More pictures for your enjoyment

I have posted more pictures on a "picture page."  I have also listed a bunch of links in case you are interested in places we went, places we thought of going, or places we past through or by.

The Trip's picture page

I will work on editing video footage and post some online too.  Please check back and we will have some for you.  Also, when I get Rick and Maury's pictures I will get some of them up on line for you too.

Here's the first edited video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL4REtyliTU

Thanks again for following us along!

Bob

What would we do different?

We began to ask ourselves the question of what would we do different?  The biggest point was time versus mileage.  Ideally every three or four days on the road it would be a benefit to have a down day or a low mileage day.  If you can stay the same place a couple of nights and do small hops from your “hub” it would help your old muscles and bones recover a bit.

When Rick and I began planning our way points over the winter, we would read something or be told about something that might be interesting and see if we could build it into our route.

The original goal was to get across the Mississippi River, since I had never done that.  With the limited number of days we had for traveling we were locked into specific mileages and no “down days.”  It would have been great to have spent two days at Deal’s Gap at the base of the Dragon and/or two nights at the Old Clark Inn to ride more roads in West Virginia.

What did we miss on our ride?  Really there were only a couple of things that we were unable to do and that was because of the weather.  I had wanted to stop at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, but it was pouring buckets that day.  We also wanted to run up and over the Continental Divide between West Virginia and Virginia and we were afraid we may find ice or snow on the top.  We also missed a night with some Red Knights who were hosting us for a night in Pennsylvania.  Again, the weather was our trouble and we booked home 700 miles instead of staying in Pennsylvania as we did.

Being flexible also helps – whether it was adjusting the route for another way, or stopping along the way when something drew our attention.  One of the way points we had originally flagged was the Mammoth Caves in Kentucky.  An article in Backroads magazine shortly before we left talked about this place and said it needed a half-day’s time to visit.  So we decided against spending that time and instead did an abbreviated visit to the Corvette Museum on the way through Bowling Green.

What would we do again?  Definitely West Virginia needs another visit.  There are many super roads.  Rick was looking at all the signs in Kentucky that talked about “The Bourbon Trail” and tours of the different distilleries so I see that may have possibilities too.  And another “do again” is home lodging – and by that I mean making contact with fellow Red Knights, GWRRA members, or organizations like the Motorcycle Travel Network.  Staying at fire stations and “new” friends’ homes was the best part of traveling.

The AMA just printed an article on points for planning a trip which very much run in line with my ideas and what I talk about in my Americade Seminar.  As always, everyone needs to keep their sense of humor and respect for each other as well.  Because going on a ride like this or any vacation is to have fun.  CLICK HERE for the article.

More on planning:

A couple of other things to consider while you are planning are the "what if's."  Fred Rau says you should carry half as much clothing as you think you need (Ask Maury what he didn't wear but brought) and carry twice as much money!  Fred suggests that you carry about $200 in cash hidden somewhere and an extra credit card in case of emergency.  He also says you should carry a spare key and hide it where you can get it or give your spare key to a riding partner.  All good advice.  Speaking of Credit Cards, call yours to tell them your traveling.  On one trip a riding buddy's card was flagged and frozen.  After all these little stops buying gas the company had flagged it as fraudulent use.  A phone call before you leave will help with this.

Also, what if something happens?  Do you have Road Service for your Bike or You?  Airmed is one company that will provide air transport insurnace and it is not too expensive.  The three of us actually purchased a year-long policy because the Red Knights discount was so reasonable.  But we could have gotten it for just our trip too, for under $100.  Then if something happens and you are not riding home, your family wont have to figure out how to get you home.

All the thought and planning into any long-distance trip is half the fun...  hmmm, where to next?!?

Stories not told...

When I was updating the blog from the road it was from my phone, typing with my thumbs.  So some stories were omitted then.  But I kept notes and can share the stories now.

You may notice that I have a number of pictures of Rick on his cell phone.  I joke with him that those are the only pictures I have of him because he’s always on the phone when we are off the bikes.  So he started taking pictures of me with my notebook joking that’s what I do every time we’re off the bikes too!

--On the first day we were on the road and ran into construction traffic that drew us to a halt.  A guy in the car next to Rick said to follow him and he would get us around it.  (Our own personal GPS).  We took the exit that was just a couple of hundred feet away and quickly left the main road and followed a twisty very narrow road through a town park and what appeared to be a very upscale country club – hit a couple of back roads and popped out at the next exit and beyond the construction.

