Friday July 2, 2010
The day started out as the perfect motorcycle riding adventure with cool temperatures, low humidity and great roads. I began westbound on I-80 towards north bound I-29. Everything was great until the overpass from I-29 onto west bound I-90 west of Sioux Falls SD.
I quickly discovered I should have considered the weather front coming out of the Gulf of Mexico because the nose of the Wanderer attempted to travel west however the winds sent me from the left track to the right track. The winds were so fierce I had to hold on for dear life.
I traveled six miles to Hartford SD were I was able to recover and change my destination from Kennebec SD two hundred miles to the KOA campgrounds in Mitchell SD thirty miles away.
I traveled along the two lane side road route #30, hoping the farming homes, and terrain would block the wind. It was a little better, but it was some of the hardest riding I had since a hail storm along I-70 in 2007 west of Denver.
As I continued through Mother Nature’s power fans, I came upon a guy on a BMW trying to maintain his balance as I was and we stopped at an intersection where we spotted two Gold Wings at a gas station.
We pulled in and talked about the winds and the two guys on the wings were in their 70’s and they spoke of the winds as some of the worst they have ever experienced. They were headed east towards some parts of SD. The Guy on the BMW was a local just out completing some errands.
I continued my adventure in the wind and made the camp grounds. It may have been in the 90’s but the winds made it quite comfortable. I opted for a room because of the wind and the discounts I got for the room. Always looking for the deals baby!
I have an early morning rise heading towards Sheridan WY some 500 miles away, hopefully as I push towards western South Dakota near the Bad Lands and Rapid City SD the winds should die down because of the hills, hopefully.
Friday, July 02, 2010
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Getting started or not?
Monday June 28, 2010
I left my sister’s home around 10:30am on Monday June 28, from St. Louis County I traveled west along I-70 when I came upon several Honda Gold Wings en-route to the Wing Ding rally set for Des Moines Iowa.
I briefly thought of attending the rally but the excitement of traveling to Alaska overwhelmed me at times until I talked myself into going to the World Largest Truck stop in Walcott Iowa, and since I was following several Gold Wings traveling in the same direction, what the heck?
The truck stop is a sight to see with three levels of stores, fast food restaurants, showers, laundry facility, Movie Theater, and parking for several hundred trucks and cars.
The excitement of seeing so many Gold Wings heading towards Des Moines, I began conjuring up the idea of getting some tires, and looking at the some of the products for at least a day. Yeah right!
Three days later here I sit typing out the blog on a Thursday preparing for the motorcycle light show.
I will leave out of here on Friday for sure. I have a great KOA cabin, with a swing on the front deck and a breeze blowing, it just don’t get any better than this other than being on a beach.
I left my sister’s home around 10:30am on Monday June 28, from St. Louis County I traveled west along I-70 when I came upon several Honda Gold Wings en-route to the Wing Ding rally set for Des Moines Iowa.
I briefly thought of attending the rally but the excitement of traveling to Alaska overwhelmed me at times until I talked myself into going to the World Largest Truck stop in Walcott Iowa, and since I was following several Gold Wings traveling in the same direction, what the heck?
The truck stop is a sight to see with three levels of stores, fast food restaurants, showers, laundry facility, Movie Theater, and parking for several hundred trucks and cars.
The excitement of seeing so many Gold Wings heading towards Des Moines, I began conjuring up the idea of getting some tires, and looking at the some of the products for at least a day. Yeah right!
Three days later here I sit typing out the blog on a Thursday preparing for the motorcycle light show.
I will leave out of here on Friday for sure. I have a great KOA cabin, with a swing on the front deck and a breeze blowing, it just don’t get any better than this other than being on a beach.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Hard riding practice (850 Plus miles)
Thursday June 24, 2010
I got an early start beginning at 4:30am crossing into PA and then into OH along I-90. I moved on into Columbus OH along I-70, towards Indiana. At around 3:00pm the clouds parted to ashier blue skies and the humidity levels dropped which made for great riding weather. The ride was just simply incredible.
I made it to my class reunion social around 9:30pm and had a wonderful welcome and fellowshipped with great friends. It was a long day of hard riding, 850 plus miles, great training for the trip into the Yukon at the end of next week. Now it is time to party with Sumner High’s Class of 1980.
