Amazing Turtles in Kansas or 4 states in 1 day.

Wichita, Ks to Memphis, Tn:
Distance: TBD - I forgot to check the odometer, will update tomorrow
Duration: 11 hours

What a terrific ride today; it's amazing how much fun this can be when the wind is not a problem.  After reflecting about not being happy with Kansas, I started the day trying to find something positive about Kansas.  I found it with the Turtles.

As I started my day riding through the back roads of Kansas, I noticed that there was a lot of road kill.  Typical stuff: Raccoons, Armadillos, birds, squirrels, etc...  Then I saw a turtle crossing the road.  Several miles later more roadkill and another live turtle crossing the road.  In total I saw 4 turtles crossing the road.  What I never saw (in Kansas at least), was a dead turtle on the road.  My conclusion: Kansas turtles are highly intelligent beasts.  Why not all turtles?  I saw a dead turtle in Missouri.

And now I have my positive for Kansas - smart turtles.

I took as many back roads as possible crossing through Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and ending up in Tennessee.  Going through Missouri, I came close to Joplin.  I thought about cutting down through the town, but ambulance chasing has never been my strong suit and I figured the residence would like their piece from outsiders.  It's such a beautiful place - sad to think so many people died and were hurt.

A true highlight between Missouri and Arkansas was the Ozarks.  The roads were amazing - well paved and twisty.  Even my pig of a bike (approx. 100 lbs gear on the rear wheel) was fun to throw around.  A lot of bugs though:

I'm trying to get a picture of me at each state sign, but Tennessee's was up on a girder as I crossed the bridge over the river.  I'll have to figure something out...

I ate a banana right before this picture.  I thought it was funny that I was eating a banana in the Ozarks.

It's certainly getting warmer as I go SouthEast.

Now I'm in Memphis a block off of Beale St.  Tomorrow is a rest day and if all goes to plan, I will nurse a hang-over, go to the Gibson factory and check out the town some....

Kansas - long day

Littleton, Co to Wichita, Ks:
Distance: 528 miles
Duration: 11 hrs. 45 minutes

The started with me leaving Littleton by saying Goodbye to my Granddad.  He's 90 years old and I can only wish to have the energy and verve that he has.  He has meant the world to me over the years.

This will be a short entry because there really isn't that much to say about Kansas outside of the state appears to be a lot of fields full of interesting smells.  Interesting being either chicken sh*t or cow sh*t.  I don't think Dorothy was caught in a tornado, I think she went to Oz by choice.

The ride through Kansas was rough.  No way to sugar coat it.  A steady wind out of the South at  at ~35 MPH was my 'friend' the entire day and I hate cross winds.  And by day's end, I was not in a particularly good 'Kansas' mood.

Then right outside of Wichita I noticed a cemetery full of flags: it was amazing and quickly corrected my attitude.  I think it's wonderful that folks took the time to honor those who have past in such a beautiful manner.  It turned out to be a good Memorial day.

The longest leg of the Abq to NY journey today as I go from Wichita to Memphis.  No wind is in the forecast!

Day 1 Albuquerque to Denver

Albuquerque - Denver

Distance: 421 miles

Duration: 7.5 hours

Avg MPG: 43.12

Day 1 done and no real problems.  I'm very happy with my set up with the only real issue being around hydration and the Camel Back.  My helmet (Shoei) has a bib under the chin (wind deflection) that prevented me getting the hose to my mouth.  The ride up was breezy (Spring time in NM!), so I am hoping that as the wind problem goes away, I will not need the big and get sips of water on the road.

I was not able to follow my planned route (through Leadville) because of a graduation party for my Nephew.  I get a lot of "take the back roads" advice, but this leg was all about expediency so I-25 NB was the route.  Not much too see.  However, I did see a clown driving a car North of Santa Fe.  There are always interesting things to see around Santa Fe.

A couple of week's ago, my wife and I had a "couple's message" at a spa (10,000 waves) in Santa Fe.  Little did I know, the spa is a clothing optional spa.  And well...  "There are always interesting things to see around Santa Fe".  Why is it that the old creepy guys are the ones choosing the option?  And for the record, my junk made no Puxatony Phil impressions.

A little RnR today and a short ride with an old high school buddy and then off through tornado alley on Monday...

Sabbatical starts - time to pack

The story starts...

I am very fortunate to work for a company that offers an 8 week sabbatical every seven years.  And here is my obvious statement: An 8 week vacation can not be trivialized.

For this sabbatical I have decided to go on an East coast Motorcycle tour of the US.  Here is a map of the approximate route: http://mapq.st/mUGyK7.

Actually, the first plan was to go to Panama but I changed that with my desire to keep my head attached to my body.  Real or not, Mexico and parts of Central America seem like very dangerous places.  The revised plan was to ship my motorcycle to Italy and do a tour of Europe.  That changed when I looked at the costs of shipping a motorcycle roundtrip and Italy during high season.  Touring Europe will remain on the bucket list, for when stock goes up some...  Or the mortgage is paid off.  Thus the revised, revised plan: East Coast of the US.

The motorcycle I have chosen is a 2008 BMW R1200GS.  I chose this bike because Ewan McGregor used this model to go around the world (Look up "Long way round") and other trips.  If it's good enough for Luke Skywalker, it's good enough for me.

After work (late meetings of course) today I spent the evening packing and am sure to have overpacked.  Feedback on BO along the way will be my metric for packing success.  I've also spent the last couple of weeks buying stuff I may need.  How much stuff never leaves the box after 7000+ miles will be my metric for "buying a lot of not needed stuff" success.

My first stop: Denver for my Nephew's graduation.  Congrats Anthony - we are very proud of you!  I also look forward to visiting old friends.  Note: I stay the same age while everybody else seems to age.

More to come...

2 days

Still trying to figure out this blog stuff.  The pressure is too great.  First - how to log on.  Second - what clever things to say.

Next blog will cover the equipment and gear that I am taking.