June 10, 2009
I pulled out at about 9:00 AM and headed north on I-35 for Oklahoma City. The RT really wanted to stretsh its legs but me being cheap, I kept the speed down. The first gas stop was in Norman, and it looks like I’m getting around 48 mpg. After lunch and fuel, I continued north and picked up I-44 in Oklahoma City and headed east toward my destination, Springfield, MO. The ride was good and went fast thanks to the 75 mph limit on the Oklahoma turnpikes. The bike really ate up the miles! One more gas stop in Joplin, MO (have I mentioned how much I love the fuel capacity?) and I was on the home stretch. I pulled in to Springfield at around 5:20, got a room, and unpacked the bike.
The
Bill Mayer saddle is amazing. My jacked up back gave up before my backside did. I couldn’t have done 230 miles on the stock saddle, but it was no big deal.  Definitely 2 cheeks up!

June 11, 2009
It was an interesting morning…  I got a late start due to having to wait for the cops to show up at the convenience store I was filling up at.  There was a disturbed individual giving the clerk a really hard time.  Once statements were taken I got back on the road, heading to Dorchester, IL.
The ride was good, the bike continued to perform wonderfully, and the rain held off until I was about 15 miles from the farm.  Rain gear donned, I rode past the corn fields and farms to today’s (and the weekend’s) destination.
Tomorrow I’m heading up to Springfield to meet my graduate advisor and get an I’d card, and then on to Peoria to spend some time with my son.
Mileage for the day: 275

June 12, 2009
Today’s leg of the trip was a bit shorter, but just as much fun.  I headed out from the farm to
UI-Springfield to get my student ID and meet my advisor for a promised tour of campus.  After the obligatory DMV like experience and the campus tour, I grabbed a quick lunch and got back on the road to Peoria. It was good to see Reese, he liked the Lego set I brought up. We went out to Chili’s for dinner, then played some Uno, where he beat me soundly more often than not.
Mileage for the day: 154

June 13, 2009
Another short hop, just running back from Peoria to the farm. The weather held for the most part, but just outside of Springfield it monsooned again, but the rain gear held and it was dry the rest of the way in. I spent the rest of the day catching up with friends and enjoying some most excellent pork tenderloin for dinner.
Mileage for the day: 122

June 14, 2009
All good things must come to an end, and today was it for the party. After taking down the tent and packing the bike up, I pointed it south on I-55, heading for Fayetteville, AR. The ride was smooth, the sun was out, and no significant issues. When I got to Springfield, MO I hopped off the Interstate on to US-160, then to US-60, then to MO-37. I picked up US-62 at Gateway and rode it over to I-540 and in to the hotel. After getting the bike unpacked and myself cleaned up I got a cab over to the
Hog Haus for some really good brews.
Mileage for the day: 388

June 15, 2009
Last day of the trip. I packed the bike up, ate some breakfast and hit the road, heading south on I-540 past Fort Smith, continuing on US-71 to Y City where I got on US-270 and got in to Mena in time for lunch. After a great meal of Mexican food I got back on the road and got on the Talimena Parkway for the highlight of the homeward bound leg. The parkway is great, the scenery is amazing, and it’s definitely a fun ride. I didn’t take too many pictures because I was too busy enjoying the twisties. I got back on US-271 in Talihina and took it over to US-70, heading west. My advice, stay off of it. There’s a lot of construction and it was down to one lane in places and 45 MPH for long stretches due to loose gravel. I picked up US-75 in Durant, OK and beat feet for home. Finally pulling in at around 5:20 PM.
Mileage for the day: 414
Total miles: 1824