Bike passes car

Quills & roadkills

Good day everyone! A FAB night in the motel, but now back to camper "reality"..breakfast at the motel & hitch up the camper and head to the nearest scrapbook store! KK picks up a few State stickers and off we go. I get out at the corner and ride 17 miles to the Confluence Interpretive Center, south of Williston. This is where the Yellowstone River meets the Missouri river & it was at this spot where Lewis & Clark met up on their return trip in '06. (sidebar-they had split up and gone separate ways to explore more territory on their return from the Pacific coast.) A very nice center & guides to also show you Fort Buford & Fort Union. Onward to Montana! I get out once again and ride into MT and see a few porcupine roadkills..steer clear of them varmits! After a few more miles we meet up and head into Wolf Point, Mt--BUT FIRST!! An ice-cream sundae!! (not a DQ, but good!)Set up the camper and go for a ride,,it is a bike trip ya know..both of us this time and mail some postcards and back to camp for pasta and broccoli...also got some touring bikers camped here and motorcyclists headed for Sturgis. 64 miles & 1200' for me; 21 for KK and a nice 1500 miles for July.

Dakota sunflowers

Up to a cloudy & threatening skies, so let's get movin'! Breakfast sandwich & cookies & foldup the camper & ride our bikes into New Town to drop off some bills & maybe laundry..nope it's closed. I head off on the L&C route-still 1804- and a few sprinkles, but looks like the big rain went north. KK is going to ride in town a bit & then go to the Four Bears casino to laptop before coming after me. It's a very rolling , hilly & a lot of trucks (road construction & rock trucks), but fields & fields of sunflowers & no blooms. I did meet another biker-Matt of Ca-riding the northern tier to Maine & he was loaded down. I'm almost out of water & beg for some from some workers. Here comes KK! I got in 60 miles and 2600' today-much better. that cold "Gator" sure tasted good! A few snacks hit the spot too & we drive on to Williston, ND & a Travel Host motel for the night! I guess we deserve it after the last 3 weeks. unload, do laundry & shower! KK rode 12 miles today and is a real trooper with the camper bit. Supper? right by us at Trapper's Kettle..really good buffet, and especially the soup! Off to BIG SKY-Montana, tomorrow.

KK on the trail

New Town, old story

woke up to a clear cool morning in the park & only one other camper around. Coffee & breakfast & then fold up the camper and head out for new spots. KK dropped me off and went back to the L&C center while I rode south on some of the roads I missed yesterday. I got 29 miles before she caught me, and we then headed NW. We stopped at the Knife River Indian Villages in Stanton, ND and another wonderful exhibit! A re-creation of a Hidatsa, Mandan summer, earthen lodge. Lunch at Cafe Du Monde, and a buffalo burger! On to New Town, ND & a RV park..but alas, no showers. We ride a little after setting up and KK even rides across a 4500' bridge over Lake Sakakawea, to check out the casino, where we are now using the WIFI, but too late for the buffet, so Chicken at the Tastee Freez...42 miles for me & kk 12. (sidebar-Capt's Lewis & Clark would have sat in the Lodge, across from the Indian chiefs during the winter & discussd many events.)

A strange journey

Well, I slept ok, despite the laptop crashing last night, so after breakfast, I went to the Geek Squad at Best Buy & they fixed it! so we're fine & running again. meanwhile a thunderstorm rolled through & toronado warnings were all about the area. So back at camp we had to wait for the rain to stop in order to fold up the camper. My planned ride to Washburn was put aside and off we go toward the L&C Interpretive Center (yes, another one). It was very well done & a replica of the dugout canoe had been made by volunteers. Then we went to the recreation of Fort Mandan, where the Corps spent the winter of '04/'05, and a guide too! Quite a place for 50 people to spend a frigid winter-1600 sq ft in all. Washburn had no campgrounds with facilities, so we went to Cross Ranch state park for the night-very remote but nice and right on the Missouri river. I went out for a hilly ride, and barely beat the massing thunderstorms back to camp. After the rain, we walked down to the river and watched the banks caving into the water. Only 24 miles today but 1100' of climb-KK 7. And did it rain and thunder! so bad that the ranger came to tell us we could go to the office if we wanted. A very strange day, but we made it and had a great night's sleep!

No rails, but lots of trails!

