"We made it", we're back home again in Indiana

We traveled over 5344 miles since leaving home June 10th. The Harley ran flawlessly using only a pint of oil. Average  miles per gallon 40.  It is very dirty and I will spend a day cleaning it up. We endured rain, wind (50 mph crosswind) heat (111 degrees), cold (41 degrees)We traveled through the states of Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah and Colorado. Farthest West, Santa Monica California. Farthest south, Fallbrook California. Farthest north, South Lake Tahoe. Farthest East, New Albany Indiana.

Thanks for all the prayers for our safe trip.

P.S. this blog has had over 1400 hits so far. It was designed to keep family and friends up to date on our trip and whereabouts. Thanks to all for following us.

Route 50 heading home Day 5

We begin in Newton Kansas. Pictures will be a little scarce, I had ice on my stomach trying to keep cool. Couldn't hold the camera and ice at the same time. Did we forget to tell you about all the long trains we saw constantly. Here's one.

Twenty miles out of Newton the terrain started to change. Finally trees.

Route 50 runs with the interstate I-35.

Getting gas in Emporia Kansas.

S

Philip's first car was a 56 Chevy. Not nearly as nice as this one.

Leaving Kansas, entering Missouri.

Tomorrow we will be home. It is going to be a long hot one 389 miles away. I'll be packed in ice, thankfully this heat has not affected Philip. Tomorrow will be our last entry to the blog with a wrap up post. Stay with us. Stay cool.

Route 50 East heading home Day 4

I would like to begin by telling you this was the hardest day for me thus far. What can I say stands out about Kansas? Let's begin with 112 degrees and 50 mph wind gusts. Kansas beat me up today. Now for the scenery. Flat land, corn, wheat, grain fed cattle ranches, windmill farms, junk yards and not so lovely aroma's. It is a pretty state because of all the agriculture. Here is a sample of what we saw.

Here's a cute one for you. "Poor dog I bet he wished he could hold his nose because of all the cow manure" Moving down the road at 70 mph.

On to quaint towns. Boggsville Kansas.

Another small town in Kansas, Cimarron.

Dodge City Kansas

Route 50 East heading home Day 3

Welcome from the Rockie Mountain state, Colorado. We began our day leaving Utah heading for the Harley shop in Grand Junction Colorado.  The Harley was about a pint low on oil, deserving a much needed drink after getting us through the desert.

Our shadow's leaving Utah heading for Colorado.

Heading up the Cierro Peak.

This was the highlight of our day. I was thankful for starting down the mountain to catch my breath, Philip however was not fazed by the high altitude.

As we were riding through Royal Gorge we came across many rafters.

Coming over the mountain, look closely you may be able to see smoke from what we believe to be the Colorado Springs fire. As we get closer to Kansas the terrain is already getting flatter. Kansas here we come. We will go through many small towns so you'll get a feel for the Kansas lifestyle. See you tomorrow.

Route 50 East heading back Day 2

"Are you ready for some UTAH?" Hopefully, because of the following pictures. By the way the "middle of nowhere" is in Nevada, says Philip.

Stepping on Utah soil. Casino to the right, Mormons to the left.

We begin to enter the mountainous regions.

This is a small portion of the beauty we saw in Utah today. We are overwhelmed by God's beautiful creation. He has painted us the most beautiful painting on his canvas for us to enjoy daily. My eyes are open. We hope you have gotten a small sample of His beauty. As you can see I'm feeling humbled by all we are seeing.
Tomorrow we will be heading for Colorado.

Route 50 East and heading back Day 1

Before we begin our trip back we promised to show pictures of Lake Tahoe. This is what Philip said about the lake, "seeing lake Tahoe made the same impression  as did the ocean the first time I saw it". We hope the pictures do it justice.

When you see these pictures and ask yourself is the water really this blue the answer is YES it is more beautiful when you see it with your naked eye.

Sunday morning we began our day having breakfast with Rick's family.

Kelly, Becky,Ben,Lisbeth,Rick and grandchildren

Philip and I have really enjoyed meeting his cousins and their kids. We hope someday they can come our way.

Heading east, first we'd like to tell you we are embarking our journey home on America's Loneliest Highway US route 50.

Yes it is a desert.

The terrain in Nevada changed as much as the temperature. We saw mountains, white sand, brown desert and green pastures all in Nevada. I thought it was beautiful, Philip is sick of the desert heat.

Monday we head for Utah. We don't know how far we will get, we may make it a short day. Stay with us and keep the comments coming. We will be seeing ya.