--We met people that would approach us almost at every stop.  We met firefighters, and other riders, families and couples out for vacation, and locals that were interested in our travels and shared insight to their areas.  We met one couple who had belonged to a now defunct Red Knights chapter in Missouri.  We passed out information about the Red Knights to riders who were firefighters and did not know about the RKMC and we passed out business cards we had made that had our blog and trip information on it.

Andrea at the Old Clark Inn emailed our blog to her husband (who was on a motorcycle vacation as well) and he commented on the blog that night about sorry he missed us.  The hostess at a Visitors Center off the Natchez Trace was excited about our blog and had us put pins in her map from our home towns.

At one gas stop we got a briefing of some of the roads that we would be hitting in that area including viewing areas and spots where the local police are more aggressive “then they should be.”

It is definitely the people that make the best of the stories!

--Motorcycling brings out all your senses, but especially your sites and smells.  It was evident that the further along we were in our route the more that everything was in bloom, from the fresh cut grass, flowers, and nearby fields that were being fertilized in preparation for their planting.  Conversely as we increased our altitude in West Virginia and latitude above the Mason-Dixon Line the trees became more barren and the greening up of the adjacent fields were still not full-blown.  Of course we got back into Massachusetts and found snow on Saturday morning!

--When we pulled off the road in North Carolina because the rain and wind was so bad we couldn’t see we later learned they suffered a small tornado and lost the roof to a department store.  Similarly, when we endured the heavy front of thunderstorms when we were in Arkansas we learned that a tornado touched down about 10 miles to the south and had done significant damage to their town.  We were very lucky with our riding weather.  Other than Saturday’s 200 miles in the rain, and our last day with about 1-1/2 hours of drizzle we did not hit any serious whether.  --- We did ride in some very strong winds though!  We were able to safely do our last day’s 700 miles partly because it was dry, traffic was not an issue, and there was no wind to speak of.  During the course of the week we saw temperatures at a low of 32 and a high of 91.

--At one point in the trip we saw a plane doing touch-and-go landings and take offs at a nearby air strip.  Then he would do aerobatics and loops, and dive towards us on the highway and then bank off quickly to another loop.  We actually saw two of these guys probably about fifty miles apart.  Was not sure if we were going to see machine guns as he dived towards us or not!  Then as we were twisting through some tree-lined aggressive mountain roads in West Virginia there was a sign that said "Roads Patrolled by Aircraft."  And we all had the same thought --- must be those two guys in the stunt planes!

--Of course some of the stories could be told about who slept on the floor when, who snores the loudest, and how many U-turns did we end up with for the week.  But those are all stories better told over a beer as they are like fishing stories.... those will probably change over time!

30 degrees and snowing

It was good to wake up next to Diona in my own warm bed... especially when it's 30 degrees and snowing outside on April 23!

Sent via da-phone

Home Safe and Sound

Just to let everyone know, we did make it back to Massachusetts safe and sound.  I pulled in the driveway about 7:45.  It was a 700 mile day from West Virginia (688 on my bike).  We had about 1-1/2 hours of drizzly rain and then that stopped, but it stayed in the mid 40's until we were in Connecticut and then it went up to 52 and by the time I was home it was back to 47.  So if we were to ride home tomorrow like we had originally planned I think it would have been in an all-day cold rain!

Total miles for the trip on my bike was 3,490 in 8 days.  As any rider knows, every bike reads the road miles and speed differently.  We would be riding together on the highway and have three different speeds, and at the end of the day have three different mileages!  So Maury broke 3,600 miles by the time he was home in Gardner and Rick had just shy of 3,600 miles.  I am still short about 316 miles short of 100,000 miles on my Goldwing... I will have to do that with Diona on the back!

In the entire trip we did not have any "motorist challenges" until we were in New York on the way home.  A lady in a little red car just decided she wanted to be in my lane and crowded me right over.  Thirty seconds later she had her right directional on and moved over into the left lane and did the same thing to Moe!  Then she started to speed up so we told Rick she was after him next!

We pulled into a rest stop just shy of Hartford, Connecticut to take a stretch break and there was a Cub Scout group doing coffee and treats as a community service project.  So that was a great distraction for a few minutes visiting with them.  They asked us where we were going and we said on the way home from West Virginia!  While there Rick thought that Friday was pizza night at his store so he called in an order so we could have a celebratory pizza before we broke up.  His clerk took the order, asked for a name, he said Rick, and we were on our way.

