Today was the day that Michele wanted to check something off her bucket list. After Michele and the ladies had visitors of the four legged kind after breakfast; we rode to John Pennenkamp Coral Reef State Park. Michele and I along with David & Sonya and Rick & Rose went snorkeling. It was a 4 mile boat ride out the reef know as Banana Reef. It was amazing time to see the different species of fish, coral and sea life. Michele was truly  over whelmed with excitement and joy with her maiden snorkeling adventure. While we where snorkeling Mike & Shelia and Ray & Barbra enjoy the glass bottom boat tour. Just a note pictures were made with a under water camera but not able to down load. After a bite of lunch it was time just to relax and recovery from the heat. Later this evening we ate at The Fish House, excellent food and great service. Ever in Key Largo check it out. Tomorrow its south on the Overseas Highway (US 1) to Key West.  Today blessing is that God has allowed me to see Michele swim with the fishes and to share in her joy.

We woke up this morning to heat and more heat. After a stop at Naples Harley Davidson is was short burst down I-75 S to 41 S. Riding through the Everglades we stopped at Miccosukee Indian Village where we rode the airboat.  The temps were on the rise specialy on the open road.  We had lunch at the Miccosukee Restaurant before heading to Fl. 997 (Krome Hwy.). Riding south on 997 we could see the lighting in the distance as it danced between the dark clouds. Once again God show us His grace for he kept  the storm away from us. The day was completed  when we arrived at Key Largo our resting place for the next couple of days. Tomorrow is Michele’s day to snorkel something that she wanted to do for sometime. Hopefully tomorrow she will be able to mark it off her bucket list. Some times we need to take a moment and slow down to enjoy God’s creation. For it truly a remarkable sight. Some people ride towards the sun and other ride with the Son. It was a short run today 144miles.

Today’s start was with a blessing a brother Reginald lead us in prayer before heading out. Early cloud cover made it a pleasant ride. We rode south on Highway 19 out of Crystal River. Turning on to 98 S to Fort Meade, FL. which is scattered with cattle farms  with a few goats here and there and a occasional eagle’s nest;  then riding  17 S to Punta Gorda. There we met Sonya’s Uncle Charlie and his girl friend Barbra for lunch @ The Village Fish Market. After lunch we headed south on 41 to Naples. Today’s roads where flat with a few curves thrown in for good measure. The last hour of the ride was when the temperature  began to make its presence know. We all where ready to call it a day. Thought for the day . While riding on 17 and south of Wauchula, FL. we crossed Peace River. It came to mind about what peace we can have through the Living Waters of Jesus Christ. For if we believe in him will never thirst and will have true peace. Final mileage for today is 236. Tomorrow its Airboats and Gators.

We left Adel, GA. this am via Hwy. 37 ( one of Georgia’s Grown Trail) laced with sod farms, different grain and vegetable farms. Riding some back roads of GA. to reach Hwy. 221 South. It was lined with trees draped in Spanish moss allowing the sunshine to be filter  just enough to make it a comfortable  ride. Riding 221 to Perry, FL. then turning  south on 27 to FL. 349 towards Old Town, FL.. Stopping in Old Town for lunch at the Cottage Café (a mom & pop’s) with home cooking. It was worth the stop. Afterwards we headed south on Hwy. 19 to Crystal River, once again God gave us what we needed a shower to cool the temps. making our ride more enjoyable. Arriving in Crystal River we made a short run to the local Harley Davidson dealership so a couple of brothers could grab a T-shirt. Later in the evening we had dinner @ Crackers with Don and Judy( friends who live Homosassa).  This time God gave us a lesson in being patience (due to the wait time). Today we learned that sometime God gives you what you need and other time he teaches you what you need. Total miles today 243. May the SON shine in your heart so that you may be a light into the world.

The ones that could leave this morning met at I-Hop in Hiram. David and Sonya were not able to leave until later in the day. After breakfast  and a prayer with our Heavenly Father we rode out Thornton RD. Then on to Camp Creek Pkwy.. Out to 154 and Hwy. 92 riding through slow moving curves as the sun peered over the leaves of the trees. Reaching highway 138 the sun was now in full swing with its rays bouncing off the road under our rolling wheels. Turning South on 19/41 toward Griffin to 341 to Perry. A short run down I-75 South to 26 west than back on 41 South. The heat had crawled to a slow burn but it was  still a great ride. Just outside Adel, GA. it was back on to 75 to Hwy. 37 spending the night in Adel. David and Sonya made it safe and sound except for small en-counter with a cow. If you are ever in Adel take the ride out to Reed Bingham State Park  and eat at The Catfish House. If ever in the area stay with Jeremy at the Hampton Inn. Final though God never stops showing his mercy and grace. While Mike and I were checking out a communication issue, the other had the opportunity to pray with a church family from Douglasville, GA. who had been down here on a mission trip.  Todays total rode was 277 miles.

