Tracey and I just returned from a trip North through the states of Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Missouri. During this trip I spent a lot of my motorcycle time delving through my past memories from history class about each of the areas we were riding through. When riding for long periods you find ways of keeping alert--this trip was my imagination and history.When traveling through Oklahoma you can't help but look out across the horizon and imagining there is a tribe of Indians up on that hill looking down at the circling wagons. You think about how long it would take to travel the roads by horseback or covered wagon. While in Oklahoma I also learned what a "Sooner" is. And yes its the University of Oklahoma mascot but a "Sooner" is those people who went out to claim land during the Oklahoma Land Rush before the blast of the canon. The ones who waited for the blast of the canon at 12noon on April 22, 1889 were known as the "Boomers".
Through Kansas of course you are constantly thinking of The Wizard of Oz and looking for that tornado that will sneak up on ya. We did have a little rain and dark clouds but mostly we just rode on through.
Corn, corn and more corn--Iowa. I have to say that traveling on the interstate that Iowa is the most beautiful because of all the farms and corn fields you see. It is absoultely a site to see nothing but corn in all directions. I am kinda partial to old and new barns anyway.
Our plan was to travel to Minnesota and spend a night with our Texas neighbors (they stay in Texas in the winter and Minnesota in the summer)for a night and then go to Michigan down between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron and home trough Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Arkansas. But we got to Minnesota and fell in love with the beauty of this state. So with the hospitality of Mike and Judy we stayed the entire week with them. They were the best hosts--they showed us around Hinckley MN where they grew up and then we all went up to the North Shore along Lake Superior.
I don't know if you ever heard of the Great Hinckley Fire but we visited the memorial to the over 400 people who died in this fire in 1894. It was considered a Firestorm. Hinckley was a logging community until after this fire and then because the entire land was cleared they began farming. Both logging and farming is still done today. 
During our day trip to the North Shore of Lake Superior we visited two lighthouses, I never knew there were light houses on the Great Lakes but evidently there are many (a trip for another time). The North Shore was beautiful and reminded me of the west coast with the cliffs and rocks. The rocks in the lake are smooth from the thrashing of the water over them. Once the rocks are smoothed to a flat state they no longer roll back into the lake and line the shore.
When visiting the two lighthouses we learned that most of them are not in service and are actually bed and breakfasts now. The Split Rock Lighthouse has a great setup showing how the lighthouse keeper lived. (See pictures in my gallery)
Along the road side, through every state, we saw lots of wild flowers. These flowers made for a beautiful ride and of course I --loving flowers like I do--just had to get pictures of all of them. I will not add the pictures here but please go to my photo gallery and view the pictures. http://picasaweb.google.com/justlyshy
Have you ever been to a small town parade? There is nothing like it. We were fortunate to be in Hinckley for their CCC (Corn & Clover Carnival) which started out with a parade. Mike was actually in the parade on a float dedicated to their 50 year reunion from high school. Sitting on the side of main street watching the crowd, especially the kids dancing to the music brought back so many memories of when I was a kid visiting my grandparents in a small town called Delta, Colorado. AWESOME!
While staying the week with Mike and Judy we stayed in the camper they have for guests. There is nothing like waking in the morning to the pecking of a woodpecker, or the sounds of the loons in the distance. We were hoping for a siting of a bear but no luck. At night we would play Farkle and have great laughs. One night we even built a fire outside and did smores and fried peach pies. We would like to thank Mike and Judy for all the fun and hospitality.From Minnosota we followed the Mississippi River south and crossed over into Wisconsin. I had a training in Verona so we had decided to change our plans again and stay the week in Verona WI. I went to my class during the day and Tracey hung out and rode the back roads.
While in Wisconsin we made a side trip over to Milwaukee to the Harley Davidson Museum. We learned a lot of history about Harley Davidson. My favorite part was the painted tanks and getting to sit on some of the old models.
A highlight for Tracey I am sure was our visit to the Brewers Stadium. We ate lunch at Fridays inside the field and watched a fantasy baseball group. The Ballpark in Arlington is still better.
From Verona we headed home knowing that we were two days from home. Again, imagination and history come in to play for keeping alert. We passed through Springfield Il, a home of Abraham Lincoln. Meramec Caverns which is said to be a hideout for Jesse James. I did a lot of thinking about the fur traders along the Great Lakes and Rivers we were crossing. Through Minnesota, and Wisconsin I thought about Little House on the Prarie, I never watched the show very much but I heard that she was from here. So I imagined how life was for those pioneers.
Another great past time for me on a motorcycle is looking at clouds, something we had plenty of on this trip. Beautiful white fluffy clouds that you could just drift away in. So needless to say, my history and imagination got me home safely and I have many memories to keep forever. Thanks again to Mike and Judy!!!
