July 5 - Monday

Well, I made it back HOME at 4:20 pm EDT today. I competed 11,660 total miles from 4 weeks ago today. Had a very HOT trip today. Saw temps around 105 coming across Virgina today. The hottest of the entire trip. This compares to the low of 37 in Cooper Landing, Alaska! Was around 102 at home when I pulled in. Nice to be home from quite a trip!!!

July 4 - Sunday

Make it to Lexington, KY today. Took my time and went on some scenic roads in Indiana. Ran upon Abe Lincoln's boyhood home National Park in southern Indiana.

 Just happened to see the sign as I was going by. Stopped, showed my annual park pass and did some walking around and took some pictures. It was interesting, as I never knew that Lincoln had lived in Indiana (from age 7 to 21). I always think of Illinois with Lincoln! (Hey Joe, got that picture of the train while I was there too, that you and I could never time right in North Dakota!). There were several people there, surprisingly, even one of the Park Rangers commented to me that it was not a well known park. I did talk to a couple from Indiana about my Alaska trip. (They just had to ask where I was coming from!!!). On to Powhatan tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

July 3 - Saturday

Well, I did not take a single picture today!! Made it 408 miles from St Joseph, MO to Mt Vernon, IL. Very hot today and sunny. Lot's of traffic too, I guess because of the 4th weekend! There was one wreck on I70 in the middle of Missouri. Traffic was backed up for two miles. I took a pleasant detour through the neat little town of Boonville, MO!! I checked into the same motel here at Mt Vernon that I used back on June 8. I told the lady I had stayed here over 3 weeks ago. She looked it up on the computer and she had given me the exact same room again. What a coincidence!! Will probably be Monday when I get back to Powhatan. I have ridden 10,894 miles since I left on June 7. The ole Harley has performed great with no problems

July 2 - Friday

Made it 389 miles today to St. Joseph, MO. Had the high cross winds again today to Sioux Falls and then a high head wind!! Had breakfast at the Rollin Pin restaurant in Sioux Falls! Only two pics today!! Not much to see heading back cross the mid USA!! Did meet a couple at a rest stop on I29 from South Dakota that wanted to know "everything" abouit my Alaska trip. He had just retired and wanted to get an Ultra and go to Alaska. Spent about 45 minutes with them talking about the trip and showing him my motorcycle!! That is all part of this great road trip!!

July 1 – Thursday

Only did 232 mile today but they were tough miles. Had a south wind of 25 with gust to 35 all day. Made riding very difficult!! Stopped for lunch at Al's Oasis and saw the guy again from Seattle riding the Wide Glide with no windshield!!

 He was heading to New Jersey. He was having a very tough time!! I had met him yesterday in Montana. Stopped at a Best Western in Mitchell, SD after visiting the "corny" Corn Palace. It was really kinda neat!!

Even the gas pumps were full of grain!!