This is the last picture from the trip. We have arrived at my house, home at last. Cyndy got us "Welcome Home" baloons. A hero's welocme for the 2 weary travellers. This was an amazing trip. A journey through the heartland and an experience most people will never be able to experience (not that they might want to) in their lifetimes. We met so many wonderful people and saw incredible sights. I wish I could've taken more pictures but it just isn't possible to get them all. This was something that changes your life, for the better. It restores one's faith in the country and the people. It renews your spirit and recharges your psychic batteries. I am a better person for having done this and I have a new appreciation for how good life has been to me. At last, I think, the sleeper has awakened. 

I love this place. It is by US 20 and 84. Very near Galena, another cool place to go. 

After all the mountains and amazing places we saw, Illinois looked pretty darn sweet to me. 

The mighty Mississippi. What a beautiful sight. Feeling closer to home now. 

Fianlly a border crossing where I could get another picture of the good state's people welcoming us.  

By the time we were ready to go, the heck with threatening, it was raining. We geared up and went for it. We are adventurers after all. 

Out the window in our hotel room, threatening leaden skies. 

The good folks in MN are so happy to have us back they put up these giant pinwheels just for us. Welcome back boys! 

Does this look more familiar to you mid-Westerners? It ought to 'cause it is Minn-ee-so-tah. Back in the land of corn and beans. 

This bear attacked me at lunch but I threw a candy bar in his mouth and he was following me around begging for more. Cute. . .  

We are bug collecting again. Jeez. . . :-( 

As we leave the Hotel in Salmon, the ash from the forest fires is collecting on the bikes. 

I am though. We are departing Salmon, MT for parts East. If you are ever here stop in at the Shady Nook Inn and have a meal. The food was scrumptious. Tell them we said hi. 

Rick doesn't seem too happy today. 

Blurry and sorry but it is Monday morning and we have our gear packed and ready to hit the road. Time to cover some serious miles. As many as our tired old broken down bodies will allow. 

These aren't the Smokey mountains but they sure look like they are. 

Safely across. 

Look both ways first little dear. 

Hello little dears. Don't run out into traffic or you will end up like the 6 dead relatives of yours I saw on this highway. 

I think we could've gotten this one cheap. Not convenient to schools (stores, gas, malls or anything else my family cares about). 

Suddenly all rock. Lots of it on the road. Be careful boys. 

The smoke is getting really thick now. 

There was a lot of this type of rock in the area we were riding through. It was more greenish than the pics show. 

You can really see how thick the smoke is. Mostly on the right.  

I have a thing for split rail fences.