Friends, food, and family - these things are priorities for me. While not ranked in order of importance, this particular order drives my thinking today.
Last June, as I found myself in the final stages of preparation for the most epic of all motorcycle adventures, I spent some time reflecting on friendship and all that term embodies. If you haven’t read that post, you can find it here.
In those days last summer, I wrote “My hope for every one of my friends and acquaintances is that you would have a friend or two or three or more who are there for you - no matter what.” Today is a “no matter what” day. I’m on my way to New Orleans to celebrate the life of the mom of one of those Band of Brothers I write about so often. I didn’t know this precious lady, but I know something of a life lived well as reflected in stories I’ve heard. I feel like I know much of her in the legacy she leaves as represented in the lives of her children and grandchildren. She ran her race well and finished her course. This is worthy of honor.
Steven, Jr. is a part of the Band of Brothers now. He lost a grandmother.
One of those friends calls Anita Hankins Kinchen mom. He, along with his family - who are also in our circle of friends - has suffered loss that I know cuts to the innermost part of his being. So I will do what I believe is appropriate: I will travel from Orlando to New Orleans. I will embrace my friends. I will look into their eyes. I will say little, because love, care, and concern are sometimes expressed best in physical presence and a simple, gentle touch.
So, in one of the busiest weeks of my year, I will pause. Selah. I will travel to encourage a friend. Because I do indeed have a friend or two or three or more... and I will be there for my friend - no matter what.
While in New Orleans, I will eat. Because along with friends and family, there is food. I have been privileged to travel to all 50 of our United States. We have visited England, France, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Africa, India, Thailand, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Israel, Brazil, Mexico, El Salvador, and many places in the Caribbean. Yet I remain convinced the best food in the world... yes, in the entire world... is found in New Orleans. I acknowledge my bias. New Orleans is home for both Annette and me. But I don’t miss meals when I travel. I’ve eaten in all of the many places we’ve visited, and I still consider New Orleans cuisine the best. So while I’m “home”, I’ll eat. I’m traveling early, so breakfast is in order. I’ve chosen to enjoy beignets at the world-famous Cafe du Monde. For lunch and dinner, I’ll let friends choose the establishment. Perhaps I’ll have a shrimp or roast beef poboy. Dinner will be seafood, for sure - all in the company of friends. And then I’ll travel home, where family will be awaiting my return from this 18-hour adventure.
This is a big family week. Jaimee, Travis, and Ruthie are coming to Orlando for Easter. We have a busy weekend planned: a crawfish boil on Friday, Dear Evan Hansen for most on Friday evening while Travis and I take in a Red Sox game with Ruth. We’ll squeeze a couple of visits to Disney into our time together, and might even include a trek to the Brevard Zoo. And we’ll worship together on Resurrection weekend. I can’t wait. But there’s more about family on my mind today.
Yesterday we were invited by Lindsey and Bryan to a 4D ultrasound. This miracle of technology allowed to see granddaughter number 3, Daisy Lee Guillot. Seeing images of this precious baby being formed together by our God in the body of our own baby girl was awe-inspiring and gratitude-generating. Daisy Lee’s due date is June 12. The due date for Tess is August 3. What a summer of rejoicing this will be!
Nearing the end of the ultrasound experience, the technician completed the customary measuring of Daisy Lee and announced that we might expect a delivery date as early May 29th. Lindsey contributed that it would be sweet if Daisy would be another 27. Lindsey's birthday is July 27. Lorelai’s birthday is November 27. Could it be? Could Daisy actually be born on May 27?
This blog post is about adventures on what we call the Road Less Traveled. Most often the subject is motorcycle adventures. At times, the subject is family, family travel, friendship, and spirituality. These subjects are woven deeply into the fabric of our lives - so the subjects are often intertwined. Such is the case here.
I depart on the 2019 motorcycle adventure one month and one day from today. The trip has been scheduled and routed to insure I am home in time to share in the joy of Daisy Lee’s debut. Sixteen days. I’ll be home sixteen days prior to the anticipated due date. This was what I thought. Until yesterday. I’m scheduled to be home on the 26th or the 27th. But what if Daisy, like her mom and sister, is a 27?
There is drama but no dilemma. I planned this trip to always be with one day’s ride of home. If labor appears imminent - I’m riding south in a hurry. Family trumps everything except Jesus for Annette and me. If Daisy Lee is coming, Papa is coming... home.
