It’s that time to get to Long Island….😊 I am in Pennsylvania right now and will be heading out soon to finish this incredible X Country trip in my very fun Fiat 500L.
Love this car, it did well on this trip and it really reminds me of my F800GS on 4 wheels.
Continue reading “2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Days 23 & 24”
May 15 2015 (all picks can be clicked and enlarged)
Staying away from interstates is sure paying off with scenery and roads made for a NASCAR racer. Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia all have great roads, made for bikes and sporty cars, intense Spring smells, scenery and since it’s before Memorial Day peaceful driving. Continue reading “2015 Long Island or Bust Tour Days 21-22”
May 7 2015
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”
May 6th 2015
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”
May 5th 2015
Day 12 was spent just cruising along from Billings, Montana to Deadwood, South Dakota. Although much of the drive was flat I still find the surrounding in this area to be beautiful. Weather was great, not too hot and I really did not stop much. I wanted to get to the Blackhills, SD where I knew I was going to get a cabin and stay for two nights. Needed to clean out my car, reorganize my “stuff”, just like I do when on my bike and of course sleep and relax. Continue reading “2015 Long Island or Bust Tour – Day 12 & 13”
February 12th 2014 – Day 29 my Last Day Riding – short video clips are part of this post and click on the pics for higher resolution
Original Route looked like this which was always just a rough idea
Continue reading “The LAST 110 Feet, The Break IN – 2015 Winter Trip Day 29”
February 10th 2015 – Day 28
I had a great short visit with my best friend from undergrad and her partner. Ann Marie and Allison are two very genuine people who do amazing things within their own careers. As always gracious hosts and a place I could call home. Thanks guys for the hospitality and welcome. Continue reading “Amazing Ride Williamsburg to Chestertown, MD – Day 28”
February 7th 2015 – Day 25 – Tourist Day (videos and pics)
The countdown begins…UGH!
I have to admit I really like being a tourist at times. It was still “cold” for many but I found it perfect as usual. Around 60F with a light breeze. I am not really going to say much in this post. I know I say that all the time but I am tired not only from walking about 10 miles but from dinner at Margaritaville and 2 beers. Yep only 2. Continue reading “Day 25 – Virtual Tour of Myrtle Beach”
February 6th 2015 – Day 24
It was chilly out this morning when I packed up. I think it was about freezing. I ended up using my heated liner and gloves all day. I point this out because it’s the first time I have had to use heat for a while and the first time since my aerial ring was replaced at Baton Rouge BMW. At this point in the ride I am OK talking about my issues with the EWS code. No code showed up today at all. Ran all my accessories as I have in the earlier part of my trip when the code showed its ugly head and would paralyze my bike.
So, one can wonder…was it the $40 part I was told about last fall? The part I have asked for many times just to make sure while my bike’s diagnostics were being checked everything was done? As I ride up the coast and use more heat time will tell if my EWS is a thing of the past. I can assure myself now everything has been done to my bike 😉 that could possibly be done to fix this issue.
I left Fernandina Beach pretty early in the morning so I could meet Jada. Jada is an avid Tiger Continue reading “Day 24 – A New Friend, Myrtle Beach & What a SUNSET”
February 2nd, 2015
I felt like I had to get a post together on my 49th birthday. What’s funny is that my father and I just came to realize I could use his iPad as a hotspot to access WIFI. They don’t have internet at their home in Florida. Long story but my folks feel they are not here long enough to have it activated. In any case, I am using my father’s GB’s but he is OK with that to help me keep the blog going. Thanks Dad. 😉
According to the news…not like my video I did not see my shadow being a groundhog and that means 6 more weeks of winter. Got my shadows wrong.
You know you are in Florida when you see streets lined with Palm Trees, a slight warmth to the air at night even though everyone here thinks it’s freezing outside. I have not been down here since the early 2000’s. I have not seen my cousins…mainly Sofarelli’s for over a decade or more. I came here to rest, see my parents and get to hang out with some cousins who also follow my FB/BLOG and my trips. How cool is it to have your own family want to come along for the ride? Continue reading “Days off the Bike continued + My First Really Great Birthday”
February 1, 2015
Ahhh…rest time. After 17 days on the bike and over 9000 KM’s or about 5700 miles later, I thought I needed some R&R off the bike. I rode on Friday from Bonifay, Florida to the Lakeland area where my parents have a RV/House. Great place to layover and get some rest. I have my own room, bathroom, entrance, well…whole house. My folks stay in their RV lol and do not use their house at all except for laundry. So, enjoying my rest off the bike, going to see cousins today, Superbowl Sunday, might go for a leisurely ride tomorrow with a friend of my folks and I am keeping an eye on the weather up north. Continue reading “Lay Over – R&R in the Winter Florida Sun”
January 27th, 2015 – Day 14 (all pics in all posts can be clicked for larger versions)
Continue reading “Climate SHOCK and the LA State Trooper”
January 22nd 2015 – Day 9
After leaving GO-AZ dealership the day before I went to another virtual hosts house for an over niter. Terry and Heather. What a nice couple. We had really good pizza, hung out with their pets, I have all ready forgotten their cat’s name but their dog? Jack. Terry and Heather take in rescues so they MUST be good people and they are. Thanks guys for the stay and Terry for input on my route for the day. Heather hope your make it to your next book club. 👍
Continue reading “Long Way to ABQ via the Apache Trail”
Day 6 – January 19th 2015
UPDATE: My spider bite on my right temple swelled up last night and puss came out. I know gross eh? It’s now infected because of my helmet, etc. Put Bactine on it and it’s looking scabby but better. Other than feeling like someone punched me in my eye, I think it’s on the mend.
When I decided to take this trip, and I won’t name names, many thought I was crazy. Maybe I am when I carry on and meet the east coast but so far my plan for this winter trip is holding out. I mean I did check the regional weather reports and they have been SPOT on.
Now I don’t want to jinx myself so I will not carry on about this but I am so glad I decided to go with my gut. I needed this trip in ways not everyone can understand. Hard to explain but being between jobs, between countries literally I needed to find a place that is a constant in my life. My bike.
Some might say I am obsessed. I agree I am…I mean who wouldn’t be? I ride my bike and see Continue reading “Day 6 – All about heading into Spring?”
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