Week 2 peterbrownroute66

Week 2

Sunday 15.09.13 peterbrownroute66

Not much to report today as we are heading to Milwaukee via Detroit, but on route we have been advised it can can be a bit rough so have decided to stop at Windsor which is still in Canada but on the other side of the river. The roads today have been very good and fast flowing but cars and wagons seem to over take and under take which seems to be the norm here. I have just booked our ferry tickets for tomorrow so we will have a dead line to meet.

We passed London now heading for Windsor

 

Detroit in the background

 

 

 

 

 

 

View from our window is not a patch on yesterday

 

Monday 16.09.13 peterbrownroute66

It's been a very long day we set off early this morning to get a good start but got the interigation crossing back into America. That sorted we rode through the state of Michigan up to Muskegon to catch our ferry across to Milwaukee which is in the state of Wisconsin. I didn't realise how big Lake Michigan was its 307 miles long x 118 miles wide and took 21/2hrs to cross, by the time we got to the hotel it was going on for 9.00pm fortunately we had gone through a time zone so we gained 1 hr ( now 6hrs behind Uk ).

 

Bridge that spans the two countries

 

Boarder control ( good job they didn't see us taking pictures or else we would have been locked up

 

Boarding the ferry at Muskegon

 

It was like being on a speed boat

 

 

 

 

Tuesday 17.09.13 peterbrownroute66

Well where shall I start its been a day of two halves, ( started off well then major disaster ). We will start with the good bit. Had a fabulous morning visiting the Harley Davidson museum, and would recommend it to anyone who happens to be visiting Milwaukee, there must be millions of pounds worth bikes and that's not to mention the ones they don't have on display I've already got my eye on my next bike.

 

Serial 001 off the production line in 1903

The 1918 model with sidecar cost an additional $90

2002 sportster

This bike was in the tsunami in Japan and got washed up 4000 miles away in Canada

 

My next bike

 

 

I think this bike belonged to Liberace

 

This Duo glide was made the year I was born

 

Pam fancies this one

 

Now for the disaster. We had no sooner left the museum and I heard a knocking and thought it was something working loose, then a little later the oil light came on and oil pressure dropped to zero, but by then we were on the busy freeway and had to stop on the hard shoulder. Active action plan, phone breakdown cover oops unable to contact via uk mobile. Waited ages then a couple of highway repair men came and were a god send, they even arranged for the tow truck. Then the sheriff came and offered help, and 30mins later Al from Apple Towing Ltd arrived to rescue us ( a brill guy ). It was then a 30min drive to Milwaukee Harley Davidson. The guys there were fabulous and got straight to work, but it wasn't to long before they gave me the bad news. The oil pump had failed causing metal parts to break up and do major damage to the crank shaft, so it looks like Bertha will be in hospital for a few days.

 

Leaving the museum and everything was fine

 

These two guys were brilliant

 

He was going to give us a ticket for parking on the hard shoulder

 

Apple tow trucks to the rescue

 

Big Al was great and did us a good deal and was very grateful for his help

 

Now it's all down to these guys to get us back on the road

 

 

 

Oo'h this looks expensive

 

Plan B:- Not to spoil our adventure I've hired another bike and will continue our trip to Chicago while the Harley doctors make her better. If its not fixed plan c will come in, "only problem is I don't have one".

Looking good as plan B kicks into action

 

Wednesday 18.09.13 peterbrownroute66

Had a good ride down to Chicago. O'h that reminds me I need to pay the fine over the internet for taking the fast lane through the toll booth. I blame Jane ( that's Tom Tom Jane ) she told me to keep left and when I realised it was to late. I admitted the felony at the other end and the guy in the booth said if I don't pay within 3 days the sheriff will come after us.

Now checked into our hotel and have had a good afternoon sight seeing but have more planned for tomorrow.

 

 

Just leaving Milwaukee

 

Chicago in the background

The metal structure above is the elevated train track

 

Buckingham fountain at Grant Park

 

 

Another shot of Buckingham fountain

 

Bike update

There's been alot of emailing to and from the UK and I've now had an update on the bike and its not looking good. Another new engine has been ordered and have been advised it may take 7 to 10 days to arrive ( my very very best mate Dave, I hope he's reading this said he would try his best to get it sooner ). Dave has had to do a lot of bullying and it looks like Harley Davidson will now replace it under warranty.

We are just in the middle of a mega thunder storm so have ordered a pizza delivery to the room

 

Thursday 19.09.13 peterbrownroute66

Had a brilliant day and like New York, Chicago has exceeded our expectations. We thought we were going to be in for a wet day but the clouds started to clear and even had some sunshine. We went to the Chicago Tribune Tower which is of neogothic design completed in 1925, and incorporates stones from other historical sites around the world into the facade of the building. Then it was off to millennium park to look at the waterfall which has faces that move or cascading streams running through ( pictures don't do it justice ). Then went to the giant bean which was brilliant for photos. The highlight of the day was a trip up Willis Tower which was the tallest structure in the world for over 20 years. We shot up to the 103th floor in 60 seconds, but the hard bit then was to take the leap of faith onto a piece of glass with nothing below.

 

Chicago Tribune Tower

Stones from Westminster Abbey & Scotland

 

The water cascades from the top his facial expressions change as well

 

The polished steel bean was fantastic

 

 

View from inside can you see us

 

Incredible

 

 

You feel that you are actually standing on the edge

 

 

The clouds were whizzing by

 

Action Plan B is now sorted

We will continue with our trip but go no further that St Louis ( that puts us just under 400miles from Milwaukee via the freeway which we will have to do in one day )

Route 66 blog

Friday 20.09.13 peterbrownroute66. Get Your Kicks On Route 66

Well we're off but we did cheat a little bit and took the fast route to get out of Chicago. Our 1st stop was at Willmington to see the Gemini Giant, and then it was off to Gardner to visit the old jail house and street car. Next stop was Dwight which was a lovely little town with plenty to see. We have now checked into our hotel in Pontiac. After unpacking we went back into the town to visit the museums. We met two large tour groups on bikes and I'm so glad we are doing our own thing. Up to now I'm pleased with programming of Jane and she seems to be behaving herself, also the roads are well signed ( up to now anyway )

 

This is where it all starts

 

Gemini giant to attract travellers of Route 66 to stop for a drink

 

Honest sheriff I paid the fine over the Internet

 

Beautiful grain tower in Dwight

 

Old filling station in Odell

 

Pontiac museum was better than the Route 66 one

 

 

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One of many murals in Pontiac

These look like proper shop fronts

 

Route 66 blog

Saturday 21.09.13 peterbrownroute66. Get Your Kicks On Route 66

Had a fab day riding Route 66 the sun was shining, radio on and with very little traffic on the road I was in the grove. I'm very pleased with the quality of the roads and signage in the state of Illinois, we have passed through Chenoa, Lexington, Towanda, Bloomington, Shirley, McLean, Atlanta, Lincoln, Williamsville, and now at Springfield. We have passed through miles of flat countryside with grain fields on both sides of the road.

 

Abandoned section of Route 66

 

 

 

Dixie Truck Stop started as a sandwich shop in 1928

 

Another giant called the Muffler Man

 

 

The town of Atlanta was like stepping back in time

 

Old filling station at Williamsville

 

We were told rubbing the nose of Abraham Lincoln gives you good luck ( we need it )

 

Look at the shine on that now

 

Abraham Lincoln's Tomb

 

 

Abraham Lincoln's House in Springfield

 

The wholes street has been preserved with ones like this

 

That completes our week 2. Click on newer post on the bottom left to get to week 3

Don't forget to comment 1st please

Get your kicks on peterbrownroute66