Missionary Rider

Yes, you'll find a good representation here from PGR and we welcome you to join us. You do not have to be a veteran in order to honor a fallen hero. There are no local meeting places although we do enjoy getting together for a potluck or a burger now and then - you get close to people you weep with at funerals. There are no requirements for attendance, just come when you can. #1 -above all else - it's not about us. It's all about the men and women in uniform we honor, the flag they serve under, and the country they protect. Lynn

Took the ERC course just over a year ago on my previous bike, a Vstar 1100. Need to do it again on the Venture. Lynn

Man, we are missing the Gold Coast! The church there is in the process of getting a new pastor. That will delay our return for a while. Normally, we are there every-other-year but now it looks like we may not make it back there for about 18 months. Hopefully we can get together for a ride during the months I'm there. Lynn

Brenda and I are in our easy chairs at home. We put in over 8,000 miles and enjoyed the trip more than we could possibly describe. We were blessed to be able to spend seven weeks doing this and so spend a week with our kids and grandkids in the Baltimore area and then another week with elderly parents in Alabama. We did Yellowstone, Sturgis/Mt Rushmore/the Badlands as well as the Blue Ridge Parkway and Deals Gap all in one long trip. A friend said the bike would be for sale when we got home. It is NOT. In fact, we're dreaming of another trip some day soon. I never had to call on VR assistance but what a blessing to know you were there (and so am I if I'm needed). Neither did I get to meet many of you along the way. There just wasn't time. Yes, I know I need to redo my map and add those last two "new" states. I just couldn't wait to share my joy with this group - people I know will understand our excitement over a once-in-a-lifetime kind of ride. Lynn

Brenda and I rode the Blue Ridge Parkway last week. You don't want to start in Ashville. IMHO the section from Cherokee to Ashville is the BEST section of all. The section just north of Ashville is closed (or was last week) for construction. Maps for the parkway are available online and are very handy when printed. Our ride included both the parkway and Skyline drive. There is no gasoline available on the parkway but there is on Skyline drive. The speed limit on the parkway is 45 and 35 on Skyline Drive. Others may squawk but I would do the section from Cherokee to Ashville and then hit the freeway to Roanoke and finish the trip on the parkway and Skyline drive. Just my opinion but it is at least an experienced opinion. Lynn (Home today after an 8,000 mile ride)

That is really strange! Because when I arrived here in MD I discovered that mine is missing too! I suspect it left me at the motel in MN and I didn't notice it until here (althought the PA turnpike is so rough it could have bailed out on it's own). I had not priced it yet but am distraught that you say it is $190!!!! I only want the chrome piece. Not the whole fender. Lynn

I know it takes time after a long ride to post such a detailed report but I, for one, appreciate it. I had just as soon read what you wrote as buy another motorcycle magazine hoping for a similar story. I read every word and enjoyed it! Thanks! Brenda and I were in Key West one July. I thought she was gong to pass out form the heat - and that's when we lived in Florida and thought we were accustomed to the weather. Interesting comment on the pillow top seat. I mean, it just LOOKS so comfy. We've done a coupleof 12 hour rides and I wondered if a pillow top would have been an improvement. Perhaps not. As for Gettyburg, this area (we're within a few miles right now) is beutiful in the summertime but you sure want to avoid I-95 and DC coming this way. Ride safely Lynn (Leaving tomorrow on Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway for a few days in AL before heading back home to AR)

Brenda and I are leaving MD Tuesday to ride down Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway. We plan on riding the Dragon before spending a few days with elderly parents in AL on our way back to AR. I've posted a few pictures of our Yellowstone ride in my photo album. Those on facebook can see more photos at http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=639519006 Lynn

RE: Our ride of a lifetime I can't believe we attended Sunday morning services in Rapid City, South Dakota, and just ate supper with our daughter near Washington DC this Tuesday evening. We arrived safe and dry, thank the Lord. For those who know of our ride through the blizzard in Montana, we had a great ride to Olympia, Washington then back to Yellowstone. This time the weather was great! The pass over the Bighorn National Park was awesome - Mt Rushmore - indescribeable! We have a week to spend here with our daughter, son-in-law and 3 grandkids. Then we head back to Arkansas via the Blueridge Parkway. The only trouble we've had (other than the blizzard on two Montana passes) is that my Piggybacker XL is EATING TIRES. 6,000 miles plus and counting Missionary Rider

Just crossed two 6,000 foot mountain passes in Montana in blowing snow and wet roads. The Avons never slipped once.

