Home.

This is it - road trip over!  After a quick ride home from Ft. Stockton, Tx (top speed of the GS is now known but that will be my little secret ), I have arrived safe and sound in Albuquerque.

For those of you who have had the pleasure (another loosely used term) of traveling through West Texas and SouthEast New Mexico, you know there is not much for me to report about this last leg of the journey.  The purpose of this entry will be to summarize the trip statistics, highs/lows/favorites/etc..., thank yous,  and next steps.

First though is my entering New Mexico road sign shot - I like this photo a lot.  I guess after 6 weeks, thousands of miles, and hundreds of photos, I finally got one right.  You all can feel free to use it as your desktop image.

Note: I didn't get a shot of all the states I travelled through due to safety concerns.  There were several state crossings where my route was via the Interstate and me standing on the side of the road with cars and trucks passing at 70+ MPH didn't seem like a good idea.

Now the boring statistics:

• Total distance covered = 7871Miles
• Total fuel used = 199.5 Gallons
• Average fuel consumption = 39.4 MPG

I didn't keep track of average MPH or total hours ridden.  I should have though.  For what it's worth, Mapquest says the duration should be around 130 hours.

• Total number of states (and provinces) traveled through: 24
• List of states/provinces:  New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Ontario, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas.
• Total Taco Bells eaten at = abacus math needed for this because it's too high to count.

Here is the map of the journey (A star indicates where I spent the night):

Highs:

• People:
• Attending my Nephew's (Anthony) graduation party.  Congrats again!
• Meeting my new Nephew Bennett.  Never has there been a happier or fun baby - what a gift to his parents and a joy to the world.
• Dinner with Dana and her husband Peter.  They are great people with great stories and doing great things.
• Hanging out with Rob in Ohio and Put-in-bay.  Rob will always be one of my closest friends and it was nice to see him and his family.  Stinky house and all.
• Meeting up with Sherri, Shirli, and Phil for lunch.  It's nice to see meet up with such great people after so many years.
• Meeting up with my Uncle Rick and his family in DC.  So much fun and so much enjoyment from life.
• Sailing with my parents, Lindsey and her fiance (I say that with pride), Damen.  Spending the time on the boat enjoying ourselves will always be memories cherished.
• Jet skiing with Brittany.  I am so blessed to have such wonderful daughters, Brittany is turning into an adventurer and, to be perfectly honest, I was impressed with her attempts to knock me off the back of the ski!  Another memory that will be cherished forever.
• Key West and New Orleans with Tracey.  I'll refrain from expanding on the details...
• Food
• Key Lime pies in Florida.
• I've never had mangos before - they are pretty good!
• I think I might be a Pescetarian - I had the most delicious redfish sandwich while in Texas.
• States/cities:
• It's really tough to narrow this down because America is such a beautiful and diverse country.  There was goodness in everyplace I visited.
• Kentucky is probably the most beautiful state that I travelled through.  The country side is simply stunning with rolling green hills; American beauty at it's best.
• Key West - an absolutely terrific city with fun, laid back people.
• Rockport - a mellow little town that afforded me the time I needed to simply think.

Lows:

• The horrible stench of cow dung through Kansas - my helmet stank for days after that part of the journey.  I also became a vegetarian, but that soon subsided.
• The hotel "Newport Beachside" in Miami - do yourselves a favor and never stay there.
• The drivers in Washington, DC and Albuquerque, NM.  I spend a lot of time on the road and can safely say that these two cities have the absolute worst drivers of any state/city that I travelled through.

