Day 11: Bowling Green, KY to Jefferson City, MO
Time & Distance: 10 hrs, 52 mins, 761 kms
States Crossed: Kentucky, Illinois
We had a later start today and it really payed off. Everyone felt more rested and we covered more distance than previous days. It was mostly super-slabs from Bowling Green to Park Hills, just south of St. Louis. Stan was fortunate enough to find a dealer in town that was willing take a left-hand mirror off a floor model VFR. Thank God cause being half-blind on the Interstate isn't necessarily the safest thing. We decided to detour through Jefferson City to avoid the St. Louis rush hour traffic. We were recommended to take Route #8 by some guys at the dealer and it turned out to be a nice little surprise. It was a quiet single-lane highway with fresh asphalt and rolling hills. In fact the first serious of the hills had so many up & downs that it felt like a roller coaster. I was giggling like a child inside my helmet as I gassed up to get that airborne feeling. This highway went through rural small towns and was a very welcome change from the baren Interstates that we have been doing.
I must've gotten carried away, cause I got stopped by a cop and never saw him coming. I was going 45 miles/hr in a 35 miles/hr city zone. I played the sympathy & ignorant card stating nightfall dangers and mile to kilometer conversions. I explained that I wanted to get to Jefferson City before dark and I didn't want to be on the highway because of wildlife. I also pointed to my speedo and told him that I still could not figure out kms & miles. Ultimately, a nice smile and politeness got me off with only a verbal warning.
We checked into Jefferson city and ended the night with some beer and snacks by the hot tub.
Time & Distance: 10 hrs, 52 mins, 761 kms
States Crossed: Kentucky, Illinois
We had a later start today and it really payed off. Everyone felt more rested and we covered more distance than previous days. It was mostly super-slabs from Bowling Green to Park Hills, just south of St. Louis. Stan was fortunate enough to find a dealer in town that was willing take a left-hand mirror off a floor model VFR. Thank God cause being half-blind on the Interstate isn't necessarily the safest thing. We decided to detour through Jefferson City to avoid the St. Louis rush hour traffic. We were recommended to take Route #8 by some guys at the dealer and it turned out to be a nice little surprise. It was a quiet single-lane highway with fresh asphalt and rolling hills. In fact the first serious of the hills had so many up & downs that it felt like a roller coaster. I was giggling like a child inside my helmet as I gassed up to get that airborne feeling. This highway went through rural small towns and was a very welcome change from the baren Interstates that we have been doing.
I must've gotten carried away, cause I got stopped by a cop and never saw him coming. I was going 45 miles/hr in a 35 miles/hr city zone. I played the sympathy & ignorant card stating nightfall dangers and mile to kilometer conversions. I explained that I wanted to get to Jefferson City before dark and I didn't want to be on the highway because of wildlife. I also pointed to my speedo and told him that I still could not figure out kms & miles. Ultimately, a nice smile and politeness got me off with only a verbal warning.
We checked into Jefferson city and ended the night with some beer and snacks by the hot tub.
Day 12: Jefferson City, MO to North Platte, NE
Time & Distance: 11 hrs, 1 mins, 941 kms
States Crossed: Missouri
Today was a straight run from Jefferson City to North Platte. There was nothing interesting, just same severe prairie crosswind that greeted us like a persistent foe. It slapped us around on the interstate like a kite. This time though, we were prepared and are well trained from the last mid-west crossing. The only thing we saw of interests on the interstate was the Girls Gone Wild Bus. It was going the opposite direction from us, but we did briefly consider following it to the next college town.
At one of the rest stops, we learned that the Interstate highway system was developed by Eisenhower. He was a military president who felt the need for a roadway system to quickly move people and more importantly, army vehicles across the great country.
Day 13: North Platte, NE to Evanston, WY
Time & Distance: 12 hrs, 48 mins, 956 kms
States Crossed: Nebraska, Wyoming
We were so eager (not to mentioned exhausted) to go home that we just took the fastest and most direct route for the final few days. Nothing much happened that's worth mentioning so below will just be the time and mileage logs for each day.
Day 14: Evanston, WY to Baker City, OR
Time & Distance: 12 hrs, 3 mins, 859 kms
States Crossed: Idaho
Day 15: Baker City, OR to Vancouver, BC
Time & Distance: 11 hrs, 17 mins, 838 kms
States Crossed: Washington
We've been lucky through out the whole trip to avoid the friendly highway patrol; that is until today. We were making our way through the Washington mountains a couple of hour east of Greater Seattle when we were tracked by air patrol. The whole bunch of us along with several other cars were pulled over by four troopers waiting a few minutes ahead. I was pulled over by a motorcyle cop so I tried the sympathy card on him. Although he was sympathetic to us and our long journey, we were not able to avoid the ticket.
We continued on and as we saw Seattle come into view, it felt like we were home already. Another hour later, the border lineup was an odd welcome sight. It's kinda like when you stare down at your own city from the plane on a return trip. It just feels nice to know that you'll be back on canadian soil.
The minute I put the bike away, the minute I walked in the door and took of my gear; I must have just crashed and hibernated for at least 12 hours. But wow, what a trip!
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