Its a big world out there - so much to explore, so many friendly people to meet, so much beautiful scenery to admire. But most of all, its about the journey - the day-to-day moving towards a distant objective.
Preparations
True to form, I'm working on the bike the afternoon before departure.
Day 1
May 24, 2012: Home to Radium Springs, NM
Day 1 Map
Departure.
Climbing the pass above Three Way.
Century Plant (Agave parryi)
Lunch stop at Blackjack Campground
Soaptree yucca (Yucca elata) one of my favorite plants in the SW. Easy to grow, we have several planted from seed in our yard.
Gas stop in Silver City, NM.
Emory Pass. I've been here six times on journey.
A pretty horned toad
Soaptree yucca
Soaptree and the Organ Mountains
My campsite at Leasburg Dam State Park
My campsite
Camping under the stars. I'm using my Net-Tent as a ground sheet. After I took this photo, the fire ants prompted me to crawl inside the Net-Tent and zip the door closed. After that, they were no longer a problem.
Day's mileage: 400 mi
Day 2
May 25, 2012: Radium Springs to Junction, TX
Map: Day-2
Camped at the South Llano River RV Park & Resort, in Junction, TX
Day's mileage:97 mi
Day 3
Map: Day-3
Followed the I-10 all day
Stop for gas and food.
Buc-ee's, a fun place.
Day's mileage: 420 mi
Day 4
May 27, 2012: : Orange to DeFuniak Springs, FL
Map: Day-4
Sunrise through the fog.
Day's mileage: 484 mi
Day 5
May 28, 2012: DeFuniak Springs to Greenville, SC
Map: Day-5
Taking a wide berth around the coast because of the hurricane.
Oops!
It isn't often that you can remove an offending object from a tire using a screwdriver. But this was one of those times.
The drywall screw demolished the inner tube. fortunately, I'm carrying a spare.
The tire is back together with a new inner tube.
My chosen motel was in a questionable neighborhood, and I didn't want to leave the bike outside, so I wheeled it inside the room. (It doesn't leak oil.)
Day's mileage: 523 mi
Day 6
May 29, 2012: Greenville to Salem, VA
Map: Day-6
Heading for the hills.
Uncle Johnny's AT hostel, Erwin Tennessee.
The Place, AT hostel, Damascus Virginia.
Massie Gap, Appalachian Trail leading to Mt Rogers.
Groseclose VA. I've been here five times on different journeys. (Three hiking, one cycling, and this motorcycling trip.)
That's the AT coming out of the woods.
A night of rain.
Cozy inside the motel room.
Day's mileage: 302 mi
Day 7
May 30, 2012: Salem to Winchester, VA
(No GPS Log for this day)
Along the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) and Skyline Drive in Shenandoahs.
Fog on the BRP.
These two parked by me. Wherever I go, I have friends. I have not seen people this friendly in any other sport. (Peaks of Otter Lodge)
The BRP crossing the James River.
Behind the Loft Mountain Wayside. I once camped here in 2010. It was early season, the store hadn't opened yet, and the whole place was empty. I pulled in late at night, and needed a place to camp, and figured this place would do.
It was such a pleasure riding the BRP and Skyline Drive. I had hiked parallel with this road system three times, and always wanted to ride the actual road.
Mountain-laurel flower buds.
For the northbouind AT hiker, this is the last opportunity for a blueberry milkshake, and out of habit I couldn't resist.
A clean bike is a happy bike. After seven days on the road it needed it.
Day's mileage: 261 mi
Day 8
May 31, 2012: Winchester to Southington, CT
Map: Day-8
Honeysuckle
Oil change in Southington.
Dropped a bolt. Now where did it go? It has to be around here somewhere.
A mallard duck found the motel's swimming pool.
Day's mileage: 390 mi
Day 9
June 1, 2012: Southington to Gorham, NH
Map: Day-9
Waterfront Portsmouth, NH.
Welcome to Maine.
Kennebunkport ME
Mt. Washington
On the way up.
The AT and Lake of the Clouds hut from the summit Mt. Washington.
Souvenir stickers from the summit hut.
Rain is a commin'
Day's mileage: 321 mi
Day 10
June 2, 2012: Layover day Gorham
Layover day with lots of rain.
Staying dry.
Nice bikes.
Day 11
June 3, 2012: Gorham to Weedsport, NY
Map: Day-11
Riding in the rain most of the day, except for an an hour of clear skies. Amazing how the weather can switch so fast.
Knocked off early because of the downpour.
Day's mileage: 405 mi
Day 12
June 4, 2012: Weedsport to Toledo, OH
Map: Day-12
Where's Simon?
This sparrow kept landing on the bike, no doubt begging for a treat.
A Rest Stop.
Edgewater Park, Cleveland
A Service Plaza
Day's mileage: 430 mi
Day 13
June 5, 2012: Toledo to Waterloo, IA
Map: Day-13
Day's mileage: 505 mi
Day 14
June 6, 2012: Waterloo to Chamberlain, SD
Map: Day-14
The subsequent rain was heavy.
City park
Getting new tires. The first time the bike has been in a shop under my ownership.
Day's mileage: 449 mi
Day 15
June 7, 2012: Chamberlain to Hardin, MT
Map: Day-15
Dystopian future.
Riding in the rain.
First view of the Rocky Mountains.
The previous customer spent $90 on gas. My fuel bill is usually $7 every 150 miles.
Day's mileage: 528 mi
Day 16
June 8, 2012: Hardin to Missoula, MT
Map: Day-16
Catching my reflection in a mirrored window.
Day's mileage: 393 mi
Day 17
June 9, 2012: Missoula to Post Falls, ID
Map: Day-17
Digging through my bags to find every item of clothing. Its the coldest morning of the trip thus far.
Gas stop in Wallace, ID
Then I hit the rain, so I stopped at a motel in Post Falls, ID.
Day's mileage: 178 mi
Day 18
June 10, 2012: Post Falls to LaPine, OR
Map: Day-18
Columbia River.
Mt. Rainier.
Bridge over the Columbia River at Biggs junction.
Outside of LaPine, OR.
Motorcycle camping with Ray-Way gear. I have camped around here a great deal; we lived in the area for 15 years.
Day's mileage: 478 mi
Day 19
June 11, 2012: LaPine to Fallon, NV
Map: Day-19
Warming the engine after a cold night.
A thin coating of ice on my motorcycle seat.
Deschutes River
Klamath Lake and Mt McLoughlin
Lunch stop.
Herping
Eagle Lake
Day's mileage: 430 mi
Day 20
June 12, 2012: Fallon to Home
Map: Day-20
Walker Lake, NV
Wheeler Peak and Mt Patterson.
After riding for 16 hours, I reach home.
Day's mileage: 729 mi
Trip totals: 8,505 mi. in 20 days.
