I retired 2 years ago and began scanning print photos to digital. Bought my first camera in Vietnam and took photos of everything. I had no off-spring so now my mission is to locate people in my photos and hand them off. I've found 3 so far. One in Battle Creek, MI and the other in Minn, MN. I plotted a course to MI first. The plan was to Tent somewhere but the weather changed to cool and wet.
My neighbor told me about covered bridges near Terre Haute, IN and I found it. It is off the "beaten path".

* Last updated by: doubleD on 7/5/2018 @ 7:15 PM *

That’s awesome doubleD. I’m from IN and been to that very spot many times. I always look forward to the Parks Co. covered bridge festival. Enjoy your trek, and ride safe!

Jeez DD, anything to justify going for a ride!! Seriously, good for you, that will be my retirement plan in a couple years. Ride as often as the Mrs will allow.

I took a pass on the Military due to VN, and a high "lottery number", but God Bless each and every person that served.

ominousone

Great story and picture!

Sounds like a wonderful journey you are on

June 18, I headed for Auburn, IN. Seems like my trip was also about Vehicle Museums, too. I did not have time to walk through their 3 bldgs-next time. I wanted to stop at Michigan's Welcome Center for brochures and a free map. And make it to my Buddy's place before dark.

* Last updated by: doubleD on 7/5/2018 @ 7:14 PM *

The first Army Buddy,Terry, I had not seen since Aug 1972 when we departed Nam. I discovered him last year. I served my 4 yrs and got out; Terry did 21 yrs. Now he volunteers as the Camp Host at Ft Custer Park. He let me sleep in the Trailer and took very good care of me. I thought I was going to sleep in my Tent. Glad he let inside. It rained most days and the Mosquitos were thick in the woods.

Terry took me to the Gilmore Automobile Collection on the 19th. That is a must see if you like cars!
Terry standing in front of 5-1934 Auburn Cars; all painted the same color; all national show winners; all owned by the same family.

Terry was busy June 20 and 21, so I went to Holland, MI on the 20th and South Bend the next day. Man, it rained hard from South Bend back to Ft Custer Park.
South Bend has a museum of Studebaker Vehicles. I had 4 different models and help start a Studebaker Club (Midway Chapter) in Kansas, 1970. I've always wanted to visit.

* Last updated by: doubleD on 9/15/2018 @ 6:58 AM *

22nd Terry took me through Battle Creek. Kellogg has moved production to Mexico and laid-off most of their 2000 workers. World Headquarters is still there. He took me to another Museum-Air Zoo. Full of vintage planes, engines and another shop doing restoration.

23rd I said my good-bye and headed north for Clare, MI. What's there, Terry asked? Cops&Doughnuts Bakery, plus, they make a great Rueben Sandwich I was told. I worked in a large wholesale Bakery in the 1970's I like "tasty Pastry". Theirs were good and so was the Rueben.

I used advrider.com thread on trip planning-tent space. I found a man who would let me pitch my tent in his yard outside Big Rapids, MI. When I got to his house about 7 PM another rainstorm was coming during the night. I got the last motel room at Holiday Inn. When I pulled up and took off my helmet a woman said- "what's an old man like you riding a Bike like that?" Ouch! I'm young at heart, damn it!.
Sunday my next stop was Ludington, MI and needed to there by 8AM to check in for the SS Badger Ferry. I went to bed at 12:30AM and almost missed my faint Cellphone alarm at 5:30AM. Ludington is a tourist trap and most motels rooms are $150+. Big Rapids was $100. Sunday morning 72 miles in 50 mins in the rain-I made it. $39 for the Bike, $6 Security fee and $65 passenger fee.

* Last updated by: doubleD on 8/5/2018 @ 10:28 PM *

That is great, DD I'm looking forward to more threads like this from you ... ya know, now that you're retired and all

SS Badger Ferry has been in use since 1953, a Coal Burner.

Spent 4 hours on the water, gained an hour back to Central Time.
Watched a Movie and suddenly Blue Sky appeared as we approached Manitowoc, WI.

A Bud Light Brewery was just on shore as we docked.

Off loaded my Bike for another photo.

My next Army Buddy, Jack, lived in Blaine, MN and I rode to his house leaving the dock about 1:30PM.
WI was the only State I saw State Highway Patrol. A SUV Patrol vehicle was tight against a bridge overpass looking west. A group of us drove past in the right lane doing about 78 mph (posted 70mph). He never came. About 2 mins later a fast moving Pickup pulling an empty utility trailer cruising at least 85mph passed us. I looked in my mirror and a fast moving State Patrol Car was catching us. He pulled up to the Pickup and pulled him off the highway.
Made it to Jack's house before dark. Jack had plans for me besides fishing.

