I just couldn’t stand the thought of not riding another weekend. I’ve got a fuel quick connect leak on the Glide caused by a corroded O-ring, so every time I connect my fuel line, gas gushes out. Not the worst problem to have. The worst problem to have in this situation is not being able to get my hands on the freaking specialized tool to get the O-ring out of the quick connect. I’ve looked everywhere online with no luck. Back ordered and the tool isn’t listed on the manufacturer’s website any longer. Typical! I’ve come to the place where I’m going to have to take the entire fitting off the tank and fish the O-ring out with a dental pick. Okay, I’m good with that, but just couldn’t face it last weekend. So, I did what any right-minded biker would do. I booked a plane ticket to St. Louis to see my boyfriend, Jim, and ride motorcycles with him.
Of course, a last minute plane ticket is always a bit pricey, so I shopped around and took the cheapest flight. Who knew I could get a single propeller Cessna flight out of MSP to STL (via Ft. Dodge, Iowa)? I’m always up for an adventure, so an 8 seat plane sounded like fun. It would be interesting, for sure. I’d never been on one that small before, but I fly often and don’t have flight anxiety. I do however, have a irrational and out of control fear of heights. There was a bit of anxiety about that, as we were only flying at 4000 feet. I thought the view might be a bit much for me. Solved that by having a couple of cocktails at the airport before take off.
The flight was crazy fun! No problems with heights and it was pretty cool to see everything you don’t see from a big jet. The landing in Ft. Dodge was rather sketchy, as the crosswind was blowing us all over the place. Wasn’t sure if we were going to even make the runway! Landing in St. Louis was much smoother. I was sitting directly behind the pilot for that one. I would definitely take that sort of flight again. It took quite a bit longer (3x), but the views and experience was worth it! Got to see a lot of the flooding along the Mississippi, the wind mill farms, and some great clouds. Flew through a pretty gnarly thunderstorm too, which added to the excitement.
Jim picked me up from the airport and we stopped to have seafood at Gulf Shores Restaurant in St. Louis (hereafter referred to as STL). The lobster bisque and seafood alfredo was really top shelf. I can’t wait to go back and think that this will become a regular place for us in the Lou. After that we went home and sacked out, as we knew Friday was going to be good weather for riding.
I’ll admit we got up slow on Friday morning, but we hadn’t seen each other in a month, so it was nice to spend some time alone and close together. We ended up getting started about noon. Jim has a 2018 Street Glide and a 1999 Softail at his place. I’m really grateful that we each have a bike to ride at both his house and mine, and I love the Softy. It sounds righteous and is a really comfortable ride. I’ve put quite a few miles on it, and occasionally he lets me ride his Glide too.
Jim lives in a town in Jefferson County, MO (Jeffco), some 20 miles south of St. Louis so we spent the day riding the back roads of Jeffco. The riding in this part of MO is really some of the best I’ve experienced. The county roads are twisty, hilly, challenging, and incredibly scenic. We rode Jeffco Road NN for several miles and then split to Franklin County O, then to some others. Jim and friends and I rode Tail of the Dragon in TN/NC a couple years ago and the ride we did on Saturday was just as twisty and fun. The weather was great, in the mid sixties and sunny for the most part.
Our first destination of the day was Robertsville State Park. In Missouri there is no fee to enter a State Park. What a great perk! Afraid it’s not the same in MN. Here you pay either a daily use fee or buy a sticker good for a year. The Meramec River runs through the park. There are some really beautiful campsites that look out through the deep woods. We seem to have some sort of weird pull toward boat ramps. We always stop and check them out whether we’re in the truck or on the bikes. I think we just both really like being near the water.
At the boat ramp we bumped into an old hippie couple. They were around for a bluegrass festival that was happening down the road. They invited us down, but we had plans to ride for the day. Bluegrass could wait for a rainy day. I took a few pictures in the park. In MO the trees have already leafed out. Still looks like winter in MN for the most part. Was sure nice to ride through the park and smell spring and see all the green. It really does help my head. It was also nice to see some native vegetation restoration going on and that it’s a priority to bring back the natural landscape.
Heading out of the park we took MO 30 and stopped at Holeshots in Dittmer for a beverage. It’s a biker bar filled with biker art, inside and out. Check out the chandelier made of motorcycles wheels and booze bottles! That was impressive! There is shit to look at everywhere. Now I kind of wish I would’ve used the bathroom while I was there. Probably some great pieces of creativity in there. There’s a really great tree covered patio to sit on next to a creek and the beer is cold. No ginger ale for my Jameson though. Ack! Met a chick named Biker Deb and chatted with her for a bit and took her pic on her bike.
Off again! Next stop… AMVETS Mud Bug Run in Valley Park. This is an annual run hosted by the AMVETS Post 1. Jim has been going for years. It’s a heck of a deal! $15 for a tray of crawfish boil (includes the standard corn, potatoes) or $25 for all you can eat. I used to live in Texas and while there, gained an appreciation for the taste of those little critters, so I was happy to pony up the $25 because I was pretty sure I’d eat more than one tray. And hey, the cash goes to a good cause, so I’m happy to make the contribution even if I don’t eat $25 worth. The people were friendly and the band was groovy and we were right next to the Meramec again… more beautiful scenery! We got there pretty early so it wasn’t loaded with people, but we met some nice folks. Shout out to Cara and John! Had a great time getting to know some new peeps, had some excellent crawfish, laughed a lot. What more could a person ask?
Headed home after the Mud Bug but then out to another biker bar, Tenbrook Station in Arnold, MO to meet a buddy for a couple. The bar has a sweet shady and grassy backyard area with a covered patio and pretty much everything you’ve ever needed… a cigarette machine (haven’t seen one of those in years!), a claw machine with sex toys for prizes, and a full on white pulpit. Not sure if it’s used for sermons on Sunday, but I suppose it’s good to have in case there’s an emergency need for preaching? I imagine there have been a few baptisms by beer over it.
Heidi
Righteous read!
Thanks a bunch! You’re biased… but it doesn’t mean you’re wrong!