We left this morning riding 459 around Birmingham, AL. to 59 N. Rode to Gadsden. AL. where we got on Hwy.278 to Dallas. This trip began on July second to celebrate Brother Rick’s 60th birthday and later to discover it was also Don & Marsha 43rd wedding anniversary. What a way to build memories for those special times in your life. Then seeing God’s majestic artwork through his creation. The Badlands, Black Hills, Devils Tower, fields of sunflowers and black-eyed susie’s. The rivers and streams twist through the country side reflecting the time of day when the sun bounces off their cool running waters. You smell a early morning campfire or the sweetness of mountain flowers. The wind blowing against your face as you twist the throttle through the straight a ways and sweeping curves, Seeing the morning sun peering through the tree tops and hearing a bird singing from sky above. Knowing that a smile is being shared as we ride through God’s land of beauty and grace. The hand shake and a hug of a friend to say I love you and thanks. I have learned one thing on this trip. riding style are like personalities, we all have one but they may be just a little different. Point is that God accept us in spite of our differences and that is how we should be with each other. Some times this may be hard to do and against our nature but it is the right thing to do. Remember God always shows us his grace through our life’s and short comings. So yes I would do it all over again. The average mileage rode was 4,250. God’s Speed until the next ride. Uncle Willie and Ms. LIL

We are in Bessemer, AL. for the night. After riding Hwy. 82 to I-20 just outside Tuscaloosa, AL.. Hwy 82 is lined with Ponds of cranberry, fish, and farms. There are also fields of corn, beans, rice  that make up the farmland . The pastures and woods were laced with rivers, creeks and slow moving streams. The land was dotted with Black-eyed Susie’s The day was another hot one with temp. index over a 100 deg. , which called for  shorter travel day. Gary and Paul are back at home. Randy and Coop are also at home. We had another blessing today as God allowed us to make it to the hotel before the storm blew in. Sometimes blessing are the simple things in life. Right there in front of us. May your path be lit by God’s  grace.

Michele @ Whiskey River

Don and Rick

Mexican Truck Stop

Today we left once again to warm temperature riding east on 82. The farther we went east there were more trees, gentle rolling hills and deeper greens in the landscape. We made pit stops at Paris Harley Davidson and Whiskey River Harley in Texarkana. Crossed The Red River before seeing camels and zebras in AK.. We also got to ride through the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge in AK.. Continuing out 82 E we crossed the Mississippi River before stopping in Greenville for the night. Today we had lunch @ The Flying Burger in Magnolia, AK. then had dinner at a Mexican Truck Stop (both where actually pretty good).. Saw a sign today with the question what is God’s opinion of you? Think about it.

Hat Trick in Greenville

We left around 7:00 am riding I-40 to Hwy 287 S. The temperature was already in the mid 70’s to start our day.
Over the last few days we have rode through areas of Buffalo Gap and Comanche National Grass Lands. Towns like Kit Carson, CO. and Goodnight, TX.. We have seen buffalo, deer, antelopes, prairie dogs, horses, cattle, oil wells (some working and some not). The landscape was wide open ranges with trees and brush scattered through out, with old wind mills standing quietly. There was evidence of the pass local rains with the low lying areas looking like small lakes with fence post peering just above the water line. All this was set against a backdrop of blue skies. While the sun pounded down on the payment below our spinning tires. It was another hot day after a stop at Texoma Harley Davidson we called it  a day around 4:30. Tonight’s update, Tony and Anna are back home, Gary is in Poplar Springs, MO.. The only thought for this evening comes from one of the towns we have rode through. Goodnight.

The Chief in Kansas .

We left Fort Morgan, Co. around 8:30 am riding on 34 W to 287 S. Riding south we rode through a town called Last Chance, CO. then 25 miles outside of Limon, Co. (living in the middle of no were) we rode through the valley of giants ( large wind turbines). The scenery remained the same as yesterday with the exception the farther we went south the flatter and hotter it got. The temperature was 103 today. Mike needs two states to complete riding in the lower 48. Mike, Paul and Don left the main group in Lamar, Co. to ride towards Kansas. We rode on Hwy. 50/400 E ( The Santa Fe Trail) to Syracuse, KS.. Getting on 27 S to Johnson City, KS. then taking 160 W to Springfield, Co.. After fueling up we got back on 287 S to I-40 W to our final detestation of the day Amarillo, TX.. Update on the others Spokane Bob is back home, Gary is in Independence, MO., Coop and Randy are in TN.. Riding through the town of Last Chance made wonder what we do if was our last chance. Would it be about our relationship with our Lord and Savior?