Tuesday 3 August 2010

Elk? Deer? and a 2011 Harley

Mike and I continued our journey north along the Mississippi on day 40.

We rode on the east bank of the river and as with the day before, there were many chances to turn off the main River Road to explore some of the quieter back roads. We took a few of these and a few resulted in riding on gravel roads – not our favourite surface!

On one of the back roads we took we had a surprise. We saw either Elk or Deer in pens trying to keep cool. I am not sure what these are, so if one of my readers knows, I would be grateful if you were able to enlighten me. They certainly looked as if they were enjoying the wqter in the mud-hole....











































I didn’t mention it before, but the bike Mike was riding was rather special. Harley-Davidson announced their 2011 range of bike models last Tuesday and when I met up with Mike just 3 days after that, he was riding one of those brand new 2011 models – a Screamin’ Eagle Ultra Road Glide CVO. It was a very good looking bike and I loved the fact that the saddlebag locks, tour-pack box lock and fork locks were all operated remotely with the key fob. It was just like locking a car, with the normal clunk as the locks shut. Very cool indeed! Here is Mike on the bike....




















We rode up one of the bluffs (UK =cliffs) to get a good view of the Mississippi. There was an Indian motorcycle in the car park – one of the modern variety with and S&S engine....







































As we walked along the path to the overlook, we saw this couple playing musical instruments. The music was very good and medieval in type. They did tell us that the woman had made the instruments, but regrettably, I cannot remember what they were called....



















The view of the river was stunning....




































Another of the dams and locks on the river....,



















After stopping for something to drink, we saw this very nice old car, but as with a few items in this post, I do not know what it is!....




















As we neared Minneapolis St Paul, Mike and I parted company and he headed south in order to at least start his long journey back to Galesburg, Illinois. It was good to see Mike again after a couple of years and it was a pleasure riding with him for a few days. Next time, I will have to make sure I get to see his Harley dealership! Thanks for the ride Mike – I enjoyed it.

This was the view of Minneapolis St Paul, where I was to meet up with fellow blogger Chris Luhman. More on that in my next post!....




















Here is a short video of some of the ride that Mike and I had....

12 comments:

Jackie, the Wife xx said...

03rd 08 2010 – 18:14 .. Hello MD :-) It is your little Wifette here. xx Great pics of the animals cooling down in the water. Since I am American, I thought I might be able to shed a bit of light on whether those animals were Elk or Deer. hehehe After looking at lots of photos of the two species and doing some investigative reading, I think these must be majestic Elk. Their body mass is larger than a Deer and the Elk’s antlers on configured somewhat differently to a Deer. ** Buck Deer Go To: http://www.alpenanow.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/deer-buck.jpg - About Deer Go To: http://www.sportsmanschoice.com/A%20Note%20Worth%20Reading/deer.htm ----- Bull Elk Go To: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Cervus_canadensis2006.jpg - About Elk Go To: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elk ----- ** When you get to Yellowstone country, you should be able to see both species of the Deer/Elk family. NOTE: Elk and Deer are of the same family, with slight differences in their appearance & size, etc. I hope this helps to answer your question "Is it an Elk or a Deer"? xx Kz, J xx

682202 said...

Gary,

It looks like you are having a great trip so far. I enjoy your daily updates. It's great that you are able to meet-up old & new friends and spend some time on the road with them. I like the new header photo, is that the Chicago Bean?

Although no expert I believe you have photos of Elk and a Model A Ford.
GAW

Unknown said...

Elk or red deer and the car is a Model A Ford.

Unknown said...

The one played with a bow is a Rebec the other is a Citole. I am a member of the NE Louisiana Celtic society and have seen these played

Chris said...

Ah, gravel is fun! Too bad you didn't like it. :) Funny that the camera spun in to face the bike. Kind of a nice effect.

The instruments looks like a baby chello and a gu-jeng (chinese) or maybe a lap steel guitar.

PS: The last pic is just St. Paul. Minneapolis a few miles west. :)

US Mike said...

Awesome time riding with you! They were playing Dulcimers

Canajun said...

Gary - My guess would be elk. They're certainly not the white tail deer that we have here in the east. And with that rack you wouldn't want to get too close either.

Milwaukee Dan said...

Great video Gary, I also liked the effect when the camera spun around. Glad you didn't lose it. The river road along the bluffs is simply spectacular. By chance did you get to ride through Wyalusing State Park? Happy trails!

cpa3485 said...

Very cool video! I am not any better at identifying animals either. Just want them to stay the heck out of my way.

Eve said...

Yes Elk Gary! What fun! A lot like our ride on Sunday...and oh my driveway is 1200 feet of gravel!! Ya get used to it! hahaha! Love the video very much...laughed there at the end out loud! I really need to set up a camera mount on the bike...that is just too cool!

Gary France said...

Jackie – Thanks Hun, so it was an Elk! I am hoping to see some in Yellowstone, but hopefully they will stay off the roads! I am looking forward to seeing Buffalo as well.

GAW – Yes it is the Chicago Bean. I liked the Model A Ford – thanks!

Rickey – Thanks. Both instruments were being played really well. I have never heard of anybody making instruments like this themselves.

Chris – Gravel is fun if you are on the right sort of bike! I am going with Rickey’s answer about what the instruments are!

US Mike – it was great riding with you too!

Canajun – I was quite happy there was a fence between us. Bad for photos, but good for safety!

Dan – I think we did go through Wyalusing SP, but we didn’t stop. Is that the one where you don’t pay if you say you are just travelling thru?

cpa3485 – Thanks about the video! I am happy they stay out of the road as well.

Eve – I am slowly getting used to gravel, but I don’t like it! Get a camera mount so we can see your rides!

Milwaukee Dan said...

Yep, there are a few State Parks that you can ride through, although with Wyalusing I believe you have to pay but there is a nice highway that travels along the edge of it.