Northwestern to Central Misery and Back

[FJ1200W]

Due to life on life's terms, my wife (of 30+ years) has been in Columbia (200 miles away) assisting a elder family member with "issues"
She's been there since December.
After much thought, I left a good job in April and have been trying to sell our house and get moved back there with her.
It's been a experience, total life shake up, not sure of the outcome, but I know this -
There is always time to ride, and the best way somewhere is not always the quickest.
I rode in to "hook up" with my babe in July, here is that trip.

[FJ1200W]

I headed out taking the back route.
Took a wrong turn, ended up backtracking, but the roads and weather were beautiful.
Stopped at a river crossing for a much needed break. Near Lathrop, MO.
Whipped by the old farmstead of Jesse James.
Pit stop for fuel in Richmond, MO - again, due to another missed turn. Decided not to use GPS and tank bags with map pockets were already in the secret North Cental Missouri Club house.
Made another stop south of Carrollton. There are some mighty long endless straights between Richmond and Carrollton. Go as fast as you dare - for a long, long time.
I'd been in that location before, on another trip, on a GL500.....

[FJ1200W]

Blowing out of Carrollton, another pit stop at one of those places I always wanted to stop and figured I better do it now because there might not ever be another chance to do it - whew, that was a mouthful!
The I decided to make a quick detour for a picture with the "Jim the Wonderdog" monument in Marshall, MO.
Marshall, I had two near misses, see the picture. 750+ miles and two near misses, both within a block.
Shot through Slater, boyhood home of Steve McQueen, and then Glasgow. The Missouri River is high.
Then the old Howard County Jail in Fayette, MO. It's now a house.

[FJmonkey]

Good post, thanks, nice to see other parts of the world.

[FJ1100mjk]

Nice pics of your ride.

Had some life shake-ups myself over the years, so I understand.

For me, motorcycling is a way to escape from them, and/or lessen their blow. The ability to motorcycle has always been a constant in my life from an early age, and I can't see that going way anytime soon.

Good luck weathering life on life's terms.

[FJ1200W]

Made it safe and sound to my destination in Columbia. It's going to be a tough transition, whineometer on - shifting gears.....
Took my wife to the country fair, it was like a date, good time.
The country fair, had not been in decades. What a blast. And the equipment, enjoyed checking it all out.
Did not ride the rides - at the fair, at least
First time with a aerodynamic  backpack - and it is great, truly reduced drag, just amazing.
Stopped and saw a HS buddy, he is a master boat mechanic. Good man, looking forward to getting reconnected with many of the old friends. We left Columbia in the early 90's, time to go back home.
The parents can use us, our oldest is there with our grandchildren, our youngest started college in Rolla and our middle one is living in KC. Everything fell into place, well, most everything.

[FJ1200W]

Stopped at the local Victory dealership - they have a cool display of vintage bikes, recently sold, change is coming there.
Saw a huge moth on the way in, had to grab a picture of it.
Next, crossed over into Boonville MO (yes, it is spelled right) and stopped at a place where some things went down in the past I like to remember from time to time.
Had to stop at the Missouri River overlook at "Harley Park"
Then, 87A back up to Glasgow - one of the best roads in the area and worthy of your attention if you are in this area.
Casey's, stopped at another Casey's. No premium, so the only fuel come in the form of energy drinks and candy bars.
Highway 5 north out of Glasgow is also just awesome. Found this neat old service station that I tend to stop at over and over....
With all the drama over the confederate flag and such, I figured I better stop at the General Price monument in Keytesville before it gets removed.

[FJ1200W]

Brunswick is the next stop, cool little town with an awesome vintage retro step back in time service station -
It's been repainted since this -
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.423067,-93.128361,3a,75y,232.84h,93.74t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swgkg4oTopn95ML9I4JA8PQ!2e0!7i3328!8i1664!6m1!1e1
Always a picture at the painting on the side of a building -
And the World Largest Pecan in its new location.
Heading to the next destination, there is a Mustang. GT350?, sitting in the bushes, not for sale, I asked. Asked before, will ask again....
Maxie the Worlds Largest Goose is always worth stopping for.
And the dealership in Chillicothe, another must stop. They have one of two new Honda Runes that have not been prepped on the floor. Nice people.

[FJ1200W]

Through Jamestown or Amish Country, beautiful kick ass roads.
Stopped at Rob's Cycle in Pattonsburg - one of the nicest bunch of people you will ever meet.
Weird stuff on the side of the road leaving town, that's good.
Just perfect weather, roads - motorcycle!
King City MO has "The Big Pump"
Wind farm country up thar.
And Union Star Water Tower, last picture before making it home.....

[FJ1200W]

Went back again a few days later, different route, took only a couple of pictures, just grateful to be able to get these trips in.
The FJ is running the best it ever has. I keep thinking about putting in the built engine, but why?
Maybe later......
Pictures below, the old store, stopped there a decade ago and was given the tour by "Virginia". Then, it was much as it was in the 50's. Now, she is gone, as is all the "stuff", building still there, and memories....
Also the famous Burr Oak near Columbia, MO.
And a interesting building off the beaten path - hummm, a scooter patrol -
Where this fork in life takes me is yet to be determined.
The contract on my house is set to close at the end of this month.
Pray it happens......
Thanks for reading, and I appreciate the comments!

[FJ1200W]

Good post, thanks, nice to see other parts of the world.

Appreciate the comment and your pictures as well

Nice pics of your ride.

Had some life shake-ups myself over the years, so I understand.

For me, motorcycling is a way to escape from them, and/or lessen their blow. The ability to motorcycle has always been a constant in my life from an early age, and I can't see that going way anytime soon.

Good luck weathering life on life's terms.

Thanks, and it sounds like we have a lot in common.

It's going to be a rough rough, but sometimes the best always are.  

[Firehawk068]

Great pictures!
Life has a way of turning things upside down from time to time, but the great thing about us humans is that we always find a way to adapt.
I'm sure you'll be just fine.   

The one thing I'll comment on, is Darn that landscape seems awful flat. 

I guess I'm spoiled to be where I am in Colorado.

Many safe and happy rides to you! 

[movenon]

Nice write up and pictures  .  Good luck and the best in your transition.  We are also going through some "interesting times".  One thing about a good ride is that it can help clear the head.   
George

[FJmonkey]

Yes, a good ride will clear the head and remove the tread....

[Firehawk068]

Yes, a good ride will clear the head and remove the tread....

Damn Mark.
That's impressive!