TRYING A NEW ADVENTURE

Starting a New Adventure in a RV
September,  2015

Day      :  1 Date       : 9.28.15 Monday
Str Cty  :  Home Str Mls.   : 0
End Cty :  Nook's End Mls   : 406
Dly Mls :  406   Tot Mls     : 406
Time.     :  6:30 Hrs
Worked out with trainers, got a 46$k cashiers check, packed and left Madison at noon. Got to Kelzie's at 7:30 local. Typical shared drive at 75+ mph in the Porsche. This should now be non-predictive. Having lived on a boat twice, we figured we could live in a small space and move very frequently to see what can come next.


Day       : 2 Date       : 9.29.15 Tuesday
Str Cty   :  Nook's                     Str Mls.   : 20877 + 180 miles
End Cty  :  Lexington / Cincinnati   End Mls   : 20992
Dly Mls   :  295/ 115 to Ff.   Tot Mls     : 295
Time.      :  7 Hrs Notes       : on our way in the Porsche to get the RV in Lexington from Clayton and Leigh Anne Wells. Arrived at 11 in the rain so we went to a parking lot and checked things out. Left there at 1:30 to drive to Fairfield, Ohio Camping World with Marnie following in the car. New franchise that did not know members are privileged to camp/plug in ... But they gave us a cord and we spent the nite in the parking lot. Slept well on partially comfortable bed. The van drove nicely and at interstate speeds inspite of the rain. Nice to have the surround mirrors on either side and back camera for the middle of the rear.



Day      : 3 Date       : 9.30.15 Wednesday
Str Cty  : Fairfield, OH         Str Mls.   : 20992
End Cty  : thru Jackson Center OH andAirstream then on to Bloomington   End Mls   : 21303
Dly Mls   : 311   Tot Mls     : 606
Time.      : 12 Hrs Notes     : to Airstream Service for consult

We arrived there about 10 and started our consult. We learned a lot and as hoped can get 2 new solar panels (100 watts each) and an additional set of batteries installed. Filled with 1 gallon of propane and gauge only registered 1/3 full, so we need to check it out at service time. Left Airstream at 1:30 and drove 2 lane 36 to 9 to Columbus IN/46 to avoid 37, arriving at 6:00, exhausted. Hope Marnie will go back to Airstream with me on Monday.

Day       : 4 Date       : 10.1.15 Thursday
Str Cty   :  Nook's               Str Mls.   : 21303
End Cty  : Lake Monroe   End Mls   : 21321
Dly Mls   : 18   Tot Mls     : 624
Time.      : 1Hrs Notes       : camping out off the grid
Awake early thinking this whole project is a mistake and too consuming for the other things in our lives - Biking, perennials, foreign travel...etc. Left in AM for Lake Monroe - overnight test! Stayed in campsite #58 in the forest. First day out! Went to Paynetown State camp grounds and their rate is 30$ for non-service (electric and water). We moved on to Hardin Ridge National Recreation Area and with our senior card and non-service paid $10. We changed sites to get more level and closer to the big bath area. This area is where we used to buy our Guinea hens.

Can't shut off radio, remote does not change channel on front tv..can't get phone book on the RV phone tho paired, Nook book for complicated parts of me wood, hotspot works well, lite over bed..

Ran the generator with no problem, tested the heater to warm the house PM and AM and tested the battery charge. Read most of the evening and bed at 10:30 for great sleep in the forest. Overnight we went from 100 to 65% battery. Got up to generator, furnace, and coffee. We keep the inverter off unless we need 110 volts.

Day :  5 Date :  10.2.15 Friday
Str Cty :  Hardin Ridge   Str Mls :  21321
End Cty :  Nook's   End Mls :  21369
Dly Mls :  48   Tot Mls :  672
Time :  4 hrs Notes :  drove the back roads
Up at 7 to coffee and walk. Nice bathroom facilities and impressive setting. Dvd for Kenwood did not work... Drove all over the park roads to see the lake. Then took Hardin Ridge road to 37, looked up old friends no longer there, and came to town to get diesel fuel - 12 gallons for 250 miles. To Kelzie's after going to IU Surplus. We waited at K's until 5 PM to go to the shelter w/K to care for rabbits.   Dinner at Yogi's.

Day : 6 Date : 10.3.15 Saturday
Str Cty :  Nook's   Str Mls : 21369
End Cty :  Nook's   End Mls :
Dly Mls :   Tot Mls :
Time : Notes :
Worked cleaning and organizing the RV. Kelzie ran and shopped. We then left at 1:00 for the 3:30 IU football game. Kelzie went to tailgate w/ friends and we stayed in the car to keep warm, eating kettle corn, and read. At game time we joined the mad rush and got to our seats. IU won the first half in effort, OSU screw ups, and score. OSU came on in the second half but IU matched every increase in score so they were never more than 10 points behind. They had a chance to tie on the last play of the game 34-27. Studfeld and 3 running backs went down and the loss of the best personnel weighed heavily on the outcome. Diamonte came in and scored twice, once for 79 yds. We left in 4th due to cold and rain, listening on the radio. Home for great family dinner. Bed late.

