Day 1 – Tennessee to Missouri
Of Leaving Late, Long Roads, and Law Enforcement
Our preparations were frenzied.
We were supposed to leave first thing Thursday morning, and we surely had our hands full the previous days… Bike maintenance, luggage installation, parts that were shipped late, saying goodbye to friends and fiance.
It was nuts!
Wednesday (D-Day Minus One), was “final follow up day” and it was great, we tied up a lot of loose ends, went for a “Farewell ride” across the TN countryside with some friends and did some last minute wrenching on our bikes.
Here’s “Southern Boy” Josh/ Jolly working on Ethan’s front sprocket.
The next morning we woke up bright and early (aka: We overslept) hopped in my car and rushed into town. Before we could leave, we had some welding that needed to be done, and I had to pick up my hard bags from the Post Office that randomly closes early (Noon!) on Wednesdays.
After dropping off the windscreen parts that needed to be welded, we grabbed the hard bags and installed them in record time. Then, a quick trip to the DMV to get my bike properly registered, and a Prayer, and we were off!
As we rode through Dayton, I felt something like an explorer or a pioneer (I know, I know it sounds fruity lol 
two bikes fully loaded and setting off on a ride that few people would ever attempt to make. It was a pretty cool feeling!
On the road to Crossville, I discovered that I CAN in fact drag a knee on my bike, even with the full luggage installed 
(Definitely an accomplishment for me, and it’s fun!).
Our first stop was a gas station near Cookeville, where we met the lady that Ethan mentions in his post below. I snagged this shot to commemorate the first stop of this great adventure.
Moments after I took that photo, a trucker walked over to let us know that there was some major traffic on I-40 Westbound so we should hop on a back road (hwy 70) which ended up being a GREAT ride! Knee dragging corners, clean and smooth… It was a blast!
Of course being pulled over wasn’t the best, but such is life (See Ethan’s post for more info).
We finally arrived in Nashville after riding for almost 5 hours (Traffic!), we rolled into Opry Mills mall and had a much needed and delicious lunch with my dear friend Freya and her friend Amanda… It was great!
(Freya and I as we were getting ready to roll again)
By this time, we were already experiencing some serious heat… Riding through traffic had proven to be hellish and even with the water bladders we’d installed in our tank bags, we were still dying from the heat. After confronting more traffic on our proposed route, we jumped off the Interstate and headed North West on beautiful back roads towards Kentucky.
Our first sunset on the trip…
Our destination for this leg was the Homeschool Alumni Reunion in Mount Vernon, MO… After all of the traffic and delays we knew we wouldn’t be able to safely make it there in one day, so we decided to ride until we found a motel.
That came a full State later in “Future City” Illinois… The ride there, had been wonderful… Lots of miles, gorgeous scenery and finally, crossing the Mississippi (Always a monumental achievement!).
Why, oh WHY then, did we have to wake up to look out our window (at 6AM no less) knowing that we had to ride 8 hours through THIS:
A new update coming soon folks
From Nebraska,
Ethan’s Side –
After taking care of last minute business i.e. Eric finally getting his bike registered, picking up hard bags and installing them in the parking lot. We packed our bags, locked our cars, said a prayer and were on our way.
Leaving at 12:30 p.m. we headed north up 27 to 68 which we took to Crossville which was a fun ride full of grand views and sweeping turns. Before getting on I-40 we stopped to fuel up and fill our camel baks with water. At the gas station an older lady asked us the question that will most likely repeated throughout our trip. “Where are you boys headed?†We told her our destination and she replied that she was actually from Alaska and wished she could go with us The back window of her pickup was filled with old Alaska license plates. Providentially a truck driver stopped and informed us that I-40 was backed up with traffic so we headed out 70 W towards Nashville.
The alternate route turned out to be both a blessing and a curse. Blessing-wise if was a fun road to ride on, plenty of hills and tight corners but perhaps it was just a little too fun. As we came out through the mountains the road became long, smooth and straight. Heading down a small hill we saw ahead of us a black Chevy Impala pause then pull out directly in front of us. We both slammed on our brakes as the car quickly accelerated in front of us.
