Key West to Home

Spent two nights in Key West and did the touristy stuff. It is a small town with a unique flavor, but hte cost of living there is astronomical. $400K buys you a one bedroom, one bath shack. Most of the locals are involved with the marine/fishing industry or tourism (lodging, restaurants, bars, etc.) Some tech, but not a whole lot else.

Left Key West about noon and headed north. Had an idea that I'd make Savannah, GA, but that wasn't realistic, so I laid up just to the north of Daytona. J&P Cycles has a big store there and that meant that I just HAD to do a little shopping the next morning.

Left Daytona and experienced my worst day of weather on the entire trip - about 40 miles - some of it in heavy downpours that I had to pull over and stop for. Still, once I got back into Virginia there wasn't going to be any more rain and I wasn't looking to do anything except get home. Ran the last 3.5 hours or so in the dark, using trucks as "deer shields". Just stayed with a truck and let him lead so that if a deer did come out it wouldn't be my problem. Pulled in to home at 12:15 or so. Tired, but otherwise glad that I made the trip. Now I have to figure out wha thte next adventure of bucket list quality will be next...

Here's the map links for day one and day two.

Key West, FL - Finally

Traffic out to the Keys was BAD. I made the mistake of coming out on a Saturday afternoon, so you had day boaters trying to get their trailed boats to gas stations, day trippers just trying to get out/in to the Keys or mainland and it is all on a 2 lane road.

Still, it couldn't have been a nicer day as far as I was concerned. Had a couple of isolated showers to deal with just getting past Miami, but they were so small in size that I didn't bother putting any rain gear on. Hell, the wet actually helped cool me down on the other side when I got back into sunshine.

Got into town around 7:30, got showered and then went to get a bite to eat. After that (the celebratory meal will be tomorrow), I just had to stop in a rum bar and three Hurricanes later, weaved my way back to the hotel (note that I was walking - NOT on the Goldwing!) and called it a night.

Spending Sunday doing the touristy stuff in town, the celebratory meal, more drinking (I'm certain of this!) and then consider my options for the trip home on Monday.

Here's the map link.

Virginia to Georgia

Today and tomorrow are all about mileage. Once I get to Key West, I'm sure that I'll order a 55 gallon drum of Margaritas, but today was all on 95 and most of tomorrow will be too. If I can find a place to pull over safely, I'll take a few pictures of the causeways out to the island.

One state and 50 miles to go.

Here's the map link.

Newburgh, NY to Woodbridge, VA

Rode home after visiting the resting place of my ex-wife. Traffic and heat were the two main obstacles today and I can't say which was worse. At one point I was at a standstill in 101 degree weather. Toss-up, I guess, as both were horrible today!

Here's the map link.

Madawaska to Newburgh, NY

Another day of runnng hard. Left Madawaska and went up to the northernmost point where Route 1 crosses and got a picture of the Mile 0 marker and that cost me an hour and some.

Here's the map link.

The Four Corners Park in Madawaska is cool and is the only checkpoint to have been built because of the Tour program. It looks great and is very much the time to take a few minutes to look around. Flagstones there are marked by those that have finished the Tour and those that have contributed or supported rider(s).

In the morning I will be paying my respects at my first wife's grave. Sadly, she was a victim of cancer and at the time of her death I was involved in a play that, as they say, had to go on. So, I'm taking the time to go see her. She was one cool lady...

Tomorrow afternoon I should be back at home for one night. Going to do laundry, catch up on a bit of sleep and let my cat figure out who I am. Will change the oil in the bike before heading out the next day for Key West.

NY to Maine

Here's the map link.

Ran the bike as fast as she could take me today (without getting the attention of the constabulary, that is.) Made it to Madawaska, ME just as it got dark, so I'll have to precess the paperwork and take the picture in the morning. It was quite cooler here than anywhere else, as was to be expected - 62 degrees. We'll see how it is in the morning, but I'm expecting to have to pull the heavier gear out for the first time on the trip.

Peoria, IL to Binghamton, NY in 2 Days

From Peoria to Binghamton was broken up a bit by my staying with a friend in Indianapolis for a much needed laundry and sleep break. He was also kind enough to help me knock off the major crud that had collected on the Goldwing. No real pictures to speak of on either of these days as the scenery was a lot of corn, windmills, corn, trees, highway and, oh yeah, corn.

Day 11 map link and Day 12 map link.

Field of Dreams and Eastward

Here's the map link.

Eastward, ever eastward...

Stopped at the Field of Dreams and it was pretty cool to see the place almost exactly like it was in the movie. After that it was down to business to get to Indianapolis, but it was too much of a reach. Stopped in Peoria, IL and will have about 230 miles to go tomorrow to visit with a friend.

