Dudley and Jennifer's 10,000 Mile Journey Blog

[Dudley]

7-30 Report

We left the motel at I-69 and I-80/90 this morning and all went as planned. We are now in Wisconsin Dells, WI. Total miles for the day, 438. We had perfect weather until we reached Rockford, IL, then the bottom fell out for about 30 minutes. Had we waited, we could have avoided putting on the Froggs. We are going to get an unplanned treat in a couple of days. The big Sturgis rally starts this weekend. I thought we would be there before, but...oh well, what a time to show the Spyder. Our main plans are to see the Deadwood, the Badlands, Mt Rushmore, etc., and give Sturgis one ride through and buy at least one T-shirt...GOTTA get a T-shirt! We had talked about planning to go to the Sturgis rally at least once, now we are going to be there accidently.

 

[BRPjunkie]

Dudley,

You were just 3 miles from Sturgis today. If you had exited the Toll Rd at exit 121 and gone 3 miles north, you would have been in Sturgis, MI.

 

[Dudley]

:roflblack:hyea::clap::yes::bowdown:

 

[Kjen]

Beautiful wake-up and take off. Lots of rolling cornfields, soybeans, other greens large and small. Lots of people; some didn't look too happy in their cars. Nothing much to report about. We are alive and kicking; think I'm getting hungry for my own food. I seem to eat all the time and never am satisfied, so, must be time for my own.
Poured down today; missed us cause we had stopped for gas and were able to wait the major part out. Froggs kept us dry once again. Stopped in Wisconsin amongst the trees and lakes. Saw people in swimming pools and enjoying water parks:yikes::yikes: I'm going to be warm and do that too in the next few weeks. Maybe one of the first things I'll do is lay in the sun for an hour and sweat; been a while since I was that warm.
What a non-informative ramble. Will end.
Oh, did talk to a few people today. One man wants a spyder but has a pin in his leg due to an accident on his HD; he is awaiting BRP putting a handbrake thingy since he has no knee to bend.....be a long wait if he doesn't find someone who can modify it for him. Spyder doing very well, seats are form fitting, floor boards great. Still having that problem of dozing off when I close my eyes-may have to strap me in. If I take pictures I at least have something to occupy myself with and can stay awake. Still 700 or so odd miles until Sturgis, SD so we won't be getting there tomorrow. Ah well, we did 438 today although Dudley probably posted that already. Good night.

 

[Kjen]

I forget to mention how pretty things are. People in these cool, moist areas are really into flowers; pinks, orange, yellow, purple, red, white.....it's a wonderful delight to my eyes. Hostas, hydrangeas, roses, lilies, hollyhocks, mums and lots I don't know. I stink at plant raising but love to enjoy looking, my nose doesn't always like it either. Even the planted fields are great. Yellowy wheat or something checker boarded (is that correct?) with corn or soybeans (vary in height) making patchwork designs are cool. Super sized old barns, some falling in at various points. Saw lots of super large industrial distribution centers/warehouses for some major products. Windmills/wind generators or whatever. Lots of lakes, ponds, streams, mud, horses, cows, smelled chicken farms (yes, different than cows!). Mown fields is a good smell too, and food cooking smells wafting along, SIGH.

 

[Dudley]

Leaving in a few minutes. Will be traveling I-90 west toward Sturgis, SD. Meeting BigArm in Worthington, SD. He will ride with us until Sioux City, SD. Not a cloud in the sky this morning!

 

[Roaddog2]

Yep, I envy them! Trip of a lifetime and yes very cool people. We thoroughly enjoyed their company! Hope to see them again - maybe we'll make it out West someday!:thumbup:

:agreenly if they kidnapped me :ani29:

 

[Dudley]

7-31 Report

We are now in Mitchell, SD. We got the LAST room at the Quality Inn!!! But better yet, we got a Hot Tub!!!! Bikes all over the place. Just beat the rain! Must be our lucky day.
Met up with BigArm in Worthington,MN. He took us right to his dealer, hooked the Spyder up to the BUDDS and we now have the steering updated. After that he escorted us to Sioux Falls, SD, then tured off to go back home. Thanks, Larry! The wind was awful, probably 200 miles of mean pushing from 10 o'clock (1/2 way between the left side and the front). We both feel like we been beat with an ugly stick!
More later.

 

[NancysToy]

We are now in Mitchell, SD. We got the LAST room at the Quality Inn!!! But better yet, we got a Hot Tub!!!! Bikes all over the place. Just beat the rain! Must be our lucky day.
Met up with BigArm in Worthington,MN. He took us right to his dealer, hooked the Spyder up to the BUDDS and we now have the steering updated. After that he escorted us to Sioux Falls, SD, then tured off to go back home. Thanks, Larry! The wind was awful, probably 200 miles of mean pushing from 10 o'clock (1/2 way between the left side and the front). We both feel like we been beat with an ugly stick!
More later.

