John's Motorcycle Journey

2008 Developments

2008-03-30T15:08:00.000-07:00

Since my last posting, we have turned the corner on a new year.
Here are some thoughts to update you on my life.

Natalie and I have made yet another trip to west KY. We traveled by plane this time,
which in my mind is the WORST way to travel! I think that makes 5 or 6 separate trips
I made there within 10 months!

I have NOT purchased a bike yet. I've looked, but not purchased. I have not gone
back to work, and am just continuing to put off the bike purchase until I start working
again. Again, too much uncertainty here at the present time to writing a check for a
new bike!

I have heard from several of the folks I met along the way.
My Canadian friends, Jacob and Kathy, have called me several times.
They even spent the night in Eugene (twice) while on the west coast
visiting relatives. We met for coffee one morning. It was good to see them.

Two guys I met in Maine were on a 2 week tour of the northeast. They were from
Boston, MA. One of them called me after the first of the year. They just wanted to
check in and see how the trip ended. They are coming to the west coast here this year.

I met a locksmith and his wife at the cog railway at Mt. Washington, NH. He has called
me since I got home. I have received multiple emails from others I met along the way.

I have had one opportunity to speak about my trip since coming home. I spoke at a
Campus Life group in Feb. I shared photos and stories of the trip. I have another opportunity
this coming week to speak to the senior citizens at my church of the trip. Coming up in May,
a local Rotary club also wants to see a presentation. I love doing this and welcome the
opportunities to talk about it.

Final thoughts on a great trip!

2007-12-19T13:12:00.000-08:00

Dec. 19th, 2007 Final thoughts...

These are the final notes on the tremendous trip I had this summer,
from July 24 until it ended on October 24, 2007.

It has been nearly 2 months since my little "mishap" on Oct. 24th.
It has been about 5 weeks since I returned home to Oregon on Nov. 11th.
The rain is POURING down here, and has been for days. Another storm
is out in the Pacific, promising to dump even MORE rain on us over the next week.
There is no riding going on here in the near future.

A NEW BIKE & A NEW TRIP

I have received my check from the insurance company. Sure, I wish it had been a little more, but I think they were "fair" to me. However the whole process was a little frustrating and overwhelming. I won't be going into the insurance biz anytime soon!

Yesterday I received the current issue of Motorcycle Cruiser magazine with a preview of all the 2008 bikes. Over 100 models, in all sizes (primarily cruisers/tourers) and brands are included. I've made no decisions, and probably won't until springtime. As for the new trip, or finishing the old one, a decision on that will have to wait. There are too many things "up in the air" about our future here in Eugene, OR. But I will definitely ride again! The 50mph "get off" was not bad enough to scare me away from the joy of riding! I've talked to folks since my accident, that have had 2, even 3 mishaps, who still ride. Those who ride, you know what I'm talking about!
Yes, to some, the risk IS worth the reward!

ADJUSTING TO HOME

Coming home has been quite an adjustment. I was 1 day short of being gone from home 16 weeks. Wow...how things change. I initially felt like a stranger at home. I know my short trip can't begin to compare, but now I do have an idea about our soldiers struggle to reconnect when they return home after a tour of duty. I know it is far worse and more difficult for them.

According to my daughter, I didn't put things back in the fridge the way "they were supposed to go." I had 4 months of bank statements to review, and accounts to balance. I had a trailer full of gear to unload, unpack and put away. I felt "odd" being here. I was used to being alone and in my own space. Now I felt like a visitor or a guest. When I moved things around, I felt like I was intruding in someone else's space! I was definitely out of my element!

When I looked out the 2nd story windows, or went into in my own back yard, I felt "confined" by the fence surrounding the place. I felt the neighbors were too close. And even though I'd camped very close to the interstate several times, I heard the noise of the traffic around here just more acutely. Later on, my wife told me I was experiencing sensory overload. And later I learned all the "stuff" that was around me was really aggravating me.

It felt good to work in the yard again, to mow the grass, and walk around the house. I'd forgotten about the flowers planted in the spring. I have to say though, my wife did an EXCELLENT job of keeping the yard up while I was gone. I'd forgotten about the new chairs around the kitchen table that Nat had purchased a year ago. I'd forgotten about the new fence I built in the back yard. My favorite easy chair got moved to the bedroom while I was gone. I'd forgotten we even had it. Things I had viewed a hundred times before, now seemed "new" to me.

PROFOUND THOUGHTS AND MUSINGS
...or neat stuff I learned!

Being on the road for 75 days (actual riding days) gave me a lot of time to think,
and a lot of opportunities to interact with people from all walks of life.
In that time, here are only some of the things that impacted me.

1) A lot of us (people in general) have higher opinions of ourselves than we ought to.
2) Most of us are treated better than we deserve.
3) Many have gone ahead of us to prepare the way for what we have and how we live today.
And those folks, some of them, paid with their lives. I need to honor and remember them more.
4) The United States of America is a GREAT place to live. We live in a beautiful land.
Contrasts abound in it's geography, in it's people, and in it's beauty.
5) Life can change in a heartbeat. I need to appreciate each day and LOOK for the good
in the days that don't seem to have any good in them.
6) There are some kind, gracious, helpful, hospitable and friendly people out there all over our land, and in Canada, too! I want and need to be more like them!
7) I had a tremendous opportunity that many will never have. I am grateful and don't take it for granted.
8) Silence and solitude...they can be good things. I need to embrace them more.

I don't really know how to sum up the entire experience. The same old overused adjectives come to mind. Words like awesome, fantastic, beautiful, phenominal, peaceful, serene, restful and WOW! ...all together just cannot convey what I saw, heard, and felt over the 14,000+ miles I traveled, all in the saddle and on 2 wheels. Now when I see someone traveling, especially on 2 wheels, I think to myself "I hope they have as great of a trip as I did." I can only wish that each of you reading this can someday, somehow, experience this great land we live in.

Thank you for reading my ramblings. Thank you for the prayers and well wishes you sent my way. Thank you for the comments you posted, the emails you sent and the phone calls I received. I am grateful for the many friends I have, now all across the country!

God bless you all!

October 25, 2007 The day after

2007-10-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

October 25, 2007

The day after my "mishap"

After showering and having "continental breakfast" at the hotel, I came back to my room and starting making calls to get a rental car. The airport was out. I called two places that would shuttle me to them if I were within 5 or 10 miles. I was about 20 miles away. I took a cab and paid the $34 to get me there. I had called AAA and they would reimburse me up to $200 for hotel, meals, car rental, etc. as a result of the crash.

Once I got my car (Ford Explorer to put trailer stuff in) I headed west on I-40 back toward the accident scene. I pulled off just for a moment, then decided to go look at the bike first. When I pulled in, I saw my helmet, jacket and rainsuit jacket in the shop of the towing company. The guy took me up the hill, and the pics will show you what I saw. I got my camera out and starting taking pictures. I opened up the trailer and everything was still intact. The officer told me the only thing he found on the ground was my ink pen. It had slid out of my tank bag. The trailer, with 2 gas cans, did not flip and burst apart, nor did the saddle bags split open, spilling all their contents. It probably took me half an hour to load it all into the Explorer and double check to see if I'd collected it all. It was sure an eerie feeling. My arm was really aching by now, and my back, just above my right side at the waist was sore today.

I dropped off my prescription at the pharmacy, went and had lunch, and went by the police station to get a report. When I went back to pick up the prescription, both of the pharmacy techs (ladies) were riders! They were amazed at what had happened and all the details. I then dropped off a list of the bike and accessories to the tow shop so the adjuster would have some idea of what I had there. All of my dealings with all the folks that had a part in any of this were just fantastic. I did not have one bad experience here, other than the accident itself. I then headed out to Nashville.

I was glad to be on my way to Symsonia. When I finally got cell service, I called several folks. It really made the time pass better. When I finally got into Symsonia Thursday evening about 7pm, I was just dragging. I had been in the same clothes for 2 days. I was just glad to be somewhere familiar. It was good to be here. I was GRATEFUL to be here at all.

Day #75 October 24, 2007

2007-10-28T08:02:00.000-07:00

Day #75 “Mishap Day”

Wednesday October 24, 2007

Knoxville, TN to Harriman, TN

49 miles today (28,468-28,517 the last mile on this bike…)

14,050 miles total

35 states total (+Wash. DC and Canada)

Where do I start to write about this day? It started off pretty normal. I had looked out the window twice during the night just to check on the bike and trailer. Rain was steadily falling both times. But at least everything was covered up, and though damp, would remain relatively dry. I wasn’t in any big hurry this morning, as I figured I had 3 hours (if that many) to Nashville and then 2 more to get to Symsonia in west KY. I went to the continental breakfast and had a waffle and coffee and took coffee back to the room. I showered, dressed, and packed the trailer with the few things I took out of it last night. By 9 I was nearly ready to go but felt a little edgy like I’d had too much coffee. So I went back to the breakfast and had some toast and OJ. While there, I met a couple from St. Louis who had two daughters that live in Oregon! One even lives in Eugene and teaches out at LCC. Her name is Karen and she teaches in the communications dept. at LCC. The other daughter lives in Albany. I think they said they were coming out to Oregon this Thanksgiving for two weeks. They trade holidays between the daughters in OR and a son in SC.

Since riding in the cold and wet on the Blue Ridge, I wanted to find some “handlebar mitts” for the ride to Symsonia and also down into FL in case I ran into more rain. I’ve been hearing it would be a given that more rain is in my riding future. I googled the Yamaha shop the night before and found it next door to a HD shop, both owned by the same folks. I found what I wanted at the HD shop. I installed them in the lot, was able to wear my thinner summer gloves, and off I went. It had sprinkled rain off and on several times in the short distance from the motel to the HD shop. The roads were wet, but not necessarily slick. The last light before the freeway was on an uphill incline, and I actually slid to a stop as the light changed. Yikes. I just didn’t want to chance, beating the light on this 4 lane divided highway. Once I got on the interstate, the trucks were flying. I kept my speed between 50 and 55, a speed I was comfortable with considering the conditions. I had traveled about 25 miles from the western edge of Knoxville, when I decided I wanted to gas up before heading on to Nashville. This is when the little “mishap” (as my friend Rusty calls them) occurred.

I rode the previous two days in rain, fog, wind, and one day on WET LEAVES! Yuk! This day, I was on the freeway, I-40, which was wet, but it was not raining at the time. I had gotten off the freeway and back on one other time previously in the 2 hours I'd been riding. The off ramp was long and straight, with a right turn at the bottom. I could see all the way to the bottom. The posted speed was 45 for the ramp, and it was just a typical straight shot "slow down as you go" off ramp. NO curves in the top end at the freeway. I was doing about 50 mph, having just looked at my trip meter and speedometer, and deciding to get fuel. I noticed the posted speed, and thought I'll just throttle off a little as I go. I remember just tapping the brake two or maybe three times as I exited, or moved to the exit. I would guess both the bike and the trailer had just moved from the travel lane of the freeway to the off ramp lane, and then without ANY warning the bike just went out from underneath me. There was no wobble, no weaving, no vibration, no jerking, no bump or anything to indicate there was a problem. I wasn't speeding, leaning, doing anything I can say attributed to the slide.

As the bike went down, wheels out to the left, I somehow either let go, or was "thrown" (right word?) from the bike. As the bike went down, I was closer to the ground and didn't even feel or notice hitting the ground. I road the off ramp, on my butt (I think), feet first pointing down the ramp. As I was going down I either thought, or said out loud, "Help me Lord Jesus." I wasn't yelling or panicky, but just knew I needed some help here. I saw the bike, with the trailer right behind still in a straight line, go by me. Both the bike and trailer, and me, were moving in a slight angle toward the guard rail. Everything was in slow motion, but my life did NOT flash before my eyes. I remember thinking I don’t want to get caught between the bike and guard rail. I feel like I could count the metal I-beam posts holding up the guard rail as I was sliding by, things were in such slow motion. I saw the bike/trailer pass me, then I looked to the guard rail, back to the bike which had hit the post by now, and I saw the trailer "bounce" straight up in the air as the bike was suddenly stopped by the post. The trailer never flipped over. I then saw the rail as I slammed into it. My right arm was either up already, or I raised it just before impact, and then my body slammed into my raised right arm. The bottom of the guard rail cut my arm about 2" above my wrist bone, on the outer edge of my arm, perpendicular to the bone. I didn't know this at the time. When I came to rest (the bike/trailer already had), I laid my head down on the ground (I was on my back) just to get my bearings. Just within a few seconds I tried to get up...and did! I thought "Wow! What a ride!" My arm was really aching, but I was aware it took the brunt of the impact. My head never hit the ground or the guard rail until I laid it down in the dirt after I’d quit sliding.

An elderly Mennonite couple was behind me on the freeway and had observed the whole thing. As they stopped on the off ramp, and came to my aid, I was up and walking and thinking “I’ve got to make some pictures!” Of all mornings, I put my camera in the opposite saddle bag of normal and it was on the side on the ground. The lady was near me now and was shaking badly and I think crying a little, and the man kept saying "I thought you were dead! I thought you were dead!" I was up and standing by the time they got stopped and got over to me. I took my own helmet and gloves off, but then noticed my right hand was all red (blood) and she helped get my raingear and leather jacket off. Then we noticed my arm and the gash in it. Since then, I can recall seeing the cars and trucks whiz by as they passed the top of the exit ramp. I can’t help but wonder what some of them thought as they passed by. Some probably think they witnessed a fatality. I have to admit that my thoughts at the moment were not on the close call I had, but as I looked on the crumpled up bike, “Darn! How am I going to finish my trip?!” Must be all the adrenaline!

An ambulance was returning from a call they'd just finished up on, and were about 2 minutes behind me on the interstate. I think they came upon us before 911 put out the call to our location. Of course, my time frame is probably all out of whack, but it was quick. The paramedic was taping my arm, the local Kingston police officer was wanting my license, and the elderly lady was still shaking and half crying. About then it just kind of hit me and I said "I've got to lean up against the trailer for a minute." As soon as I did that, out came the gurney, and then the back board. I remember the paramedic (right title?) asking me something about the back board, and my reply was “Will it COST any more?” I mean afterall, I had to save enough money to get back home, right? They put the C collar on me, strapped me to the back board and we were on our way. I had my first helicopter ride AND my first ambulance ride on this trip! The helicopter was MUCH more exciting, and I'm SURE it cost less!!!! On the way in, the paramedic talked with me and he was a biker too! That helped. As we got to the ER, I asked him one favor: "DON'T cut my boots! DON'T cut my boots!" He laughed and told the doctor when we arrived "Oh, and don't cut his boots." The charge nurse in the ER who took me in and cleaned me up also rides with her husband. So I felt like I was surrounded by people who understood "why" I would find the risk worth the reward...

The ER was very busy. They put me in an exam room and got me stitched up. But shortly afterwards they had to move me out because the ambulances just kept coming in. After I got x-rayed (no broken bones) and dressed, the social worker came to see me after hearing about me. I had no wheels, no clothes other than the jeans and tshirt I had on, and no place to go, and no relatives in the area. As much as I could think straight at the time, I thought I needed a rental car to get around. The closest was in the Knoxville airport, about 40 miles away. When I got in the cab, I asked the guy if I could get to the airport for $20-$30, as I had no idea at the time where I was, and no idea where the airport was. He chuckled and said “No, it’s $100 bucks to the airport.” What? “Stop the cab!” I wasn’t about to pay that. I apologized for the trouble I caused him and told him I’d have to work something else out. I had walked about ½ block back toward the hospital when he came back around honking and waving at me. He pulled up and told me dispatch had told him that the hospital was picking up the tab for this. I do remember the social worker telling me that, but in all the details of trying to get out of there, I just forgot about it.

Once at the airport, I got out of the cab and hesitated about where to go. I needed a phone as mine was nearly dead and I had no service, I was hungry, my clothes were a mess, and as of yet, 6 hours after the accident I hadn’t heard from my wife. I headed to the airport magazine store looking for a phone card. There were none. But the nice lady behind the counter, Michelle, let me use her phone.
Busy signal. I asked about something to eat, and all the real food was on the other side of security. So I bought a phone charger, thanked her and hunted for an outlet to plug in my phone. After plugging the phone in and sitting down, I realized I still didn’t have any service, so the charger did me no good. Then I headed downstairs to rent a car. I tried every vendor there, and each one was all sold out! Great, no luggage, no car, no phone. By now, I was just feeling kind of “wore out” from it all. I was walking around this airport with dirty, torn jeans. My white t-shirt looked like I’d been in it a week. My boots had mud all around the bottom, and I just felt a little “lost” I think. I needed a place to “crash” (once today was not enough??) so I called a motel with shuttle service from the motel directory near the luggage carousel. When the little gal asked me how I was doing today, I just kind of chuckled and said “Not too bad for a guy nearly killed 6 hours ago.” She was not only the driver, but also the clerk at the motel. She fixed me up with a razor and shaving cream, toothpaste and brush, a comb, deodorant, and several other things. She gave me a list and menu of several places that delivered free to the motel. She just went out of her way to try and get me settled in.

I made several calls from the room, asking my daughter Karla to contact several people for me. I eventually got to talk to Nat. She was pretty calm about the whole thing. I called Don Brunk, a CMA’er from Eugene. Within 30 minutes the local CMA president was calling me to ask what I needed. What a great network to have access to. I was settled in, had dinner on the way and really didn’t need anything the rest of the night. I took some Aleve the clerk gave me and hit the hay.

The whole day was kind of a big blur at this point. I couldn’t quite believe I had survived a “50 mph get off” and not only survived, but got up and walked away!
Praise the Lord for that. I have to admit, my thoughts had turned to disappointment that the trip was done. Now I’d have to figure out how I’ll get around, get the bike and trailer, get them home, and a multitude of other details.

Day #74 October 23, 2007

2007-10-23T21:00:00.000-07:00

Day #74

Tuesday October 23, 2007

Ashville, NC to Knoxville, TN

166 miles today (28,302-28,468)

14,001 miles total

35 states total (+Wash. DC and Canada)

It rained off and on all night last night. But before dark, after returning from a day around, but not through, the Smoky Mtn. Nat’l Park, I moved the canopy from the picnic table to the tent. I wanted to keep the tent dry in case the rain was falling while breaking camp. And I was able to keep the tent dry except the 2’ or so at the end over the bed area. Shouldn’t hurt it.

I got onto the LAST section (70 miles!) of the Blue Ridge Parkway before 8:30 AM. I traveled only a few short miles before….FOG! Wow. No real surprise there. There were 7 tunnels in the first 11 miles this AM. And it certainly seemed that the fog AND the rain increased after exiting each one of the 7. Last week, starting at Front Royal, VA I had 2 beautiful days of riding. I travled the last 2 on the parkway in bad weather, and now the final day would prove to be the WORST! I traveled 20 miles this morning when I came to Pisgah, where there is a restaurant. I had to make a left hand turn, across the opposing lane of traffic, in the fog to get into the parking lot. I almost passed the opening it was so foggy, and until I got IN the opposing lane, I couldn’t even see the car coming. I think he was traveling WAY TOO FAST for the foggy conditions. I actually met a car or two without lights on in fog so thick you couldn't see 4-5 car lengths in front of you.

As I was going in, I met a guy from Ontario that had done 7,000+ miles. He had started in Vancouver, BC and gone all the way done into Mexico. He was on his way back to Ontario. Fog and rain was the report from him. After having another breakfast (excuse to get out of fog/rain), I met another rider, John from SC, who was going north up the Blue Ridge Parkway. We visited a while, then it was back out in the fog. I stopped at the highest point on the parkway and made a couple of pics. As I headed to the end, about a mile before getting there, almost to Cherokee, NC, I passed a pullout where a guy on a big bike was waving and flagging me down. I had to ride nearly a ½ mile to find a safe spot to pull over and turn around. I could SEE the end of the Blue Ridge Parkway less than 100 yds away, but I had to turn around and help a guy, or at least try. I thought, “Oh no, I’ve come 469 miles in 5 days and I can’t get to the end!” When I got back to the turnout, the guy explained how his big Valkerie Interstate fell over, a passing motorist helped him get it upright, and how he been trying to start it for over 30 minutes. He explained about a “tip over switch” that shuts them off when they’re tipped over. He’d disconnected the battery and tried everything else he knew to get the switch to reset and the bike to start. He put the key in to show me there was nothing, and as he reached for the throttle I said “Have you checked the kill switch?” He looked at me like I was from Mars. But then he had that “I am SO DUMB” look. He flipped the switch, hit the starter and VROOOM it fired right up! I wanted to take his picture, but just couldn’t. And out of respect for a fellow biker, I’ll just keep his name and state to myself. At least I was able to help. I told him I'd send him a bill if he didn't help some other rider on down the road. We traded road conditions, as we were going opposite directions and I was on my way to FINISH the Blue Ridge. I stopped and made a pic of mile marker #469, the last one. I was FINALLY off the Blue Ridge Parkway, and was kind of glad of it.

I rode the short 26 miles across Smoky Mtn. Nat’l Park from Cherokee to Gatlinburg and headed on in to Pigeon Forge, TN. I stopped at DUFF’S Smorgasbord in Pigeon Forge for lunch. I had a customer in Eugene by the name of Dan Wilkins who gave me his business card and wrote on the back that I could get 8 free meals when I stopped in Pigeon Forge. I’d saved the card for nearly a year, thinking I would be coming through the area. I was really a little skeptical about it, as I had no idea Dan had any connections to the restaurant. I think he told me at one time he was the owner of it. When I got there, and told the cashier I had a business card for 8 free meals, she looked at me a little funny. She was new and had to call someone else over. When I told the other person in charge I was traveling from Eugene, OR and had a card from Dan Wilkins, she immediately said “Oh, Dan, sure! We know all about him!” About half the staff knew Dan and just spoke like he was Santa Claus or someone equally as generous. Dan has a really big heart (read his story below), but sometimes you just can’t tell if he’s serious about something. They had me record my name in a spiral bound notebook (were those names all free meals from Dan???) and changed my card from 8 to 7, and I was on my way through the buffet line! Check out Dan’s movie “Have you seen Clem?” Paste this address in your browser for more info on it.

www.tennessean.com/local/archives/04/04/50666790.shtml?Element_ID=50666790

After lunch I headed out of town and got onto I-40 west bound toward Knoxville.
I had made the decision to head to west KY to surprise my wife by showing up there this coming Saturday. She was flying in for some family business, and I hadn’t seen her smiling face in nearly 3 months! I was looking forward to the visit. Rain was forecast again for tonight and tomorrow, so I decided to settle in a motel for the night, and try to keep everything dry. I was glad to be off the Blue Ridge Parkway, finally. The fog, along with wind and rain, made for some very tense riding days. I hope to be in Symsonia by Thursday at the latest, then it will be on to Florida and corner #3!