When we arrived at the store and said we wanted pizza, she said she had sold out all the "by the slice" and only had one left for "a Rick."  Then she realized she did not even recognize the boss on the phone!

We had a great trip and had a great time.  We visited 19 states:  (1) Massachusetts, (2) Connecticut, (3) New York, (4) New Jersey, (5) Pennsylvania, (6) Maryland, (7) Virginia, (8) North Carolina, (9) South Carolina, (10) Georgia, (11) Tennessee, (12) Alabama, (13) Mississippi, (14) Arkansas, (15) Missouri, (16) Illinois, (17) Kentucky, (18) Ohio, and (19) West Virginia.  And we also met a lot of fun people.  And everyone we met share there stories of travel and we shared ours -- and it was a fun time!

We had planned on Vermont and New Hampshire on the way home if we had made the ninth day, but oh, well that is for another day!

We also rode through a number of state capitals:  Hartford, CT;  Frankfort, KY;  Harrisburg, PA;  and Charleston, WV

Please keep checking back over the next week as I will post more pictures and edit some video to watch too -- as well as some other snippets that I did not type out "with my thumbs" on my cell phone.  (That's why you can easily find typo's and misspellings in some of the posts!

Thanks for following our trip!   ...Bob, Rick, and Maury

Heading north

We were planning on riding over the continental divide this morning headed for Route 81 but as we were loading the bikes we were discussing that. If it was 40 degrees on the valley floor and drizzle that the top of the Gap at 5,000 feet probably would be below freezing and slippery. So we stayed in the valley and made our way east.

Having lunch north of Harrisburg, PA... still only 44 degrees. God Bless Mr. Garbing and his electric clothing!

It not only feels like winter it looks it here with no leaves out on the trees too!

Bob

Sent via da-phone

Friday morning - 42 degrees and drizzle

We're up before 5 a.m. to get on the road.  The weather looks worse as the day progresses (and tomorrow too) so we are afraid that we are going to have to alter our intended route and try to make it as close to home as possible today before we pull off for the day.

We had hoped to spend some time with Red Knight friends in PA tonight, but Saturday's rain (and mix with snow??) does not sound the best to ride a great distance in!

Andrea at the Old Clark Inn had breakfast fixin's laid out for us and all we did was snap the coffee on.  Thanks Andrea!
Again... if you are planning a West Virginia vacation, the Old Clark Inn is THE place to stay!

Bob

Kentucky Bluegrass to West Virginia Mountains

What a great day!  We knew it would be a long day today (442 miles total) so we were on the road shortly before 8:00.  The sun was shining and the sky was blue -- that was a good sign.  It was 42 degrees so it was a little chilly but we were ready for it.

Two-thirds of the day were on highways but we did not run into any extreme traffic even in Lexington or Charleston.  (The only spot we ran into real heavy traffic so far was Memphis at rush hour).

We took the Bluegrass Parkway which was a 70 mph highway but it had some good scenery and very little traffic -- and also passed by the Daniel Boone National Forest.  We also crossed back into the eastern time zone so we know we are getting closer to home.

After lunch we crossed into Ohio and took a scenic ride along the Ohio River, got gas, and crossed into West Virginia.  We pulled off the highway onto secondary roads on the Midland Trail and followed it along a canal and river through a number of small towns.  West Virginia is no doubt coal country with the rail cars full for transport.

We left the river valley and started to climb into the WVA mountains.  We were on a route called the Mountaineer Highway and then truned onto our final route and broke through the Gulley National Forest as we worked up and down the mountain and into Marlinton, WVA for the night.

We are at the Old Clark Inn -- a wonderful B&B that was listed on the Backroads Magazine as motorcycle friendly.  And it definitely is - even with covered parking for the bikes

Our cell coverage has been odd throughout the trip.  We each have different carriers and there are times we all have all our service, there are times one person has partial coverage and the others have full, there are times we have phone coverage and no Internet access, and here Maury has cell coverage and Rick and I have nothing!

But thanks to the B&B we have computer access to share with you today.

If you are in WVA... stay at the Old Clark Inn in Marlinton!!!!

Bob

KY OH WV

While having lunch in Kentucky (soup and wonderful pot roast sandwiches) we were looking at the map and this side road crosses into Ohio in about 8 miles... so we'll go over to Ohio for gas and then back to West Virginia for our afternoon on the road.

