On a car trip, typically the destination is Point A to Point B. Most of the time, you are on the four lane or six lane highway. A motorcycle trip is an adventure. A few weeks ago we took an adventure with our friends the Hackler’s and Cheshier’s. We had no idea where we were going, no hotel reservations, just our extra clothes and road maps….the plan was to leave on a Thursday and be home on Sunday.
While travelling on a motorcycle, you find out the most interesting fun facts about the towns you ride through. For instance, Hiawatha, KS has the largest Halloween Parade; EVER, Vinita, OK has the largest calf fry feed; EVER, Atchison, KS is the most haunted town in KS and Kansas farmers feed 128 people per day including YOU. Thank a farmer while you eat something today!
Thursday we rode to Marysville, KS which boasts “Home of the Black Squirrel”, supposedly there were hundreds of them in the park. We saw two, in the tops of trees and it was impossible to get their photo. We saw them, just no actually proof. We rode into town for lunch and discovered that Marysville was one of the major stops on the pony express. In the town square they had a beautiful Remington sculpture of the cowboy on his pony with his mail bag. It was spectacular, loving history I reveled that we stumbled upon this town square. Lunch was good, black squirrels spotted it was time to move on. We rode to Atchinson, KS birthplace of Amelia Earhart. What a great city! Located on the Missouri River, it was full of homes built in the 1800’s, a major factory and home of St. Benedictine College. We found a small hotel with three rooms, so lucky, it was homecoming weekend. Checked in, relaxed a bit then drove into town to find something to eat; and some malted beverages. We discovered a bar/restaurant that overlooked the Missouri River, stomachs full, bodies just a little weary from the long ride, we were ready to crash.
The next morning we took a quick look at the map and decided we needed to at least ride over the Missouri River Bridge. The sun coming up and shining through the steel bridge was incredible. The colors are only those that will remain in my head, no camera could actually capture; glorious colors that only God could put together and make so magnificent.
I wish I could remember the names of all of the towns we passed through, all of the kind people who always talk to us when we stop for gas, wondering where we are going, wishing they could come to. Our answer always the same, get a motorcycle and join us!
We stopped on night two in Monnet, MO. A small town with a small hotel room with three rooms, just what we needed. We asked the clerk where to eat and she mentioned a Cajun restaurant just across the highway. Perfect, we could walk and not get back on the bikes. Let’s face it, our butts and legs were tired.
The restaurant was not prepared for us. We were hungry and ready to drink, and so we did. After eating (and drinking too much) we were off to the hotel. Everyone crossed the highway except Jane and me. Standing there forever, cars honking at us, we finally made the break and made it, laughing the entire way.
Day three, tired, a little hung over, and not a clue where we were going, a look at the map, a discussion and off towards Oklahoma we headed. Luke originally had us going to Sherman, Texas on this trip but we just didn’t make it. Texas?
The mornings were so pretty, so cool you had to wear a jacket and by afternoon just a t-shirt was plenty. On this particular morning, it was warm and by afternoon I felt like I was melting – literally. We stopped in Jane, MO at a small cemetery. There was a family wandering around looking at headstones and I decided to strike up a conversation with them. They were looking for family members who fought during the Civil War. Several of their family members were buried there. So interesting the people we meet. After talking for awhile, we were back on the road, headed we thought to Grove, OK. As it turns out, we were kind of making a circle. It didn’t matter; the roads were amazing and the scenery unforgettable. We stopped at a local gas station, pulled out the map and discovered we were actually about 35 miles from where we started from. Who cares? Well, not us, it was a great ride.
We rode into Grove, OK and Gerald had a great idea to stop at Ace Hardware and ask where we should stay the night. The very helpful young man in Ace suggested “HONEY CREEK MOTEL”. The guys checked in, took the bikes and the “key” to the cabin which the owner referred to “every man’s favorite” and Susie, Jane and I walked down towards the lake where the cabin was located. As soon as we got about half way there, I knew we were in trouble. We walked into the cabin and no kidding I felt like it was 1953. There were three bedrooms, two had window units and one had a door out to the balcony. One bathroom and a kitchen; again, I just cannot describe this experience. So I was the bad guy, I refused to stay and Terry quickly seconded the motion. The owner very sadly returned our money and off we went to an actual hotel with clean towels, toilet paper and hot running water.
Our dinner was at the Lazy Parrot on the lake. Delicious food, cold drinks and absolutely horrible pineapple upside down cake, guess you can’t have it all! Back to the hotel, we discussed the adventures of the day and everyone making fun of me and my lack of adventuresome spirit. No cabin life for me, sorry. Only the six of us will really understand how hysterical that moment was. I still laugh about it. I wanted to kill Luke and Gerald but I had to get home.
Sunday came too quickly for us; it was time to make the ride back to Wichita. We rode about 1,100 miles that weekend. It was phenomenal. Go have an adventure…..peace!
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