Saturday, May 30, 2015
Day 3 - On the Road North
Well, just like I expected, didn't get much sleep last night. 7AM turned into 6:30, checked the weather and looked like clear sailing to Atlanta. Logged 535 miles today with 10 hours until we got a hotel for the night. Several stops of course for food, water, fuel, etc. Nice dinner and cold one at Longhorn Steakhouse in Rome, Georgia. Hit the spot. Now looking forward to much needed rest. Nothing out of the ordinary or exciting to report, so that's going to have to hold until tomorrow. We are off to Nashville (200 miles) to spend the day and tomorrow night at Ed's brother-in-law's house, then we begin again on Monday. No rain today, but not sure about tomorrow. We'll see.
Friday, May 29, 2015
Wanna leave a comment.......
Some people have tried to leave comments unsuccessfully. It looks like since this is a Google Blog, Google wants you to have a gmail account in order to leave a comment, so if you don't already have a gmail account - go to google.com and get a free one.
Having said that, it's less than 11 hours to KSU. Can't wait. Hope I can get a few hours sleep before the alarm goes off, but, you know, it's just like being a kid on Christmas Eve. Just can't wait until the AM. Anticipation, excitement, did I remember to take everything - probably, and then some - no room to spare in any storage container on the bike including an extra backpack!!!
WTH? Warm weather clothes, cold weather clothes, rain gear, electronics, GPS, CB, Comm Set, Cameras, Chargers, First Aid Stuff, tools, Blogger Stuff, meds, and who knows what else..............
Glad I don't need any hair gel, shampoo, combs, brushes and other grooming luxuries my hair rich friends would need. There just wouldn't be any room, so, I probably would have taken the easy way out anyway and shaved my head to save room. Well, glad I got a head start with that! ( no pun intended).
Got to get some zzzzzzz's. 0700 will be here before I know it. Can't wait!!!
Having said that, it's less than 11 hours to KSU. Can't wait. Hope I can get a few hours sleep before the alarm goes off, but, you know, it's just like being a kid on Christmas Eve. Just can't wait until the AM. Anticipation, excitement, did I remember to take everything - probably, and then some - no room to spare in any storage container on the bike including an extra backpack!!!
WTH? Warm weather clothes, cold weather clothes, rain gear, electronics, GPS, CB, Comm Set, Cameras, Chargers, First Aid Stuff, tools, Blogger Stuff, meds, and who knows what else..............
Glad I don't need any hair gel, shampoo, combs, brushes and other grooming luxuries my hair rich friends would need. There just wouldn't be any room, so, I probably would have taken the easy way out anyway and shaved my head to save room. Well, glad I got a head start with that! ( no pun intended).
Got to get some zzzzzzz's. 0700 will be here before I know it. Can't wait!!!
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Back Home for a Few Days
It's amazing what a good night's sleep can do for you. Woke up around 8AM, showered, ate, packed and was finally on my way home for a brief 2-day stay. 4 and 1/2 hours and 308 miles later - what a breeze - I pulled up in a familiar driveway - Home Sweet Home.
I feel like I've been on the road for weeks already instead of just 2 days. Is this a sign of the times - a sign of getting - I'm more afraid to say it than I am of the long and winding road ahead - you know - old?? We're all doing it, but before I get there, I'll be to The Arctic Circle and back on 2 wheels with hopes of seeing and enjoying this beautiful country I choose to live in rather than any other place on earth.
Once we cross the border into Canada from North Dakota, it's a 2,500 mile ride through the Western Canadian Provinces before we reach Alaska. That will be the real mystery and interesting part if this adventure. Always wanted to ride through Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (can't make this stuff up) ever since I was able to say it!
As I rolled into the driveway, the garage door magically opened and out came my amazing wife and best friend to greet me. What a beautiful sight! Glad to be home.
Now the work begins...... get the bike serviced, pack, wire all electronics, charge everything, check, check and double-check, and, oh yeah - enjoy 3 more nights sleep in my own bed.
Getting ready for Saturday morning. KSU at 8AM - that's kick stands up for those of you who aren't motorcyclists. Next stop - Atlanta, GA or a little north of there.
Stay tuned ............
I feel like I've been on the road for weeks already instead of just 2 days. Is this a sign of the times - a sign of getting - I'm more afraid to say it than I am of the long and winding road ahead - you know - old?? We're all doing it, but before I get there, I'll be to The Arctic Circle and back on 2 wheels with hopes of seeing and enjoying this beautiful country I choose to live in rather than any other place on earth.
Once we cross the border into Canada from North Dakota, it's a 2,500 mile ride through the Western Canadian Provinces before we reach Alaska. That will be the real mystery and interesting part if this adventure. Always wanted to ride through Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (can't make this stuff up) ever since I was able to say it!
As I rolled into the driveway, the garage door magically opened and out came my amazing wife and best friend to greet me. What a beautiful sight! Glad to be home.
Now the work begins...... get the bike serviced, pack, wire all electronics, charge everything, check, check and double-check, and, oh yeah - enjoy 3 more nights sleep in my own bed.
Getting ready for Saturday morning. KSU at 8AM - that's kick stands up for those of you who aren't motorcyclists. Next stop - Atlanta, GA or a little north of there.
Stay tuned ............
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Leg One of a Long Adventure
Yesterday, Tuesday, March 26, 2015 was the beginning of a long journey that would take us to the Arctic Circle and back. I wanted for this to truly be a Southernmost to Northernmost points in America run, so, for me, this journey begins in Key West, Florida.
Here I am at the beginning - wide awake, well fed, and full of pep - though the heat and sun would soon change that just showered and refreshed feeling.
Yesterday was one of those days I warned you about - I was just too pooped after almost 13 hours of riding and covering over 560 miles since leaving the comfort of air conditioning in Clearwater. The ride was worth every minute and every mile. I never get tired of riding along the water through the Keys. It's just beautiful.
As you ride along the Keys and you can look at the remains Henry Flaggler's Florida East Coast Railroad. A little over on hundred years ago in 1912, the first Steam Engine rolled over the water, across these old bridges and into Key West. You could almost hear the steam whistle as tons of iron and steel rolled over the water. It must have been nice to ride, but mother nature had other plans and didn't approve of running a railroad over her water. In 1935, the Labor Day Hurricane destroyed most of the rails and some of the bridges, and reclaimed the Keys for herself.
I have a video clip of the ride through some of the Keys, and when I can figure out how to edit it, I'll post it. Until then, here's the Key West Southernmost Point Buoy photo.
Made it there by 4:34PM. After the official start photo at the Southernmost Point in the United States, I went to El Sibony Cuban Restaurant (what else) and had a nice cold Dos Equis and a Roast Pork Dinner. Just what I needed. Went over to the Key West Firehouse Museum before I left for Florida City to deliver a Deer Park Ladder Company 4 patch I promised when we were there in December. Was going to mail it, but knew I was making the trip, so decided to bring it myself. Three more hours and I get to shower and rest. Once settled in Florida City, I didn't hear a thing until the alarm went off this morning.
Here I am at the beginning - wide awake, well fed, and full of pep - though the heat and sun would soon change that just showered and refreshed feeling.
Yesterday was one of those days I warned you about - I was just too pooped after almost 13 hours of riding and covering over 560 miles since leaving the comfort of air conditioning in Clearwater. The ride was worth every minute and every mile. I never get tired of riding along the water through the Keys. It's just beautiful.
As you ride along the Keys and you can look at the remains Henry Flaggler's Florida East Coast Railroad. A little over on hundred years ago in 1912, the first Steam Engine rolled over the water, across these old bridges and into Key West. You could almost hear the steam whistle as tons of iron and steel rolled over the water. It must have been nice to ride, but mother nature had other plans and didn't approve of running a railroad over her water. In 1935, the Labor Day Hurricane destroyed most of the rails and some of the bridges, and reclaimed the Keys for herself.
I have a video clip of the ride through some of the Keys, and when I can figure out how to edit it, I'll post it. Until then, here's the Key West Southernmost Point Buoy photo.
Made it there by 4:34PM. After the official start photo at the Southernmost Point in the United States, I went to El Sibony Cuban Restaurant (what else) and had a nice cold Dos Equis and a Roast Pork Dinner. Just what I needed. Went over to the Key West Firehouse Museum before I left for Florida City to deliver a Deer Park Ladder Company 4 patch I promised when we were there in December. Was going to mail it, but knew I was making the trip, so decided to bring it myself. Three more hours and I get to shower and rest. Once settled in Florida City, I didn't hear a thing until the alarm went off this morning.
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Pre-Run Comments
This is a blog about a daring and exciting motorcycle journey from Key West Florida to the Arctic Circle in Alaska. The original plan was to do a southernmost to northern most run to the land of the midnight sun, but as it would be, mother nature decided not to cooperate, even before I begin the first leg of the journey. Two days ago, due to the spring thaw in the Tundra, along with unusually heavy rains, the Dalton Highway ( the Ice Trucker Road) washed out and disappeared under water about 20 miles south of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska (the ultimate goal). Look at this : http://www.alaskadispatch.com/node/2572321 So, on to "Plan B" which should take me to the Arctic Circle located approximately 194 miles north of Fairbanks, AK, with the cooperation of the weather, of course. Once you are stranded north of Fairbanks, you are on your own!
The official beginning of this trip begins in Clearwater, FL to Key West with an overniter and back to Clearwater before the 2nd leg begins on Saturday, May 30, 2015. Once back from Key West - the bike goes to Harley for service and Ed Ratajczak and I begin the MidnightSunRun. This should be one heck of a ride!
Just a quick note to those of you who may be reading along, that I will try my best to post as often as I can, but there will be times where I'm just too pooped, no WiFi, nothing exciting happened, or ........
That's all for now, need to do the final prep tasks and will report back from the Key West area on Tuesday or Wednesday.
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