50/80/50 Trip Day 1 - On The Guilty Road

The Plan:  COVID does still dominate ... almost everything.  But with things like vaccines and better guidance, my family made plans to get together at my sister's in Utah.  There have been a couple "big" birthdays during the past 18 months of craziness and another coming up.  SO and my plan was to head west on the motorcycle for a long-overdue real road trip, apexing in Utah before returning home.

The Reality:  About two weeks before leaving the younger dog stopped eating.  After about a day of this I took her to the vet.  Some tests showed something was wrong, but not clearly what.  This set off several rounds of tests/procedures/specialists until immune mediated hemolytic anemia was diagnosed - basically her immune system was attacking her red blood cells.  By Independence Day weekend, she was on several medications and seemed to be feeling at least a little bit better.  But with uncertainty and needed follow-up testing, there was no way she could be kenneled.  Since my family was gathering, we decided I was to head west alone while SO abandoned her vacation.

The weeks before leaving were quite difficult.  I can think back to one of the many trips to the vet, worried about the sad, sick dog and really frustrated about a big issue at work that I could probably solve quickly if I wasn't working from home thinking, "If I had known this was what mid-life was going to be like..." - Thanks but No.

If there is a silver lining (there almost always is), if it weren't for the upcoming trip, we may have waited a bit longer to take her to the vet.  The earlier first visit gave us enough time to get a diagnosis before it turned much more critical.

I decided to take the GL instead of the Triumph to have a bit more room.  Then I changed/rethought/updated/overthought what gear I was going to bring, ultimately deciding to wear my vented mesh jacket and bring extra rain gear.  It seemed almost like cheating to not wear my trusty TourMaster jacket, but it just made more sense for traveling during the hottest part of the year - especially since I was solo.

So right around sunrise I said goodbye and hit the road.

Home to Osceola, IA:  562.3 miles

There was just a hint of fog at home, but it got heavier and patchier in spots as I rode along the familiar two-lane roads by home.  I jumped on the interstate and headed toward Indianapolis.  I guess that the observed Independence Day Holiday had everyone in Indy at home since I think this was the easiest I have ever had getting around that city.  I'll take it.

As the morning continued however, the interstate got much busier.  It wasn't terrible, but there was considerably more traffic then when I went to Minnesota a few weeks ago.  I must not have a very good imagination because I took nearly the same route I did then as well.  

I got off the interstate near Peoria, IL and it was none too soon since I was tired of it.  At first this felt like a mistake, but within a few miles traffic disappeared to almost nothing.  Rural Illinois may not have mountains, but it is pretty in its own way.  It also felt like home.

Once into Western Illinois, I saw evidence of the recent flooding and severe wind.  I saw one farmer tilling in his ruined corn - likely to replant.  At another farm I saw a huge silo sitting askew on top of a barn.  Neither of these are good situations.

I settled into the ride pretty well, but it was unsettled at the same time.  There was an overwhelming aura of guilt in this trip since it was supposed to be an adventure for both SO and I, and she was home with the dogs.  It was the right decision to make, but some things are not easy.

I crossed the Mississippi River again at Burlington and stopped for the obligatory picture.  I'm not really sure why, but I was making good time and wasn't in a hurry.

Then it was the long stretch across Iowa.  Iowa was nearly devoid of traffic.  Southern Iowa is really pretty with maybe just a hint of the Ozarks.  On a number of the hill crests, I looked over the windshield at a verdant valley and thought, "Wow, that is pretty."  

But it was also hot.  Temperatures fluctuated around 90F for most of the afternoon.  When I crossed over into Iowa, I was wishing I had picked a city farther along.  As the last few hours went on, I was looking forward to getting out of the heat and humidity.  I was thinking that the decision to wear the mesh jacket was the right one.

I stopped a half hour outside of Osceola to grab a beverage and ended up talking to a guy waiting for his wife for a while.  He was a former Harley rider and missed his riding days.

Soon enough I was in Osceola.  I got gas and went to my hotel - a locally owned operation.  No one was there, so I called the number and they checked me in remotely.  My "key" was a code on the keypad for the lock.  Often these smaller hotels still have cut keys, so this was a new one for me.  I liked it.  The room itself was super clean even if a bit old.  I do love the personalities of these types of local hotels.

Snacks and a very questionable dinner from the Hy-Vee Market ended the day.  What was less questionable with the Til the Cows Come Home Dough-Mo Arigato Mr. Roboto Ice Cream - nearly as good as Ben and Jerry's but much cheaper.  Calorically it may still have been unwise.

Back at home all still seemed to be going well with the dog.  I'm hoping this continues so I feel less guilty and am able to enjoy the time as the adventure progresses.