07/10/07:  Fueled up and ready to go.  Looks as if we may not need to get up too early as my Dad is talking about stopping in Leavenworth for a quick stop before getting to our first stop. (any extra sleep is always appreciated)  Our first day is to take us from Seattle to Cashmere and then off to Spokane and to Kellogg Idaho.

07/11/07

We made it to Kellogg!!  Great day of riding but very hot at times. 102 was the hottest I saw on my temp gauge.  Good news is it looks as if the next days will be cooler.  Actually left on time from Seattle and made it over to Leavenworth by 9:00.  Waited for the others to join us for a bit but not too bad.  After Dad and Lindy picked up some hats at the hat shop we headed to Spokane.  Lunch in Coulee city, and then off to meet up with two more in Spokane.  Made it to the hotel about 4:30 so plenty of time to cool down and send Justin down for a swim.  Actually sitting here pool side as Justin swims.  Didn't take a lot of pictures today but below are some.  Off to Billings we go at 6:00 in the morning. Time to join him in the pool.

Leaving in the morning

Waiting at the Hat Shop

Justin found a Keg hat

The only picture of me so far

Pictures of my Dad (J.R.)

Pictures of my Step Mom (Lindy)

07/12/07:

Hello from Billings MT.  Today was much cooler then yesterday, but still got up to about 92 at the warmest.  We left pretty early (6:00 am) so the morning was nice and cool and we didn't hit 80+ until 4 hours into the ride at least.  We covered a lot of miles today as this was our longest day so far.  Almost 500 miles today.  (yes my bottom was sore and we were both were very happy to get to the Hotel)  We still forgot to give the camera to someone else to take our picture so maybe day 3 is the magic day.  Lunch at McDonalds and we ordered in pizza (no one wanted to ride to a restaurant).  Hotel is great as it has a water slide (click here for video).  Best news is we have a easy day for Friday (Only about 300 miles)  We may go and see some of the sites but haven't decided as of yet. (guess you have tune in Saturday to find out)  Off to Rapid City we go with a stop at Sturgis!

Most important is we are having a great time and it is been a treat to spend this time with Justin.  (Hopefully he says the same)

07/13/07:

What a great day!  Good start with low temps in Billing.  We went off of I-90 to I-212 and it was what you see cross country rides should be like.  Good speeds, good roads, and great views.  We stopped a few times, including a stop at both the Lehman Shop (both of the trikes with us have kits from Lehman), and Sturgis. (we kind of stood out there a bit)  Got to the hotel early and everyone was too tired to join Justin and I at the wind caves. (They missed out on this one)  Justin and I took off for another 130 mile round trip ride to the wind caves.  We ended up only by luck going thru Custer State Park.  Not the quickest route to the caves but AMAZING!!  Great ride in with great curves and wild life everywhere.  When we finally got to the caves we made the next tour in about 15 minutes and both enjoyed the caves.  After hours in the hot temperatures the caves were well needed.  We are off to Wall Drugs in the morning (It's actually the 100 year anniversary when we are there) after a ride through the Black Hills.  After I am sure will be hours of hanging out at Wall Drug then off to the next hotel.  Should be an easy day, and after this one its well deserved.

Quick note to say thank you to all that have made this possible for Justin and I to hang out together.  You know who you are!!

Way to tired to type more.  Off to bed.

07/14/07:

Another day down and just a few miles from our final destination.  Today was a mix of wonderful views and roads to hot and windy I-90.  Today only hit 95 and we only had about 300 miles to do, but it felt like 115 and 800 miles.  The wind was hitting us from the left side and it felt as if you were in a constant turn to the same direction.  Very happy when we made it to the hotel and went to the pool as soon as we could.  We get to sleep in a little (if you don't take into affect we are now two hours ahead).  The plan is to take off at 9:00 and head over to the corn palace. (Don't ask, but I will fill you in at the next post)

07/15/07:

Justin as he wrote his post (and no he didn't get the king bed)

We Made it!!  Today was a nice easy day 79 miles and upper 80's for the temp.  We slept in this morning and went to the corn palace.  http://www.cornpalace.org/

After we took a quick tour of the corn palace we headed for the hotel here in Sioux Falls.  Although the activities don't start until Monday already a lot of people are here and just as many bikes.  It was good to see my brother and his family.  It should be a good week here.  Although like I said most activities start on Monday, today we did have a welcome dinner.  It was pretty good to be able to take a whole table there just for our family.

07/18/2007:

OK, so the idea was to post everyday.  I'll try and catch up now.  The get together has been interesting and from what I can tell Justin has been having fun.  The time we have spent together has been pretty amazing and I would recommend everyone find the time to do this one on one with there kids at some time.  

Monday was the first real day of the gathering so we started with a opening ceremony and the last 20 years of the GWTA gatherings.  It's a birthday theme so lots of balloons and candy and birthday goodies.  We went to the first timers meeting and then off to the vendors.  Too many ways to spend money.  Sent Justin off to the hotel that my brother was staying at and Justin spent time with his cousins on the water slides.  The day ended with a 80's dance theme and casino.  I think I created a monster but Justin and I cleaned house at the casino.  Justin made about $10,000.00 and I made about $20,000.00.  This is in fake money but will be able to be used at the end for things to bring home.  We finished off with a ride out to an  ice cream store with about 60 bikes.

