Monday, July 4, 2011
Joplin
Some pictures from the town of Joplin that was half destroyed by a violent twister a few weeks back.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
More pictures Springfield to Cuba
On to Cuba
The Cozy Dog Drive In
The Mermac Caverns
The Wagon Wheel Hotel
A Biker Bar (a lot more scary looking in the evening)
At last some photo's
I finally found a place that allows me to upload some of my pictures.
Obv me to start !
Chicago
Obv me to start !
Chicago
My friendly barmaid Nya at Dicks Last Resort
I pick up the bike
My first beer in Springfield
Lincolns New Salem
To Amarillo
Starting mileage 958
Ending mileage 1123
From here on I am expecting the trip to become a lot more interesting. This is the start of the July 4th weekend and I have the Texas Ranch Steak Hotel, Santa Fe with a days rest, Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon, Laughlin the mini Vegas and the beaches of San Diego. All a lot more scenic and less historic.
I filled up before I left Clinton and as I was finishing a squeeky voiced woman across the pumps asked where I was headed. I told her Amarillo and her face lit up as she asked me if I was a Christian. I regretably said no and she seemed dissappointed as the largest cross in the state rested in a town called Groom just outside of my destination. I told her I was a photographer and promised to stop there.
I hit the 1000 mile mark just short of Texas. As soon as I had crossed the state line the scenery took on an instant change. No longer the rolling hills and farmlands I had been used to. I was now riding through sun dried grasslands with nothing on the horizon either way. The drought I had heard of was very evident.
I followed the I40 all the way to Amarillo, 180 miles in just under 3 hours stopping for gas just once. This stop did let me cross paths with a deeply religious man. He pulled up in an old Volvo and stepped out wearing a tshirt that announced Jesus is God across the front and a verse from the bible I guess on the back. After telling me his life story whilst filling up he asked me whether I could donate $5 towards his petrol bill in the name of god. Normally I detest beggars but I guess I was feeling charitable and it makes for a little story.
Religion is so deep set in parts of the US, its such an eye opener. Along with the hundreds of McDonalds dotted along every town and freeway exit there are numurous billboards telling you to come off at the next exit and join in prayers ! I dont have a problem with it but it is rammed down your throat a lot. The hotel tv's are full of evangelist channels and readings. Blergh, just not my scene.
I finally turned off the Interstate and rode into Amarillo. The big Texan Ranch was very easy to find. I had seen billboards with directions before I had even crossed into Texas. Everything is big here, They have a huge cow outside, a huge cowboy boot by the entrance, a lot of huge cars parked up and or course a lot of huge people. The main advertising for this place is the challenge of a 72 oz (2kg) steak. You have an hour to eat it and if you succeed you will have your name forever immortalised in their book and on their website. Oh you will also get your steak for free. I say free but im sure there will be hospital bills and laxative costs. I heard one story of a guy that tried it that couldnt go to the toilet for 8 days !!!!
I settled down at the bar for the evening and ordered a 12oz steak. Ha 12oz looks so small to what everyone else was ordering but I have a figure I need to look after and this was more than enough. With the 2 free sides aswell as a pint of their finest ale I was full in a very short time.
I got speaking to a lot of people that night. One person of note was a guy with the weirdest twitch. He was eating at the bar and his right elbow kept coming up to ear height, like he was doing a chicken wing impression. You can imagine the difficulty he was having as this was his knife arm not his fork arm. He tried to cut his steak and up popped us arm as if it had a mind of its own. I tried my best to contain my laughter and had to keep looking the other way.
I met Mr Grumpy 61 year old truck driver. He swore as he was trying get served a beer. Those f*ckers got served quicker than me grumble grumble. The head barmaid instantly told him off and said any more swearing he was out. I didnt realise swearing was a problem here so I made a concious effort to not relax my tongue to much. He was mr miserable. He came home once a year and spent the rest of the time driving his truck around all the states of the US. His truck had a shower, a bed and everything he needed in his life. I cant imagine how a person can be happy being that solitary, then again look at the end result. I was relieved when some guys I had met earlier cam back and I can turn my back on grumps. I ahd a great night boozing it up with Mark and his wife Jane. I hope you guys read this as I want to say thank you for a very fun night. Buttery nipples are great shots, thankyou.
This trip is not all about the places I see but moreso about the people I meet. Genuinely nice people are making my trip a lot of fun. Texas is the 'friendly state' and my night at the Texas Ranch proved this so.
Ending mileage 1123
From here on I am expecting the trip to become a lot more interesting. This is the start of the July 4th weekend and I have the Texas Ranch Steak Hotel, Santa Fe with a days rest, Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon, Laughlin the mini Vegas and the beaches of San Diego. All a lot more scenic and less historic.
I filled up before I left Clinton and as I was finishing a squeeky voiced woman across the pumps asked where I was headed. I told her Amarillo and her face lit up as she asked me if I was a Christian. I regretably said no and she seemed dissappointed as the largest cross in the state rested in a town called Groom just outside of my destination. I told her I was a photographer and promised to stop there.
I hit the 1000 mile mark just short of Texas. As soon as I had crossed the state line the scenery took on an instant change. No longer the rolling hills and farmlands I had been used to. I was now riding through sun dried grasslands with nothing on the horizon either way. The drought I had heard of was very evident.
I followed the I40 all the way to Amarillo, 180 miles in just under 3 hours stopping for gas just once. This stop did let me cross paths with a deeply religious man. He pulled up in an old Volvo and stepped out wearing a tshirt that announced Jesus is God across the front and a verse from the bible I guess on the back. After telling me his life story whilst filling up he asked me whether I could donate $5 towards his petrol bill in the name of god. Normally I detest beggars but I guess I was feeling charitable and it makes for a little story.
Religion is so deep set in parts of the US, its such an eye opener. Along with the hundreds of McDonalds dotted along every town and freeway exit there are numurous billboards telling you to come off at the next exit and join in prayers ! I dont have a problem with it but it is rammed down your throat a lot. The hotel tv's are full of evangelist channels and readings. Blergh, just not my scene.
I finally turned off the Interstate and rode into Amarillo. The big Texan Ranch was very easy to find. I had seen billboards with directions before I had even crossed into Texas. Everything is big here, They have a huge cow outside, a huge cowboy boot by the entrance, a lot of huge cars parked up and or course a lot of huge people. The main advertising for this place is the challenge of a 72 oz (2kg) steak. You have an hour to eat it and if you succeed you will have your name forever immortalised in their book and on their website. Oh you will also get your steak for free. I say free but im sure there will be hospital bills and laxative costs. I heard one story of a guy that tried it that couldnt go to the toilet for 8 days !!!!
I settled down at the bar for the evening and ordered a 12oz steak. Ha 12oz looks so small to what everyone else was ordering but I have a figure I need to look after and this was more than enough. With the 2 free sides aswell as a pint of their finest ale I was full in a very short time.
I got speaking to a lot of people that night. One person of note was a guy with the weirdest twitch. He was eating at the bar and his right elbow kept coming up to ear height, like he was doing a chicken wing impression. You can imagine the difficulty he was having as this was his knife arm not his fork arm. He tried to cut his steak and up popped us arm as if it had a mind of its own. I tried my best to contain my laughter and had to keep looking the other way.
I met Mr Grumpy 61 year old truck driver. He swore as he was trying get served a beer. Those f*ckers got served quicker than me grumble grumble. The head barmaid instantly told him off and said any more swearing he was out. I didnt realise swearing was a problem here so I made a concious effort to not relax my tongue to much. He was mr miserable. He came home once a year and spent the rest of the time driving his truck around all the states of the US. His truck had a shower, a bed and everything he needed in his life. I cant imagine how a person can be happy being that solitary, then again look at the end result. I was relieved when some guys I had met earlier cam back and I can turn my back on grumps. I ahd a great night boozing it up with Mark and his wife Jane. I hope you guys read this as I want to say thank you for a very fun night. Buttery nipples are great shots, thankyou.
This trip is not all about the places I see but moreso about the people I meet. Genuinely nice people are making my trip a lot of fun. Texas is the 'friendly state' and my night at the Texas Ranch proved this so.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
To Clinton
I awoke with a horrible whiskey fueled hangover and gradually made my way out of bed. It was just under 200 miles to Clinton. No-one I had spoken to the night before had heard of Clinton. I had asked if anyone had a better suggestion of a place between here and Amarillo but I got a repeated answer that after Oklahoma city there is nothing of interest until Texas. There was a suggestion to go to Dallas but looking at the map would have taken me to off route.
I set off accepting that tonight would be my pit stop night ahead of the July 4th weekend. I almost never arrived at Clinton.
For all of the adrenalin activities I have done and of all the stupid situations I have put myself in none have affected me more than being almost hit on a freeway in Oklahoma.
Now the bike is loud, I have to wear ear plugs otherwise I become partially deaf in the evening due also to the wind. With these in and the rumble of the engine and the beating of the wind I still easily heard the terrifying screech of tyres behind me. I say behind, it sounded almost on top of me. I instantly looked in the mirror and it was full of a red 4x4.
I can only say that at that close in the mirror I don't understand how he had not made contact. Accidents happen, near misses happen but this was me, on a motorbike a long way from home, with just a t-shirt and jeans and with other traffic around me that would not have had room to avoid me if I had fallen.
All I could do is shake my head. The driver if the 4x4 had slowed down so much he or she just faded into the distance.
I wasnt angry. I was just thankful to be alive. My whole life was in the reactions of his or her foot connecting with the brake pedal.
Shaken, I continued on my way to Clinton. The heat of this journey was becoming intense. It was over 100 degrees again today and every time I swept around a bend in the road I felt like a rotisery chicken.
I finally rode into Clinton and found a mid range motel. There was an outdoor pool which brought me down to a reasonable temperature. A quiet night in with some food from a local deli.
The weather channel showed storms behind me in Chicago and record heat in Oklahoma and Texas. I wonder how long my luck will last.
I set off accepting that tonight would be my pit stop night ahead of the July 4th weekend. I almost never arrived at Clinton.
For all of the adrenalin activities I have done and of all the stupid situations I have put myself in none have affected me more than being almost hit on a freeway in Oklahoma.
Now the bike is loud, I have to wear ear plugs otherwise I become partially deaf in the evening due also to the wind. With these in and the rumble of the engine and the beating of the wind I still easily heard the terrifying screech of tyres behind me. I say behind, it sounded almost on top of me. I instantly looked in the mirror and it was full of a red 4x4.
I can only say that at that close in the mirror I don't understand how he had not made contact. Accidents happen, near misses happen but this was me, on a motorbike a long way from home, with just a t-shirt and jeans and with other traffic around me that would not have had room to avoid me if I had fallen.
All I could do is shake my head. The driver if the 4x4 had slowed down so much he or she just faded into the distance.
I wasnt angry. I was just thankful to be alive. My whole life was in the reactions of his or her foot connecting with the brake pedal.
Shaken, I continued on my way to Clinton. The heat of this journey was becoming intense. It was over 100 degrees again today and every time I swept around a bend in the road I felt like a rotisery chicken.
I finally rode into Clinton and found a mid range motel. There was an outdoor pool which brought me down to a reasonable temperature. A quiet night in with some food from a local deli.
The weather channel showed storms behind me in Chicago and record heat in Oklahoma and Texas. I wonder how long my luck will last.
Friday, July 1, 2011
To Tulsa
Starting mileage 430
Finishing mileage 760.
After a restless sleep I started my journey to Tulsa, Oklahoma. This would be a 330 mile trip stopping at Joplin along the way. Leaving early also helps with the sun. It has started turning real hot and with the sun behind me in the morning it is less harsh.
I hopped on and off I44 passing through desolate towns that were once bustling tourist attractions. Since the introduction of the interstate freeways the towns have lost a lot of passing commerce. After around 4 hours riding i found the Joplin turnoff.
Joplin is a small iconic route 66 town that was hit by the deadliest twister in over 50 years only a few months back. I had seen pictures on the web but nothing prepared me for the devastation I saw. A lady at a local diner pointed me to the main area that was hit. As I rode down the main street my jaw literally dropped. There were entire streets flattened. Down to just their bases. Nothing more than a foot high wall was all that was left of most houses. Debris lined the sides of the road, collected into piles to help the clear up process. I started taking pictures from a distance. These plots of destroyed land were still owned by people so I stayed on the road. The only people I saw were builders and guys removing rubble. Some houses further in still had a few walls standing. You could still see clothes in ripped open cupboards, exposed to any passer by. This must have been terrifying for residents. I heard a hospital also got hit but I didn't get to see it.
Back on I44 to Tulsa. It took me a total of 6 hours riding to get to Tulsa from Cuba. The heat was unbearable with my leather jacket so I managed to squeeze it in the luggage bags attached to the bike. Jeans and t-shirt were now the look.
I also managed to get the 'passing a Harley' wave perfected. Whereas day one I would give a wave I now know you have to point your first 2 fingers out and to the left at an angle to the floor. Very smooth.... I'm one of the gang..
I rode into downtown Tulsa and checked into a Holiday Inn. Hardly iconic 66 but i really wanted a good bed as the ride had exhausted me.
I was in two minds about heading out for the evening or staying in with MTV and CNN. Then I remembered it was the last Thursday of the week and worth trying to celebrate.
Like everywhere i've been so far outside of Chicago the streets seemed desolate. I asked a policeman if there were any local bars that were worth me going. He said go to Arnie's and he and his colleague escorted me there genuinelly interested in my travel stories.
Arnie's bar was an Irish bar with a lot of characters. I instantly got talking to some people at the bar and settled in. There was a live band playing some great Irish folk songs. Well I say live, the band members looked over 100 years old.
I had a great night in there an it seemed my accent instantly made me friends with anyone there. This was stark contrast to my previous night in Cuba. I had started to question my acceptance as a Brit in the US and I thank the people I met in Tulsa for restoring my faith. Everyone person I met in Tulsa for the whole time I was there were friendly and fun.
Cuba sucks Tulsa rocks.
Finishing mileage 760.
After a restless sleep I started my journey to Tulsa, Oklahoma. This would be a 330 mile trip stopping at Joplin along the way. Leaving early also helps with the sun. It has started turning real hot and with the sun behind me in the morning it is less harsh.
I hopped on and off I44 passing through desolate towns that were once bustling tourist attractions. Since the introduction of the interstate freeways the towns have lost a lot of passing commerce. After around 4 hours riding i found the Joplin turnoff.
Joplin is a small iconic route 66 town that was hit by the deadliest twister in over 50 years only a few months back. I had seen pictures on the web but nothing prepared me for the devastation I saw. A lady at a local diner pointed me to the main area that was hit. As I rode down the main street my jaw literally dropped. There were entire streets flattened. Down to just their bases. Nothing more than a foot high wall was all that was left of most houses. Debris lined the sides of the road, collected into piles to help the clear up process. I started taking pictures from a distance. These plots of destroyed land were still owned by people so I stayed on the road. The only people I saw were builders and guys removing rubble. Some houses further in still had a few walls standing. You could still see clothes in ripped open cupboards, exposed to any passer by. This must have been terrifying for residents. I heard a hospital also got hit but I didn't get to see it.
Back on I44 to Tulsa. It took me a total of 6 hours riding to get to Tulsa from Cuba. The heat was unbearable with my leather jacket so I managed to squeeze it in the luggage bags attached to the bike. Jeans and t-shirt were now the look.
I also managed to get the 'passing a Harley' wave perfected. Whereas day one I would give a wave I now know you have to point your first 2 fingers out and to the left at an angle to the floor. Very smooth.... I'm one of the gang..
I rode into downtown Tulsa and checked into a Holiday Inn. Hardly iconic 66 but i really wanted a good bed as the ride had exhausted me.
I was in two minds about heading out for the evening or staying in with MTV and CNN. Then I remembered it was the last Thursday of the week and worth trying to celebrate.
Like everywhere i've been so far outside of Chicago the streets seemed desolate. I asked a policeman if there were any local bars that were worth me going. He said go to Arnie's and he and his colleague escorted me there genuinelly interested in my travel stories.
Arnie's bar was an Irish bar with a lot of characters. I instantly got talking to some people at the bar and settled in. There was a live band playing some great Irish folk songs. Well I say live, the band members looked over 100 years old.
I had a great night in there an it seemed my accent instantly made me friends with anyone there. This was stark contrast to my previous night in Cuba. I had started to question my acceptance as a Brit in the US and I thank the people I met in Tulsa for restoring my faith. Everyone person I met in Tulsa for the whole time I was there were friendly and fun.
Cuba sucks Tulsa rocks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)