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Summer 2012 starts out on the bike visiting friends around the United States.  Planning on being back home around the end of June, then we’ll be heading for Scotia Bay (far north end of Vancouver Island near Port Hardy) for a couple months of fishing and kicking back with our friends and family up there.

I’m looking forward to some real road time on the motorcycle again and the opportunity to see some people I haven’t seen in years.  My goal is to stay off interstate highways the entire way.  I’ll post pictures from the road and write about my exploits along the way.  Check back often for updates, there should be something new every day or two after Memorial Day.  Speaking of Memorial Day – Please take the time to remember and thank the people who made the sacrifices necessary to keep our country free…..

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Day One

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Day 1 has begun!

Lenny left right on time this morning, and only had to sacrifice a small amount of blood to make that happen.  
(I cut my left index finger with of all things a surform tool – Ugh)
I’m going to try to help him keep up with the blog, so from time to time these posts will be signed by me ;).

Ride safe babe, stay cool, and I’ll see you in VA, soon!

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Day One – End of Day

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Thank you dear, for my getting out of town blog post and for the wonderful breakfast this morning, my life does not suck!  My first day on this ride across the country started nice and cool but that didn’t last for long.  Nice ride through Fillmore and then through the Valencia & Canyon Country area.  I lived in that area for many years but haven’t been back up that way for a while; it’s hard to recognize with all the growth and other changes.  Around Yucca Valley the wind was starting to gust.  After I turned off the 247 and onto the 62 it was really bad and all the jerking around was enough for my tent and motorcycle to part company.  I didn’t notice but a fellow rider pulled up and told me about where it came off.  I went back but these people out here are not likely to leave anything that has any value at all sitting on the side of the road.  It was gone, but I’ve already located a replacement and will have it (more securely attached you can be sure) before I leave for Texas on Thursday.

I was happy when I got to Parker because I only had 150 miles to go and I could take my helmet off.  I know, I know – you should ride with a helmet.  And I think YOU should ride with a helmet whenever YOU ride.  I on the other hand will make my own decisions; hell the decision to travel by motorcycle in the first place is pretty dangerous.  Okay, off my soap box. 

It’s hot out here in the summer time and there’s just no way around it.  It wasn’t too bad as long as I was going at least 35 mph but just stopping at a light was not fun.  When I pulled into the driveway at my parents house my father met me with an ice cold glass of 1800 (that’s tequila for those of you who didn’t know).  Now THAT’S what I call a welcome.

Tomorrow starts a two day golf tournament (just me and my dad) but I’ll tell you more about that later…..

Day Two

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I told you that today starts a two day golf tournament.  That may have been a bit of an exaggeration.  It’s really just a two man match play event.  Whenever my father and I play golf we play a match.  The loser of this match must carry this pink towel with him and display it prominently during all matches.  The bearer of the towel must win the match AND add something to the towel before it can be passed on.  As you can see, there has been a high level of creativity in the selection of towel additions over the years.  Most of these little things have a particular story that relates to that particular match, the manner in which it was won, etc.  But I won’t bore you to that level.  Our Pink Towel Matches are good fun and this time I am NOT taking that thing back home.

So, this morning – IT’S ON!!!

Prolog: It came down to the last putt on the last hole but I prevailed.  Now if I can just defend tomorrow I get to leave the towel here on Thursday.  I like my chances but dad did shoot 38 on the back today.

 

Day Four

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For those of you interested, the Pink Towel Match was decided on the 17th hole yesterday.  I lost three and one.  We both had a good front nine but I folded like a cheap suit on the back.  On the positive side, dad was so thrilled that he didn’t have the towel – he bought the drinks!!  Guess I’ll have to give it another shot in Canada at Seven Hills.  It’s a nine hole goat pasture but it’s the only course within a couple hundred miles.

This morning I’m getting ready to pull out & head for Silver City, New Mexico.  Think I’ll try out my new tent at their KOA.  Of course that’s all subject to change after I get on the road, but you have to have a Plan A and that’s mine.  Don’t know what kind of Internet access they will have there but if I can get on, I’ll post again this evening.  Until then…..
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Today I started out with a fairly short ride planned but as most of you know, that isn’t what happened.  Couple answers for your comments.  The Pink Towel is being shipped back to CA in a box with my dirty golf clothes.  That thing doesn’t see the light of day until it’s match time.  Kentucky – might be on the list, I’ll take a look.

Okay – it was HOT for part of the day – ESPECIALLY through the San Carlos Indian Reservation.  WOW, that wasn’t fun – about the time I got to Safford the smoke from one of the Arizona fires was actually defusing (photography term, sorry) the sun quite nicely.  I’d say it cut the temp at least 10 degrees.  As I got closer and closer to Silver Creek the smoke got worse and worse – to the point that there were no shadows on the ground.  I was thinking I might have to press on because Silver Creek would be a smoke out.  But the smoke cleared about 10 miles from town – I just wasn’t ready to get off the bike that early.  I was a little concerned about fuel while I was traveling along the Mexico border (fuel gauge doesn’t work) but I had plenty.  I will tell you though – that is one desolate piece of asphalt.  The only people on that road besides me were Border Patrol & Law Enforcement.

