30 June

47928 - Headed for the Mall @ DC. Should be an emotional and exciting day. What a day. First of all I typed in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Maryland to take us into the DC area and we were taken to a area we were the Redneck said "we are the only white people around". I typed in "Washington Monument" and it took us to a monument, but not the one we were looking for. I redialed the GPS to the District of Columbia and again we were on our way. After spending two (2) hours in DC traffic, we finally arrived at the Mall. Spent 3 hours at the mall visiting the Veitnam Memorial, Lincoln Monument, Korean Memorial, Washington Monument and the WWII Memorial. Excellent morning visiting some of the US past. The afternoon brought on Arlington Cemetery including JFK's grave with the eternal flame and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. What a great presentation the Marines do of gaurding the site 24/7/365. Later in the day after the thunderstorm, we visited the U.S. Holocaust Memorial. Spent 3 hours there and couldn't absorb it all. Will have to revisit should I ever build up my confidence to brave DC traffic again. Left there around 5 for the two (2) hour traffic nightmare back to camp, 22 miles worth. I'm trading in the Goldwing for the old Indian in the picture above, made a even trade. Probably won't be able to do 600 plus miles a day though, will probably need another week off work. Ready for a shower, temperature in the 90's today, and right now another thunderstorm is moving in. I'm heading into the tent and will cut this short and finish in the morning, weather permitting.

29 June

47539 - What a day to remember. A walk back down 1976 with Ann and Joe. Joe brought out photo's from our past and we laughed and dusted off the stored brain cells from 1976. Ann and Joe put on a great BBQ spread, and their friends and family filled in the desert and laughed with us while we told stories and remembered everyone from the past. What a great night. We talked until neither one of us could remember anymore and retired at midnight. At 0630 we again talked and laugh some more while Joe prepared a great breakfast for everyone. We vowed not to let 33 years pass us by again until we meet again. Ann and Joe have a super place and the hospitality was 5 star. Hell , I drove off forgetting my day planner on the kitchen table with all my credit cards and records, and he call the police chief in Greene, New York to flag us down and spin us around. Luckly we were stopped at a red light and I heard my cell phone ring before the redneck had a heart attack seeing blue and red lights flashing in the rear view mirror. Thanks Ann and Joe for another memorable tic mark in time!

28 June

47429 - Great day on the beach at Spring Lake, New Jersey. Temperature 88, sunny and water temperature of 59 - perfect. Had a little trouble getting the rest of the group into the water, but after a little time of watching me have fun body surfing they were ready to try it. There were lots of other people there also enjoying the sunny weather down on the Jersey shore. Around 5 pm the thunderstorms again rolled in and drove us from the beach. Tomorrow it is on to Norwich, New York for a long over due reunion with a OLD Air Force buddy. It's about a four (4) hour trip but I'm sure it will pass rapidly as I'm looking forward to seeing him again and reliving some old memories and sharing some new ones. He promised ice cold beer on arrival. Then Monday afternoon we will turn south and head for Washington, DC. Time is passing at a faster pace then I would like - and soon we will be tuning west and heading home. Departing paths with Lisa and Matt as they are headed back to Seattle later tonight.

27 June

Matt earned his keep by replacing the serp belt early before heading out.

The day at the lake resulted in four (4) fish being caught. Of course I let Mel catch the first one, being part of the host family and all. A tie was the outcome, 2 by Mel and 2 by Keith. Only one hook was used by each contestant, a hard lesson taught by the great white fisher Cody a couple of weeks ago. The water temperature was great along with the company. Relax, relax, relax - well until the last thunderstorm appeared on the horizon. Doug, Matt and I rode the bikes up to the lake being a perfect morning and all - but - the ride home was a little wet with lightning strikes all around us and thunder to keep us awake. Then if that wasn't bad enough, traffic came to a stand still on Rt 46 and the rain pounded down on us. But you know the rain was warm so it wasn't so bad. Today we head for Spring Lake located on the Jersey shore for some body surfing and more sun. Scattered thunder storms are still in the forecast for later tonight - should be a great show over the water tonight.

