Sioux Falls, SD to Branson, MO in June 2012

[jesse v]

Hi all,
I'm planning my first tri-state motorcycle trip for the end of June 2012.  Going from Sioux Falls, SD to a family reunion in Branson, MO.  Bike is an '04 Suzuki SV1000S and I'll be traveling with my dad on his VTX1800 (or he could be riding his 1300... anyway...)

So far I think I want to go through Iowa on the Loess Hills scenic byway (http://byways.org/explore/byways/2187/travel.html).  I've ridden of portion of this byway before and really enjoyed it... it seems to be the only option for getting through Iowa with my sanity intact.

From that point (Hamburg, IA), I'm kinda clueless.  Any thoughts on getting from there to Branson?  Most of my searching on STN gives me tons of loops and stuff east and south of Branson, but no help with planning a fun route to get there.

THanks,
Jesse

[xsPain]

I can't help in any real way (I am not generally helpful in any case), but if you can't find a good, fun way to get there, why not just blast through had take more time where there are fun roads or stuff to see and take pictures with your bike in front?

[jesse v]

I really want to avoid "blasting through" for 13 hours.

[Bounce]

One question... why Branson? No one goes there but old people and has-been stars.  

Can't wiser heads prevail in the selection of a reunion location?

[jesse v]

... really...  

[xsPain]

please bear in mind I am not helpful, have no idea of your available time frame and have proven myself able to get lost in a truly massive scale.

From Hamburg you can follow the Missouri river, there are a couple roads on either side. Won't be continually twisty but might be scenic and will take you to Kansas City (eat at Arthur Bryant's, unless a local tells you of a better place). From there you probably won't find any twisties until you get near the Ozarks, but at least you can get off the Einsenhauer, and state and local roads can surprise you.

Lastly, just as a philosophical note, there's nothing wrong with blasting through an area you aren't interested in if it allows more time where you want to be. Especially if time is an issue. I've piled a lot of miles on doing just that. Think about how you want to spend the trip.

[naustin]

My experience is that any two lane road is interesting enough.  Use google earth to view the broad area you'll be crossing and the identify any rivers or large wooded areas, which in the mid-west typically indicate non- tillable terrain.  Try to plot a route that connects all such areas.  

Have fun and don't forget to stop for pie!

[jesse v]

Thanks XS and naustin.  Yeah, just keeping along natural wonders oughta be planning enough.