65 Snowmobile anyone?

 

 

     It was morning and there was no question anymore concerning the weather.  We had very heavy snow falls during the night.  Our hosts tried their best to discourage a fool hardy trip on the trike.  Paul even mentioned that if he was my commanding officer he would order me not to go out.  I said if he was my commanding officer that I would obey. 
     We weren't looking forward to it either. Paul and I decided to take the four wheel drive truck and drive to the main road to see if it was doable..

     Stopping a few times to check the snow depth.  We were the first ones on the gravel road leading to their home.  When we reached  the secondary road there had been some traffic on the South lane however there was drifting on the North side of the road.  Breakfast was ready for us on our return.  A little more pressure from our friends and we packed for the cold trip home.  I helped Mary with the computer so she could follow our path as we made our way home.  After getting our rig turned around some hugs and a final word from Paul " we will leave the garage door open and if you can't make it please turn around and come back.  (I didn't have the heart to tell him that because of the incline of their driveway I knew the trike would never pull the camper back up the hill.) We will never forget this wonderful couple!
    We were committed or as others have said, we should be, who travels in weather like this? Having been raised in Minnesota we were used to winter driving.  Approaching the secondary road Ruthie kept a look out for traffic so I could keep the trike moving up the hill.  So far so good.  As we approached town their was more traffic and less snow to plow thru.  The main thing was to keep moving and stay in the tracks made by recent traffic.   We headed East on 36 past St Joseph on our way to Interstate 35.  In one of the small towns we got thumbs up from two fellows snow blowing their drive ways.   Not much cycle traffic this time of year. 


Something wrong with a trike and snow plow in the same picture!

     The snow storm had caused many accidents and their were still many in the ditch from the night before.  Along the way Ruthie came up with a new term for the cars that had slid off the road.  "Digger" And she was able to use it many times between Kansas and Des Moines Iowa.  Some were pretty serious,  There were some that had went in the ditch just before we arrived and our children mentioned that they may have driven in the ditch after seeing us on the road.   Many times cars would pull up beside us and take our picture. (they probably turned their heater up after seeing us.)

Yes, she is Okay! Just anxious to get home  note the "pigin" string from the ranch.
 

  We were bundled up against the cold, had a heated jacket liner that plugged into the cycle's electrical system and were able to make it all the way to just North of Des Moines before we called it a day.  Bundled up like we were it is easier to just keep moving if your not to uncomfortable.  We only traveled a couple of hours the next day before we stopped, planning on making it home on the third day. 

     The last day was cold however the sun was out and we were anxious to get home.

 

     We made it.  Stuck in the snow 10 feet from our deck.  Over 11,000 miles more than 120 days on a trike, 10 states, at least 5 forts, 1 aircraft carriers, many museums, 1 slippery bridge, 2 dust storms, 2 blizzards countless amazing friends, numerous hotel yogurts. Stuck in the snow ten feet from the deck. We are home safe, warm and sound.  Priceless.   Lets do this again!