Home on the range ...

After riding over 10,000 miles immersed in many stimulating and breathtaking views and vistas, I couldn't be more thrilled to realize that right here at home measures up just fine from the front ...



From the back ...




And even from the side ...



Ok, it's not my home but they gave me a key ;). Thanks for following along on the trip and look out for another ultimate adventure to South America, maybe even before the first flake falls. See you soon!

-- Post From My iPhone

East Coast Blues ...

Jer and I (yes, jer and I) took the Blue Ridge Parkway north from just outside Asheville NC. The road is famed for 400 miles of twists and views through the Appalachians. We were greeted with soaking rains and a fog which at an altitude of 5000 ft took visibility down to less than 20 feet. Very difficult to make progress but on another level it was yet another fascinating riding condition. It was much clearer on the other side of the ridge and the fog gave way to some impressive views...



After a hundred miles or so of this we realized there are little sights to be seen very different from what we have experienced over the last month. I charted the ride to NYC and saw that we were within striking distance, 650 miles from Boone NC. We planned a last night out, in this smallish college town, and decided we'd leave early to make the miles happen.

-- Post From My iPhone

Walking in Memphis

Jer pulled serious mileage to get to Memphis and was rewarded with an evening on Beil street, which is Memphis' equivalent of Bourbon Street.


'Saucers' served the beer, and 'Rendesvous' served the ribs, although it's being reported that they did so poorly. The good people of Memphis must have numb buds because they had all raved about the signature dish and portion. Jer was left hungry despite having ordered the XL variety. The city made up for the experience by staying alive well into the eve but some bad elements made it clear that after midnight, you should be with a group, or a gang, whatever they call it these days.



He raided the home of the king and witnessed the historic 'walking of the ducks' at the Peabody Hotel. I'm going to look for that on YouTube as soon I get wifi!

-- Post From My iPhone

Dragons Tail at Deals Gap NC...

This legendary 11 mile stretch of mountain road packed with 318 curves is rumored to be the most wicked and the most exhillerating public road in the U.S., and many say the world.





In my opinion, the tail does have a strong spine, but the dragon has some undesired predictability and lacks the constant visual stimulation we've been appreciating so much. I ran it three times and can say with certainty that we've run more challenging roads in California and in Wyoming. The pitch on the western mountain passes near Napa was at times close to 40 degrees banking into a sharp blind right, none of which you saw here. The pitch variable really adds to the experience, especially when the bikes are fully loaded with gear and the momentum is so dominant. Make no mistake, many people are hurt and some die here every year pushing their bikes or their skills too far beyond prudence. Here at the 'motorcycle resort' (no doubt responsible for some of the marketing behind this gem) is a 'tree of shame' which is adorned with the bike and even car parts of the fallen.



It was fun though, and I enjoyed pulling over to fish even though the fish weren't up to participating. There are a lot of snakes here and I've seen many a casualty on the road, and none the garden variety. Most have the signature snakeskin pattern you often see on the boots and belts of the white and trashy. I don't know which type they are but I'm sure they're not ones you want to play with.


-- Post From My iPhone

Blessed and thankful...

I was tipped off that in Rebeccas ancestral lineage was a dignitary literally laid to permanent rest at the alter of the St Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter. The headstone was at the head of the aisle, a few feet from the alter and none the worse for wear - even after well over 200 years.



It's a beautiful and active church, with services held daily ...



Having more than a moment, I took the opportunity to thank whatever god was responsible for allowing me to take such a trip.



And then I went and had a bloody mary, meaning no offense.  I later found out that I was truly safe from offending, because the mary in question is rumored to be the queen mary, not the mother of our lord, amen.

-- Post From My iPhone

Sister concierge ...

Tara's skills at finding unbelievable deals in little to no notice were admired last night, as she scored me a room at the luxurious Omni in the French Quarter for $120. Here's a pic of the room before I trashed it ...





And the roofdeck pool I just found...




Tonight I'm staying at the Lafayette, another one of Taras finds in the French Quarter. Love you always Tara, but now more than ever.

-- Post From My iPhone

Texas two step ...

I wanted to make the run from Cuba NM to New Orleans in 2 days, which meant covering hundreds of miles in New Mexico and Louisiana and through that thing in between, Texas. It's 1,275 miles and really pushing the limits of the bum bum. Progress was slow through the north Texan oil fields when the rain started to come down in torrents ... When it briefly stopped jackrabbits and deer were a constant threat. Obviously the deer more threat than the rabbit, but who wants to hit a fuzzy rabbit. These deep country roads feel like private property... At one point I felt like someone was following me, as the only other witnesses to my passage were mechanized oil plungers that cycle and seem to nod. They may not be on all the maps, but these roads are paved and it was the straightest shot through this part of the pan handle. The second step through Texas had to be a record breaker, because I had only covered about 450 miles on the first from the rains and circumstance. The second day was fruitful, the record was broken and I made it to New Orleans last night in time for gumbo, jambalaya, and beer.








-- Post From My iPhone