So – tonight I’m in a Wyndham hotel here in El Paso, TX.  I had Robin call ahead because I was running so late and she got me a suite with a sliding glass door that exits to the parking lot.  My bike is parked right outside my door.  The best of all possible worlds.  I did take some pictures today and will hopefully have time to post them in the morning before I leave.  Just look for a pictures tab on the top of the blog and check them out.

Tomorrow I will be staying with a long time (notice I didn’t say OLD Murry) friend in Del Rio.  The link for the tracking should still work for you if you’re so inclined.

Click here to track my progress.

Day Five

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Started this morning in El Paso and headed east on 180/62 then south on 54 into Van Horn.  After that it was just old Highway 90 to Del Rio.  I started early in an effort to beat the heat and get into town early enough to go out to dinner.  I had a gas station picked out about half way but it was no longer in business (sounds like Alaska all over again).  As soon as I saw that I was going to be close on gas I slowed from 80 to 55.  It was a good effort but left me 2 miles short of Van Horn on the side of the road.  NOBODY takes the 54 and I could have parked my bike in the middle of the southbound lane for the 35 minutes it took AAA to bring me a gallon of gas and nobody would have gone around it.

I climbed a gate that was near my bike and “shaded up” under a mesquite bush until they got there.  Really, just a nice break is all (at least that’s the way I see it).  Highway 90 is a nice road that goes through several different types of terrain.  I haven’t taken the 54 before but it was easy to look around at 55 mph and it’s a good road too.  Both of them are much better than the 180 out of El Paso, providing you have enough gas!!

Murry and I had a nice dinner at a local Mexican food place & if you can’t get authentic Mexican only 3 miles from the border – you aren’t looking very hard.  To start with, if the plate isn’t at least as hot as the food, go somewhere else.  The margaritas were pretty good, but after having ridden almost 500 miles, it could have been swill & it would have been tasted good to me, long as it had ice in it.

Tomorrow I am shootin for Houston.  Actually, it’s just north of there – a little town called Cut And Shoot.  It’s pretty humid here in Del Rio, but I’m sure it’s NOTHING compared to what it’s going to be like in Cut And Shoot and throughout the rest of the southern states.  I’d really like to camp in Cut And Shoot, but if it’s really humid – I’ll probably get a room.

Okay – I’ve got a couple pictures to post from today so be sure to check that out if you haven’t already.  Hope to see you down the road.

Click here to track my progress.

Day Six

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Saturday night in Willis Texas is not one I’ll soon forget.  Thank you Rick & Blanca for your hospitality (pictures to follow).  Good friends and good times, that’s what it’s all about.

Getting a bit of a late start this morning but I made up for it last night I assure you.  Don’t know where I’ll be ending the day but you can always follow me if you’re curious.

Click here to track my progress.

Day Seven

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Del Rio to Willis (yesterday)

When I walked out of the hotel room the warm moist Texas summer took me straight back to my Air Force Basic Training days in San Antonio, and I smiled at that.  After a little over 100 miles I stopped for something to eat in Hondo.  The lady at the gas station told me to try the Taqueria across from HEB.  I had the chiliquiles and they were very good but on the way out I noticed what someone else had and I did the V8 thing, Wow I could have had some Menudo.  On the way out of town I noticed the sign & decided to take a picture.  I don’t think they would have been too happy about where I parked the bike but I got out of there pretty quick.

The rest of the ride that day was a good one even if the GPS screwed up and sent me on the wrong road TWICE.  No big deal it’s all part of the adventure & those were good roads too, just in the wrong direction.  It all worked out just fine though and I wasn’t off the bike more than 15 seconds before I had a cold beer in hand and plans were underway for dinner & a trip to the local club to check out the band.

Very good BBQ, and the country rock band was great.  Plenty of cold beer & tequila, of course, we closed the place.

Willis to Gulfport (today) 

Got a bit of a late start this morning – as you might have expected, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way.  Thanks again to Rick & Blanca..

Just a good ride without much to talk about until I was out of Texas.  Speed limits on the same type roads in Texas are 70, in Louisiana it’s 55.  That’s OK though because the roads are close to awful and anything over 60 is insanity especially on a bike; little bumps everywhere & big bumps and pot holes a plenty.  It was taking far to long on the back roads and I’d seen enough of the small towns in LA – at Baton Rouge I got on Interstate 10 and didn’t get off until Gulfport.  I know, I said I wasn’t going to ride on the Interstate Freeways but that’s just a goal.  I’ll spend some time on the county roads when the roads improve & it’s not so difficult to plan a route (they only build so many bridges over the big water).

I didn’t know about the helmet law in Louisiana but the nice officer was happy to make sure I was informed.  There are more pictures under the Pix 2 Tab.

