The anticipation of a trip is a great way to stretch it out.  Planning, prepping, discussing.  Its been going on most of the summer.  The first talk of it was last year.

The garage has been a mess.  I mean like a mess.  3 car garage and I can’t get one car in.  Usually the ‘toys’ are relegated to one bay and one bay only.  Two bays are typically wide open and the cars easily fit.  Irena’s on the left, mine on the right.

The anticipation of trip has created a temporary free fire zone.  A couple of years ago, I bought a basket case ’85 Suzuki 550cc 4cyl to work on.  It was a project I undertook to keep my mind off other issues at the time.  Bottom line it is still a project.  I have another ’85 Suzuki, a 450cc parallel twin.  That was my last winter’s project.  Bottom line, it is also still a project.  I am fairly close at closure on both.  I did get the engine back in one (it has to come back out).  The new head for the other is still on the floor.  I have that going.

So, that leaves 3 other bikes which have spread out to the rest of the garage in various stages of preparation.  We just adjusted the valves and synchronized the carburetors on Jonathan’s Yamaha.  Replaced the clutch lever and safety switch on Alex’s Suzuki.  My Honda has been getting the same attention.  Match that with all tools that needed to get put away and all the gear that is being assembled.

Here we are the day before we leave.  The tools are stowed.  Gear is strapped and bolted on.  The bikes are fueled.  Each of us has our bike equipped with some sort of a tent, ground tarp, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and a camp chair.   Saddle bags, tank bags and what ever.

A quick run down of what else is stuffed into the various bags..

Riding gear – Full Helmet, all weather waterproof jacket with zip out liner and armor, boots, 3 pair leather gloves, heavy weight riding jeans

Clothes include rain gear, 1 pair shorts, 4 pair socks, 4 underwear, 4 shirts, hoodie, sweatpants. slip on sneakers and hat

Electronics – GPS, cell phone, i-pad w/bluetooth keyboard, mifi, chargers (bike is equipped with 3 usb chargers)

Misc – first aid kit, spare keys, maps (for 17 states and 2 national parks), tp, tools, insect repellent, toiletries, cigars, cribbage board, starbucks via’s (gotta have my morning coffee), flashlight, towel, stainless steel cup for scotch at night & coffee in the morning.  sunglasses, rain covers for all the bags, etc, etc, etc….

It all fits.  We hope it does not fall off.  5am is the hoped for departure time.  300 miles straight north up I-75 into Michigan’s upper peninsula.  This should be the only interstate run.  At least on the outbound trip.  The next 16-18 days or so should be on two lane roads throughout.  Once we get into the U.P. we head west for a couple hundred miles on those ‘two laners’ and find a campsite.  Then on to the Rockies and the Tetons.

The best part is we have no finite plans.  No reservations.  No ‘must be there by’ times.  We have a lot of miles to burn.  Places we are looking forward to seeing.  We will take it and experience it as it happens.

I just got a text picture from Mike Mores, one of the good friends we will be connecting up with in WY.  It snowed there yesterday.  Wow.  Yep, life is good.