I like drama. It adds to the depth of the story and creates adventure within the adventure. Let’s see how this all plays out on The Road Less Traveled.
It's such an interesting word. It's a mysterious word, as no one is quite sure exactly what it means. There are some things, we know, though.
We know the word appears 74 times in the Bible. Seventy-one of these occurrences are in the book of Psalms. Three are in the lesser-know Old Testament book of Habakkuk.
We know the word appears to occur in "songs" recorded in the Bible. In fact, much of the book of Psalms is just that. Songs. As a musician, this makes the word and the concepts I embrace regarding the word attractive and appealing. It's a word as I understand it that resonates with me. (See what I did there? I used another term that makes particular sense to the musician in me.)
There is difference of opinion regarding how the word is pronounced. Some say "see'-lah". Others prefer "see-lah'". Some choose to not speak the word at all, choosing instead to "do it" in a sort of reverential silence. I choose "say'-lah".
I know that since there is no clear understanding of the origin or meaning of the word, a creative like me finds some measure of liberty in applying the word as I choose to understand and embrace it.
So what does the word mean to this worship-leading motorcycle-riding Christ-follower who values family above all things except Jesus Himself and the Word of God? For me, the word means "to pause"... "to pause and reflect".
To say the pace of my life is torrid is kind of an understatement. At work, our team is in a race from Monday to Saturday to get worship services planned, rehearsed, and executed. Every week. Every Monday we start with a blank sheet of potential to create a meaningful experience of worship focused on the God of the universe. Every week we work hard and fast to create an experience for our congregation to enter into meaningful communion with a holy God. Somewhere in the midst of all of this, I must find time to selah. I must pause and reflect on the majesty of the God we worship, or it just becomes music and minutes - and, God help us - mundane. Selah.
I walk fast. I talk fast. I eat fast. When I'm with my family and friends, though, I try to discipline myself to slow down, to pause, and to reflect on the blessing of those closest to me. Given the pace at which I live my life, this requires discipline and conscious effort. The constant onslaught of emails, text messages, and the awareness that there is so much work to do beckons for my attention. The phone is an easy tool to sneak away into a sea of professional demands and distractions. So I try to call to mind the words of missionary martyr Jim Elliot, who said, "Wherever you are, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God." I know it is the will of God to be a good husband, father, and grandfather. So I work at it. I selah. And it's worth it. I mean, how could I not pause and reflect at the sight of things like these we've enjoyed in recent years?
The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Approaching Beartooth Pass in Montana
The north rim of the Grand Canyon
One of many sunsets. I think this one is in Moab, Utah
The Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia
The splendor or Moraine Lake on the Icefields Parkway
The greatest wonder of all - our family
So why am I spending time and thought around the idea of pausing and reflecting? First, let me offer some context: This blog, entitled The Road Less Traveled, is all about adventure and places Annette and I, along with family and friends, have been privileged to enjoy. I only write in this forum when we're traveling and living the John 10:10 life with those we love. So my last blog entry was written at the conclusion of our 2018 epic motorcycle adventure. I came home convinced the season of motorcycling was over, and that Annette and I were ready to begin a new season of adventure in a new and exciting manner.
I came home and, after an appropriate selah, listed my motorcycle for sale. I entertained some offers that I didn't deem appropriate, all the while setting our sights and hearts on this new season. And then some some news of the best kind caused us to selah... to pause and reflect. We were thrilled to hear the news that first one and then the other of our precious children were having babies.... MORE babies! So we paused and reflected on the following:
God has been abundantly good to us. He blessed us with two daughters who have been and continue to be a constant source of joy to us.
God blessed us with sons-in-law who loved our girls in the same way we do... and in the same way Christ loves His church. We could not be more grateful for Bryan and Travis.
The introduction into grand parenting has been a whole new kind of road we are traveling - and oh, how exciting and rewarding it is. We had no idea how exciting and rewarding this season would be!
We paused and considered that given the due dates of these two new baby girls - June and August - we wouldn't be venturing far from home this summer, and neither Jaimee nor Lindsey would be up for summer travel. Of course, this was more than okay with us!
So we decided to hit the "pause" button on the new season of adventure for us. It's not a "no". It's a "not yet".