I got an early start beginning at 4:30am crossing into PA and then into OH along I-90. I moved on into Columbus OH along I-70, towards Indiana. At around 3:00pm the clouds parted to ashier blue skies and the humidity levels dropped which made for great riding weather. The ride was just simply incredible.
I made it to my class reunion social around 9:30pm and had a wonderful welcome and fellowshipped with great friends. It was a long day of hard riding, 850 plus miles, great training for the trip into the Yukon at the end of next week. Now it is time to party with Sumner High’s Class of 1980.
Canada to New York (Thunder Storm)
Wed June 23, 2010
I left Montreal Canada around 9:00am hoping to get in at least six hundred miles of riding well into the night. I traveled south towards the US and crossing into the US at the thousand Island border crossing in upstate New York onto I-81.
I crossed several bridges that were impressive and the views were spectacular. I had no hassles at the border crossing and I-81 was smooth for while. I stopped at the Verizon store in Olean NY to replace a battery on the cellular after dinner.
As I mounted the Wander, I could see an approaching storm front with the ominous storm clouds and possible rains so I suited up but not much fell.
I pushed it hard past the storm front and after about an hour of riding I tried to waiting it out at a Tom Horton’s in Elmira NY. When I got back on the road I fortunately monitored a local radio station to hear a thunderstorm warning around midnight. I ducked into a nice hotel to view the thunderstorm from my hotel window.
I left Montreal Canada around 9:00am hoping to get in at least six hundred miles of riding well into the night. I traveled south towards the US and crossing into the US at the thousand Island border crossing in upstate New York onto I-81.
I crossed several bridges that were impressive and the views were spectacular. I had no hassles at the border crossing and I-81 was smooth for while. I stopped at the Verizon store in Olean NY to replace a battery on the cellular after dinner.
As I mounted the Wander, I could see an approaching storm front with the ominous storm clouds and possible rains so I suited up but not much fell.
I pushed it hard past the storm front and after about an hour of riding I tried to waiting it out at a Tom Horton’s in Elmira NY. When I got back on the road I fortunately monitored a local radio station to hear a thunderstorm warning around midnight. I ducked into a nice hotel to view the thunderstorm from my hotel window.
Into Canada
Tuesday June 22, 2010
I began the day traveling west along route #1towards the Canadian border with the sun at my back. I stopped in at Harrys Motorsports in Presque Isle ME and replaced a fuse that was keeping the XM from working. They were very helpful, no service charge, just the purchase of fuses and I tipped the guy for helping me.
I crossed into Canada from Van Buren Maine into St. Leonard, in New Brunswick Canada where I traveled west along, route #2, then onto state road 85 and south into Quebec along #20.
Beautiful scenery and the topography changed from rural west bound and north of Quebec to suburban near the cities. Everyone speaks French so I did my best at every opportunity.
I settled in at a Comfort Inn in Montreal Canada preparing for a couple of 600 hundred mile plus days of hard riding on Wed and Thursday to begin a long weekend of fellowship with the Sumner High School Class of 1980. ( Doggs Getting Ready to Roll)
I began the day traveling west along route #1towards the Canadian border with the sun at my back. I stopped in at Harrys Motorsports in Presque Isle ME and replaced a fuse that was keeping the XM from working. They were very helpful, no service charge, just the purchase of fuses and I tipped the guy for helping me.
I crossed into Canada from Van Buren Maine into St. Leonard, in New Brunswick Canada where I traveled west along, route #2, then onto state road 85 and south into Quebec along #20.
Beautiful scenery and the topography changed from rural west bound and north of Quebec to suburban near the cities. Everyone speaks French so I did my best at every opportunity.
I settled in at a Comfort Inn in Montreal Canada preparing for a couple of 600 hundred mile plus days of hard riding on Wed and Thursday to begin a long weekend of fellowship with the Sumner High School Class of 1980. ( Doggs Getting Ready to Roll)
Monday, June 28, 2010
Maine coastal ride, Acadia National Park & the Canadian Boarder
Monday June 21, 2010
This day’s ride began with sunshine coastal views of rugged rock formations. I stopped and photographed the harbor in Lincolnville ME and continued along towards Acadia National Park touring the parks loop of scenic vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and Bar Harbor.
The loop leads to Cadillac Mountain at 1,532 feet, is the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard and is the first place to view sunrise in the US from October through March and is largely composed of pink granite.
