OTRA Day-2: R80 G/S & R65LS 40th Anniversary Rally

Today is a shorter day, which is a good thing as yesterday was a bit long due to the time spent visiting the St. Francis Motorcycle Museum.  I stayed at the Super 8 in Belleville KS, which was pretty deserted. Nonetheless, a number of guests thought it was acceptable to turn up the volume on their truck radio in the parking lot at 12:30 am and stage a parking lot dance while singing along with the tunes.  What ever happened to being considerate and aware of your surroundings?  Any how, I have ear plugs for just such idiots.

On Sunday morning, I started for Hannibal, MO about 9:00 am. But before I left I got to use the wash cloth I packed to wipe the water off the seat.  Yes, I’m officially in the mid-west where a dry day is 60% humidity. 🙂

[BTW, I pack a spray bottle of hydrogen peroxide and a wash cloth. I spray the windscreen and fairing with the peroxide and in 60 seconds or so, all the bug guts and goo dissolve and are easy to wipe right off. It doesn’t affect the paint or the plastic, so this is now in my “On The Road Again (OTRA)” kit.]

US-36 becomes the “Pony Express Highway” in the Eastern part of Kansas. In Marysville, there is a pony express stable, but being Sunday, it was closed. I got a picture of my “express horse”, Gonzo, in front.

A Pony Express Station From 1860 in Marysville, KS

A Pony Express Station From 1860 in Marysville, KS

I crossed over the border into Missouri. By this point, US-36 becomes a 4-lane divided highway with county roads cutting across it via the median.

Crossing Into Missouri at St. Joseph

Crossing Into Missouri at St. Joseph

Along the way, I rode through a large wind turbine farm among the Missouri corn fields. This reminds me of the eastern Colorado farmers who first let oil wells sprout among the corn and wheat in their fields and now are planting large numbers of wind turbines.

Wind Turbines Let Missouri Farms Harvest Wind & Corn

Wind Turbines Let Missouri Farms Harvest Wind & Corn

Then, I unexpectedly came upon the hometown of the great WW1 General, John “Black Jack” Pershing in Laclede, MO.  I was vaguely familiar with some of his story as I lived in Las Cruces, New Mexico, as a young boy, not far from Columbus, New Mexico. Poncho Villa raided Columbus in 1916 shortly after New Mexico became a state in 1912. I believe this is the only foreign invasion of the United States. Pershing, who was based at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, went after him chasing him in Mexico (and it turns out Patton, who was a Lt. under Pershing, participated too) , but were not able to find him. So, now I know where he was born.

John "Black Jack" Pershing Home Town in Laclede, MO

John “Black Jack” Pershing Home Town in Laclede, MO

The next surprise was seeing the Missouri highway department harvesting hay in the median of US-36. Now that’s a cool idea IMHO.  Why waste that land when you can harvest feed for horses and cattle.

US-36 Median Grass Is Harvested by The Highway Department for Hay

US-36 Median Grass Is Harvested by The Highway Department for Hay

Hannibal, Missouri-Home of Mark Twain

I got to Hannibal about 3:00 pm and it was about 92 F, so I’m still riding in summer weather. I again stayed at the Dubach Inn and ended up in the same room I stayed in in 2017.

When I stayed here on the 2017 ride, I spent a lot of time visiting the Mark Twain Museum and wrote about that in my blog about that trip. This time, I decided to hike around town and see some of the sights I missed last time.

Gonzo Resting In Front of the Dubach Inn, Hannibal MO

Gonzo Resting In Front of the Dubach Inn, Hannibal MO

Dubach Inn, Hannibal MO

Dubach Inn, Hannibal MO

After getting a shower and having my traditional end-of-ride libation (Gin & Tonic) I headed out to explore. I found out that 2019 is the bi-centennial of the founding of Hannibal in 1818. Another unexpected discovery.

2019 is 200th Anniversary of the Founding of Hannibal, MO

2019 is 200th Anniversary of the Founding of Hannibal, MO

Hannibal also added pennants on the lampposts commemorating citizens who served in the military. I saw the same thing when I visited Omaha Beach in France where Allied soldiers were commemorated.

Similar to Solider Remembrance I Saw At Omaha Beach in France

Similar to Solider Remembrance I Saw At Omaha Beach in France

Similar to Solider Remembrance I Saw At Omaha Beach in France

Similar to Solider Remembrance I Saw At Omaha Beach in France

I found a lighthouse that is dedicated to Mark Twain and climbed up to it. I needed another shower after that. 🙂

Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse

Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse

Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse

Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse

Mississippi River View From Lighthouse Hill

Mississippi River View From Lighthouse Hill

On my way back from walking along the bluff above the Mississippi river, I saw something along the side of the path. It was just my good luck to come along when I did I guess.

Hmm ... What's That?

Hmm … What’s That?

I guess this shows money really does grow on trees. 🙂

My Reward For Climbing Mark Twain Lighthouse Hill :-)

My Reward For Climbing Mark Twain Lighthouse Hill 🙂

And I came across this fellow. Some days are like that, but not this one for me. 🙂

Some Days, You Feel Like This

Some Days, You Feel Like This

At the bottom of the stairway to the lighthouse I stumbled upon two plaques commemorating the building of the first Mark Twain memorial bridge in 1935 and the replacement of it by the current one in 2000.

Original Mark Twain Bridge Plaque

Original Mark Twain Bridge Plaque

Replacement Mark Twain Bridge Plaque

Replacement Mark Twain Bridge Plaque

The Replacement Mark Twain Memorial Bridge

The Replacement Mark Twain Memorial Bridge

Mississippi River View From Lighthouse Hill

Mississippi River View From Lighthouse Hill

Downtown Hannibal From Lighthouse Hill

Downtown Hannibal From Lighthouse Hill

Another block or two brought me to the Mark Twain Brewing Company. I stopped in and sampled a couple of their excellent beers and had my supper.

Mark Twain Brewing Company-Good Beer and Food

Mark Twain Brewing Company-Good Beer and Food

Tomorrow I cross the Mississippi and cross Illinois on my way to the east side of Indianapolis.

Here is a slide show of today’s ride pictures.

6 thoughts on “OTRA Day-2: R80 G/S & R65LS 40th Anniversary Rally

    • Hi Bill,

      I too haven’t done a long multi-day ride like this since I went to the R100RS 40th anniversary rally in 2017. I’m starting to get back into the “groove” and tempo of days spent riding and being alone with your thoughts and observations. It’s effective, and relatively inexpensive, therapy for whatever ails you. 🙂

      Best.
      Brook.

  1. I’m enjoying following your cross-country progress. I too will be at Todd’s this week but feel fortunate that I live only five miles from Skippack!

    • Hi Mike,

      Hmmm … if that means cooler temperatures, I could do with some of that, even if I have to put up with “liquid sunshine”. 🙂

      Best.
      Brook.

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