Day #73 October 22, 2007

2007-10-22T19:30:00.000-07:00

Day #73
Monday October 22, 2007
Ashville, NC to Ashville, NC
273 miles today
13,835 miles total
35 states total (+Wash. DC and Canada)

I got up about 4:30 and left camp about 5:45 AM. I rode in the dark with the trucks on I-40 West. As I climbed the mountains out of Asheville, the temp really began to drop. I had debated about putting on long underwear under my jeans this AM, but decided not to. Was questioning that now. As I rounded one of the tight 50mph curves at about 60mph, there was WET PAVEMENT! Yikes. I really throttled back and about that time the rain started coming down a little harder. My exit off I-40 was about a mile away, so I was at least off the freeway, even if I was in the rain. I had to pull off within another mile and suit up, in the dark.

The trip to Gatlinburg from Asheville was nearly 75 miles. By the time I arrived the sky was beginning to lighten. However, all that was really lit up were the huge, dark storm clouds overhead. I gassed up and drove on in, riding from one end of town to the other. Of course, Gatlinburg has changed in 31 years, and I didn’t find anything familiar. I saw 2 things I remembered. One was the big round concrete hotel sitting high up on a hill. The other was the tram going up the hill on the other side of the street to a German (Bavarian?) restaurant.
All the downtown area has been completed torn down and rebuilt into the little shopping courtyards so prevalent at all the tourist places across the country. There was NO parking at the last 3 restaurants I passed. I turned around at the end of town, and headed back to a place I saw when I first entered the downtown.

As I was getting my helmet/jacket off, a couple walked by and he was checking out the bike. I followed them in, and they later invited me to join them. Dave and Kathy were there in Gatlinburg to get married! She had been to Oregon 5-6 times in years past and even had a job interview there once. She had some relatives here for the wedding who are from McKenzie Bridge, only about 40 miles from Eugene. Dave is a fellow biker, and has a passion for the older BMW’s. He’s looking forward to retiring soon so he can “go to work” restoring/riding old bikes. Kathy would like to move to Oregon. We talked over breakfast, then they were on their way to go get their marriage license.

I headed out to Pigeon Forge, just to see how it had changed, and to take me toward the “Tail of the Dragon” route. Wow! What a change! Tourist row for sure! The traffic was pretty light I thought. Dave and Kathy shared how her relatives last week drove 2 hours to travel the 7 miles from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg. I head out of Pigeon Forge on US 321 toward Wear Valley and Townsend on the Foothills Parkway. In Wear Valley I came out of my rain gear, shed some layers, got gas and coffee and moved on.

Before turning off on US 129, I fell in behind a group of 6-7 Harleys. I brought up the rear and just rode with them all the way to Deals Gap. The ride along the “Tail of the Dragon” was fun, and not as difficult or demanding as I had anticipated. I think we have roads as equally as challenging and scenic in Oregon. The old McKenzie Pass and the road to Hells Canyon Dam on the Snake River come to mind. But, it was fun for sure, and I'm glad I took the day to come over. As far as adrenilin rush and thrill related to risk (i.e. HIGH on the dumb stuff to do list), the ride up I-40 this AM, in the dark, in the rain, riding along side the trucks on the tight turns and narrow lanes, was actually more exciting than the "Tail of the Dragon." I stopped in Deals Gap and bought the obligatory t-shirts, magnets and decal to attach to my trailer. I had lunch in Robbinsville while the rain fell quite hard. I rode through Cherokee and back to Asheville on US 19. Tomorrow I’ll come through here again “one way” on my way through the park instead of around it.

I got back to Asheville and camp about 5PM. It been a long 11+ hour day, and most of it was spent in the saddle. I made dinner, checked mail, packed some stuff up, got ready to break camp and hit the road tomorrow.

Day #72 October 21, 2007

2007-10-21T18:09:00.000-07:00

Day #72
Stayed put in Asheville, NC KOA

Didn't even start the bike up today...
never unlocked it from the tree it's cabled to.

It got down right chilly last night! The weather station in Asheville reported 36 degrees.
I got up twice to see if my heater was running, and it was. Supposed to be 49 tonight for a low,
and rain is coming this way...again. I've missed two beautiful days for riding. But I've ridden almost 72 days, so I'm sticking with my plan to let the tourist traffic thin out a little before heading to Gatlinburg tomorrow.

I've spent the entire day updating the blog (nearly all caught up) and updating my gas & expense logs. It has been a beautiful sunny day here, and warm. Many of the campers have moved on. I haven't seen any new ones pull in anywhere today.

I'll get my gear assembled for tomorrow's run, which should be a long, long day.
But without the trailer, it should be more fun. I plan to be on the road very early, before sun up
to get over the mountain and to the park.

It has been a relaxing day, including talking to Nat.

Day #71 October 20,2007

2007-10-20T17:00:00.000-07:00

Day #71
Saturday October 20, 2007

Ashville, NC to Asheville, NC
96 miles today (27,993 – 28,029)
13,562 miles total
35 states total (+Wash. DC and Canada)

A pretty chilly morning, but the sun is shining brightly. Should be a gorgeous day. I got dressed and had breakfast at a Shoney’s several miles down the road. Of course, the waitress wanted to know all about the trip once she discovered what I was doing. The leathers were a dead giveaway. She and her husband hope to ride to the Grand Canyon this coming summer.

After breakfast, I cleaned up the tent some, organized, showered and tried the internet. No service this morning. I figure it’s their down time or something. So I took the ride into Maggie Valley to see the Wheels of Time motorcycle museum. Lots and lots and LOTS of old Harley stuff, including a motorized HD tiller and a HD log saw. Several old cars, a plane or two. They claim that everything in there will run. I would guess there are a couple of hundred old bikes in there. They had some good vignettes set up for different periods. One was a hill of dirt about 12’ or more high with various hill climbing bikes on and around the hill. Another was an old garage, with a gravel floor, complete down to the oil stains and spills on the gravel. The display with the tiller and saw was built around what appeared to me to be an old mining scene. Some of the motorized things were on rails.

The afternoon ride was beautiful. Lots of traffic in the little town of Maggie Valley. Every motel I saw said NO vacancy. I hope to ride across the mountain into Gatlinburg and do the Tail of the Dragon tomorrow. I’ll have to leave early if I’m going to do all that in one day. And I’ve got to work in the remaining nearly 70 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway yet, too.

I’ve met several other bikers here and picked up some good information. A Knoxville, TN couple warned me about the sport bikers up on the Deals Gap road. And a Stuart, FL man (where Natalie’s sister lives) is going to try to connect me with some of his buddies who have gone into the Keys several times. And a nice couple with 2 kids from South Carolina pulled in late yesterday afternoon in a big Monaco Coach. She warned me of a big football game this coming weekend that will have the I-95 traffic tied up for miles or days. These folks purchased their coach from Lazy Days in Tampa, I believe he said. I remember engraving Lazy Days on lots of Country Coach sales awards. Both Monaco and Country Coach are manufactured in the Eugene and Junction City area of Oregon.

It’s been a pretty relaxing, peaceful day. I didn’t really intend to ride at all, even the 96 miles. But since I had no internet I decided to enjoy the weather.

The "Clyde" pic is for my friend in Eugene, Mr. Beebe!

Day #70 October 19, 2007

2007-10-19T21:00:00.000-07:00

Day #70

Friday October 19, 2007

Boone, NC to Asheville, NC

163 miles today (27,770 - 27,933)

13,466 miles total

35 states total (+Wash. DC and Canada)

Again, for the 2nd day in a row, the word of the day is FOG!
Before hitting the parkway, I stopped for coffee at a gas station waiting for daylight to show up. I didn’t want to ride the parkway in the dark. While there, I met a man who had lived in Springfield, OR until he was 7. And tonight at the drug store, one of the clerks had relatives that lived in Eugene, OR for years. I didn’t recognize the names. To my daughter Karla: Yes dear, it is amazing how many Oregon connections there are no matter where I go!! And yes, in order to have friends, you must be friendly!

Back to the FOG! It appeared early again today, within just a few miles of getting started. I had no traveling companions today (Keith and Sharon), so I just pressed on. When the fog was absent, the trees and their colors were even MORE vivid than yesterday! Each day the colors just deepen. For the 4th day in a row, I have no idea how far I will travel. I thought I would do the 470 mile parkway in 2-3 days. This is day #4 and I am STILL nearly 70 miles from being to the end. I’m hearing 3-4 hours to cover the last 70 miles. The speed limit is only 45 mph, and I’ve heard strictly enforced. However, I’ve yet to see anyone out here in 4 days who would be concerned about it.

I rode for nearly 2 hours this morning when I was ready for a warm up at one of the park service owned gift shop/snack bars. However, they didn’t open till 10, nearly 20 minutes away. I wasn’t going to wait around. Why, I could cover 3-4 more miles at the rate I’m traveling this morning! While there I met another rider who was also going south. He was headed to Birmingham, AL for the big vintage bike show and swap meet.

After this stop, about 20 minutes later, the forecasted rain made a very strong appearance. Buckets? A torrent? Cats and dogs? I don’t know best how to describe it, but I had to pull off the road. After about 15 minutes of just standing in the rain, it finally eased, so I moved on again. But the fog remained. I saw on my map a place called Mt. Mitchell which is the highest point east of the Mississippi. It was within the park boundary, and only 5 miles off the road. Being this close, I wanted to stop, even if I knew I would never see the summit on a day like this. But as I got closer, I discovered there was a restaurant near the top. Finally, a warm up spot. The summit was about like Mt. Washington in NH back on day #50; windy, foggy, and cold. Soup and coffee helped warm me up as I watched the fog and clouds blow by at a steady clip. Another solo rider there gave me some warnings about the wind in the Keys when I go there.

As I drove down the mountain in the afternoon and began to drop in to Asheville, NC, the sky cleared, the temp climbed some, and the roads dried out. However, the traffic got thick. I thought seriously of a motel for the weekend as I’ve heard from 3 different sources this is expected to be the busiest tourist weekend of the year in and around Smoky Mtn National Park. But the $140/night price tag of a mid-grade motel drove me to the KOA. It’s great. Good wi-fi, nice people, not crowded, so I’m convinced it’s exactly where I need to be. I even set up a canopy over the picnic table, intending to catch up on the blog tomorrow and Sunday.
I’ll sit tight here tomorrow and Sunday and let the tourists clear out of the Smokies before I head over that way Monday. I’ll want to do the Tail of the Dragon, see downtown Gatlinburg, visit the Wheels in Time motorcycle museum, all while down here.

Nat, you'd like the decorations here at the KOA campground. A pic of the hosts is at the top of the page. Can you figure out which ones they are?

Day #69 October 18, 2007

2007-10-18T21:00:00.000-07:00

Day #69
Thursday October 18, 2007
Meadows of Dan, VA to Boone, NC
137 beautiful miles today (27,633 - 27,770)
13,303 miles total
1 new state today: North Carolina
35 states total (+Wash DC & Canada)

The “Word for the Day” today is: F-O-G!!!! More on that later…

I got up early and packed, ready to go long before the sun got up. Once daylight appeared, I realized there would be NO sun today! I went to the back porch of the campground and Will was making coffee. Another rider showed up, named Bruce, who had arrived after dark last night. He was from NH and on his way to Birmingham, AL to a vintage motorcycle show/swap meet and museum. We had breakfast together at Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We parted company from there, as he had to go back and tear down his camp. I headed south on the Blue Ridge.

I traveled only 16 miles until I literally had to pull over. I wanted to pull over sooner, but this was the first available spot. The fog is so thick I can’t see to ride. I paced off the steps from my bike before it disappeared before my eyes, and all it took was 20 paces, or about 60 ft, and I could no longer see the bike at all. Riding in this is crazy and VERY taxing on the senses. Everything is heightened and tense.

After 45 minutes or so of sitting there, reading, checking maps, walking around, a Gold Wing pulling a Bushtec trailer pulled in with a couple on it. This was my “divine appointment” for the day. They too were tired of riding in this and had pulled off hoping for it to lift. We visited a while and I found out they were believers from Nashville, TN. They knew of Paris, TN (their hometown originally), Paducah, Benton and Mayfield, KY. They lead worship conferences at different places. We decided we’d ride together, since we both had CB’s and it would provide some additional security/safety to have someone else along on a day like this. We rode along, talking about our families, jobs, trips etc. and had lunch together at one of the park restaurants along the parkway. Finally about 3:45PM, shortly after a gas stop, they went ahead down the parkway toward Asheville and I turned off toward Boone to find the KOA.

The fog was off and on all day long. At two different times for 15 or 20 minutes, I led us along at 30mph because the fog was just so thick. But the leaves…the leaves were MORE BEAUTIFUL than the previous two days, if that is possible. The colors are just popping out! We rode through one really neat “tunnel” of trees where the trees nearly touched one another toward the center of the roadway.

Forecasted tonight is rain! There are no cabins available for tonight at the Boone KOA.
They do have some tent sites with covered, graveled “patios” for lack of a better description. The guy at the KOA store suggested I drag the table out and pull the trailer in under the cover. The graveled area has a 4x6 frame, with the 6” dimension coming up out of the ground. I build some ramps out of gravel and 2x’s to get over it, but in trying to get the bike OUT of the framed in area, I got stuck…I got high centered on the crashbars! I had to get help getting out. They were kind enough to help, especially the guy that suggested I try that! They were good sports about it!

Showered, did laundry, moved photos from the camera to the laptop and tried the web.
Nope, no service. The blog is SO far behind….

Day #68 October 17, 2007

2007-10-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

Day #68
Wednesday October 17, 2007
Waynesboro, VA to Meadows of Dan, VA
226 beautiful miles today (27,407 - 27,633)
13,166 miles total
34 states total (+Wash DC & Canada)

I got up about 5AM so I could do more than 122 miles today. Here it is at 6:45, I am sitting in the local greasy spoon, Weasie’s Kitchen. All your local “old timers” are here. The sun is just beginning to lighten up the sky behind the mountains that I rode on yesterday. I can see them from the table where I am sitting. I’m looking forward to another beautiful day.

5:30 PM
I have ridden over 178 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway today. I can remember all the way back to Day #9, which was August 1st, when I rode the Chief Joseph Highway (WY state route 296) which goes from the NE entrance of Yellowstone Nat’l Park to Cody, WY. I thought IT was beautiful! I think I have found its competitor. I often caught myself actually saying out loud “Whoa!” as I rounded a curve, or climbed the hill, or pulled into an overlook turnout. The trees, it’s as if some of them were SHOUTING with their colors. Some just popped! The mountains and hills, some far off in the distance, were peppered with reds, oranges, yellows and every shade in between. Today, the Blue Ridge Mountains were like a carpet, all woven together to create a fantastic tapestry. And today, God was the weaver, and I got to observe His weaving. “Wow!” is all I can say.

Early this morning, I stopped after breakfast at a wayside picnic area. You had to drive off the main parkway 100 yards. The grounds were laid out in a large loop. In the center was a pair of restrooms. Scattered throughout the grounds, arranged around the loop were picnic tables and parking spaces. This must have been about 8AM. It was still, quiet and very peaceful. Squirrels were all over the ground. The leaves were crunching under their feet. Then I saw the deer. I had already seen 3 right on the road earlier, but I probably saw 12 here in the picnic area. I counted 4 fawns. One young buck stood between me and the bathrooms for over a minute. He was frozen in place, standing broadside to me, with his head turned back just staring me down. I watched, moved as little as possible, and snapped off a couple of pictures before he bounded away.

The ride today WAS better than the ride yesterday, just as John and MJ said it would be. I couldn’t believe it. And I’ve already heard from a local, that it gets only better as I get into North Carolina. How can it?! At one point I got behind a motorhome. As it approached a turnout to let me by, I saw their tags were OREGON! So instead of passing, I pulled along side and asked where in Oregon. Albany, OR is their home and they were on their way to New Orleans I believe. Amazing that on the Blue Ridge Parkway I would meet someone from that close to home.

Tonight I am camped at a motorcycle only campground. There is only me and one other couple here. They are from somewhere in NC, and are camped for 4 days, just to ride and see the sites. They are up here nearly every weekend he told me. There is a big pavilion in the campground, that looks nearly new, which has 2 cast bronze plaques, a large perpetual plaque, and large oval shaped portrait of a guy on a motorcycle. They are all in honor and memory of the man in the photo, but I don’t know what the story is behind it all. I hope I can find out before I go tomorrow. Also, the owner of the campground, his sister and her husband are here visiting, and they are from Seattle, WA. Another NW connection.

It has been an absolutely fantastic day of riding today…but rain is in the forecast for tomorrow sometime. We shall see. “Into every life, a little rain must fall.”

Day #67 October 16, 2007

2007-10-16T21:00:00.000-07:00

Day #67
Tuesday October 16, 2007
Front Royal, VA to Waynesboro, VA
122 miles today (27,285 - 27,407)
12,940 miles total
34 states total

ONLY 122 miles traveled today, but oh what miles they were! I rode the 105 mile length of the Skyline Drive, overlooking the Shenandoah Valley. Virginia is an especially beautiful state. The Shenandoah Valley is just awesome. I have no new words to describe the views, and I know the old words are just worn out. The hilltops (mountains here) are just covered in trees in all kinds of colors. The view from up on top (the Skyline Drive) revealed just a patchwork quilt of woods, farms, small towns and open fields. The riding, with a 35 mph speed limit along the entire 105 mile length forces you to take in the scenery. I couldn’t ALWAYS stay at 35, but it did force me to really enjoy the riding today.

I had lunch at one of the ridgetop picnic areas. The pullouts, viewpoints, and picnic areas are numerous. The black bear warning signs are pretty prevalent though. I met a couple, Chuck and Becky from here in Virginia. They had lots of questions about the trailer and my trip. Becky later said I had inspired Chuck to keep on pursuing that motorcycling dream. I think Becky is after 55 acres in the country, so Chuck may have to dream a little longer.

Later in the day at a gas stop, I met a couple, John and MJ, also from Virginia.
He had a sister who lived in Florence, OR for about 3 years. MJ said John couldn’t do a long trip like mine as she just couldn’t be without him that long. But they do ride together, and they know some of what I’ve been experiencing. John has ridden all the roads I intend to take, including Tail of the Dragon. He said the views only get nicer as I go further south toward NC. HOW is that possible!?

The day finished off with one of my riding buddies, Nate Gayle, calling me to check up on me. Nate, you would be speechless seeing some of the views and vistas I have seen today. Just awesome.

It was a VERY good day today.

Day #66 October 15, 2007

2007-10-15T21:00:00.000-07:00

Day #66

Monday October 15, 2007

Williamsburg, VA to Front Royal, VA

192 miles today (27,093 - 27,285)

12,718 miles total
34 states total (+ Wash DC & Canada)

I woke up at 3AM and couldn’t go back to sleep! Of course, as fall is here now, dark comes by 6:30 and the sunrise is later. In a tent, even with electricity, there is just not enough to do at this early hour. I spent this morning catching up on my debit card ledger. I’m STILL behind on the blog…just can’t get regular, consistent internet on the road.

Today was a beautiful day of riding! Right out of Williamsburg I rode on US 60 west toward Richmond. The trees lining the road often leaned in at the top, nearly touching one another, creating a tunnel like effect. I did take I-295 around Richmond, and then stayed on that until getting to US 522. US 522 went thur Cuckoo, VA and a little place called Mineral, VA. One sign in Mineral pointed to “Bumpass” which was 5 miles away. You can make your own guess at the proper pronunciation. In Mineral, a little one gas station town in the middle of VA, I passed a pack/ship store that was operated out of a home. I had been packing coffee mugs from the HD factory in York for over a week, as well as numerous magnets for Natalie, brochures, maps and other such things. Nice folks at this place.

The ride all along 522 was hilly, curvy and lined with trees in the midst of their fall color change. I rode around Culpeper looking for lunch. Not finding anything, I rode on thinking I would ride all the way to Front Royal, the top end of the Sky Line Drive and ultimately the Blue Ridge Parkway. Instead, when I got to the little burg of Sperryville, VA, I drove by a little café with a couple of “Motorcycle Parking Only” signs out front. I rode past it, turned around in the parking lot of a motorcycle leather shop at the end of the street. I would come back here after lunch.

The café, name Rae’s (I think!) could have been transported right out of Eugene, OR. It was NOT what I was expecting with the motorcycle signs out front. Of course, I was the only motorcyclist! The menu had the usual café fare, but also had VEGAN choices. The front entryway was covered with flyers announcing various yoga, healing and massage opportunities in the local area. I visited with 2 of the waitresses for a little bit then headed to the cycle shop.

The cycle shop was strictly leather. It was called Mark’s Motorcycle Leatherworks, Inc. Mark Esola, the owner and sole employee, is a retired (20+ years) Special Forces veteran. What a neat guy! We talked and shared about our views of the U.S., the world, and the deteriorating state of both. After visiting both Gettysburg and Wash DC last week, I am MUCH more keenly aware of what others have done and sacrificed so that I can ride freely across our entire nation. I tried to express my appreciation to him for his and his friend’s service, but I’m sure I didn’t do an adequate job. What kind of expression of thanks would be sufficient for that? Mark repaired a zipper pull on my chaps for me, and wouldn’t let me pay him for it. He was just glad to have someone who could relate to some of his view of life and the world we live in. It was a great place to stop. Thanks Mark! What a great place to have stopped!

I rode on into Front Royal and pulled in a motel. I’m tired, have camped 8 days, and will camp the next week until I reach the Atlanta, GA area where I’ll touch base with one of Natalie’s relatives. I hope I can take my time down the Blue Ridge and not get rushed to push on to Key

West.

Day #65 October 14, 2007

2007-10-14T21:00:00.000-07:00

Day #65
Sunday October 14, 2007
Whaleyville, MD to Williamsburg, VA
212 miles today (26,881 - 27,093)
12,526 miles total
34 states total (+ Wash. DC & Canada)

It is nearly 7AM on a clear and crisp Maryland morning. I am looking east, sitting at the picnic table and sipping on my second cup of coffee. The eastern sunrise is only moments away. My plans today include crossing the Chesapeake Bay via 2 ferrys. This will knock 100+ miles, or more, and several hours off my time. I am headed back to the Shenandoah Valley where I started yesterday. My preference is mountains over coastline, and I will ride the Sky Line Drive/Blue Ridge Parkway all the way into Gatlinburg, TN. It will energize me for al the coastal miles around Florida, including the Keys, and along the Gulf Coast.

