White Cloud, Kansas
Mel plans a ride every month during the summer for employees of the City of Shawnee. Employees then invite friends and family to participate also. This month Mel intended to ride to Rulo, Nebraska. It was shortened at White Cloud, however, due to flood waters (more on that later). 
We met in the parking lot of the Community America Ballpark, home of the T-Bones baseball club in Kansas City, Kansas, at 8:30 AM on Saturday June 14, 2008.
Eighteen humanoids showed up on twelve motorcycles; Mel & Trish on their Harley; Craig & Jennifer on their Suzuki; Mike & Mikki on their Goldwing; Larry & Deb on their Harley; Gaylen & Linda on their Honda; Steve & Kandi on their Harley; Ken on his BMW; Larry on his Goldwing; Matt on his Harley; Gary on his Harley; Mike on his Yamaha; and me on my Goldwing.
We left the ballpark north on Hutton Road to Kansas Highway 5 north towards Lansing. This is a pretty route with some twisties to add to the fun. My map designates this highway as a scenic byway. In Lansing we passed a minimum security portion of the Kansas State Penitentiary on the east side of the highway. In the distance to the west we could see the main Kansas State Penitentiary.
After passing the National Cemetery, Mel led us onto the grounds of the V.A. Hospital in Leavenworth, Kansas. After a scenic tour of the grounds we proceeded north on Kansas Highway 7 through downtown Leavenworth.
On the north side of Leavenworth we passed the entrance to Ft. Leavenworth, which has been active since 1827. Just down the road we passed the imposing structure of the United States Penitentiary at Leavenworth, which has housed some of the nation’s most notorious criminals.
We continued north on 7, which is called the Amelia Earhart Highway between Leavenworth and Atchison, Kansas. Highway 7, from Leavenworth to White Cloud, is designated as a scenic byway. In Atchison we stopped at McDonalds for a bathroom break . . . . . . . and a snack for some.
Atchison, Kansas was home to the famous aviator, Amelia Earhart. Her home is a tourist attraction but we did not visit it. You can learn more about Amelia at the following web site:
http://www.ameliaearhart.com/home.php
Amelia, when asked about flying, was quoted as saying:
“After midnight the moon set and I were alone with the stars. I have often said that the lure of flying is the lure of beauty, and I need no other flight to convince me that the reason fliers fly, whether they know it or not, is the aesthetic appeal of flying."
The same could be said of motorcycling.
We rode on to White Cloud, Kansas on Highway 7. As we got to White Cloud the highway parallels the Missouri River, which was out of its banks. A roadside park at White Cloud was under water.
.JPG)
Highway 7 going north out of White Cloud was blocked due to water over the road.
As we were leaving White Cloud we passed a turn to a scenic lookout, which claimed to have a view of four states (Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri). We did not take the turn so this is something I’ll have to return to see.
We traveled to Hiawatha, Kansas on back roads; 315th Street west, to Tumbleweed north, to 330th Street west, to Prairie Road south, to 240th Street west into Hiawatha. Some of us gassed up at Casey’s and then we had a great lunch at Hiawatha’s First Street Bar & Grill.
We left Hiawatha south on Highway 159. At the junction of 159 and 192 we parted ways. Some went east, some went west, and some went south.
It was a great ride on a wonderful day.
We met in the parking lot of the Community America Ballpark, home of the T-Bones baseball club in Kansas City, Kansas, at 8:30 AM on Saturday June 14, 2008.
Eighteen humanoids showed up on twelve motorcycles; Mel & Trish on their Harley; Craig & Jennifer on their Suzuki; Mike & Mikki on their Goldwing; Larry & Deb on their Harley; Gaylen & Linda on their Honda; Steve & Kandi on their Harley; Ken on his BMW; Larry on his Goldwing; Matt on his Harley; Gary on his Harley; Mike on his Yamaha; and me on my Goldwing.
We left the ballpark north on Hutton Road to Kansas Highway 5 north towards Lansing. This is a pretty route with some twisties to add to the fun. My map designates this highway as a scenic byway. In Lansing we passed a minimum security portion of the Kansas State Penitentiary on the east side of the highway. In the distance to the west we could see the main Kansas State Penitentiary.
After passing the National Cemetery, Mel led us onto the grounds of the V.A. Hospital in Leavenworth, Kansas. After a scenic tour of the grounds we proceeded north on Kansas Highway 7 through downtown Leavenworth.
On the north side of Leavenworth we passed the entrance to Ft. Leavenworth, which has been active since 1827. Just down the road we passed the imposing structure of the United States Penitentiary at Leavenworth, which has housed some of the nation’s most notorious criminals.
We continued north on 7, which is called the Amelia Earhart Highway between Leavenworth and Atchison, Kansas. Highway 7, from Leavenworth to White Cloud, is designated as a scenic byway. In Atchison we stopped at McDonalds for a bathroom break . . . . . . . and a snack for some.
Atchison, Kansas was home to the famous aviator, Amelia Earhart. Her home is a tourist attraction but we did not visit it. You can learn more about Amelia at the following web site:
http://www.ameliaearhart.com/home.php
Amelia, when asked about flying, was quoted as saying:
“After midnight the moon set and I were alone with the stars. I have often said that the lure of flying is the lure of beauty, and I need no other flight to convince me that the reason fliers fly, whether they know it or not, is the aesthetic appeal of flying."
The same could be said of motorcycling.
We rode on to White Cloud, Kansas on Highway 7. As we got to White Cloud the highway parallels the Missouri River, which was out of its banks. A roadside park at White Cloud was under water.
Highway 7 going north out of White Cloud was blocked due to water over the road.
As we were leaving White Cloud we passed a turn to a scenic lookout, which claimed to have a view of four states (Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri). We did not take the turn so this is something I’ll have to return to see.
We traveled to Hiawatha, Kansas on back roads; 315th Street west, to Tumbleweed north, to 330th Street west, to Prairie Road south, to 240th Street west into Hiawatha. Some of us gassed up at Casey’s and then we had a great lunch at Hiawatha’s First Street Bar & Grill.
We left Hiawatha south on Highway 159. At the junction of 159 and 192 we parted ways. Some went east, some went west, and some went south.
It was a great ride on a wonderful day.
Thanks Mel.
To view all photos taken during this ride visit the following web site:
http://picasaweb.google.com/goldwinger.shawnee/WhiteCloudKansas
Comments
It was a great ride with a great group of people. Jennifer and I hope to see all of you for the ride to Cassoday in July!