Rode Highway 12 from Missoula, Montana, to Lewiston, Idaho, today. What a ride! Over the high pass and down to the Lochsa Lodge for breakfast and then follow the raging river for over a hundred miles. If you get a chance, make this ride! Lynn Yes, I know. I need to change my states visited. But tomorrow I'll add WA and OR. I'll change it then

Well, we lost Yellowstone to snow in the passes. Instead, we rode to Billings and visited the Little Big Horm Battlefield and Museum in Hardin, MT. Leaving there and to our KOA Kabin in Greycliffe, we rode winds that were reported to be 70mph gusts! Sure is rough on the fuel mileage! We left Greycliffe this morning. The Lord just delivered us over two 6,000 foot passes covered with snow. The first, Bozeman Pass, was really nerve wracking. The road was narrow and the traffic was really heavy. Snow was falling and piling up on the sides of the road but there didn’t seem to be any ice on the road. What a blessing it was when we started down the west side and the snow turned to rain again. We rode through downtown Bozeman and I noticed a car that had followed us through the pass following us into town. I thought, “Lord, is that an angel you sent to follow us to watch over us?” Laugh all you like. It was a comfort to know that he/she was back there and never tried to pass us even though I was going pretty slowly. It was like whoever it was had decided to keep an eye on us. When we stopped at a gas station at the edge of Bozeman, God sent us some more help. One guy told us the weather forecast and the number to call for road conditions. Then another man came along who said he had also followed us over the pass and pulled into the gas station behind us. He convinced us we were wasting our time going to Virginia City (our tourist destination for the day). He runs a brochure business and visits all the tourist sites. He said that 10 years ago, Virginia City was a great place but that now it is a waste of time (no doubt someone here will disagree). He was there on Monday and said there were 3 people in the whole town and that it would be worse today because of the cold weather. I didn’t get his name but I think it was Angel. We took his advice and headed back to the interstate to go West toward Missoula. The second pass, Pipestone Pass, didn’t look as threatening as the first. We had been told it would be no big deal. When we approached the pass, an orange warning light was flashing to tell us to check an AM weather broadcast. The broadcast said the pass was receiving snow, that there was ice on the road and it was packed with snow. We were meeting 18 wheelers and a few RVs and there was a big triple trailer rig behind us and he wasn’t stopping, so I decided to try to get over the pass. The scenery was beautiful until it started snowing so hard that we couldn’t see anything but the road in front of us – and not much of that. On the first mountain pass, my windshield got a few spots of ice on it but on the second, it was totally covered with snow. Whiteout! The only way I could see to drive was to reach around with my glove and wipe off a small corner so I could see. Thankfully, though the snow was HEAVY and piling up on he shoulders, there was no ice or sluch on the road. Again we were grateful when we started down but this time the snow didn’t stop! We pulled into the first Butte, Montana, exit and found a Wendy’s for chili and a sandwich. After a week on the road staying at KOAs Brenda said she didn't want to wade the snow to an outside toilet tonight. I called the local Comfort Inn and booked a room. They only had one room which they gave us at the rate of the room I asked for – a huge discount. We are in the BRIDAL SUITE!! Isn’t God good! The desk clerk even let us park the bike on the sidewalk under an awning by the front door so that it can be seen from the front desk. We are NOT going to Missoula today and the forecast doesn’t look too good for tomorrow either. We will rest here and see what the weather looks like tomorrow. We are only 340 miles from Lewiston, ID and we can do that in half-a-day if we need to. We want to be in Lewiston Friday night and that looks very doable. Drastically improved weather is forecast for Friday. Again, thanks for your prayers. Pray for clearing weather and continued safety. Lynn Missionary Rider

