2012 Eureka Springs

This is going to be our first motorcycle trip of the year. It is late in the year already, but it has been a tough year. Things at work have been demanding, and personal things have taken a toll since my heart valve replacement in December. After recovering from that, we had a very good friend suddenly and unexpectedly pass away, followed by Melanies mom. Like I said, it has been a trying year.
I just got back from Silt Colorado over the Labor Day weekend. I haven't been able to make that ride since 2009. I really enjoy that ride, and had a lot of fun. On the way home, the exhaust pipe on my rear cylinder started leaking and developing a crack. By the time I got home, it was very bad. That just got fixed today, and I feel a lot better about having both bikes ready to go.

I will post some things about that along with this ride. So stay tuned. :)

Day 1 Sunday

It was a dark and stormy night. No wait, it was just a windy day. We took our time getting going, getting the bikes loaded, and just took our time in general. We couldn't get breakfast when we were hoping to,  so we settled for a piece of toast at home. Riding through the plains of South Dakota and Nebraska isn't very scenic country, so there are very few pictures. The highlight of the day was when Melanie got a train to honk as they passed by in Nebraska.  She got one out of ten to honk.
Things went pretty well, but it was a strong headwind all day. We used more fuel than I thought we should have, so I included an extra fuel stop to make up for the range of the 800, but I really thought I would have been pushing my range with the wind too.

Remember the pictures get bigger the more you click on them. Well, maybe they only get bigger if you click on them once.

 This was a picture of Trouble backing out of her spot with our gourmet meal. Subway.

 Here Troubles bike is sitting in front of the Bed and Breakfast we stayed at. We have never stayed at a Bed and Breakfast before, mainly because I don't like dealing with people. I just couldn't help liking this one, and when we got here, it was as good as the descriptions on the internet. It is the Balcony House Bed and Breakfast in Imperial Nebraska. If you EVER need a place to stay in this part of the country, you are cheating yourself if you don't stay here. It is wonderful. Great clean private rooms, with your own bathroom,  and  a community kitchen stocked with beer. There was other stuff in the fridge too, but there was BEER! Oh yeah, and soft fresh ginger cookies. Chocolate chip too (my usual favorite), but the ginger cookies were our favorite.

 Here is the front of the B&B. It looks good from the outside, but is better on the inside. The owners are super friendly, without being pushy, which I was grateful for.

Here is where we called it a night after 370 miles. Probably one of our shortest days ever. We are not going to have a day over 500 miles on the way to Eureka Springs 2012, unless we feel like it tomorrow.

Day 2 Monday

This was another hot windy day. The head winds are really cutting down on the mileage. This is also our high mile day. 475 miles. We are taking it easy, and it is a good thing, because the heat is making the days longer.

We stayed at the Sonner motel in Winfield Kansas, and won't ever stay there again. We wished we would have stayed at the Econolodge. We kind of get a kick out of the small mom and pop motels, and we don't like spending much money on motels when all we are using is a bed. Still, this one wasn't  good, except for the wifi. it was one of the best we have had at a motel. Go figure. Why can't motels figure this out?

Day 3 Tuesday

We are here! Let the fun begin.
We ordered several pizzas for eats this evening.

 Trouble got a pigpile when she accidently left the door to her room open!The first night always has some extra "stress relief" libations.

 

Day 4 Wednesday

 Today several people are rolling in today.
 Sqrll had some extra curricular activities happen on his bike with HIS squirrels! They were doing fine until he took the cover off his bike. They did keep on for a while though.

Here people are getting ready to head in to the supper at 

Day 5 Thursday

The weather so far has been almost hot! This is unlike any VROC Reunion I have been to.
Again, there were extra curricular activities going on. Mitch (now known as Keyless) was worried about his bike being messed with when he left it at the motel when he had to work, so VROCers being the caring thoughtful people they are wanted to be sure nothing would happen to his bike, so they protected it.

The day included a group ride to Lamberts near Springfield. Here is a picture of the bikes lined up for the meal. This is the place with the "Throwed Rolls". The meal was exceptional, and I don't think anyone could go away without feeling stuffed. The meals have very large portions, and then there are the folks wandering around with even more, rolls, fried potatoes, and ocra. I had never had ocra, and I liked it.

Trouble and I visited the Thorncrown chapel again. Sherm had taken us here in 2009, along with showing us other things in town. We didn't go to the Crescent Motel again, just because we forgot about it when we were in town. The Crescent is said to be haunted, and they offer tours.

The Thorncrown chapel is absolutely beautiful and peaceful. I hadn't noticed before, but the wooden structure in the  middle form the Star of David. If you ever get here, it is a must see.