Epic Summer Vacation

[Paula(Butch2025)]

Day 1 - Well we left North Branch, MN (our home town) at 7:11am this morning in heavy fog and 50* so we bundled up a bit and hit the road south. By the time we got thru the Tiwn Cities the fog lifted and we were on our way....until Butch noticed the bag on the back of my spyder was moving around a bit too much so...our first stop was at Menards to resituate it and then we were on our way again. We also neede to shed a layer or two it was warming up quickly.

We had a picinic lunch in Worthington, MN...using up food from our fridge! The temp was rising and by the time we got to Souix City, IA it hit 91*, Butch's new venting system he came up with for his '13 STs was working great!

We crossed into Nebraska and rode a great state hiway down to Lincoln, NE. We pulled into a motel at 5:26pm...486 miles later! Long day but the riding was great and the Spyders ran wonderfully.
At the motel the front desk clerk asked what kind of motorcycle we had and when I barely got Can Am out she got all excited started asking all sorts of questions she has seen the ads and thinks they are really cool bikes...I'm sure when she goes on break she'll be out in the parking lot checking them out.
Well...now that we've eaten (Cracker Barrel, yum)

Next is a long shower then early to bed...I don't think I'll have any problems sleeping tonight!

 

[cyclelover63]

May your trip be safe and trouble free!!!...Ride Safe..hyea:

 

[PrairieSpyder]

That's a good start to a motorcycle vacation. Ryde safe.

 

[ARtraveler]

Keep the information coming. :yes::yes:

 

[Paula(Butch2025)]

Day 2 - Left Lincoln, NE at 9:44am in a light rain. Then thanks to James Taylor we found out about a great state highway to take instead of the the interstate! Well, at least it was a woman who was in town for his concert. She told us about Hwy 30...said on this road you will see that Nebraska isn't all flat and you'll drive through lots of corn fields...and she was right.

It stayed nice in the 70's almost all day only getting hotter just as we got to North Platte at 1:51pm 254 miles later. Short day, but you need those every once in awhile.
Butch was in his glory because we finally got to see the Bailey Yard - the largest railroad yard around - 8 miles long with 2 humps. We went to the top of the Golden Spike Tower and talked to a retired railroad worker for awhile - really interesting!

All settled in for the night with a little rain on the western horizon, it should be out of here by morning - keeping our fingers crossed!

 

[Paula(Butch2025)]

Karyl just had to let you know we got 3 train to toot their horns for us today! Whenever that happens I feel like a little kid with a big grin on my face. It made think of you whenever the blew!

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Have a nice ride tomorrow. When will you be in Durango? We will be there Tuesday evening, it is 540 miles and we will be riding through Zion National Park so that takes a little longer. We lost our reservations at the Travel Lodge so we will be at the Econo Lodge. Lovely, I'm sure.

 

[SethO]

Have a nice ride tomorrow. When will you be in Durango? We will be there Tuesday evening, it is 540 miles and we will be riding through Zion National Park so that takes a little longer. We lost our reservations at the Travel Lodge so we will be at the Econo Lodge. Lovely, I'm sure.

WHAT?? he I am all stoked to be at the same hotel as you and they screwed ya?

I am leaving here at noon and am trying to make it west of north plate,ne , crash out then hit co springs to see my bro then durango on wed. its only 320 miles to durango from co springs so I should get there before noon.


Glad to see little butchy got some foaming in paula

 

[SpyderAnn01]

WHAT?? he I am all stoked to be at the same hotel as you and they screwed ya?

I am leaving here at noon and am trying to make it west of north plate,ne , crash out then hit co springs to see my bro then durango on wed. its only 320 miles to durango from co springs so I should get there before noon.


Glad to see little butchy got some foaming in paula

Yes they did. We made the reservation in January and they screwed us.

 

[Chupaca]

Sounds like..!!

like your travels are going remarkably well. Enjoy and waiting for updates....:thumbup::firstplace:

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: :2thumbs:

 

[Jim&Teresa]

Thanks for pics along with the info .... wish we were rydin' with ya

Butch and Paula, have a great trip! I appreciate the pics and your info. as you travel - nice! :thumbup: We will need to do that as well someday! It was nice to see you guys when we stopped in North Branch for lunch!

Be safe and have a great time! hyea:hyea:hyea:hyea:hyea: I know you will !!!!

 

[Big Arm]

Butch and Paula, Wish I could have met up with you as you passed thru Sioux City, but I was probably out on the poker run. Awsome Biker Nights, was going on this whole weekend here.
Seth, you'll probably pass them, the way you drive. :yikes:
Hope you all have a great trip, and keep us posted with pics.

 

[MarkLawson]

...Butch's new venting system he came up with for his '13 STs was working great!

If I "read" the photo above right, it loks like he placed spacers on the front of the side panels to give about a 1" gap, creating a sort of scoop to catch air and flow it into the body. Am I correct? Could you post more pics and details?

 

[PW2013STL]

Butch and Paula,

Sounds like a good trip so far :thumbup:. We left home this morning and are now at the hotel in Lincoin, NE . Only 440 miles for us, but it took awhile as we attempted to ride along the river along 169. Three detours later due to flooding we made it to Mankato :banghead:
We stopped in La Mars, IA for ice cream as it is billed the ice cream capital of the world. Blue Bunny's home town. So we stopped at their store in town and I had a waffle come with banana split and peanut butter panic ice cream and Kathy had a dish of bunny tracks and peanut butter panic ice cream. Tasted great!
Tomorrow's destination is Fort Morgan, CO.

Sorry to hear about your lost reservations :gaah: We will be staying at the Super 8 and will arrive Wed.

 

[Paula(Butch2025)]

If I "read" the photo above right, it loks like he placed spacers on the front of the side panels to give about a 1" gap, creating a sort of scoop to catch air and flow it into the body. Am I correct? Could you post more pics and details?

Mark, it's been running at least one bar cooler than it ever has before. Even when it was in the 90's. I'll try to get better photos for you, you are right about the spacers.

 

[Paula(Butch2025)]

Day 3 - another great day of riding. We left North Platte around 7:30am central time but not until I made a stop at Buffalo Bill Cody's homestead.
Our route today was completely off interstate! Lots of great state highways and county roads through country that I'm sure most people never get to see. Butch sure picked a wonderful route for us. We slowly gained altitude all day. Just looking at all those rolling hills and gullies I marveled at the pioneers that did this trip in covered wagons...amazing that they made it.
At one point we came upon not only a cattle ranch with a bazillion acres of farmland but also a wind farm. We have never seen that many wind generators all in one area. It was so cool to watch them gracefully spinning.
As we got closer to our destination there was a lone thunder storm on the horizon...you guessed it right over Colorado Springs!!! We suited up then decided to stop at a great little store called Maggie's to check the radar to see which direction it was heading. Decided to try for the next town 9 miles away...stopped to wait for it to clear out and have a snack. After 45 minutes it was just sprinkling so we finished our ride of 377 miles at 4:30pm mountain time.
Our motel for next couple days in the Buffalo Lodge built in the 1920's. When I get my netbook working better l'll post photos too. What a great day and this trip is really just beginning!

 

[SethO]

Trying to catch you crazy kids, im in kerney, ne. Will be in colo springs in the afternoon. Larry in ia said hello. Also there is a pic of him pit crewing again

 

[PW2013STL]

Trying to catch you crazy kids, im in kerney, ne. Will be in colo springs in the afternoon. Larry in ia said hello. Also there is a pic of him pit crewing again

I bet it is easier to work on when the Spyder is up side down like that:yikes: :roflblack:

 

[Big Arm]

Sent him on his way..........