Here we are, waiting for the big blow to hit its stride. it is 4:39 pm ET, and the speeds are steady around 35 mph, with gusts to 50 mph. The big issue is the storm surge tides. Down at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, the storm surge is 4-8 feet...translation? That is 4-8 feet above high tide. Not good. The boat is tied up and looking like it may be unscathed through the big blow.
I am going to review the maps again tonight to see how my ride home needs to be altered. Sometime early this week I am back to beautiful, downtown Sioux Falls, SD. I haven't decided when to go, but Wednesday at the latest. Only half way home...total mileage now for the entire trip is 6200 miles so far. Amazing places, people and things to see. My good times are the result of the great friends that joined me along the way and put us up, so a big thanks to:
1. Murray
2, Nathalie
3. Thomas
4. Mark
5. Gordon
6. Joe
7. Rebecca
8. Jane
9. Ken
Ah, let's not forget Frances...she has been the best. I have so much to be grateful for.
There is more to come in this trip, more places to see and more friends to connect with. Can't wait.
I will attache photos of the hurricane zone on the next blog.
More later
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Time out for a hurricane!
Well, I made a decision at 8 am CT, sitting on the East bank of the Missouri River...actually sitting on a bench at the Super 8 Motel, near the East bank, in Chamberlain, South Dakota. The decision was to take a break and fly home to weather the storm with Frances (and Jazz). I have been gone enough in my career, leaving Frances to handle the snow, hurricanes, etc., etc.; so I am home. And, what better use of my 2.5 million miles with United than to fly round trip from South Dakota.
When the ride resumes, I will try to patch together a visit to Milwaukee and Canada...and of course, Cooperstown, NY, and the Baseball Hall of Fame. It really has been an adventure, and catching up with Friends like Paul, and Beth and Vern and Karen and Paul and Linda and on and on...is fabuloso!
Ok, one more anecdotal story. Traveling across Wyoming and South Dakota, there is abundant land, most of which is untouched. The small towns that litter the roads, population under 250. A few of them, more than I would like to see, have disappeared with bordered windows, and closed up service stations. The ones that are surviving, like WALL, have something that is the magnet, the attraction: the WALL drug store, dude ranch, saddle store, free coffee for vets, or something.
There are miles of barren land, interrupted periodically with a series of road side signs hawking the the special attraction. I stopped at many, just to see what it was. Today, as I was speeding to Sioux Falls, some 140 miles to the east, I saw two signs over and over that were...well, bipolar somewhat. One advertised UNUSUAL RHINOS FROM AFRICA, and the other said OLIVIA'S ADULT SUPERSTORE. Both were in the same small, population 175, town...pitching both sides of the libido. Very weird....maybe too much time alone in my helmet.
Oh, well, many more miles before I sleep...more later.
When the ride resumes, I will try to patch together a visit to Milwaukee and Canada...and of course, Cooperstown, NY, and the Baseball Hall of Fame. It really has been an adventure, and catching up with Friends like Paul, and Beth and Vern and Karen and Paul and Linda and on and on...is fabuloso!
Ok, one more anecdotal story. Traveling across Wyoming and South Dakota, there is abundant land, most of which is untouched. The small towns that litter the roads, population under 250. A few of them, more than I would like to see, have disappeared with bordered windows, and closed up service stations. The ones that are surviving, like WALL, have something that is the magnet, the attraction: the WALL drug store, dude ranch, saddle store, free coffee for vets, or something.
There are miles of barren land, interrupted periodically with a series of road side signs hawking the the special attraction. I stopped at many, just to see what it was. Today, as I was speeding to Sioux Falls, some 140 miles to the east, I saw two signs over and over that were...well, bipolar somewhat. One advertised UNUSUAL RHINOS FROM AFRICA, and the other said OLIVIA'S ADULT SUPERSTORE. Both were in the same small, population 175, town...pitching both sides of the libido. Very weird....maybe too much time alone in my helmet.
Oh, well, many more miles before I sleep...more later.
At the Missouri River...2200 miles and counting
Hey there. Well, more heat, more mileage and more WOW's. I had a great day again. Left out early, and got into South Dakota, and the Black Hills. Passed through motorcycle Mecca at Sturgis, South Dakota, just north of Rapid City. I was expecting to be struck by lightening there, or pick up a few points in IQ...but, no, just saw more "STURGIS 2011" baseball caps, suspenders, t-shirts, underwear (yep, underwear) and other stuff than I have ever seen.
