Final going north entry

This is map of the United States with the states that I have ridden my motorcycle in highlighted with different colors.

States that are white are states that I have not had the chance to visit yet. Next summer I will be attempting my Alaska trip again and should make excursions into Montana, Idaho, South Dakota, Colorado, Iowa, and maybe some others too.

It's a wrap

Natches Trace Parkway
444 miles of good road
and sight seeing

 The last part of our trip included riding the 444 mile "Natches Trace". This is a National Park road similar to the Blue Ridge Parkway. It has limited access and limited facilities along the parkway. There are numerous side trips available that document the rich history of the area. The roadway itself is very well maintained and a very enjoyable ride (especially if the temps had been below 100 degrees).

 The final touristy stop was in Bowling Green Ky., to visit the National Corvette Museum. A pretty impressive place for the Corvette-istys in the crowd. There are lots and lots of cars on display including probably at least one of every year since 1953 (don't know this for a fact but it sure seemed that way)

Too bad they did't make this one.

Besides the regular production cars, there were race cars and many fantasy cars. This one really caught my eye.

The rest of the trip was just riding and enduring the heat until home. Even so, it was a great time despite not getting to Alaska. Alaska will be there next summer and all of our trip planning is already finished !!

Catchin' Up

   Spent the weekend with our friend Curt in Biloxi, MS. and now the three of us are working our way north and eventually back to Mi. While in Biloxi, we went to the Battleship Park where the USS Alabama is moored. You can tour the ship and easily spend 2 hours wandering all over.  What struck Lew and I the most was the determination and sense of duty the men who served on the Alabama. The ship is huge but the quarters are cramped, hot and dark. I have a new found respect and admiration for all the men who lived and fought for our freedom.  Thank a veteran when you can.

The heat continues in the upper 90's and low 100's. Lew, Curt, and I are making our way up the "Natchez Trace" and are spending the night in Kosciusko, MS. Tomorrow promises more of the same. It appears that we are bringing this wonderful weather with us, so get ready!

It's officially summer

The past couple of days have been riding days. No sight seeing Thursday or Friday.

Thursday morning, Lew got a text message from the guy (Puffer) he hiked the Appalachian Trail with. Puffer is in Panama City, FL. A quick change of route and off we were to sunny Florida. The ride down from Rome was just short of 400 miles.

Spent the night w/Puffer and then made it over to Biloxi yesterday. We made a stop at the Suzuki dealer in Biloxi for a rear tire for my LT. It just wasn't going to make it home. I knew this was a possibility when we left.

Okay. I said it was officially summer ... Thursday we saw triple digit temps and Friday was 99 degrees most of the day.  HOORAY for summer!!!!

Earlier, we rode the dragon. Killboy finally got July 5th photos posted and here I am.

Geoff - Tail of the Dragon: July 5, 2011

A Dam, A Ride, and the Heat

Leaving Fontana this morning, Lew and I made another stop at Fontana Dam. This time we went to the top of the dam and had some good views of the dam and the gorge downstream.

From there we rode up to Cherohala Skyway and had a great ride in good weather. This is one of my favorite roads. Here a couple of scenes from the Cherohala.

Lunch was at a small diner in Tellico Plains at the end of the Cherohala Skyway. After lunch, we headed south and I could watch the thermometer on the bike rise all the way to 95 degrees. We've stopped in Rome, GA. for the night and will continue toward Biloxi, MS. where we will turn north and head home.

BRP, CD, & ToD

Such a busy day and it seems like we hardly got anywhere.  We started in Hendersonville, NC where we left our friends Bill and Carol and ended up at the Fontana Village Resort in Fontana, NC. Not very far as the crow flies, but we packed in quite alot.

First we finish the Blue Ridge Parkway

Despite the damaged sign,
this is the highest point on the BRP

Then it's on to Clingman's Dome. It was a great ride up on a very nice road. Just as we got to the top the fog rolled in and the view was somewhat obscured. I did get to step down the Appalachian Trail for a short bit.
















Next, it was on to the Tail of the Dragon for the 318 turns in 11 miles (I lost count after 198 turns). I did get the T-shirt this time though.

From the Dragon it was on to Fontana Village Resort for the night with a quick stop at Fontana Dam.

Time to find something to eat ... see ya soon.

Catching Up

Well time to catch up on our travels and whereabouts. Friday we left Meadows of Dan, VA. and rode down to some college friends for the holiday weekend. We are now in Hendersonville, VA.

Somewhere along the BRP

The last four days have been sunny, hot and great. The ride down here on Friday included stops at Linville Falls and Mt. Mitchell.

Linville Falls

 Linville Falls was a nice quiet break from the hot weather and very nice. Mt. Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River (6684 ft.). The views were spectacular !!

Oh my!

It's all downhill from here.

Rolling Again

After walking all over the mall in DC yesterday and playing tourist, Lew and I left for the Blue Ridge Parkway at 8:00 am today.

Yesterday was full of the usual tourist destinations. The Washington, Lincoln, World War II, Vietnam, and Korean Memorials. The War memorials weren't there when I was stationed in DC 40 years ago and were very interesting. The Korean Memorial is especially powerful. The eyes of the figures are quite haunting.

