The weather was dry until thundershowers late in the day with temperatures up to high 80’s. Day’s distance: 288 miles Total trip distance: 10,612 miles I woke up early and was out of the campground by 6am. I knew I would have to stop every few miles to vent the fuel tank, and I proceeded down the mountain slowly as deer and elk were likely … Continue reading Southern States Tour – Day 58

The weather forecast had me on the lookout for increasing winds and chances of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Temperatures were in the 80’s and the skies partly cloudy. There was a thunderstorm to the south of me in New Mexico, but my path led me away from it. Day’s distance: 489 miles Total trip distance: 10,324 miles My intention today was to travel through tornado … Continue reading Southern States Tour – Day 57

The temperature reached a humid 92 with mostly sunny skies. Day’s distance: 0 miles Total trip distance: 9,835 miles Today was a day off the bike. Charles and I visited the Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum, as we did a year ago. The museum is located in Warwick, along route 66. (upper right corner of map above) Seaba Station is a collection of about 100 motorcycles. … Continue reading Southern States Tour – Day 56

Day’s distance: 24 miles Total trip distance: 9,835 miles I thought the motorcycle could use some special treatment after last week’s incident when I ran over what was likely a loose piece of highway, so I took her to a local car wash. Afterwards, Charles and I went to Nichols Hills, the affluent neighborhood a few miles south of Edmond. There is a service station … Continue reading Southern States Tour – Day 55

Day’s distance: 270 miles Total trip distance: 9,811 miles I started the day with two goals. The first was to ride the Talimena Scenic Byway. The name comes from the end points, Mena, Arkansas and Talihina, Oklahoma. Since I spent the night in Mena, it would take just a few minutes to arrive at the beginning of the Byway. Before leaving the motel, I checked … Continue reading Southern States Tour – Day 54

Today was hot, humid, and sunny. Temperatures reached 91 close to Mena, Arkansas this afternoon but they were cooler in the mountains. Day’s distance: 253 miles Total trip distance: 9,541 miles At dinner last night, my new friends suggested that I not miss the Talimena National Scenic Byway. Of course, heading south meant that I would not spend more time in Missouri. In the end, … Continue reading Southern States Tour – Day 53

Temperatures were warmer today and reached the mid 80’s. The skies were partly cloudy to overcast and it felt a bit more humid than the day before. Day’s distance: 75 miles Total trip distance: 9,288 miles The morning started with a cab ride from my motel to the BMW dealer in Bentonville, about six miles away. I met Jerry, the service manager and co-owner of … Continue reading Southern States Tour – Day 52