The big ride was through Needles and onto Mount Rushmore. Needles is a fabulous ride of twisties in the mountains in Custer State Park. My bike does so well there...loves to breath at altitude. The views were spectacular. But back to Mount Rushmore.
I was pretty well amazed with the carving by Gutzon Blorgum. The carvings just leap out at you when you come up from Keystone. They are a bright white compared to the grey background and green trees. Washington, Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, and Lincoln...staring off in the distance. However, the site itself has really been made into a remarkable visit. It has two museums, two visitor centers, bookstores, gift shop, cafe, and a large amphitheater. Hundreds of visitors from everywhere were at the exhibit.
So here is the amazing part: Blogum began carving in 1927, at age 58, and it took 14 years. Chisels and jack hammers...and a vision. Amazing vision. He was an amazing guy. Summer temperatures in excess of 100 F, and the bitter winters of snow, ice, and wind...and 14 years of work. He also had the basic design for Stone Mountain, Georgia, outside of Atlanta. He started but didn't finish the Georgia carving. they are different...the Georgia carving covers a much larger surface area, but it is a relief, not a full sculpture like Rushmore.
The big ride was through Needles and onto Mount Rushmore. Needles is a fabulous ride of twisties in the mountains in Custer State Park. My bike does so well there...loves to breath at altitude. The views were spectacular. But back to Mount Rushmore.
I was pretty well amazed with the carving by Gutzon Blorgum. The carvings just leap out at you when you come up from Keystone. They are a bright white compared to the grey background and green trees. Washington, Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, and Lincoln...staring off in the distance. However, the site itself has really been made into a remarkable visit. It has two museums, two visitor centers, bookstores, gift shop, cafe, and a large amphitheater. Hundreds of visitors from everywhere were at the exhibit.
So here is the amazing part: Blogum began carving in 1927, at age 58, and it took 14 years. Chisels and jack hammers...and a vision. Amazing vision. He was an amazing guy. Summer temperatures in excess of 100 F, and the bitter winters of snow, ice, and wind...and 14 years of work. He also had the basic design for Stone Mountain, Georgia, outside of Atlanta. He started but didn't finish the Georgia carving. they are different...the Georgia carving covers a much larger surface area, but it is a relief, not a full sculpture like Rushmore.Oh, one more good samaritan story. I pull up at Rushmore, and roll up to the gate, armed with my National Park senior pass, with a big grin on my face. I give the young woman my best "old fart" smile, and she says "Sorry, we don't take passes here. We are a private company that runs the facility." Well, good for the country...entrepreneurial spirit and all that. So, she says "$11 please". I hand her my credit card...and, guess what? Cash only, and I hadn't been to an ATM in nearly 2 weeks. So I was cash short. Ah, but she is a good samaritan..."go on in and have a good time. There are two ATM's and get some money, spend it here, and bring it to me when you leave". So I did...nice people all over.
the rest of the ride east was along I-90. I thought about taking other surface roads, but they just parallel I-90, and they have similar speed limits. So, I was on the Interstate, pushing east. The temperatures exceeded 103 F, so the ride was tough. I stopped every 90 minutes at most for hydration. The last one was funny....I poured a bottle of water over my head, spalashed water on my face...and looked up at these little kids staring at me...thinking that I was taking a shower...I would have if I could.
I stopped in Wall, South Dakota, to see the WALL DRUGSTORE. For nearly 100 miles I saw these billboards for free water, 5 cent coffee, airconditioning, buffalo burgers, and more. So, I counldn't pass it up. Well, WALL DRUG, since 1931, was a huge stop...buses, cars, bikers, hikers, bicyclists...all stopped into see this massive tourist...well, trap. It was interesting though. Neat little burg. Reminded me of SOUTH OF THE BORDER, a massive tourist trap on US 301, at the South Carolina border that I saw as a little kid when we did our big road trip from Miami, Florida to New York to see our family every summer. It was a real milestone...and invested the same amount of money in billboards as did WALL DRUG.
I spent last night on the east side of the Missouri river, looking at green trees and a big working river. Nice "sight for sore eyes". Next stop: Rochester, Mn.
More later.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
A day of surpises, and a night of gratitude!
