Rolling Into Week 3

After a great relaxing day Saturday, Sunday (Day 17) started early.  We were heading to Denver, Colorado and it was going to be a 400+ mile day.  We were also thankful to have Mark back with us along with the rig (and all our clothes and supplies!).  Valerie, Kate and Jerin rode along in the rig with us, keeping the energy and entertainment levels high.  The highlight of their day was the stops when they got to see "Uncle J" and "Uncle Del".  We arrived in Denver earlier than expected and had a chance to relax a little before heading out to dinner at Denver's oldest restaurant - The Buckhorn Exchange.  On the menu: rattlesnake, bison, Colorado lamb, yak, ostrich - and, of course, rocky mountain oysters.  Also joining us was Dean, who had just flown in for a few days, and Lori's husband Ken surprised us all by showing up at dinner.

Day 18 had us heading to Ogallala, Nebraska.  Before departing, we had to say goodbye to The Chuckleheads (Dan and Rich) and their beautiful girls.  Before leaving, they had a chance to take a quick ride with Jason and Del.  They all will be missed.

The ride was pretty straight and flat - not a lot to see outside of cornfields and country roads.  We arrived at our hotel - the Stagecoach Inn - and after a quick debrief (with beer and Makers - yes, Dean was back!) we went next door to the steakhouse and saloon for some (bad) burgers and a few games of pool. And Jason had a late night as he worked into the early hours on his arts and crafts - sewing a leather seatback for his bike.  This was also the first place that we found a "Tornado Shelter Plan" in the hotel guest services book.  

Tuesday (Day 19) more of Nebraska as we headed to Omaha.  Miles and miles and miles of cornfields.  We stayed off the interstate as much as possible and stopped for a picnic lunch together.  These are some of the best times.  In Omaha our hotel had a manager's reception with snacks and beer and wine.  Never ones to turn this kind of thing down, our group were the only ones in the reception for the first while, then we were joined by a lovely couple from Florida who were on their own 6-week travel adventure, taking them through Utah, Montana and ultimately up to the Calgary Stampede and then to Vancouver.  

Wednesday brought Iowa and a scheduled meet and greet at Big Barn Harley Davidson in Des Moines.  We finally had a chance to meet Robin - one of our strongest voices on Facebook and a supporter of the tour since the early days.  We all did a little shopping as well - chaps for Lori, boots for Del, and a bike for Dr T?

But Des Moines wasn't our final stop for the day - we still had to get to Kansas City, MO.  Dean decided he'd like to take a ride during the final leg of the trip.

Kansas City is beautiful.  And hot.  And humid.  We walked over to the Westport district for dinner at a great little place called McCoy's.  And afterwards all said goodbye to Dean once again as he was leaving at 4:30am for his flight back home.