Day 2 - Keokuk, Iowa to Beatrice, Nebraska. Miles today - 334. Total miles ridden - 669

Shortly after leaving Keokuk, Iowa the group crossed into the state of Missouri.
 You say, "Show me."  Okay, there it is.  On the big blue sign.  Missouri, the show me state.

Oddly enough the scenery didn't change dramatically since yesterday.

There were some pretty cool grain storage facilities along the way.  This one looks like it is all concrete.

This one, not concrete.

 So, the guys are working their way west and you all know that Fred has been in Omaha, Nebraska to watch a baseball tournament.  The plan all along was for the five to meet Fred along the way.   This morning Fred started riding towards the east, while the guys were still traveling west.

Running low on gas the group of five needed to fuel up.  They found a gas station/truck stop in Maryville, Missouri that had a little diner in it.  After fueling the bikes it was generally agreed that everyone was hungry.  Since this little diner was right there they decided it would just be convenient to grab some lunch.  As they're sitting in this truck stop diner getting ready to order in walks Fred!

Neither a plan, nor place had been established to meet.  Fred just kept his eagle eyes open searching for a group of bikes, when lo and behold, he spotted them.  Now there are six and the group is complete!

Instead of table top flat, gently rolling hills began to appear.
Now don't get me wrong the guys have reported seeing about 80% corn and bean fields.
  Trees, farm ponds, barns, cattle and horses filled in the remainder.

Barn roof - rusted!  

 Crossing the Illinois River into Nebraska.

 Did you know that Nebraska is the Home of Arbor Day?
The first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska on April 10, 1872.
The same year that Fred and Stu were born.

There's Fred riding along with the group.

Trick photography in action by a trained professional.  Do not attempt this yourself.

We know where you're going and what you're going to do.
Um, Stu.  The gel in the little bottle is to remove grease from  your hands.
Bet you'll remember that from now on.

Wind farm.

Beatrice, Nebraska.  A good place to stop for the night.  The guys had plenty of time to catch up on laundry, take a dip in the pool, grab some dinner and check out their bikes.

David and Joe are cooling off and relaxing in the swimming pool after a long day on the road.





The horn on David's bike was loose and about to fall off.
Stu tells him how to tighten it while Fred watches.
Looks like a state job.

Sunset, a beautiful ending to a great day.

Day 1 - Indianapolis, Indiana to Keokuk, Iowa. Miles today - 335 miles

The weather turned ugly.   Overnight, heavy rain fell during fairly strong thunderstorms.
Joe, David, Stu, Mike and Ron left Indianapolis, Indiana at 8:00 a.m. sharp,  in dense fog.

That overcast sky didn't appear to dampen the boys' spirits!

David gives the everything is a-okay sign.  Or, is that the bathroom break sign?  I can't remember.



Somebody said it, "When you cross the Mississippi River, you're finally getting somewhere."
Speaking of getting somewhere, if you'd like to view the route map click on the orange link on the main page of the blog.  You'll find it in the upper right hand corner just above the time counter!
Stu's daughter, Lindsey is helping with that.  Thank you Lindsey!







Corn and beans.  Beans and corn.
  No sooner than the boys left Indianapolis this is what they began to see.
This typified the scenery for most of the day.  







They estimate passing millions of acres of farm ground.
 






Silos, grain elevators and other farm related buildings cropped up occasionally.






Joe giving a friendly wave while riding along.



Welcome to Illinois!  Hey, what's over there?  Oh, just beans.

Stu, rooting around in the tour pack for something.  Hey!  Look!  That's Little Harry peeking over the suitcase.
Little Harry, all the way from Ireland!  We love that guy.

No wonder it took them so long to reach the Iowa State Line.  They were only going 35 mph.
 Ha, at that rate they could have walked to Iowa in the same amount of time.  Just kidding.

                             

                                                                                   

Everything is copacetic with Mikey.






