As far as planning the route to take my father's ashes back to Illinois, it was rather simple. Ride US 12 until it junctions with I-90 in Missoula, Montana, and basically follow it most of the way east. Dropping down into Iowa and heading due east to Chicago. Laying out the overnight stops wasn't too difficult either. Using Google Maps to estimate 7-8 hours of riding each day. In that way, if we were making good time, we could continue on farther if we decided to. We would be camping in state parks or national forests along the way. Staying in Motel 6's on some nights in areas with limited camping availability.
When we reached Sturgis, South Dakota, we have actually planned on staying two nights. Using the one full day to sightsee and take in a few historic locations in the area. It'll have been 42 years since the last time I was there, and I doubt I'll be around in another 42 years, so I plan on seeing some of the sights I missed in 1980.
I say "we" because my grandson, Nick has said he wants to go with me and has even already spoken with his employer about taking 14 days off to make the trip. That is why the schedule is 5 days to Chicago, 4 days there, and 5 days back. It may mean we face a long 12 plus hour day on that last day back, but it will be worth it to see family, friends, and countryside I haven't seen in many years. The trip back is a little straighter than the eastern route, running through Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and Oregon. But it adds the benefit to stop by and see dear friends outside of Salt Lake City, and swing past the legendary and hallowed ground of the Bonneville Salt Flats on the way back home. The last night is currently planned to be in Burns, Oregon. The map shows the route from the crossing the Cascade Mountains in Oregon, but we very well run north into Washington and cross over White Pass and drop back into Morton that way.
Working to get bikes ready to make a 5,000 mile round trip in 14 days dependably is going to be an effort. But then so is getting bodies ready to make such a trip. It will be a little bit easier mentally if some friends who are considering riding part of the way make the trip as well. One couple wants to ride with us to Sturgis, and another couple from Wisconsin are considering visiting Colorado before meeting up with us in Sturgis and riding east to Illinois with us. I am also trying to convince my cousin to ride out to Sioux Falls, Iowa, and ride back to Illinois with us the next day. We have time to make those arrangements, and others with friends along the way. But so far, everything seems to be working out and at least appearing to go well. I am hopeful it will continue to do so.
Catch ya on the road sometime...
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