Motorcycle Trip 2003
Trip Dates: Sunday, August 3, 2003 - Saturday, August 9, 2003
Travelers: Richard and Nan Becker Transportation: 1993 Honda Gold Wing Aspencade Miles Traveled: 2,304 Gas Used: 64.3 Gallons MPG: 35.45 The motorcycle trip started from Grand Forks, ND, on Sunday, August 3, 2003, at 7 A.M. Our target was to visit our daughter and her family in Breckenridge, Colo. The temp. was around 60, but was to get hot. Our first stop was 145 miles down the road into South Dakota at Dakota Magic casino. Donated a couple dollars, gassed up and headed down I-29. Stops along the way for refreshments were needed in the heat. Sioux Falls, SD, was our next stop for gas. About 175 miles South we found Omaha, Neb. At Lincoln, Neb., we followed 80 West across Neb. Our next stop was at Grand Island, Neb., for gas. Here we paid $1.69 for gas as $1.49 in Omaha, Neb. Sunday found us stopping at Kearney, Neb. for the night. It was around 7 P.M. and 683 miles from Grand Forks, ND. After a sub we checked into a Motel 6. Monday, August 4, 2003, we were up and on the road by 7 A.M. The next stop was 137 miles West at North Platte and gas. Here we paid $1.89. Seems to be going up in price, as we head West. Near the Colo. boarder we took Highway 76 heading to Denver, Colo. Another gas stop at Sterling, Colo., and then on to Denver, Colo. Arrived in Denver, Colo., around noon. Here 76 to 70 and on to daughter Michelle's. Gassed up again outside Denver, Colo., and on up the mountains headed for Michelle's place in the mountains East of Breckenridge, Colo. The elevation at Denver, Colo. is around 5,000 ft. Now we climb to some 10,300 ft. at Michelle's place. Our ears start to pop. The motorcycle never missed a beat in the climb. Arrived at Michelle's around 3 P.M. to the waiting arms of grand-daughters, Megan and baby Maddie. Their daddy was at work being a MD seeing patients. We are now about 1,125 miles from Grand Forks, ND. Tuesday, August 5, 2003, found us going into town and playing with the grandkids at a local playground. A picnic was had at the playgrounds. We also spent some time walking around town and checking out the many shops. Nan loves shopping. Lucky we have the motorcycle, so she can't be buying too much stuff, ha, ha. The rest of the evening we spent visiting and playing with the grandkids. Wednesday, August 6, 2003, we were on the road headed for Colorado Springs, Colo. Randy had the day off. Nan had hoped to meet a cousin here, but that didn't work out this time. We headed to the North Pole park. Arrived around 12 noon. Bought our daily passes and the rest of the day was spent eating and riding the rides. The place closes at 6 P.M. and Randy and Megan were some of the last ones to leave. What a tired bunch. |
Thursday, August 7, 2003, we took Megan to play school from 10:30 A.M. - 12 noon. Again the rest of us looked around Breckenridge, Colo., looking for that perfect gift to take home. After picking up Megan we stopped at KFC for lunch. Took the lunch outside of town and had a picnic down by the water. After this it was off to Wal Mart to buy fabric for curtains. The rest of the day was spent putting up rods and sewing curtains for Maddie's room. Michelle has great-grandma Becker's sewing machine. She put it to work making curtains with the help of her mother. Randy worked until 8:30 P.M.
Friday, August 8, 2003, we were on the road by 7 A.M. heading back home. This time we went through Wyoming on our way to Sturgis, S.D., to take in the motorcycle rally. Took 25 outside of Denver, Colo., and headed North to Wheatland, Wy., for gas. Next it was Lusk, Wy., and on to New Castle, Wy., for gas and a break. At New Castle, Wy., we caught Highway 85 into Lead, SD, and Sturgis, SD. Arrived at Sturgis, SD, around 5 P.M. It was cloudy, but no rain. Enjoyed walking around Sturgis, SD, for about 2 hours. It was reported around 450,000 bikers were in the Black Hills during the rally We seen thousands of them. Then we headed East on 90 to Rapid City, SD. Gassed up here and headed down 90 to Wall, SD. Here we spent the night. Saturday, August 9, 2003, we checked out the Wall Drug Store on main street before leaving town. Coffee and a few things were purchased. Our thinking was to go the whole way home to Grand Forks, ND. Kadoka, SD, found us gassing up and having breakfast. Now the bikers were also on the road heading East. Thousands of bikers could be seen on the interstate. It was hot and very much a side wind as we headed down Interstate 90. Michelle sent along a bag of homemade cookies, so we stopped often for cookies and water. At Sioux Falls, SD, we found the Corn Palace and walked around in there for awhile. Turned at Sioux Falls, SD, to Highway 29. Outside of Watertown, SD, the clouds to our North turned into a hard rain. Rain gear was put on along the road. We found an underpass up the road and spent about an hour there keeping dry while it rained hard. The rain and thunder let up so we headed for Watertown and gas. Nan wanted to tour the Redlin painting display building, but the weather looked to bad, so we kept going North. Arrived home around 9 P.M. We were tired, sunburned with sore butts, but not wet. The trip was enjoyable with no accidents. Once again the Honda performed great. We thank God for another safe bike trip. Our dog Scottie was glad to see us. |