10 DAYS
Reprinted from PA Chapter “A” Newsletter
Written by Geanne Yohn
This was our first trip that was longer than a week and we were excited to be able to take it! We started off on Clyde’s birthday (July 2) and ran 323 miles to Canton, OH where we enjoyed the evening with an old friend and some new friends. Absolutely beautiful day - only about 80 degrees and no humidity. Next day we were off to Indiana and a three day stop at a motorcycle rally. Still not too humid but the heat was creeping in. After a lot of money (you know … pin striping, custom seat, a little chrome here and a little chrome there …), we headed out on a long ride of 393 to St. Louis, MO where we met up with a couple that Clyde met through his many travels with his job. Awesome visit at the Chase Park Plaza where we stayed in a suite and the “wake up call” was actually a real person - pinch me, am I really traveling across country on a motorcycle?? Great dinner and drinks all within walking distance. On July 6 we had a short jaunt to Mountain Grove, MO where we found roads that were similar to the back roads in PA except that the speed limit was 65mph! Why are we in the middle of nowhere Missouri? That’s where my sister and her husband purchased a 200+ acre farm and they are holding the first-ever family reunion (my mom’s side). Parked the cycles at the hotel, which was totally inhabited by my relatives, and didn’t touch them for 3 days since my sister’s farm is a mile back on a dirt road with lots and lots of little stones on it! After seeing family that I haven’t seen for 20-30 years, we headed back out on July 10 with the temperature hanging around 90 degrees. Had a great ride back through southern Missouri into Kentucky. Neatest thing was crossing the borders right where the Mississippi and Ohio rivers ran together. Kentucky was absolutely wonderful to ride in - beautiful roads with little traffic. Only problem was that we were riding pretty much in the path that Hurricane Dennis was headed for so on July 11, when we woke up, we were forced to head due north to get away from it. That was ok - stopped in Ohio again (we’ve gone full circle now!). Arrived home 2,323 miles later, washed our toys and put them to bed!