Locals described I-95 north of Bangor ME as “the sticks”, and potato farmer area. Their statements were correct, because about twenty miles north of Bangor ME, not only did I-95 lanes narrow but the median strip widened with trees, shrubs and the distance between exits increased. It is weird not seeing traffic traveling in the opposite direction for periods of time.
Spent the night a couple of miles south the Canadian border at the Ivey hotel. The area is definitely geared to truckers. Not much to see or look at only signs describing the Canadian boarder ahead.
This day’s ride began with sunshine coastal views of rugged rock formations. I stopped and photographed the harbor in Lincolnville ME and continued along towards Acadia National Park touring the parks loop of scenic vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and Bar Harbor.
The loop leads to Cadillac Mountain at 1,532 feet, is the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard and is the first place to view sunrise in the US from October through March and is largely composed of pink granite.
Locals described I-95 north of Bangor ME as “the sticks”, and potato farmer area. Their statements were correct, because about twenty miles north of Bangor ME, not only did I-95 lanes narrow but the median strip widened with trees, shrubs and the distance between exits increased. It is weird not seeing traffic traveling in the opposite direction for periods of time.
Spent the night a couple of miles south the Canadian border at the Ivey hotel. The area is definitely geared to truckers. Not much to see or look at only signs describing the Canadian boarder ahead.
Happy Fathers Day
Sunday June 20, 2010,
I left the Rutland VT area and traveled towards New Hampshire along route 302 that took me through some incredible country side. I stopped at the Conway NH rest stop and spoke with a retired cop named “Rex”.
He gave me great directions and the location of one of the better eating location in the town, named Delany’s Hole in the Wall.
His advice of staying off the truly obscure back roads in Maine was not headed.
I meandered my way along two lane roads towards the coast which for thirty miles was some of the worst roads I have traveled along since touring. The back roads were actually paved however cracks in the pavement showed grass growing out of them, which indicated they are not even travelled by the locals. Hence I should have taken Rex’s advice, duh!
After crossing into Maine on route 302, I dodged rain for several hours and once I traveled east of I-95, I made it to route 1 traveling through small town after another the road was much improved and the vistas of the coast were incredible.
I stopped for the night in Rockland ME, home of the Maine Lobster Festival held yearly during the first week of August. I spent the night at a coastal Motel named “The Claddagh” with views of the ocean. The Irish theme was present and the room had more floral and pink than I cared for.
The owner suggested the “Offshore” restaurant for dinner where I was subjected to an excellent lobster dinner. Burp! Excuse me. Not enough recognition has been given to the person or persons who invented the idea of boiling a lobster. Credit should also be given to the person who discovered dipping hot lobster meat into butter. It was dam good.
The night air was breezy and comfortable however the locals believe the humidity was too high, yeah right, if they could only experience humidity in DC or St. Louis metro areas. Hmmm, I guess I don’t know either. Man is it nice outside. LOL!
I left the Rutland VT area and traveled towards New Hampshire along route 302 that took me through some incredible country side. I stopped at the Conway NH rest stop and spoke with a retired cop named “Rex”.
He gave me great directions and the location of one of the better eating location in the town, named Delany’s Hole in the Wall.
His advice of staying off the truly obscure back roads in Maine was not headed.
I meandered my way along two lane roads towards the coast which for thirty miles was some of the worst roads I have traveled along since touring. The back roads were actually paved however cracks in the pavement showed grass growing out of them, which indicated they are not even travelled by the locals. Hence I should have taken Rex’s advice, duh!
After crossing into Maine on route 302, I dodged rain for several hours and once I traveled east of I-95, I made it to route 1 traveling through small town after another the road was much improved and the vistas of the coast were incredible.
I stopped for the night in Rockland ME, home of the Maine Lobster Festival held yearly during the first week of August. I spent the night at a coastal Motel named “The Claddagh” with views of the ocean. The Irish theme was present and the room had more floral and pink than I cared for.
The owner suggested the “Offshore” restaurant for dinner where I was subjected to an excellent lobster dinner. Burp! Excuse me. Not enough recognition has been given to the person or persons who invented the idea of boiling a lobster. Credit should also be given to the person who discovered dipping hot lobster meat into butter. It was dam good.
The night air was breezy and comfortable however the locals believe the humidity was too high, yeah right, if they could only experience humidity in DC or St. Louis metro areas. Hmmm, I guess I don’t know either. Man is it nice outside. LOL!
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