June 12 thru 15 - Day 8 - 11...After Spearfish I traveled through the 'motocycle world of Sturgis', South Dakota, visiting the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. Then traveling through the town of 'Deadwood' unto the Black Hills, enjoying both the Crazy Horse and Rushmore mountain carvings. Crazy Horse sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski began in June of 1948. The world's largest carving continues more than 30 years after the death of Korczak through the efforts of his wife and 7 of his children while completely dependant on private funds. Their perseverance is simply amazing! Sixty-five years and counting, wow! I then camped for the night on the Iron Mountain Highway with a view directly into George's face.
Crazy Horse...60 years of Work
In the morning my journey continued through southern South Dakota on Highway 18. Although a couple hours into this path, and getting discouraged due to the condition of the passing communities, I decided to dip south twenty miles onto Nebraska highway 20. Surprisingly it became quite 'midwest-like' immediately. That is, very quaint-like towns, with well kept historic structures. I had never known about the 'Sandhills' of Nebraska, but quickly became a student as I stopped at a few of their 'historic sites' along the way.
Friday took me the remainder of the distance through Nebraska's farm land, watching the thunder heads driven away from me. For which I was quite grateful, because I did not become victim of their heavy rain fall. Crossing the Missouri, I entered into my destination of Iowa. My travel to Red Oak sent me through the small town of Walnut. I've never witnessed such a 'antique show' before. Apparently, Father's Day weekend the main street and its adjacent streets are closed to traffic as antique vendors set up to sell their merchandise. It was a scene simular to 'Octoberfest' in Mount Angel, Oregon. Arriving in Griswold, I decided to stop for a haircut. My Great-grand father had been the mayor of this small farming community back in the 1960's. Because of this I hoped to find some interesting character's who might still have a memory of Ray X Williams. One person remembered the name, but that was it. Quite expensive for a 'buzz' cut and beard trim and no family memories. Bummer!
Yeah Vern...this is NOT a Campsite...
Awesome Ride Through Black Hills
Twenty-four hundred and seventeen miles later I arrived at Red Oak. The significance? As a boy I would travel with my grandfather in his semi rig from LA to Iowa to spend any where from four to six weeks with grand parents, aunts, uncles and cousins. I would be privileged to do this three or four summers and the memories made continue to be a treasure until this day. While here I will stay with my cousin Cheryl, her husband Doug and their 'horse-loving' nine year old, Aly. I've already had a couple great visits with my favorite of uncles, Ron and aunt Joann. And today has included time with my aunt Barb and cousin Kerry. He and I will head to the College World Series on Monday to take in a couple games. Again, Go Beavers!
June 11 - Day 7...Morning found me waking to the loud and brilliant sound of 'Five Creeks', and the
sweet serenade of birds calling me to awake. This could have easily been a destination campground. What a find! The staredown with a mosquito as big as a hummingbird, makes me grateful for the screen that prevents him (or her) from adding to his reservoir supply:) Nah, nah...this time dude!
Eric, Erin, Chris and Rick...Friends along the journey
Before breaking camp I take a jog UP to the upper campground. It is there that the Lord provides another 'moment'. Meeting Erin and Chris, who with uncle Eric are traveling from the beautiful Weat Virginia to take Erin to her new college in Colorado. Again, fun conversations of our journey's and the amazing sites that we've been blessed to experience. Blessings Erin on this new path. Ephesians 3:20 comes to mind, "Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or THINK, according to the power that works within us. To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever, amen!"
Across the 'Big Horn' Mountains
The ride east through Wyoming 'Alt 14' took me over another incredible pass, this one through the Bighorn mountains. It is one breath taking highway after another. The original plan was to make my way to see 'Devils Tower...which I did. That is if you think viewing from 15 miles away is the goal. Yeah, not quite what I had in mind. The past two days found me dodging showers. Well, they say the third time is a charm...so what is the 'fouth time' called? I call it WET! It appeared that I missed the rain one more time, but then...the wind took over and sent the storm directly into my path. So what's a guy to do? Head east where it "appears" clear. Searching for a site to lodge for night, I decided on a KOA Campground. I walked in and purchased a tent site that included showers, laundry and Wi-Fi. No sooner had I walked out of the office that something convinced me to just go ahead and rent a cabin for the night. I arrived at the cabin, unloaded my gear from the bike, called to yak with Karen when the sky unloaded its 'midwest' like rain and hail directly unto this small town of Spearfish, South Dakota. I haven't felt quite so brillant in along time. The plus...a wonderful lightning and thunder display! RAIN...it was bound to happen. Rain all you'd like tonight, my head is well covered:)
At 'Observation Point'
Not a big fan of 'techno' music, but I like the video...Plus you're able to travel the road I was able to ride through the Big Horn Mountains.
June 10 - Day 6...A very relaxing morning was spent with Gary. Breakfast back at the Soda Butte Cafe (gotta love that name!), and then a return to camp where we yakked like a couple of old men...wait a minute, we are! Then at 1:30 I began my trek up the Beartooth Highway, called by Charles Kuralt as the 'best' highway in America. Let' just say that the fifty mile ride over the 10,947 foot pass took me three hours to accomplish. At the pass, beside another 'most amazing' view, is a ski lift with a 500 foot, almost completely vertical slope. Yeah, that one is not for me! The 12 foot high snow walls were quite awesome to ride past on my Yamahaug.