We checked the forecast before leaving Vilonia (30 miles N of Little Rock) and saw the forecast for Hail and damaging wind in Tulsa - our planned overnight. Instead, we stopped in Sallisaw, OK, even though it made a very short first day. I couldn't leave till I finished the yardwork anyway. The change worked! We had NO RAIN in Sallisaw and passed through Tulsa in the dry. We rode no rain today at all. What we did have was horrendous wind. For 100 miles it was to our back, heavenly. The rest of the time it really beat us up. I had planned on staying in the tent tonight in Wakeeny, KS but the 30-35mph winds were not condusive to tents so we rode on to the next KOA to stay in a Kabin. These things are nice. I may never get Brenda into that tent! 635+miles today and we enjoyed it, even with the wind. Tomorrow we'll make a leisurely 200 mile ride to Thornton (Denver) CO. Sunday is a work day (the Lord's Work) for me and we'll be back on the road Monday. God is Good! Lynn

I've been hesitant to publicize it but Brenda and I leave tomorrow (June 5) for the ride of a lifetime. 1st Leg: Little Rock to Denver (preaching there Sunday) then Yellowstone. After two days in the park, on to Lewiston, ID & Spokane WA for church meetings. Then a few days in Olympia WA (preaching again and visiting with missionary friends) with a quick visit to Canada. 2nd Leg: Olympia WA to Rapid City SD to visit Mt Rushmore and preach for a friend. From there a hard fast ride to Sykesville MD (near DC) to spend a week with my daughter, son-in-law and 3 grandkids. 3rd Leg: From MD back to Little Rock via the Blueridge parkway with a 5 day stopover to visit aged parents in AL. In all, we will hit 22 states and be on the road for 7 weeks. Except for the ride from SD to MD, we plan on taking it relatively easy with a few days on the road and then a few days visiting with friends. The Piggybacker XL is loaded and we are exicted. Maybe we'll see some of you along the way. Lynn

Bill, Congratulations on the wing. Which dealership are you visiting down this way? Lynn in Vilonia, AR (half-way between Searcy and Little Rock)

When we lived in Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa (were there 12 years) another missionary friend had her rose bush stolen from her front yard. When she went to the nursery to buy a replacement, there was her rose bush. She confronted the owner saying, "Did you steal that bush from my front yard?" He replied, "I don't know. Where do you live?"

Kenny, Sorry, Brother, to hear about your injuries. Hope you are much better now. I finally got to a spot with internet so I'm trying to catch up reading on the site. God bless Lynn Currently in Mexico City, leaving tomorrow for Chiapas

38 years in Dec. Come grow old with me, the best is yet to be!

Started out with an HJC modular - good helmet but you have to take a razor blade to the liner to put a headset in it. No such problem with my Fulmer Modus. I like the protection and the convenience. Lynn

Avast

Just rode the bike home with new stock-sized Avons and the leveling links. Did short tryout in the parking lot but didn't want to try a real rodeo until I put a few more miles on (wear off the new coating). The Avons make a HUGE difference rolling into the curves (you should see my commute from North Little Rock to Otto!). This beast thinks it's a sport bike! Yes, guys, I know I should have trashed the Bridgestones sooner but I'm just TOO CHEAP. Lynn

I agree. Don, you're dong a marvelous job and my $25 donation is long overdue. Thanks for a wonderful site. Lynn (Temporarily home from Mexico)

Can't post a picture. My bike's in the states and I'm in Mexico but when I bought my 06 RSMV it came with a nice looking cup holder. It took me a while to figure out it is a bicycle cup holder from walmart with the top loop sawed off. I bought a spare just in case. Cost about $4. Lynn, currently in Zacatecas Aguas Calientes, Colima, Cuidad Valles, Rioverde, Queretaro and Mexico City to go

I resemble that remark Lynn, currently in Zacatecas, Mexico

Ditto on open office, though it lacks a clone for Publisher. Pdf factory for creating pdf's Esword for Bible Study Kompozer for web pages Audacity for editing sound Filezilla for transferring files Avast antivirus (must less obtrusive and frustrating than AVG Zone Alarm firewall SynToy for managing my large external hard drive And finally and perhaps biggest of all for a missionary like me - Skype for cheap calling worldwide. Currently in Zacatecas, Mexico Lynn