Well, you know what they say about good plans...yep, it happened to me. I slept in, had a hardy breakfast in Cody, and headed out for a great ride to Rapid City, and Mount Rushmore. Had a great ride on US14 through the Big Horn National Park, up to 9600 feet through a great series of twisties. Then, after being "gaga" over the view at 9600 ', started an amazing 11 milel down hill (8%) ride through another series of twisties, beautiful vistas, and great weather. About 6 miles into the 11 mile run, my engine quit...just said "Yep, I am done". So I coasted the remaining 5 or 6 miles down, and stopped. Actually, coasting down was almost as much fun as a powered descent.
I was perplexed but had an idea of the problem,. I was sitting there, on the side of the road with my helmet off, when the first of a series of wonderful people stopped to help. They were motorcycle riders, part of a Gold Wing Riders group from Chicago. Waited while I got the bike started again and followed me into Dayton, a tiny town, with more friendly people. they invited me to join them for lunch, which I did.
We parted company, and rode off separately. About 25 miles later, again in the high desert, I broke down again. Again, good samaritans began to swarm. First a rider from British Columbia on a US cross country trip. We diagnosed the problem together and agreed on a solution. He had to go...but up comes another couple on a bike like mine and bingo...he is a bike mechanic and temporarily rigs a fix, to get me going. But not before a Wyoming Highway patrolman stopped by and chatted with us. He was great...another motorcycle rider. He waited until a tow truck came....was not sure of the temporary fix, and insurance paid for the ride.
Off to the Honda (yep Honda, and I have a BMW) shop in Sheridan. The mechanic drops what he is doing and fixes me up in 30 minutes. All fantastic guys. Great people.
So hear I am in Gillette, Wyoming, feeling grateful for all of the nice people around, everywhere, just waiting to help others. Oh, did I tell you? Someone donated $1000 today through my site to the PBTF. How about that? Amazing generosity. There are good people everywhere, just looking for an opportunity to help others. I can't be any more grateful.
Well, time to put these buns to bed and get up early tomorrow. I get to see Mt. Rushmore, and an Underground Missile museum. How's that for a combination? Oh, and my first time in South Dakota.
More later.
I was perplexed but had an idea of the problem,. I was sitting there, on the side of the road with my helmet off, when the first of a series of wonderful people stopped to help. They were motorcycle riders, part of a Gold Wing Riders group from Chicago. Waited while I got the bike started again and followed me into Dayton, a tiny town, with more friendly people. they invited me to join them for lunch, which I did.
We parted company, and rode off separately. About 25 miles later, again in the high desert, I broke down again. Again, good samaritans began to swarm. First a rider from British Columbia on a US cross country trip. We diagnosed the problem together and agreed on a solution. He had to go...but up comes another couple on a bike like mine and bingo...he is a bike mechanic and temporarily rigs a fix, to get me going. But not before a Wyoming Highway patrolman stopped by and chatted with us. He was great...another motorcycle rider. He waited until a tow truck came....was not sure of the temporary fix, and insurance paid for the ride.
Off to the Honda (yep Honda, and I have a BMW) shop in Sheridan. The mechanic drops what he is doing and fixes me up in 30 minutes. All fantastic guys. Great people.
So hear I am in Gillette, Wyoming, feeling grateful for all of the nice people around, everywhere, just waiting to help others. Oh, did I tell you? Someone donated $1000 today through my site to the PBTF. How about that? Amazing generosity. There are good people everywhere, just looking for an opportunity to help others. I can't be any more grateful.
Well, time to put these buns to bed and get up early tomorrow. I get to see Mt. Rushmore, and an Underground Missile museum. How's that for a combination? Oh, and my first time in South Dakota.
More later.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Buffalo Bill Rides Again...in Cody, Wyoming
Very cool to be in Cody, Wyoming. It is what I thought it might be...lots of gift shops, stampede rodeo, and a big bunch of tourists. But, it is still cool. The IRMA is Buffalo Bill's original hotel and I, of course, ate Meat loaf in the IRMA restaurant. I am forever bonded to Buffalo Bill!.
Great day today. The weather was much cooler, and the roads were fabulous. Went to the West Yellowstone, the small town in Montana, at the extreme west entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Taking full advantage of my senior pass, my motorcycle was allowed in at half price...so very nice to aging...heh.
The park was beautiful. Lodgepole pines are incredible...straight as an arrow. There is vast evidence of the 1988 fire when nature took its course and cleansed the park of several hundred acres of lodgepoles...apparently a normal process to cleanse the forest, then the remains decompose and new growth comes back. Quite something.
Of course, the big deal was Old Faithful. So, of course, I enclose a photo of the geyser popping off. I sat there for 90 minutes, faithfully waiting for the big event. I have nine other photos of it, just in case someone wants one. So interesting...there were probably 600-700 sitting in the sun, preparing their cameras and cell phones, getting ready for the vent. A water spout...not a rocket launch, but a natural water spout...and people cheered and kids ooh'd and ahh'd. So simple a pleasure.
Going back to the beginning of the national park, when the hotel was built, this simple pleasure was the source of all attention of the guests of the lodge. The photo at right shows the platforms made from Lodgepole pine that allowed guests to climb stairs and stand and watch the gieser out the window. That is the sole purpose of the stairs and platforms. Simple pleasures...we all need simple pleasures, the same sense of wonder that made the kids ooh and ahh. No doubt about it.
Oh, I almost forgot...the people. During the 90 minutes, I spoke to a group of folks about many things, including the earthquake in the Washington area. It was great. Folks from Abilene, Asheville, Detroit, Louisville, and of all places, China. I sat next to the three folks in photo to the left: Monte, Marcie, and Susan, from Asheville, N.C. I talked to Monte about motorcycles. He had to stop riding about 2 years ago because of health. We were close to Old Faithful rearing its spout, and it got quiet. Monte then leaned over and said "Do you know anything about 'RIDE FOR KIDS''. Now, the chance of he and I being involved in the same small charity is astronomical. I told him the story of my fundraising efforts...and Marcie reaches in her purse and hands me $20. Can you imagine. We shook hands, embraced. He has been involved for 10 years in Asheville...the home of the PBTF. Simple pleasures, and simple people...doing extraordinary things. What a wonderful experience.
The roads were incredible. For the bikers out there, it was over 100 miles of twisties as I drove through Rockies. I went over the Continental Divide, and played all afternoon as I rode and stopped and rode and stopped. The Sheshoni River followed me all the way, shifting left and shifting right. I saw deer, elk, bison...and the wonderful road. So cool.
Great day today. The weather was much cooler, and the roads were fabulous. Went to the West Yellowstone, the small town in Montana, at the extreme west entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Taking full advantage of my senior pass, my motorcycle was allowed in at half price...so very nice to aging...heh.
The park was beautiful. Lodgepole pines are incredible...straight as an arrow. There is vast evidence of the 1988 fire when nature took its course and cleansed the park of several hundred acres of lodgepoles...apparently a normal process to cleanse the forest, then the remains decompose and new growth comes back. Quite something.
Of course, the big deal was Old Faithful. So, of course, I enclose a photo of the geyser popping off. I sat there for 90 minutes, faithfully waiting for the big event. I have nine other photos of it, just in case someone wants one. So interesting...there were probably 600-700 sitting in the sun, preparing their cameras and cell phones, getting ready for the vent. A water spout...not a rocket launch, but a natural water spout...and people cheered and kids ooh'd and ahh'd. So simple a pleasure.
Going back to the beginning of the national park, when the hotel was built, this simple pleasure was the source of all attention of the guests of the lodge. The photo at right shows the platforms made from Lodgepole pine that allowed guests to climb stairs and stand and watch the gieser out the window. That is the sole purpose of the stairs and platforms. Simple pleasures...we all need simple pleasures, the same sense of wonder that made the kids ooh and ahh. No doubt about it.
Oh, I almost forgot...the people. During the 90 minutes, I spoke to a group of folks about many things, including the earthquake in the Washington area. It was great. Folks from Abilene, Asheville, Detroit, Louisville, and of all places, China. I sat next to the three folks in photo to the left: Monte, Marcie, and Susan, from Asheville, N.C. I talked to Monte about motorcycles. He had to stop riding about 2 years ago because of health. We were close to Old Faithful rearing its spout, and it got quiet. Monte then leaned over and said "Do you know anything about 'RIDE FOR KIDS''. Now, the chance of he and I being involved in the same small charity is astronomical. I told him the story of my fundraising efforts...and Marcie reaches in her purse and hands me $20. Can you imagine. We shook hands, embraced. He has been involved for 10 years in Asheville...the home of the PBTF. Simple pleasures, and simple people...doing extraordinary things. What a wonderful experience.
