Just got back today from my trip to Houston from Dixon, IL. My wife is taking a two-week class there, so I decided to go visit her on the weekend. Four days down and four days back, with 2+ days in Houston. I routed myself through IL, MO, AR, LA, TX, OK, and KS because I needed to add a few of those states to my list. I spent one night with Knifemaker & Wife near St. Louis, and one night in Conway, AR with The Goddess Dianna.

Let me tell you, it was HOT most of the time. I took a bunch of pictures along the way and posted them here:

http://tinyurl.com/nzvw9l

I just finished the calculations and I averaged 47.5 mpg on the 2416-mile trip. Not bad considering a fair amount of it was 65 mph on the highway and 95+ degrees. And ALL of it was hauling my fat arse plus 10 days worth of gear, tools, water, etc. (BTW, that is ACTUAL mph according to the GPS, which means 73 mph on the speedometer.)

I now have 36,806 miles on The Stallion with not a single problem. Not even a speedometer cable. I did replace one ACCT spring just for the heck of it. Of course, regular fluid changes, and spline lubes and tires. I bought it used with about 5,000 miles on it. What a great bike!

In two weeks I leave for another trip -- this time to meet up with my brother who is from D.C. and we will ride the hills and valleys of central and western Pennsylvania. Then to The Gathering in August. Good thing I have lots of vacation time!

Great account, great pics ~ thanks for sharing!!!

I thought my June ride to the Bonnaroo rock festival was awesome, but you've got a full summer full of riding adventure!!!

Glad you made it home safe, Pick. Lookin' forward to seein' ya again at the Gathering!

Jim

Glad you made it home safe, Pick. Lookin' forward to seein' ya again at the Gathering!

Jim

It was nice to see you on your birthday!

Did I mention it was hot? Check this out:

http://tinyurl.com/lbp2ml

It was nice to see you on your birthday!

Did I mention it was hot? Check this out:

http://tinyurl.com/lbp2ml

...and it's been 100+ here the last two days; neighbor said it was 104 yesterday. 2 p.m. today Yahoo was showing 100, and at 5 p.m 97, with a heat index of 107. It's 82 now.

Jim

Hey Pick! I enjoyed all the photos. Wish I could have gotten the chance to meet up with you and buy you some coffee or BBQ while you were down here!
Looks like you had a great ride.

Quite a trip and awesome pics you appeared to be having fun and that is the main thing about riding,Denny

Hey Pick! I enjoyed all the photos. Wish I could have gotten the chance to meet up with you and buy you some coffee or BBQ while you were down here!
Looks like you had a great ride.

Yeah, I was probably within 150 miles of you. Why don't cha come on up to The Gathering with JD and we can meet there?

Quite a trip and awesome pics you appeared to be having fun and that is the main thing about riding,Denny

Yup, had a great time in spite of the excess heat. I'll see you in August at The Gathering!

Yeah, I was probably within 150 miles of you. Why don't cha come on up to The Gathering with JD and we can meet there?

I'd love to, but ain't got any vacation time built up yet. I started this job in March so I'm a rookie with the county. I might make the Eureka Springs gathering in Sept, but that's going to be a stretch. One of these days tho!

Hey Pick,
How was the food at the Happy Fisherman? As a local, we never eat there d/t rumors of bad food (food poisoning, etc) I havent been on the forum lately and did not know that you were traveling through and I am sorry. There are some nice twisties around the lake that we could have shown you. Maybe next time! Looks like an awesome trip!

Looks like a nice trip pick. If I ever get to ride in TX it is going to be in the early spring or late fall. 100+*F is too hot for me. Thanks for the pics of KM and Evie, and our search goddess, Dianna. I wish we had a "Rogue`s Corner" on the gallery, where all the members who choose to, could post a personal picture. It is nice to be able to visualize the person whose post you are reading. JMHO. Enjoy the summers riding, and stay safe.

Hey Pick,
How was the food at the Happy Fisherman? As a local, we never eat there d/t rumors of bad food (food poisoning, etc) I havent been on the forum lately and did not know that you were traveling through and I am sorry. There are some nice twisties around the lake that we could have shown you. Maybe next time! Looks like an awesome trip!

Well, I couldn't tell you. I just stopped there for a brief rest at about 9:00 AM, and they don't open until 11:00. I thought it looked kinda cool so I snapped a few pictures of the place. While I was there, the owner (or somebody) stopped and said he was sorry they weren't open yet, but if I needed some ice or something he could get some for me. That was nice of him. I'll try it out if I'm ever in the area again.

Sorry I missed you, too. I sorta forgot to check before I left if anyone lived along my route.