Day : 8 Date : 10.4.15 Sunday
Str Cty : Nook's   Str Mls :  21369
End Cty : Airstream. Jackson Center End Mls :  21595
Dly Mls :  221   Tot Mls :  1311 miles since home/671
Time :  4 hrs Notes :  nice day
Up early and Marnie was off to buy groceries while I loaded. Went to visit Marianne Mitchell with Kelzie and talked for 45 minutes before getting on the road. Bloomington to Columbus, to Shelbyville/9, north to I 70 to I 75, and to Airstream in 4 hours. A truck kicked up a rock and chipped the windshield, so I emailed Rodman re insurance. We pulled into a slot in the Airstream camp, setup on a pad, and got a hose given to us to use for city water house pressure. Had a line in the rear viewer, maybe the sun line.... Watched football but not the Packers. Bed at 9:30 and fine sleep.

Day : 9 Date : 10.5.15 Monday
Str Cty : Airstream   Str Mls :
End Cty : Airstream     End Mls :
Dly Mls : 0   Tot Mls :
Time : Notes :  learning phase
No line in the rear viewer in the AM. Very negative from waking to up-this adventure is a waste and wrong, everything is going wrong and a failure, can't focus on things we had balanced... We practiced putting out the awning, emptying the black water tank, emptying the grey water tank, flushing the black water tank, and emptying the fresh water tank and refilling.  No service until tomorrow. Loafed and read. Got plumbing tape.

Day : 10   Date :10.6.15 Tuesday
Str Cty : Airstream   Str Mls : 21596
End Cty : Airstream   End Mls :
Dly Mls : 0   Tot Mls :
Time : all day Notes :  repairs
Brad is the assistant and Kevin is the shop manager. Randy is the mechanic working for us. He removed the one 50 watt solar panel and wired in the 2-100 watts panels, but had not secured them by 4:00. Will secure tomorrow and start on the batteries. Boring day except for the 2pm tour of the factory and I walked over a mile... 540 people work here and trailers and vans are only produced when sold - production is behind sales by over 100 units on each.

Day : 11 Date : 10.7.15 Wednesday
Str Cty : Airstream   Str Mls :
End Cty :     End Mls :
Dly Mls :   Tot Mls :
Time : Notes :  not finished / one battery.
We were at the door at 6:45 in the fog, which did not dissipate until 1pm. Finished hooking up and securing the solar panels on the roof and replaced a bad seal on the vent fan. They discovered there was only room for one battery on the road side so we did what we could. Because the batteries were so strong we could not make a demand for the solar to be tested. Will run the batteries down thru the nite and try to make the panels work in the AM. Went back to our spot for the third nite next to the field just sprayed with hog byproduct.... Another camping dinner in our front room - turn driving chairs and two second row chairs with table between.

Day : 12 Date : 10.8.15 Thursday
Str Cty : Airstream   Str Mls : 21596
End Cty : Nook     End Mls : 21802
Dly Mls : 205   Tot Mls : 1518
Time : 5 hrs Notes :  done at noon / 4343$
Done at noon and checked out..$4343 with 7 hrs of work discount by Brad. Drove two lanes on 36, 44 and 46 to Bloomington in 5 hours. Exhausted. Went to Werner's but they were 2 hrs away coming from up north after lengthening their stay due to a family death. Kelzie has a busy nite so we are on our own..feel terrible after sitting around for 4 days and my back and front rib line hurt while driving. Arrived at 5, went out to eat and visited with the Werner's after they arrived home.

Day :13   Date : 10.9.15 Friday
Str Cty : Nook's                    Str Mls : 21802
End Cty : Home     End Mls : 22232
Dly Mls : 429   Tot Mls :  1948
Time : 7:30 Notes :  dumped at CW ..scheduled service
Up 231 to Crawfordsville to I 74 to Bloomington IL and I 39 TO Camping World on 51. Then home by 5 to back under cover.