The guys were officially welcomed to the state of Iowa by the people of Iowa.
It says so, right there on that sign.

 RP cruising along. 

Keokuk, Iowa - a good place to shut 'em down for the evening.
The boys rode a total of 335 miles from Indianapolis, Indiana to Keokuk, Iowa.
Not bad for the first day.

Evening in Indianapolis

Following the Redneck GPS allowed the guys to arrive at the hotel where they were spending the night

Mike, Joe and Ron made the trip to Indianapolis a little quicker than Stu and David did.
Apparently the hi-jinx has started already.  Stu reported that his room was 52 degrees and looked like a yard sale in progress.  These boys need chaperons!

Purely for medicinal purposes.  You know, to ward off Rheumatism.  Did someone mention chaperons?

Heading out to Ruth's Chris - downtown Indianapolis for dinner

Joe looks like he's "all in".
It was reported the meal was really good.

David seems to be enjoying that
Sweet Potato Casserole

Joe, David, Stu, Mike and Ron are ready to roll for the first official day of the
Iron Horse Alaskan Adventure!

Meanwhile in Omaha

Fred and Jack
Jack plays for the Jackson Gold Bears.
Fred reports that the baseball tournament is going very well.
The Gold Bears made it to the final round today.  Go Bears!  Congratulations and Good Luck!!

Post Game Report:  The Gold Bears lost 5 - 4 in the bottom of the last inning.  Sounds like a tough loss but a great game.  Good effort!

There They Go!

Left to Right:  Joe, Bonnie, Natalie, Ben (checking the gas gauge), Ron, Jack (making sure Ben's doing it correctly), Beth and Mike.

Making sure that they are all on the same CB channel.

We have wonderful friends, Harry and Helen, that live in northern Ireland.  They had this beautiful prayer printed on a license plate that was mounted on their motorcycle.  I was so moved by this that I had a vinyl sticker made for Ron's bike.  He chose to put it on the back of his tour pack.  Thank you Harry and Helen.

There they go, Indy bound!  

And yes, God protect those that ride in the wind.

Sixth Scoots Off

Jack, Ben and Natalie came over this morning to see their  'Pa before he heads out for the big trip.

Making sure that everything is tip top mechanical order.

And of course, two sets of eyes are always better than one pair when it comes to all things mechanical.  Geez, hope none of those wires were pulled loose.

Following the pre-trip inspection and certain that everything was a-okay, Ron was ready to roll!  Since he lives the closest to Indianapolis, he was the last one to leave home.

Number Five - Off and Riding!

David prepares to leave from his home in Greers Ferry, Arkansas. His destination today is Nashville, Tennessee.  David will be arrive there by way of the Natchez Trace Highway.   He will meet Stu once he arrives.

There they are!  David has arrived safely in Nashville.  It looks like he found Stu without any problem.  Ha!  Check out the valet dude cheesing it up for the camera.  Guess this was his fifteen minutes of fame.

Mike and Pam with Joe.  The boys are preparing to leave Bemus Point, New York.  Their destination is Ron and Bonnie's home in Sunman, Indiana.

Ron, Joe and Mike relaxing following dinner and showers

Joe and Mike arrived in Sunman several hours later than anticipated.  Joe experienced some problems with his bike.  Go figure, it's a Harley.  Anyway, the guys spent a couple of hours in the shop, the problem turned out to be nothing serious.  Whew....
The guys were thrown a "going away" cook out.  All of the Powell kids, their spouses and the grand-babies were on hand to exchange hugs and wishes for a safe and fun trip.  Ken and Sharon Perfect, along with, Joe Gills and Joan Durham came out to see the guys on the eve of their departure.


A Freddie Update

Fred's bike was able to be repaired.  He was able to get back on the road yesterday.  He did finally arrive in Omaha around 10:30 p.m.  You have to get up pretty early in the morning to foil ol' Fred.  Take that you rotten crooks!