What kid in the 1970’s didn’t build a ramp to jump their bike like Evel Knievel? We did. Evel was legend. He inspired millions with his daredevil jumps over Snake River Canyon and we couldn’t wait to see him on ABC’s Wide World of Sports.
The Evel Knievel Museum in Topeka, Kansas, does justice to the motorcycle trailblazer with highlight videos of his famous crash at Caesars Palace to his obnoxious statements that made him the Barnum Bailey of motorcycles.
One of the interesting things during my time at the museum happened at the start where a young dad entered with his kids who appeared to be about 7 and 9.
The dad would read out loud some of the stories that went with the photos. You could tell he was in his element. Reliving the glory days of watching Evel Knievel and now he was sharing those treasured moments with his kids.
“He sure fell down a lot,” said the little boy.
“He was a trailblazer,” said the dad.
“Is that him on the ground,” said the little girl watching a video.
“Yes…,” said the dad with slight irritation. “But Evel did things nobody else was doing at the time….”
“Is that a doctor. That guy standing there looking at the man on the ground,” said the little boy.
“You guys just aren’t getting it,” said the frustrated dad.
I followed that family around the entire museum.
Tidbits from the tour…
Diana and Ed were fantastic hosts at Bob’s Lake. It was strictly a fishing lake, where they stocked the lake, you fish and then throw your catch back and that’s the deal.
The original building on the property was just a small fishing shack and then Diana and Ed remodeled it and built a house. I think the year was the 1990s.
The couple also owned a home in nearby Saint Joe, MO. “Our property is pretty much the entire block,” said Diana. “It’s right by the church. We call it ‘the hood.'”
Diana said there’s a lot of drug abuse and homelessness in the area.
They want to put the house on the market, but they are also trying to keep Bob’s Lake as developers are like pariahs and inundating them with calls to sell the lake so they can put up homes.
“We just want to keep this a simple fishing lake, where people can relax and come out with their moms and their sons and the dads,” said Diana.
The couple were very kind. My camping spot started as “any spot of green grass under the gazebo” and later, when they realized storms were coming overnight, they swapped it out for an empty shed. It was new, nice, clean and dry as storms did pass overnight.
Kindness of strangers.
As a funny side note, when I left in the morning Ed loaded me up with water and asked if I wanted a bag of ice to put in my cooler. He was clearly unaware of my setup but so kind to want the best for me on a hot tour.
- I didn’t have a chance to snap a photo but a kid on a motorcycle passed me today. He was stocky, wore a helmet, and as he went by he pulled his feet off the pegs and mimicked me pedaling as he sped away. It was funny … today, he was my new favorite.
“Have I not commanded you? … Be strong and courageous. … Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
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The 2024 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raises money every year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community, a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible.
Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community. Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2024.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation.
Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095
Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432
You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE.