Your dad only turns 80 once...

[Firehawk068]

It was fun doing this write-up...and it has changed the way I think about taking pictures on a trip.  As I was writing about a particular day, I realized there was something great I saw, but didn't take a picture of it.  I remember with utter clarity conversations I had with people I met, but I should have asked if I could take their picture.  I think I should come up with a guideline like, "If I'll smile about this tomorrow, I should get out the camera!"  As it is, I have over a thousand shots...just not enough! 

Ron,
You did awesome with the pictures...........................but it was your story that held me till the end

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, however sometimes the back-story is better than the pictures........................Don't worry about taking more pictures!
The photos are nice, but the time spent on your journey, just soaking it all in................those memories will be with you forever.................

[Capn Ron]

Ron,
You did awesome with the pictures...........................but it was your story that held me till the end

The photos are nice, but the time spent on your journey, just soaking it all in................those memories will be with you forever.................

Thank you very much!   

You know since I've been home I will have these "memory moments" of the trip.  Some smell...someone's accent...some reference in a song and I'm instantly taken to that hot dog vendor on the waterfront in Toronto, the winery owner in Tennessee, the bartender in Saint Johns, NB, sitting on the dock in South Carolina enjoying a Corona or any one of a thousand other great memories!

I'm sitting here having a glass of Zinfandel from the last winery on my trip...  Man...I need to start planning the next one!   

Cap'n Ron. . .

[Firehawk068]

Man...I need to start planning the next one!   
Cap'n Ron. . .

If you want a travel companion....................Count Me In ! 

[fintip]

It's been a blast.

[Mick1164]

Absolutely brilliant ! Happened on your trip accidentally this afternoon and have just finished reading it in one sitting, (well the odd time out to do some housework) great photos and a very well written ! 

[Capn Ron]

Absolutely brilliant ! Happened on your trip accidentally this afternoon and have just finished reading it in one sitting, (well the odd time out to do some housework) great photos and a very well written ! 

Cheers Mick!

Thanks for coming along for the three-month ride...and all in one sitting???!!!  Impressive! 

Cap'n Ron. . .

[PaulG]

Just spent the last two nights reading your own Walkabout (or to coin a new term Rideabout?).  You were blessed with the most rarest of commodities these days : Time.  But also the ability to make the most of that time while it lasted.  While reading, it brought up a lot of interesting points of discussion and memories (for me) along with your observations.

When I did my trip to the MotoGP in Texas last year (almost exactly a year ago), I didn't have the time to really have any "days off" to re-charge, which is just as important as finding those roads less travelled.  My experience, though still enjoyable for the most part, lacked some of that leisurely quality I was seeking in the first place.  Outside of the race days, I barely took any photos, despite videoing almost the whole 4,000 miles.  I saw roadsigns like Bucksnort, Tennessee (Really!), which I normally would have made a right turn and followed it just to see what a Bucksnort looked like.

Your travelogue has shown (though maybe not intentionally), that a little extra time - even a few hours or an extra day or two can turn something enjoyable to something truely memorable.  Most of us find it difficult to take more than two weeks off at a time, but this shows what a little creativity can do, and how to make it more enjoyable.  Maybe one day before I'm no longer able to ride, I'll be able to take 85 days and go "thatta' way ===>>".  Hopefully much sooner than that!

Growing up in the 60's - 70's road trips were the way to travel.  The annual trek of families going to Florida from Canada for Spring Break in March was usually by car/van/camper.  My memories of vacations were the station wagon packed, and heading out to somewhere - with no AC - camping or the luxury of a cheap motel with a slimey pool.  Air travel has virtually killed that off.

Nowadays with cheap air travel (at least in the US) - you can't experience anything in a tin can 30,000 ft up.  All of those things you experienced would have been missed - the good and the bad.  The bad is just as important to make you realize just how good it can get.

Case in point:
- the cougar and the condor -

The eastern cougar was thought extinct about 100 yrs ago.  It's only been in the last 10-15 yrs or so that it has been confirmed they are not, though unconfirmed sightings have persisted for decades previously, and are making a very slow comeback.  That was an extremely rare sighting that wildlife biologists would give their hind teeth for.  There is the slight possibility that it was an escaped captive or "pet", but highly unlikely.  Wouldn't see that from a plane.

The California Condor - you said it yourself, only 200-something in existance and there was one staring you in the face!  Wouldn't see that from a plane either.

In fact you could probably ride those two bits of road everyday for the rest of your life and those two events would never happen again.  The fact you were there at that place, at that time is what make these journeys memorable (for you and us).

Even that shithole in SC is what make these journeys memorable - though maybe frightful at the time.  If that was the only truly scary event on this whole trip, then it's not such a big scary world out there after all.

