I wasn’t sure what I was going to do all day here near Robbinsville, NC so I decided to drive up to Knoxsville, TN to check out some RV’s. Just for the hell of it. Unbeknownst to me I ran into the real “Tail of the Dragon”…hence the above video. I feel a little embarrassed to have thought I drove it the day before but hey…no map no clue. Now I have an idea why many and I mean many come to drive or ride this road.
I drove across the plains of Iowa pretty straight through as my goal for this day was Springfield, MO. It’s storm season around here and when I hit Kansas City, Kansas I got a taste of a wicked thunder, lightening and pouring rain storm cell. I was on the main highway and the pools of water were deep. My car was hit a few times with a “tsunami” like waves. Continue reading “2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Day 16”
Today was an interesting day. Not driving but people. 2 random acts of kindness and a confession. 2 men paid for my coffees today after they heard I was moving, jobless and homeless. Of course I elaborated but they both at different times felt compelled to help, and get this…they both thought I was in my 30’s. Flattered to say the least and thanked them without saying you didn’t have too. The last guy actually threw me a $20 bill…and said “you seem pretty smart, are you? I know you are but here’s a $20…now put it to good use and best of luck.” 😇
Next guy I ran into owns a cattle feed lot. OMG, I hate those lots and they also make me really want to be a veggie. In any case, not about me. He told me this funny little story. He had cattle that did not like being kept in a small area full of food. He swears this cattle was starving himself to death because he knew what was up. This particular male would stand by the gate, refuse to eat or even have anything to do with the other cattle/herd. He went on to say he was forced to let him out and roam. He named this male determined. Now a family “pet” and is healthy and eats. I said politely, that is one smart BULL. He laughed and we parted. Continue reading “2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Day 14 & 15 – Wall/Badlands”
April 30th 2015 (all pics in any of my posts can be clicked for HI REZ versions)
I feel like I am living the 2002 philosophical travel memoir by Neil Peart, Ghost Rider. I get why he kept going out for his rides.
Best route for a car or bike
Everyday the roads I travel are stunning and beautiful. Perfect for a bike or car. However, this day despite what I was seeing my drive felt labored. I knew at some point on this trip my head would give in to what I have left behind. As I get closer to taking my Beagles ashes back to his spot in Wyoming, Cruizer’s rock I call it, I seemed to be feeling quite emotional. Today he would have been 11. Continue reading “2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Day 9 (My head)”
Spending time in my my car with me has been healing. The states of Nevada and Utah are so beautiful. I highly recommend riding your bike on the roads I have been taking or drive.
I ended my day seeing this pair of Great Horn Owls. Roosting by their nest. So uninhibited and so beautifully perched. Such an amazing creature and HUGE.
Should really call this FIAT fun…if I had to choose 4 wheels to drive the roads I have been on it would be this car…making my trip interesting and engaging…almost as good as my bike. Almost!
What would a car trip be without locking yourself out of the said car? Day 3 and did it. Luckily I locked myself out in a parking lot full of fishermen(women). I was going to have Fiat Roadside come bail me out but a bunch of crafty folks ended up using some fishing line with a hook to snag my keys. They were able to “catch” them and bring them up to the sun roof. My trusty stick did not work for any of us by itself. Continue reading “2015 Long Island or BUST Tour – Day 3 & 4”
My initial reason for heading down to Washington State yet again was really to get to Gerbing
All pictures can be clicked for higher resolution and open in a new tab
New Liners are nice I have to admitI would not ride without heated gear in the cold monthsGerbing in Olympia WA, now CLOSED for good
and to add to my heated gear collection so I can ride x country this month sometime soon I hope to drop my bike off at my folks in New York. I added heated socks and pant liners plus a dual controller. After I get my letter of compliance from BMW USA I can legally import my bike as the first part of my transition back to the States. Continue reading “Green, White, Brown – Winter in the PNW (Gerbing, what I know)”
Update: I learned how to import vehicles into the USA from Canada today. Not terribly difficult but nonetheless work. I had to contact BMW & Fiat USA to apply for letters of compliance. This was after I called the Canadian divisions because that made sense to me. NOT! 😒 Compliance letters mean my vehicles meet USA DOT and EPA standards. Both vehicles do.
However, since my motorcycle and car were not built-in North America I have to pay 2.5% duty on the Kelly Blue Book values. Just another way to tax us. After I decided what State I will live in I will have a letter of import all ready from the border and just have to get them inspected. More money and will have to change the insert for my speedometer to MPH versus KPH. I can get that insert from a BMW and Fiat dealer. Continue reading “Canada to the USA….oh, the joys of moving back “home””
Advgrrl Motorcycle Adventures & More 