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Day Eight

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I normally put 100 or so miles on the bike before I have anything to eat but the free breakfast at the hotel was tempting enough to check out.  The biscuits and gravy weren’t the greatest but they were certainly good enough.  I stopped off in Biloxi at Keesler AFB and got off a couple shots of the west gate area before I was once again under the scrutiny of law enforcement.  Apparently you aren’t supposed to take pictures of the gate area.  I did get to keep the pictures – he just had to write me in his little book.

Stopped off in Alabama at the battle ship and would have gone inside but the lady at the toll booth said it was going to be raining all over Florida all day tomorrow so I figured I’d just take a couple pictures and start putting asphalt behind me.

I pulled off the Interstate near Milton to see a friend if he was around.  I couldn’t get ahold of him but left a message and “shaded up” for a little rest by the Blackwater River.  I stayed on Highway 90 for a little while but it was just too hot to be going that slow and stopping for stop lights along the way; so, back on the Interstate for awhile.  A few miles outside Tallahassee I stopped at a rest area and consulted a map.  I decided to try another state route and actually found a good one.  It could have had a faster speed limit but there was virtually nobody else on the road and that suited me just fine.

I’m currently holed up in Perry, Florida and will be leaving in the morning for Rockledge, Florida.  It’s less than 300 miles and I think I’ve got a route already so I should be there in plenty of time for dinner – even if it’s the early bird special (hint hint).  New pictures at Pix 3.

Click here to track my progress.

Day Nine

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From Perry to Rockledge was just over 250 miles.  I got an early start though because rain was forecast after noon and so far (knock on wood) I have been able to avoid the rain.  I know it’s inevitable but I’m trying to put it off for as long as I can.

Today was a fauna day.  I saw a macaw flying overhead and a wild turkey spooked and flew right at me it did startle me but it wasn’t that close.  Not like the time in Oklahoma (huh Bert).  And then there was the snowy egret on the side of the road that had been contemplating suicide all morning and apparently had decided that death by motorcycle was going to be the method.  He took off and only flew a foot off the ground right at my bike – not much I could do but prepare for the impact & at the last second he changed his mind.  I was really surprised that he was able to turn around that fast.  Lastly, I was happy I saw and didn’t hit a rather large turtle crossing A1A up by Daytona.

I got to Daytona and A1A around noon; plenty hot but no sign of rain. (Dad, thebatteries in my Spot lasted about 65 hours)  By the time I got to Rockledge (about 50 miles south) it was considerably darker and I actually did get a few drops of rain but not enough to make me any wetter than I already was.


Phil and Shelley have a garage at their condo and Shelley graciously moved her Mustang outside so I could keep the bike dry for my visit.  We went out to Phil’s local watering hole and had a couple beers while Phil schooled two of his friends in the art of playing chess.  One of his friends is a boat salesman and thought he might be able to hook me up with a fishing guide that could help me put a 10 pound bass on the wall.  He made a couple calls but it didn’t work out.  I will likely leave tomorrow and start heading north.  I was toying with the idea of heading on down to Key West but I’ve been there and it just wouldn’t be the same without Robin.  I’ll save that story for another time….

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Day Ten

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What a great afternoon/evening with my friends.  While talking last night Phil reminded me that Shelley is still waiting for that motorcycle ride that I promised her so long ago when they still lived in the L.A. area.  So, I told her that we would go for a little ride this morning before breakfast if she was interested; she was so that’s what we did.  It started out just fine, about 5 miles up the freeway then to A1A for another 5 or so then 10 miles back on the freeway.  She is a good rider and even handled the rain quite well.  That’s right – on our way from A1A back to the freeway we got rained on.  Now a downpour but we were definitely wet and going to stay that way for a while.  Phil had Eggs Benedict and home fries ready when we got back to the house and it was GOOOD.

I left and planned to slab it (take the interstate) until I got north of Daytona then move over to A1A and go up the coast.  When I got to Daytona I called my nieces up in Atlanta to see what was going on up there and they said that they were leaving tomorrow morning for California then Vegas but if I could get there today….  Okay, that makes this a fairly long day as far as miles go so time to get back on the slab.  I was still a little wet from this morning’s ride so I wasn’t all that worried about the dark cloud just to the north when I hopped on I-95.  I toyed with the idea of putting on the rain gear but decided against it (I’d like to have that one back).  I have never been on a bike in that much rain.  It only rained for about 10 miles but my boots couldn’t have been wetter if I’d waded knee deep into the swimming pool!!  A few miles down the road I pulled over to dry the inside of my sunglasses off so I could see (they were so much water outside and in while it was raining that I had to take them off to see).

After that it was mostly dry on I-95 and I kinda dried out (not the boots though).  And – for all the Florida folks 95 is the number of the Interstate – NOT the speed limit.  The speed limit on that stretch of road is 70 and if you’re not going 80 the simi trucks will run you off the road.  You’re safe at 85 but don’t be in the fast lane.