And then what seemed like a logical progression for me was if "not yet" on the new season, how about one more summer of the seasons of adventure we've enjoyed since 2012?
My previous post, along with thoughts I've shared over the last nine months, have given rise to a number of questions I am frequently asked:
Do we still have the motorcycle? Yes, we still have the bike. It'll go up for sale again sometime in the late summer or fall.
Are we doing another motorcycle ride? Yes. I've planned a short ride - 9 or 10 days, as opposed to the 21 days we were out last year. I'm staying close to home this year so I'm never more than a hard one-day ride from home in case a baby decides to come earlier than planned. I'm riding solo this year. Annette is staying home to save days off to help with babies. And she's staying home because she's more done with the motorcycle season than I was / am.
Where are you going this year? As stated above, we're staying close to home this year. We'll ride curvy roads with frequent elevation changes in northern Georgia, eastern Tennessee, western North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. We won't experience the elevations of the west, but we'll ride and laugh hard.
Are you riding with a group? Yes, two couples from Orlando and five riders from New Orleans (that Band of Brothers I speak of often) will ride together.
So... a few months of pausing and reflecting on the past, on the future, on family and children having children find us in an exciting season. Two more baby girls are on the way. The best season Annette and I have ever known as we watch our own babies take on the role of mom so incredibly well. And I get to enjoy another epic adventure with the boys.
You know, life goes so quickly. I don't want to wake up one day and realize that I've missed the joy of all of this. So my encouragement to you and to me is....
START LOCATION: Nashville, TN
END LOCATION: HOME!
MILES TRAVELED: 675.1
TOTAL MILES TO DATE: 9650.6 WEATHE: Sunny with patches of rain I'll cover three things in this post: (1) The Ride Home (2) Challenges We Faced, and (3) The Days Ahead THE RIDE HOME The ride from Nashville to Winter Garden was pretty uneventful. The kids were finishing up packing for a weekend trip to Milwaukee before heading in to work. I, of course, wanted to take advantage of every minute I could get with Ruth - so I left at 8 AM. That's a later-than-normal departure - but it was okay with me. I got an extra 90 minutes with that grand baby that I wasn't expecting. I grew up in south Louisiana. We call that lagniappe. I'll take it every time!
The ride home was all interstate, and I was concerned about boredom turning into sleepiness - but I did fine. The most exciting moment was a slip in an oil spill at a gas stop, causing me to almost dump my bike. But a crisis was averted, I filled the tank, grabbed three gas-station chicken tenders, and continued on my way. I hit showers three times along the way, but none were as bad as they looked on the radar, and I was kind of grateful for the cooling-off time the showers provided. I listened to ESPN, Fox News, and added in a little CNN for laughs. I'd been pretty much removed from news of any sort for the previous 20 days, so it was kind of fun to catch up on things. I rolled in hot, tired, and hungry - but safe. I rolled in with a real sense of accomplishment, knowing we had dreamed a dream, worked the plan, and saw it through to completion. This video captures the last few seconds of a 9,650-mile adventure:
The entire journey, as recorded by our SPOT satellite tracker
THE CHALLENGES
Already, I'm being asked frequently about the trip. And my answer is pretty consistent: "It was beautiful, and it was challenging." This is the seventh of these grand adventures. We've seen beautiful sights with every adventure, but none were greater than the Canadian Rockies. We really did see the splendor of our King on display.
This is the seventh of these grand adventures. We've experienced some challenges along the way - but none even come close to comparing to the adversity we experienced this year. We powered through every one - but oh, my... This one was challenging. The challenge began with my planning, quite frankly. This journey was the most aggressive ever. We covered a LOT of miles (9,650 for me) and spent a LOT of time in the saddle. And then there was the weather. In previous years we've been out west, we've experienced remarkably good weather. It has been hot - but it has been dry. Not so this year. Not at all. We found rain nearly every day, even if for a short while. I can take rain, I guess. I don't like rain AND cold. And it was cold. I mean, who would have thought we would be riding in the high 30s and low 40s at the end of June? What in the world?? The conditions were challenging, indeed - but, yes - we powered through and finished the journey.
