Two weekends in Salina Kansas

Roger and Mary were planning on going to the Smoky Hill River Festival in Salina the weekend of June 14th and 15th and we were going to Salina for the Central City Street Rods Car Show June 20th and 21st. We decided to combine the two weekends so we could do a little motorcycle riding together. We rode together to the Riverfest and Carla and I had to come home Saturday afternoon for a Sunday dinner with Aunt Betty and her husband Rick. They were here from San Antonio visiting Mom.
Carla and I went back to Salina for the Cruise Friday night. Carla had taken Friday off from work and we drove the Studebaker up to Lincoln to pickup my bike. (Here's the story)
I had been having trouble keeping the clutch adjusted and while I was at Frontier Wed. afternoon they said they wanted to take it apart and look at it. I do have a service appointment scheduled for next Tuesday but they wanted to look at it NOW. After they took the primary case off I was informed the clutch was toast. It was too late Wed. to overnight parts from Milwaukee but they overnighted them Thursday. It took most of Friday to do the work after the parts arrived.
Carla and I got to Frontier around noon. About 1 o'clock we decided she would go head and drive the Stude to Salina and get registered for the cruise night then wait for me at Jim's or the staging area for the cruise. (Jim is my brother that lives in Salina and the main reason we got hooked up with the Salina carshow in the first place.) The bike could take until 5 to get done and I would come down as soon as possible.
While I was waiting I rode a Frontier Demonstrator. It was a 2008 Heritage and I liked it. Might have to make a Heritage my next scoot. As I was leaving the parking lot I met Dan and Leslie pulling in on their Road King. They had an appointment for service at 2 o'clock. Talked to them for a few minutes and they said they were going down to Salina with Roger and Mary the next day. (Saturday) COOL!
After a 50 mile ride and as I pulled in to park the Heritage, Chuck (a Frontier mechanic, maybe the best they have) (another story, Chuck and I have ridden together on a couple of HOG breakfast rides. One in particular I might have mentioned here earlier) was pulling in on my bike as he had been on a test ride. Everything looked and worked good. It was ready to go and only 4 o'clock. I take a leak, tell Dan and Leslie I'd see them tomorrow, call James and let him know I'm on my way.
It was 180 miles to Salina from Lincoln and the cruise starts at 7:30. Since I would take I-80 and US 81 South it is all 4 lane and the speed limit on 80 is 75 mph. I have plenty of time but it's nice the Studebaker is aready on it's way.
At a gas stop in Geneva, I called and Carla has made it. I arranged to meet Carla and Jim (and his wife Betty and their Avainti) at the host Motel and the start of the cruise. The trip was fantastic, the weather was perfect and I must have been an hour early for the cruise.
The cruise route was different than last year and that was neat. The route had been published in the local paper and in the penny press so there were people in their front yards everywhere we went.
The cruise ended at a BBQ back at the host Econo Motel (or what ever it was). That was good and we should remember who caters that as we would recommend them to anyone. The cars where parked for viewing and the whole thing was pretty impressive.
Saturday morning by the time we got the cars to Thomas Park and ate breakfast, Roger and Mary, and Dan and Leslie met us at the park.
After a look around the place we took off on our planned motorcycle ride to Marquette. The ride to Marquette was not long (maybe 40 miles) but the scenery was really nice. We took Old highway 40 west. We saw that good farmland of the Smoky Hill river bottom and the wheat was just about ready to cut. Next were rolling hills and then flint hills. We cut south and went across the Kanopolis Dam. Kanopopolis Lake was smaller than I had remembered. (Later found out that is where Salina gets 50% of their water) Right south of the dam was Kansas Highway 4 and a sign, Marquette 7 miles east.
We parked in front of the Kansas Motorcycle Museum and walked to the Valley Cafe to eat. After a good Roast Beef dinner we walked to Steve's British Motorcycle Museum. Next it was the main attraction for bikers in Marquette, the MUSEUM.
It's 8 miles east to Lindsberg and the shindig they are having with main blocked off for their Swedish festival and a Volvo carshow in the city park. After a look inside one of the giftshops and a ride around town it was time to get on the 4 lane and back to the Salina Car Show.
Back in Salina all of the show cars were there, we took some pictures, sat in the shade and talked for a while.
Roger and Dan and wives took off for home around 3:30 I think. Trophies were passed out at 4 (we didn't get any:-)) and we left shortly after. Carla drove the Stude to Jim's. I rode around a little before going back and did see some of the wheat harvest starting a few miles east of Salina.
After cleaning up and a little nap we ate at a neat place downtown. We went to bed early. Sunday after breakfast Carla drove the Stude home the normal route and I found a new way home on some back roads.
It was pretty early when I got home so went for a ride east to Fairview then down to Corning. I finally caught someone at the Bar/Grill in Corning and set up a date for the Legion Riders meeting there August 27.
I will be leaving Aug 26 for a ride to Milwaukee for the 105th Anniverary of Harley Davidson. Guess I'll miss that meeting.

