We're on our way!

Our day started out around 5 AM with the severe crack of thunder. We had a spectacular light and sound show for about an hour. About 0530 we settled back down while the rain continued, and Marie said, simply, you're nuts, all of you, just nuts. To which I replied " Nah, this is just God cooling things down for us so we don't have to start our ride in such uncomfortably hot weather" . To which Marie again said "your all nuts".
I went out and brought the bike in from the rain so I could finish packing in the garage while the rain continued at a slower pace. By the time I said goodbye to Marie, the rain had all but stopped.
I rode to meet Doug and Jim at Jim's house through just the slightest sprinkle. By the time Doug arrived shortly after eight, the rain was gone. We started our trip with some very pleasant temperatures. Very nice riding for the 3 miles to the Sunny Side Grill where we stopped for a breakfast of omelets, home fries toast and coffee. Gotta be well fed for this kind of ordeal.
After breakfast we mounted up and headed off down Harrison Ave.  Five miles later we stopped to gas up. The bikes need food too. 
We were off and running. We headed out Harrison Ave. to State St. then on to 46 West. 46 is a pleasant run through central Indiana. We then picked up 231, another nice ride up to 36 where we again headed west. During our run through Indiana we must have passed a dozen streets named Nashville and a town called Gnaw Bone. Ok. We stopped a couple of times to fuel up and get cold drinks. As we rode the temps went steadily up.  By the time we stopped in Springfield Il. the temp. was near 90. Downright hot if you ask me.

The bikes resting in the shade

 

Doug

  

Jim

 

Another Doug 

Doug and Jim at the campground in Springfield.

We rode a total of 327 miles officially today. It was altogether not a bad day. The morning was great riding weather. The afternoon was definitely hot. Hot, but ok. We had a good dinner of beer, trail mix, tuna, and slim jims. A veritable feast! 

Tomorrow the plan i to stop at some of the Lincoln sights here in Springfield, then head on to Topeka KS.