LOST in AMERICA

[water warrior]

Just gotta write about my trip to Tellico Plains and back to the GWN. Left Squamish,BC on June 18 and headed North East to Edmonton for a visit with a couple friends and then headed South to the border arriving in Great Falls, Montana on the 22nd. GF's was actually my real start to an adventure of a lifetime.
Next morning after coffee I strolled around the hotel lot and talked to an older H-D rider preparing to hit the road. He was heading home to Oregon and I asked how he got the bike so dirty. ALASKA mud and road grit, that's how. His windshield was opaque and I have no idea what the bike color really was. This fine gentleman had beaten cancer and decided to ride America forever. 49 States and 103,000 miles on the bike. WOW. Where is the bridge to Hawii when you need it ?? I wished him a safe journey and continued my day.
Keep in mind I am driving not riding. Leaving GF's South bound on I-15 is a treat for the eyes. I-15 is carved out of the mountains and trully beautiful to travel. Shortly after hitting the road I got a sign that this would be a trip to remember. Willie Nelson sang 3 words to me. "Good Morning America". I thought it couldn't get any better but it did.
Will continue later on after I find my getting lost map.

[water warrior]

Well, that worked nicely, two for the price of one on my first chapter. Second chapter of Lost in America. Left Great Falls and continued South to Helena and Butte to hook up with I-90 East. Now the lost part draws near. After Billings I-90 heads South and then East to Rapid City South Dakota. Approaching the junction for I-94 East and I-90 South things got a bit exciting. Just about to take my right onto I-90 and an 18 wheeler blew a tire in front of me. " Holy road gators. " Weave, dodge, slow, miss the turn of course. Oh well, I like detours and another junction will show up eventually. On to miles City for the night and a fresh start in the morning. Headed South on #59 which was a nice relaxing drive with little traffic and hooked up to I-90 again. Oh my, Sturgis and Rapid City coming up. H-D country or so I thought. Had to grin when I saw a Wee Strom leading 4 cruisers down the highway.
Stopped in at Wall Drug Store, S.D. Haven't been there since 1982. Bought another T-shirt. On to Sioux Falls and Sioux City on I-29 South to Kansas City. Headed East to St. Louis. Made a bad judgement call and was once again Lost in America. Okay, I'm done for a bit. Will write more as I study my map.

[greywolf]

Is the big dinosaur still at Wall Drug? My brother led us off the highway into St. Louis accidentally in 1976. It was not a great part of town to be in, especially on bikes.

[water warrior]

Hi greywolf. Don't know about the big dino. Stayed mostly inside the stores etc. If it was there it had many people under it looking for shade from the sun. Blistering sunshine and high temps the whole day.

[JONNYREB]

Hi Water warrior, glad to see you've rested up and are going to document "The Big Trip". You, i believe, are the stromtrooper with the most time on the road. I can only hope to make a trip like yours someday myself.
Look forward to the rest of your stories. J.R

[water warrior]

Lost in America, chapter three. Bad call on my part. Thought I could skirt around St. Louis City. So here I am heading South to Memphis on I-55,hmmm, not where I want to be. After approx 150 miles I figure it's time to take a coffee break and look at the map. Lo an behold I-155 is coming up and after a few miles #412 will take me to I-40 East towards Nashville. Over-nited West of Nashville and planned to tackle the city in the morning. Made it through Nashville with little drama and on towards Knoxville until 129 leads me towards Maryville. The day is good and about to get better than expected. Rolling towards Maryville I spy a Zuk/Kaw dealer in Alcoa. Time to stretch the legs and snoop. Actually my bum is killing me and that car is living on borrowed time.
Now I really must go for a walk and will continue later.

[MonkeyGrass]

Heeeee's BACK!

Hey Bob, glad to see you made it home safely. I must say - I have nothing but mad respect for a man of your experience and durability. You have inspired me to no end, and you may not realize the impact that your appearance and adventures had on me and my brother. Talking and hanging around the campsite with you was something I will always appreciate! I seriously hope to have half 1/2 your energy and enthusiasm when (and if!) I approach the "age of reason".

I look forward to the rest of your adventurous tale! Between you and Balazs, we're getting spoiled around here... :D

[water warrior]

HI JR
HI MG
Yup, made it back with some detours included of course. All is well, ah sort of well. Feeling like death warmed over due to a flu/sinus/cold thing that appeared as soon as I got back into the GWN. Thanks for waiting for me to show up and write my Lost in America Story.

