Harley Davidson Travel Blog . . . and thoughts along the journey

New Hope Methodist Church in New Hope, OH
One of our last visits before my large trip to Nevada was the Church Supper of the "New Hope Methodist Church in New Hope, OH.

Where is that?

Well, it is on St. Rt. 35 between Richmond, IN and Eaton, OH . . . you can't miss it.

My friends Gale and Carol Weisenbarger, whom I got to know through their very interesting website about Coconut Oil, asked me to visit their home church after they had visited this Blog.

"I'll pay for your dinner . . . just come", Gale told me on Friday morning during one of my visits to his office. As I arrived Gale introduced me to pastor Jay Madigan who told me more about this event: The Super Supper is held every 4th Saturday at our church from 4 to 6 P.M. . . . and has been a tradition in our community for years. Everyone is welcome and can donate whatever one feels like . . ."

I had a great time! Great food (Pasta, salad, desert) and great fellowship. As I sat their with Gale and Carol, Gale wandered off into his favorite subjects "Health" and "Coconut Oil". This time he told me that Lipitor (the pill that lowers your Cholesterol) could be risky for my health. . . (I swallowed hard, because I have been taken Lipitor for over three month, since my heart attack) Gale told me that Lipitor eliminates Coenzyme Q10 . . . "Bad news" I thought to myself as I dove my fork into the pickled red beets. I had never been a friend of pills. I still believe that the Pharmaceutical companies do not want us healthier . . . they just want to fulfill their obligations to their stockholder (no I am not some liberal!)

"This whole thing about Cholesterol is just crazy!", Gale said in in his usual grin. "I stick with butter & Coconut Oil, and that is final". "Sounds good to me", I thought and I got up to get me another cheese cake. I was not in the mood to relive my experiences of touching death and be reminded of the moments I experienced during my hospital stay. But my conversations with Gale gave me again food for thought to rethink my life and how I will approach life. (I will write about it later)

For now:

If you are hungry you have to visit this Super Supper. If you are lucky you'll get to know Gale and Carole, and if not you'll get excellent food . . . food from heaven (or at least it tastes like your Mom's food)

Day 1
+ From Las Vegas, NV on I 15 to exit 16 toward St. Rt. 9
to Kanab to Page to Kaibito/ AZ to St. Rt. 160

Total Est. Distance: 315.41 miles


Day 2
+ Follow St. Rt. 160 to Cortez, CO to Durango, CO to Pagosa Springs, CO to Del Norte, CO

Total Est. Distance: 341.29 miles


Day 3
+ Del Norte, CO to Walsenburg, CO via 160
+ Walsenburg, CO to La Junta, CO via St. Rt. 10
+ La Junta, CO to Lamar, CO via 50
+ Lamar, CO to Garden City, KS via 50

Total Est. Distance: 333.82 miles


Day 4
+ Garden City to Dodge City, KS to Pratt, KS via 400
+ Wichita, KS to Eldorado, KS via 54
+ Eldorado, KS to Fort Scott, KS 54

Total Est. Distance: 358.02 miles


Day 5
+ Fort Scott/KS to Nevada, MO via 54
+ Nevada/MO to Jefferson City, MO via 54
+ Jefferson City, MO to St. Louis, MO via 50

Total Est. Distance: 336.32 miles



Day 6
+ St. Louis, MO cross IL to Vincennes, IN via 50
+ Vincennes to Terra Haute, IN via 41
+ Terra Haute, IN to Indianapolis, IN via 40
+ Indianapolis, IN to Eaton, OH via 40

Total Est. Distance: 329.32 miles

I believe I have the route to Las Vegas established:

Day 1:
+ Eaton, OH to Richmond, IN via /227 to 27 to 40
+ Richmond, IN to Indianapolis, IN via 40
+ Indianapolis, IN to Terra Haute, IN SOUTH on 40
+ Terra Haute, IN to Evansville, IN SOUTH on 41/150

Total Est. Distance: 267.48 miles


Day 2:
+ Evansville,IN to Paducah, KY via 60
+ Paducah, KY to Cairo, IL via 60
+ Cairo, IL to Memphis, TN via 51

Total Est. Distance: 324.15 miles


Day 3:
+ Memphis,TN to Baton Rouge,LA, via 61 & 10

Total Est. Distance: 382.33 miles



Day 4:
+ Baton Rouge, LA to De Quincy, LA via 190
+ De Quincy, LA to Beaumont, TX via 12
+ Beaumont, TX to Houston*1, TX via 90

Total Est. Distance: 269.61 miles


Day 5:
+ Houston,TX to Hallettsville, TX via 90
+ Hallettsville, TX to Cuero, TX via 77?
+ Cuero,TX to Nixon, TX via 87
+ Nixon,TX on 97 toward Sabinai,TX via 90 + Sabinai, TX to Comstock, TX via 90

Total Est. Distance: 379.81 miles


Day 6:
+ Comstock,TX to Alpine, TX via 90
+ Alpine, TX to Van Horn, TX via 90

Total Est. Distance: 273.15 miles


Day 7:
+ At Van Horn,TX take 54 NORTH . . . . then 180/62 to El Paso, TX
+ El Paso, TX to Lordsburg, NM via -I- 10
+ Lordsburg, NM to Duncan, AZ via 70

Total Est. Distance: 317.86 miles



Day 8:
+ Duncan, AZ via 70 Miami AZ via 70
+ Miami, AZ to Phoenix, AZ to Wickenburg, AZ via 60

Total Est. Distance: 264.5 miles


Day 9:
+ Wickenburg to Las Vegas, NV via 93
Total Est. Distance: 233.5 miles



The above route is created with almost no interstate traveling. As I am planning the trip, I am thankful for suggestions you may leave me.

I have been in Dayton, OH many, many times and I am always awaiting the "breakthrough" for the city. But it has yet to come. The downtown is a dead zone and, culturally, Dayton does not have very much to offer. Please prove me wrong and email me TODAY or leave your comments on this BLOG. and I will revise my feelings for the city.

However, there are exceptions to the rule, like the Oregon District in Dayton, OH or the all too well known annual Hamvention

The Oregon Emporium
As it was about 11:30 A.M. or so when we arrived at the Oregon District WE did NOT visit the Blue Moon Restaurant as friends recommended. Instead we went to a small restaurant on the corner the "Oregon Emporium".

I had the/a Tuna sandwich. . . . OK, not so unusual, but then you did not read about the Coke yet they are serving Boylan Sugar Cane Cola (Boylan Bottling Company), which I never had before and I must say the sugar cane in the drink is a hit. The bottle states that they have been selling the product since 1891 . . . I guess I "overlooked" this -fine- product all of my life.

Other notable qualities of this : sidewalk seating available; high speed internet connection available inside the cafe; interesting "people-watching".

And while you are there, stroll around. You will find the friendliest people in that neighborhood. They are willing to chat with you, tell you the history of the neighborhood and invite you to listen to their life story . . . and give you advice where to eat and what to visit.


Here is our rating of the restaurant: (maximum rating in each category ●●●●●)
Food quality and value: ●●●● (money vs. food)
Location: ●●●●
Service: ●●●●
Atmosphere: ●●●●
Our Rating: ●●●●


If you are really serious, like the guys to the left who bought an entire Methodist Church . . . you also may buy property here in this great neighborhood ranging from $195,000 to where would you like to live?