The roads were incredible. For the bikers out there, it was over 100 miles of twisties as I drove through Rockies. I went over the Continental Divide, and played all afternoon as I rode and stopped and rode and stopped. The Sheshoni River followed me all the way, shifting left and shifting right. I saw deer, elk, bison...and the wonderful road. So cool. Well, it is late and I need to sleep. I miss home and Frances and Jazz. Glad they are ok and the big "shake" back home didn't affect her. More later.
Monday, August 22, 2011
From Idaho Falls - 1300 miles down and a few to go!
Yep, made it to Idaho Falls today. Unbelievable ride from many perspectives, not the least of which was that I rode the entire day (about 450 miles) in high desert. For you novices, that means high elevation plains, with dry, arid desert like environments.
The first 130 miles was through remarkable territory continuing in the Oregon Badlands. I rode the Central Oregon Highway, with Miles and miles of two lane sweeping turns, with a few "twisities" thrown in to keep me on my toes. But it was fabulous. It was early in the day so the temperature was moderate.
Now I have to confess...I didn't ride alone today. I rode side by side with the Malheur River. It is a very long, winding river, and sometimes I rode on its right, and others I rode on its left. Very cool. It was beautiful, and was the primary source of irrigation for the area. I rode through 3 brush fires, due to the very dry conditions in the desert.
Into Idaho and into the furnace. The ride through the high desert in Idaho was wicked...around 100 F or higher in places. The wind already wicks out your moisture; add to that incredibly low humidity. I had to stop every 75 miles or so to hydrate! Sheesh, it was wicked hot.
The ride has been incredible...it has slowed down my riding, made me more patient...not doubt the distances are so great that speeding up doesnt' get you there much sooner...just a speeding ticket if you are not careful. It is about pacing yourself...an intermediate city or goal in mind by the end of the day, and the time to observe, stop, engage....very cool.
How great can this be? I am sooo very lucky. But miss Frances and Jazz and our home...but needed to do this.
Again tomorrow. More later.
The first 130 miles was through remarkable territory continuing in the Oregon Badlands. I rode the Central Oregon Highway, with Miles and miles of two lane sweeping turns, with a few "twisities" thrown in to keep me on my toes. But it was fabulous. It was early in the day so the temperature was moderate.
Now I have to confess...I didn't ride alone today. I rode side by side with the Malheur River. It is a very long, winding river, and sometimes I rode on its right, and others I rode on its left. Very cool. It was beautiful, and was the primary source of irrigation for the area. I rode through 3 brush fires, due to the very dry conditions in the desert.
Into Idaho and into the furnace. The ride through the high desert in Idaho was wicked...around 100 F or higher in places. The wind already wicks out your moisture; add to that incredibly low humidity. I had to stop every 75 miles or so to hydrate! Sheesh, it was wicked hot.
The ride has been incredible...it has slowed down my riding, made me more patient...not doubt the distances are so great that speeding up doesnt' get you there much sooner...just a speeding ticket if you are not careful. It is about pacing yourself...an intermediate city or goal in mind by the end of the day, and the time to observe, stop, engage....very cool.
How great can this be? I am sooo very lucky. But miss Frances and Jazz and our home...but needed to do this.
Again tomorrow. More later.
More about the motorcycles
Ok, so I should have included more photos on the Extreme Custom Bike Show. All I showed yesterday was the replica of the bike Peter Fonda rode in Easy Rider. Ok, ok...here are some more photos. Both photos are extreme bikes built by Thunder Struck Extreme Custom Bikes. They are awesome.( http://www.thunderstruckcustombikes.com/) They were the sponsors of the show. Between the bikes in the show, and the bikes belonging to riders who came to see the show (like Joe and I), there were probably 500 motorcycles in town. 
What I loved though was the graphic design on the bikes. The paint, symbolism, and graphics were no less than spectacular (as they should be on $40,000 bikes!). Both of these bikes had paint that seemed with such depth that it was hard to capture. Really beautiful. I wish that I had some magic camera to pull this off better! Oh well, you can imagine right?Anyway, I promised to add a few more and so I did. Now back to the ride...more later.
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