I followed US 13 down almost to the MD/VA state line when I came upon an accident. Eventually, a life flight chopper would take someone out, and 6 ambulances were eventually on the scene. I pulled off the shoulder and waited it out for nearly 45 minutes. The ride down US 13 was all 4 lane, mostly at 60-65 mph, except where it crossed through the little towns. Then there were stop lights. I discovered the ferry was NOT an auto ferry, but for passengers only. So I continued south to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel where I paid the $16.00 toll to cross. That was so neat! Riding the bridge portion makes me think this is what Key West will be like. The road just eventually “dives” down into the tunnel portion which goes under the water. So cool! I had no trouble navigating to Hampton and on up I-64. The road was busy though, I thought, for a Sunday afternoon. As I approached Williamsburg, I was really feeling out of sorts, maybe from not being hydrated properly. Riding alone, for so long now, I’m getting a better sense of my body and the effects on proper food and water. Since the weather is so much cooler now, I suspect I’m just not drinking enough.

At the Williamsburg KOA, I met a couple from Florida, Paul and Joyce, who were driving a new and beautiful Country Coach bus style RV. It came from Junction City, OR, and I have done lots of things for Country Coach through the years. We talked quite a bit, as he was intrigued by my little pop up camper, especially since it was being pulled by a motorcycle.

I talked to two good friends tonight, Nick in Eugene and Daryl in Batesville, IN.
I’m looking forward now to getting away from the ocean and into the mountains.

Day #64 October 13, 2007

2007-10-13T21:00:00.000-07:00

Day #64

Saturday October 13, 2007

Luray, VA to Whaleyville, MD

291 miles today (26,590 - 26,881)

12,314 miles total
1 new state today: Delaware AND Wash. DC

34 states total (+ Canada)

I set my alarm for 5AM so I could get up and out of the Yogi Bear Campground ASAP! Of course, I wanted to go by the tent of the guy that let out the “rebel yell” till midnight, ride circles around his tent or something, but I exercised some restraint… I packed up in the dark, and after checking the weather online, pulled out and headed to breakfast. I ate at the same little place I had dinner (trout) at the night before. I really need to start fixing my own meals, as I’d save a bunch of $$$.

One of the guys in the restaurant, a Dr. from Lancaster, PA came over and started talking about his bike trips, etc. He’s a general surgeon, a pilot, a skydiver. He did share some good info on the Dry Tortugas. Another local there shared some info about DC and driving in and around it.

I left breakfast at 8 and headed to Front Royal to ship another load of brochures, maps and souvenirs home. But then I got there and they don’t open till 11AM, so it’s onward to DC for me! I took note of the US route #s for the trip through DC, but I failed to write down the corresponding street names, and I would need them. The traffic into DC on this Saturday morning was not nearly as bad as I was geared up for. I had to detour at least twice in downtown DC and that got me off US 50 and turned around. I went round and round, for nearly an hour as there is NO place to park, until finally the police got involved. In this security conscious place, in this day and age, I guess a guy pulling a trailer on a motorcycle around all the different government buildings for OVER AN HOUR, just might draw some suspicion. One of the many times I pulled up to Constitution Ave., I noticed 3 police cars across the intersection. I hadn’t any more pulled up to the crosswalk line at the red light, when one of them hit his lights AND siren and began to proceed across the intersection, through the cross traffic and pulled up right along beside me. “Wow…what is this?” I wondered.

With a half exasperated and half suspicious tone, he asked “Do you know what you’re doing?” “Trying to find US 50 to get out of DC” I replied. He gave me the directions (3 times as I had ear plugs in) of 5-6 different turns and streets and I was on my way, finally. And although I missed the last turn he gave me and got caught in construction for over 20 minutes, I finally made it out of DC. Oh how I wish I’d called up Dave Dahl (I met in Gettysburg) and had him escort me through on that morning!! That last missed turn put me right in the middle of a neighborhood I certainly did not belong in. So, after 2+ hours to go through and get out of DC, I was on my way. What a mess.

I crossed Annapolis, continued on to Delaware, but not before stopping 4-5 times to check and confirm my route. “What’s wrong with me today?” I wondered. I think I’m a little dehydrated, or sick. I just could not get oriented to where I was supposed to be. Did DC and the cop shake me up? I don’t know. I do know my internal compass is “out of whack” today!! I went way out of the way to ride along the Delaware coastline, and couldn’t even see the Atlantic, not even one time, due to all the development along the shore.

I’m staying in a neat (large) campground in Whaleyville tonight. But there’s a BENEFIT ROCK CONCERT going on in the pavilion! Arrrggghhhhh!!! Last night it was kids, hundreds of them, and tonight a rock concert! They finally packed it away at 8PM. I will be glad to get out of the east...

I’ll do laundry, shower and hit the hay. A cold day, but a beautiful one anyway,
even if I didn’t see the ocean and the cops did momentarily suspect me of bad intent.

Day #63 October 12, 2007

2007-10-12T21:00:00.000-07:00

Day #63
Friday October 12, 2007
Gettysburg, PA to Luray, VA
148 miles today (26,442 – 26,590)
12,023 miles total
2 new states today: Maryland & Virginia
33 states total

I slept in this morning until 6:30. Yes, that IS sleeping in for me! I must have been tired.

I got out this morning shortly after 9AM in very sunny weather. Once I hit US 15 south, out in the open, I could really feel the wind. I hit Frederick, MD about 10 and pulled off at 2 different exits trying to find breakfast. I got back on US 15, continuing south into Maryland on MD state route 32.

I finally had breakfast in a little town called Brunswick, Maryland. I crossed quickly from Maryland, through Virginia, into W. Virginia all in a matter of about 2 minutes. I made my way to the Harper’s Ferry Visitor Center. Again, like in Gettysburg, there is just so much to see here than I realized. I took a shuttle bus to the downtown area where I made my way to the John Brown museum, watched 3 short videos, found the armory and toured the wax museum. I stayed nearly 3 hours and didn’t put a dent into all there was to see and do.

Decision time. Now where do I go from here? I still have to ride through Delaware to check that state off my list. And I WANT to ride through DC just to say I did. And I’ve had several folks tell me not to miss the Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah Nat’l Park. That ride is away from DC and Delaware. Since I was this close, I thought I’d head that way. At 3:30 PM I was not even at he entrance to the park yet, or the 105 mile drive. I picked up a Virginia Parks guide and found an RV park near the drive. I wanted a place BEFORE dark, so I called and booked it. I guess I was tired, as the name of the park should have tipped me off to what kind of place it would be. It had “Yogi Bear” in the name. I remember years ago camping in Oregon where a Fleetwood Mac concert was playing across the river. It was so loud! But here, at the “Yogi Bear Camp & Resort” the noise is even LOUDER!! Between all the kids running around, the country western music played at full volume and the occasional “rebel yell” let out for no reason, I seriously doubt I’ll sleep tonight.

I think I’ll head back into DC tomorrow. That decision is made.

Day #62 October 11, 2007

2007-10-11T21:00:00.000-07:00

Day #62

Thursday October 11, 2007

Staying in Gettysburg, PA

99 miles today (26,343 – 26,442)

11,875 miles total

33 states total

It was pretty cool when I woke up this morning at 5:30AM. After I got the water going for the coffee, I had to dig out my little ceramic heater to knock the chill out of the air. It’s barely 6” square and 6” tall, but it will sure do the job in the trailer of heating the space and drying the moisture out of the air. I’m considering hanging my one and only blanket from one of the roof struts, just to see if it will work better heating only my sleeping space. The temp tonight is to drop down in the mid 40’s.

Today I rode back east on US 30 to York, PA to visit the Harley Davidson factory.
I got some rain for about the last 15 minutes before getting there. It was enough to get me chilled. I arrived about 11AM, and had a 50 minute wait for the next tour. They issue tickets (free) and run the tours through with 15-20 visitors every 40 minutes or so. Very interesting! I’ve never worked in a factory setting, and the machines themselves were as much as interest to me as the products they produced. Half assembled Harleys swinging 12'-15' overhead on a conveyor is pretty neat looking! And the huge stamping equipment punching out and shaping fenders and gas tanks was impressive. I took special note of the lasers that cut through steel like butter. They were housed each in their own 10' x 10' room. Cool! I also went by the local dealer and toured a museum there.

I headed back to Gettysburg after 3PM. I had lunch in a Perkins about 4PM. I visited a local leather shop just outside of Gettysburg and bought Karla a pink license plate frame for her bike that said something like “Girls ride too! Get over it!” I gassed the bike up and headed back to camp for the night.

I had to start the heater even before dark and it was really getting cool.

Day #61 October 10, 2007

2007-10-10T21:00:00.000-07:00

Day #61
Wednesday October 10, 2007
Staying in Gettysburg, PA
0 miles today
11,776 miles total
31 states total

Traveling by tour bus today to Washington D.C. I’m was sitting at the pickup bench in the KOA at 5:40 AM. I’m excited about the history, the sites, the whole trip today.

I sat on the bus next to a guy named Ron from Minnesota. He is retired, and his wife nearly so. He was good company. The traffic into DC was awful. I just cannot imagine having to drive in this every work day. I just don’t see how people can do this. It must be worth it to some...

First stop: Arlington Nat’l Cemetary where we saw the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Such precision, such ceremony, and so solemn an occasion. It was very impressive. The cemetery itself is just so large. The story of Robert E. Lee’s home there at Arlington just adds to the whole place.

Second stop: Iwo Jima (and Marine Corp) Memorial
I really appreciated the bronze sculptures and the sand blasting in the stone.
And the Marines have been there in every conflict we’ve been in as a nation it appears.

Third stop: Vietnam Vets Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and the Korean Conflict Memorial. Having been in the awards/engraving business for years, I’ve blasted black marble, drilled and handled lots of white marble, and have sold and delivered to customers lots of bronze plaques/castings. All of these elements were present in these memorials. The white patina of the Korean monument was really striking. Kind of spooky looking almost. The size and scope of the Lincoln Memorial was much larger than any pictures I had seen. Six huge blocks of marble form the Lincoln statue portion. The many references to God, the Almighty, divine Providence and various Scriptures assures me (or reassures me) of the Godly foundation our great country has. The Vietnam Memorial was much different in its construction than I had envisioned. It’s amazing to see the extent, or the number, of the names on the wall. Each one represents a loss to our society, our culture, our country; and then a very personal loss to each family.

We finished up at the Smithsonian with a little more than 90 minutes to go on our own way. The American History museum and the Arts & Industry museums were both closed. I wondered in the natural history museum for a while, but just couldn’t even really get started.

Our tour finished up driving around and viewing many of the DC landmarks. We had dinner at a restaurant in Gettysburg before everyone was dropped off at their hotels or campgrounds.

Day #60 October 9, 2007

2007-10-09T21:00:00.000-07:00

Day #60
Tuesday October 9, 2007
Gettysburg, PA to Gettysburg, PA
30 miles today (26,313 - 26,343)
11,776 miles total
31 states total

I slept better last night for some reason. Maybe I’m here and settled in. But I did have some “neighbors” come in about 3:30AM and make camp. They were a little loud for 3:30 in the morning!

This morning I’ve just read, prayed and reflected in the stillness and quietness of the morning. I’ve had 2 cups of coffee before the sun ever came up. It’s great. I just love the outdoors in the early morning. Just me and God. There’s something good about that.

God’s goodness is all around me, not just in the beauty of His creation either.
I’ve had TWO offers to take me to pick up my bike when finished. Early this AM, a lady was walking her dog and just spoke about my trailer as she passed. I told her where the bike was, etc., and later in the morning she came by with her husband and got my phone number. They were going to the battlefields and would call me before coming back to see if I needed the ride. The other offer was from a lady in the laundry room. As I was doing laundry and talking, she found out about my trip and said “I’ve got to send my husband to see you! That is his dream!” He came to visit with me just a little bit later. After 1PM the bike shop called and the 2nd couple took me to pick the bike up. I spent the rest of the afternoon running errands. I went to the bank, got a haircut in a real barbershop and went to the grocery store. I also popped into an award/gift/souvenir store. This is probably the first time I’d been in an award business since selling mine over a year ago.

Once I got back to camp after 5PM, the sky really began to darken. I thought the storm was going to go around us. It ultimately did not. But I was able to get everything inside and get the bike covered up in time. A light rain fell during the night and the wind gusted from time to time.

Day #59 Monday October 8, 2007

2007-10-08T18:00:00.000-07:00

Day #59

Monday October 8, 2007

Gettysburg, PA to Gettysburg, PA

63 miles today (26,250 - 26,313)

11,746 miles total

31 states total

The air is pretty humid this AM. Pretty sticky. A noisy air conditioner on a nearby RV kept me awake a lot of the night. Even with ear plugs, it was just too loud. But hey, if I had it, I’d use it too in this humid climate!

I got out about 9:30 to get to the bike shop. I took the back, scenic, country road route which even turned into gravel for about 2 miles. The countryside is beautiful here. There are huge open fields between patches and rows of thick woods. You can see for many miles and just count off the many hilltops and ridges as you look to the horizon. It’s very easy to imagine, as I’m riding, that soldiers from either side could be hiding in the tree line just waiting to ambush the other. It’s almost creepy.

The bike shop, Rider’s Edge in Gettysburg, PA can get me in tomorrow Tuesday.
I’ll have to somehow arrange a ride back to camp after dropping it off. It’s probably 6-7 miles, maybe a little more. After confirming with the bike shop, I came back to camp and paid up for 4 more nights, through Thursday night. Then I headed off to town to catch some of the sights of the battlefield. I went to the Visitor’s Center and toured around the inside at the museum a while. I studied the artifacts that had been collected for many years after the battle. After that, I made my way to the Gettysburg Nat’l Cemetery across the street. I know there is great loss here, but the strongest emotion I sense is the tremendous sense of purpose or cause displayed by those that fought here. I’m sure many were pressured, either by peers, family or just a sense of duty. Others might have had some ulterior motive, who knows. But I’m sure many felt so strongly in their cause that they were willing to take up arms against their enemy. Yet, I do NOT sense anything profound or positive toward the terrorists of this age who so willingly attacked us, their perceived enemies.

I had lunch at a place called Friendly’s and came back to camp to clean out the saddle bags before delivering the bike at 5PM. I had to pay the only transportation company in Gettysburg $15 to take me the 6-8 miles back to camp.
Beats walking in the heat!

I made dinner of canned Ravioli and meatballs…yummm… (My wife is SUCH a GOOD COOK! I miss home cookin’!) Had ice cream from the KOA store for dessert, checked email and turned in about 9PM.

Day #58 Sunday October 7, 2007

2007-10-07T16:00:00.000-07:00

Day #58

Sunday October 7, 2007

Allentown, PA to Gettysburg, PA

160 miles today (26,090 - 26,250)

11,683 miles total

0 new states today

31 states total

Had a very good nights rest at the Allentown KOA. Very nice folks there that own that one!

This morning, another lady came over and visited with me as I was packing up. She reminded me so much of Nat's mother. She was small in her stature, but very independent and self assured. She has put 183,000 miles on her Chevy camping van since the early 90’s. She took her first trip then to Alaska with a caravan of other campers. Most of the time she said, she camps alone with just her cat for company.

The ride yesterday was SO enjoyable! New Jersey just blew me away…I wasn’t prepared for the way it looked compared to what I was expecting. It was good to camp again after spending nearly a week in a motel at various locations as I came down the east coast from Madawaska.

As I traveled from Allentown to Gettysburg, the traffic was pretty heavy. I passed the H-D factory in York, PA. I’ll want to make that a place to visit for sure! I arrived plenty early, before 3PM, and had enough time to make camp at a leisurely pace. The trailer is on a raised gravel pad, nice and level, and I am happy about where I am located. Some of the “fun” of the trip was coming back. I went to the grocery and got back before dark. I had time to eat dinner and then I went to an introductory movie on the history of the Gettysburg battlefield.

I plan on having the bike serviced while here, I hope, so I have to make camp and STAY PUT for a few days. Tomorrow I'll find the bike shop and make plans based on how long I have to stay here.

All in all, another good day. It is WARM and HUMID here though. Once again,
as in many parts of the northeast, I am hearing about how UNusual this weather is.

Day #57 Saturday October 6, 2007

2007-10-06T20:30:00.000-07:00

Day #57
Saturday October 6, 2007

Guilford, CT to Allentown, PA

239 miles today (25,851 - 26,090)

11,523 miles total

0 new states today

31 states total

I made breakfast in my room again, since I had both a microwave and a fridge.
This place even had CAT5/6 dataports! YEAH!

I didn’t leave Guilford until nearly 9:30 AM. I had to get on the interstate, I-95, right out of the gate this AM. Twice I had to hit 4 lane, but only for short stretches. But it was a good morning of riding. The sun was shining, the weather was very pleasant, so it wasn't too bad. I had mapped a route that would take me AWAY from New York City, so I was looking forward to being "out in the country" for a little while.

I traveled through New Haven, the home of Yale University. Once founded as a seminary, now a "progressive" university. I took CT 34 through beautiful, rolling country side. Out of New Haven, I followed a river for many miles. The Yale crew club was practicing/racing and well as a lot of individuals in their long, skinny boats. I rode until intersecting US 6 then turned west back toward NY. My morning coffee (and donut some days!) stop was in Derby, CT where I met a man TOWING his Harley to Cape Cod. He said his wife didn’t like to ride that far, so they trailer it over there and then ride on the Cape all weekend. Lots of bikes are getting trailered these days to various destinations. I have a pin and patch I purchased in Sturgis that says “I RODE MINE” which in some folks minds gives credibility or something like that to the experience. Some of the "hard core" folks look down on those that trailer their bikes to events

and then ride them around there.

The ride through the rural southeastern portion of New York, was as beautiful as the ride through the northern portion. Hills and curves, trees in falls colors, rocks formations of every size and shape, it was all just striking. But the shocker of the day was yet to come. All of my mental pictures of New Jersey are a city “across the river” from NYC. Just kind of a dirty, polluted and dangerous place.

But as I got off US 6 and onto 94 the scenery just improved and the ride became breathtaking. Rural NJ just shocked me! I wasn’t prepared for the narrow, twisty and hilly 2 lane road. It was a blast to ride! And as I could, I would glance out at rows of corn, some cut into mazes for the kids at roadside stands. Families were going through the pumpkin patches picking out the pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns I’m sure. At some places, the road narrowed even more as dozens, literally dozens of cars lined the road to visit the roadside fruit and vegetable stands. It was just a striking picture, and one so far from what I would have expected. If Rhode Island was the most frustrating state I have ridden in, then Jersey would win the prize for “most surprising!”

I hit I-80 late in the afternoon and had to ride it just a little before hitting PA 33.
I might as well have been on the interstate, as it was all 4 lane and moving at what seemed like 80 mph. It was a pretty easy trip into Allentown where I stopped and reviewed my map for the KOA. I had about 10 more miles to go, as this KOA was 7+ miles off the freeway.

When I arrived there, they gave me a spot near the office and bathroom, but it was down a steep bluff and across the little brook that ran through the camp.
It was great! And as I set up camp, little did I know I was drawing an audience.
When I stepped out of the tent portion, nearly set up, two ladies were standing there “amazed” they said that such a big camper could come out of a small trailer.
These two ladies, each driving their own camper/van, were just touring the country together. One was from LA and one from San Diego. We visited quite a while. I also visited with the campers next to me, and the retired Chicago police officer who was across from me. I made dinner, settled in and called it “a good day.” I went to sleep just thinking how great is was to be in such a beautiful place and to be surprised by the landscape of New Jersey! My one regreat today is that I did not make ONE single picture of anything in New Jersey. But I was there...honest!

Day #56 Friday October 5, 2007

2007-10-05T21:00:00.000-07:00

Day #56

Friday October 5, 2007

Hamilton Falls, NH to Guilford, CT

252 miles today (25,599 - 25,851) 11,284 miles total

3 new states today: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut

31 states total

Only 17 more states to go! Of course, Florida, Texas and California are 3 of those.
With no “lollygaggin’ around”, those will take a week the way I want to go through them! I have been gone 74 days now from Eugene, OR. This is “Day 56” of my “Four Corners Tour” since I’m not counting the 18 days I spent in West KY working on Nat’s mom’s property. And I’ve done over 11,500 miles if I count the 300+ I accumulated while there. Wow, what a journey. Many people, and rightfully so I’m realizing, have called this “a journey of a lifetime.” I now see it really is.

But today…was NOT a good day. It may have been the most frustrating day of the whole trip. It certainly was up to this point. I slept “ok” and my back is easing up, but again, I’m in a nice hotel and have NO internet service. Made my breakfast and coffee in the microwave and got out early.

I rode “around” Boston, MA without incident. US 1 goes right down through the heart of it. I rode US 1 for 30 minutes or more this morning until it crossed I-95. From then on it would be all freeway until Providence, RI. I got off the freeway on the west side of Boston for coffee and gas. One thing I noticed, at every construction zone there were uniformed/armed police officers directing traffic. The stoplights were working, so the only thing I can figure is the drivers just don’t pay attention enough to the construction zone, thus the police add an additional bit of seriousness to the situation. I-95 around Boston was busy, but not like it would be later in the day. At the coffee stop, one man made my picture and we talked several minutes about our country, its beauty, the people and how good it was to be here. He drove trucks in the past and had seen a lot of it, and got to fly over a lot of it in the Air Force when he was younger.

I don’t want to say I’ve “gotten lost” anywhere on this trip, and I’ve been in some very remote country. But Rhode Island is the state I have been the most “turned around” in, or as Daniel Boone would say “a bit bewildered on occasion.” Isn’t it the SMALLEST state??? The signs indicating road direction and information are BY FAR the WORST I have encountered. At many MAJOR intersections, there are just not any signs indicating which direction to go to stay on US 1 or 1A. Today alone, I have had to stop and ask directions from a policeman, a UPS driver, and the owner of a small “service station.” At the service station they were checking under the hood and pumping gas. Amazing! I rode a lot and covered little ground today, and didn’t enjoy the little I did.

And today, in Rhode Island, I had 4-5 people pull out in front of me like I was invisible (no fog present), I pulled out in front of one driver, and one lady nearly ran me out of my lane at 65mph! I don’t remember where (on a bridge somewhere) I crossed into Connecticut, but I was hoping the traffic situation would change. I got back onto I-95, tired of chasing US 1, and now discover I am only 2 hours from New York City. The traffic is thick as syrup, but it’s running at 65+ and I can barely keep up. New York City, the traffic, the rush, the big cities are all working against me to enjoy the ride today.