And then there were the mechanical challenges. Again, in this, the seventh of these adventures, we have hardly had even a hiccup mechanically. Never a flat tire. Never a dead battery. Never a mechanical failure of any significance. This year was very different - from Day 0 to the Day 19. Four hours or so from home, after riding in driving rain, thunder, and lighting, as the weather improved, I realized my cruise control wasn't working. Thanks to the work of Alyshia Sargent, the service manager at my home dealership, Stormy Hill Harley in Clermont, Florida, as well as the service department at Taboo Harley in Alexandria, Louisiana, I was able to get things diagnosed and repaired without losing much time. So we were on our way.
In Kansas, I nearly killed myself on a long sweeper that should have been easy to navigate. The bike started behaving badly. I wasn't sure if this was due to my riding or to an ill-handling motorcycle - but I was shaken. It was several days before I would discover the problem that created this challenge.
And then I realized clutch fluid was leaking. Having a hydraulic clutch means there is a fluid reservoir at the end of the clutch lever. Having a leak in the reservoir can't be ignored if the fluid is all over the clutch lever. This was my experience. Due to some creative coordination between Annette and the kind folks at Greeley Harley-Davidson in Greeley, Colorado, we were able to secure the gasket needed to fix things after hours, and we were fixed again and on our way. (It was actually a little more complicated than that, but I'll spare readers the details.)
All was well for a few days. Arriving in Calgary on Day 12, Randall and I decided to add some air to our suspension systems in anticipation of the girls and their luggage joining the party. We coordinate who brings what tools. Randall had the suspension pump. I connected the pump and was surprised to find 0 PSI of air in the system. Zero. Nada. And the light came on for me. No wonder I hated the way this bike handled. No wonder I nearly killed myself in Kansas when I came off of cruise headed into a sweeper and experienced the bike behaving badly. Go ahead. Tell me I should have known earlier. I should have. But riding a new-to-me bike on roads less traveled... I didn't connect the dots. I acknowledge the failure on my part to know what was going on. Write me off for my inexperience, shake your head, stop reading now, and I'll own the criticism. Or you can read on.
My dad was a great mechanic. He knew how to fix things. He kept a box he called his "100-Year Box". When I asked him what that meant, he said, "I keep things... screws, nuts, bolts... that I might need in a 100 years. But if I need something, I can look here to see if I have what I need." I learned something there. I don't throw things away now - in case I ever need a screw, or a bolt, or whatever I've saved over the years. In case - in the course of a hundred years - I might need something I've saved.
I always watched my dad work on things. His cars. My cars. Things around the house. And I can't tell you the number of times he would say, "I think I have what I need over here in this box." So when I realized my suspension was broken, and that we were well past time when any dealership was open, I thought, "What would my dad do?" To make a long story short, I took things apart, found the problem (a cut air line), then asked Ben to drive me to the NAPA store. Explaining the challenge to the NAPA guy, and hearing him say, "I don't know if I have anything like that," we were able to convince him to think like my dad... to look... and to find some pieces and parts that would work. Once again, with a repair that was holding air, we were good to go again.
All was well through Banff, Alberta, back to Banff... but on the way to Glacier National Park, I told the guys I thought I had a suspension problem again. I missed it the first time. I wouldn't miss it again. I sent the rest of the guys to the Many Glacier while I continued on to our next gas stop (pre-planned, of course) to work on the bike. Hang on to that challenge for a minute, because there's an amazing story here.
The final challenge came after the girls were gone, 120 miles west of St. Louis. First we heard a clattering sound, then "Guys, we need to find a place to stop so I can check on my bike." That check revealed a serious problem that resulted in our leaving Randall in Columbia, Missouri for diagnosis. Leaving any part of our band of brothers as we continued on was one of the hardest things I've ever done. The phrase, "No man left behind" kept running through my heart and mind. I wept as we prayed over him. I wept as I called a dear friend and wise counselor to ask if I was doing the right thing in continuing on. The diagnosis on that machine went from "we'll have you out of here by the end of the day" to the realization that the motor was terminally ill and needed to be replaced. So one bike is still more than 700 miles from home, waiting on repair. Randall is safely home, though, and for this we are all thankful.
So those were the challenges. More remarkable in all of this is the clear evidence of the faithfulness of God - at every turn. Let me share the evidences we observed:
At the NAPA store, an employee said, "I don't think I have anything that can fix that - but come on back and let's look." I don't know if he was supposed to do that. But have you ever been in "the back" of a NAPA store? That's quite the 100-Year Box. And we found a tiny little piece that formed a repair that got us back on the road. One. There was ONE coupler thing in inventory. One piece. One God who orchestrated that.