* Last updated by: doubleD on 10/31/2019 @ 7:40 PM *

The last time I saw Jack in his hometown was 1975. I rode my 1974 KZ900 to his Apartment.

Jack visited me in Denver 1996 and I put his Butt on my 1989 ZX10 Ninja. I rode my 86 Concours. We rode into the Rocky Mtns.

Jack has been fishing since he was 3. He retired 2 yrs ago, too. VA replaced both of his Knees. I could not stay up with him. He and his Wife have bought a cabin near a Lake about 3 hours north. We went to the Lake Monday afternoon.
Something his Wife wanted installed is a "Patio-Mate" screened porch surround. Takes at least 2 people and 3 minds to put it up. Installed the anchor points, changed the door location, added the rafters and finally the canvas roof. What? the wrong size was in the box. We needed one for 50" panels, the China Mfr'r threw in a 45" panel Canvas Roof.

We worked each day to about 7Pm and then he took me fishing in his boat.

Watched the Full Moon pass over.

This kind of Life style could get habit forming. I may have to get a boat. My Lake never freezes.

Jack and others fish with Leeches and a bobber at 9-11 foot along the weed line. I felt like a Kid again fishing for Catfish on a Creek in Kansas. In Colorado I always used Artificial Lures. Jack did catch a 17" Walleye and feed me my first "fresh caught" Walleye. I liked it!

Jack has caught a few big Walleyes. A Lake to the south has big Walleye, but you have to return all Fish.

* Last updated by: doubleD on 7/10/2018 @ 9:20 AM *

We await for the 27 in Walleye pics soon!

* Last updated by: cruderudy on 7/6/2018 @ 6:43 PM *

The item that failed on my trip was my 10" Lenovo Yoga. The screen went dark on June 19th. I needed it for Google Maps. I'm an ol' Guy and use a flip-phone. Jack took me to Costco so I could get a new laptop., but left in its box so it might survive the ride in my Trunk. My next purchase, besides a boat, is a smartphone so I can have a GPS App.
Left Jack's on Friday and headed for Kansas City. Iowa is pushing their own E-15 unleaded Regular and E-15 Midgrade. I used Mid grade fuel for the whole trip except for Iowa. Forced me to buy Premium.

I was bucking a strong southwest wind. Some old Semi was pucking Oil and covered my Bike and ME!

I stayed with Jim in KC. He is a young 78 yr old who accompanied me and my 2 Brothers in 2013 through the Colorado Rockies. Jim rides a modded 2002 R1. Jim did a SS1500 on this Bike. Jim had his own Motorcycle Parts business in KC for 35 yrs. Nothing he cannot do or know someone who can.

He threw on some Big Rib-eyes cooked to perfection (medium rare).

* Last updated by: doubleD on 7/6/2018 @ 8:04 PM *

Turned out that Jim was going to Minnesota on Saturday to visit his younger Brother. I have Cousins who live in KC and I had not since them since 2004. I punched in their address on my Garmin GPS (brought it along from my Pickup) and they lived 2.5 miles away. This is my shortest one-day ride on any trip.
Cousin Den retired 15 yrs ago with a bad back. But that does not stop him from carrying on his passion working with wood.
He built a garage with every intention to make it a woodwork shop, never for cars. He even installed a furnace/AC unit.
Cousin Den has been making Muzzle loaders for many years. he also attended Mountain Men Rendezvous all over the Country.

Rare shell-like grain


I finally got to use my Sleeping bag and air mattress. Cousin Den only has one bed in the house. Keeps the Grand Kids from spending the night. I like sleeping on carpet instead of a slick Nylon floor of a Tent, the air mattress does not slip.
Waiting one more day made for a cooler ride home. It was 79-81 degrees home on Sunday.
I rode 2721 miles, averaged 40.6 mpg. Saw new States and my first big boat ride. Met Old Friends. The Big Ninja and my new Roadsmarts III show no signs of wear. Though, it is time for a Valve Clearance check and spark plug replacement. I found a Motorcycle Tech 50 miles away that works on C14, so he should be able to do mine, too.

Woking on my next adventure-Atlanta, GA (another Army/Nam Guy) and Sarasota, FL. I've got to get to Barber Motorcycle Museum, also.

* Last updated by: doubleD on 12/8/2018 @ 11:02 AM *

Boy that truck did oil slick you! You might've been kinda lucky not to slide down on the oily road he was making.

Anyway, more great tales from the road! Thanks again!

Nice travel report.