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?

Spokane Bob left for WA. this morning and Gray to FL. After prayer with all for God’s traveling mercy we headed out on 385 S with the wind against our cheeks as the sun peers through the treetops, reflecting off near by streams and lakes. There was the smell of campfires as we rode through the valleys of the Black Hills. Going out  16 A over to Needles Highway (87 S). At the the Needles Eye there was a slight delay due to a tour bus. Check out the photo below. The highway is laced with rock formation, sweeping turns and tight curves with speed limits of 5 & 10 mph.  Leaving Needles Hwy.back to 385 S  which allowed us to ride through Wind Cave Park. In the park we saw buffalo and prairie dogs. Continuing on 385 S we stopped in Hot Spring, SD for lunch at a place called The Vault (mom and pop). Then on to 30 W, 19 S, 113 S, 138 S and I-76 before getting to Fort Morgan, CO.. The landscape in southern South Dakota, western Nebraska, and eastern Colorado  all look the same. There was rolling hills with  shades of greens, yellows and browns , open ranges and a occasional stream or farm pond. It is still beautiful as part of God’s Creation. Everyone who has left the group is safe and dry tonight.

Paul saddling up for the days ride

Spokane Bob and Gary

Needles Eye

Rose,Sonya, Michele and Marsha.

Mike,Rick,Don R., David and Don.

Traffic jam.

Sweet dreams in Hot Springs.

Hot Springs, SD.

Wind Cave Park, SD

Hot Springs

Mike, Michele and David

Don, Sonya and David

Michele and Sonya

Big MIke

Michele with her little friend.

Hill City, SD.

Birthday Rick

Don and Sundance Kid

Devils Tower, WY.

Springfield, MO.

Rail Haven

Springfield, MO.

The Wild Flower Rose.

Spokane Bob

After saying our until the next times and be safe to Tony, Anna, Coop and Randy we headed to Sturgis. This year is the 75th anniversary of The Sturgis Rally. We spend most of the day in town and had a great time in fellowship. We had a good meal @ The Easyrider Restaurant. Tomorrow Spokane Bob will beheading back to WA. and Gary to FL.. We will be going to Fort Morgan, CO.. After see God’s creation and artwork here in Black Hills area, it reminds me just how powerful and amazing he truly is. God’s speed until the next time.

Michele with Wild Bill

Wild Bill Hickok

Tony and Anna

Coop and Randy

This morning we rode out to cool temps. going back 385 to 17. We where going to Hill City to ride the 1880 Train which is powered by a steam locomotive. It is a 20 mile run between Hill City and Keystone SD.. The engine that powered the train was # 110, which was used in the TV series Deadwood.  We learned that The Black Hills run 120 miles North to South and 60 miles East to West. The name Black Hills came from the Lakota Indians because they appeared black from a distance. The Ponderosa Pine is the main tree for the area. Afterwards we has lunch @ The Bump’in Buffalo before heading back to Deadwood. This evening we took the Boothill City Tour were we learned about Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and the town of Deadwood. Later we had dinner at The Midnight Star (owned by Kevin Costner). We walked around Deadwood before calling it a night. Tony and Anna will be leaving tomorrow for PA. while Coop and Randy for GA., please keep them in your prayers as they travel. Though Friday some may be leaving the fellowship and memories will always be there. Makes me think what will other’s memories of us might be. Will ours be one that reflected Christ through our words and actions.

Sundance Kid

Lucky from Texas

Myles from North Caroline

This morning’s ride started with sunshine and cool temps. Leaving Deadwood for Wyoming riding out 90 to 14 stopping first in Sundance, WY. to check out a local museum and to take some pictures with Sundance Kid. Went to the local Harley dealer where we met Myles a young man from Jacksonville, NC. riding a (89) 883 Sporty with a 1200 big bore kit. He was riding solo on his way to Washington State to visit his grandmother. Second individual we met Lucky a 65 year old lady from Cleveland, TX. also riding solo on a (12) Street Glide. She had been to Oregon and was now on her way to Lead, SD. to help a friend. We now headed out 24 to Devils Tower, the scenery was just beautiful rolling hills with shades of green and yellow. The mountains in the distance with blacks, browns and hues of gray.There were areas with plateaus, cliffs, cattle and a occasional deer. After the tower we came out on WY.24 to SD. 34 then riding 85 S into Spearfish,SD.. Our final ride for the day was through Spearfish Canyon with flowing streams and water falls. As sun bounced off the canyon walls you noticed colors of blacks, browns, grays, with some shade of red and pink. The day was a great time riding, of fellowship and enjoying God’s creation. Like the Sun has shined on our face may God’s light shine on your heart.

We left this morning riding out on Hwy. 385 under cloudy skies and chilly temps. Going through the Black Hills our first stop was Pactola Reservoir then on to Hwy. 16 A to Keystone.  Then 244 to Mount Rushmore to check out the faces of Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and Roosevelt. Afterwards continued on 16 A The Iron Mountain Road to Custer State Park. This road has curves that you can see your backside before getting through the curve. In the park we saw black pronghorn antelopes, deer, wild flowers and the king of prairie The Buffalo. At this time there are 1300 buffalo in current heard, next year there will be 1500. They have over 77.000 acres to roam on in the park. Leaving the park we headed north on Hwy. 85 then on to 16 A in to Custer. Riding Hwy 16 to 385 back to Deadwood. We went to town for dinner before calling it a night. May God bless you with joy and peace.

New friend Logan from Michigan