After I got to Jacksonville I picked a secondary road to get to Newnan and got rained on again for about 50 miles (guess my boots are never going to dry out today).  Next time I see rain coming I’ll at least put my gators on (they cover my boots and up to my knees).  Back on the slab to make sure I was there in time for dinner.  Cracker Barrel with 4 adults and 6 children (all but one between 7 and 12 months – crazy…)

Back to Sara’s apartment where we hung out for a little while before packing it in for the night.

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Day Eleven

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This morning Laura and I went to breakfast because she missed dinner because she was working last night earning her gambling money for Las Vegas. Chic Fillet breakfast was pretty good. Back to the house and everyone was frantically packing and making sure they had everything in the proper TSA containers to get on the airplane. Grandma is going to stay behind and help take care of the kids while the moms are out of town so she was there as well helping out. Time to go so we all headed out and had a snap shot at the bike before they left. We are missing one adult (Missy) and 5 kids to make the picture complete. Sorry Missy, next time we’ll take the picture before you leave – but it was dark last night.

I caught this old barn or whatever it is out of the corner of my eye at 65 mph on the way by and had to go back to take this shot. You see stuff like this all around down here but it’s difficult to get close enough to take a picture. I half expected the folks that live down the drive way that I’m parked on to come (shotgun in hand) and ask me if there was something they could to do to help me. With that bike it is very difficult to sneak up on someone. Anyway, it was a good shot in my (never to be humble) opinion and I’m glad I was able to get it. I think I re-defined circuitous route today. I was ALL OVER the place. Mostly trying to get into South Carolina so I could add it to my list of states I’ve been this time around. I can’t really blame it on my GPS but the guy that programs that thing could use some lessons!! I did have a good ride though. Worthy of note is that one of the roads I took today makes the road from Crescent City to Grants Pass look like the Autobahn!! But it all adds to the adventure and it was actually cool enough up there that I could have actually worn my jacket. I told myself that I wasn’t going to ride 10 hours today and I didn’t – I rode ten and a half. But the weather was so good, not hot, no rain, etc. that I just didn’t want to get off the bike. I did get back on the slab at the end of the day though because I just had to get out of South Carolina. Don’t get me wrong – I like South Carolina but on the back roads that I was on today I was….. let’s say…. out of my element. I really doubt that I would have been welcomed at the local dive bar – if ya know what I mean. So, I grabbed a fist full of throttle and made it up into North Carolina just west of Charlotte for the night. My bike loved being able to cruise at 70-80 vs. the 15 mph turns and slow overall speeds in the mountains, and – I ate up some miles that will make the ride to Yorktown, VA tomorrow a little shorter.

Day Twelve

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I checked the map this morning and decided that I’d stop for breakfast in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.  They used to have a Nascar track there back in the day and I wanted to see the town.  Now, North Carolina is HUGE when it comes to Nascar.  It’s said that many of the people here still count; One, Two, Dale Earnhardt, Four, Five…….  My kind of place!  I ate at Harvey’s Restaurant on the recommendation of the lady at the gas station.  Small place with only 5 booths and 4 tables, so far so good.  I was trying to figure out what to eat when I heard one of the other patrons order Livermush – now I’ve got to try that.  Livermuch was on the menu as well as Brains, and Hog Jowls but there was no description so I asked my waitress & she brought me a sample.  It’s like liver pate’ but almost the size of a piece of toast and of course – fried.  Purdy dang good is what I had to say.

From there it was a nice ride into Virginia on good county roads and just a little slab time.  I rolled into Yorktown around 5:00 PM and after a long twelve years got to see and visit with my friend Kimberly.  I’m going to stay here for another day which is good for me because I’m getting a little less enthusiastic about getting back on this bike every day.

Day Fourteen

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Yesterday I ran around here and there getting the parts necessary to make a couple bike repairs (including the horn) and other stuff to get some of Kim’s heavy lifting to-do’s accomplished.  The horn works (you can still expect an occasional finger though) and Kim’s heavy lifting chores are mostly done.  It is so great getting to visit with long lost friends but it’s time to go.  On my way out of town I noticed this 4×4 VW Bug and had to get a shot of it.  When I was taking the picture I noticed that the name of the town (hard to see in the background) is Ordinary; now that’s ironic.
 

The ride up to Marshall, VA was fairly short even on the back roads.  That was good because I COULD NOT WAIT to see my wife.  I believe this is the longest we’ve been apart since we’ve been married.  She is visiting friends in Marshall and attending a horse training clinic.  The original plan was for her to bring her horse to the clinic and I would bring our dog with me on the bike then we would all drive/ride back together.  Her horse ended up injured but she still wanted to go to the clinic and visit her friends so she bought a plane ticket and took the dog.  As you can see from the VW picture, it’s a good weather day.