I apologize for the lack of pictures of some of the memorials, but the photos taken by this non-photographer didn't pass muster.

We did get some photos from today's ride down to the little town of "Meadows of Dan", VA.

The beginning of the BRP ride.

One of the numerous overlooks
along the Blue Ridge Parkway

Years after his thru-hike of the Appalachian Trial
Lew revisits one of crossings of the BRP

The view out of our door at the Woodberry Inn
Meadows of Dan, VA.

Oh the joys of technology

Once again the vagaries of technology strike to make my blogging harder than it should be.

No wifi at the hotel last night, so this is delayed a day.

Anyway, we stopped at "Hot Dog Johnny's" for lunch yesterday. Great place. The dogs are cooked in peanut oil and are delicious. If you are in northern NJ and can get directions, make a point of going.

We made it to DC today and are staying with our friends Mick & Sandy for a few days. Probably won't make any posts again until Thursday

See ya soon

A day at the shore.

From Massachusetts to Rhode Island to Connecticut, nothing but dreary clouds. But NO RAIN today!!

Our main tourist stop today was Mystic Seaport, Ct. It's kinda like Historic Williamsburg, Va. only about tall ships and the history of the northeast sailing fishing vessels and towns. There were several tall sailing ships and a reconstructed fishing village with boat builders, sail makers and other related trades on display. Many were offering demo's of their craftsmanship. Here are a few pictures from the day.

The "Morgan" is being rebuilt.

It's a long way up there

Anyone want to take the helm?

The "Conrad"
Formerly a Danish training vessel.

Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania

We didn't have any WiFi at the motel we stayed in last night so I couldn't post this yesterday. The highlight of the day was a side trip to the "Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania". It is about 40 miles east of Coudersport, Pa. and well worth the trip. It is really impressive. Unfortunately the day was overcast, but the mist in the valleys was very interesting. The pictures don't do the place justice. The depth and steepness of the canyon don't translate well in the photos.

The park at the canyon was establised in the early 1930's and the overlooks, interpretive shelters and buildings were built by the CCC.

Today was rain all day. We rode to the top of Mt. Greylock. A nice road that would be nicer without the rain and dense fog near the summit. I didn't take any photos ... we all know what fog looks like.

A cool site and then a couple of weird sites

Flight 93 Crash Site

Our favorite Urinal (?)
Dubois Harley Davidson
Dubois, Pa.

Our favorite tree. Uncle Sam Wants You!
Just east of Saint Clairsville, Oh.

We made it to Coudersport, Pa. today. The weather was mostly overcast with pleasant temps. All in all a good day.

On the road again !!!

Well, here we go again. Lew and I leaving my house at around 12:30pm on June 20, 2011. Though Alaska is not happening this year, we are going to have a good ride and adventure on the east side of the Mississippi. States conquered will include: Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York,  Mass., Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky......... Whew!!!

Almost Back

We've made it back to Traverse City and will spend the night at Lew's. Tomorrow it's off to Ann Arbor to drop off a bunch of gear and then take the GS in to BMWSEM and leave it for repairs. Will pick up the K1200LT and put together another trip. Probably east and south.  We don't have enough time for Alaska anymore ... maybe next year. We'll let you know when the journey resumes.    --  Geoff

Best part of the day

Rugby, ND ... The center of North America.
This was the best stop of the day. From there, things went downhill! Not far down the road, just outside of Minot, ND, my rear brake caliper made a break for freedom. In its haste, besides flying free it also took out several spokes from the rear wheel.

After talking to the service department at the Sturgis, SD and the mechanics at BMWSEM, Lew and I decided to return home and will pick up my LT and start another adventure somewhere.

Stay tuned; time and place to be determined.

Let's try again

Well I think this will work this time. Here is the picture looking out from our room at the Crest Motel in Ashland, WI. We are going to stay an extra day in Devils Lake due to storms with winds in the 40mph range w/gusts, heavy rain, hail and lightning.  Should get on the road again on Wed.

End of day 2

I've tried putting up a picture of the end of our first day. Doesn't seem to be working. I'll keep trying.

Anyway, we had a great day of riding, weather, etc, and spent our first night in Ashland, WI.

Today was just about the same except hotter. The bank in Maple, MN as showing 91 degrees. Now we are in Devils Lake, ND and heading for Glasgow, MT tommorrow.

The journey begins

The adventure is on! Next stop is Traverse City to gather up Lew and head to the tundra.

Almost Gone

Thanks to this man, we can take an adventure to Alaska just for the folly & without a Russian visa. Just 4 more days to departure !!!!!

Our Alaska Palace

Originally, Lew and I were going to take our own tents. However, I decided that I just didn't want to get dressed on my back or crawl in out of the tent on my hands and knees anymore. So I bought a Eureka Sunrise 9 tent. It is 9 ft. x 9 ft. and 6 ft. high. We can stand up!!! and now we are only taking one tent. Check it out.

Going north test ride

04/03/11 Corner of M-66 and US-10

I am planning a ride to and around Alaska with my good friend and college roommate, Lew. (This trip back from Traverse City was a good training exercise.)

We will be leaving on June 5, 2011 and returning around July 23, 2011.

Stay tuned for more adventure.