I rode till 4PM. The clerk referred me to a “nice” restaurant down on the waterfront. I went and it’s old, run down, expensive and just as I pulled in, the whole place was just enveloped by a thick, damp, foggy mist. It’s weird. Dinner was ok, but the place was too loud for me.

I wasn’t expecting a bad day today. In fact, on the contrary, I was looking forward to a good one, back on the road again along the shoreline. It just didn’t work out that way. Somehow, I need to regroup, refocus and recommit myself the goal and press on. Tomorrow is a new day!

Day #55 Thursday October 4, 2007

2007-10-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

Day #55

Thursday October 4, 2007

Bar Harbor, ME to Hamilton Falls, NH

250 miles today (25,349 - 25,599)

11,032 miles total
0 new states today
28 states total, 2 “Corners” visited

I left Bar Harbor (Ba Haba) in the fog this morning, just shortly after 8AM. I put on my yellow rain gear just to make myself more visible. The temp was probably above 50 degrees, but it was humid. I didn’t wear long underwear or a long sleeve shirt as I’d done the previous 2 mornings. The weather man is calling for a clear and nice day, possibly breaking records in regards to warm temps.

I rode in and out of the fog until about 10 AM. At times it was very, very thick and heavy. Only rarely would the sun peak through. I stayed on US 1 just all day long. Enjoyed the riding, and would eventually shed my leathers at lunchtime in Brunswick, ME. I could see some of the coast (shore) as I rode, but it wasn’t like the highway was built right near the ocean.

Scarborough, south of Portland, was a neat little town with US 1 turning into a regular city street, lined on both sides for a mile or more with motels, hotels, restaurants and tourist shops. There was a mix of old and new buildings. But the place was a ghost town. There were only a few cars at a few of the motels, and hardly any traffic at all. I could imagine it being packed in the summer time. The buildings, none taller than 2 stories, were just crammed in nearly on top of one another. By now, I was close to the ocean, the sun was shining, and the wind was blowing in from the Atlantic. Wow, the Atlantic Ocean…amazing that I am here.

I took a side trip down state route 9 to Kennebunkport. Lots of big, older, stately homes that you would expect to find in an old wealthy east coast community. I think the welcome sign said it was founded in 1693. I’ll check on that when I post the picture.

I crossed the NH state line around 4PM sometime and checked in a motel in Hampton Falls, NH. Of course, I could not get net connected, so there was no posting of the days events that day. I rode to the grocery and bought some supplies. On the way back, I came upon a wreck where a car had pulled out of a shopping center onto a 5 lane highway (middle turning with no divider) and had hit a motorcycle! The bike was “stuck” upright, wedged somehow on the cars bumper. I saw no rider and no ambulance. But the fire and police depts. had everything under control. That was the FIRST bike incident I have seen on my whole trip!

Tomorrow, continuing south on the “shore” as they call it here…

Day #54 Wednesday October 3, 2007

2007-10-03T20:00:00.000-07:00

Day #54

Wednesday October 3, 2007

Bar Harbor, ME to Bar Harbor, ME

46 miles today (25,303 - 25,349)

10,782 miles total
0 new states today
28 states total, 2 “Corners” visited

It took a while for my pain meds to kick in last night, but I did sleep better than I had in a week. I called Nat before turning in and it was good to get “sound medical advice” from the family nurse. I think she’s ready for me to come home, and I’m ready to go…but there are miles and MORE MILES to ride before I get there.

The weather this AM is foggy. I can see the sun burning through the haze in a few spots, but I think it will be an hour or two before it’s all gone. I had breakfast at a nice place, the Log Cabin Inn, about 3 miles west of the motel. 2 bus loads of Baptists from outside of Knoxville (?), TN had pulled in just before I arrived. All seniors, just on a fall getaway to the northeast to see the leaves changing. Breakfast got my day off to a good start. I’ll read a little while the fog burns off, then I’ll hit the park for an enjoyable day of riding and site seeing.

After breakfast I came back to the room to finish getting ready, leather up and head out for the day. I took an Aleve just to keep the muscles medicated. I rode to the visitor’s center of Acadia Nat’l Park and then had to climb 52 steps to get to it. Ouch…my back hurts! I can hardly get on and off the bike, or lift my right leg to the floorboard. I don’t need to be climbing stairs, especially 52 steps! I browsed a few minutes then watched a 15 minute film on the park. On the way out, a guy asked me about riding and through the course of the conversation I found out he was a 1969 graduate of the Univ. of Oregon, now living in San Diego. His interest was in last weeks loss to Cal. Uh...has football season started? When did that happen?

The ride started out a little sunny. That would soon change as I got about 10 miles into the ride. The fog just got thicker and thicker. Although the road paralleled the ocean a lot of the way, I couldn’t even see the water. It wasn’t more than 75 yards or so away, but just not visible. I enjoyed riding the bike without the trailer. However, the views were just about like those I’d seen in Oregon many, many times. The fog just had everything socked in. I walked down to one beach, and couldn’t see people walking less than 50 yards away. I stopped at a place called Jordan’s Pond, had coffee and a snack. The fog lifted just a little, enough so I could see the pond from the deck of the restaurant. After riding to the top of Cadillac Mtn. (highest point in the park), I was reminded of Mt. Washington just last Saturday. The weather at the top of Cadillac Mtn. was again foggy and windy. One of the photos above shows the bike in the parking lot at the top of the “mountain.” I headed back to Bar Harbor, scrapping the idea of riding some of the public roads on the rest of the island. Instead, I parked downtown, and actually strolled through the town in what you might call “shopping” though I didn’t actually buy anything. I did buy an ice cream cone, but does that count? Am I now a “shopper?”

I was really looking for JEWELRY to send home to Nat, but didn't find anything I thought she'd like. Don't tell her!

I came back to my room about 2, then headed to the lobby of the motel to try and get an internet connection. Success! Finally, I got service and worked online and on some expense ledgers for about 3 hours. I came back about 5PM, covered up the bike, decided against dinner tonight, and settled in for the night. Will get up and out of here early tomorrow I hope. I don’t know if I’ll get out of Maine, but I’ll get close.

Day #53 Tuesday October 2, 2007

2007-10-02T17:02:00.000-07:00

Day #53

Tuesday October 2, 2007

Calais, ME to Bar Harbor, ME

208 miles today (25,095 – 25,303)

10,736 miles total
0 new states today
28 states total, 2 “Corners” visited

I was up and going by 6AM. I had to stretch quite a bit to get my back loose enough to walk around. I was on the road, after a “continental breakfast” (i.e. not a REAL breakfast) by 7:35 AM and it was cool! The Weather Channel showed Calais at 39 degrees this morning. I did NOT put on my long underwear underneath my jeans as I had the 2 previous mornings. The sun was fuzzy behind some very thin foggy looking clouds. I have finally neared the Atlantic Ocean close enough that some of the inlets and bays are now visible from US 1.
NOW I feel like I’m on the eastern seaboard.

I traveled down US 1 as far as Harrington where an accident on 1A diverted the traffic through town. It was only then that I realized I had missed Eastport by an hour. I had overshot the turn off and just blew right by it. I wanted to go there to see “The Largest Whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere.” But it wasn’t worth the extra hour to go back. I quit early yesterday, about 3:30, to give my back a rest. I wanted to get to Bar Harbor early today, again for the same reason. I got into Ellsworth just after 11AM. It is about 15 or so miles out of Bar Harbor. It was still a little early to eat lunch, so I headed to the island where Bar Harbor sits. The traffic was very heavy. As I got closer to Bar Harbor, I began to see lots of motels and inns, some cottages, and a few B&B’s along the way. I went right into Bar Harbor, right downtown and immediately said “this is NOT for me!” This is someplace I would take Natalie, but it would hold NO interest for me! It is a typical tourist destination with block after block of shop after shop. A shopper’s paradise…and that just isn’t me! My goal for being here was to see Acadia Nat’l Park and take a bike ride through it.

I stopped at 4 different motels and found either a) no vacancy or b) no internet service. I definitely wanted internet so I could catch up on the blogging. As I found out, this is the last week before Columbus Day and the weekend that some folks will have an extra day or two off from work. Some places are booked all the way through NEXT week! In addition, one cruise ship was docked here, and the QE2 was in the harbor shuttling people to the shops. So, lots and lots of tourists here. I was getting hungry, and cranky. I was getting where I couldn’t think. I needed lunch. My “continental breakfast” had long been consumed trying to keep me warm. I had driven down into Bar Harbor, the 15 miles back out to Ellsworth looking for rooms, and now was headed back towards Bar Harbor. It was nearing 2 PM by now and I made my way back within 2 miles of Bar Harbor where I found a very nice place called the Bar Harbor Motel (not Hotel, as there is one of those too). I can park the bike and trailer right in front of my door, there are only 4 units per building so I don’t feel crammed in, and it has everything I need. I got one of the last few rooms. Even the laundry is on site.

I unpacked, went and had lunch, did laundry, took some of my prescription pain pills (first time on the whole trip) for my back and am going to turn in early so I can rest up for the ride tomorrow. It is nice to ride the bike without the trailer. It is just more enjoyable and a whole lot more responsive to my leaning and turning. Tomorrow I’ll ride the loop within Acadia and just try to have an enjoyable riding day.

Day #52 Monday October 1, 2007

2007-10-01T17:30:00.000-07:00

Day #52

Monday October 1, 2007

Madawaska, ME to Calais, ME

201 miles today (24,894 – 25,095)

10,528 miles total
0 new states today, but Corner #2 visited!
28 states total

I slept good until about 2AM. My back is still aggravating me, and I woke up cold. Brrrr….what’s going on? There was NO HEAT at 2AM. I just bundled up more and slept till daybreak. After getting out of bed to the cold air, I thought a warm shower would help. But, NO HOT WATER! That’s right, no heat and no hot water. I called the office and found out the boiler went out during the night and the same circuit feeds the boiler AND the heat in every room. So the whole place was without heat or hot water. Oh well, part of the “adventure” I guess! This is where all the reading by John Maxwell comes into play!

I debated about waiting, but decided to dress and leave as I wanted to get to the post office. I got my Madawaska stamp in my journal and then had a guy make my picture outside the post office. While doing that, he informed me of a new 4 Corners park that was being built. A lady coming to check her mail informed me of the “I’ve been to Madawaska, one of the 4 corners of the USA” bumper stickers available at the Chamber of Commerce. So I went to the Chamber and was met by a very helpful and friendly lady who knew exactly why I was there. They have a separate register to be signed by 4 Corners riders. She filled out a certificate for me proving I had been there, and reiterated about the new park.

I went to the new park. Wow. The whole thing is geared to motorcyclists making the 4 Corners run. It was designed and built so you ride around behind, then in front of the main stone marker and have your picture made. It has a fountain and stone pavers with purchased inscriptions in the stone. The grand opening/dedication will be next year. Hmmm…is there ANOTHER TRIP in my future??? Anyone else up for a ride next summer from Eugene, OR to Madawask, ME? We could take the short route if you insist! I met the lady that actually donated the property for the park. She must have made hundreds of pictures for riders through the summer. She filled me in on the whole history of the house that once stood there, that she lived in, and eventually donated for the park.

So by now, I was cold, hadn’t had my morning shower, and desperately needed breakfast. The clerk at the motel recommended “John’s Restaurant” in Van Buren, about 30 miles east. I headed east on US 1, found it, and parked right on the street by the front door just as the lady was turning the sign to CLOSED. What?! It was only 10AM and they were closing? The posted hours were 7-10AM on Mondays and 7-1pm the other days. This was a small town… She motioned for me to come on in. The inside was long and narrow; a row of booths on one side and a counter with stools on the other. As soon as I came in, before even sitting down, a couple commented on my trailer and what a cool morning it was to ride. This lady worked for a firm owned by Nike, so she knew where Beaverton, OR was. Her husband later told me they had owned a motel in Fort Henry, about 20 miles west of Madawaska, for nearly 30 years and were back visiting.

When the lady that turned the sign and motioned me in anyway, heard Beaverton, OR her ears perked up, as she lived in Beaverton/Portland for years.
Wow, two Oregon connections in one small town restaurant thousands of miles from home. I was the last one out after my breakfast, but she visited with me for several minutes. We talked “small business shop talk” and I found out she has the restaurant on the market for sale. Hey Natalie, want to move to Maine and run a restaurant?! We compared Oregon and Maine and talked of their similarities and differences.

But that wasn’t the only connection. When at the COG Railway near Mt. Washington last Saturday, I met a couple on bikes. They were from Mass. somewhere and were out riding for the weekend. When the man found out I was going to Madawaska, he got excited. His dad lived in Van Buren (the restaurant town where I just finished eating) and he wanted me to call him and just say “Hi!” He gave me his dad’s card with his picture and contact info on it. After breakfast, while standing on the sidewalk, getting ready to ride, I called the man. Turns out, he had just gotten home as he had been IN the restaurant at the same time. He was having coffee with the husband of the lady that let me in! We passed one another and didn’t even know it! Wow!

I rode till 3:30 before pulling off in Calais, still 3-4 hours from Bar Harbor. My back is aching and has ached all day. I think I’m going to have to take a complete day off from riding to get squared away. I’m even thinking of a massage to loosen me up. As I was moving stuff to my room, 2 bikers pulled in who just came from Acadia Nat’l Park and Bar Harbor. They’re headed to Fort Henry, so we traded road tips and conditions. I sat in the hot tub here for quite a while, then had dinner at the restaurant here. Still no functional, steady internet, so no posting.
This is the 3rd or 4th day without it.

Tomorrow it’s on to the park and probably 2 days in the same location. I’ll spend a day just visiting the park.

Day #51 Sunday September 30, 2007

2007-09-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

Day #51

Sunday September 30, 2007

Farmington, ME to Madawaska, ME

302 miles today (24,592 – 24,894)

10,327 miles total
0 new states today, BUT ANOTHER CORNER!
28 states total

I left Farmington at 6:45 AM after knocking the ICE off of the bike cover and trailer cover. Yes, ICE! Not just frost, but thicker heavier ice. I went to breakfast at the same truck stop, about ½ mile down the road, that I had dinner at last night. On my way in, 3 couples (“Mainers” they called themselves) asked about my license plate on the trailer (Day #50). After a little visiting they invited me to join them for breakfast. I don’t remember all the details, but they were there in Farmington for an annual reunion. Arnold and his wife live in Ashland. Dick and his wife, and then John and Beth all lived up in northern Maine. Another lady, Deanne, showed up to join them. We had a good time just talking about my trip. I hope to hear from them in the days ahead. Again, kind strangers. How do I find them??

I left Farmington very bundled up. I wore my long underwear underneath my jeans and chaps this day! I stayed east bound on US 2 until Newport where I stopped for gas and coffee at the junction of I-95. I finally saw my first moose. Some hunter had bagged it and it was hanging off a small utility trailer. It wasn’t quite as big as I had expected. From here I jumped on I-95 and headed north until Sherman Mills, where I gassed up again and moved to US 11. Now this was Maine for sure; hills and curves, hills and curves. A couple of the hills were like roller coaster rides, causing my stomach to jump up into my throat a couple of times. And then of course, there were the trees. The leaves are in all stages of changing. I think the best pictures were left untaken. Many places I just couldn’t pull off as the trees were on a curve or as I topped a hill. But I made several pictures. My little Sony camera just does NOT do the views justice. They are MUCH more striking than my camera can record.

I reached Madawaska, Maine at 3:20 PM with 24, 885 on the odometer. This is nearly 10,400 miles after Corner #1 in Blaine, WA. Guess I took the scenic route! I should've known though, on a nice day on the bike it can take me 2 hours to go to the corner market for milk and bread! Those of you that ride, YOU understand! Key West should not be nearly as long.

The air temp was about 50 degrees, the sky was clear, and I was cold. I’d been riding since about 8:30 with no stops except for gas, and my only coffee break was early in Newport.

Madawaska is a little tiny town. The border crossing to Edmundston and a paper mill are the big things. I really needed to do laundry, but the only Laundromat in town was a dive! It was NASTY! The washers, some of them, were full of dirty, nasty water, the change machine wouldn’t operate, the place was dark and secluded. I passed on doing laundry here.

I had dinner at the motel restaurant, covered up the bike before dark and settled in for the night. Feels good to be inside where I can get warm. (See tomorrow's notes for special comment on the HEAT!)

Day #50 Saturday September 29, 2007

2007-09-29T17:00:00.000-07:00

Day #50

Saturday September 29, 2007

Twin Mountain, NH to Farmington, ME

126 miles today (24,466 – 24,592)

10,025 miles total
1 new state today: Maine
28 states total

I slept pretty fair until about 3AM when some “critter” on the Kabin roof woke me up.
Don’t know what it was but it hopped around for 20 minutes or more. I've never seen a moose...could it be???? (NO! I didn't really think it was a MOOSE! Maybe "meese"...)

The temp dropped to 45 degrees last night. My little electric heater helped keep it comfortable, nice and toasty. I could take a good look around now that it was daylight. Riding in “moose country” after dark was not high on my “things I like to do” list! I visited with one traveler this morning who lives in Maine. He told me that over the last 20 years he has hit 9 deer and 2 moose. Again, that does not instill me with confidence as I journey into the far northeastern corner of the USA. Will just have to be extra diligent about watching for them.

After I left camp about 9:30AM, I rode 1 mile to gas up and make a picture of the Twin Mtn. post office. Then I rode 9 more miles to the Mt. Washington Cog Railway Station. I wouldn’t ride again until after 3PM. The Cog Railway Train was built in the 1930’s (I think) as a way to get people up Mt. Washington in a safer manner. I purchased my ticket and had to wait an hour for the noon train going to the top. I bought a cup of coffee and took a seat out in the lobby just watching people. Eventually, a couple on bikes pulled in and we got to visiting (of course!). He grew up in Madawaska, Maine and of course was intrigued by my whole journey. His father still lives in Van Buren, just 13 miles from Madawaska. I think the couple lived in Boston, MA.

He asked me to call his dad when I got to Madawaska. I agreed.

The ride up Mt. Washington in the refitted passenger car, pushed by “the little engine that could” was over an hour long. The weather was pleasant when we boarded, even the sun was peeking through every now and then. But, as we climbed to the top, things began to change, and drastically. We were shrouded in clouds, or fog, and the wind began to get up a little. When we stepped off the train at the Mt. Washington observatory, the air temp was 32 degrees, and the wind was blowing steadily between 50 and 62 mph! Zoom in on the weather station photo above. I thought it was going to knock me down. It was really amazing! The train was there at the top only 20 minutes, but enough time to get souvenirs, coffee and a trip to the bathroom.

Some folks had driven to the top, and others (college age kids?) had actually hiked! The trip back down was a lot quicker and the weather was MUCH warmer at the bottom. However, I never did get comfortably warm again while riding yesterday. Wearing my half helmet contributed to that, but I wanted to experience a little more of the northeast scenery.

Once I left the rail station about 3PM, without lunch, I made my way to US 2 where I followed it out of New Hampshire and into Maine. I wanted to make Bangor, but it was just much further than I thought. I asked the driving time at 3 different stops and got about the same answer. I’d ride an hour, ask “how long to get to Bangor” and hear “oh, about an hour.” After 2 hours I quit asking! US 2 here was in bad shape for the most part. It appears some construction is getting started to straighten it out, widen the shoulders and make it a much better road.

Just outside Mexico, ME, about 5:30 PM, the odometer hit 24, 567 miles which was the 10,000 mile point for me on this trip. 10,000 miles on day #50…pretty neat. I’ve actually done a little more than that, 300-400 miles, but they were running errands in West KY when I was there in late August and early September, so I don’t count those. I’ve already got to start thinking of somewhere to get my next 4,000 mile service done on the bike. I’d like to get south of Wash. DC, but I’ll just have to see how the next week goes.

I finally pulled off for the night in Farmington, ME at the first place I saw. I was cold and I didn’t want to ride in the dark again…in “moose country.” I headed to dinner down the road at a truck stop. I had a great meal and rode back in the dark, but it was less than half a mile, so I wasn’t too concerned.

Tomorrow I hope to make Madawaska, Maine, corner #2 of my “2007 Four Corners Tour.” From there it’s south along the eastern seaboard to FLA!

Day #49 Friday September 28, 2007

2007-09-28T22:00:00.000-07:00

Day #49
Friday September 28, 2007
Potsdam, NY to Twin Mountain, NH
308 miles today (24,158 – 24,466)
9,899 miles total
2 new states today: Vermont, New Hampshire
27 states total

I got out before 7AM today. Finally leaving Potsdam, NY! It was cool, about 55 when I left and went outside. I rode about an hour east to Malone, NY where I stopped for breakfast. The food wasn’t nearly as good as the morning before. There were lots of locals sitting at the U shaped counter. Politics, business, and their own medical conditions were among topics bantered about, peppered with the language of guys who don't know how to speak in public....

The sky is already beginning to lighten up some, even showing some blue here and there. I’m hoping and praying that the sun will break through the cloud cover shortly.

I headed out from Malone south on NY 30 to Paul Smiths, then on NY 86 to Saranac Lake and on to Lake Placid. Lake Placid was the home of the winter Olympics in 1932 and then again in 1980. There were lots of neat buildings, old hotels, and very “historical looking” buildings all over. Of course, there are the Olympic venue buildings. After making a picture of the old post office, I headed out of town on NY 73 to JOHN BROWN’S FARM!

What an interesting place this was. I found his gravesite, his farm house, his barn as well as the 1980 Olympic ski jumping buildings/jumps. The John Brown farm even had a tour guide who was reciting some history about him, his family and his work as an abolitionist. I think he and I have something in common besides our name. He had a HUGE rock in his yard. He referred to it as his “thinking rock.” It was as big as a truck I’d guess. I've told Natalie I'd like a "big rock" in our back yard someday...or a caboose! From here, I traveled on NY 9N to Keene, Elizabethtown and Westport. I stayed on 9N to Port Henry where I gassed up, then crossed Lake Champlain and entered Vermont.

I stopped in Vergennes where I had lunch at the Hungry Bear (I think that was the place) just a block off the court square. I sat directly behind 3 people, whom I would later find out had Oregon connections! When I left and got to the bike, these same 3 people were walking toward me. The man told me he was from Beaverton, Oregon! Wow! Way out here in Vergennes, VT I would meet some Oregonians. Amazing. Of the two women, one was from Thousand Oaks, California. I’ll have to look that up, as I don’t know where that is. I got my second lunch invitation! We visited for several minutes, he made a couple of pictures and we were all on our way.