[Big B]

It was so awesome to finally get to meet you Bob, and I really enjoyed all of our conversations. Glad you made it back home safely. You need to ride that Strom down next year!!!!!:cool:


Brian

[water warrior]

Lost in America/chapter four. Chapter three ended with me wanting to stretch my legs and snoop in a dealership. Glad I did. Finally found some boots to wear while riding. AlpineStar Roam WP boots on clearance. 99.50 on sale. And they really fit beautifully. Actually found them in the GWN a week earlier but for 319.00+tax. Not bloody likely is my reaction. Mind you I almost bought them cause they were the first boots I ever found that fit so well. So glad I waited.
This was on the Wednesday before the Meet and I was ahead of schedule. Fancy that, me ahead of time and not lost. On to Maryville, Madisonville and lovely Tellico Plains. Fantastic, not lost and it is still daylight, wonders will never cease. Thank you Goggle Maps, on #68 and to Hunt's.
Met with Lori at Hunt's and asked if I could move in 2 days early. Sure thing. Had a little visit with her after I moved in and even got to do laundry. I like this place. Just off the highway, easy to find and scenic. Had a shower while the cabin A/C cooled things down and went to town for growlies and beer. First beer in 7 years, I am a really cheap date, 2 beers and I am wasted. Spent the evening drinking 2 beer and wearing my new boots to loosen them up a little.
Thursday morning, hot and sunny. Into T.P. for breakfast, t-shirts and to find Cherohala. So far so good, only got lost once and that should really have been next to impossible but I do have a talent. Next, find an oil change for the cage. No problem, just drive till you see a Wal-Mart. Done.
Bought a couple pocket books, no TV and no computer to play with. Spent the evening reading and keeping cool.
Friday, returned one T-shirt for the right size, must have been a blond moment the first time. Messed around killing time in town and eventually returned to camp. NOW IT BEGINS............ more than I could have imagined or anticipated. I was no longer alone at Hunt's.
Stromtroopers have arrived. The long awaited Balazs is here. What a moment. Handshake like hell, a real hug was in order. I was so glad he arrived safe and sound all the way from his homeland. Was overwhelmed with the greetings and friendship from everyone at Hunt's. Finally put names to faces and tried to remember them.
Got my new roomie established in the cabin and bought him a beer. Believe it or not the A/C directed at the beer worked pretty well.
Off to Cherohala to meet the rest of the group. WOW !!! Met Brendan, a real treat. Thank you Brendan for everything that happened. Without Stromtroopers none of this would ever have happened. SCraig is a gem. We had a real nice chat and then he surprised me with a call from Stromette. Fantastic, was a real pleasure to talk to her. Hoping to meet up on her return from Alaska if possible. How many people did I meet ?? Don't know, but each and everyone was a friend and fellow rider. Why do bikes make folks friendly and real ?? Don't know but it sure works for me.
We had a great evening and eventually called it a night. Great company and just an amazing time.
Saturday morning, off to Robbinsville to rent KLR 560's from Mark at Thunder Mountain. Finally got riding at 12:30 and had a blast. This is one of the reasons I drove over halfway across a continent. The Dragon is pretty intense for an old guy on a rented bike. Thankfully the knobby tires gave clear warning about speed and cornering. Sort of a built in governor. I will have to comment on the KLR heat issue. They are hot, real hot. When the fan came on my left leg got cooked a little more than was comfy. Using the pass. pegs just set fire to both legs for some reason. Oh well, it's not like I had to keep it forever.
Was wearing light sweats under my Alter Ego pants and was cooking. Off with the boots and pants. Off with the sweats, standing there in my undies I had to sit down to put on my riding pants and boots. Oh now there is a plan. Sit on what may I ask ??? Of course that really big super hot rock that has been in the direct sun for hours. Almost did some serious damage there. Balazs got quite a chuckle out of my moaning and mumbling. Lesson learned.
On to the evening festivities back at Hunt's. Sure hope I don't have my days an nites mixed up. No real plans for feeding the boys and girls. JR had a plan and it was a dandy. Without getting to fancy with words and timing trying to describe things I will just say JR sprung for the finest t-bones and sirloins in all of Ten. State. My apologies to the trooper who cooked it up. I forgot your name but not your face. You certainly know your way around a BBQ. An absolute feast with all the fixings. After making pigs of ourselves and being satisfied beyond belief we all basically sat around and visited and drank more beer. Got to know more about the people and their lives, jobs, spouses, kids, pets, the stuff that makes them who they really are. The one common thread is riding bikes, it brings out the best in us.
OK, on to Sunday and the riding after a breakfast in town at that great little cafe where everyone is so friendly and kind. JR took it upon himself to accompany Balazs and myself for the ride. He had a GPS in case we got lost. Good thing I wasn't leading. We still made a couple wrong turns but who cares when you are having fun. Made it to Deal's Gap for lunch and a photo shoot of the troopers on hand. Bought gifts and stuff for the occasion too. More riding but this time I started the day without the forementioned sweats under riding pants so was cooler to start. Bikes an more bikes all over. Pick a color, a make, a size, they were all there and all friendly folks.
To be continued shortly.