Of course I could not have been able to do this without the help and support of a ton of folks along the way.  I want to give a heart felt "Thank you" to everybody, but here are some key folks that really helped me out:

• My wife and children - I could not have done this without their help and support.
• My parents - I would not have a sense for adventure without them.
• My Granddad (Tony Fria)
• My Uncle Rick and Aunt Teri
• Stuart and Julie Smith
• Damen Brezek
• Will Fox
• Andy Luter
• Rob and Leisa Isenberg
• Rhonda and Vayl Oxford
• Monte and Elaine Swetnam
• And all of the other folks who made this possible, made me think, or otherwise provided support.
• The frog shown below.  I was touched by the amount of concern expressed for my safety.  Outside of DC, I saw a tiny little frog watching me pack my bag one morning.  I figured that was the good luck sign I needed.  In Charleston I found this little guy and he helped me get home safely.

What's next?  I'm not really sure, the bike is for sale (please email me if you know anybody interested: efria_2@yahoo.com).  Also, the point of the trip wasn't exclusively to see the US; it was also an exercise in self reflection and an attempt in figuring out what the 2nd half of my life will be like (call it a mid-life crisis).  Erin Fria: The good, the bad, and the ugly.

I don't have to go back to work until Aug.1, so the rest of my time will be spend being domestic, doing some thinking, and goofing around with my guitars.  I also need to get the tattoo of the swallow...

Thanks all!

-Erin

Ears popping, lips chapping and 104...

Hello all from lovely Ft. Stockton, Tx.  Lovely is a relative term and I am using it in the most liberal of interpretations.  This will be my last update from the road - tomorrow I re-enter New Mexico and home.

I spend the last couple of days in Rockport, Tx getting the last bit of rest and relaxation prior to my trip being complete.  As with just about every city I've been in, Rockport was a ton of fun.  I had the opportunity to meet up with several old friends which is always a joy.

Several years back (I think it was 2002), I crossed the Gulf of Mexico with my Dad and a couple of other guys.  I had the good fortune of meeting Shane and Richard again during my stay in Rockport.  3/4 of the folks on that cruise are now retired and living on a yacht.

My parent's sailboat:

Richard's sailboat:

Shane's absolutely amazing +70 foot, 1300 HP cruiser:

And my little run about:

For the record: I don't own a cruise ship.

Part of my dues to stay in their house, I had to start up and ride their Harley around.  It's a fun bike, but a completely different ride then my BMW.

Crossing from Port Aransas to Aransas Pass or vice versa.  I don't remember which city is which or which city I was coming/going to/from:

Once time came to leave Rockport, today, I headed out to West Texas.  There isn't much in West Texas except empty roads (the speed limit is 80 MPH!) and heat.  Knowing there are empty roads and heat, is 104 the high temperature or my top speed from today?  Answer: High temperature.  That should have been simple as most of you know I wouldn't embarrass myself with a 104 top speed.

Last note - the drying out process has begun.  I've spend at least the last month in nice and humid environments at or near sea level.  Not anymore:  My ears have been popping all day and I can practically feel my lips cracking.  Anybody know where I can get some Chapstick?

Laissez les bons temps rouler

I've been doing a lot of whining about connectivity.  Well in New Orleans, connectivity was not an issue.  The issue for delayed updates?  New Orleans itself - those who have gone know.

New Orleans is such a wonderful city and for those who never leave Bourbon street - you are missing so much!  A block in any direction will lead you to some of the coolest architecture, bars, people, music, etc... Here is my New Orleans advice:  If you like music, leave the French Quarter and East to the Marigny district.  It's walking distance and worth the walk.

Rather then post up a ton of pictures, I will select from the highlights:

Here is Little Freddie King.  He's not related to the real Freddie King, but he did put on an excellent show and did play Hide Away:

New Orleans and Voodoo go hand in hand; part of this is because of Marie Laveau.  Apparently she really liked her porn (I don't know if that's true or not - the "XXX" are from worshippers):

There is a surprisingly sparse police presence in New Orleans, and the only cops present (at least noticeable) are on horseback.  Now let's think about this:

• People drink on Bourbon Street.
• People walk on Bourbon Street.
• People walk drunk on Bourbon Street.
• Horses are used when patrolling Bourbon street.
• Horses poop a lot.
• Horses poop a lot, on Bourbon street.
• Drunk people walk on Bourbon street where horses just pooped on Bourbon Street.
• Erin is a person... holding a beer... and a cup of Hurricane... next to a horse.