Once in Vermont, I snaked my way through the little towns of Monkton, Monkton Ridge, Hinesburg and Richmond before finally arriving in Waterbury, VT. If you don’t recognize Waterbury, it is the home of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream! I took the tour, ate some strawberry shortcake ice cream, then hit the road. I wanted to make New Hampshire, so I made a reservation before leaving the ice cream tour at the closest KOA with wireless service. This proved to be more hassle than I realized at the time. It was located in a little out of the way place called Twin Mtn., NH. It was located off of I-93 about 20 miles. The problem was, it was getting to be dusk as I hit the interstate. I stopped at a rest stop to double check my directions, and a stranger cautioned me about the moose in the area, and the fact it would be dark before I got there. There were moose warning signs regularly along the dark road. One particular signed mentioned there were hundreds of moose/auto collisions every year. YIKES! I’ve never seen a moose in my life (that I can recall), and just didn’t know what to expect. Would they charge me? Could I scare them away? I didn’t know…one guy told me to duck, as they are so big I might be able to ride UNDER them! Good grief!! I came to a stoplight out in the middle of nowhere, and as my light turned green a NH State Trooper pulled up to my left at the intersection, signaling he would be turning in my direction. I pulled off immediately after clearing the intersection and flagged him down. This is the 3rd time I’ve flagged down cops and have always got EXCELLENT help! This time, he pulled in front of me and hit the blue lights as it was dark by now. I went to the passenger side and told him I had missed a turn or something, and was looking for a KOA at Twin Mtn. He pointed me back to the intersection, and let me know I was within 2 miles. I thanked him profusely and told him he was a “Godsend” for me! It was getting cold, and I had been cold for a long time.

I found the KOA, checked in my cabin, covered the bike, sent email home and
hit the hay. I traveled a LOT later than I wanted in “moose country” and I was beat.

Day #48 Thursday September 27, 2007

2007-09-27T20:30:00.000-07:00

Day #48
Thursday September 27, 2007

Potsdam, NY to Potsdam, NY
0 miles today (24,132 – 24,132)
9,565 miles total

0 new states today
25 states total

Rain, rain, and more rain...
Stuck in Potsdam, NY. It started raining within 30 minutes of me pulling in last night, and it rained off and on all night. Nearly an inch of rain is forecast for here and any direction where I would be heading. I knew I would have to take one down day due to the rain, but I was hoping it would be tomorrow when I would be closer, or even at, Corner #2 in Madawaska, ME. So, I will stay put today, and probably take a cab anywhere I would want/need to go. I have great wi-fi here, so I’ll probably just stay in and work on photos and updating my blog.

The weather did break, momentarily, about 10AM so I quickly headed out for breakfast.
I had no more pulled in the parking lot of the restaurant, on the bike, when the skies opened and poured for 30 minutes or more. What a mess. About the time I was ready to leave, the rain quit. So I took a drive around the town, even out in the country for a few miles. I stopped at a local computer shop and purchased some DVD's to transfer photos to. I've made over 1500 pictures and want them on some medium other than my laptop. I'll have quite a selection to go through when I get home.

I've viewed and reviewed my route tomorrow. Looks like Lake Placid and John Brown's NY farm home site are on the list, as well as Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream place. I don't think I'll hit Madawaska until late Saturday or maybe even Sunday. It should be cold the next night or two.
My lodging will probably be inside as there are NOT any KOA's where I'm headed, except maybe tomorrow night.

Day #47 Wednesday September 26, 2007

2007-09-26T20:00:00.000-07:00

Day #47

Wednesday September 26, 2007

Grand Island, NY to Potsdam, NY

334 miles today (23,798 – 24,132)

9,565 miles total

0 new states today
25 states total

What a lousy night last night was. I slept with both windows and the door of the cabin open. The humidity made it impossible to sleep. Also, the thunder and lightning flashes made it difficult to drift off. About the time I would, then “BOOM!” went the thunder. I could see the other cabins when the lightning would flash. I finally got up about 4AM and checked for internet service. Finally had a signal and a connection. I checked some mail for a while, then laid back down trying to get my back to ease up. I don’t know what I’ve done, but it is on the verge of getting me in serious trouble.

It was still dark when I hit the shower, got dressed, and had all my gear packed up. I read some, waiting for 8:00AM to roll around so I could retrieve my “Blue Ice” I had set in the KOA freezer. I’ll buy ice at night when it’s cooler, and put my Blue Ice in the campground’s ice box in the store for the next day. So far, no one’s refused. I’ve never been refused ice for my water jugs in the convenience stores/truck stops either.

I got out of Grand Island early just after 8AM. I headed north up I-190 and NY 18 where I paralleled Lake Ontario. The road was wide and open, but went through a lot of little towns at first. After my 2nd gas stop, I hit the NY State Parkway and the St. Lawrence Seaway Scenic Highway. It was a beautiful, serene countryside ride. I kept my raingear on all day, but rode on dry highways nearly all day. I had lunch in Oswego, NY before turning north on I-81. I had hoped to make Watertown, NY at least, and sure enough I made that and had lots of time to spare. So I pressed on to Potsdam, a small college town with only 3 motels. 2 were mom & pop owned, and one was a big and fancy, presumably expensive, “inn” right next to the college. I headed back to the beginning of town, after riding all the way through, and pulled in a car dealership to ask directions. They confirmed there were only 3 in this town and I’d have to backtrack if I wanted more choices. I took my chances with the Smallings Motel on the west end of Potsdam, and it proved to be a great choice. It is clean, neat, spacious and THERE’S WIRELESS SERVICE that works! I’ll try to post on the blog some while here.

It never did rain on me today, but I did ride 20 minutes or so on very wet pavement where it must have just rained heavily a few minutes prior. The wind today though, was terrible! It is the wind before the storm that’s chasing me. We’ll see in the AM if everything’s all wet!

Day #46 Tuesday September 25, 2007

2007-09-25T18:00:00.000-07:00

Day #46
Tuesday September 25, 2007

Grand Island, NY to Grand Island, NY (again)
69 miles today (23,729 - 23,798)
9,231 miles total

0 new states today (into Ontario, CN again)
25 states total

The temperature is MUCH warmer this AM and it is really humid.
There is a heavy overcast, and some big, puffy clouds.
Not being able to connect to the internet makes checking the forecast difficult.

I finally made the decision about 10AM to move indoors tonight (to a Kabin)
after a neighboring camper shared the forecast of RAIN for tonight and tomorrow. I packed up, moved to the Kabin and headed to the showers. The humidity was so bad I was “sweating bullets!”

I had firmed up the plans to meet with Jake and Cathy, the attorney and his wife,
in a little town in Canada called Niagra on the Lake. It sits on Lake Ontario at the confluence of the Niagra River and Lake Ontario. I got there an hour before time just to give myself plenty of time to cross the border (no problems this time!), find the place, and look around some. The town was small and had some fantastic architecture. The old pharmacy building that operated until the mid 1970’s was the oldest operating pharmacy in Canada. The streets were lined with all kinds of ornate flowers and trees. Everything seemed to be in bloom, even at this time of year. I made several pictures. This was not your usual “tourist trap” as all the goods I saw seemed to high end, not just high priced for the tourists.

We had a good visit at lunch. Keep in mind, I was a stranger to them, and they just took interest in my trip after seeing my “27 days” license plate in Marquette, MI. They have been all over the world, and were preparing to leave for Europe in just a few days. Afterwards, Jake led me out into the countryside near his hometown to observe the 7 locks between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The security is much more lax in Canada than in the US. While in KY, I went by the locks at KY dam. You cannot even pull off the highway into the old visitor’s center parking lot. The fence keeping you out comes out to the curb of the main road. In Canada, we were able to look through a fence, but right at the edge of the locks. I got a great view of 2 different ships passing through 2 different locks.
The kindness of strangers...amazing! Their actions encouraged me to go out of my way to show some kindness to someone I don’t know. I’ll know that opportunity when it comes, I’m sure.

When I got back to camp, I prepared a fire in the firering and reviewed my routes for the next days travel. I called my wife, and within 2-3 minutes of finishing that call, the rain came. It came down HARD and rained most of the night. I was SO GLAD I was not in my tent. All of it was put away dry and would remain that way. My back is still aching, but it was a great day.

Day #45 Monday September 24, 2007

2007-09-24T20:00:00.000-07:00

Day #45

Monday September 24, 2007

Grand Island, NY to Grand Island, NY

35 miles today (23,694 – 23,729)

9,162 miles total

0 new states today (but made Ontario, CN)
25 states total

It got CHILLY last night, and my little ceramic heater was clicking on quite a bit.
On a midnight stroll to the bathroom, the stars in the sky were brilliant. They are more amazing to me each time I look at them. It had been a lot of years prior to this trip since I’d taken the time to look.

My plans today include: putting away the groceries I purchased last night; cleaning out the saddle bags, riding around the Niagra Falls area, and just taking it easy. I have to find internet access somewhere so I can check tomorrow’s weather report, including up into Maine.

I rode out of camp about 10:45 and headed to Niagra Falls. I went to the American side first, which was really a mistake. But not knowing…you don’t know what you don’t know! I viewed a 40 min. IMAX film on the history of the falls. Very interesting. I walked around viewing the falls for about 2 hours, before realizing I could catch the trolley to all the different view points. I made several pictures, all the while curious what the Canadian view was like. After paying $10 to park the bike, $10 to watch the movie, and $10 to get a hot dog and drink…I was about OUT of $10!! (Watch closely for my desire to over ride my reason here shortly) I caught the trolley back to the parking lot and called the attorney I’d met in Marquette, MI at a rest stop. I spoke to his wife and we discussed dinner plans for the 3 of us tomorrow. They’ll drive over to the US which will be a lot easier on me, and we’ll try to be done by dark, so I’m not riding back in the dark.

I next headed out searching for the way to cross the border to view the falls from the Canadian side. While circling a block or two, I came across the helicopter flight over the falls business. A quick right hand turn landed me under their helipad. I was fortunate to catch a flight just getting ready to leave. They have to have 2 paying passengers, and prefer 3 or 4. I was the 3rd and last on this flight, so I go to ride SHOTGUN! Although I was about out of $10, I found the $75 to take the ride!

Oh yeah! What a view. I could see out below the toes of my boots. And yes, I made a LOT of pictures. We lifted off the helipad and banked hard left toward the river. We headed up the river toward the falls. It was incredible. I had already viewed them from the US side, but now I could see the “birds eye view” and all the maps and locations of the falls all became much clearer. The weather here is unusually warm and clear. Tomorrow may break a record for heat (83 or 84 degrees) set in the 1890’s. There have been NO CLOUDS at all, and of course it gets cool at night. The only semblance of a cloud was the constant “mist” that comes up from the cascading water as it tumbles over the falls. So neat! I'd recommend this to anyone!

Tomorrow, I have to check the weather one last time and make my decision to chance sleeping in the tent, or move indoors to a Kabin. The Kabin will insure all my gear stays dry. I’ll pack it away tomorrow and only keep my change of clothes out for Wednesday should I decide to go that direction. Then Wednesday AM, it is off to points EAST! I’ll follow Lake Ontario for many miles, the last of the 5 Great Lakes I have yet to see. Vermont, New Hampshire and eventually Maine and the 2nd of the 4 Corners is coming into view. I just hope and pray I can beat the inclement weather as I turn south towards sunny (???) Key West.

Day #44 Sunday September 23, 2007

2007-09-23T20:00:00.000-07:00

Day #44

Sunday September 23, 2007

Washington, PA to Grand Island, NY
275 miles today (23,419 - 23,694)
9,127 miles total

1 new states today: New York
25 states total (More than half way to 48!)

I awoke to a damp, cool morning. There was no rain, just some heavy dew. I was up before dark, just as the sky was beginning to lighten in the east. Here at 7:37 AM sun is fully above the horizon, the dew is evaporating, and the morning is beginning to warm.

Today I am “down in my back” just a little. It has been “bothering” me for about 2 days. Just some tightness and a dull ache deep down in some muscles. I am stretching in the mornings, but maybe not near enough. This morning, while bent over the sink in the bathroom, I had a bad muscle spasm. Oh no!! That is sometimes the first sign of a long and painful bout with my back. I immediately went back to the tent, stretched out some more, even lying down again to get some additional stretching in. This is NOT a good thing. If I get down in my back, I could be STUCK somewhere for several days. I certainly won’t be able to break camp and get on the road. I will take it very easy today and not reach, bend, or lift anything I don’t have to.

I got the tent down, trailer hitched and ready to roll. I did everything VERY slowly and deliberately so as to not jerk or twist my back. I thought as I was sitting on the bike I’d text some friends to start praying. The only numbers for friends in my cell list that I thought someone would see before church were in Eugene, OR, Murray, KY and Rye, CO. So, I asked each of them to get their church praying for me. Just as I got in the saddle and ready to ride the phone rang. One of them was already calling back. It would quit ringing before I could even get my helmet off, so I had to let it ring. I was able to get out on the road and function for a while. I had one gas stop in the morning, before stopping for lunch just outside of Erie, PA. There I took some Advil and planned my continuing journey to Niagra Falls.

On the way up I-76, I noticed some of the leaves already changing color on many of the trees. I saw some yellows, some tans, some purples and reds. Wow! And I’m not even in the northeast corner yet! What will I find in Maine and Vermont? I am excited about seeing a part of this beautiful land I have never seen before.

My back is aching less tonight, and I’ve got pretty good range of motion. I didn’t feel any twinges while setting up camp. I will stay here at least 2 nights, maybe 3. I may move indoors to a Kamping Kabin if the forecast is saying rain Tuesday night and Wednesday. I have made contact with the Canadian attorney and his wife and am looking forward to a meal with them. The heater is coming out for its trial run tonight.

Day #43 Saturday September 22, 2007

2007-09-22T18:01:00.000-07:00

Day #43

Saturday September 22, 2007

Batesville, IN to Washington, PA

352 miles today (23,067 - 23,419)

8,852 miles total

3 new states today: Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania

24 states total (Half way to 48!)

It was good to visit with my ol’ college buddy Daryl yesterday.
I got to meet his wife and 3 of his 5 kids. Things like that are
always good to do. I was able to get up and get out of Batesville before

8AM. Taking the back roads he suggested, I made my way north from

Batesville through the Indiana countryside. What a way to start my

day. The air was still cool. It wasn’t cold yet, but just cool enough to

let me know it was early morning. On a Saturday, there was very

little traffic. I went up and down many hills. There were several

20mph posted curves. I came across at least 6 90 degree turns.

All of this was set with the backdrop of Indiana corn fields, thick

woods of oaks and other trees, and gentle rolling terrain.
It was absolutely beautiful. Quiet, peaceful, slow…

what a way to start my day.

I went through a little town called Connersville on the way north to

I-70. It had some kind of railroad roots, as there were several old

engines, Pullman cars and cabooses on several sidings. Along the way

this morning, I saw several signs that mentioned I was on some

historic route that related to the railroads that built the west. I just

love seeing the cabooses. I’ve always wanted a caboose in my back

yard! It would make a neat place to retreat to.

Once the little 2 lane Indiana state route 1 intersected US 40, I

turned east and road on super smooth new asphalt for several miles.

I did have to slow down for several small towns, some with posted

speeds of 30mph. US 40 parallels I-70, so after 30+ minutes of small

towns, I found I-70 and joined the RUSH! I crossed into Ohio

somewhere along 40 (not exactly sure where) and took my first

break to get coffee and gassed up the bike.
I swapped helmets, from the “brain bucket” to the full face with

radio headset in it. When on the interstate, I like to be “entertained”

by the truckers. I’ve actually avoided some road hazards, and have

been able to be in the correct lane for avoiding construction, all due to

knowing what’s going on ahead of me via radio.

I got to Columbus, OH and visited the National Motorcycle Hall of

Fame Museum. It was NOT what I thought it would be. The entire

thing is devoted to motorcross. It was somewhat interesting, but I

enjoyed the Sturgis, SD and Anamosa, IA museums more, as they

had a much broader representation of motorcycles and their history.

But, I can say “I’ve been there” now. Just prior to visiting the museum,

I noticed a little oil “weeping” from an inspection cover plug. I would

later find out this plastic threaded plug allows the techs to view top

dead center while adjusting the valves. I guess it was over tightened

on the last service, as it (the plug itself) was cracked slightly. A very

helpful tech named James at ASK Motorsports in Columbus, OH got

a replacement and got me back on the road in 20 minutes or less.

Just another one of those things I guess.

I need to give THANKS to University Motors in Fargo, ND, Town and

Country Yamaha of Murray, KY, as well as ASK Motorsports in

Columbus, OH for their excellent treatment of me and my bike. The

Fargo dealership actually let me BORROW a Stratoliner for the day

while they did my 16K service. Unbelievable, but true!

They were great!

I booked on across I-70 the rest of the afternoon, stopping only for

gas, and combining my breaks with the stops. I arrived in

Washington, PA and the KOA campground just a few minutes before

6 PM. I’m glad to be here early enough to do laundry, set up the tent,

and “relax” a little, all before dark. The owner’s daughter has been

married and I would guess the reception is being held here on the

grounds. Strange to see some of the visitors in wedding attire, while

some of us are strolling around in shorts, flip flops and laundry bags

slung over our shoulders!

I have made 24 states today, and only 24 left! Tomorrow, if I get to

New York, I will be on the downhill side! Of course, down one coast

and back up the other in Florida, Texas east to west and California

south to north won’t be traveled in a day or two…or three or four,

I’m sure! But, I do see the half way point, Madawaska, Maine within

sight of being accomplished! It will be Corner #2 of the 4 Corners

Tour, with only Key West, FL and San Diego, CA remaining.

There are many, many, many miles left to ride.

It was a great day of riding today, even on the interstate. I’m glad

to be back on the road, camping and cooking, doing what I think I

need to be doing at the present time.

Day #42 Friday September 21

2007-09-21T23:04:00.000-07:00

Day #42
Friday September 21

Clarksville, IN to Batesville, IN
113 miles today (22,954 - 23,067)
8,500 miles total

21 states total

Started the day out riding on I-65 north...again.
Stopped just north of Clarksville for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel
restaurant. Once I sat down, the waitress asked me if I'd ever
been mistaken for the man that played "the dad" on the old
Family Ties show, featuring Michael J. Fox. HA! "No" I told
her but thanks anyway. Must be the beard!

I rode up the freeway as far as Seymour where I gassed up and
turned on to US 31. Much better riding, fewer trucks, and much
more interesting scenary.

I arrived in Batesville, IN about 12:10 and called my "old college
buddy" Daryl Miller. He led me to his shop where I parked my
bike and trailer in one of the service bays. The only way we were
going to get to visit with both our schedules was for me to go
to work WITH him! He runs a windshield install business where
he goes to the customer's site to install glass. We drove out in
the country several miles, and made 3 different job sites. It gave
us lots of time to catch up. Daryl was one of those guys that had
a significant impact on my spiritual life as a young college student.
He also was the one to introduce me to MOTORCYCLING!!
THANKS MAN!!! We took lots of short trips together, and would
go to the local dealer (Town & Country in Murray, KY) while in
college and just drool over the new bikes.

We got back too late for me to travel any further, and not knowing
about any of the campgrounds around, I decided to stay in a local
hotel. I needed dinner, gas, set up time, etc. and just didn't want
to mess with it all in the dark or with so little time.

Tomorrow I hope to get completely across Ohio, and into PA or
WV. Yesterday's goal was met, and today I really didn't have one
not knowing how much time I would spend here in Batesville.

Day #41 Thursday September 20

2007-09-20T22:45:00.000-07:00

Day #41
Thursday September 20, 2007

Murray, KY to Clarksville, IN
288 miles today (22,666 - 22,954)
8,387 miles total

0 new states today
21 states total

I pulled out of Murray, KY and headed east on KY 94, heading
towards KY Lake. I have ridden this road 31 years ago many,
many times.

Later in the morning I stopped at the Jefferson Davis Memorial.
This is located between Hopkinsville and Russelville, KY. I toured
the museum and took the elevator ride to the top of the 361 ft
obelisk. Of course, I discussed motorcycles with the tour guide
when SHE brought it up.

I snaked my way down several state and county roads all the way
to Portland, TN where I found the Olhausen Pool Table factory.
I sold Olhausen tables for well over 20 years, and have installed
well over 1000 of them. They moved from Poway, CA (San Diego)
to Portland last year and I was hopeful to get a tour of the new
facility. Larry Olhausen (son of one of the founders) was there,
remembered me, and was SO KIND to take the time to give me
a short tour. It was so neat to see it compared to the old, cramped
factory. I also got to meet Sue Doyle, the marketing person, who
I have spoken with over the phone many, many times through
the years. Thank you, too, Tanya (receptionist) for your hospitality
and kindness. This is a great company, they make a great product,
and they were very responsive to me as an Olhausen dealer.
Hearing from other dealers carrying other brands, Olhausen
really "set the standard" by which all others should be measured.

I had lunch at the Flying J truck stop and had to come out of the
leathers here. It was really warming up. It would eventually
get above 93 degrees.

Later in the day, about 3PM, I stopped at the National Corvette
Museum in Bowling Green, KY. It was good to walk a while and
view a lot of neat Corvettes. I traveled further up I-65 north to
Elizabethtown and then moved off to 31W north. This led me
past Fort Knox, KY. WOW! It really is a fort! It sits on the
army base of Ft. Knox. About the time I pulled off to make a
picture I noticed the NO PARKING, NO STOPPING, NO
STANDING AT ANY TIME sign posted on the fence. Oops.

I traveled north a little longer on 31W until I could get back
to I-65 north. I crossed the Ohio River about 6:30 PM and
pulled off to the KOA in Clarksville, Indiana, just across from
Louisville, KY. Here I camped next to 3 brothers from Iowa.
They had been to the Smoky Mtns, each on their own bike.
One brother was 72, one was 76, and the oldest was 82 years
old! They were hillarious. Of course, they had lots of questions
for me. We talked quite a bit. I was late getting to bed, but
slept fair, in spite of the planes, trains AND automobiles that
were passing nearby.

Tomorrow: College friends reunited!

WEST KY PITSTOP Part 2 Sept 15-19

2007-09-19T21:00:00.000-07:00

Days #36 -40
Saturday Sept 15 - Wednesday Sept 19

I arrived last night in West KY (See yesterday's notes) after only 1 week
back on the road. Not my plan, but just the way it worked out.

I ran my errands on Saturday, including purchasing a small ceramic
heater for my trip up into the northeast. I spent Sunday repacking
my trailer. I pulled over 30 lbs of things out, purging my gear of all
the things I had not used, or used very little on the first part of the
trip.

I spent Fri - Sun nights in Symsonia, and Mon - Wed nights in Murray
at my sisters. I dropped my bike off at Town and Country Yamaha in
Murray, late Monday afternoon. The replacement new rear tire did
not arrive until Wednesday, and they put in on that day. They also
performed my 20,000 mile service.