When my bike broke again just outside of Glacier National Park, you know that Annette and I went on to try to diagnose and fix the problem. So as I'm working, a scary-looking biker gang rides up. One of the riders comes over to see what's going on with the bike. When we told him, he said, "I've got a Harley mechanic in my group. Would you like for me to have him look at it?" I mean, what were the chances of THAT happening? Zero, I would say, in the natural - but not unexpected when the SUPERnatural is at work. But that's not all. I told him what we were dealing with, and he said, "This line is too short to be routed where it needs to run to keep it from getting cut again, but I just happen to have some of this tubing on my bike." Think about that. Of all the parts that could be broken... with the limited storage on a Street Glide... that he would have the exact part I needed. What are the chances of that happening? ZERO - unless God was choosing to demonstrate His faithfulness.
One more: When Randall's motor broke, as we stood in frustration, wondering what to do, we recognized that there was a nice, new Holiday Inn right across the street, offering a safe haven for the night. But wait - there's more: right across the street from the hotel was a Harley-Davidson dealership where Randall could seek a repair. No unsafe riding needed. No towing needed. Coincidence? We think not.
So what do I learn from all of this? I am a person of faith. I am a Bible-believing follower of Jesus. This does not mean I will not face challenges. In fact, the first chapter of the book of James in the Bible says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." I choose to receive that Word. And I choose to see God's faithfulness in the challenges.
Here are some words from the Bible I cling to in difficult seasons:
The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease. For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
Be strong and courageous . Do not be afraid or terrified because of them for the Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 3:16
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
I'm not just a Christ-follower. I'm a worship leader. I help people use the gift of song to worship God... to plant ideas in their hearts that will sustain them in challenging seasons... and then to articulate strong truth with their mouths, speaking those words of conviction in the presence of other believers as an affirmation and as a testimony to others. Just this weekend, our teams led our church to declare these truths:
Your promise still stand, great is Your faithfulness
I'm still in Your hands, this is my confidence
Do It Again, written by Steven Furtick, Matt Redman, Chris Brown, and Matt Brock
Copyright 2016 Elevation Worship Publishing
and
You're never gonna let, never gonna let me down
You are good
King of My Heart, written by John Mark McMillan and Sarah McMillan
Copyright Meaux Jeaux Music, Raucous Ruckus Publishing, and Sarah McMillan Publishing
and
All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Great Is Thy Faithfulness, written by Thomas Chisholm and William Runyan
Copyright Hope Publishing Company
I know it might seem crazy - but I'm choosing to stand on the truth of these verses and these songs. I don't base the foundation of my life on what happened over 21 days of a motorcycle trip. I base my convictions and my response to difficult circumstances on what I've learned about my God over the long haul. I've also learned to let difficult circumstances get my attention. When challenges come, I don't whine. Instead, I observe. I say, "God, what do You want me to learn from all of this?" And that brings me to....
THE DAYS AHEAD
I began to think carefully about the days and years ahead weeks before the 2018 adventure began. I began to think about a shift in priority for me. I love the friends I call our Band of Brothers. I've written about that. Nothing changes there. But I also think we're in a season when our girls need us in a different way. I perceive that we're in a season when the building of our legacy includes pouring meaningful time and influence into our grandchildren.
These are my people. From left to right:
Son-in-law Bryan, Daughter Jaimee, Wife Annette,
Granddaughters Ruth and Lorelai, Me,
Daughter Lindsey, and Son-in-Law Travis
Practically, I want to share the things we've seen with my family. And I can't take two daughters, two sons-in-law, and two granddaughters with me on a motorcycle. And then, as I began to think about where else I want to go on a motorcycle, I'm kind of out of ideas. We've ridden to all 48 contiguous states and many of the provinces of Canada. Alaska is still out there - but I just don't want to do that. We've climbed the mountains. I've ridden 133,000 miles in 10 years. And I just have a sense that that's enough.
So... I think it's a wrap. I think, like Porky Pig, I'm ready to say, "Th-th-th-That's all folks."
It's been a great ride. And the journey is not over. I just think I'm ready to ride on 6 or 8 wheels with a party of 8 or 10... still consumed by a spirit of adventure... still pursuing roads less traveled...