[water warrior]

Big B, plan on riding down 2 years from now. Lynda wants to ride half way across Canada next summer to visit her brother in Manitoba. We will see how things develop in the future.

[water warrior]

Lost in America/chapter #5. Okay, so I am back. Took a time out to catch up on Stromette's Alaska adventure and made coffee and rolled some smokes. Where was I ??? Oh ya. Sunday after the ride and back to Hunt's. The plan was to go to Cherohala for the fireworks. We never made it of course but we did see the fireworks from Hunt's. Awesome !!
Sat around, talked and generally just relaxed with the greatest folks on the planet. I wished it would never end. Alas, the next morning the end reared it's head and good byes were said. Balazs and I road to Thunder Mountain to return the KLR's and retrieve my car. The drive back was a very long one for me. It meant the end of a very special event in my life and I do hope to repeat it in the future. Back at Hunt's we said our good byes and everyone went their way. I packed the car and visited with Jack for a while. Jack filled me in on their future plans for the campground and I wished them all the success in their endeavors. Also left my old boots for anyone needing something better than sneakers. Said my final good bye and left.
Rolled through Tellico Plains with regret to say the least. I could easily live there. Now back to my most powerful talent and Lost in America continues in the wrong direction. As I was driving along in a westward direction "To the Atlantic Ocean" I had a slight mishap with a pick-up in Sevierville. No biggy but the right rear quarter panel was pushed in and the tire was in position to be opened up if the suspension travelled more than half an inch. Car was parked and got backed into by an older gentleman from Louisiana. He and his wife were just mortified when I said I was just on my way back to Canada. He wanted to make it right without the insurance companies getting involved and I didn't object. I have to admit he made it a little more than right. Within an hour and a half I had a bodyshop estimate, a fender pull to clear the tire and a handful of money. I do plan on sending about 40% back to him soonest, that will be clear later.
On my way to the real West this time, you know, the one where the Pacific Ocean lives. Anyway, called it an early night just before Nashville and hoped to follow the map the next morning. Made it to Nashville and out onto I-24 in a NorthWesterly direction. Up to I-64 and West to St. Louis. Through St. louis and on to Kansas City and I-29......or so I thought. Whilst in kansas City I got into a cluster of 18 wheelers and missed my turn North to I-29. Okay, I am optimistic, there will be another junction soon. But I am still in a cluster of trucks(can't explain that) and we are headed to Colorado on I-70. No way am I going to Denver. Finally out of the cluster and stop to check my map. Goody, #183 is coming up and goes North to I-80. #183 is a beautiful road, no traffic, fresh pavement and relaxing as all get out. Spent the night somewhere on I-80. Next morning I'm off to find Ogallala and #26 headed NorthWest and hoping to land in Billings Montana for the night. Not gonna happen !! Who would have thunk it. Biker rallies all over Montana. No rooms anywhere. Keep looking but no room at the inn sort of thing. Almost in Butte Montana now and it is real late. Ah, rest area, good place to sleep a bit. Holy Cow Batman, I got the last available parking spot. And I am not lost, bonus.
Awake at 6:00 and on the road looking for breakfast and gas. Back on beautiful I-15 and headed North to Canada. Gonna do some visiting in Edmonton again. Cross the border and immediately get sick. Some kind of Canadian homegrown flu/cold/sinus thing. Still have it too. Trying to recuperate in Edmonton and my cell rings. Mike in Edmonton and he doesn't know where I am. He thinks I am in Squamish, B.C. We talk and my car comes into the conversation. Is it for sale, he has always liked it and he is tired of his truck. Sure is for sale for the right price. Next day I drive into his yard and Mikey does a double take. Having already picked out my next cage and inquired about resale prices for my car I am ready to deal. A little off the top for the munched fender and we are in business. Thursday, July 11th I picked up my new Ranger pick me-up and feel good all over. Life is good. Had a fabulous vacation, met wonderful people, got lost numerous times and survived it all.
Almost to the end of the last chapter. Here it is in a nutshell. After travelling 12,500 Kms, riding a bunch of curves in Ten. and N.C. and seeing beautiful scenery all the way, there is one thing that stands out miles higher than any of those. You folks. My new found friends who welcomed me without any reservations or expectations. I am blessed to have been part of the Tellico Plains Event. I thank you one and all.

[oodeano]

It's all worked out so well I'm ready to spring a little tear . .:)

[JONNYREB]

oodeano...lol you aussies kill me... you would have had to been there.
Water Warrior, thanks for the report as i was wondering what you did on your travels back. Glad to see you made it all without trouble AND got a new ford p-up to baby as your reward. Look forward to seeing you in the future. J.R

[water warrior]

The future is 2 years from now. Sooner if I win a lottery.