June 18-20, 2010
Rider #349
This has been hard to write. But here goes.
Lisa entrusted several MN2010 riders to spread Eddie James’ ashes throughout the bonus locations. I was one of these people. I decided to spread Eddie’s ashes everywhere. The first time I sat down to write this 6 pages later I was half way through the rally. So I’m changing my plan and letting my pictures do my talking.
1st stop Hawkeye Point, the highest point in Iowa. Wish I would have taken the pic where I actually spread the ashes. The marker was talking about fallen heroes. Eddie fits that bill nicely.
Irene, SD - A thorn in Eddie’s side.
The bench outside the infamous Two Rivers, Niobrara,NE. Another had laid Eddie’s ashes in the street during the road construction. Well he is also blowin around the streets outside the Two Rivers.
“The Mighty Fort Randall Dam”, as it was described in the bonus. My GPS said to go straight there on the south side of the Missouri River. I chose to pick my way north and ended up on some very "middle of nowhere" dirt roads. It wasted my precious rally time but it was a very beautiful area. I think it was worth the detour.
A peaceful out of the way rest stop on the roadside. Eddie is everywhere.
Mari Sandoz Historical Marker. One of my favorite areas. Beautiful. Barren. Pure Eddie. If you have not already researched Mari Sandoz, plop her name into Wikipedia. She was the real deal.
Carhenge, near Alliance, NE (or as the water tower now proclaims “Open Alliance, NE”) A favorite bonus of Eddie's. All the cars are painted grey. Even though I have a smile on my face I feel grey. I miss you Eddie.
Scotts Bluff, NE. I bet it’s beautiful in the daylight. But that’s rallying. Guess I’ll have to go back another day.
Register Cliffs. Guernsey, WY. Eddie lies with the pioneers and trailblazers of this country. How appropriate.
Deep into the rally, early morning, the next three spots I forgot the photo part of this bonus. It happens, but Eddie’s ashes were still spread.
The crossroads north of Lusk, I don’t remember the name of this bonus. It was basically a rest stop at a crossroads. The next was a wide spot in the road southwest of Hot Springs, SD. Don’t remember much about that one. My next stop was Wind Cave. Turns out I forgot about the time difference and got the
re and hour before they opened. So I went back into Hot Springs and had a much needed and very tasty sit down breakfast. I never said I was good at this rallying stuff. But I do have a good time! Eddie’s ashes are near the visitor’s center at Wind Cave.
Not the “true” Geographic Center of our Nation. That is too far out in the middle of nowhere for most folks, so this has to be close enough. Belle Fourche, SD
I’m a dork but completely ok with it.
Cold. Tired. Questioning my sanity. Just rode through a pretty good rainstorm. Had to get off the damn freeway and off the bike. I’m at the end of some guy’s driveway. I’m at the end of my rope. I wonder why I’m doing this crazy crap to myself. What better place to spread a little of Eddie’s ashes. How many times have we all been in this same mental place? I know Eddie would approve.
Our Lady of the Hills. Down a dirt road in the middle of nowhere near Alexandria, MN. Middle of the night. Classic Rally. Classic Eddie
Bob’s Java Hut. Minneapolis, MN the beginning of many of the Minnesota 1000’s. A Sad but appropriate ending to my journey with Eddie. I have kept some of the ashes.
Not a part of the rally. At my place “up north” and don't worry, I'm wearing pants in this picture. One of my favorite places in the world. Eddie is here with me.
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Sorry Mark, but I wasn't able to retrieve the last picture so we'll leave the readers with a mental picture of you in your "pants".
How can you not love people with a scruffy, white-haired dog named "Eddie James"?
Not to be out-down, Eddie named our dog, "Mark Koch, EDS" aka Jake. I'll let you figure out what EDS stands for.
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