26 June

Another great morning in the east. Planning to spend the day relaxing on the lake, trying a little fishing and maybe diving down to the bottom for a little NJ muck. Traffic out here sucks. You have to be on your game while driving. Agressive - it's here! I'm back to my old Jersey driving habit from 30 years ago - watch out Seattle. Road rage - they invented it. Seattle enjoy your comfortable temps! Tomorrow we head east to the Jersey shore for some body surfing and sand between the toes. Getting our fill of pizza!

25 June

Hot and muggy in beautiful New Jersey. Rain has currently passed and sunshine is suppose to be in the forcast for the rest of the week. Not too much planned for today - visiting with family.

24 June

46734 - Finally arrived in the Garden State (NJ) around 1400hrs to storm clouds - exactly what I left 5 days ago. Hooked up with Lisa and Matt after 5 days on the road. Warmer here - plus the moisture in the air will just about choke you. Bike is ready for a bath, lots of bugs to scrape off the windshield and dig out of all the cracks and crevices. A job for tomorrow!
Thursday, Friday and Saturday are days of rest before we continue the trek north into New York this weekend for a long over due visit with Ann and Joe.

Salsa delivered!

23 June

45978 - Long day - great day of riding - 755 miles today in 12 hours.
Sunny and hot all the way. Made camp in Youngstown @ 2230 last night. Set up the tent, slept 5 hours, took down the tent and back on the road for the final leg. Toll road all the way thru Illinois ($13 for the bike and trailer) and Ohio ($15.50). Well maintained roads for your buck. Oh by the way we have been hauling around this Pace Salsa to be delivered to someone in New York City!

22 June

45375 - High winds kept us up most of the night. Our tent shock pole splintered in half due to the winds. Pretty exciting night. Woke to sunny skys once again - ready for a long day in the saddle. It was a crazy night for awhile and then 60 minutes later calm again - must have been the makings of a tornado in the area. Had a great ride today - rode 602 miles today on 10 hours. As we get further east the speed limit went from 75 in Mt, Wy and SD to 70 and 65 in Mi and Wi. Hard to get lots of miles at the lower speed. Traffic is also picking up along with lots of road construction on I90. Making camp in Oakdale, WI. The mesquito's are all over the place here. I overheard two of them talking "should we eat him here or carry him back to the nest". No rain or accidents to speak of today - things are looking up. Both bikes are running great, I'm getting 40-42 mpg's pulling the trailer. Headed out for a brew to let the sun set.

21 June

44943 - Up at 5, slept in like a baby with all the rain, to blue cloudless skys. Today we headed up to Mt. Rushmore, visited Sturgis, viewed the site and had a easy ride. 433 sunny miles. So far the evening looks great here in Belvidere, SD.

20 June

44303 - Up at 0400, packed and on the road at 5. 30 minutes on the road brought more rain. Rain gear back on and headed east only to come upon a one car rollover that didn't look good. FD already on scene so we kept moving. Rain didn't let up until Billings, Mt. It was actually snowing on the pass as we reached the summit. Spend the night at Sheridan, Wy. and had at great thunder and lightning storm that lasted 20 minutes. Doug was worried about funnel clouds - I enjoyed the show. 645 rain soaked miles today - beats work anyday.

19 June 2009

43926 - Woke up this morning at 0330 to rain - what a great way to start off the trip. Looking east they are still getting pounded with thunder storms and rain. Looking forward to some great weather photo's. Packed and loaded meeting up with my riding partner in Ellensburg, Wa at 1300. Rain all the way from Enumclaw to the top of the pass, then the clouds broke and had mix sun and showers into Ellensburg. Met up with Doug at 1400, he was late as usual. Had a bite to eat and headed east towards our first planned stop that night at Missula, Mt. Got tied up at a fatal car accident (waiting in line) at the Washington/Idaho state line for one and a half hours so re-planned and spent the night at Kellogg, Idaho. We scammed a "free" campsite at a deserted mining camp. Woke at 0200 to rain falling on the tent, though to myself another wet start to the second day. Finished the day first 1/2 day with 373 miles.

18 June 2009

Counting down - 24 hours until departure - Ready to go east.