Sent via da-phone

Video from Saturday on the Blue Ridge

Way back in Asheville on Saturday I took a little video on my phone up on the Blue Ridge... but could not get it posted on Youtube... until now (thanks to Comfort Inn).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NaOhOTncaM


Oh, did I mention how great they are here at the Comfort Inn?  They were super to us when we came in without reservations and got us all set up... even with a roll-away bed.  Rick lost the toss tonight!

We're circling the wagons

Today was 349 miles.  After lunch the temperatures rose to around 60 and the sun broke out and it was a very nice day.

***Added comment*** All day we were running into tree damge.  Downed tree limbs and debris, and dozens of uprooted LARGE trees along the way.  The front that had the tornado south of where we stayed in Arkansas did a lot of wind damage east of the Mississippi.

When we arrived at Cave City we had reservations at WigWam village.  It is a very quaint alternative to a motel.  It is one of six that were originally built in the 1920's.  For the three of us it would have been way too small... so we are circling the wagons at the Comfort Inn instead.

Then we had dinner across the street at the Crackerbarrel.  Time to kick the boots off now.

National Corvette Museum

We stopped for a visit at the National Corvette Museum today in Bowling Green, KY.  Very cool!  Most of the vettes on display are privately owned and on loan to the museum.  Rick specifically wanted to find a 1961.  We hunted and hunted and found pretty much every other year, but not that one.  One of the museum people said that is one of the few years they do not have in the collection --- poor Rick!

There is one from a racing team in Ayer, MA that was donated by a gentleman from Groton.

There was a room at the end of the self-guided tours that was all (Non-vette) muscle cars.  My heart was racing in that room:  Chevelle, Shelby Mustang, Javlin, GTO, Firebird, Challenger, and others.

That was a great stop!

Land between the Lakes

We took another federal parkway (Like the B R P and the Natchez Trace) called the Trace in the Land between the Lakes in KY and TN.  Great road through a preserve.

It's kind of like the Quabbin where the government took private land to flood a valley for the water resources.

One thing they did was to repopulate Bison and Elk in the area.  They have a road through the preserve area but motorcycles are not allowed as the Bison look at them as a challenger to their turf.  Further up the road we saw a small heard near the road and took some pictures.

We came into Dover, TN where Ft Donlson is and came across a personal Confederate Museum where the man has collected artifacts from the war that he has found working construction over the past 40 years.

Stopping for lunch now... and yes Marcia, Maury is having a (taco) salad.

Sent via da-phone

Weather and water

When we we checking out of the hotel the desk clerk told us the town about 15 miles south (where we took the picture at the river) had significant storm damage and lost several buildings and the schools were closed. When we were packing a trucker told us he watched an RV in the parking lot actually lift off the ground on one side and slam back on the ground! So it was windy.

After being on the road for a bit we pulled off to on put layers because the temperature is dropping... mid 40's

We crossed into Missouri, then crossed the Mississippi River into Illinois.  We were on a peninsula between the MS and Ohio Rivers which were both above flood stage.  When we crossed the Ohio River into Kentucky it was busy with barge traffic.

Bob

Sent via da-phone

Whether the weather is good or bad

When we pulled into Blythevile, AR last night it was 90 degrees.  Now it is 50. Guess what happened overnight?

We were in a tornado watch but those all stayed north of us. We were in a thunderstorm and high wind warning and boy did we get those!  The lady in the room next to us said she thought our bikes would flap away the way our covers were buffeting in the wind.

It's calm, cloudy and comfortable now and the forecast is chance of a passing T-storm late in the day.  Right now we're having oatmeal and coffee at the hotel before we hit the road. Bob

Sent via da-phone

Off the road in Arkansas Tuesday

Here is a picture from the river's edge of the west side of the Mississippi River.  That was the original reason to head on our trip and this is as far west as we are going.

Riding up the road that parallels the river it was very windy and very flat (along the delta). We watched one freight train run on the far side of a field and we could see the engines and the rear.

It was very hot this afternoon so it feels good to be inside where the air conditioner is trying to run.  They are forecasting storms overnight but they may turned 'scattered' tomorrow.

408 miles today... 2,011 miles total so far since Friday.

Bob

Sent via da-phone

Interstate BBQ in Memphis

Just stopped for a late lunch early dinner in Memphis... it was a recommendation from a transplanted southerner at UMASS. The ribs are GREAT! We has the sampler and then ordered rib tips and more baked beans.  (Yes we are sharing the same hotel room).  The BBQ spaghetti was good too.