Tuesday started off with a gathering at the airport for the National Guard for a picture opportunity with the bikes spelling out GWTA and the riders made a 20 for what is called a living logo.  They then sent up a helicopter to take pictures.  I will try to get them to post.  Justin and I then caught up on laundry and off to a water park (it reminded me of the movie Fields of dreams) out in the middle of the farms.  Although small it was still pretty fun, but way to HOT! After too many hours in that heat we came back to the hotel to the pool here and must have stayed in the indoor pool for hours.  We had tickets to the All Star game here for the AA team (I think) but it was too hot and humid so after just a few minutes of being there we took off and back to the hotel.  We went back out for the fireworks and light parade but lightening and hail forced the light parade to be canceled.  Back to the hotel again to hang out with my Dad and Step mom.

Today we down to the convention center for the bike games and took second place.  Bike games are usually skilled based games involving the bike with something.  One example of this would be a ring toss that the passenger had to toss the rings while the driver rode up the cones.  Then into the family games we went and you should see some pictures of Justin doing one of them.  After this was the bike show so we helped out and actually became one of the judges for the show.  Finally back to the hotel then we walked downtown to the Hot summer nights and about 300 corvettes, 300 Harleys, and another 300 goldwings.  This took over most the downtown area as you can imagine.

As you can see not too much time to be lazy.  One day of the convention left then off on the road again.

07/19/07:

Today was the last day here at Gold Rush.  Ended up spending most of the day at the convention center with an interesting and fun closing ceremony.  We didn't win the goldwing but was able to get another award for family games (2nd place) and watched some pretty entertaining acts.  Time to get packed up for the ride home as we leave in the morning.

07/20/07:

Day one of the ride back and although a warm one this has to be one of the most interesting days so far.  We went to the Minute Man II Silo and launch facility for a full tour.  This is something I would recommend to anyone that finds themselves in the Rapid City area of South Dakota.  After we finished the tour, off to Rapid City we went in 100 degree temperatures.

07/21/07:

Today Justin and I took off early with the idea of making it further then Billings.  We took I-90 and stopped at Devils Tower.  By the time we got close to Billings the Temps had hit about 102 so we decided to call it a day and go swimming for the afternoon.  Just to give you a sense of how hot it was, Justin and I completely soaked ourselves with water and 30 minutes later were completely dry.  That's when you know its time to get off the bike.

07/22/07:

Today we Rode, and Rode, and Rode.  We took off pretty early as we wanted to beat the heat.  We made such good time that we decided to push on.  We actually made it all the way home today from Billings (about 850 miles).  Feels good to be home but sad that my private time with Justin is over.

07/23/07

Great trip and I wanted to leave with some facts for everyone.  we covered about 3,570 miles, and averaged about 39 miles per gallon.  Both Justin and I enjoyed this trip so much and I look forward to another trip either with Justin or one of my other great kids.

Thanks for all who kept up with us and for everyone who made this possible.

IT IS HOT!!!! Hot Hot Hot! Super hot that the air we passed by on the motorcycle feels hotter than it has ever been in Seattle. My dad was mean and didn't tell me that I had a seat heater until after we got through the coldest part of the trip. We also saw some dust storms that were huge!! but I didn't take any pictures of them but they looked like real tornados.

07/12/07:

Today we were on the bike so long that I fell asleep like 10 times. It was a lot colder today then yesterday so I used the seat heater for most of the time. The pool felt good after the long day on the bike. I've mastered the throwing part of a boomerang but I can't get it to go exactly where I am but I'm still trying to get it.

Every one has to get Fuel

Our Picture together

From Left to Right J.R, Lindy, Bob and Helen, Frank and Sue

Another Fuel stop and Picture opportunity

Nice shots on the way in to Billings

07/13/07:

Today was an easy day and we got done fast. When we got to the hotel place we put our stuff away and went to the Wind Cave. The cave was like 58 degrees and stays that temperature all the time no mater what it is like outside. The cave was 124 miles long so far because it is still being discovered all the 124 miles is in 1 square mile. The road to the cave was like Yellowstone but without bugs and had 30 mph curves.

Some pictures from today:

Our first picture together!!

Some times you have to stretch

Fuel stop and some pictures on the ride

Heading to the wind Caves

It was like Yellow Stone

Original Entrance into the Wind cave

Pictures in the cave

07/14/07:

Today we went to the Wall centennial but on the way there we went through a place with a lot of mountains and prairie dogs on the road. We accidentally ran one of the prairie dogs over. When we were coming the prairie dog stopped but then it went forward as soon as we were passing it and we ran it over. There was a lot of them in that group that all ran at the wrong time.

Some pictures from the ride today.

07/15/07:

Today we went to the Corn Palace in the morning. It was cool to see. I remembered the do's and don'ts on a motorcycle; the do's: drink lots of liquids; don'ts: sneeze and fall asleep. My dad is taking the bigger and softer bed and making me sleep on the couch pull out. I'm going to take the king sized bed and he can have the couch.

Pictures:

Corn Palace (Actual Corn covered the walls)

Justin said I need a Wave Runner

The whole Phillips Family at the event

07/18/2007

(Justin is passed out so hopefully he will post his in the morning.  Below are some of the pictures:

Living Logo:

Bike towing a dirt bike (still at the logo)

Justin playing with a grapefruit

Some of the bikes from the show

Hot Summer nights

This bike has a 350!!

We stopped by the Car museum and Justin was offered to sit in the General Lee.

For the Elvis fans

Minute Man II Launch Control and Missile.

Devils Tower