It's time for a new season.
Before I post this update... I would be remiss to not express gratitude to some folks who have shared this most recent season with me in one way or another:
When I pitched an idea to my wife in 2011 that we ride all 48 states in three summers, I thought she would say I had lost my mind. Instead, she encouraged me to pursue a crazy, crazy dream. When we finished the 48, she allowed me to keep finding roads less traveled. And if that wasn't enough... she joined me on every adventure. She's a keeper - and I love her with my whole heart.
My kids encouraged me despite the risk and fear of what could happen. I hope the result is that I've instilled in them a spirit of adventure and a desire to seek life-enriching experiences.
My mom and a host of others have prayed me through all of this. I am convinced we've been granted divine protection, and I don't take that for granted.
My friend Randall was the first call when Annette gave me the green light to pursue the 48. I shared the vision, and his response was immediate: "I'm in." We've been friends for 30 years. We enjoy a special kind of forever bond. And we, along with our wives, have shared a lifetime of experiences these last seven year.
That Band of Brothers who have ridden with me is special. I love those guys. I'd die for them, and I know they would do the same for me. Though the two-wheeled season is coming to a close for me, they'll ride on - and we've already discussed continuing to travel together. They'll be on two wheels, while I use a few more. The Band is characterized by a bond that doesn't end as this season changes for me.
My work associates, who have allowed me the freedom to be gone for extended periods, and who have covered for me while I'm away. What a team!
START LOCATION: St. Louis, MO
END LOCATION: Nashville, TN
MILES TRAVELED: 319.2
TOTAL MILES TO DATE: 8975.5 WEATHE: Sunny, 5 minutes of rain Trent and the girls left us in Billings. Randall stayed behind with a broken motor in Columbia, Missouri. Junior was staying in St. Louis with family. That left three of us leaving from the Hampton Inn in St. Louis - Matt and Steve headed from home in New Orleans, while I headed to to Nashville to see my daughter Jaimee, son-in-law Travis, and granddaughter Ruth.
My solo ride to Nashville was relatively short... just 319 miles. Physically spent, however, and absent the conversation with the other guys, I struggled to stay alert. I struggled to stay awake. I stopped several times to hydrate and walk around a bit, and finally made it safely to Nashville.
I had a wedding to attend in East Tennessee later in the evening. The following day (Day 20), I rode nowhere, dedicating this day to spending July 4th with family. Exhausted, I took four naps. In the evening, I enjoyed celebrating the Fourth with Phil and Sherri Wines and more of Travis' family. But the best part of this respite in Nashville was spending time with my granddaughter.
Cool motorcycle guy who rides a nice bike on epic adventures? Not really. I'm a family guy whose priorities are centered around three things: being a faithful follower of Jesus, being a family guy, and being a good friend. I write these words often... "more on that later." Really - I'll write more on that later. For now... here are just a few pics from Nashville:
Daughter Jaimee and first granddaughter Ruth
Dudley - the newest member of our Nashville family.
He's an Aussiedoodle.
START LOCATION: Murdo, SD
END LOCATION: St. Louis, MO
MILES TRAVELED: 833.9
TOTAL MILES TO DATE: 8656.3 WEATHER SUMMARY: Getting hotter This day really was to be a "put your head down, hold on and ride hard" day. The plan was a straight 830-mile day... gas, bathroom, hydration, and a quick lunch stop... determined to reach our goal of St. Louis, Missouri before sunset. The first 710 miles went as well as could be expected. With 120 miles left to ride, we all started hearing an unfortunate sound. "Hey, we need to stop to check my bike." The sound we were all hearing through our PackTalk communicators was a lifter failing in one of the motors. In a separate post, I'll speak more to the providence of God in every challenge we faced. In this one, the evidence of the faithfulness of God was there was a Holiday Inn across the street from the service station where we stopped, and a Harley-Davidson dealership directly across the street from the hotel. In a terribly-painful decision for me - made through tears as we prayed for the brother we would leave in Columbia, MO, and then again as I called a friend for wise counsel, asking if I was doing the right thing in continuing on to Nashville - we rode on, arriving in St. Louis well past our intended arrival time. Just one photo... a shot of our band of brothers leaving the Rockies in our rear view. Some of the most beautiful roads we've ever ridden... roads that were taxing to reach... behind us as we headed for the finish line.