Disappointment at Wounded Knee

Here's the map link.

Left Custer and headed towards Wounded Knee, SD where the last group of Indians surrendered to the US Cavalry and then were promptly massacred through a series of missteps by the troops there.

I must say that I am extremely disheaterned by how the Wounded Knee event is overlooked. The actual area where it happened is marked by only one board that explains what happened in text. No pictures, no maps. As this was the site of an uprising in 1973, you would have thought that at least that would also be mentioned, but there is nothing. The small white church that was used by the activists is completely gone. It is almost as though both events never happened or they are overlooked as unimportant.

What is important is the condition of the cemetary. It was filmed in the movie "Thunderheart" and it appears to have deteriorated even more since the movie was made some 10 years ago or so. And this cemetary holds the graves of military vets that have the same white headstones that are used to mark the graves at Arlington National Cemetary in Virginia.

Overall, I'd have to say that it was a depressing way for me to remember South Dakota as Wounded Knee, as important to history as it is, is a place forgotten to most, save for the Indians. It is also in an area that is tedious to get to (it is very much off the beaten track) and the economic depression in the area is palpable. Most of the residents in the area live in trailers and not much more.

Got back to I-90 through the Badlands and headed east towards Souix Falls. Hope to get to Dyersville to see the "Field of Dreams" tomorrow and then head towards Indianapolis.

Custer, Four Presidents and Crazy Horse

Here's the map link.

Left Hardin, MT and went the 12 or so miles to the Little Bighorn Battlefield. Walked the grounds for a bit and was very glad to see a very well done representation of the American Indian warriors that were involved and honored for their part in the battle.

I left the Memorial and then made my way to Devils Tower. Was very beautiful, both from a distance and up close. Didn't notice any climbers on their way up though.

Passed through Sturgis and it is still two weeks away from the rally, but the t-shirts are already on sale, so I picked up one for me and a couple for gifts for my brother and sister-in-law.

Continued on to Mount Rushmore and then on to the Crazy Horse Memorial. Was very impressed with both, but the Crazy Horse Memorial pulls at the heart-strings just a little harder for me personally. I'm not of native American blood, but the way that they were treated during the Indian Wars and all the failed treaties was criminal. (Correction: I was informed by my father that I am 1/8 Cheyenne! No wonder that I was affected by the presentation.)

Tomorrow it is off to Wounded Knee, SD, then east to Dyersville, IA to see the "Field of Dreams". Don't know if I can do both in one day, but at least there will be a lot of miles involved. Once the sightseeing is done, it will certainly be back to the grind of making tracks.

Yellowstone National Park

Here's the link to the map.

Left Belgrade, MT and headed south to the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Visited a couple of geysers and then headed to Old Faithful. If was PACKED with tourists, so after getting a pin or two, headed around the south end of the park to Lake Yellowstone. I can't possibly describe how beautiful this place is, but I was disappointed that the only wildlife I saw was a single bald eagle. No bison or bears. Although the bears I was kind of glad to not see as one just killed a camper a few days before I visited the park.

Left the park out the east side and headed towards Billings. This leg of the trip was marked by two drivers that were inattentive and attempted passing vehicles coming my way, forcing me to the shoulder while I hit the brakes. The second guy got the usual light flashes, but with the added single finger salute.

Also was treated to a car chase of sorts as well. Guy didn't want to wait at a single lane construction site and he attempted to run it when the lane monitor told him verbally to wait (along with a red light that was set up). He was boxed in my construction vehicles and the state police paid him a visit. He either got a hefty fine or possibly jail. I'm thinking the latter because as I travelled beyond the construction site a second trooper showed up a good 15 minutes after this whole mess started.

Lastly, had to backtrack to Hardin as there are no hotels to speak of south towards the Little Big Horn Battlefield. It was quite expensive too as there are all sorts of workers in town dealing with an oil spill in the Yellowstone River.

Tomorrow will be the battlefield, followed by Devils Tower and if possible, Wounded Knee, SD.

Spokane to Yellowstone/Bozeman, MT

Here's the link before I go further.

Left Spokane a bit late after meeting a couple of online friends for breakfast. They got caught in construction traffic, so I didn't get on the bike until after 10:00 AM local time. My Dad headed back to the Portland area while I turned east towards Idaho and Montana.

Unfortunately, I hit the first bad weather that I have had the entire trip. Forty miles of rain wasn't fun, but it ended just as I arrived in the Yellowstone/Bozeman valley. The vistas were absolutely stunning and I hope to have pictures up when I get a better interent connection.