Everybody knows I can be a little competitive so when I heard there was a tooth contest:

And a "Jazz Hands" contest (these guys were awesome - very, very good!):

On a more serious note about New Orleans - I really wanted to see the damage that still remained from Katrina and subsequent levee breaks and floods.  It is absolutely amazing to think what happened, what didn't happen and how many people were effected by the flooding.  It's even more amazing to see how much damage remains.  The 9th Ward (where most of the damage occurred) is not a good neighborhood, so I had to rush my picture taking.  Two key items of note are that the "X" on the building was used by search and rescue crews and holes in roofs are a result of people cutting through their roofs to escape the flooding within the house (part of their hurricane readiness is to keep an ax in the attic).

There was house after house, block after block like these.  It was absolutely surreal, thought provoking, and very sad.

Galveston for the night and then a final stop in Rockport prior to returning to NM.

Internet and illicit passion

It has been several days since my last post and I'm sure you all have wondered where I have been.  Why do I think that you have wondered where I have been?  Because of my narcissistic ways.

The number one limiter of my updates is simple: Internet access.  Other then butt soreness, the consistent issue I have had on this trip is connectivity.  The thing that drives me crazy is that internet access has been complimentary in the cheap/ghetto hotels.  However, in a nice hotel - pay up sucker!  I get free internet in a $75/night hotel, but have to pay while staying at a $275/night hotel???  In the words of my daughters: WTF?

Anymore Wi-fi is a utility like heat or light.  Can you imagine a hotel charging extra for air conditioning?  "Mr. Fria, your room is $225 per night.  We do offer Air Conditioning, but that will be an extra $12.95 per day.  Would you like to add Air Conditioning?"

How ubiquitous is Wi-fi?  This Burger King in nowhere Alabama offers free internet.

Rant over.

Since my last update, I have been wondering around Florida chasing Key Lime pies and ultimately migrated West to New Orleans (arrived yesterday).  Below are my wonderful Key Lime pie experiences:

I didn't have any Key Lime pie while in Orlando.  Having travelled all over Florida, I don't think Orlando should be considered part of Florida.   Orlando should probably succeed from the state and create a new state.  The state of Disney.  Side note where I am going to state the obvious: Florida is full of alligators.  Riding from Miami to Tampa I went through the everglades and saw dozens of alligators.  I don't see a lot of alligators in my 9 - 5, so I really enjoyed seeing them.  Sorry no pictures of alligators because I didn't want to stop and become an alligator ate tourist statistic.

This is my first slice of Key Lime pie while in Key West.  She was good, treated me well and provided a warm welcome to Florida.  I will miss her.

This was my second slice while in Key West.  She was sassy, all covered in sauce, topped with a strawberry and Oreo crust.  A real wild ride with this one.  I will miss her.

This is my first experience with a Gulf coast Key Lime pie.  I met her in Bonita Springs and she reflected the culture of the city.  Very relaxed and mellow.  A wonderful Key Lime pie that I will remember fondly.

My last Florida Key Lime pie was perhaps my best.  We met in Panama City, Florida.  It was a wonderful experience with just the right amount of dressing up.  Good bye Florida I will miss you and your Key Lime pies.

Heading West to New Orleans...

Key West, Miami and I'm not a gay Cuban

Post Orlando, we headed down to Key West for a couple of days.  Our 'home' was a small condo located 1/2 block off of Duval street.  Key West is just about one of the coolest places I have been.  Everybody there was mellow, friendly and the vibe was all about Chill'axin.

Key West is the Southern most point of the US and there are a couple of key notes:

First - this is the absolute end of HWY 1 - Mile 0:

Second - this is the Southern most point in the US and at this point and Cuba is actually closer then a Walmart:

In addition to the cartographic oddities, Key West is home to some of the most interesting folks you will ever see.  One of the street performances has trained a bunch of cats to perform various circus type stunts.  The cats are fun to watch, but the 'ring master' is absolutely crazy.