It was good to see both my sisters again, but a week (5 days) detour
again so soon after only 1 week on the road (Sept 10-17) really does
not allow me to get back into the "groove" of riding again. I am
looking forward to hitting the road again....for a long spell.

Next destination: Central KY, north to Indiana, east through Ohio,
north across Pennsylvania toward Buffalo, NY and Niagra Falls.

Day #35 September 14, 2007

2007-09-14T20:33:00.000-07:00

Day #35
Friday September 14, 2007

Eureka Springs, AR to Symsonia, KY (again!)
441 miles today (22,062 - 22,503)
8,022 miles total

1 new state today: Tennessee
21 states total (almost half way!)

First about the day, then about the whole WEEK!
Spent a beautiful quiet night in the middle of the Ozark Mtns.
So many stars visible during the night. Funny how I can
be amazed by looking at the stars. I think for years I went
without taking the time to LOOK at them! Perhaps we all
need to "linger" more and longer...

The KOA was nearly deserted.
There were 3-4 RVers, me, and 2 other motorcyclists who
were staying in the Kabins. The KOA manager let me pick any
spot I wanted. One of the bikers was a guy traveling alone,
from Nebraska, just out for 10 days to see the Ozarks.
He was on a new V Star 1300 and really liked it.
(Nate, do YOU have a NEW BIKE yet???) He had put almost
10,000 miles on it since May, including a trip over the Beartooth
Pass in Montana. The other couple, also from Nebraska, had
already been out a week and were slowly making their way home.
The man said they have a Trailmaster trailer just like mine, but
after 3 years of summer outings, it just got old and tiresome to
set it up and tear it down every night and morning. I understand
completely! But he did share some good tips on some lighting, a
good heater to purchase, some rugs and other things. It was
helpful to talk to someone who has used one for such an extended
period of time.

My goal today, originally, was to make Memphis which was 200+
miles away. But the roads in the Ozarks I thought would prevent
that. I was to learn differently.

I stopped for breakfast in a town called Harrison, after riding an
hour or so. There I called my college buddy Darrel and let him
know I wouldn’t make Indiana tomorrow, or even this weekend.
I also called a bike shop in Murray, KY to schedule a 20K service
and a new rear tire change. It’s better to get this out of the way
before I head into the northeast. I will probably make Oregon
again without another tire, but will have to have at least 2 more
4,000 mile services between here and home.

I took US 62 most of the day. What a beautiful ride. Most of the
road was excellent, although lots of hills. Some patches were
narrow with little to no shoulder, but all in all, the US highways
are still in great shape. And the best part, my whole attitude
and enjoyment of the ride goes WAY UP once I get off the
interstate. I am finding I am not a destination rider, but
rather a “flower sniffer” or someone that enjoys the journey.
But I am also discovering I do better with a daily goal to push me
forward. The last month of my trip is going to have to be goal
driven if I am to beat the weather and change of seasons.
But my wife is encouraging me NOT to neglect stopping and
seeing the things I want to see. Thank you dear!!

When I got out of the Ozarks and into the river bottom land,
approaching Jonesboro, I eventually had to come out of my
leathers. It was also there I made the decision to skip Memphis,
another hour away, and shortcut back to Symsonia. I would have
hit Memphis at rush hour, and would be hard pressed to make
West KY by dark as it was. I took Missouri route 18 east out of
Jonesboro to Blytheville, MO, then north on I-55 to I-155 where
I crossed the Mississippi into Tennessee. I have made 6 states
this week.

What a week it’s been. Lots of interstate riding where I made
good time and covered good distances, but I hated most of it.
I got rained on real good Monday PM. I got driven indoors
(motel) again Tuesday PM by forecasted cold. I woke up sick
Wed AM due to bad hamburger (???) the night before.
I couldn’t eat for 2+ days and had to ride nauseous most of the
time. Once off the freeway I felt better and enjoyed the ride
more. Here I am back where I started on Monday of the week.
Will get ready to ride into the northeast after Tuesday of next
week. A good clearing spell is forecast for that part of the country
later in the week. Wonderful!

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines
his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 How my plans have changed this week!

Day #34 September 13, 2007

2007-09-13T20:19:00.000-07:00

Day #34
Thursday September 13, 2007

Oak Grove, MO to Eureka Springs, AR
307 miles today (21,363 - 22,062)
7,581 miles total

3 new states today: Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas
20 states total

I went to bed last night at 8PM! Didn’t eat any dinner and took a
Benedryl to be sure I would sleep. I slept good, but the phone call
at midnight from someone looking for “Brandon” was an
unwanted interruption!

Felt like eating this morning. Had cereal, fruit and 2 cups of hot
chocolate. What a beautiful day. I woke up and got started before
the sun came up. The sky was getting lighter, and I would get to
see the sunrise. After breakfast, I hit the shower and packed
things a way at a leisurely pace. This was the first night in nearly
3 weeks I camped in the tent trailer. Strangely, it felt like “home”
for a change.

On the way out of Oak Grove, I heard on the CB that 19 cars
were left in a tangle on I-435 outside of KC by a semi truck that
left the scene. A whole lot of people will have a bad day today…

Made my way south on US 71 to Nevada, MO, then turned west
to Fort Scott, KS. An old army fort and barracks remain on what
was once the “frontier” to the west. From here I turned south on
US69 and made my way to Oklahoma, stopping for lunch in
Miami, OK. I felt like eating lunch, and that’s a good sign I think.
I have made good time, but barely 200 miles as of lunch, and
would like to do 200 more. But the Ozarks are in the distance,
and I’m afraid fast miles are not in my future.

One of the waitresses at the Hungry Henry’s restaurant, was
actually born in Hillsboro, OR. She left there when she was 2
and of course does not remember it. But she said she’d love to
go back and see it, as she hears it’s very beautiful in Oregon.
I confirmed that! The other waitress was helpful to write down
some directions to the library and a motel with a wireless
connection. And a man in the parking lot had a business buddy
who lives in Eugene, OR. Again, that Oregon connection is just
all over the place.

My last goal for this day was Bentonville, Arkansas the home of
Wal-Mart. To some of my friends, they will be shocked that I
wouldn’t AVOID the Wal-Mart corporate headquarters town!
But I just HAD to go there. Wow! The city map handed out at
the visitor’s center is dotted with Wal-Mart corporate buildings
just all over it. The guest book at the visitor’s center had been
signed by a Roseburg, OR couple last week, and the other
receptionist has a sister who lives in Hood River, OR.
Ah, the never ending Oregon connection….

I went to the “official” Wal-Mart visitors center, and it is
separate from the Bentonville visitors center. They have a
museum there, lots of corporate history, awards, etc.
At one of the corporate buildings, on an electronic reader board,
they have a big “We have saved our customers $XXX,XXX,XXX.”
I can’t remember the figure.

I made a very scenic ride from Bentonville to Eureka Springs.
It was only 50 miles, but very twisty and hilly. A true
motorcyclist’s road. Saw several sportbikes heading toward
Bentonville. It is quiet here. There are only 6 or 7 campers
in the whole place. The two cabins are occupied by bikers.
The lady at the desk told me to take my pick of spots. One of
the campers in the cabins has a trailer just like mine, but said
after 3 years of using it off and on, it’s just too much work to
tear it all down each morning. I am finding that to be true.
As I continue my musing on how to cover all the ground I want
cover, even ditching the trailer is coming into play as an option.
I’ll just have to wait and see.

Day #33 September 12, 2007

2007-09-12T19:30:00.000-07:00

Day #33
Wednesday September 12, 2007

Monticello, IA to Oak Grove, MO
392 miles today (21,363 - 21,755)
7,274 miles total

17 states total

Not a very good day today. I woke up at 3AM very sick to my
stomach. I think the hamburger at J&P did NOT agree with me.
So I stayed up an hour and a half catching up on some blogging.
Slept till after 8AM, which really set me behind for the day. I was
still nauseated when I woke up. This was going to be an all
interstate day, and I just wasn’t looking forward to it.

I finally got on the road about 10, and it was clear and COLD.
I stayed cool all day long until nearly 3PM. I had been on I-80
west of Iowa City only a little bit, about 15 miles, but on the road
nearly an hour, when I called Natalie. She had called the night
before just as I was getting ready to leave J&P, and it was just
getting to be dusk. They had warned us of the deer, and I wanted
to get back to the motel before completely dark, so we didn’t get
to talk but a minute. She was in better spirits today, but was
missing me, and I was missing her. We talked for probably 20
minutes or more, and when we hung up, now I was really
“homesick” for the first time on the trip. I wasn’t feeling well
physically, now I was homesick, and I had hundreds of miles to
make up in the middle of the country. I was dreading it.

I feel like today I have hit a “wall” of some sort. It is a mental,
motivational, attitudinal wall. I have been on the road 33 days,
but gone from home 51 days, almost 2 months. I have a LOT
of country I still would like to see, but the miles, the weather and
the calendar are all pushing against me it seems. This is only
Wednesday, and I’ve only been out 3 days from my “KY pit stop”
so I have to give it a little more time.

I hit Des Moines late morning, so the rush hour was long past.
I turned south on I-35 and just endured miles and miles of
interstate. The air was cool, and I wore my winter gloves
(big cuffs over my jacket sleeves) until mid afternoon. The high
temp I saw was 65 degrees somewhere. As I crossed the
Missouri state line, I knew KC was not too terribly far away.
I reached Kansas City about 5:30 in the afternoon. At my last
gas stop in Kearney, about 25 miles northeast of KC, I decided I
would go east on I-70 to a KOA in Oak Grove, instead of going
west into Kansas all the way to Lawrence.

The day ended much better than it started. I hadn’t eaten
anything all day, but still wasn’t hungry. Every now and then
I’d get hit with a bit of nausea. I can hope and pray it was the
hamburger and not my CamelBak water bottle that has got my
stomach upside down. I am still dogged by the concerns of
distance, weather and seasons, but will trust that gets resolved
with some rest, reflection and prayer.

Day #32 September 11, 2007

2007-09-11T20:29:00.000-07:00

Day #32
Tuesday September 11, 2007

Hannibal, MO to Monticello, IA
271 miles today (21,092 - 21,363)
6,882 miles total

1 new state today: Iowa
17 states total

Woke up DRY today since I decided against camping last night.
My jeans are still damp this morning. The sky is clear, blue and
beautiful today. Should be a great day to ride!

As is typical, a couple had some questions about the trailer.
They were bikers, too, but had never camped while on the bike.
They were from just north of Anamosa, which was my goal today.
We talked of the road I would travel, and some alternates,
as well as the time a deer jumped from a ditch right into them
while they were both on his bike. This was only 2 miles from
there home. They were fortunate to survive. The bike did not,
and I can't recall what they said about the deer!

I left Hannibal about 9 and drove through the "downtown"
which included the Mark Twain home. I drove down to the
Mississippi River and saw a paddle wheeler. Tours on the river
didn't start until 1:30 PM. I headed north onward toward Iowa.
I rode with a sweatshirt on underneath my jacket, and would
soon wish I had my winter gloves on. They were packed away
somewhere in the trailer. I haven't adjusted away from the
heat yet. I'm still in the 90-100 degree mode, and here it is
in the upper 50's this AM. The ride north was uneventful, and
the chatter from the truckers was entertaining. Some of the
chit chat between them is pretty foul. It's kind of disappointing,
but it can be humorous.

Breakfast didn't arrive until 11:40 AM. The continental offered
at the motel (donuts, cereal, toast) was not "real enough" for me.
I stopped in Fort Madison, IA and warmed up with 3 cups of
coffee in addition to the eggs, sausage, toast and hashbrowns.
Again, someone had seen me pull in, and had lots of questions
about where I'd been and where I was headed.

I pulled into Anamosa, IA just about 3PM. Drove past the
Nat'l Motorcycle Museum (one of my planned stops) and
went right to the state campground just out of town. It was
completely deserted, and was pretty isolated. I couldn't even
tell for sure if it was open for business. I headed back to town,
went to the visitor center and they had closed at 3. Went to the
bank for some cash, then back to the museum. The lady there
recommended a campground in Monticello, about 10 minutes
north of Anamosa. I toured the museum, saw some neat bikes,
made some pictures, then headed out to find the campground.
My concern about camping tonight is that the forecast is calling
for a low of 36 degrees tonight and frost. That's a far cry from
the great temps Oregon is having right now. And there doesn't
seem to be a bit of humidity here in Iowa. Very pleasant, but
quite windy.

On the way to the campground, I discovered I would pass right
by J&P Cycles, the big aftermarket retailer of motorcycle parts.
I pulled in there and got another good lead on a motel in nearby
Monticello, and the lady confirmed the forecast for me right there
at her desk via the internet. She also informed me that this
night was there last bike/car show get together. There would
be food, entertainment and door prizes. So I headed north
to Monticello (10 minutes away) and checked in the Blue Inn.
Unloaded a few things, checked mail, and headed back to
J&P. I pulled the trailer with me, because there was nothing
here at the motel parking lot to lock it to. It would just be
easier to pull it along.

I got a burger and Pepsi, called my daughter, then started
to roam the bikes and cars. There were some beautiful paint
jobs and lots of custom bikes. I wanted to go inside and register
for some of the door prizes and went back to the bike for my
camera. I got there, and had 5 guys (retired) all wanting to
know my story. Some were interested in the trailer, some in
the trip, some in my bike and how it could pull the trailer.
I spent the next hour and a half talking about the trip, answering
questions, swapping stories and having a great time. It was
like a trade show! I never even made it inside the building!

I left about dusk, ever watchful of deer. It is already COLD
outside. I can't imagine what it's going to be like in the
morning! I will head south to Kansas and Oklahoma tomorrow.

Day #31 September 10, 2007

2007-09-10T20:30:00.000-07:00

Day #31
September 10, 2007

Symsonia, KY to Hannibal, MO
321 miles today (20,771 - 21,092)
6611 miles total

1 new state today: Missouri
16 states total

Back on the road again! Yahoo!! Today's journey got off to a delayed
start with some last minute, unexpected plumbing issues. Took a
little less than 3 hours, but it got resolved so I could get on the way.
The temp early today was 75 degrees and the humidity was 95%!
Miserable. Just standing outside I was sweating. The air was like
syrup. It was going to be warm in leather!

I pulled out about 11:30. Not having ridden consistently for nearly
3 weeks, I was a little concerned about my skills. Going down the
road, pulling the trailer, I was getting the feeling I had forgotten
how to ride. The skills sure deteriorate quickly! I was really on
guard for animals, road hazards and idiots. It took about an hour
to really feel like I was in control again, but I stayed sharp, looking
for hazards all day.

I crossed the Ohio at Cairo, IL and then later the Mississippi
at Cape Girardeau, MO. I had lunch at O'Charleys in Cape
Girardeau where the hostess was excited to share the recent
trip her dad took to Yellowstone. One of his buddies went with him
I think she said, and they were gone 2 weeks. I gave her the
blog site address, so maybe I'll hear from him.

Like the day before arriving in Symsonia, my riding today was
primarily on the freeway. I hit St. Louis about 4:15. The traffic
was fast and furious. I really didn't have any problems, but as
I turned west on to I-70 to connect with US 61, I took note of
the dark sky way off in the west. Hmm...will that have an effect
on me I wondered?

I stopped in Moscow Mills to gas up, and then review my map
to see exactly where I might stay tonight. A local guy gave me
some leads on a campground or two, so I headed north, on up 61.
As I got 50 miles out of Hannibal, MO the sky was completely
overcast. By 30 miles out, it was sprinkling. By 20 miles out,
the rain was really coming down. I had to pull off and gear up
with the rain jacket. I should have put my rain pants on, but
thought at the time the chaps would keep my jeans dry. A
couple of truckers confirmed via CB radio that the rain just
continued on for many miles, all the way up into Iowa.
So when I reached Hannibal, MO I called it a day and found
a motel. This is only the 2nd time the rain has driven me
indoors. I did not want to set up in the rain! The weather
is supposed to clear tomorrow, and I wanted to keep all my
gear dry.

The goal tomorrow will be to get up into Iowa, near Anamosa,
where the Nat'l Motorcycle Museum is located.

WEST KY PITSTOP August 23 thru Sept 9

2007-09-09T08:15:00.000-07:00

I arrived in West KY in the early evening on Wednesday

Aug 23, what was then Day #30 on my tour. Here it is 18

days later, and I am ready to hit the road again. I will count

tomorrow, Monday September 10 as Day #31, and not

count all my work days here as part of the tour.

Nor will I count the 371 miles on the bike while site seeing,

running errands and visiting while here.

I spent most of yesterday, going through my gear, repacking

and getting everything ready to travel. I've done some

maintenance on the bike, purchased some new carpet for

the tent (is lighter and packs smaller), and put everything

away that I can until time to travel.

I have torn down 2 old outbuildings, hauled away over

10,400 lbs. of wood and metal, cut up what I would guess to

be over 7 pickup loads of brush and tree trimmings and picked

up a mild case of poison ivy or sumac. I've visited my 2 sisters,

but have pretty much stayed busy working on the clean up

project here at my mother-in-laws place. I've seen 2 snakes,

1 mouse, a burlap sack full of woodbees and more red wasps

than I could possibly count!

I have worked on the blog daily, trying to get it caught up, but

that is a difficult thing to do. Now that it is up and running, and

I know a little more about it, I'll try to keep it current on the

road, while filling in the missing days as I go along.

I've had several requests for pictures of my camper, some of

the campgrounds and places I've stayed. The photo portion of

the blog is absolutely the most frustrating thing to work with

and not very easily manipulated, but I'll try to get those up

for those interested. If any of you know how to align/place

the photos, your input would be GREATLY appreciated, as I

am to the point of NOT posting any more photos it is such an

ordeal.

The road is calling...and I intend to answer!

Day #30 Aug 22, 2007

2007-08-22T22:00:00.000-07:00

Day 30
Wednesday August 22, 2007

Coloma, MI to Symsonia, KY
493 miles today (19,907 – 20,400)
6290 miles total

3 new states today: IN, IL & KY
15 states total

Wow! What a day today. 493 miles of nearly all freeway. To me,
that is the worst kind of riding. Sure, I can make great time and
cover a LOT of miles, but it is just so dull and boring, kind of lifeless.
And I am back in the heat again. Marion, IL at 5PM (gas stop)
showed 103 degrees on one bank thermometer.

I was awakened about 2:30AM this morning with thunder and then
lightning! Got up, looked at the sky, saw stars, but thought I better
try to check the weather. I hauled the laptop out and packed it to
the front door of the store at the KOA, probably 75 yards away.
Ah ha, a wireless signal finally, but protected by a password!
Grrr…why didn’t the lady at the desk last night tell me that?! So no
internet, and no weather update. I went back to bed, thinking the
storm was out over Lake Michigan. I was awakened again at 5:30 by
the pitter patter of rain drops on the tent. Oh oh! I hustled out to
get the stove and coffee pot into the tent and to cover up the bike
with the tarp. I began to pack away all the gear inside the tent I had
gotten out the night before. By the time I got all the gear put away,
and ready to tear the tent down, the rain picked up. I put my dry
clothes, towel and shower bag under the tarp with the motorcycle. I
folded the tent up, in the rain, and of course everything got put away
wet. Didn't want to do that, but hey, that's the way it is sometimes.
I showered, dressed, then put on all my riding gear and rain gear, and
headed toward Chicago about 8AM.

The sky was heavily overcast, and the roads were wet. The trucks
were spraying me as they passed by, but there was not any rain
falling from the sky, thankfully. About 10 AM I pulled into a truck
stop to try and check the weather channel on my laptop. No signal,
but the weather channel was on a TV in the truck stop. I saw a
national map with Doppler radar and saw Iowa, right where I was
headed, covered in rain. Right then, I decided KY would be my
destination. So I got the map out and wrote the route #s down on
paper so I’d know where to go. When the weather is nice, I’ll write
the route #s down on my mirrors with a dry erase marker. When
the weather is not so nice, I’ll record them on paper and slip them
in my tank bag so they show through the clear map case.

I wanted to go to Chicago and drive down the South Lake Shore Drive.
When I got about 30 miles out of Chicago, at 10AM in the morning
(already missed rush hour) the traffic was so heavy. And reader
boards showed construction at the intersection of two major
interstates. I wasn’t even close to downtown yet, and wasn’t about
to detour in and around Chicago, so when the turn off to I-57 came
up, my route to the south, I peeled off and took it. This proved to
be a good decision. I didn’t pull into KY until after 6PM. It would
have been a LOT later if I’d detoured to downtown Chicago.

Once I got here, I called Nat. The lawn is burnt up, the bushes
nearly dried up, and dead leaves all over the back yard. It looks
“dead” and it saddens me. I called Nat and told her I’d arrived.
The air conditioning was on, the hot water was on, and the house
was in MUCH BETTER SHAPE inside than outside.

God really protected me again today. Where I would have been
heading in Iowa is receiving record rainfall. What a disaster I
avoided. The rain has “chased me” since I left Fargo on Saturday
morning. This morning, it finally caught me!

I’ve unloaded the trailer, put my food in the fridge, set up the tent
to dry, and put the bike away in the brick building. Tarps are hung
on the fence to dry out. That should be quick, as the high
tomorrow is forecast for 101 degrees! Friday is to be 98. Rain is
forecast for Sat-Tuesday. I’m wore out tonight. Tired.
My rear end hurts after nearly 500 miles! I should sleep well.

Day #29 August 21, 2007

2007-08-21T21:00:00.000-07:00

Day #29
Tuesday August 21, 2007

Mackinaw City, MI to Coloma, MI

363 miles today (19,544 - 19,907)
5, 797 miles total

Stayed in beautiful Michigan all day!

Got up at 5AM today. Made a cup of coffee and then transferred all of
last weeks photos to the laptop. I heard NO WIND last night and
slept great! I checked out of the campground (turned in the key to
the cabin for deposit refund), got gas and ice, stopped for breakfast
and then hit the road. The sky was clear, but I am heading where
the rain was yesterday, and for several days prior.

I made great time the LAST 150 miles of the day. However, the first
200 took over 6 hours! The last 150 were all 4 lane, most of it I-196
on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. But the first 200 were US 31.
Lots of small towns. Lots of stop lights in the towns. Some had a
very “tourist” feel to them. Saw some beautiful older homes, either
very well cared for or they’d been restored. Typically they would sit
up on a hillside with US 31 between the house and the lake. Some of
the little towns just gave the appearance of summer places where the
wealthy would come for their annual summer vacations. There was
a nostalgic feeling to them.

