Event:  May 28th, 2008 will go down as one of the worst days in my life.  At approximately 10:45 PM, on Interstate 35, mile marker 68 coming north...I hit a deer on my 99' Yamaha Venture.  Witness say that I didn't even have a chance to hit the brakes.  The doe is estimated at around 150 lbs.  The doe literally exploded on impact and ended up 150 ft down the road.  I caught the deer on the left front of the bike...which caused me to go over on the right side.  I am told that my broken leg (in 3 places) was typical of motorcycle crashes.  My leg ended up under the frame and bikes weight did the rest.  Unfortunately I was wearing low boots.  My ankle drug on the ground causing skin loss where the bones had come through the skin.  I slid a substantial way down the interstate on the back of my head and right shoulder.  Fortunately it was chilly out and I was wearing several layers heavy leather.  That is why I am here today.  You can see in the photos below that my helmet saved my life.  I lost a day as best I can tell.  The last thing I remember is coming up out of Nebraska onto interstate 90 and then stopping at Chamberlain for gas.  I can't remember crossing into Minnesota.  

The accident was definitely my fault.  I had promised Rob that I would stop before dark...which I should have!  I felt pressed by bad weather coming across South Dakota and the need to get back to work.  How stupid is that?! 

Anyway...here are the photos.  They aren't in any real order...sorry!  If you ride please reconsider the gear you are wearing.  Ride safe...the alternative really sucks!

June 27, 2009 update:  I had my 8th surgery on April 14th to fuse my ankle.  I can now honestly say that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  90% of the pain is now gone and I am beginning to learn to walk on this new joint.  I have new crunching sounds in my neck that weren't there in the past.  Who knows what that will bring down the road.