One thing about this journey is that you can never know what is around the corner or in the next town. So today I thought it may make sense to post the blog as it happened.
So here goes. Breakfast is early, normally about 06:15 ish. Oats, Banana, nuts etc. As the weather is now getting hotter and will get more so we are finding an early start has many advantages, less heat, less wind, we arrive in good time to get set up.
From my perspective the day will often have times when I can take photographs, not of the mission but of what I see as a visitor to the country. In many ways this is not the same as what the Americans see, the trains and the grain elevators which I love to photograph are good examples. I am trying to capture something of the American way of life as seen in the small towns and country areas.
So on this day half past seven in the morning saw me pulling over in a very small community in this part of Missouri.
This store caught my eye. The first shot of the day, The owner was surprised that I should want to photograph it but when I explained he brought out and old photo showing the store as a post office back in 1916. Horses tied up outside. Now a shop that sells carpets and second hand goods.
See here are the shots
and the owner...
Then on and a stop for water for the bikers, but what is this, the sheriff's post is up for re-election.
The signage we see is great to photograph, much of it hand painted and often a treat to the eye. Lots of political, patriotic and religious signs as well the obvious commercial ones. Like this:
They often have, what I have come to call, the big arrow, pointing to the place. Brilliant.
But not always so jolly:
Lunch is taken, almost always, in the RV, brown pasta, tinned tomatoes and herbs. Fuel as much as food, but it seems to go down OK with the riders. I go for an avocado. tomato and mayo sandwich, not too much information I hope.
The place of food and particular fast food is no doubt the subject of many research papers in the States, we have drive-in Mac Donald's in the UK but here, it has been taken to an art form for the buying of food, coffee, sandwiches etc without the need to leave the car, in fact almost without the wheels stopping turning. So the picture of a MacDonalds drive thru is very much America.
At the days end we were near Fort Leonard Wood, a large Army Training camp. One of our sponsors, First Command have been a great help providing contacts and help along the way, here we were met by a guy who has as smile that lit up the day, good sense of humour and a great host to us.
He really though that having his photo taken was not a great idea but it worked out fine.
and another, good 'un Marc.
It was here we net up with the members of the local bike club as well, we thank Jacki and Tom for all their help in all arrangements made for us over out time there. Also for putting us up and looking after us so well. More of this tomorrow.
Our ceremony was conducted within the Army camp and in their memorial area.
In the background we could hear the soldiers 'Cadance Marching' to civvies like me, singing in unison as marching. It was extraordinary to hear this as the poem was recited at the ceremony. It starts with the lines.
They went with songs to the battle,
They were young, straight of limb, true of eye,
Steady and aglow.
If you would like to hear all the poem, its not long. Click this link
In the background we could hear the soldiers 'Cadance Marching' to civvies like me, singing in unison as marching. It was extraordinary to hear this as the poem was recited at the ceremony. It starts with the lines.
They went with songs to the battle,
They were young, straight of limb, true of eye,
Steady and aglow.
If you would like to hear all the poem, its not long. Click this link
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