Today started out a little early.  At some point my nephew Daniel snuck into my bed (his actually, he as on a mattress on the ground in the same room).  That was fine, he didn't bother me, and I didn't wake him with my snoring.  Anyway, sometime around 5-something I got up to use the toilet, and when I got back, Tobi had taken my place...  It was so cute I took a photo, and laid down on the floor and napped.  Eventually I got up and talked with my Brother who was up feeding his 6 month old daddy's girl.  I got arranged and loaded up for today's trip.  I checked the bike over, remembering I hit a pallet in the middle of the interstate outside Columbus, OH.  It was dark, but I had the reflexes to mostly avoid it.  No damage to be found thankfully.

Leaving Indy was problematic, as my GPS, which I checked before leaving, decided to re-route me via US70.  That is probably the penultimate MOST BORING road in america; and it is LONG.  Fortunatly, I caught it in time to make a 10 mile deture and got on my intided route from Indianapolis to Denver: US rt 36.  If there is no choice but to cross Kansas, then this is the road I would take.  Actually I cross half of Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri.  After getting on US36, I met with another New England Rider, who also rides a K1600 GTL, the exact same color as mine (Damask Red).  We rode the rest of the day together.

Before i even got out of Indiana, in a cute town called Danville, I passed the "Mayberry Cafe", and guess what was parked right outside: Sheriff Andy's Mayberry Police car!

Somewhere on US 36 I passed the John Deere Tractor Pulling team's 18-wheeler going the other direction.  Pretty truck!

Just outside Winchester, IL while we were heading to the town to get some gas, we were passed by an ambulance.  Now you may say "So What?"  Well, this ambulance was having a hard time accelerating up the hill, because it was PULLING A 18 FOOT JOHN BOAT, with its SIREN AND LIGHTS ON!  That was just amusing to see in the middle of nowhere.

Most of Missouri was rain, and US 36 is also Interstate 72 along here, so not much to talk about besides, well, rain, and that's boring.  I thought we'd hit real heavy stuff, but not really, not even a single lightning strike to be seen either,  I guess we lucked out in that respect.

I ended up at the Oak Tree Inn in Marysville, Kansas.  There is a full blown diner in front of the hotel (part of the same property) stainless steel outside, booths, stools, counter and fry-cook area all intact and i near pristine shape.  Dinner was good, but they are open 24 hours a day.  I will probably get a real early start tomorrow as I will not be waiting to eat breakfast as I normally would in motels like this one.

Tobi and I played ball, he is passed out ON the bed (again).  He was quite active today, really leaning onto curves; there were a few, US 36 is a good road, at least as far as Kansas goes.

We will be heading further down US 36 tomorrow, as far as it will take us, which should be well into Colorado, where we will pick up Christine.