Pictures of the Car Show are here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/2007xl50/2008SalinaCarshow

Ride to the Dog Days of Summer in Steele City

This ride was sort of a spur of the moment ride concieved Friday at the Crusie Night in Marysville. Carla and I and Ted and Julie thought we would catch the carshow at 1 o'clock on Saturday, the BBQ tasteing contest at 2 and then go to Steele City at 3. I emailed Mike Gregory and he put the word out by email of our plans and that we would leave from Schroller Auto Parts parking lot. At three o'clock we had gained Mike and Dan and Fran.The seven of us had a good (windy) ride to Steele City and had plenty to do until the drawing for the 2008 Harley Dyna at 5:30. Carla had a chance on the bike but didn't win.
After another very pleasant ride home we stopped in Joe's and chewed the fat till 8. One thing we did discuss was TO DO THIS AGAIN. We are going to make more dinner rides in the evenings and anyone can start one. Let everyone know by email where you are going, where you are leaving from and what time. Some suggestions, Mexican on Tuesdays at Salty Dog and Posie's. Buffalo Wings on Wed. in Harbine Nebraska

more pics. http://picasaweb.google.com/2007xl50/2008DogDaysOfSummerAtTheSaltyDogSteeleCityNebraska

OH SHIT!

Mike Gregory and I had planned on riding to Strong City to cancel the motel reservations I had made for Aug 2 (6 rooms) so we could ride Sat. stay over night in Strong City and be close to Cassoday for the Aug. bash there. The Blawkhawks Poker Run had to be sheduled for Aug. 2. We had decided to reshedule for July 5 and stay in ElDorado Kansas instead. Our plans now, do the American Legion Riders Poker Run July 4th and do the two day Cassoday run the 5th and 6th.
OK we canceled and found the Sunset Inn in ElDorado. Reservations will be made there when we get a commitment on the exact number who will be going. (Lots I hope)
The ride down was fantastic. We went down 99 and south of Alma took 4 west. The wind was from the south at 40 to 50 miles an hour. The combination of the twisting road, the strong winds and riding 80 mile an hour made it seem like you were flat out racing. Lots of old memories there. We found a Hot Rod and Harley shop in Eldorado and had to check it out. Nice place and LOTS of neat stuff. We checked out 3 motels, ate and left with a good tailwind and the sun warming things up for a perfect ride home.
Once we got to I-70 a weather started looking like it had when we had left in the morning. Dark and stormy looking with the wind still a factor. As we were gassing up in Junction City about 4, I called home and said I'd be home by 5:30 for our Thursday night out with Mom and cousins Bill and Barb. We headed north on 77 then the short cut up 82 to get to the 77 detour. As we got to 24 there was a storm spotter that said there was a tornado on the ground just north of us and more action to come. We headed East to the normal 77 and the offical 77 detour through Olsburg.
It was easy to keep a study 70 mph and we were doing good but would not make it home by 5:30 going the extra miles. We stopped in Frankfort to call home but no cell signal so we going north of town and stop on top of the hill. Had trouble getting anyone and the sky was looking bad. We decided we had better just get going and also decided against putting the rain gear on.
HERE'S THE "OH SHIT" PART. 7-1/2 miles east of Home City all hell broke loose. Out of nowhere came a south wind with rain that blew Mike and I both right off of the highway. We were still going 70 and did get stopped on the shoulder. But Mike had to lay his bike down because the wind was blowing the 800 pound bike hard enough he couldn't keep it up. I had slid right in behind Mike (about 1 foot beween us). I was hanging on the my bike it was being pushed away so hard I had trouble getting it on the kickstand. Somehow I did get it on the kickstand without being blown over the top of it. (I'm not sure how) I could hardly see anything but I think there were cars going by us on the highway and not sure if they could see us or not. I saw Mike on the north side of his bike and I wanted to be on the north side of mine too, to keep it from blowing over. When I finally got around mine I saw Mike on his knees holding on the his bike and protecting his face with the motorcycle gas tank. I did that and things looked a little better. It finally seemed like you had control of what was happening. The rain was pushed so hard by the wind that every drop that hit bare skin would sting. It seems like it was NEVER going to let up. My knees started hurting from the pressure of holding the bike up to keep it from being blown over on you and maybe because of the jeans being so wet. It lasted way to long and just wouldn't stop. I know Mike was praying too. Please no hail. Please don't let the highway traffic slam into us. Please let the rain ease up. As soon as we could stand up and look around Kent Wassenberg
had pulled up behind us in his pickup. We talked to him a minute, took time to smile while he took our picture and decided to ride on in to Home City. It was still rain pretty hard but the wind had gone down and visiblity was better.
While we were under the canopy at the station in Home City a storm spotter stopped by and said we had been at the edge of a tornado. That bad weather had moved east but there was possiblities of more bad weather tonight.
Half way to Marysville from Home City Mike and I decided to stop by Joe's Bar before going home to the hot showers. It's history NOW but it was an experience for sure.
Kent stopped by the house with pics he had taken. Thanks Kent....

