156 days to the ride!

Well tomorrow I'm going to Sarasota to check out some "Frog Tog" jen-u-wine motorcycle raingear. It is bright, high visibility, super intensity, really easy to see in the rain, yellow. I feel it is my duty to insure no or very little rain will fall by purchasing the above raingear. I'm simply going to have to rough it & ride my bike, temps are expected to be in the mid 70's to low 80's. I know it will be cold, but I really want to ride, it's been two days and I miss it so terribly. The guy has alot of stuff, I'll let you know what I get.

160 days to the Ride

Another milestone has passed; the trip to Africa is behind me. I could talk about it for hours but not to worry; I won't. At least for a while. All focus will now be on the final preparations for making this ride an experience none of us will ever forget. What I learned on the recent trip is that there are times when you just "let it happen". Some of the most memorable moments came when we were adapting to some real or imagined crisis that threw us off our schedule. Everything I've read so far tells me the same thing. "It's the ride; not the arrival".
I've heard back from our friends at the Silent Service Motorcycle Club (SSMC) in the Seattle area that they will be meeting us in the Coeur d' Alene area and riding with us into Seattle. Talk about a "Wild Hog" moment. I can't wait to experience that. I have visions of riding up a steep mountain road, rounding a bend and there they are; waiting for us with Harley's gleaming in the sunlight. After a round of handshakes and a couple of NTINS the engines roar to life and off we go on the final leg into Washington. From what I've been told we are in for some of the best riding any of us have ever had.
I've also been reading "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" which was a gift from my daughter this Christmas. Coincidentally, the characters are riding from the mid west into Montana. In one of the chapters the author describes trying to camp in the an area "where the cross winds blow". I hope my old bones are up to it because I'm sure going to test them.
In response to Jim's post; as a bonified "snake oil salesman" I have sure fire (.357) remedies for the "rattly" things. And the Lone Ranger taught me that circling my sleeping bag with a horse hair rope will protect me from things that crawl in the night and we all know the Lone Ranger always told the truth.

162 Days Til The Ride

Many years ago when we were mere children (1965) Darlene & I spent the night at Grand Canyon. We saw the sun come up there, what a sight. We stayed at a small cabin on the Park grounds. Doc, they have those crawly things that hisss & rattle there, but still a beautiful place. Glad all that doesn't have to rhyme!

164 Days to the Ride

We're back from Africa and it felt good to take almost two weeks off the "count down calendar". We're under six months until we shove off and after spending time in 90F+ heat and then returning to a Michigan winter I'm ready for the heat to return so we can go riding. Blue; I've never seen the Grand Canyon either; up close and personal that is. I have flown over it on trips to California and Arizona but it is on my bucket list. I just don't think we can we can squeeze it in this time. As for Las Vegas; I've been there and it's not my cup of tea.

Welcome Home Pat and Doc...

from what I have read on the BBS's it sounds like you both had an incredible journey! Well Done *_*

I have booked my tickets to the USA this morning....certainly looking forward to it and seeing you both again.

Blue *_*

The not really a midnight ride of Jim Mulanix

Seventy four degrees and I need a ride,
Don't have to wait for man nor a tide.
South on Route 75 is where I went,
Burnin' rice like it was heaven sent.
Cuter than a puppy and meaner than hell,
Kept on goin' right past the Taco Bell.
Wind was a blowin' & my leathers was hot,
But finally twas to the Suzuki Shop I got.
Pound on the bell! It's service I need.
Oil & filters, they got'em while I peed.
The service was quick, had no time for the barley,
Sixty bucks- that all?
Yeah, says they, that ain't no Harley....

173 days to the Ride

Tomorrow I leave for Africa with my wife on a mission trip so I thought I would post today just to keep things somewhat current. Reflecting back on "Blue's" post the other day I realize there are so many things to see here in America and around the world and I've been fortunate (some would say blessed) to see many of them. If you don't have a "Bucket List" I suggest you create one. You'll be surprised at what you have already done and the things you can accomplish if you make a list and then start ticking them off. After we complete this trip I will be close to my goal of having visited all 50 of the the states plus the territories. If we swing down for a brief ride in Nebraska that will give me 49 and only New Mexico will remain. Now I have a goal of getting to New Mexico in the next two years. Africa got added late in life which caused me to realize that when I return from this trip I only have two more continents to visit to have been on them all. I'm excluding Antarctica because the probability of me getting there is almost nonexistent. So Blue, you just might get that visit I've been threatening you with. That will leave me with only South America remaining. "Who'd a thunk" a poor kid from the east side of Detroit would have ever had the opportunity to be a world traveler. I owe it all to "Miss Lux" (my geography teacher) and the submarine service who provided the transportation to many of the places I've visited.
This completes the trip down memory lane; time to finish packing take care of some minor details and get ready to go. Back in CONUS on January 25th; tanned, rested and with rusty fingers from lack of playing the pipes.

'Slight' Detour Requested....

Last night whilst babysitting 77 bad men, I saw part of a John Wayne movie and saw a famous ( to me at least ) desert/mountain scene and thought, "I wonder if this is on the route that we are taking. Sadly, it isn't. I am sure it's only a mere 1,000-2,000 miles out of the way. That's nothing for a bunch of tough USN/Aussie Submariners! lol http://www.americansouthwest.net/utah/monument_valley/john-ford.html
I am sure though there will be just as amazing scenes along the way. I am particularly looking forward to Yellowstone National Park as I have heard of 'Old Faithful'. Apart from Mt Rushmore ( I was there in 2004 ) what else will amaze me on this trip? ( apart from you guys! ) Blue *_*

183 days to the Ride

It's the first day of the year
this is supposed to rhyme
so here goes shipmates; it's almost time
I closed out last year; it's happily noted
by going to work and getting promoted
Now I can buy more stuff for the bike;
even training wheels in case I need a trike
But enough about me, its you guys who count
so let's hear those stories and we'll grow the word count.
Send them to me by e-mail today
and I'll edit this post throughout the day.
C'mon Blue you're half day ahead;
give us some wisdom before you head off to bed
and McManus the scribe surely you can write rhymes
of life in the "Apple" in these turbulent times
And Ralphie the trucker who's traveled all about
I know you have comments about our proposed route
So crank up the gray matter and give it a go;
while I get more coffee and shovel the snow
RALPH ADDED:
My rhyme:
It is rather sad
that my rhyming is very bad.
Tis a new year that is for sure
and we hope all will be well for you and yours.
My poetry leaves a lot to be desired
so I'll close now before I get fired.
BLUE ADDED:

.

Ralph thinks he’s a poet,
But sadly he is not
Fred said I am half a day ahead
Hmm, I wonder what is this ‘head’?

There’s a call for some Blue wisdom
They will be waiting a while
“don’t chase women’
There, did that make you smile?

Looking forward to the trip across America
This sure will be a blast
I am hoping to meet a Jessica
and give her a smile to last

More than likely this Aussie tourist
Will just have a great time with his mates
Hopes no-one thinks I’m an Aussie Terrorist
And end up doing time with the Guantanamo inmates

Bring on July the 4th
This Aussie is wanting to party
Time to head north
oh, are we going near Kentucky?

(hey, that's the best I could come up with! lol )