Words can not describe this guy, so here is a cat jumping through a flaming hoop:

After Key West, we packed our bags and stopped in Miami for a couple of nights.  Now I have been in a lot of hotels on this trip, and Miami has the dubious honor of having the absolute worst hotel I have ever stayed at.  The staff was nice enough, but there business systems and processes (remember I'm a mid level manager at Intel so I say things like "business processes") were very poor.  I absolutely do not recommend this place.

This picture best describes the Newport Hotel & Resort in Miami and the urine excursion in the baby pool:

The rest of Miami was fun and there is an amazing amount of money in that town: Maserati, Maybach, Ferrari, Lamborghini, etc...  You name it, we saw it.

Here is a picture of the night lights in the Art Deco district:

One of perhaps the absolute highlights of the trip so far was Jet Skiing with my daughter Brittany.  Try as I might, I simply could not shake her off the back of the Ski.  And when she drove, there wasn't a wave that she didn't jump.  Great fun and a memory I will always have:

Today Tracey and Britt headed back to Albuquerque and I cut across Florida and headed North to Tampa.  The cut across took me across the Everglades and it was really cool seeing the occasional alligator out in the water/fields.  I was also fortunate enough to meet up with some family friends that I have not seen for over 20 years.  It's fantastic being able to catch up with friends from years gone by.

The remainder of the trip will be a slow meander up the Gulf coast of Florida and then West...

Almost forgot - the "Gay Cuban" thing.  There is a running joke with friends, family, and some co-workers about me being somewhat of a pretty boy.  And over the years those friends, family, and co-workers have seen me being hit on by men.  Apparently I have a very approachable way about me; looking at the Jet Ski picture - it makes no sense to me.

Please note - in all seriousness I have no issues with anybody's lifestyle choices so please don't read anything negative in the last paragraph.

Today I swallowed.

Alright - time to get an update online because I know the world is interested in me.  At least that's what I tell my narcissistic self.

The last several times have been spent in Orlando enjoying the family at the Disney World complexes.  I've vowed to stay positive so I will leave it with: The next time I go to Disney World will be right after I win my next Super Bowl.  Actually, it was fun to get to spend time with the girls in the parks and such.

Here is the best part of Orlando...

Me leaving.

As normal, my butt ached - here is the solution I have developed (only works when going slow):

Long day today as we headed South all the way to Key West.  Our hotel is right off of Duval Street.  I'm debating on how much I should use the camera in Key West.  I don't want any photographic evidence of activities that would preclude my chances of running for the Presidency.

And what about this "Swallowed" thing?  In Connecticut we went to a maritime museum that had an exhibit specific to sailors and their tattoos.  A sailor earns a tattoo of the Swallow bird as a commemoration for each 5000 miles sailed.  On the way down to Key West, my total milage for this trip passed 5000 miles (5033) so I earned my swallow.  You people are sick.

Erin

Oceans and big corporate irony

After spending several days with the parents in Charleston, I headed down to Orland with Lindsey and her boyfriend.  I was surprised that I could fit all of us on the bike but I got it to work.  (They drove and I rode).

Charleston is a very neat town with a lot of history.  We visited Ft. Sumter, took a carriage tour of the town and walked, walked, walked...

The highlight though was a sailing trip.  It's very cool to think that my parents are really living the dream.  For all those that remember the boat in the back yard (although they now have a different boat), I think my parents are living proof to the adage "follow your dreams".

Here are some pictures - I'm going artsy fartsy with the Black and White.

The Captain...

The admiral...

Lindsey...

Lindsey's boyfriend, Damen.   He's a strapping young lad in the Navy so we made him do all of the hard work.