I went through Holland, MI where I saw a vendor I used called
Holland Barstool Co. That was a surprise! I’d forgotten all about them.

I got to Coloma, MI and the campground is all WET! I mean REALLY
wet. The picture above is just one of the sites, and some of the campers
who had been there a while said the water has really receded a lot
already. One whole section of sites, probably 30 or more, was completely
closed and parts looked like a small lake or pond. I am SO GLAD I
decided to stay an extra day in Mackinaw City! Good decision
(good listening!) and an answer to my prayer for wisdom to know
what to do.

Tomorrow it’s on to Iowa, J&P Cycle and the National Motorcycle
Museum.

Day #28 August 20, 2007

2007-08-20T18:55:00.000-07:00

Day 28

Monday August 20th, 2007

Mackinaw City, MI to Mackinaw City, MI

45 miles today (19,499 - 19,544)

5,434 miles total

Traveled little today. The plan was to stay put and NOT go south into central Michigan where LOTS of rain is forecasted. The sky was very overcast here this AM, and a 50% chance of showers. Will consider moving indoors to a cabin while all my gear is still dry.

Plans included laundry (yuk), make pics of the bridge, go to the bridge visitors center, work on blog, work on route planning and read. I hate to take another “day off” after last Wed-Fri in Fargo, ND, but I don’t see any point in riding through a projected DOWNPOUR all day! Besides, I have NO clean clothes!

Decided to move indoors to a cabin. After moving and packing the tent away, I did laundry as planned, rode into town, crossed the bridge and rode on the metal grate lane coming back again. Couldn’t see water, but the wind was fierce! I was leaning pretty significantly, yet still going straight ahead. At two different sections on the bridge there are some modified turnouts (blocked by curbs) that provided a wind break. At that instant, as I came up to those, I nearly fell over for the LACK of wind all of a sudden. It really caught me off guard the first time!

I am not much of a “tourist.” Although I rode through the downtown area, I didn’t bother to park and look in all the little shops that had the same ol’ stuff I’d already seen in a dozen other little tourist towns. I’ll take the roller coaster ride on the bridge anytime!!

Had fun at the little t-shirt shop (pic above) when I asked the clerk if I they got a lot of snow here! Well...I didn't know!! She was silent for about 10 long seconds while she looked me over.

"Are you serious?" she asked in her most "is this guy for real" voice. She asked if I was NEW to town. HA! She proceeded to tell me how the town clears out except for one hotel and one gas station. "NO ONE stays here for the winter" she went on to explain. I even learned that the waterway under the bridge joining Lake Michigan and Lake Huron actually freezes over! I had no idea! Hey! If you don't ask questions you won't learn anything!

The rain never materialized today. Oh well. I’ll sleep good knowing I’m already packed and ready to go tomorrow.

Day #27 August 19, 2007

2007-08-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

Day 27
Sunday August 19, 2007

Saxon, WS to Mackinaw City, MI
344 miles today (19,155 – 19,499)
5,389 miles total

1 new state today: MI
12 states total

Set my alarm for 4:00 AM. I wanted to get out of the dirt I was
in ASAP! Had to get up during the night and hit the can. As I glanced
up on my way, stars were EVERYWHERE! Wow! Totally amazing.
There were no clouds, so I felt better about the chance of rain, or
lack of. Reminded me of Piedmont, SD where I camped for the
Sturgis rally with the CMA guys. There is just so much around me,
if I will only take the time to stop and LOOK!

When I got up at 4:00 AM, and headed to the ONE shower,
the sky was different. Now there were NO stars, only clouds. Oh oh,
what it coming? So I showered quick (50 cents for 4:20 of time)
and then fixed breakfast of oatmeal (3 packages) and one cup of
coffee. I’ve got to figure out how to keep the grounds IN the little
coffee screen. I think I need a courser grind. I boxed up my gear,
dressed, tore down, hitched up and was ready to go by 6 AM.

When I pulled out, it was C-O-O-L! Brrrrr. I had to stop down the
road and eventually put on rain gear to help block the wind. I was
cold most of the day before, from Moorhead, MN to Saxon, where
I just left, and now it looked like I would be cold again. I stopped
in Ironwood, WS for gas and coffee. This to warm up! I had just
been through Hurley, MN and made pictures of all the
“gentlemen’s clubs” that lined Silver Street. I made pics of
several banners proclaiming Silver Streets fame, but I’m not
exactly clear as to “why” it was famous!

I stopped in McDonalds in Marquette, MI for coffee. I ate my
sandwich (made the night before), a banana and 2 fruit pies. Took
less than an hour break, maybe 45 minutes or so, just to warm up
good. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is really very beautiful. It
reminded me of both Oregon AND Kentucky. There were stretches
of evergreens for miles, but then there were stretches of hardwoods
for miles. As I got to the Lake Superior Basin, the land turned flat.
Evergreens of some sort would just appear. Often they would line
the road for miles. As I got off of highway 28 and on to US 2, the
terrain became more hilly and rocky. Finally, as I rounded the
corner near Gros Gap, MI, the Mackinaw Bridge appeared. YIKES!
What a sight. I heard it was 5 miles long.

I am staying in Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground. Very nice spot.
The breeze (i.e. wind?) is blowing off the lake. I suspect it will blow
all night long. That is one thing I DON’T miss about Sturgis, the
stinkin’ wind! The lady who runs the store here, Linda, has a brother
in Eugene, OR. She thinks he’s a geriatric doctor. Wow...another
Eugene connection!

I am trying to not only write every night, but now I am trying to go
back and reconstruct the early nights (1-20?) where I only recorded
on paper. It has taken me some time to get the computer up and
running. And now, I am yearning for an IPOD so I can have music
on the road. I will especially want that on the Gulf Coast stretch home.

I should be in KY by end of this week. I’ll re-evaluate the plan then.
I have already started a list of things to do to the bike, the trailer, etc.
before I head out again.

“Father, again, you have blessed me with a DRY day. Sunshine and
clouds, just like life. But you protected me from the knothead that
“almost” made a left turn in front of me, the speeding traffic, and
even kept the Mackinaw Bridge from collapsing! And you have
directed me to a wonderful campground. Thank you, Lord. Give
me a good nights rest.”

Day #26 August 18, 2007

2007-08-18T21:00:00.000-07:00

Day 26
Saturday August 18, 2007

Moorhead, MN to Saxon, WS
347 miles today (18,808 - 19,155)

5,045 total

1 new state today: Wisconsin

11 states total

Didn’t get out of camp in Moorhead until nearly 9 AM. Had another visitor wanting to know about the trailer.

I hit the showers early so I could beat all the softball players to them.

There was only one guy in there at 5:30. I had my oatmeal and one

pop-tart and drank some milk. The milk may go bad by tomorrow.

I left camp with rain gear on as the sky was looking threatening. For

3 days now the rain has been moving this direction from the

southwest. It may finally get here today.

I made good time today I thought. I stopped at an Indian Casino

near Walker, MN and had lunch. I was SO COLD! Again, an extreme

contrast. I traveled all day and never saw the temp climb above 62

degrees. Good grief! Two weeks ago it was 40 degrees warmer during

the day. What contrast! Saw the Mississippi River, narrow enough I

could throw a rock across it!

I made my goal of at least Duluth, the 2nd goal of Ashland, and am

only 16 miles from the 3rd goal of Ironwood, MI. I am almost in

Michigan. Tomorrow, with fair weather, should have me at Mackinaw

City, at the long bridge. I’ll cross on Monday I guess, unless I get

there really early tomorrow.

I am staying at a mom and pop campground, with the office in a

bar. It’s only $14.50 but I’m camping on DIRT!

If it rains….oh oh; wet dirt = mud!

Hope to sleep better tonight. I think it’s a little quieter here.

Good day, good mileage.

Day #17 August 9, 2007

2007-08-09T21:00:00.000-07:00

Day 17
Thursday August 9th, 2007

Hot Springs, SD to Piedmont, SD
175 miles today (17,658 – 17,833)
3,723 miles total

No new states today
8 states total

Slept in till 6 or so this morning. I went straight to the shower first.
I sometimes don't like to, as I get hot and sweaty packing stuff up.
I get especially hot putting the tent away and hitching up the trailer.
And the sun will be hot once it comes up today.

I starting packing up right away. Moved stuff for the bike out to
the picnic table. Stored stuff inside the trailer as I went. I am
s-l-o-w-l-y developing a system for getting things packed away
so I can get on the road. I’m going to need to get some tent poles
and a larger tarp after yesterday afternoon’s rain! I want to put
the whole camper under cover in case I have a downpour like
that again.

I went to breakfast at the pavilion here. Had pancakes, bacon
and good coffee. Got out just before 9. Headed up 385 to Custer
where I went to the Nat’l Woodcarvers Museum. Got instructions
on how to get there from the lady at the downtown Custer
visitors center. She had a good friend who had lived in Eugene
and had heard it is so beautiful. Lots of Eugene, OR connections
along the way!

The museum consisted of just one mans carvings. He was a
Disney animator. In fact, he was one of the first to work on sets
for the Anaheim Disneyland in the 1950’s. I wondered if he was
a Nazi though, as several of his works had the swastika in them.
(I later saw this same thing at the CORN PALACE in Mitchell, NE
and read that the swastika was an early Indian good luck symbol.
It was shown on some Indian like work in the museusm as I recall.)
It was interesting, but Nat would have HATED it. I’m so glad we
didn't stop last year when we were here. Both Custer and Hill City
have blocked off their main streets for the Sturgis Rally.
There are lots of bikes here already on this beautiful warm day.

Got into Rapid City in the heat of the day. Went to a sporting goods
store AND a WalMart...but no tent poles. Got a few things I
needed, including the single cup coffee screen for a single cup of
drip coffee. I made a phone call to Selco, transferred money and
got a cash withdrawal at a bank inside Wal-Mart. I am amazed
at how little T-Mobile cell service there is in a city the size of
Rapid City.

Got to the CMA campground. Made camp right under a shade tree,
next to a camper similar to mine. Went back to the Black Hills
HD dealer, just off the interstate, but several miles before Sturgis,
where about 50 more vendors are. JM radios is there. Going
to try and get them to adjust my radio tomorrow.

I will get to breakfast early and then the 9AM church service so
I can volunteer to help somehow. The CMA'ers do several things
during the rally.

My campground is just a 1/2 mile off the freeway and the bikes
are a constant drone in the distance. I suspect they will last all
night. I'll sleep with ear plugs TONIGHT!
And I am sunburned too...on top of my nose. It is really sore.

Turning in. A good day, but less than 200 miles traveled.

Day #14 August 6, 2007

2007-08-06T21:45:00.000-07:00

Day 14
August 6th, 2007

Pueblo, CO to Kimball, NE
344 miles today (16,880 - 17,224)
3,114 total
1 new state today: Nebraska
7 states total

It rained hard, saw lots of lightning and had some thunder last
night. I have been waking at 6AM most mornings.
Packed the trailer, except my clothes, so I was pretty much ready
to go. Checked the oil again and it looked good. Later the low oil
level light would come on.

Lori went to work about 8:30. She was glad I came and wants me
to come back. Guess I wasn't THAT BAD of a guest! I showered,
got ready, hitched the bike up and prayed with Terry before leaving
shortly after 9. Went by the post office to drop a card to Stacey,
then headed out. Before I even got to the freeway (I-25) the low
oil level light came on. Grrrr...so I pulled in the Days Inn where
Amber (Kraus's daughter) works and said goodbye to her AND
added some more oil. The bike has an aftermarket oil filter
relocation kit. The additional lines require a little more (1/3 qt)
oil than factory specs. It's taken a little fussing to determine this.

Got to Colorado Springs with no additional problems.
Called Judy (my sister) then Zachary (her son). He was still in
Salida, so we didn't get to meet. :( Went to the Vistors Bureau and
got a map of Colorado. Found out the cycle shop I came to Springs
for was CLOSED on Monday. Visited with the groundskeeper for
15 minutes. He's been all over the US on his Goldwing.
He gave me some gas and road tips. It's funny how just being in
leathers, or pulling the trailer, just really opens people up to talk
to me about my journey.

Got out into eastern CO and it was pretty dull and boring.
Had two hours to go to the Kansas line. Thought I'd pick that state
up on the way north. Just TOO BORING to go two hours to check
it off. I'll have to get Kansas City on the way to KY I guess.

Headed north from Limon up Colorado 71. Little traffic,
fair scenary, and good roads. I made 344 miles today. I think
that's my 2nd highest day.

Had lunch in Limon where I "tried" to put diesel in the bike.
OH NO! DUMMY! The pump would not let me select the diesel
hose, then try to select a gasoline grade. GOOD THING as I had
the diesel nozzle IN MY TANK. I was ready for lunch. I was hot,
tired, and ready to be refueled myself.

And God answered my prayer. I prayed earlier today
"Lord, get me WHERE I need to be, WHEN I need to be there."
A trucker named Mario, from FLA, came by and inquired about
the trailer. He had sold 3 other trucks (tractors) just to keep 1 so
he could keep driving. He was near bankruptcy and foreclosure.
They saved some cash back in case they were evicted and his
26 year old son gambled it away (he thinks). He just needed
someone to vent to. God provided me. I offered him the HOPE
of God. We chatted a few minutes and parted.

My "low oil level" light came on again (flickering) just after lunch
outside of Limon as I was climbing the first hill. I stopped, added
just a little bit of oil, and went on my way. Not know exactly how
much I lost before getting the drain plug in, it's hard to determine
exactly where the oil level is at. The little sight window at the
bottom of the crankcase is USELESS! I can't hold the bike upright
AND look UNDER the bike at the same time!! BAD DESIGN
I think....

I had a good afternoon of riding. Staying in Kimball, NB tonight
at the KOA. Cabella's the big sporting goods store is just down the
freeway about 25 miles. I spent about an hour there I'd guess.

Bought a cap for $5, some wire clothes pins I'd been looking for,
and some candles. I still can't find the wire basket filter for one
cup of coffee. I think I left my OREGON cap in Whitefish, MT.
Ready to hit the hay. Thunder and lightning has tapered off here.

It sprinkled while I made my dinner of canned soup.
I ate so much at Terry and Lori's. Glad to be back to small meals.
I'm limiting myself to two meals a day usually.

Day #13 August 5, 2007

2007-08-05T21:00:00.000-07:00

Day #13

Sunday August 5, 2007

0 miles today

2770 total

Got up at 6AM...as usual!

Went to church with the Kraus family in downtown Rye, CO.

First, the environment, then the message...

the whole inside was done in knotty pine. The layout of the 2

sections of pews reminded me of my home church, Fairfield in

Eugene, OR. The lights above were old wagon wheel style with

5 or 6 fixtures on each wheel. They looked like something you'd

find in an older restaurant. But they fit this southern Colorado

town.

The message...from Luke 12 was about life not consisting in
the abundance of "stuff." Traveling by bike, even pulling a

trailer, I just don't have room for a lot of stuff. My trip is

giving me time to think about what is important in life. I've

neglected that for a long time.

After lunch, Terry and I changed the oil in the bike. This was

a 2 man job for 2 NON mechanics. We actually had a blast

doing this. We were laughing, joking and cutting up. When

laughed even more when we realized I forget to put the drain

plug in the crankcase! It took 2 quarts for us to realize this!

(This would haunt me for several days I would soon discover.)

Hey, like I said, we are NOT mechanics. Kudos go to Lori

for letting us use one of her glass baking dishes to catch the

oil. Everything else I had was too tall to fit under the bike

frame/crankcase. Hopefully, next thanksgivings day

dinner dressing will not taste funny! Thanks Lori!

I finished off the afternoon with packing the trailer, fixing

the mirror on the bike, checked tire pressure and just

generally relaxing around.

Tomorrow, it's on to Sturgis for my first visit there. I received

an email from my sister saying her son and a friend were in

Salida, CO just west of Colorado Springs. I'll call him tomorrow.

Day #12 Aug 4, 2007

2007-08-04T22:00:00.000-07:00

Day #12

Saturday

August 4, 2007

0 miles today

2770 miles total

Got to bed late last night after arriving here about 7:00 or so.

So good to finally be here. And I don't have to set up and tear

down everyday. That's a welcome break! They are so gracious

to me, too! Great hosts!

Went to Terry's Sat. AM prayer group with a couple of

other guys from his church. After that and breakfast, the

Kraus family and I took a ride up into the surrounding hills.

We went to Bishop's Castle, a rock "castle" being built by a

local eccentric, which sits on government land as I

understand it. What a site! I guess the guy has been

working on it since the early 70's. He posts his political views

about the government on several large signs around the site.

Later in the day we drove into Peublo to get some supplies.

We met Amber (their daughter) at Borders and chatted for

over an hour. In the meantime, the rain blew in and we drove

home in a downpour. By the time we got to their home in Rye, CO

the rain had quit. We spent the evening after dinner just visiting

and catching up since it had been a couple of years since we'd

been together.

Day #11 Aug 3, 2007

2007-08-03T23:07:00.000-07:00

Day #11

Friday August 3rd, 2007

Steamboat Springs, CO to Pueblo, CO

322 miles today (16, 557 - 16,879)

2770 miles total

Spent the night at Steamboat Springs in the "no name"

Simpson's motel! The rain woke me up at 2:11 AM, just pouring

down. I later heard it rained 5" in Fort Collins last night. Some of

the motels actually had to move guests from the ground floor.

And to think Fort Collins was where I wanted to be, but called it

a day early after the rain started up! Once again, God looks out

for His children...even those on motorcycles far from home!

The day got off in good fashion after meeting/visiting with a guy

from Wisconsin. Something he said tipped me off that he was a

believer. We talked of our faith for a few minutes and just shared

some of our on the road experiences for 10-15 minutes.

I road in foggy conditions all the way to Granby, which is just

outside the southwestern border of Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park.

This would be my gas stop so I wouldn't have to buy EXPENSIVE

gas inside the park. As I pulled away, or got ready to, I noticed

I had NO LIGHTS! Oh oh. No headlamp, no passing lamps.

The park would have to wait for me.

I went to breakfast close by, where I poured over my service

manual and read about fuses, bulbs and schematics. Let me

reiterate...I AM NO MECHANIC! This is going to be interesting.

I pulled the fuse box cover after breakfast and discovered a

blown head lamp circuit fuse. Then it just starts to sprinkle.

I remembered seeing the auto parts store down the street.

I bought fuses and headed to the CAR WASH I had just passed

after breakfast. I spent the next 2+ hours in the car wash,

pulling bulbs, blowing fuses, reading the manual and talking to

JON HARDISTY, my very own "on the road Yamaha tech!"

THANKS JON!!!!!

I finally discovered that the rain last night had shorted out the

passing lamps switch. Once I cut the switch out, wired the lamps

direct to the headlamp circuit, everything worked just fine.

But my time for going through Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park was spent

viewing the inside of the pull through car wash and the service

manual. Oh well...God's plans directing my steps I guess.

So it's on to Pueblo, CO.

The ride over the Berthoud Pass (11,315 ft) was "adventoursome"

to say the least. 15 mph switchbacks, very overcast skies, and

eventually rain. I pulled a LOT of it in 2nd gear! I had a backpacker

at the top make my picture by the marker.

Once I got down out of the mountain pass, the sun was shining and

the temp was climbing again. I-70 took me just west of Denver

where I stopped for lunch near Golden, CO. Two guys in a van

pulled up just to see what my story was. They had been to Sturgis

many times in the past, but this year were going to Portland, OR

for a change. They were glad to prep me on the Sturgis thing.

It's always good to talk to someone who has actually been to the

next place I am heading. Usually, the locals know how to get there!

After refueling me and the bike, I was Peublo bound.

A warm sunny afternoon did not do enough to disipate the

aggravation I felt as soon as I hit I-25. Bumper to bumper,

3 lanes, and we were creeping along. 2 miles, 5 miles, 10 miles

then finally 11 miles before it broke free. And the accident wasn't

even on the southbound side. It was on the northbound side!

Some truckers talked about it as I listened in on the CB, the traffic

eventually backed up over 30 miles to the south of the accident!

As I recall, it involved 3 semi trucks and 7 autos, including one

state police car. What a mess!

In Colorado Springs, I took a real quick side trip to see the

Focus on the Family headquarters. They were closing in 5 minutes,

so my visit was brief. Pueblo was getting closer. I rolled in just

before 7PM. Glad to have finally made it. It's been a long, long day.

With the mechanical troubles, the rain and the freeway hangups,

all made me glad to be "home" for the night.

Day #10 Aug 2, 2007

2007-08-02T18:17:00.000-07:00

Day 10
Thursday August 2nd, 2007

Landers, WY – Steamboat Springs, CO
294 miles today (16,263 – 16,557)
2548 miles total

1 new state: Colorado

6 states total

5:30 AM Woke up to a DRY morning after a rainy night.
Clouds were still present, but the sun was shining off in the east. Made 2 pictures.

8:15 AM Nearly ready to go. Got to visiting with "MIKE" next door. He is a retired 62 year old.
Each summer he comes west from Michigan to rock climb in the Grand Tetons. He was happy to see someone (ME) pursuing a dream. He said so few do these days.

After gassing up, I didn't get out of town till nearly 9:15. The ride through the rest of Wyoming was typical of Wyoming. It was beautiful in it's own way, but it just gets old quick.
I did see some unique rock formations. One was called "Split Rock."

Once I got to Rawlins, I had to turn west on I-80. I just hate the interstate.

Too many trucks, too much traffic. I have to ride I-25 southbound tomorrow from

Denver to Pueblo.

I wanted to take a picture of the "Welcome to Colorado" sign, but it was over the crest of a hill and there was traffic behind me. The scenery changed a little from Wyoming to Colorado. Things began to green up a little. A lot of John Denver songs came to mind. I have GOT to get an Ipod...singing to myself is getting old, and I can't remember all the words!

As I got 20 miles or so outside (west of) Steamboat Springs, the sky ahead was REALLY dark and the wind was really kicking up! Five minutes later the rain started. I had to suit up and drive at 40-45 mph. I had to pull off and let traffic pass twice.

After checking out a couple of campgrounds with NO cover, I am staying in Steamboat Springs in a REAL rundown motel. NO internet at all. It smells. But, I can shower and park the bike right out side. It was raining still when I pulled in and several motels already had

NO VACANCY signs out. Thought I'd better take what I could get!!

I'm not a huge "Simpsons" fan, but the guy behind the counter of the motel reminded me of the school janitor (?) on the show. He had a thick Swedish accent, a heavy beard, a flannel shirt and kept telling me "NO vomen in the room, buddy!"