Roadside Chat #2  – Got a warning for 73 in a 55 from a fellow motorcycle riding Sheriff

Day Fifteen

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Today I got to go for a ride with Robin.  We started out without a destination just riding around then headed for Washington D.C.  We’ve both been there but not for a long time so what the heck.  I figured – it’s Monday, how bad can the traffic be.  Answer: BAD.  And it was the same thing all over again.  Hot sitting at the stop lights and can’t get going fast enough before you have to stop again to cool off.  After a couple stops I thought, let’s go to Delaware and then I can cross that off the states tab (did you see that one up there?).  Another mistake, no way we would be back to the farm in time for dinner so we made a 180 and had fun getting a little lost (even with the GPS).  We stopped at a little restaurant and got some food to go for dinner and headed back.  The food was wonderful and the company even better.

I mentioned that Robin is here for a horse clinic – Cindy and Paul are hosting the clinic at their farm (Quail Run).  What a place!! A mere 63 acres and it looks like a Kentucky horse farm.  Beautiful rolling hills of horse pastures and a main house that is awesome.  After only a day and a half I count these people as friends of mine and I know Robin feels the same.  This picture was taken this evening right before we had dinner.  Cindy & Paul call it the Sunset Cruise.  It’s a six mile loop around several of the properties in the area.  Grab an adult beverage and hop in the Gator (nothing runs like a Deere spoken here).  Paul and I talked about the history of the place and some of the properties and local activities while the girls sat in the back drinking and spilling their wine.  It was a grand time.

Speaking of time – it’s time for bed.

Day Sixteen

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Today can be summed up in one word – RAIN.  I left Quail Run and it was drizzling but it quickly turned into rain.  With no real destination in mind, I rode north and west toward lighter skies hoping to get out of the rain.  I actually DID get out of the rain and was even in the sunshine for a while.  So, I pulled in for gas, traded in my rain suit for some sunscreen and crossed my fingers.  That – – was wishful thinking.  The sun was gone before I got out of the gas station and less than an hour later I was stopping on the side of the road to put my rain gear back on.  Now for those of you that think rain gear keeps you dry – it does not.  It keeps you dryer and if you’re smart enough to come in out of the rain, dry enough.  If however, you are not smart enough to come out of the rain – you will be wet.  Needless to say I was wet.  I wanted to get into New York today before I got off the bike but I was so “over it” that I promised myself that I was pulling over at the next available place to stay.  My boots, despite my best efforts with some rain repellent this morning, are SOAKED.

End of the day

I believe that things happen for a reason and the reason I am at this hotel is that they have an extremely warm laundry room where my stuff can dry out.  The manager couldn’t wait for me to get my wet stuff into that room so he could show me how fast it would dry.  When he saw my boots he said, “Maybe tomorrow morning…”  Ha, ha.  Anyhow, I was thrilled that I wasn’t going to have a chance for my stuff to dry out because wet boots are no fun.

The forecast is for some good weather over the next several days.  Tomorrow I’m shooting for Maine (just across the border) then start back south.  I was contemplating what to do with the rest of my ride, and I think that instead of trying to get 48 states done, I’m going to try to make this bike a 49 state bike (over its lifetime).  If I do that I think Oklahoma will be the farthest west state I need to add.  I’m going to reflect on my travels with a map and see exactly which states I have to add and will put them on the States tab and cross them off as I go.

Click here to track my progress.

Day Seventeen

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Today was a BIG day.  Just under 600 miles and just over 13 hours and six states.  Yesterday when I decided on my new goal, I looked at a map and started adding mileage and I’m running out of time.  Seemed like I had forever when I started out a little over two weeks ago but it goes by fast.

Everything I put in the furnace room at the hotel was warm an dry – almost.  My boots were dry on the outside but still a little damp on the inside.  I should have stuffed them with newspaper, that would have done it.  But today was forecast to be B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L so I wasn’t worried.

I was on the road at 0630 and although I did a lot of slab time the slabs up here aren’t like a 4 lane Interstate with everyone jockeying for position.  In fact, most of the roads I was on today that are “Interstates” are good motorcycle roads that I really enjoyed.  True, you don’t get to go through all the little towns along the way but I didn’t have time for that today.  Something else I didn’t have time for was taking pictures.  I had the camera at the ready but there really wasn’t anything remarkable to share with y’all.

The day started out cold.  I didn’t bring my electric clothes so I had to stop a couple times to warm up and add a layer where I could.  By the time I got to Albany, NY it warmed up enough that I started to shed layers but I never did take my leather jacket off.

I ran into some other riders at a gas stop and they told me that they were on their way to Laconia Bike Week.  It was on my way and I actually thought about changing my plans and spending a night there but the weather is kinda rainy and I really don’t like the jam packed biker events.  If you’re going to stay and party that’s one thing but for the most part on the roads, it’s people that think they can ride getting in the way of the rest of us.  And the only thing worse than a car or truck ruining my riding experience, is another bike(s) ruining it.

My riding experience today was not ruined in any way.  I was a little disappointed when I was about 15 miles from Maine it started raining again.  Not a downpour but I was getting wet.  All I could think about was GREAT my boots just dried out and now I’m going to have wet boots again.  It didn’t last long though and my boots were dry again by the end of the day.  Checked off a few more states and the plan for tomorrow is Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware and back to Quail Run.