Be sure and get pics of the Corn Palace. Can't visit Mitchell without seeing that. Glad you found a place to light.

 

[Big Arm]

Got to meet up with Dudley and Jennifer (Kjen) today in Worthington, MN. and had a great visit. What a wonderful couple on a wonderful journey.
Signed the West Coast Spyder Ryders banner, then we headed for Sioux Falls, SD. That's where I left them, as they headed on west toward the Badlands, Custer State Park, Sturgis, Devil's Tower, etc. So we should be seeing some great pictures posted from these two, in the next day or two.
Hope you both have a great trip home. Thanks for the memories.:clap:

 

[Kjen]

Well! Got started a little earlier today, but it was rough. Had to stop and put the leather jacket before we got tooooo far down the road. Won't it ever be warm enough? Things went along per normal: green, rolling fields of corn, corn, more corn, occasional soybeans, cows, horses and smells, trees too. WIND became an issue today:gaah:; had to do the hunch down and cover behind Dudley. Sure tires you out.
We met up with BigArm (Larry) and went over to his dealer and Dudley got whatever service update thingy done. Larry and I chatted ; hard to believe huh cause I don't talk much:joke:. Short visit then we were being escorted onward toward the South Dakota line. Nice drive, traffic heading up was not too bad, lots of bikes. Larry left us in Sioux Falls and we drove on to Mitchell where the skies were getting ready to open. No rooms at one spot, lucked out and got the only room canceled by someone else (snuck in just before some other riders, wheew). Dudley called around to other places in the Keystone area for the next few days; that was a trip and expense, but we are set up at least and have the satisfaction of knowing we have a room waiting when we arrive tired and stressed.
Talked to a few HD guys at the hotel, they really like the spyder. Think some are just too macho to admit it, they just kind of glance or stand there or walk away.
Far as I know tomorrow is another day so will sign off now because my mind is blank. Later.

 

[bjt]

Dudley and Kjen, did you ever figure out what the entire banner said? I see in Big Arm's second photo that it was, once again, only unfurled a few feet for the signing and picture.

 

[NancysToy]

Dudley and Kjen, did you ever figure out what the entire banner said? I see in Big Arm's second photo that it was, once again, only unfurled a few feet for the signing and picture.

There are pictures with it completely unfurled, including one with all of us, but Jennifer usually doesn't post those to her album.

 

[bjt]

There are pictures with it completely unfurled, including one with all of us, but Jennifer usually doesn't post those to her album.

Just picking on them. When they were asked what it said at our meet in Flint, they both had a different answer and then changed their answer as we started to unfurl it.

 

[Dudley]

We got 2 nights at the Super 8 in Hot Springs, SD for tonight and tomorrow night. That will be our spot to explore the area. So, we gotta get moving so we can get there earlier. Traveling I-90 until the SD-79 turn off, then go south to the US-385, then right to Hot Springs. Yesterday we rode 468 miles, mostly in the wind I posted about. Hope today is calmer. Later!

 

[Smylinacha]

We got 2 nights at the Super 8 in Hot Springs, SD for tonight and tomorrow night. That will be our spot to explore the area. So, we gotta get moving so we can get there earlier. Traveling I-90 until the SD-79 turn off, then go south to the US-385, then right to Hot Springs. Yesterday we rode 468 miles, mostly in the wind I posted about. Hope today is calmer. Later!

Wow you guys are really making great time - enjoy, ride safe, and we miss ya!

 

[Dudley]

8-01 Report

We are settled at the Super 8 in Hot Springs, SD. Very nice place. Tomorrow we are going to do what we can...Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, etc. Rode 370 miles today. Got some 5 cent coffee at the Wall Drugs. The best coffee we have had in quite a while. Also did the Badlands National Park. One thing about being my age...bought the $10 card at Valley Forge, so now all National Parks are FREE! The Badlands was awesome! So beautiful what nature can do when you leave it alone.
TV dinner is ready...be back in a bit.

 

[tatt2r]

(The best coffee we have had in quite a while.)quote.....

HEY!!! what do you mean best coffe in a while????:joke::joke::joke:

 

[Big Arm]

Glad you took the time to drive thru the badlands, on your way. Keep the pics coming opcorn: (Everybody stops at Wall Drug :yes: )

 

[Dudley]

(The best coffee we have had in quite a while.)quote.....

HEY!!! what do you mean best coffe in a while????:joke::joke::joke:

Been a while since we had yours!!!hyea: