Sharing a Dream

I am about a month behind on blogs to much riding not that it is a bad thing! I really needed to get this blog up!

Subtitle: You are NEVER to old to realize a dream!!

Gee I honestly don't know where to start. I suppose the beginning is the best place.

Well over 9 months ago, Dick started planning his trip from Vancouver Island, across the northern section of the US to the Iron Range Rally and then onward south to fulfill a life long dream of riding along the Mississippi River. Dick had told me once in Missouri he wanted to cut across the State and go to Lamar, MO. Lamar is the birthplace of Harry Truman who Dick has always admired. I knew right away when Dick told me about his journey that I would ride with him across the State. Fast forward to today.

Pete and I left St. Louis about 6:30am and blazed up 61 to 54 and into Louisiana to meet Dick. Once in Louisiana it didn't take long to see those Majesty lights down a side street. We pulled over and greeted Dick with a HUG bear hug! He is looking remarkably well for a 69 year old man into his 2nd week of traveling already 3,000 miles.

After some chit chat we found a place in town and enjoyed a grand breakfast!


Afterwards we headed west on Hwy 54. Man the wind in the farmlands was brutal today! We made a quick stop in Mexico to refuel ourselves. Of course I had to get Dick with a Monster


Hwy 54 turns south at Mexico towards Jeff City. We stopped just outside Jeff city for gas and then headed to The Lake of the Ozarks. Pete and I decided to headed over to the dam and the scenic overlook. Glad we did, it was a beautiful detour!


We rode on south into Camdenton and had lunch at a Mexican place (no it was not my choice, was Dick's )!! At lunch Dick detailed his trip to date! Pete and I both were green with envy of Dick's trip! I know I can't wait to hear about the rest of his trip!



After lunch we headed west on Hwy 54 to Hwy 123 then onto Hwy 13/123 junction. Here is where we reluctantly said our good byes.

The 585 miles that Pete and I traveled was worth every bit to have meet Dick and share just a little portion of his 9,000 mile ride! It was a distinct honor to have meet Dick, my life is already richer given today's experience.

Update as of today:

Update on Dick...

Since leaving Missouri he has gone though Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida and Georgia. A couple of days he started heading back west through Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and that is where his spot satellite signal went dead for over 24 hours.. we have all been concerned.. but today we get this note from Dick.


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Hi guys

Its me.

Yesterday I posted that I was going on a slight detour. It looks like the post never went through.

Yesterday i was heading along Hwy 84 to get to the Ft. Parker State Park. Got to the I-45 intersection, about 120 miles N of houston Tx and phoned my neice in Houston.

She is a flight attendant for Continental Airways and told me to get my butt down to Houston because she was flying down to Caracas Venezuela on the red eye special and was taking me with her. Flight, hotel, meals etc free of charge.

So, I had a sudden change of plans. Sorry Duster, I had no idea that you would be at Ft Parker SP waiting for me.

So.......... I´m sending this post from Caracas Venezuela, just about ready to see the sights with my niece and some other airline attendants.

Man. This is really starting to be some kind of trip.

I OK´d my position this morning from Caracas. I have to tell my family that old Dick wasn,t hijacked and ended up in South America. Laughing

Gotta go. Will resume the trip in a couple of days.

Thanks for your concern.

Dick