Good day everyone! ok, more rain, but KK called it , so I put the bikes in the van, but the stove to a hit. Cooked breakie here & then off for a tour of Bismarck's bike trails..over 50 miles of them! We searched and found one to take us toward downtown, then by the zoo, and down by the river. They are all paved or asphalt & of course, took us by another keelboat & a few other exhibits. A stop by BB for a new camera for KK & back to camp for a sammie. KK goes out shoppin' & I head back to the trails, including a stop by the State Capitol grounds..very nice. As we both get back to the KOA, we go for a swim & then shower & off to supper at Kroll's Diner (so-so).(sidebar- The Corps was here in late Oct & spent a lot of frigid days constructing Fort mandan, which we will visit tomorrow.)
NOTE!!! we have updated & revised some of our old blogs, so please check your comments..thanks, mike& kk

Harvesting the Highways!

More rain this am, but light-must be the "rainy season" in SD. Breakie in camp & then break down the camper and off to mail a few things before heading north on 1804. A quick stop in Mobridge for a DQ & a visit to the Sitting Bull & Sakagawea momuments. We get into Pollock, SD & KK drops me off to ride a little, but I do have a close encounter with some locals-who I beg water from. I'm sure they would have invited us for lunch too, but I'm off, after a pic, through the rolling countryside, including a 4-mile downhill! Also, this state does not mow the sides of the highways, they harvest the crops growing there! Even saw a small buffalo herd just after entering North Dakota, but still no stampede. Also, met a touring biker (Walt) from Brooklyn, headed south & chatted a bit, and he has a blog too. KK catches me after 35 miles & we proceed to Bismarck, the Capitol of ND. Our KOA is nice but they "banish" us to the back, by the horse pens. A quick sand & we go out for a spin, and find some nice paved bike paths & shopping areas! but where's Walmart? Back to camp & then hit wally for some needed items, and a little cruise around town. only 51 miles today & KK had 12.( sidebar-The Corps of Discovery spent the winter here and there were days when it reached 48 below zero!)

Kickin' back at Bob's Resort!

North to Akaska

Man, what a storm this am!!! we had to hang onto the camper at 3:00 am..back to sleep & up at 8:00 for coffee & cookies. A little more breakie & off we go for a ride to the east, along the L&C trail! KK heads back to camp after 11 miles & I head on north to Selby , with a side trip for lunch to Akaska..pop 52..a great 1/3 lb burger and some "local" talk. Back on the trail & south bound, wind-aided, to camp, thru Gettysburg-"where the battle didn't happen". Back to Bob's campground about 5:30 and 101 miles..my first century of the trip! KK rode 24 miles, sunbathed & scrapped. A couple of deer, a few pheasants, prairie chickens & fields of sunflowers! (sidebar: the Corps of Discovery spent four days in this area, visiting & talking with the local Indian tribes; the Arikaras.)

Amber waves of grain

Hi all! up at 7:00 & coffee, coke & breakie..take down the camper and head north for Pierre. We drive 50 miles & see no-one..only wheat & corn fields and paririe dogs. A quick stop at the visitor center in Pierre & got some bogus info, but we end up at a nice resort (Bob's) on Lake Oahe (Mo river of course). Set up , have a sand & we both go for a 14 mile ride, but KK didn't want to go down the hill to the lake..a 240' drop in one mile..so I did, twice. I got some more water & went back out for a "few"..back to camp by 5:30, with 52 miles & 1450' climb. shower & go to supper at Bob's Steakhouse..what a great steak..the medium (24oz) sirlion & KK had shrimp. Plus we got a FAB sunset! Tomorrow? maybe ND. (sidebar-L&C were not here until late Oct, so we're ahead of that!)

Creme Brule

good day fans!!! or friends...up early today(5:30 am) to a BIG thunderstorm & almost an inch of rain, but then we slept in 'till 8:10. I went down to the KOA shelter and had breakie & KK had cereal. Load up the bikes and head over to just south of Pukwana, where I dropped of KK and she rode about 10 miles. I drove north and was ready to ride when she got to the van & it was still raining a little. I rode off toward camp & she went for groceries. I did see her in Chamberlain, and waved as I went up a massive climb..the terrain was very rolling and downhills where I reached 50 mph! The Lake (river ) was on my left and beautiful as I went into Crow Indian territory. I crossed the river on a 2-mile long dam & into Brule Indian Reservation..and a few casinos. The last 12 miles back to camp were tough as I was into the SE wind & hills. Saw a few more prairie dog villages & some pheasants. temp about 84 & cloudy. 76 miles & 3500' of climb. Pack up tomorrow and up the river a little more. Oh, and KK cooked some great tacos for supper!(sidebar--a couple of roads I was on today..sr 1804 & 1806 were so-named for the L&C expedition..outbound year & homeward bound year!)