Tomorrow morning will be Yellowstone, then on to the Little Big Horn battlefield. If there is time, I'll make some headway towards Devils Tower (the stone tower from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind".)

Recap/New Posts for the Tour proper

Day One was from Idyllwild, CA to San Ysidro to Mammoth Lakes.

Day Two was from Mammoth Lakes, CA thru Yosemite and then onto Redding.

Day Three was from Redding, CA to Camas, WA, just north of Portland, OR.

Day Four was from Camas, WA to Blaine and then south to Mount Vernon.

Day Five was from Mt. Vernon, WA thru the Cascades and then to Spokane. This is where we are now, with my father planning to head home in the morning while I head east into a spot of weather.

Although I hope to get through Idaho, a visit to Yellowstone and then get into Cody, WY, I'm thinking it will be a long, long day should I hit rain storms along the way.

Yosemite to Redding, CA

The park at Yosemite is truly jaw dropping beautiful! After riding from Mammoth Lakes into the park, it seemed that every turn was another opportunity to feel rather small in this world. The scale of the moutains and valleys was something I'd never seen before, save for the Grand Canyon when I was much younger. I'm sad to say that I didn't get all the pictures I wanted to, but if I had I would *still* be there!

Once I left the park, I then headed to I-5 for the run north to Redding. As I was going to Merced, it hit me that I was about due for an oil change. Merced Motorsports put me to the front of the line when I told them I was on a Four Corners Tour and I very much appreciated that. It was also the first time that an oil change cost me less than $100. Not sure why it is cheaper here than in Virginia, but it must be the difference in labor rates.

Next is Crater Lake, then turning towards Portland to Camas, WA to visit my father and grandmother.

Here's the link to the route and the pictures I took along the way.

Forgot a couple legs, I think...

Here's a couple of legs I missed, including some pictures taken along the way.

First, I visited Lawton and Ft. Sill, OK, then went on to Amarillo for the Cadillac Ranch. Finished the day in Albuquerque, NM where I visited friends. Link to page.

Next, I left Albuquerque, visited "The Corner" in Winslow (which was a great place to stop, shop and visit, BTW!), travelled to Flagstaff and then got off the Interstate to see Sedona. Big mistake! The traffic there in Sedona caused a 2.5 mile backup going inot town and I basically walked the bike the entire distance. Couldn't wait to get out of town, so no shopping or anything there. Here's the leg.

Catching Up

Sorry for the delay, as I was enjoying time with my family in Idyllwild, CA.

When we last left our... OK, ok... I won't say it. hehe

First was the leg from Prescott, AZ to Idyllwild. Here's the page for it.

Ran across a funny sign as you'll see in the pictures, but a couple things I missed the opportunity for a picture or two was a "Feed and Pawn Store" (one stop shopping for the hard pressed to feed their animals, I guess) and a dedication for the road maintenance that they may have missed a comma in: "Ride On Victoria". I wonder how Victoria feels about that... hehe

Today's leg had me travelling from Idyllwild to San Ysidro to begin the timed portion of this trip. Here's the link for today's leg.

I processed the paperwork there and mailed it off, but the pictures will have to wait until I get my iPhone power cord replaced. It gave up the ghost somewhere between Prescott and San Ysidro and I couldn't find one in the Eastern Sierras today. Hopefully tomorrow as I cross over the Sierras into the Imperial Valley.

55 Miles and 36 Years

I was passing through Wichita Falls this evening and decided that it might be better for me to (as a golfer might say) "lay up". I am 55 miles and 36 years away from the time that I spent at Ft. Sill while going through boot camp and individual training (that's where they teach you your job.) My leaving home to join the Army was a defining moment in my life as it allowed me to meet my first wife, who later bore me two sons, and also after spending 4 years in the Artillery, I opted for a computer career.

I'm looking forward to riding through that town and possibly a quick tour stop at the Field Artillery museum. I saw it when I was in boot camp, but a lot has changed as far as weaponry, so I'm interested to see some of the new exhibits.

The plan tomorrow, after Ft. Sill and Lawton is to head due west towards Amarillo, TX, stop to see the Cadillac Ranch and then continue on to I-40 and historic Route 66.

Here is todays' track...

Observations / Westward

A few observations from the last two days:

1. I have single-handedly eradicated all the bugs in lower LA and MS. The front of the bike was absolutely crusted with the carcasses of hundreds of bugs when I pulled into the hotel Wednesday night.

2. Those same bugs became a buffet within minutes of my stopping as well. It was cannabalism city. Not a very nice observation and the "eewwwwww" factor was off the scale on that one!

