Day 2, Friday, June 25th

Today we traversed the great state of Illinois.  They sure have a lot of corn up here!  We happened upon another group of Memphis H.O.G.s as we were fueling up after lunch at Taco Bell.  PD said we didn't need any gas since lunch had provided plenty but we figured the bikes would like their own!

On down the road we had to do a little roadside repair on TomTom's highway peg at our last gas stop.  It had come loose and was in danger of falling off.  Not good to have metal objects flying around so we took care of that little problem in short order.  While we were doing the repair PitStop was entertaining the others with her acrobatic skills.

Traffic was tolerable even though we had a lot of construction on I-39 but when we got into the Milwaukee metro area at about 3 pm it was brutal.  Everyone handled it quite nicely (if you can handle Memphis drivers who can handle anything!) and we all arrived safely at our hotel after having first stopped at the Mecca of Harley-Davidson owners - the Juneau Avenue facility.

States traveled today:
Illinois and Wisconsin

 Mileage: 360

Day 1, Thursday, June 24th

We began our journey today from Sparky's Exxon in Atoka, TN, at 8:30 am with our little posse of six bikes and 8 people.  Our ride leader was Wrongway followed by his lovely spouse, PitStop.  The middle two were PD and Postman followed by TomTom and us, Sheriff and Queen bringing up the rear and riding sweep.  PamCake followed in her cage since her leg is still in a cast and she has not yet able to ride with Postman.

The day was uneventful save for several key ABCs of touring photo stops in Mt. Vernon, IN, and then in Effingingham, IL, for Effingham County and Illinois.  But when we got to our hotel, Comfort Suites, we were pleasantly surprised to see the greeting on the marquee for our illustrious leader.  Well they do need another 'm' don't they?  Then a fine dinner at the bistro next door completed a wonderful riding day.

States Traveled:  Tennessee, Missouri, Indiana, and Illinois
Total mileage - 431, and thank goodness the temps were tolerable.

Getting ready.

We are preparing for our trip which begins at 8:30 am tomorrow, Thursday, June 24th.  Meeting the gang at Sparky's Exxon in Atoka.  But first we've got to take our 15 year-old Dalmatian to the vet for boarding at his kennel which opens at 7 am.

It has been extremely hot the last week of so with temps in the high 90s approaching 100.  Of course the heat index has been well over 100 and we are hoping that it will be cooler as we head north.  Reports are that temps have just now reached 80 degrees in the U P of Michigan with night time temps in the low 60s.  Heck we may have to break out the heated gear!  After what we've had here we may freeze to death up there.