Click here to track my progress.

Day Eighteen

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STAY OFF I-95 South through New York!!  More to follow.  Tomorrow Kentucky.
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Today I spent a lot of time on I-95 S.  Now I think the “S” stands for South but in the state of New York it stands for piece of SHIT road.  This is by far the worst stretch of Interstate I’ve ever been on.  There are bumps the size of small logs all over the place.  It would have been very easy to have a wreck; I think my bike was actually airborne a few times.  I took a glove off to get a piece of gum and the road was so rough that it jarred my glove loose from the dash and it fell off the bike.  Had it happened anywhere else I might have gone back for the glove but there was no way to do that here.  Both my saddle bags came open and I was lucky enough to only lose a hat out of that deal.

Anyway, I don’t want to sound bitter here but I’m never going back!!

Day Nineteen

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West Virginia Mountains

Left Quail Run this morning and the weather was quite a bit better than last time.  The ride to Lexington to see my Aunt Kathleen & Marty was a good ride and the roads through the Appalachian Mountains in Eastern West Virginia was one of the best roads I’ve been on with plenty of turns, trees, and almost no other vehicles.  I did take a picture but you will just have to come back to see that one in a couple days.  Not much to report for this segment but there will be a picture some time in the near future.

Day Twenty

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Aunt Kathleen & Marty

Last night we went out to dinner at a local restaurant at a back roads intersection.  The place was PACKED and the food was very good.  I had the Fried Oyster Po-Boy and we enjoyed the music from a little four piece band that sounded just like the sound track from Soggy Bottom Boys.  Had a great visit – always nice to see family you haven’t seen in a while.  Thank you Aunt Kathleen & Marty.

On the lift for a new horn, rear tire & a thorough check-up.

Right now I’m shadin’ up and getting a new rear tire at Powder Keg Harley-Davidson in Mason, Ohio.  They are also fixing the horn (I think it broke on I-95 in New York).  If you ever have the chance to stop here – these folks will take care of you.  Some of the best service I’ve ever had at a H/D dealer.

While I was waiting for my bike I thought I’d take a look around the store and bought a t-shirt and a pair of rain gators.  The gators have to be better than what I bought from J.C. Whitney.  Those things are little more than wind breakers & worthless at shedding water.

Anyway, while I was hanging out here I thought I’d take the time to catch up a little on the blog.  Bike should be ready momentarily – tonight Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Day Twenty One

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Greg & Rene

Got a bit of a late start today but I wasn’t actually ready to leave.  There was a weather system that was going through and that was an easy excuse for Greg and I to sit in the front room and chat but it was long gone before I pulled out.  When you only see someone every 25 years or so it takes a long time to catch up.  It was amazing how insignificant the time between visits mattered.  I was immediately welcomed as part of the family.  Greg and I were roommates in the Air Force at Keesler AFB 34 years ago.  We picked up where we left off and went from there.  They have a great family and I’m proud to know such awesome people.

I’ve done some catching up on the blog so check the older posts back about 4 days for updated posts and the pix 3 tab for some new pictures.  Think I’ll shoot for Kansas City tomorrow, I got a hankerin for some ribs…

 Click here to track my progress.

Day Twenty Two

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This flag was brand new this morning.

Today was a WINDY day.  Riding in the wind isn’t a whole lot of fun.  When you’re riding in less than ideal conditions (cold, rain, wind, etc.) you need to be ready for anything so you are in very “collected” position the whole time.  Not able to stretch out by moving your feet around or put the cruise control on and steer with one hand.  Today, having a fairing that is attached to the frame instead of the forks of the bike is huge.  Still, it’s tough and I was having a hard time with it.  I had a route planned out that would take me up in to Minnesota but that would have added 100 miles and I knew with all this wind, I would be lucky to make it to Kansas City.  At one point I was getting really tired and ready to just pull over and call it a day – pick a hotel and end this.  Before I could find a hotel I pulled over at a rest stop.  I spent 20 minutes shadin up in the grass under a nice tree and actually got a little nap.  When I got up I was a new man – ready to go; even though it meant rolling into Kansas City at 4:30 and the anticipated traffic jams.

Much to my surprise the traffic was almost not a factor until the last couple miles.  When you go to Kansas City you have to have the Ribs & this place was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.  When I go to a new town I check Google to see if there is a DDD restaurant there.  I’ve eaten at several and although they weren’t all awesome, none of them have been bad.  The food here was good and the beer cold and refreshing.  It was only 6 miles down the road to the hotel and the end to a nightmare day.

My Ram Mount for my GPS broke  today.  I was quite lucky on the timing because it happened at a gas station.  I just looked over at it and it broke in half.  Had that happened on the road I doubt that the power cord would have been able to hold the weight of the GPS and the cradle it sits in.  Dang!! I was just at J&P Cycles in Iowa too, I could have gotten a replacement there.  So, now I’m using the arm from my drink holder, maybe I can find a place that sells RAM products along the way.  Tomorrow I’ll be heading down to Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Click here to track my progress.