Back in the saddle-again(agan)

OK, we're up late..7am mtn time, and we have a quick breakie & breakdown for a trip back to the Missouri river & a return to the "expedition". Set up at a KOA and KK goes to the pool while I check e-mails and get ready to ride. After lunch I head north , as there is a strong SE wind and KK will com and get me in a few hours. It's pretty desolate in mid-SD, and I run out of water but scroung some at a barn. Did see my first prarie dog village, with 100's of squeaking critters. Also saw a couple of antelopes, but no buffalo stampede. I had a big lake of the side of me, but no facilities and very few cars. 55 miles and 2000' of climb.KK rode when we got back and got in 12 miles.Total to date:704 for me and 229 for the mrs.

BIG Faces!

OK, no official L&C biking today, but we took a side trip to Mt Rushmore & what a treat! A two hour drive over to Keystone, SD and a Subway sand before the park..actually The National Memorial at Mt Rushmore. $10 to park but well worth it. What an amazing undertaking by Gutzon Borglum & his crew of carvers, blasters & blacksmiths to complete this monument! We visited all of the spots at the site & hiked to the face & back. Lots of people, but well managed by the park. We attempted to find the big bike trail in the area, but alas, no go. A liitle shopping at Safeway and then a stop at Wall, SD and the HUGE "drug store". It was ok , but too much crap. Back to camp in time for a quick 10 miles (and an encounter with a coiled rattlesnake!) & supper by KK...pasta & salad. and the quote of the day from Betty at the KOA..better get gas here because they're out of it in Belvidere! back to the Missouri tomorrow & try to pick up the trail.

South Dakota hills

I wake up early...6:30 and it's pretty foggy on the river, below the spillway, but the fishermen are already out there, but by 7:30 , you can't see across the river, so no biking right now, but the coffee is good! I decide to go into town and get an oil change before we break camp. OK, that's done & we folded up the popup and go back over the dam & hit the trails again..lovely campsites everywhere! I proceed with more riding & KK goes off to shop and meets me at wally. Off we go to I-90 and westerly to our next KOA and a side trip to see MT Rushmore. I-90 is flat and then all of a sudden it starts rolling and the landscape looks like a seen from "Dances with Wolves". Now we're camped in Belvidere, SD and we have the only tree in the park(well, almost). Off to see the "big faces" tomorrow...40 miles and some climbing today..kk 12 miles.

Happy Trails at the Lake

Hi everyone!! what a beautiful lake! Lewis & Clark Lake at Gavins Point Dam, a 20 mile long lake between SD & NE with miles of paved bike trails..we had a little breakie and went over the dam and unloaded the bikes and road for about 15 miles & then went to lunch in Yankton. I then went out for a few more miles while KK hit a scrapbooking store & wally world. I road east, and thne back to town before crossing a BIG double layered bridge over the river back to camp. Also visited the L&C visitor center overlooking the lake from the NE side. supper at the camp. 60 miles & KK had 20(side-bar: L&C were not here until aug 3oth, where they met with the Yankton Sioux)

Sargent Floyd's Bluff

OK, we're at burger king & WIFI!!! yesterday, July 18, we left our KOA early and rode over to Lewis & Clark state park (IA) and visited another replica of the keel boat, this one made by volunteers & really FAB! and nice 15 mile- ride for KK and back to our park & break down for today's drive. I rode from there to Sargent's Bluff and a DQ stop!! On to a massive monument for Sgt Floyd, over-looking the Mo river. It was a 100' tall obilisk built in 1902. a warm day, but it looked like it was snowing as the cottonwood fluffs were very thiick..back in the van and a drive to Yankton, SD, where our campground was a waste, so we packed up and moved over to the NE side of the river and setup again! much nicer and even restrooms and showers! Dinner at Murdo's..all you can eat Walleye!! GREAT! and a cold "Fat Tire" 50 miles today and 420' of "climb".

Goodbye Mizzou

Finally, we're out of MO, and camping in Iowa..KK dropped me off in Council Bluff's , Ia and I rode 68 miles to Onawa, Ia, finishing in a light rain..it was a reasonably flat ride with the Loess hills to my right and the river bottom to the west. We just missed the massive start of RAGBRAI, in Missouri Valley, where 13,000 cyclists will start the annual ride accross Iowa on sat. oh well, next time...KK shopped a little and then motored up I-29 to our KOA spot and she set up all by herself!! Great job!! rain is in the forecast for the next two days, so we'll keep yinz posted..capt's louie & clark

Steamboat Trace

july 16th...off in the auto where I dropped off KK at the south Trail head of the trace and I drove to the north end & rode back to meet her..she did the whole thing..22 miles and some of it was muddy and bumpy..up to the L&C Interpertive center in Nebraska City, NE & man , is it nice..built in '04 & lovely mountain decor...3 floors of exhibits and the actual Keel boat used in the IMAX movie..I can't believe they pulled that massive beast up-river...lunch at the center & a little hike too; I headed off for a spin while KK went to DQ & Wally..back to camp and a swim & finally WIFI!!! 42 miles for me today & KK fixed dinner at the camp!capt clark

THREE State Boogie!

ok, not a BIG deal, but I left camp wed morning and headed toward Atchison, KS..over a really bad bridge and a stop at the Santa Fe Depot museum. KK met me there and after viewing a few items off I went toward Falls City, NE. We finally met up at the Subway, had lunch and off to our KOA..and of course. no wifi..storms knocked it out..63 miles and some tough climbs thru the galcial area of NE KS...set up camp and went for a swim!!! X&KK

silly, hilly day

Hello bloggers!!! packed up fom the KOA and off to Heneritta, where I was dropped off by the Mrs & rode off into the westerly wind..all was fine for 17 miles , when the hills popped up & hit me...so when we finally hooked up in Holt, Mo, I had ridden 49 miles & climbed 2400'..and saw miles & miles of corn..again..KK read a book while waiting on me..but all of the antique stores were closed..off to Lewis & Clark State Park for the night,,very nice spot...right by Lewis & Clrak Village..142 residents on a lake..Thanks for all of the comments!!! mike/kk

still in MO

we're off of the Katy Trail, but still in MO..so, after riding 85 miles on thursday & climbing 400 ft, today I rode 61 miles and climbed 2800'!!! very bumpy around here, and lots of corn fields! we drove over to Marshall and I rode back on the L&C trail,( with lunch in Higginsville at Hot Pots!). KK rode about 20 miles today and then drove back to read, wash clothes & lay by the pool. Then she cooked supper, while I made plans for monday A little wine my dear?

Mike in St Charles, mo, by statue of L&C & Seaman

St Charles, MO- Lewis & Clark Museum

Westward HO!!

THE KATY TRAIL: Finally, we're off on the adventure!! packed up and on the road, july 9th,2008, and a two night stay in Hermann, Mo. A very quaint town on the Missouri river, with lots of B&B's and wineries, but we're here for the Katy Trail and the beginning of the Lewis & Clark bike trip. The next 4 days will be on the Katy, a very flat rails-to-trails path from st charles, mo to booneville, where we depart and head northwesterly. so a quick 16 miles wed eve and then over to st charles on thursday & seeing the sights there & having lunch at the "Trail Head Brewery". Then I set out for Hermann, a 65 mile ride along the river and many historical markers on the "Corps of Discovery" (campsites, meetings, etc). I finally made it about 7:30 & a great shower & then dinner at "wings". Friday, we broke camp & I dropped KK off so she could ride a few flat miles, where I met her back on the trail & then to our new camp ground. "Katfish Katy's..a so-so place right on the river and a lot of those "pesky mersquiters"..aka, W. Clark. a quick ride (but HOT) to "Lucy's bar" for a hamburger & some "local flavor" & KK rode back to "scrapbook"..YEA! I rode few extra miles & ended up with 55 for the day..KK..36!!! GREAT! now it's Friday, and a little rain, so our last miles on the Katy. Now we're just east of KC at a KOA and I'll try to get in some more miles before dark..it's a nice park but the traffic on I-70 is bad..oh well, turn on the A/C and drown 'em aught...and hey , folks, we welcome any comments..thanks, DON, for yinz comments!

one week to go and I've ridden 4400 miles for '08, so I'm ready! KK is increasing her mileage and will hopefully ride a lot of miles on this adventure, especially the Katy trail to start.