START LOCATION: Billings, MT
END LOCATION: Murdo, SD
MILES TRAVELED: 628.7
TOTAL MILES TO DATE: 7822.4 WEATHER: Pleasant to rain to hot In the original ride plan, this was supposed to be another of those "head down / cover as many miles as we can / get as close to home as we can" kind of days. As I was reviewing the route one day, I noticed that we were going to literally be skirting the top of the Black Hills, another motorcycle-riding meca for many - especially those who frequent the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. We were routed to ride a lot of these great roads the last time we were in the area, and inclement weather caused us to get a sampling of the area and head out of the region. This was disappointing. Also considering the fact that Junior had not been to Mount Rushmore previously, I suggested we ride the Black Hills. The other guys liked the idea - so we planned a dip south into the mountains. Time was a real factor on this day. First, we were covering a lot of miles - just north of 600. Next, the speed limit in Montana and South Dakota is 80. The burn rate on fuel is not so good on Harleys above 3,000 RPM, so we had to plan extra fuel stops. And I really wanted to be off the road by sunset due to the possibility of wildlife on the roadways. So we made it a point to hustle all through the day. The roads we added in to the mix included:
The Spearfish Canyon Ride is a very scenic ride in the Black Hills area. The ride has astonishing views of epic cliffs, streams, and tumbling waterfalls. Most of this ride is made up of long, sweeping curves.
The Nemo Road Ride us made up of a picturesque ride through Boulder Canyon. This route also includes rides through the resort town of Nemo and an old mining ghost town.
Needles Highway proved to be one of the highlights of the day. Oh, my goodness! I've said in another post - and often say in conversation about our rides - that one of my goals is to find the hardest roads we can find and the ride them as fast as we can. If I ever ride another technically challenging road in my life, I think I can say with this one I rode the mack-daddy. The Iron Mountain Road part of this ride is 17 miles long and contains 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, 3 intense pigtails, and 3 single-lane tunnels. This motorcycle roller coaster makes the Tail of the Dragon seem like child's play! I'll post video of this ride when I get a chance to do some editing.
We stopped in at Mount Rushmore as planned, then made our way to the last of the National Parks we would visit. Badlands National Park is a wonder unlike anything I've ever seen before. I'll let the pictures describe this one for you.
Leaving the Badlands, we set our sights on Murdo, South Dakota. Arriving safely, we found our Best Western less than satisfying - but we just needed a night of sleep. I spent quite a while trying to kill flies in my room. I finally went to bed having disposed of all but one who managed to elude my every effort to send him to insect heaven. While our hotel left much to be desired, the pizza at Prairie Pizza was better than expected, so all was not lost in Murdo, this curious little place on the road less traveled.
Our first vies of Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore seen through the windshield of a Harley - sort of...
START LOCATION: Whitefish, MT
END LOCATION: Billings, MT
MILES TRAVELED: 493.7
TOTAL MILES TO DATE: 7193.7 WEATHER SUMMARY: Getting warmer With the end of Day 15, the real fun... the scenic wonders of the great northwest... were in the rearview mirror. The remaining days would be about the long ride home. Annette and Elizabeth, choosing to stay with us another day, rode one of the return days with us. Leaving Whitefish, Montana, our destination was Billings, Montana. This destination was chosen because of the easy access to a fairly major airport that would facilitate the girls getting home. The weather was favorable for what would be a pretty boring ride if not for the company and camaraderie we enjoy. I was in Helena recently to play for an event and ate a couple of times at a country diner. I thought it would be fun to get off of the interstate, enjoy some national forest riding, and grab a bite at Shellie's Country Cafe. Thought the route was planned carefully, we experienced challenges finding the diner. Annette and I were nearly sideswiped by a driver making a u-turn, and I was seriously questioning the wisdom of this routing choice. We finally arrived, though, had a decent meal, and had pie that Shellie's is known for. Continuing on our way, we finally arrived at Hampton Inn in Billings, cleaned up a bit, and enjoyed a great dinner at Jake's a place recommended by my Montana friends. I don't think I captured any images at all on this day. If I did, I'll post them later. A good night's sleep was desperately needed, and Annette and I called it a night early. While her flight schedule would allow for a leisurely morning, the boys and I were gearing up for a couple of grueling days as we would continue east and then south on the road less traveled. Another update soon....
