Pure ramblings a few days after.

Two lane roads. Staying off the interstates when possible. Big believer in this. It makes the trip. Any trip. People wave at you. You can easily stop. You see the people. The towns. The way they live. It takes more time. If you just need to get somewhere, highways are understandable. If you want an experience, take the time. Life is an experience.

Coming back to work. This is the first time I have ‘gone off the grid’ as far as work is concerned. Over two weeks. Did not check emails. Its worth it. The company will not fold. They will remember who you are. Its a pain when you get back, getting caught up. It’s worth it.

People. Talk to the locals. Ask them about themselves. You are something new in their lives. Different. There is excitement. Curiosity. Friendly. Smiles. You run across the occasional bozo. It is rare. They are entertainment. You move on.

The stats. 14 States. 16 days. Just under 5,000 miles ( I am rounding up ). 45 fuel stops. My bike averaged 46mpg +/-. 90+% was on two lane roads. No problems with the bikes. Tail light bulb on mine and chain tightening on Jonathan’s. Japanese make good motorcycles.

Traveling on motorcycles. Positive – the experience. Appreciating the weather positive and negative. Wind. Sun. Rain. Night. Road conditions. Pot holes. Construction. Gravel. Sand. Having to stop every hour and a half or so for fuel. In tune with your body. Hydration. Tired. Aches and pains. Riding in tight formation. Staggered. Just feet away. At speed. Going around curves as one. Hairpin turns. Chalk line straight. Getting thumbs up from people. Feeling the journey. Not just watching it pass by through a window. Negative – could be all the above. Its a state of mind.

Traveling with my sons. Priceless. Bonding. Reliance on each other. Appreciation of that reliance. Shared experience. The time. Smiles. Laughter. Endurance together. I could go on.

Friends. Add the previous to friends as well.

The trip itself. Total appreciation of the vastness of the states. Hour after hour. Hundreds of miles. It changes. It doesn’t. Unexpected pleasures. The big destinations are there to see. The little ones are there to experience. I maintain the little ones are equal to the big ones. Pig races for example. Embrace the unexpected.

No internet. No TV. No newspapers. I did not miss them. Totally engrossed in those with whom I traveled and with the things I came across.

Packing. Travel light. There are stores along the way. There are different levels of cleanliness. I always pack more than I need. This trip was no exception. Stopping to do laundry is actually a nice break. Down time.

Routes. Good maps. GPS is nice but needs to be programmed. Change routes now and then. Don’t sweat about making the wrong turn or getting lost. You won’t fall off the edge of the earth.

Mom and Pop motels. Love ’em. Usually clean. You get an occasional bummer. It’s not the norm. They have character. As do the people who own them. They make their living by them. It generates stories and adds to the adventure.

Lots of reminiscing. The blog helps me remember before the experience fades. Pictures are a must. Even of the mundane. The restaurant you wish you hadn’t stopped at. The house you couldn’t believe. The trees around your tent. The time it takes to do it will pay off for a long time.

Enough. Thanks to those of you who took time to read and share. I enjoyed it. I hope it was worth your time.

Life is good