May 8, 2018 - Day 1 to CA

Wow !!! what an amazing day.  Blue skies all day.

Several nice surprises came today. 

As Larry and I were running around this morning packing the last items, our daughter comes over.  WHAT??  It is 6:30 AM.   She stopped over early to wish us a safe journey, then she handed me  a Mother's Day card.  What a great kid !!!   That was surprise #1

Heading over the Ohio River and into Kentucky.  We have started the ride.

Next we are meeting with a few people we are riding with for breakfast and there is my brother, Ron.  WHAT??  you are supposed to be at work.  He will be joining us in Ontario.  One of his daughters graduates this weekend so he will fly out.  That is surprise #2.

Two years ago we were at the same restaurant and Larry forgot his phone.  We ask him every year now if he has it.  Well we will now be asking Brian if he has his wallet.  We were sitting waiting on breakfast to come and in walks Diane (Brian's wife).  He forgot his wallet.  Way to go Brian.  Thanks Diane for making the trip over the river to bring it.

So lets meet the crew leaving from breakfast.

Brian Dramen (aka Diesel)

 Kris Ranker (Rode to Ken and Jenny house yesterday from Pennsylvania)

 Ken and Jenny Ward (aka Catfish and Lady Jen)

 Ron Naber (no road name yet) , Jean and Larry Gault (aka Mama G and Phatman)

Ron heads back to work , so he said. As we get on the highway, we see and amazing site.  There are 4 people on the bridge waving flags and have signs , wishing us safe travels. Ron  and Connie (Jean's brother and sister) and Tim Keck and Aaron Schwarber.  Thanks all for a cool send off!!
Surprise #3.  We see this on the Run but never before.

 Here is what the signs say:

Beautiful country thru the windy roads in KY.

 We hit Elizabethtown and we add 7  more for our group.  I believe this is now getting called the "Catfish Run".

Jim and Sharon

 Ron

 Darla and Dave

Flo and Ron

Back on the road.  We were not on the road long and I noticed a lovely aroma.  Riding we normally smell things like fresh cut grass, flower trees,..... but this is one the can make your eyes water. yuck!
This semi has cows.

 Headed over the Cumberland River.  It was lots of colors.

  Take this bridge and go over the Ohio River.

We hit Illinois part way across. 

 Off the bridge ,  and on the road for maybe a mile.

 Next bridge we had over the Mississippi River.  

 Yep ,  now in Missouri.  Did  you blink?  if you did  you missed Illinois.  Pretty neat to see where Ohio and Mississippi rivers meet.

Once we hit Missouri, it was very flat.  Saw lots of tractor (BIG).  There were miles and miles of open land being plowed.  Think about when you go to grocery store. These are the guys that grow lots  of the food we get.

 If you looked at the truck on the left, you get an idea of how big those bins are.

As we end the day, I happen to catch this flag.  BEAUTIFUL.  

Total Miles = 470

Weather = 52 to 85 (nice)

Route  = I 71 to I 65 to Western Ky Parkway to I69 to St. Rt. 60

Stopped in Poplar Bluff, MO

Little Trivia: 

Throughout the trip, we will be riding on road marked:  Purple Heart Trail.  You have probably seen them. 

The Purple Heart Trail was established in 1992 by the Military Order of the Purple Heart to be a symbolic trail throughout all 50 states to commemorate and honor all men and women who have been wounded or killed in combat while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.