Once it was time to leave Charleston, Damen, Lindsey and myself headed down to Orlando where the family would all meet up again.  We took the highway most of the way, but cut down next to the Atlantic from St. Augustine to Daytona.  The astute will wonder why the Ocean is on that side of the bike (answer: I get lost a lot).

For all the time I've been on the East coast, I had not taken the opportunity to actually touch the ocean, so...

We did not get the opportunity to stop and get state sign pictures, so this one of Lindsey and I will cover Georgia and Florida.  I think this picture is a fair trade for the loss of the sign...

The next several days will be Orlando, Key West, and Miami.  Key West and Miami should be a source of good pictures and stories!

You are a very handsome man and my Monkey form

I'm currently in a brief layover in Charleston, SC with my parents and oldest daughter, Lindsey.  She is spending the summer with her boyfriend, they are traveling up the East coast in their boat.

Charleston is a very cool city.  I seem to keep repeating "______ is a cool city"; I must have done a good job picking out my stops!

I took all beachfront roads on the way down from Wilmington, which meant I was burning up the entire way.  The SouthEast is very hot and I need to make some changes in my gear to try and stay cooler.  I've been going through 2 full Camel back loads per day and that is a lot of sweating and water loss!

My route took me on a 1/2 hour ferry ride.  The ferry was was ok, but the highlight was when a lady told me that I was a "very handsome man".  I think she may have had some odd fetish because I was sweaty, stinky, and in a general state of road worn.  Be that as it may, I'm taking the compliment.

Here I am waiting in line with all of the cagers to get on the ferry:

And "I'm on a boat..." (the bikes behind mine were trailered down from Maryland - wimps):

And the obligatory state change sign:

I didn't realize it, but I walked into a trap when taking my state change picture.  If the reader remembers my last entry, there was mention of bears at the Virginia/North Carolina state change.  Well the bears tried their best to get me at the NC/SC state change.  It's a good thing my advanced Ninja training skills kicked in.  Everybody knows to use the Monkey form when fighting bears.

Upon arrival in Charleston, I met up with my parents and Lindsey and we headed down to their boat.  It is an absolutely beautiful boat and a wonderful place to call home for a couple of days.  No roaches either!

And possibly the ugliest figure head any boat has seen:

Today was all about errands which included lighter weight riding gloves, getting more/better Dri-fit type shirts, and lighter weight socks.

One last thing - Charleston is where BMW imports their cars into the US and the port is right next to the marina we are staying at.  Here are hundreds, and hundreds, and hundreds of X5 and X6 cars being brought into the US:

Tomorrow is a tour of the harbor, which includes Fort Sumter, and the city.

A visitor to my room...

Yesterday's trip took me from Virginia Beach, Va to Wilmington, NC.  I was born in NC so this is a sort of homecoming.  Not really, but it sounded poetic.

Since this was a shorter leg, I decided to take all small back roads.  I'm glad I did, but it certainly made for a long day: 9 hours of riding for only 300 miles.  I had wanted to stay in the Outer Banks, but North/South travel is pretty complicated to do that, so I had to stay inland slightly.  Inland where it is hot and humid.

Immediately prior to the state change, there was a sign noting cars to the presence of bears (similar to the deer signs).  I was very surprised to see this because I was unaware of a heavy bear population in the NC/VA region.  I was also concerned because I needed to get my state change sign.  Now you should all know that not all of these pictures are easy to get.  For this one, I had to park the bike about 50 yards from the sign and then walk to get the image taken.  Of course my eyes were wide open for any bears.  Below is the obligatory state change sign self portrait:

Oops - forgot to download from phone - will revise and include at next download.

Since the roads were all smaller I decided to take more pictures while traveling.  Every now and then I get some cool shots:

Wilmington, NC is a nice town with a lot going on.  I'm not sure if this is a big college town (UNCW?) or if it's all just coastal tourism, but the population is very young.  This young thing was in my room when I checked in and am happy to report it will not be reaching old age: