and friendship as well as the beauty of all we had seen of this great land we call America. So I set the GPS to "home". I blew right past those great motorcycle roads in the north Georgia mountains - though they have offered plenty of excitement in the past - and used the interstate to get back to the Sunshine State as quickly as possible. Weather was great, and I was home to park, unpack, and get a good night of sleep - in my own bed - to conclude an adventure of a lifetime.
 |
| Eight thousand, four hundred and eighty-five. That's how many miles my Garmin Zumo 665 said I rode on this grand adventure. |
 |
| The odometer on our 2013 Road Glide Ultra thought we rode a few more miles. I chose to use the GPS to track mileage. I guess it's the conservative in me. |
 |
| Here is the final ride track, as recorded by our SPOT Gen3 Satellite Tracker. |
FINAL THOUGHTS
At the end of each of the three rides, I created a keepsake... a photo album. These books are great conversation pieces, for sure. Best of all, I can grab one at any time, flip through the pages, and remember.
 |
| These are treasures I will enjoy for years to come. |
You will enrich your life immeasurably if you approach it with
a sense of wonder and discovery, and always
challenge yourself to try new things.
a sense of wonder and discovery, and always
challenge yourself to try new things.
Nate Berkus
You're better than the life you've settled for.
Rise to the challenge of your dreams!
Don't just dream it - LIVE IT!
Steve Maraboli
I don't run away from a challenge because I am afraid.
Instead, I run toward it because the only way to escape fear
is to trample it beneath your feet.
is to trample it beneath your feet.
Nadia Comaneci
It is when I struggle that I strengthen.
It is when challenged to my core that I learn the depth of who I am.
Steve Maraboli
If you cannot understand that there is a something in man which responds
to the challenge of this mountain and goes out to meet it,
that the struggle is the struggle of life itself upward and forever upward,
to the challenge of this mountain and goes out to meet it,
that the struggle is the struggle of life itself upward and forever upward,
then you won't see why we go.
Edmund Hillary
I would be remiss if I articulated "final thoughts" without expressing gratitude to my wife, who not only responded with encouragement when I said, "Hey, I have an idea...' - but who was also willing to ride along and share the adventure with me. My best friend said "yes" - enthusiastically, I might add - to 51 days away from home, the cost of 48 hotel nights, nearly 19,000 miles, approximately 475 gallons of fuel, and so much more. In sharing these journeys together, we share more memories than any number of photo books or blog posts could ever capture. I am a blessed man.
Since I haven't updated since mid-September, I've included links to previous posts and to a few ride videos I've uploaded to YouTube. If you haven't seen these previously, enjoy!
PART 1: Days 0, 1, 2, and 3
PART 2: Days 4 and 5
PART 3: Days 6, 7, and 8
PART 4: Days 9, 10, and 11
PART 5: Days 12, 13, and 14
Video of our ride on the Golden Gate Bridge, Panoramic Highway, and the PCH
Video of our ride on The Devil's Tail at Hell's Canyon
Video of our ride on Chief Joseph Highway and Beartooth Highway
COMING SOON...
Things that have been keeping us busy, and highlights from our 30th anniversary holiday. Soon...
No comments:
Post a Comment