Days : 14     Date : 10.16.15
Str Cty : Home                     Str Mls :
End Cty :     End Mls : 22318
Dly Mls :   Tot Mls :
Time :   Notes : cleaned the RV, washed, aligned/rotated tires for 170$, got license plate (H6001), title, paid 2626$+, bought supplies, and made loading lists. Rented a bay at Seybolt Road. Got front aligned and tires rotated...61 psi.  Preparing for TRIP 2... SHAKEDOWN TRIP TO THE NORTH
September 19 - 26, 2015

Days : 1 of TRIP 2   Date : 10.19.15 Monday
Str Cty : Home                     Str Mls : 22318
End Cty : North Wood County    End Mls : 22456
Dly Mls : 137   Tot Mls : 137
Time : 5 hrs.   Notes : visited Powers Bluff
Shakedown ... Heard a buzzer in the step and after exploring and testing all parts in the area we found it was the awning warning, learning one. Camped in NWCPark near Marshfield in a beautiful spot along the Yellow River. We drove over to view Powers Bluff area where we Beebes skied and had church picnics..formerly known as "Skunk Hill". We set up and tested the awning. The Japanese Beetles are voluminous and pesky. Nice sunny day! $21-30 amp-no water. NWC Park was where our family recreated and picnicked thruout the years. I never remembered but it has 78 various camping sites, the old swimming hole, the River running thru, and a lot of features kids love.  And thousands of geese in the river and the meadows.

Day : 2 Date : 10.20.15 Tuesday
Str Cty : NWCPark Str Mls : 22456
End Cty : Red Cliff End Cty : 22661
Dly Mls : 181 Tot Mls : 328
Time : 4 hrs Notes : Red Cliff Indian casino/camp grnds
Up before lite for exercises and walk. We went to Rib Lake after stopping at Doine's to say hi, Bayfield to check the city camping grounds, and Bayfield Information. Ended up at Red Cliff casino on the reservation.. For 38.50$ for the nite with water and electric, well maintained and next to the water. As soon as we parked an Indian lady arrived with her dog, drum, and sacrifices on the ground. She marched around beating and sang up a storm..a serenade if you will. We have a beautiful view of Madeline Island and Lake Superior, tho quite a cold breeze, and are one of only 3 campers. Near Rib Lake we saw two eagles, one sitting and the other flying to roost as well. Above Marshfield all the leaves were off the soft trees species favored for pulp wood, but after fueling in Ashland and turning up the coast the leaves were still on the hardwoods.  .beautiful red and burned colors. Had to go to the hotel to catch up on email. The cold wind is whipping off Lake Superior.

Days : 3   Date : 10.21.15 Wednesday
Str Cty : Red Cliff                 Str Mls : 22661
End Cty : end of the Road     End Mls : 22917
Dly Mls : 256     Tot Mls : 584 miles
Time : 5:15   Notes : overcast & rainy
Woke to a burst water hose which must have run most of the nite, given the river from our house. No Moose, wolves, or Eagles... But nice ride around the Red Cliff reservation, over the peninsula, and on to Ashland-Duluth and up 61 on the scenic road. Worked on wiper as intermittent rain started and reaimed the back camera. Turned north at Two Harbors and hwy 2 thru the national forest...deer and turkey. Wound our way to Ely info to get the lay of the land. Found the best bakery ( the Plum Bun ) ever and saved the pastry until Mudro Lake canoe landing. There we saw a mink-like animal cross to the water..we are debating what it was... Mink, weasel, the animal we feared on the farm dam, and muskrat ....  Then back to the bakery for dessert and AM planning treats. Then to the small town of Winton and east to Lake One (above), the entry to the Boundary Waters...and no more road. Decided to settle for the nite and see if we get kicked down the road...nice music in dwindling twilight.. Reading! No one bothered us, and we were alone! It got down to 32 degrees, and the length of dark at this time of year exceeds our sleep when we go to bed before nine - it was so dark we din't even need to use the curtains.

Days : 4   Date : 10.22.15 Thursday
Str Cty : Ely / Lake One          Str Mls : 22917
End Cty : Zippel Bay     End Mls : 23151
Dly Mls : 235     Tot Mls : 820
Time : 4:50   Notes : in the Birch
Left at sun up from the road end, drove into Ely to our bakery for more great pastry and then settled in across the street for coffee and wifi. We left town bound for International Falls and there had brunch in a parking lot. Onto to Zippel Bay State Park on Lake of the Woods. We got here because I originally thought this area was Boundary Waters, so we saw this as a goal. Now we have proceeded here from the real BWs. Arrived at the Park, dumped and drove to the water's edge hoping we would not have to move back to the wooded parking in the birch. We have never seen so many and dense birch trees, as seen in this picture. We hiked the shore and woods before settling for reading by the canoe access to the lake. Very dark, little wind off the lake, and amazing strip of RED light at dawn in the east over calm waters. No one came to roust us from this lakeside No Parking area, as we were the only campers tonight! Do not know if I could do this for a month or more.