After a decent into the 'cute' town of Red Lodge, Montana, I ventured through some of Montana's and Wyoming's prairies. A quick stop for some fruit, led to a conversation about campsites prior to the 'Bighorn Pass'. I was given the suggestion to stop at 'Five Creeks'. So Wyoming 14 takes you through some fairly barren land, when you arrive to the campground sign that leds to the north side of the road. A two mile ride on a totally 'switch-back' road takes you up at least a 1,000 foot vertical climb to another 'most beautiful' campground, with some extremely impressive rock formations. I could hug the guy who told me about it:)
Gary and I along with Buddy's butt...sorry
During the ride today I am often reminded of enjoyable fragrances. Those from a variety of trees and flowers, or the one brought forth after after a rain. I am also reminded of my memory verse for the week, "My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you". I am hopeful to read through Paul's little letters to the churches throughout this journey. Beginning in Galatians, I discovered this in chapter four, verse nineteen. To me it is hopeful that if these believers were in need of Christ once again being 'formed' in them, then perhaps there continues to be promise for me...and you:)
So, here I lay in my tiny one man tent, thirty feet from a very fast moving ten foot creek. The winds,
Crazy Creek it is...
earlier at some twenty mph, have calmed down and I will open the tent fly to take in the view of God's most precious stars. Just prior to closing the fly I noticed what appeared to be a flashlight shinning against the gorgeous rock back drop that surrounds my site. No Vern, that'll be thar lightening blarring across the 'Bighorn Mountain' sky. And some call it chance? Good night!
June 8 - Day 4...Must have been very tired, I slept until 8:30...while camping...that's unheard for me.
Wyoming was only a short distance, topped off fuel in Wilson ...'Hey Wilson' and then through Jackson before entering Grand Teton National Park. I had entered Yellowstone previously through Montana, so this became new territory for me to admire. A definite WOW! Had fun chatting with two different South Americans at two different times. Eduado and his wife from Argentina who now reside in LA. This was at the area where you are able to best view the Teton Glacier. We had a great laugh over my Argentinean Revolution Day experience. If you don't know this story you'll have to ask me sometime. After having a very excellent Rueben sandwich along with exceptional view at the Jackson Hole Lodge, I pulled off the side of the road simultaneously as Miguel from Venezuela. Miguel, having started from his home in NY, is riding his Harley south toward LA and then up the Pacific coast. We enjoyed several laughs off our recent adventures, including his standoff by a buffalo who decided the highway did belong to him and not some burley motorcycle dude.
Gotta love a 'Buffalo Traffic Jam'
When I began the day I had every intention of arriving at Crazy
Creek Campground for the night...then I AGAIN remembered the first of my three words from Day two... 'no hurry'. So instead I made reservations at Madison Campground in Yellowstone, went off to view 'Old Faithful'...and she was, had the best shower in years, set up camp, listened to a Ranger tell about Yellowstone history, and now off to sleep. Oh I forgot...while walking to listen to the Ranger, I was able to watch a herd of buffalo (at least 40) play in the meadow. Sorry that Karen wasn't with me:(
June 7 - Day 3...After a lovely visit with Cornwalls, I headed toward Mountain Home, Idaho and then ventured onto Hwy 20. The next seven hours (remember one of yesterdays words... 'no hurry') was spent in frequent amazement at the continued and variety of beauty which I beheld. So beautiful that I found myself singing 'America the Beautiful' at least three times. I was grateful that this had been my selected route even from the earliest of planning. An added bonus was two hours spent enjoying the sites of Craters of the Moon National Park. So I encourage you to make Hwy 20 in Idaho a route to use verses I-84. You'll be glad that you did.
Driving towards Wyoming
From Craters, I continued east stopping as suggested by National Park folks, to eat at 'Pickles' in the town of Arco. Great 'Atomic' burger and fried pickles. Oh baby!
The ride into and through Idaho Falls provided an awesome mini wrestle with a 35-40 mph cross wind. Oh yeah, lovin the Yamahaug. She barely felt it. Regarding the bike...I'm am lovin my throttle lock, the highway bar and pegs, my windshield bag, the giant saddle bags, my new GPS, the refurbished seats and with these the amazing comfort. Kenny, you were absolutely correct in saying that the bigger bike would be the better fit. Dude, you were so right!
A lovely campsite by myself...
I concluded this third day (man I love that group...Oh that was a 'squirrel' moment) meeting Wayne and his wife (in their mid 60's) who were "riding around the block", a 100 mile loop starting from their home in Jackson, Wyoming. They led me toward a Forest Service campground. It wasn't quite the fit so I continued through one of my namesakes (long story), the town of Victor. A suggestion led me to free campground called 'Mike Harris'. Took the camp site at the end (about half mile from the highway...quiet) 10 feet from the tiny but fully flowing creek. At camp, read from Galatians, enjoy the stars and off to sleep.
Tonight I am sleeping at some friends who now live in Boise. Great conversation, food and a game of Bocce Ball. I lost:)
Rick, Scott, Katie and girls
Today's ride was on most new territory for me. Driving east out of Burn's became very beautiful. For such, the song below is attached. How can one even begin to think 'big bang'? Such the touch of The Creators hand is painted across our state, our coumtry and the globe.
Who will be the People that the Lord will place in my path? What Places will I be privileged to see?
Sites blessed by our Creator and to experience the amazing creativity that He has so given those who bless us with their gift. And all done to give Praise to our great God.
I hope to frequently add pearls along this journey. A journey from Silverton, Oregon to Red Oak, Iowa.
Day one...time to sleep at the Burns RV park. Good night.
.JPG)
.JPG)
%2Bwith%2BFoster%27s.jpg)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
%2BMiguel%2BOldenburg%2Bsm.jpg)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