The TV is now saying there were four tornados on the routes we could have brought home.

http://picasaweb.google.com/2007xl50/TornadoRide

LOTS of things in the last week...

The day AFTER Memorial Day I took time to mount a 3'X5' Flag on the bike.
Wednesday 28th of May we had an American Legion Riders meeting at Spanky's in Seneca.
Carla worked a half day Thursday (5:30 to 9:30) so she could make an 11 o'clock appointment for her Acupuncture treatment to help her back pain. She had taken a days vacation for Friday too. We decided to ride the bike up to Lincoln on Friday so we could be with Stacy Saturday morning, May 31st when she had to meet her evil landlord:-)

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OK, Stacy was going to buy a house last Nov. Her devorce was a little messy and she didn't have the money to buy the house then. She was going to "rent to own". Then the seller backs up and Stacy signs a years lease with intentions of buying the house at the end of the year. Then the bottom drops out of the real estate market and the seller refuses to lower his price. Stacy is wanting a lower price and the owner puts a "For Sale Sign" in the front yard. They go another round and they settle on month to month rent. After a couple of months Stacy gets an eviction notice. Be out in 30 days. She has been looking and decides on a 6 year old townhouse closer the kids schools and for less money than she could ever get the house for. She takes posession of the new place 10 days before her month is up and is COMPLETELY moved by the 31st. The landlord shows up half hour late Saturday morning but does check the place over and gives Stacy her $1650 deposit back. (For some reason that afternoon he called her and ask her for a date???)

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Carla and I took our time riding up Friday and stopped by the Salty Dog in Steele City Nebraska for lunch. I think it took 125 miles to get the 77 miles to Lincoln. Saturday after Stacy is safe from the landlord we go on an annual "Tour of the Alps" poker run put on by "The Boys in the Back" at Frontier Harley. The poker run was fairly short, 100 miles, and about 4 o'clock I told Carla we should go home and I'd go to Cassoday (the first Sunday of the month run) tomorrow. We were home for only a little while and Carla was running around doing laundry and other things she could be putting off until tomorrow. Then I found out she was planning on going with me to Cassoday. That was cool but I was surprised she was going to ride some more after the 300 miles we had just done in the last two days.
Sunday morning when we got down to the Marysville City Park (the normal starting spot for anyone wanting to ride as a group) at 7AM there were 3 bikes and 10 minutes later there were a total of 9 bikes, 9 riders and 8 passengers. Rich Temps, Gary and Lucy, Doug Powers and his son, Darren Swobada and his son, Ted and Julie, Dennis and Monica, Lynn and Kim, Russ and his wife (sorry), The ride down was good as always and nice to have that many bikes running together. In Council Grove when we stopped for gas I remembered I was suppose to call Don Kotapish and tell him I was going to Cassoday. Since I am such a nice guy I decided to call him and apologize for not calling earlier. I called and Don answered. I told him I was in Council Grove and sorry I hadn't called earlier. He said "I'm in Council Grove too, I'm getting gas". We were 20 foot apart, I would not have needed the phone to talk to him. Don rode the rest of the way with us. In Cassoday we hooked up with Roger and Mary McGrath as they had gone down Saturday and spent the night at Emporia. We ate BBQ Pork for breakfast at 11AM and started back home at noon. It was a little unusual but everyone that started in Marysville rode back plus we had Roger and Mary. We took 50 over to Emporia and Highway 99 to south of Wamego. (That ride from Eskridge to Alma may be the best riding in Kansas.) Lynn and Kim had a daughter to move in Lincoln so they stayed on 99 and went home but we hit 18 west to Manhattan and stopped for refreshments. Roger, Mary, Carla and I headed west, Russ and wife stayed longer to eat and the rest headed home (I think).
Our total mileage for the 3 days was around 680 and I'm proud of Carla. She enjoyed the ride, has worked 10 hours today (went to bed shortly after 8) and her back doesn't hurt to bad.