It looks like tomorrows ride is going to be another long one. Pueblo is a LONG way away. I feel "pressured" to get there. When Sturgis is over, I can meander my way through the rest of the states. Because I can only get to the Kraus's house on the weekend, I've had to adjust my schedule and itinerary. I hope our visit is a good one.

I have done nearly 2600 miles so far.
I am going to turn in early, get up early, and hit the road.
I've got to get through Rocky Mtn Natl Park AND on my way to

Pueblo by noon. I hope the rain holds off.

JB..from the road.

Day #9 Aug 1, 2007

2007-08-01T21:30:00.000-07:00

Day 9
Wednesday August 1, 2007

Billings, MT to Landers, WY
358 miles today(15,905 – 16,263) today
2154 miles total

1 new state today, Wyoming

5 states total

6:15 AM
Packed, hitched up, ready to go.

8:46 AM
Rode to Red Lodge, MT. for breakfast at Hank’s Place. The temp is COOL as I get out of Billings and head toward the mountain pass.

Getting excited about the accent over the Bear Tooth Pass.
I have wanted to RIDE this on a bike ever since last year when Nat and I drove over it. We drove south to north, and I’m going the reverse direction. Lots of bikes in Red Lodge, even at this hour of the morning.

11:30 AM

Wow! The pass was AWESOME! The views were fantastic…beautiful…spectacular! So awesome. And pulling the trailer was no problem whatsoever. At the first bathroom stop, there must have been 25-30 bikes there. I got LOTS of inquiries about the trailer. One guy said they’d been considering one, but had never seen one up close. He was very glad for the 15 minutes we spent discussing it.

For 3 days I’ve tolerated/endured the heat. Today, I was actually cool! Wow! More contrasts. I never went into Yellowstone, as Nat and I were here a year ago. Instead, I took the Chief Joseph scenic highway back to Cody, WY. This is WY route 296 located at the northeast corner of Yellowstone Nat'l Park. Most scenic ride of my trip to date. How did we miss this road last year? Again, there was so much contrast on this road. There were beautiful green valleys. There were hard, sharp rock formations. And then there were the colors of the rock. The rock formations varied from gray, brown, white and then some very red and pink shades.
I will get some pictures on here when I can figure out HOW!

After getting to Cody, restocking the debit card and refueling, I headed southeast toward Thermopalis. The skies were darkening. Oh oh. I had not run into rain yet, but that was about to change. I suited up outside of Cody. I passed several bikers who decided to chance beating the rain. They didn't.

The Wyoming landscape in this part of the state is sure desolate. A breakdown out here might entail a long, long wait for help. The overcast sky provided some great relief to the days of heat I'd been riding in. And the dark skies were just more contrast to the bright blue skies with the sun bearing down on me.

I made Riverton, WY after 4PM, stopped for groceries for dinner later on, and eventually stopped in Lander, WY for the night after 6:30. The mom and pop campground was no KOA, but it was CHEAP and provided a place to stay for the night. The lady at the desk was the owner. We talked shop a while. EX-business owners (me!) just can't help but inquire about "how's business" everywhere they go!

Light rain eventually drove me inside the tent to finish dinner.

Tomorrow I go onward toward Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park!

Day #8 July 31, 2007

2007-07-31T19:00:00.000-07:00

Day 8
Tuesday July 31, 2007

Billings, MT to Billings, MT
24 miles today (15,881 – 15,905)
1886 miles total

7:17 AM
At Denny’s for breakfast. Woke up early, about 4:30. It was just too hot to sleep.
I can stay 2 nights here in the KOA for LESS than 1 night in the motel. This place has the nicest bathrooms/showers I’ve ever seen for a campground. Each bathroom (10 in the building) behind a locking door has it’s own vanity w/sink, toilet and urinal, hand dryer, nice LARGE shower and a bench to sit on. This bathroom is as large as our bath room at home!

I think I’m going to have the hit the road earlier when the weather is warmer. I’m going to have to work on that.

12:00 noon
Got all my errands run by 10:30! Breakfast at Denny’s, WalMart, the local Yamaha shop and a side trip to the “animal foundary.”

I bought a bike cover at the Yamaha shop so I can use my large tarp for rain cover over the tent. I found out the neighbors “next door” are from Nashville, TN and Fargo, ND. They are all here to open up a branch for their work.

2:36 PM
Got all my supplies put away and the trailer loaded up for tomorrow.

4:15 PM
I finished up the laundry. Sat by the pool, updated my debit ledger while clothes washed and dried. Terribly hot day to be running things through the dryer! Time to think about dinner. The trout was SO GOOD last night, I think it will be an easy decision, not to mention it is still so STINKIN’ HOT, too hot for ME to cook!

Day #7 July 30, 2007

2007-07-30T21:15:00.000-07:00

Day 7
Monday July 30, 2007

Bozeman, MT to Billings, MT
178 miles today (15,703 – 15,881)
1862 miles total

8:41 AM
I’m packed and loaded, showered and had my breakfast. This is a very nice park. There was a nice sunrise to start out the day. I slept good, but my back is “tight” today. I have been stretching, but I think I’d welcome a break in a motel.
I’m going to Billings today. I hope to see Gerald and Kathy, the owners of Big Sky Wood Products, a good vendor for me when I owned Royal Awards.

11:31 AM
Stopped for gas at Big Timber, about an hour or so west of Billings. Pulled off and some good Samaritans were helping a lady push her car to the gas station. She was still 50 yards away from the pump and needed some gas to get her there. She had run out coming off the exit ramp and had been pushed to this point. There I was, with my gas can to help a stranger. So my gas cans have helped me and helped someone else. Several guys on my pre-trip planning blogs asked why I would carry extra gas. THIS is the reason. She was grateful and refilled my can.

12:30PM
I stopped in Laurel, MT to see Gerald and Kathy.
Mary, the saleslady that helped us, has left (on good terms) to work her farm with her husband. Lisa, who was new to us, works elsewhere, but still does marketing for Big Sky. Kathy was not there and I stayed less than 10 minutes. I was sweating, standing there in leathers.

I got to Billings where it was HOT! Later on I would see a reader board showing 109 degrees. Surely a mistake I thought. But then just a few blocks away I saw another one showing 105. I stopped at a motel off the freeway, but just didn’t want to pay the nearly $100 for a room. I gassed up, had lunch at Applebee’s, and checked out the Billings motel map and directory. After 2 more motel drive bys and another camp ground, I settled on the KOA down by the Yellowstone River. I later learned this was the #1 KOA in the KOA system. I think it was 1967 when it was first franchised.

I checked in at 3:30PM. It’s now 5PM and I’ll eat dinner here at their own onsite kitchen/pavilion. Trout is on the menu! Yum. Tomorrow I plan on staying put. The heat over the last 2-3 days has taken it’s toll on me. I won’t pull the trailer. I’ll re-supply and look for a bike cover and a sheepskin seat cover. Mal-Wart will be on my list too.

Tomorrow I’ll have to decide about a) going on to Sturgis or b) going south to Pueblo to visit with Terry and Laurie Kraus.

6:40PM
Have swam, twice! Plugged in the laptop to charge and went to dinner. I had trout, corn on the cob, potato salad and baked beans. Lemonade and Texas toast rounded out the dinner menu. This was so good! Beats my “canned dinners” by a long shot!! I met 4 bikers from Hawaii, of all places. They were on their way to Sturgis. I didnt' get a chance to ask, but I guess they shipped their bikes to the mainland.

I look forward to not breaking camp in the morning. Staying here for 2 nights, even with good dinners, cost LESS than one night in a motel.

9PM
The neighbors finally showed up; 3 guys packing in LOTS of beer. Great..I pray they are quiet. It’s been a long, hot day. I rested a little next to the pool today, but will try to get caught up tomorrow.

Day #6 July 29, 2007

2007-07-29T21:30:00.000-07:00

Day 6
Sunday July 20, 2007

Whitefish, MT to Bozeman, MT
316 miles today (15,387 – 15,703)
1684 miles total

I awoke to a beautiful and cool Sunday morning. I have 400+ miles to ride and am going to have to get with it if I’m going to make it to Billings. I want to see Gerald and Kathy at Big Sky tomorrow.

I traveled the most beautiful highway today. The Rocky Mountains were all around me.
See the map for MT Hwy 83 southeast of Whitefish. Great pavement, very little traffic, and fantastic views. After several hours of riding, I got almost to Avon, MT and was fearful of running out of gas, so I decided to fill from one of my extra cans. I didn’t want to run the carbs dry and have to worry about priming them or something like that. After gassing up (odom 15,571), turning the fuel valve to RUN, and getting half a mile down the road, the bike starts sputtering like it’s running out of gas! What?? I switched to reserve, and it would run fine. I was only 30 miles out of Helena, MT so I rode on reserve to there. Several times I would switch to RUN, and the same thing would occur. I had time to diagnose the problem in my mind and would confirm with Jon Hardisty (my own personal "on the road" motorcycle mechanic) once I reached Helena.

1:15 PM. Hit Helena, MT and it was cooking. Right at 100 degrees. I headed indoors for lunch
where I looked up local bike shops. Of course, everyone was closed until TUESDAY! This was going to have to be a self fix. One of the cooks, who was taking a smoke break out back, directed me to a city park after lunch where I could park in the shade and work on the fuel issue. Called Steve Goddard, then Jon and shared my concerns about trash in the fuel screen. Jon told me how to drop the fuel petcock, and along with my service manual, I discovered the RUN intake screen just wrapped with plastic. Black plastic strips from the new fuel can I brought. Well, that’s a lesson learned: always flush out NEW fuel cans. By 3:30 I was on my way again.

I arrived at the Bozeman KOA just a few minutes before 6PM. Got set up and had my swim trunks on in 15 minutes. This was a really nice facility. Probably the nicest I would stay in. The pool was brand new, and huge. I also sat in the hot tub for a little while and visited with a couple from Michigan. They were both teachers and travel every summer.
Last year, or two years ago, they had been to Bend and Sisters, Oregon and had ridden over the McKenzie Pass. They stayed a while at a RV park in Cottage Grove and really liked it. Their Harley had broken down up a canyon between Bozeman and Yellowstone. He waited with the bike while she hitched a ride back to town and got the HD dealer on the way for a tow. They were picking the bike up tomorrow and then heading home.

Saw some great views today coming out of Whitefish, but the fuel valve issue gave me a scare.

Day #5 July 28, 2007

2007-07-28T19:30:00.000-07:00

Day 5
Saturday July 28, 2007

Whitefish, MT to Whitefish, MT
230 miles today (15,157 – 15,387)
1378 miles total
1 foreign country visited today!

I set my alarm for 5AM today. I needed to do laundry for the first time on the road.
Whitefish was at 100+ degrees yesterday, and I wanted to get in and OUT of the laundry early while it was cool. Breakfast was served in the restaurant buffet style.

The hot temps, for several days now, had everyone wilted, or in the process of wilting.
They’ve had several days at or above 100 degrees around here. I would later find out this area of the country was stuck in a heat wave. Bozeman, where I was headed later, had 12 days of at or above 100 degrees. The forecast for the park today was 96-101 degrees, depending upon the location within the park.

I gassed up in Columbia City, just east of Whitefish, about 8:15 and was on my way to Glacier Nat’l Park. (I would later meet “Biker Barb” in Sturgis, a friend of Don and Barbara Brunks, and find out she lives in Columbia City, MT.) There was very little traffic on the way. Once I got into the park, the traffic was heavier, and especially the motorcycles!

I was able to use the Nat’l Parks Pass Nat and I bought a year ago for our road trip to Billings. My pass expires July 31. At the first visitor’s center, I met a couple traveling on a trike. They were from South Carolina (can’t remember where) and were pulling a Aspen Classic camping trailer like mine. They had been “on the road” since May 28th! They’ve replace 2 alternators, had 3 flat tires and some minor problems as well. Not exactly trouble free…

Got up and over Logan Pass
and down the other side of the park before lunch! Lots of people at the top of the Pass. Got my picture made. I pulled over for lunch at a park on the north shore of St. Mary Lake. Peanut butter on Ritz crackers, a banana, trail mix and half a bottle of Gatorade made up the menu. The sobering thing about lunch was the sign permanently posted to the center of each picnic table. It warned of BEARS and their attraction to even the smell of food.
It made me eat lunch with a little extra caution. There were some other folks around eating though, so I felt comfortable laying down on the seat portion of the table and resting with my eyes closed for a few minutes. Still trying to relax and not go, go, go! I did see a couple, with 2 kids, casually walk to one of the tables with their ice chest, picnic basket, etc. They were there just long enough to read the sign then almost RAN back to their car! Pretty funny!

Once I got into St. Mary and gassed up, I thought I was this close to Canada, let’s see what it looks like. Why not?! The landscape changed dramatically once I got out of the mountains. The terrain turned to gentle, long rolling hills, planted with what I would guess is wheat. It was pretty scary getting to the border and seeing the sign saying “You are now leaving US soil.

My experience at the border really soured me on Canada.
The young guy at the booth was all business. I had my passport and driver’s license out and ready. After he asked me what my business was, did I have any firearms, alcohol, etc. and if I intended to sell anything in Canada, he told me to go park and go upstairs.
OK…hmmm, I wonder what this is all about.

As I parked, I met a young couple with Oregon tags in a VW van packed full. They had been to the northeast, and were now going back to Portland via the Canadian route just above the US border.

I made my way upstairs to a little room with 6 other people waiting. The sign that proclaimed “Do NOT leave this room without permission of a border agent” really made me nervous. What have I gotten into? It took 40 minutes before the guy called me to the window. He asked me several questions including how much cash did I have, what did I intend to do, etc. When he found out I only had $300 on me, he wanted to know if I had a debit or credit card. “Yes” I replied, and then he wanted to know how much cash I had access to. I was getting real uneasy with all this. $1,000 on my debit and many times that available on my VISA didn’t seem to satisfy him. He had me sit down again. 5 minutes later he came back and without even looking at me asked “Mr. Brown, where were you born?” When I told him, a big grin came over his face. I thought that must have been a good answer. He called me to the window and explained there was a man with my name from Virginia with a long, bad record. He told me I’d be going to jail now if I’d answered Virginia. He also explained that since I wasn’t employed, had no “proof” of any income and had only $300 on me, it just wasn’t good enough if I wanted to cross the border in the future. He suggested I carry a deposit slip or something “showing” that I had some proof of income. He then released me to go downstairs. Once I had been cleared, it seemed everyone’s demeanor changed a little. There were more smiles, a little easing of the unspoken tension. My whole assessment of the thing was I was guilty until I could prove myself innocent. They certainly did not make me feel welcomed.

On my way, finally, and I headed up to Cardston, Alberta. The terrain was just incredible. Wheat as far as I could see. It was HOT! I got into Cardston and stopped at the visitors center. Again, the young lady was cordial, but I wouldn’t call her “friendly” by any means. I bought some postcards and paid with a $20 bill US. Got all my change back in Canadian money! What was I thinking!!?? Went to a convenience store, bought some Gatorade, got some ice and was ready to head back to the “good ol’ USA!” A guy on a bike pulled up and asked me what part of Oregon I was from. He was just finishing up his 14 day road trip and had been down 101 to the Redwoods. He came back through Grants Pass and Bend. He was less than 3 hours from his home of Red Deer and would be back to work on Monday. We visited for a few minutes with another rider that pulled up, then I was on my way back to Glacier. It was so good to cross the border and be on my home soil.

I gassed up again in St. Mary and headed back over Logan Pass through Glacier. The US 2 highway on the south side of the park would be cooking, I was sure. At least the mountains would be cool a little while. The trip back was much quicker than the first trip over. Except for the border incident, a good day. Fantastic scenary.

Day #4 July 27, 2007

2007-07-27T17:30:00.000-07:00

Day 4
Friday July 27, 2007

Libby, MT to Whitefish, MT
161 miles today (14,996 – 15,157)
1148 miles total

I left the Libby, MT RV park at 9:15 AM. I did not sleep well, and don’t know why.
The night at Pearrygin State park, and this place both had coin operated showers! Good grief! What does the fee cover if not hot water for a shower?

The trip to Whitefish was less than 130 miles. The additional 31 miles were spent exploring the town and riding part way up to Glacier Nat’l Park. It’s only about 30 miles to the park entrance. It was almost 3PM when I had lunch at the Red Caboose diner in downtown Whitefish, MT. I had an “elk burger” and was surprised at its taste. It wasn’t gamey like I thought it might be. Whitefish downtown is a very tourist oriented town. There were lots of little shops with the usual tourist “stuff” and souvenirs.

I stopped at the Sportsman’s Warehouse to look at whatever they have. It turned out to be more clothing than sporting goods or camping gear. Tomorrow I’ll ride into Glacier Nat’l Park. In the meantime I’ll rest, swim, journal, work on the laptop, etc.

The KOA here has a pizza restaurant as part of the camp. There is wireless service here.
I’ll catch up on email, etc. On a funny note, as I pulled in shortly after noon, an RV was pulled in to register at the office. As a young guy stepped out, I noticed the OSU Beavers shirt he had on. I hollered at him “Go Ducks!” and kind of took him by surprise. His dad (?) came over and we visited a bit. They were from Eugene for a wedding in Whitefish on Saturday. Several of them came over he said. He knew of Royal Awards. Said they’d bought things there through the years. You can run but you can’t hide!

Day #3 July 26, 2007

2007-07-26T20:45:00.000-07:00

Day 3
Thursday July 26, 2007

Winthrope, WA to Libby, MT
386 miles today (14,610 -14,996)
987 miles total

2 new states today, ID & MT
4 states total

What a long day it was! I wanted to be on the road early to beat the heat, so I got up at 4:30AM. The sun was just peeking over the eastern hills when I pulled out at 6:45AM. I could already tell it was going to be hot. My goal today was to make Montana.

I can’t remember where I came out of my leather today. Against Don Brunk’s advice, I rode in a T-shirt and chaps today. It was a long ride to Spokane, but the view was incredible. I just love the high desert of eastern Oregon and Washington. I stopped at the Grand Coulee dam for a while and toured the visitors center. Had my picture taken by other tourists. I also met a Nat'l Park Ranger from Hawaii. He works at the Haliaukala Volcano. Nat and I were just there in January. Neat!

I stopped for lunch in Spokane about 1:30PM and had a big chicken salad, drank several glasses of ice tea and water, and just cooled down. The temp at this time was at or above 100 degrees.
I stopped at the Yamaha dealer on the way out of town and purchased oil and a filter for my first “on the road” oil change. This should prove interesting, as I've never changed the oil on the bike before. Ramsey-Waite has always taken care of that for me.

I missed my turn on I-90 to Sandpoint, ID and had to backtrack about 10 or more miles. I hate doing that. I had a LONG wait (30+ minutes) to cross a 4 lane bridge into Sandpoint, ID. I was sitting in the hot sun, with the engine off, several times during the wait. (I would later discover road construction would be a constant on my trip.) The ride into Montana was beautiful! Again, reminds me of Oregon. The terrain was very similar to central Oregon, with the pine trees, the sandy soil, and the roadway shaded by the shadows created by a late afternoon sun. At some point this afternoon I lost a towel, wash cloth, gym shorts and nylon mesh laundry bag. I had them strapped to my ice chest with a bungee cord (travelers automatic clothedryer), but they blew off somewhere along the way!

I stayed at Wildwood RV Park tonight. I am camped next to a Canadian couple on a nice big Goldwing. They take a 3-4 week trip every year on their bike. They gave me some good tips about riding long trips, packing, etc. They were very polite and helpful to me.
They are the kind of people I had hoped I would meet on this trip.

I did have a “close call” this afternoon. I was just pulling up to a stoplight when a big Ford truck decided, all of a sudden, he would pull into my lane for some reason. I think he was going to turn right from the outside lane, but he had to move into the outside lane first. He was a couple of feet into my lane, and I was moving quickly to the curb, before he finally saw me. It was just an accident, but he just pretty near got me!! Yikes!

I should sleep well as I am very tired and wore out from the heat.

Day #2 July 25, 2007

2007-07-25T21:00:00.000-07:00

Day 2
Wednesday July 25, 2007

Burlington, WA to Winthrope, WA
233 miles today (14,377 -14,610)
601 miles total
2 states total

I slept pretty fair for my first night out. Took more than an hour to pack up, load the trailer, pack the tent away, hitch up, etc. I hope this time comes down as I go along. The instructions for disassembling and packing away are not very clear. I don’t want to tear any holes in the tent!

My route today was WA 20 east across the state. But before that, I would have to go north on I-5 again for more than an hour to the Blaine, WA post office. This is corner #1 of the “Four Corners Tour.” Made a couple of pictures of the post office, showing the zip code and location name, and had a nice elderly lady make my picture in front of the building. Adjusted my one tight mirror, tightened up the loose mirror, and back down south on I-5 to WA 20, right where I had camped the night before. More than 100 miles round trip out of the way…bummer. I’m still in the efficient, shortest route mode. I wonder how long it will take me to get into the groove of “relaxing” and enjoying the ride.

The ride east on WA Hwy 20 was neat. The view was very scenic. It reminded me of US Hwy 2 that Josh and I took across WA 2 years ago. I went over 2 different passes in the northern Cascades on WA 20 and knew I was in eastern WA as the temp went way, way up. HOT!

It was right at 4PM when I pulled into Pearrygin Lake State Park. Winthrope, WA is way out in the middle of nowhere! I made camp and hit the lake for a swim. I camped next to a couple from Spokane. They were in a huge Monaco or Country Coach RV pulling a car. He gave me some input on the best way to get to Spokane. I’ll pass by the Grand Coulee Dam tomorrow. That ought to be pretty neat!

Day #2, no issues, no close calls. HOT!

Day #1 July 24, 2007

2007-07-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

Day 1
Tuesday July 24, 2007
Eugene, OR to Burlington, WA
368 miles today(14,009 -14,337)
368 miles total
2 new states today, OR & WA

I headed out of the driveway at 9:14 AM. Finally, on my way. Not knowing what to expect. I am excited, yet somehow reserved. Just don’t know what this trip will hold in store.

I headed north on I-5 and entered WA state at 11:54 AM. I hit the Seattle afternoon traffic, as I decided to stay on I-5 the whole way. I missed the I-5 “express lane” turn off and got stuck on the freeway with all the on/off ramps. I had my first “close call” here, as a lady changed lanes in front of me then decided to hit the brakes. I had to stand on the brakes with all I had to keep from hitting her. My thought was “here it is day 1 and am not even going to make it far from home without an accident.” I missed her back end, barely, and begin to learn what “increased stopping distance pulling a trailer” was all about!

I pulled into the Burlington, WA KOA about 6PM. Day 1 in the bag. Day 2, only God knows what lies in store, but I’m looking forward to it.