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while we were trying to keep up with traffic doing 80 MPH in a posted 45 MPH construction zone, would cut over mere feet from my front tire. With great relief all six bikes pulled into the staging area off I-94 exit 347 placing ourselves towards the front of what would be hundreds of bikes for the coming parading. With police escort several miles of Harleys, two by two, made their way north on I-94 into Milwaukee and to the Juneau Ave Headquarters of Harley-Davidson®. There were people waving from the side of the road and overpasses, one group were wearing the bright green shirts we had become familiar with in West Virginia. They were a contingent sent by Benji's Harley-Davidson of Huntington WV to whom we wish to express a special thank you. As we parked beside the brick buildings of The Motor Company there was a feeling of pride and accomplishment, 48 states in an actual 33 days of riding. The group photo and tour of headquarters followed and then it was off to the House of Harley-Davidson for the dealer party and, of course, food. Saturday evening found us at our final Rendezvous, presentation of our silver badge and bullet, introductions of many of the people from Harley-Davidson who made this adventure possible, a slide show of images taken during the past two weeks, a great meal but most important a chance to bid farewell to those who had shared this journey with us with promises to meet again on the open road.
3 July
I woke to the sound of Harleys passing by outside. By ones and twos they were departing but today their destinations would not be set in their Official Ride Guides, Posse Ride The Lower 48 Eastern Campaign was over and slowly the Posse was dissolving. Don Beyer headed out early for Sioux Falls SD and a visit with family while Mike and Wanda were to leave soon on their trek back to Austin and work. The rest of our small group is to stay one more day in Milwaukee. After a few quick phone calls it is decided to meet for breakfast and as Rick, Melanie, Scott, Barb and I converge at the River Walk we can't help noticing how quiet the city is this Sunday morning. We enjoy a leisurely walk along the river until we locate a hotel with a lobby restaurant serving breakfast where talk soon turns to plans for the trip home. We plan to ride together taking two days to Hazen ND where Barb and I will split and travel alone on a northern route that will lead us to Glacier National Park. That settled Rick and Mel head off to Miller Park for a baseball game, Scott decides to do a little exploring around the area while barb and I catch up on laundry. As evening came, with our laundry clean and folded, it was time to join up with Rick and Melanie and head to Milwaukee's Summer Fest and will call to pick up our tickets to the Santana concert. Good friends, great music and to top it off a fireworks display, a great end to our trip and beginning of our ride home.
8 July
Leaving Milwaukee our group had reduced to four bikes, Barb and I in the lead, Melanie and Rick following and Scott riding sweep. We traveled westward on I-94 and with each mile that passed our journey drew closer to the end. Moorhead Minnesota would be our stop on the evening of July 4th where each in our party would celebrate Independence Day in personal reflection, the recently completed Posse Rides having given us the opportunity to experience this Great Country's diversity of
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