Sent via da-phone

Tuesday- moving southwest

Worked our way southwest in Tennessee along part of the trail of tears and then on the Natchez Parkway this morning.  This part of TN is a lot more flat and open than eastern TN.

Crossed into Alabama and crossed the John Coffee Bridge across the TN River... and the temperature has been on the rise.

Pricked up Route 72 and crossed into Mississippi just as I turned 98,000 on my bike. MS is VERY flat and open and we hit strong winds and 90 degrees!

Sent via da-phone

Middle Tennessee hospitality

What a great time we had with Mel and Joyce sharing motorcycle tales and general 'life is good' stories!

They belong to The Motorcycle Travel Association where they open their home to other traveling riders and stay with members while they are on the road... neat idea.

We shared breakfast together and were on the road with 68 degree warm Tennessee winds.  Thanks Mel and Joyce... see you when you come to Massachusetts!

Sent via da-phone

Speaking of Bourbon...

During our tour at Jack Daniels the told us there are different levels of SMOOTH!  There's green label, the the black label 'Old No 7' that most of us drink, then the top shelf 'Gentleman Jacks' that is twice filtered, and the very select is 'Single Barrel.'

So when Mel asked us if we would like to crack a fresh cork on a Gentleman Jack Bottle we said sure!  Boy, that gives new meaning to smooth bourbon!

But here's a thought for you bourbon lovers, the Single Barrel version is bottled into 40 cases. Of JD's best... and since we know someone who runs a store (and who just took the tour) we could 'subscribe' and get 40 of us to go in and buy a barrel!  Now that must be some great Tennessee Whiskey. :-)


Sent via da-phone

Tennessee Whiskey Chocolates

You cannot buy bourbon in the county but we did find you can buy Tennessee Whiskey Chocolates!  (Thanks for the heads-up JL on the chocolates).  We had BBQ pulled pork at a local restaurant and right next door was the chocolate shop in downtown Lynchburg.  They were excellent.

We rode about 325 miles today and are staying with GWRRA friends Joyce and Mel in Bone Cave, TN.  And Mel's carpeted bay for his trike is right off the living room so he can keep an eye on it all the time!

Riding from Lynchburg back to Bone Cave it was 75 degrees with a light breeze, it's like a summer ride in New England, what a great day!

Today's states were NC, TN, and a sliver of GA.

Thanks for following us along, Bob

Lynchburg, TN

We took a tour of the Jack Daniels distillery... very cool.  No free samples so the only "shot of Jack on the rocks" available here is attached. Bob

Sent via da-phone

Deals Gap

We had a blast at the Dragon. Did it 4 time so that is 44 miles 1,272  corners!  We did it at 7 am this morning and we had the road all to ourselves.  SWEET!

The cook at the restaurant told us of a road through the National Forest that ended up on the Cherahola Skyway. At 5,000 feet the view was great... The temperature went up 18 degrees by the time we were in the valley.

Yesterday was 313 miles and we hit NC, SC, GA, TN.  At one point we hit a closed road and detour... the GPS was confused and kept saying "unverified road."

We are west of Chattanooga now for a break.

Bob

Sent via da-phone

Pictures from Sunday

Sent via da-phone

BRP to the Tail of the Dragon

We're having a late dinner in Fontana Village about 11 miles south of Deals Gap on Rt 28 and I am surprised to see I have email service.

We left Asheville about 8:30 and 37 degrees but it warmed up quick. I have not done the math yet but I think just under 300 miles today.

We took off south on the Blue Ridge for a while and then dropped into South Carolina.  Those roads were wide and straight... relaxing to start the day.  Rode through the home of Clemson University before crossing into Georgia.

What a difference a state line makes. The route narrowed and became twisty as we entered the Cherrahoochee National Forest where we climbed up and down... lot's of fun!

We stopped in Helen, GA for lunch. It's a Bavarian-style resort town with all the buildings dressed in period.  THEN we found this GREAT road.  Route 17 and then 180 up to the top of Brasstown Bald Mountain... highest spot in GA.  The road was a fine warm-up for the Tail of the Dragon.

We pulled into Deals Gap at 5:57. The store closes at 6.  So we looked through there and got our 2011 paraphernalia... then we were off to ride the dragon (twice). We'll probably do it again tomorrow before breakfast too.

Moe's got a big smile on still... he went FASTER the second time. (But he was still safe Marcia).