3. Idiots in cars are universal. Doesn't matter where you live, commute, etc.

4. Listening to the truckers on channel 19 of a CB radio can be the most educational/amusing thing ever. You learn things (and curse words) that you might not have known and the CB sometimes allows a guy to broadcast his ignorance over a much wider area, thus proving that it also carries that there are idiots in trucks too. Now, don't you feel safer on the roads? hehe

5. I've been very lucky to meet some great people through owning my Goldwing. The couple that put me up last night, Buck and Camille, are the latest two in that group. A tru class act. And even as I type this, Buck is working on my bike, adding the things that the bike needed (yes, my bike *needed* chrome wheels - it just had to be done.)

Here's the track from yesterday when I traveled from Picayune, MS to Houston, TX.

Later today I'll head north in the direction of Lawton, OK. No plans as to where I will stay for the night, but I'll find a place when I get tired. Love plans that aren't really plans....

Go!

I left this morning at 6:15 and met a riding buddy that signed off on the starting paperwork for the Saddlesore 1000 (SS1000). No problems to speak of, save for the over 1000 miles that had to be covered in 24 hours. I'm glad to say that after 17+ hours, I am in a hotel in Picayune, MS - at 2:10 in the morning local time. I'm beat, so I'm heading to bed for a rest before heading to Houston tomorrow at a MUCH more leisurely pace!

Here's today's track.

Mike

Get Ready, Get Set...

Well, it is less than 24 hours until I start the trip and I only have one thing to say: Where the HELL did all the time go???!!!!!

I've got more stuff to do to get ready for the trip than I can think of. Packing, cleaning out the fridge and kitchen of those things that won't last a month, things at the office that just do NOT want to cooperate and making sure that the cat is lulled into thinking it is just another overnighter. I don't think she's buying that, by the way...

So, this is my last post before I hit the road, barring any sudden emergencies. I'm excited, stressed and slightly nervous. Is this how month-long vacations usually start?!!

Supertramp was on the radio...

So I decided to "Take the Long Way Home" and did a GPS adventure. The results are logged here.

Lessons learned from this warm-up ride for the four corners tour were:

1. Don't forget to bring a second pair of shoes!
2. Using the netbook to update the blog and the spot tracking pages will work just fine, but will be easier if I bring a mouse instead of using the trackpad.
3. I've got to force myself to stop every hour or so. Staying in the saddle for long periods of time without walking a but means that my knees will hurt towards the end of the day (as well as my backside!) Taking just 5 minutes and walking a bit does wonders in preventing the knees from screaming later.

Well, that's it for this trip. It was great to see my youngest son, even if he did trounce my butt at the games at Dave & Busters. :-)

Off to Ohio - Part 1

Traveled to Dublin, OH to visit my youngest son. Specifics and hopefully a picture I tool on the outward leg can be found at this address.

The hydration kit/pack that I coddled together worked great! Two large Platypus bladders (almost exactly what you'd expect to see from a Camelbak backpack) inside a cooler on the back seat, with the hoses routed through holes drilled into the lid. They allow me to have two kinds of fluid (I chose 100% water in one and a 50/50 mix of water and Gatorade in the other.)

I'll be heading back to Northern Virginia on Monday, so there will be an update that night or the day following.

Updates that I'll be posting

Here's an example of the plots that the WMD can produce. As I update the blog each night, I'll add a link to that day's page. I can also share some pictures there and here, so I'll figure out which one works the best or just plain put pictures to both, if it isn't too much work.

Anyways, here's a plot of a test of the WMD while I was on a round trip to the Lancaster area of PA.

On another subject, the bike is ready. I added the last of the equipment to it that I thought I would want/need. The countdown to departure day is now running.

50 days and counting...

My WMD

No, "WMD" does not mean Weapon of Mass Destruction. In this case, it stands for the "Where's Mikey Device". It is a device called a Spot2 that works with the GPS satellites in reverse of what most think of the GPS system. Instead of telling me where I am at, it will tell you where I am. A global locator of sorts.

How important is this? Well, imagine being in the middle of nowhere without a cell signal and you're riding a motorcycle that now has a flat tire (or worse.) Because this talks to satellites, we don't need no stinkin' cell signal. I can send predefined help messages to those that want to act as my backup, or in the case of a serious situation needing help NOW, I can send a message to a help assistance center that will send helicopters to the location. The WMD also allows you to track my progress on my way on a day to day basis. As I update this blog on the trip, I will add the web address for an interactive page that uses Google Maps to plot where I was throughout the day. Pretty cool, huh?