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The Road to Wisconsin
After 20 years, I finally attended my first BMW MOA rally. This would constitute a 5,000 mile round-trip to Winsconsin and back, and I was more than excited to plan and execute this journey. Along with my riding partner Brad, I departed California at 4:30 a.m. Saturday, July 7th, my 46th birthday.
Here I am navigating a really fun road, Hwy 12 out of Escalante, Utah. Note the sheer drop off on both sides of the road.
This isn't Brad. I'm not sure of his name, but this nice gentleman was eating breakfast with his friends at the McDonald's in Lamar Kansas. He's the original owner of this /6 and it was in showroom condition. He offered no resistance when I asked for a picture.
We stopped in Dodge City to check out Old Town, a major tourist trap and recreation of the original western town.
This is Aaron, one of the characters who inhabits Old Town. When he saw our BMW T-shirts he introduced himself. He has a '93 R100GS PD, his daily commuter. He hit a deer about six months ago, but he and the bike are fine. The deer, not so well.
Brad heading north on the 81 into the storm outside Salina, Kansas. It was heading east and we almost outran it.
Truth in advertising.
Dinner at Whispering Oaks outside Boone, Iowa.
Shortly after we arrived at the rally in West Bend. That was a fun four days, but those pictures are for another thread.
We left the rally on Sunday, riding through Wisconsin and into southern Missouri.
Astride the GSA overlooking the mighty Mississippi in Missouri.
South Dakota. Need I say more?
Founded in the year I was born, Cabela's is an impressive retailer. We don't have them in California. Perhaps most impressive was the dynamic taxidermy display.
Badlands.
I've seen the bumper stickers for years, but never really knew the story of Wall Drug. If you don't, look it up. It's a really impressive, multi-million dollar-a-year business in Wall, SD, in the middle of absolutely nowhere.
Black Hills, SD.
I'm sure you recognize these fellows. We visited at night when they light the monument, though it doesn't photograph as well in artificial light.
Following the lighting ceremony at Mt. Rushmore, all veterans (and those who lost loved ones in service to our country) were invited to the stage. Following a flag-lowering ceremony, the folded flag was passed from one veteran to the next until it was presented to the ranger. Stirringly patriotic.
After heading into Wyoming, we took in some of the many sights in Yellowstone.
Yellowstone is not to be missed. We spent about four hours there, but four days wouldn't be enough. I'm going back soon.
From Yellowstone we left Wyoming, headed briefly into Montana, then into Idaho. We had planned to ride into Nevada to Ely then Tonopah, but a fellow rider warned us about swarming Mormon crickets (actually shieldbacked katydids) that caused a 15-mile greasy, sticky ride with bugs flying in and out of helmets and jackets. Instead we butt-burned down the 15 logging 850 miles before collapsing in Mesquite. From there a short ride home.
5,200 miles, a great trip, a wonderful rally, and great, great memories.
Thanks for reading. The rest of the pictures are here: http://www.snc1923.smugmug.com/gallery/3181439
Here I am navigating a really fun road, Hwy 12 out of Escalante, Utah. Note the sheer drop off on both sides of the road.
This isn't Brad. I'm not sure of his name, but this nice gentleman was eating breakfast with his friends at the McDonald's in Lamar Kansas. He's the original owner of this /6 and it was in showroom condition. He offered no resistance when I asked for a picture.
We stopped in Dodge City to check out Old Town, a major tourist trap and recreation of the original western town.
This is Aaron, one of the characters who inhabits Old Town. When he saw our BMW T-shirts he introduced himself. He has a '93 R100GS PD, his daily commuter. He hit a deer about six months ago, but he and the bike are fine. The deer, not so well.
Brad heading north on the 81 into the storm outside Salina, Kansas. It was heading east and we almost outran it.
Truth in advertising.
Dinner at Whispering Oaks outside Boone, Iowa.
Shortly after we arrived at the rally in West Bend. That was a fun four days, but those pictures are for another thread.
We left the rally on Sunday, riding through Wisconsin and into southern Missouri.
Astride the GSA overlooking the mighty Mississippi in Missouri.
South Dakota. Need I say more?
Founded in the year I was born, Cabela's is an impressive retailer. We don't have them in California. Perhaps most impressive was the dynamic taxidermy display.
Badlands.
I've seen the bumper stickers for years, but never really knew the story of Wall Drug. If you don't, look it up. It's a really impressive, multi-million dollar-a-year business in Wall, SD, in the middle of absolutely nowhere.
Black Hills, SD.
I'm sure you recognize these fellows. We visited at night when they light the monument, though it doesn't photograph as well in artificial light.
Following the lighting ceremony at Mt. Rushmore, all veterans (and those who lost loved ones in service to our country) were invited to the stage. Following a flag-lowering ceremony, the folded flag was passed from one veteran to the next until it was presented to the ranger. Stirringly patriotic.
After heading into Wyoming, we took in some of the many sights in Yellowstone.
Yellowstone is not to be missed. We spent about four hours there, but four days wouldn't be enough. I'm going back soon.
From Yellowstone we left Wyoming, headed briefly into Montana, then into Idaho. We had planned to ride into Nevada to Ely then Tonopah, but a fellow rider warned us about swarming Mormon crickets (actually shieldbacked katydids) that caused a 15-mile greasy, sticky ride with bugs flying in and out of helmets and jackets. Instead we butt-burned down the 15 logging 850 miles before collapsing in Mesquite. From there a short ride home.
5,200 miles, a great trip, a wonderful rally, and great, great memories.
Thanks for reading. The rest of the pictures are here: http://www.snc1923.smugmug.com/gallery/3181439
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Comments
Very nice adventurous trip. Great travel log
Love the Buffalo!!!!
thanks for sharing these amazing landscapes!
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I came across UT 12 last year. Holy moly; what a gorgeous ride!
Great trip log. It's kind of unnerving to be that close to those huge buffalo on a bike, isn't it? They are known to chase down bikes...usually loud ones though.
The only time I've been to Yellowstone was the year after the big fire. It looks like its recovering well.
Thanks for the pics, good job... Ride safe
Great!!!
I love the story, must of been a blast of a journey!
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