Day Twenty Three

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Leaving Kansas City I am really enjoying the ride.  It’s back onto the country roads and I was just heading in a general direction instead of having a specific route in mind.  I did want to skirt my way into Arkansas so I could add that to my list of states.  Arkansas and Oklahoma will mean that this bike has been in Mexico, Canada, and every U.S. state but Hawaii.  By the time this ride is over the odometer will be in the 94,000 range.  Anyway, a nice way to start the day for sure.  It was another windy day but there was some cloud cover most of the day so at least it wasn’t HOT too.

I was wondering which way to go when I got to Tulsa & figured I’d call another FAA friend from the early days and see if he was still around.  He was there and said, “Come on Down!!” so I headed for Oklahoma City.  I know, I know – “UGH – Oklahoma City?”  But y’all are just citified and don’t appreciate those folks.  I fit right in there, I guess you’d say they are my kinda people.  If you don’t believe that check out this road sign – there are a few Lindsey’s out here and it is the part of the country my grandfather came from.

Bert & Mary are wonderful people and were happy to have me stay in their new house (it is nice for sure).  Bert just retired but is working as a contractor at the Academy for some extra spending money.  Bert used to be an outfitter and guide when he was working in Phoenix so we spent much of the evening talking about hunting and guns.  I don’t get too much of that out in California so it was a welcome subject change.  Bert has quite a gun collection as well and I spent some time drooling over several of his firearms.  Thanks a lot guys, I’m looking forward to our next visit.

Day Twenty Four

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Leaving Oklahoma City this morning I turned south for about 100 miles to Ardmore.  There I can get all the RAM mount parts I need to get my GPS mount back where it needs to be.  The folks at GPS City were very accommodating and I got everything I needed and more.  It took me about 15 minutes to get everything installed and I was headed west.  One of the extra things I got was a mount for my iPhone.  I doubt that I’ll use it much on the bike but it’s a universal kinda deal & I can use it anywhere.  However, I did use the front facing camera to take this shot while I was riding…..

The wind was blowing again today but it doesn’t bother me as much as it used to.  I figured out a way to adjust my position on the bike and it makes things much easier.  Heck, when I finally get out of the wind I think I’m going to miss it; it’s been my constant companion since I left Wisconsin three days ago.

The wind today was strong enough that these cattle decided standing wasn’t worth the effort so they laid down.  Most of the ones that are standing were lying down but when I stopped and got off the bike they got curious.
After I got my GPS all squared away I looked at a map and figured I’d make it to Clovis, New Mexico; I missed that by about 90 miles.  It’s okay though because I needed a short and easy day.  I also don’t go as late in the day when I’m headed westbound.  Something I’ve always tried to avoid is riding/driving into a setting sun.  It’s a bad time of day for everyone on the road & on a bike you really multiply the possibility you are going to have a problem.  I’d rather start before the sun comes up if necessary.
So – I’m cooling off and catching up in Plainview, Texas.  I was wondering how the town got its name when it hit me.  Plainview = plain+view, and that’s what you get here.  The only thing that limits your view of the surrounding plains is the curvature of the earth.  Now you might think that makes for some pretty boring riding but not for me.  I wonder as I’m looking at the farm land & associated trappings – are those people struggling to make it like we see on the news or are they doing fine.  Is that silo full or empty, corn or wheat or something else.  Are all those pieces of farm equipment rusting away just slowly going back to the earth or are they actually used once or twice a year and just too much trouble to paint – and if they are used – what is their function?  Okay – you’re right, it does get boring after a few hundred miles but the fact that I mostly have the road to myself more than makes up for it.
Click here to track my progress.

Day Twenty Five – Getting close to home

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Today was an interesting day.  Leaving Plainview it was overcast and there was some wind but it was from the north instead of the south wind I’ve gotten used to.  It was actually a cold wind too.  That combined with the cloudy skies had me reaching for my jacket and winter gloves.  As I got close to the Texas/New Mexico border I had to laugh at the name of the last town on the Texas side.  Texas/Oklahoma = Texoma, Texas/Arkansas = Texarcana, Texas/New Mexico = Farwell; isn’t that funny.

I wonder if the guy that named this town so many years ago just wasn’t a very good spellar.

I was a little worried that the New Mexico fires might hinder my route through the mountains but there were no road closures and just about no more smoke that I could see.  Hopefully they’ve got those things under control, come on rain.

The wind was kinda shifting around today but just outside Arizona I got hit by what must have been a dust devil that was invisible since there was no dust in it.  Both hands on the handlebars please.  That dust devil didn’t wreck me but this deep sand did.  I missed a turn and took what my GPS (remember it has an interesting sense of humor?) said was a good road back to where I was supposed to be.  I saw the missing asphalt but thought it didn’t look that bad – WRONG.  Worst part was that after I got through the sandy mess, the road was closed.  I used some more of that fancy language but vowed I wouldn’t be going back through that again unless I had no other options.  I picked my way through the vacant lot area & got back to the road.  My adrenaline was pumping so hard that I had no idea I was going 85 mph and I think the speed limit was 60 – I put the cruise control on and tried to relax.

