Before enjoying the west; ya gotta get there!

Finally!! the time has come to head out on our trek to the west! But day one was a tax on our patients. We had planned to leave at 10:00 but rain showers were headed our way so we stayed put. Come on, it's Michigan!! Weather changes at the flick of a switch! We ended up leaving at 1:30 and it was perfect.

Roads were dry and we didn't get wet at all. Our destination today was short...Chesterton Indiana. Great riding. We stopped at a few Harley Davidson Dealerships...Battle Creek Harley Davidson, Perry Harley Davidson, and HD Shop at Michigan City and picked up our poker chips and a few coozies. Of note...when trying to saddle up and get going, helps to put your ear plugs in the correct ears!! Sometimes putting spit on the ear plug helps but not this time!! I had so much spit in my ears that thought they were slipping out because of that. Nope; had them in the wrong ear. Duh.

Stayed at a Best Western on Chesterton. It had a nice little lake (with a bunch of geese) and a great brew house to have a relaxing dinner!!

What do ya do when you're riding out I80 and trying to make great time? Next day, up early and get going; AND stop at Harley Dealerships to get our poker chips (we collect them); nothing else to do.... Went to Conrads HD, Starved Rock HD and McGrath Quad Cities HD. It was hot...90 degrees. I'll take that anytime!! Destination today is Coralville Iowa.

Travel was good with not a lot of traffic and just a few areas of construction. Weather was also great. Again, in the upper 80's low 90's.

Big day of travel on day 3. Coralville Iowa to Kearney Nebraska; approximately 440 miles all on I80. Stopped at more HD dealerships but won't bore you with more pictures...especially since they were all closed!! Our rule is you can't collect poker chips unless you have ridden there. Soooo...we drive to the dealership, take some pictures and be on our way. (They'll send them to use later.) Good day of riding again with awesome weather. Arrived at our hotel, showered and went for a nice Mexican dinner.

Last day of big travel on day 4 that finally gets us out west!! Kearney Nebraska to COLORADO SPRINGS!! Kickstands up at 7:30 after a quick breakfast and walk. Gas stops, Harley dealership stops, and some leg stretch stops along I80 then I76. Tried to get a picture of the state line but ran into construction.

Got to our hotel about 5:00 and relaxed. Tomorrow the REAL fun starts with our ride up Pikes Peak!!