So for all of us out here, get out, get riding - a day, a week, a month - whatever you can do.  I have just sat on my ass through six months of winter and am itching to get out.  I may not for another month or so, as the bike needs some TLC (no garage to work in).  For those of you who have the envious position of year round (or close to it) riding, don't take it for granted.  It's a gift.

Anyhow, just thought I'd share some thoughts that your journey has brought out of me as I was reading it.  Before reading it, I had already mapped out a trip to Nova Scotia, and one to Laguna Seca for the WSBK event.  The east coast - maybe this year - the west coast - maybe next year.  Eventually they will get done, and your travelogue is just the kick in the ass I need to make it happen.

Thanks for letting us in the door.  Cheers!   

[Capn Ron]

Paul...

You have an excellent grasp of the balance between time and money.  A great friend of mine (the guy I visited in Beaufort, SC on my trip) and I used to live in San Diego.  We both enjoyed sailing, but had little to no money to even think about buying a boat.  Fast forward ten years and he was involved with a great startup opportunity in Los Angeles...which he convinced me to join.  I enjoyed the work and we both did well there.  We were having lunch one day and he reminded me of our old conversations about being able to buy a boat.  He said in almost a defeated tone, "I no longer have to wish for enough money to purchase a sailboat.  I now only wish for enough time to ever be able to use it."  It's rare in life that we ever have both at the same time, but if I was forced to choose I would prefer to be loaded with free time.  It's far more valuable.

With a little extra time, you can just wander about without aim and discover things you could never have imagined.  When I told my dad that I decided to head up into Canada and start by exploring Nova Scotia, He said, "Why?  What are you going to see up there?"  My response to him was exactly my reason for going. "I really have no idea...I won't know until I get there, but for certain, I know I will return with some great memories and stories."  At some point, on my way down to Toronto, I'm sure I passed pretty close to Scarborough.  Would have been nice to have joined up for a ride!

I loved your MotoGP report and found myself watching some of your videos that just put ME on the bike riding down those roads!  Some of the areas looked familiar to me as you rode along and they stirred up great memories.  Memories that don't happen in a cubicle.  You do what you can when you can, but the idea is to get out and enjoy more.  Experience more...  These things don't happen from seat 27F on an airliner!   

Thanks for sharing your thoughts...I had no idea how rare my Eastern Cougar sighting was!  I was pretty awestruck at that moment and was a highlight of the trip for sure!  If you do get out to the West Coast and hit Laguna Seca, let me know.  I did a few Formula Ford track days on that track and would ride up there for about any excuse!   

Cap'n Ron. . .

[PaulG]

Yes - time and money, or money and time - the age old question.  Who invented money anyway?  We waste so much time trying to make it, yet never enough time to use it.  Mind you, mine is sucked into the mortgage etc., so it usually takes care of itself.  Out one hand into someone elses.

Yes the Laguna Seca trip is one of those bucket list thingys.  If I skip the east coat this year and keep saving (I've been down there twice by bike and car), the Laguna Seca trip for 2015 would be a definite probability.  This is the "planned" route (a screenshot from the website myscenicdrives.com)



Estimate about three weeks give or take

3 days slabbing out to midwest - then tour through SD - Mt Rushmore - Black Hills - Yellowstone - southern ID - northern NV - Ebbets Pass into Cali - to Laguna - then back east through the Central Yosemite Hwy/Tioga Rd - central NV - south/central UT - Rocky Mtn Nat Pk CO - to NB - then slabbing 3 days home - my wife's cousin lives in Fresno and I have an open invitation to stay there so thats an option maybe to rest up before the trip back.

He said he wanted to go next year also, and tickets go on sale in Jan (?) and sell out fast.  I would think any grandstands would, but theres always gen. adm. available I would think.  Actually he has an FJ also, but altered into a streetfighter (when its running).

I guess I will have to start forming a plan by the end of this year... of course theres that wife thing to placate too... she could always fly out a week after I leave ...

Stay tuned

[Capn Ron]

Just an update on one of the "highlights" of the trip 5 years ago.

Traveling to the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina yesterday, I found myself riding through McCormick, SC and decided to check up on that flea-bag motel I had issues with on the first trip.  Well, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it had vacancies!   

[PaulG]

  Looks like they were a victim of there own "success".  Did you pick up any souvenirs while there - that wouldn't give you a rash?   

[Capn Ron]

Ha!  I thought the place was sketchy before...

[Capn Ron]

I briefly stayed in one of these rooms!!!

[Capn Ron]

Was happy to see this.  Call it "closure".

[PaulG]

Looks like the set for Pappillion.   

Hey. You could put in a bid. Sale is only 3wks away. Be a hotel owner, next thing you know you could be president. Can't be that difficult.