Talk to everyone later. Bob

Sent via da-phone

Possum capital of the world

We are finding limited email access today in North Georgia. Bit we are in Brasstown, NC billed as Possum capital of the world.

Rode to the top of Brasstown Bald Mountain, highest elevation in Georgia too. Great roads and super weather. Plan to stay at Geal's Gap tonight... probably no cell service there!

Sent via da-phone

Boiled Peanuts in Georgia

Stopping for some cajun boiled peanuts.
. Almost 80 degrees

Sent via da-phone

MD to Asheville in the rain

When we started this morning knowing that Skyline Drive was off the list because of the rain, fog and wind. Thankfully we did get on the BRP at the end of the day.

Of our 500 miles today about 200 was in the rain... 150 of it in a good Southern Baptist rain. You know the kind... you'd be drier if you were at a Sunday afternoon river baptism being held under water by the minister!  So we don't have travel pictures today... it was dark when we crossed the Potomac and pouring when we crossed the James.

Maury was passing by a very large puddle and said... watch the puddle.  Just then Mrs. SUV blew by them and hit the puddle.  It looked just like a title wave about 2 feet over both Rick and Moe! 

Even though we spent it in the rain, Route 29 was a very nice road... cutting through the Shenandoah Valley running parallel to the Blue Ridge like a ribbon through the hills and forest.  And it being the 150th anniversary of the start of the civil war it does not take too much imagination to see General Sheridan marching his troops along the tree-lined route enroute to Richmond to meet up with General Grant.

As we approached North Carolina the rain let up and we thought we'd be dry -- finally!  We also started noticing that the trees were all leafed out and everything is green... very nice!  Then the deluge happened.  At Winston-Salem the rain was so hard we could not see each other or the cars next to us.  So we took the next exit and pulled off.  And right at the off ramp was an Italian restaurant with a lunch buffet.  Good choice Rick!

After lunch there was not a cloud in the sky. The last 100 miles was great except for the 50 mph headwind gusts. The temperature and the speed limit jumped to 70!  We saw 2 cars spun out in the median waiting for tows after the heavy rain.

Route 40 east of Asheville was superb... Climbing one hill you could see the Blue Ridge laid out before us.  Then we started climbing some S-curves up and down the mountains at highway speed.  Can you see our smiles?

I had 2 U-turns today because I did not listen to Moe's GPS "Zelda."

Today's states were MD, VA, & NC.  Yesterday we had MA, CT, NY, NJ, PA, & MD.

Thanks for following us.  Bob

Sent via da-phone

Up on the BRP

Here's a video and pic from the Blue Ridge Parkway! Sorry I think videos are too big to post from my phone!

Sent via da-phone

At the base of the Blue Ridge Parkway

I will have a detailed post about our 503 mile damp day... more than damp later stories for you!  But we just pulled into the house we're staying at and the picture is of the Blue Ridge from the front door! The skies are now blue, the temps are in the 70's and the BRP is calling. Rick's friend is not home this weekend but he told us where the key and the scotch is hidden... but off to the mountains first.  Bob

Sent via da-phone

A rainy Saturday

We knew we'd be in the rain today- - so we got on the road about 5:15 and got in about 100 miles before we hit rain. At our first gas/coffee stop at 8:00 south of Culpepper, VA on Rt 29.

Sent via da-phone

Ed B sent us off!

We were surprised when Ed B met us at the store and saw us off this morning!  He took this picture as we left.

Sent via da-phone

Day 1 MA to MD

It was above freezing when we met at the New Salem General store today... actually 32.2 degrees!  About 44 in Hartford and now 60 in Maryland.

About 435 miles today.  Traffic was busy along Routes 78, 222, & 30 was a little busy.

Great weather today with green pastures, blooming flowers, and the smell of fresh cut grass!

Our bikes are bedded down in the Taneytown FD courtesy of Red Knights MD-8 and we are sitting in the Country Kitchen restaurant across from the FD for dinner.

Sent via da-phone

Miles to go before we sleep!

I know that the 3 of us have been packing and preparing today... all gassed up and ready to go. My Wing has 96,194 miles on it so if we hit 3,806 for the trip I'll turn 100,000 while on the road!  Bob

Sent via da-phone

Fine-tuning of travel plans

We're making final plans for Friday's take-off and one modification is that Maury L. is going to join us for the trip to make it three bikes along for the ride.

No, it's not like the "Wild Hogs"    ... it's more like:

Especially since our newest addition is named Moe!