Crazy Coon-Ass Trip... Possible Iron Butt (Marion, Ia to Gonzales, LA)

In a couple weeks I am going to Gonzales, Louisiana. Got an old Navy buddy I haven't seen in about 13 years that I found on Facebook. Per Google maps it is 938 miles direct route between out houses. I Figured I would add a little detour to go through a bit of Illinois or western Kentucky to get over the 1000 mile mark.

I think I'm pretty well set on the techniques but I am just curious about the roads and any stops that should or should not be made.

As of right now, most of this ride will be Hwy 61 out of Iowa down to St. Louis. From there I will most likely head south on I-55 through Missouri, Arkansas and Mississippi into Louisiana.

Any information you guys might have about the route would be appreciated.

Not positive if I will complete the Ironbutt or not, but it is an option if I'm not too tired and the roads are clear.

Never know might get time to run into some fellow Darksiders while I'm there.

If you are going to Gonzales you will only be about 30 miles from Twin and Muntz lives right there. Highly recommend you go to "on the half shell" good oysters. great people and cold adult beverages Moon lives fairly close too. If you get a chance to hook up with these guys you will not regret it a bit. I can promise you a good night with lots of laughs. Let us know about when you are coming through I may try to hook up with you in Illinois for lunch, Dont stress too much on an Iron butt. More important to enjoy the ride. Too many miles in a day it takes a few days to get over it which cuts into your visiting and takes the pleasure out of the ride. I ran 960 in a day followed by a couple of 4 and 500 mile days and I hated myself for pushing so hard the first day.
Enjoy the trip

See you out there
Smokey

Good advice right there.

Jerry

Keep us in the know. That will be about he time I will have to take some mandatory time off. This would be awsome and Yes we would have to meet up at the half shell. Your bud and fam would have a good time too. Twin brings his fam and I would bring the boss with me too. But that said she would insist on the cage as she wants a goldwing. Rats.

Keep us informed and have a good ride.

Peace
Moon

Oh Bobby where are you?????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Yes,


Let me know...we can hook up for some food and lots of laughs telling stories with Moon, Muntz, and I. Remember LA roads are the worse, so you will be glad you have the darkside to make them smoother!!.....


....................bobby

Awesome... I'll keep you guys posted as the time draws near. I have to find someone to dog-sit while I'm gone so that will affect my leave date.
As of right now it looks like may 19th is when I am leaving Iowa. I plan to stay until the 24th or so.

I'm not real worried about the Iron Butt. But I will get the signatures and keep receipts just in case. That really isn't the point of the trip. I just want to get on the road and see some friends, new and old.
I'm sure my buddy and his family would love to get together. I expect you guys to keep the locals from stringing my Yankee-Ass up or "putting the Voo-doo" on me.

Smokey, not sure I'll catch you on this trip, but I have family in and around Springfield. Maybe we can meet up next time I'm around. I'd hate to have you cross almost the whole state just to meet me. You're welcome to though.

smokey2255 wrote:If you are going to Gonzales you will only be about 30 miles from Twin and Muntz lives right there. Highly recommend you go to "on the half shell" good oysters. great people and cold adult beverages Moon lives fairly close too. If you get a chance to hook up with these guys you will not regret it a bit. I can promise you a good night with lots of laughs. Let us know about when you are coming through I may try to hook up with you in Illinois for lunch, Dont stress too much on an Iron butt. More important to enjoy the ride. Too many miles in a day it takes a few days to get over it which cuts into your visiting and takes the pleasure out of the ride. I ran 960 in a day followed by a couple of 4 and 500 mile days and I hated myself for pushing so hard the first day.
Enjoy the trip

See you out there
Smokey

+1 I went from south Georgia to Knoxville TN, for the rally , then went from there to michigan . that was fun. but michigan to south georgia with 800 miles the first day and i got sore that next morning (old age) and did the rest 400 miles was not as much fun.

Well, looks like I will be rolling into town either real late on the 19th or the afternoon of the 20th.

My buddy says "The Halfshell" is about 5 minutes from his house. I guess it is by Wal-Mart. (Does this sound like the place you were referring to?)

I'd love to meet up with you guys at least for a dinner, maybe even for a ride. Let me know what works for you guys as I will probably be in town through the weekend.

Well, crap... had to cancel the trip. Buddy just had his step-kids move back in, and a bunch of dogs and bills came with them. No room, no money no time now.

The wife has already granted me a do-over so I will have to schedule it for another time. Guess I will spend the week taking day-trips now.

I really was hoping to meet Twin and Moon too. Hopefully you guys can give me a rain-check and we can get together another time.

Doc Rogers wrote:Well, crap... had to cancel the trip. Buddy just had his step-kids move back in, and a bunch of dogs and bills came with them. No room, no money no time now.

The wife has already granted me a do-over so I will have to schedule it for another time. Guess I will spend the week taking day-trips now.

I really was hoping to meet Twin and Moon too. Hopefully you guys can give me a rain-check and we can get together another time.

Oh...you kidding me! Sorry dude! Maybe next time! I was looking forward to meeting you and you shouldn't have to worry, if we let Smokey come down here...we will let any Yankee!!!!! LOL


.....................................bobby

Last time I was there I was escorted out of the state by the national guard, them coonasses got no sense of humor I am seriously thinking about making a road trip down there ..... just because I can. Now to decide, do I wanna go back to tennessee in a couple weeks or do I wanna go to coonass country??????? Need to gwt down there and see the step dad. Been a couple years so I am thinking it is way over due.


See yo uout there
Smokey

smokey2255 wrote:Last time I was there I was escorted out of the state by the national guard, them coonasses got no sense of humor I am seriously thinking about making a road trip down there ..... just because I can. Now to decide, do I wanna go back to tennessee in a couple weeks or do I wanna go to coonass country??????? Need to gwt down there and see the step dad. Been a couple years so I am thinking it is way over due.


See yo uout there
Smokey

Let us know when. I might have to drift over there.

Jerry

Memorial weekend. My baby girl and I will head out friday the 28th and stay through monday leave early tuesday.
It's a plan.

smokey2255 wrote:Memorial weekend. My baby girl and I will head out friday the 28th and stay through monday leave early tuesday.
It's a plan.

Sounds like a plan to me! C U soon! You too Jedison.



........................bobby

Just got off the phone with the step dad. As of now he is planning a fishing trip to galveston over memorial day weekend. Not looking good for making it down then. Will have to look at again middle of next week. Yall hope for stormy weather in galveston that weekend We will see.

See you out there
Smokey

The forcast is low 70 high 90 with partly sunny to sunny for the next 10 days.

Jerry

Some of you might see more of me than you like...

Wife just got back from visiting family near Chattanooga. We have kicked around the idea of moving to the area for a couple of years, but never too seriously. I have been out of work since January, but there have been some jobs creeping up at the TVA that are right up my alley.

I started sending resumes last week. We also started looking at houses on-line.

Currently looking at jobs in Soddy-Daisy, and Spring City, TN.

Weather is better more months out of the year, more scenery and good bike roads, national parks and we know people there. Why not?

No reason not to Doc. And plenty of reasons to move that way. Good luck with the job hunt.
See you out there
Smokey