Such are the ways of cars and motorcycles, each a bane to the others existence. When a passing zone appeared we passed the car to leave the crazy woman driver behind. We came up on a truck and quickly passed as well with my bike finishing the pass just as the passing zone closed. To our surprise the Impala passed as well and began to tailgate us. Eric waved me to slow down and pull over to let mrs. crazy pass, when the lights came on. It was an unmarked, plainclothes officer 
She had us for speeding, passing on a double yellow and as icing on the cake Eric did not have proof of insurance with him. sigh. But after chatting for a while with her and the other sheriff that came up she let us go. It’s amazing what a little respect and smiling will do
After that incident we drove (albeit slower) into Nashville where me met some people for lunch. It was well over a hundred degrees and humid so we took our time eating. After Dinner we hit the road again heading southwest on I-40 to avoid traffic then took back roads all the way up to Cairo Illinois. It was a pleasant ride, watching the sun set and listening to Johnny Cash on my iPod. After dark we stopped for gas and I let Eric borrow my iPod because my ears were getting a little sore. A few miles down the road he pulled over and announced that the iPod had fallen from his tank bag we took a short hike up the road to look for it but to no avail. We mounted up again and road the rest of the way to Cairo, a small town on the Mississippi river.
At 11pm central time we pulled into a Days Inn, paid the inflated prices of a supply and demand market where the two are not balanced and hit the proverbial hay.
No Comment
wow! Great pics! I love the sunset one! I look forward to more updates!
Oh, you’re making me wish I were there!
BTW, blessings on your trip. The pics were a nice addition. I’m looking forward to following your adventures. be safe and have fun!
You doods be careful. Interstates suck!
wow…that sounds like sooooo much fun! i like that pic of the sunset….very cool
Hey Eric and Ethan, coolI am the 1st to comment. Just wanted to let you both know I am praying for you. May God continue to bless y’alls trip. ~Elizabeth
Wow, I feel so priviledged seeing your pics and commenting…1st
haha
The 1st sunset pic is my favorite! Keep praying at all times and glorify the Lord for all you see. Praying for God to use you both, for travel safety, fun, joy in the journey, and will add weather to that…. hugs and Lord bless to you both, Jenny K.
This is an excellent idea! Now all your fans/friends can follow your adventures, blessings and mishaps…of course covered in prayer.
Hey guys. I must say I’m fighting the temptation to be envious, being that my bike is 1000 dollars from being rideable, and a 50 hour work week won’t pay my bills. Get some pictures of Western South Dakota and Northeast Wyoming/Montana for me!!! If you need advice on places to stay, eat, rest, etc…give me a call!
Eric, I know exactly what you mean about feeling like an explorer. I always do when I drive to a new part of the country. It’s a great feeling, and I can’t wait to break free from corporate life so I can do what you are doing.
Keep us up to date, and this time, try not to run into any poles.
Looks like a good start to a great trip. You are a true modern-day explorer. May God always be with you.
Let’s hope that will be your last brush with the law on the trip! It would be good if that were your biggest adventure, too.
Nebraska already! Wow, you are really moving. I thought you’d be taking a bit mire time. I know you have a lot of mileage planned, but you may finish early at this rate.
I can’t wait to see all the photos.
In case you don’t have time to read blogs, I found a room to rent. But someone who should have been trying to help gave me a bad reference, so the landlord has me on probation for a month.
Hey Eric and Ethan, looks like you all are having fun. Wish I could be doing a trip like that! You guys be safe and keep us posted on the ETR. Doug
Good stuff! Glad you guys were able to get out of the ticket! I’m anxious to read the rest of your journal.
Blessings,
BP
We love to travel off the interstate…it’s the best way to REALLY see the country… Prayers are with you!!
Thanks for your prayers!! Praying for you, too. Love to see you! BE SAFE!! (The mom in me just HAD to say it!)