Took me 4 tries and some fancy language to get this picked up & more fancy language and all my dirt biking skills to ride the 75 or so feet of remaining sand, rear tire spinning & clutch smokin’ the whole time.  Nobody around to help but nobody around to point & laugh either.  Just a couple little battle scars on the saddle bag to help tell the story, nothing the next paint job won’t take care of.

Today I also saw some Texas Longhorn cattle.  I looked and looked in Texas but never did see any, now that I’m in New Mexico – here they are.  They were all laying down when I rode up but when the white calf started walking over to the fence, mamma stood up and whacked him in the face with the side of her head and they both stood there and watched.  Nobody else even thought about getting up.

NRAO Very Large Aray in New Mexico

Just a little ways past Socorro, New Mexico I started seeing all these dish antennas.  They are spaced kinda far apart and scattered all over the place.  Hmmm, wonder what that could be.  Well, it’s NRAO – the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.  I thought you might find it interesting so here is link to their web site.  I checked it out but like that bar I was thinking about going into in South Carolina, (but for a different reason entirely) I was a little bit out of my comfort zone.

Day Twenty Six – next to last leg

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Show Low, Arizona –  According to the legend, the city was named after a marathon poker match, where the stakes were a 100,000 acre ranch. After no one seemed to get the upper hand, one player decided to end the contest by declaring to the other, “show low and you win”. The other player produced a deuce of clubs (the lowest possible card) and won the ranch. Show Low’s main street is named “Deuce of Clubs” in remembrance.

Last night here in Show Low was fun.  The Days Inn has a bar over the office so I went over to One Eyed Jacks for a beer after I got the bike unloaded.  The bartender recognized me as a biker right off so she started talking to me about my trip etc.  Then she said that her husband rides and is planning a trip for 2013 and wanted to know if it’d be alright if she called him up so he could pick my brain.  I wasn’t goin anywhere so I said sure, wondering what I was going to be in for.  Turns out he is a great guy and serious rider.  In fact he was up in Alaska two years ago and rode the Haul Road all the way to Deadhorse (not on a Harley though).  He and I had a wonderful time just talking bikes and bike rides for a couple hours.  But I had to go back to the room and get cleaned up so I could be back in time for the pool tournament……  This could be a long story but I’ll make it short.  I never lost and was at the top of the winner’s bracket waiting to play the winner of the loser’s bracket.  I left undefeated, but not as the champ – I couldn’t stick around for the hour or so that it was going to take to determine my next opponent.  It was fun though – all local folks & me, just like the old freedom rides.

Some really good memories from our summer vacations here.

I started working on the blog this morning because the hotel got their wifi back up and running but it was just getting too hot.  I figured I could do this in the next hotel (turned out to be a Motel) down the road and I shouldn’t be wasting the cooler hours of the morning.  The road from Show Low to Payson takes you through Rim Country (you can click here to find out more about that area).  I had to check out Christopher Creek, we went there when I was a kid.  It’s still pretty much the same and a family with young children was there watching the kids play in the creek that runs right in front of the cabins.  I wanted to go check out the lake we used to fish at but never saw a sign so I just pressed on.

Not too long after you leave the Rim you head down into the Verde Valley – it was pretty hot down there & I was glad to start making the climb up over Mingus Mountain.  On that road you run into this little mining town that is quite the tourist attraction (don’t ask me why) named Jerome.  They told Robin and I that it was a huge biker town, and I guess as long as I was there – it was not far from the truth, otherwise though…. not so much.  It cooled off considerably up on the mountain and that’s a really good motorcycle road.  They were doing some guardrail repair so I got to the front of the line at the “be prepared to stop” area and after the follow me truck pulled off I had a blast.  While I was on that road I decided that I was going to start heading for home.  I ran across a Whataburger so I had to go in and get one of those for lunch.

I’m thinking that with all this heat it might be best to make my run across the desert when it’s still dark.  So I’m going to wrap this up and get some rest, I’ll see how I feel when the alarm goes off.  I’m staying at the Westward Motel in Salome, Arizona.  Nice place but not much other than a room, bed looks pretty comfy though…..

Day Twenty Seven – Home Again!!

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Pulling out of the Motel in Salome at midnight it was actually still quite warm.  I was quite comfortable riding in a short sleeved t-shirt.  It was a moonless night, and being able to easily see the stars and actually see the milky way was distracting enough that I had to resist the urge to look at the sky instead of the road.

By the time I got to the California border it was actually cooling off??  I started layering up and by the time I got through Palm Springs I had everything on but my rain suit.  It wasn’t really cold out but at 75 miles per hour – 50 is pretty cold.  I rolled into the driveway here at home at 5:30.  I warmed up after a 35 minute shower & promptly took a nap.