Nuckleheads

Sun. Sept.27th 2009
Yesterday I participated in a "Poker Run". Found a flier for it at J&P Cyles which is right here near Anamosa where I've been staying with my sister and brother in law for a few days.
The ride befitted the United Way. It turned out to be a fantastic way to get a tour of the area that my sister and brother now call home.
The riding was beautiful. A little chilly, and threatening to rain at any moment...but it never did. Met some new friends. Initially I had just asked to ride along because I had no idea where any of this crap way, but they soon accepted me into their company. They embarrassed me in front of the entire festival at the end during the awards. The MC gave a shout out for the furthest traveled. "We've got a Texas, but the prize goes to NY". So I'm looking around for the dumb schmuck from NY who just got called out at this crazy event where everybody knows each other.....then I hear: "Anthony raise you had so we can see you..." Man. I can't go anywhere:)
Oh. There is a bar in Anamosa called Knuckleheads. I really wanted to go in there, but never had a chance. I heard there is a burnout right down the middle of the bar. Sounded like my kind of place!

Otumwa.

Tue. Sept.22 2009
Nothing particularly interesting happened today. I rode, was happy, and am now fed and ready for bed. Mostly I wanted to document sleeping in a place called Ottumwa.
It is getting chillier as I move east.....

Kill'n time.

Mon. Sept. 21st 2009
Omaha Nabraska, and my friend Tracy's house.
Road accross Nabraska in one day. 550mi. That's a new record for the trip. Was intending to leave Nabraska today, but had a late night, and subsequently a late start....and then it was raining...:) Eh. Fuck it. It's a vacation / adventure. Sometimes it's good to know when not to force things.
My back is flaring up again.
I've got two new tires waiting/ordered for me in Cedar Rapids Iowa. My sister lives out near there, and I was always planning on getting a new back tire....but upon inspection of the front tire, I decided that it would be good to change that one out also. It had worn down in a funny way, and have several deep gouges in it I had not noticed before! ahh! It did pretty good. 8,500 miles and only 3/4 worn down. wish I could get that out of the back one!
Nabraska is beautiful riding! riding from the west, you come out of the Black hills(which arn't any peticular color), and then into the protected grasslands, which are like a grass desert. After that the gentle hills begin, and the corn starts. Endless corn! By this time of year I'm told it's all feed corn, that sweet corn was harvested several weeks ago:(
Once the road traveled up about 30feet for an overpass. I swear you could see the entire state.
I had perfect cell phone coverage the entire time.
One more day here in Nabraska, I'll play with the kitten some more, and then go shopping for dinner. I love the gentle art of killing time!

Crazy Horse.

Sept. 17th 2009
Quick not about last night's lodging. In the middle of the night....I heard jackles or some sort of wild dogs on the cliff behind my campsite. Awesome I thought.
Then about 10min later, after what sounded like scurrying down the steep hill, I hear something(s) lurking outside my tent. OMG. Man. It was probably the most terrified I'd been the entire trip. A pack of wild fucking dogs, outside my tent. Awesome.
I layed there rather still for about an hour till it stopped, and the sounds retreated into the distance.
In morning, I learned that it was only the crazy wierd deer that are all over the place.
Accidently went to Mnt.Rushmoor today. I'd seen it before, and wasn't impressed then either. Crazy horse on the other hand is...well...crazy. Whoa! Check that thing out if you are in the area. It's a humbling experence to say the least.

Back tracking.

Wed. Sept. 16th 2009
Was on the road y 8am today. That's a personal best! It was incredible to ride like that. From dawn till dusk! Seeing and feeling the ride through the entire day like that is not something I'll soon forget. Very temped to get up early tomorrow and try the same thing.....
But, I might also stay at this KOA for another day and rest. I have an awesome view of the tower from my camp site. I'm not in a rush, I've got some business to do, and it's super nice here.... Can't decide tonight, and i don't really care.
About today. Took 14a. It was a mindblowingly beautiful ride. Across a huge dry vally, then up a gient mountian nearly 6,000 foot climb of steep grade(6%) over Baldmountian(not kidding) down on the most awesome twisties! What views coming down over the other side.
Also, the road was red. Sort of pink...but mostly a deep earthy red. Very strange. But I didn't care too much, as it was smooth and wonderfull to ride on!
Met a Lawer at a gas station who was riding a Harley "Road King". Since he didn't pick on my bike, I took his praise of the RK seriously.
Turns out Buells are manufactured in East Troy, that's sort of on the way home! I want to show them how cool thier bike is, and maybe get a tour of the plant! That would be so cool.
Sleep now. Think tomorrow.