Days : 5   Date : 10.23.15 Friday
Str Cty : Ely / Lake One          Str Mls : 22917
End Cty : south Sand Lake Rec    End Mls : 23355
Dly Mls : 202   Tot Mls : 1022 miles
Time : 4:30   Notes : federal camp grounds
Propane furnace heat in the morning as we watched sunrise and drank coffee- like home but in a smaller space. Many sightings of Eagles yesterday and today. Rain all day and below 53 degrees. Cross country to Grand Rapids, McDees wifi, and onto the federal recreation area we had picked out. Tried to violate the rules on the lake dam and got stopped by a pleasant federal park worker. Got water for grey water and setup to read. We have googled and found the animal we saw at the Boundary Waters...a MINK. Walked around the camp area of Sand Lake, a lake developed by damming the Sand River just before entering the Mississippi. The camp ground and water cost $6 with our senior passes. We have never gone below 80% on electric any of the last three dry camping nites. Discussed plans to sell the beast by spring-  this is not our life style and even if in better weather we are not sit-around read people or joiners. Will think it thru and discuss what our possibilities are with Airstream.

Days : 6   Date : 10.24.15 Saturday
Str Cty : south Sand Lake Rec   Str Mls : 23355
End Cty : Boulder Junction     End Mls : 23632
Dly Mls : 277   Tot Mls : 1299 miles
Time : 7 hours   Notes : Patty Allen Mabie's
Awake late in the warmest conditions we've had. Decided to explore selling the Airstream cuz the style of life is not what we want - too passive, non-engaging, and not healthy for us. Drove to Duluth, stopping at Aerostitch, passing thru downtown, and going to the upscale dock areas with hotels, shopping and eateries. Then down 53 to 70-Hayward and across country to Flambeau and Boulder Junction. More miles than we wanted. Waiting for Patty and she returned at 3:45. We kabitzed and then went to dinner at a popular supper club in Boulder Junction.
In the process of feeding the dogs one went after the other but bit Patty in the leg...since the bleeding did not stop we went to the emergency room in Minoqua after dinner. Home at 10:30 and to bed.

Days : 7   Date : 10.25.15 Saturday
Str Cty : Boulder Junction        Str Mls : 23632
End Cty : Home     End Mls : 23908
Dly Mls : 275 / 237   Tot Mls : 1575 miles
Time : 6   Notes : emptying out!
We woke up at 7 and had coffee. Went into Patty's for breakfast and prepared to leave by 10:00. We had a beautiful drive to 51 and south, arriving at Camping World to dump by 2:00. We drove home and immediately emptied the RV and began cleaning. We were exhausted and moped the rest of the day and evening.








Date : 10.28.15 Wednesday
Str Cty : Home        Str Mls : 23900
End Cty : Home     End Mls : 24090
Dly Mls : 186   Tot Mls : 1700 miles
Time : 6   Notes : visit to Ewald Airstream
Met with Paul Beitzel to see the dealership for Airstream ... Talked with him about selling the RV ... Retail 109000$ with wholesale about 90000$ ... Use RVTrader, sell privately thru him as referral, or sell to the dealership. To sell or not to sell? Cleaned and stored on Thursday...

Finishing the NorthWest

---Riding the Remainder of the West ---
Trip Seven  --- WI, MN, SD, ND, MT, WY, ID, AB, WA, OR ---
8 / 26 - 9 / 6 / 15 ----  WITH PAUL BEEBE
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BIKE MILES: 5009     GPS MILES: 5035     TOTAL YEAR: 31743
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Day      : 1 Date      : 8.26.15
Str Cty  : Home Str Mls.  : 16500 miles
End Cty  : Watertown, SD End Mls  : 16990
Dly Mls  : 462 Tot Mls   : 462 miles
Time    : 7:45 Notes.     :

Left at 8 in mid 50s temp and rode to LaCrosse, on to Rochester-Mankato. Then rode back roads and did a dozen miles on gravel thru park access roads #5. The ag theme for the first 400 was repeating corn and beans, but at the border of SD it  turned to grass and cattle....And from farms to ranches.. Arrived at 5 for a swim at the Watertown HIx (for my 3rd stay this summer).

Day      : 2 Date      : 8. 27.15
Str Cty  : Watertown, SD Str Mls.  : 16990 miles
End Cty  : Miles City, MT End Mls  : 17483
Dly Mls  : 493 Tot Mls   : 955 miles
Time    : 715 Notes.     : 95 degrees

Left at 7:45 mountain time in 65 degrees on Hwy 20 to 45 and Ipswich -- 200 foot drop 50 miles out  from lakes in  rolling hills to flat grass to crops. At Roscoe we snacked at the baker, visited grandparents, saw a fox run X our path, said hi to Johnny Beyer and moved on. The Roscoe elevator is for bird seed company, not lawn seed. After the Missouri River we went into bluffs and buttes for 50 miles until we reach 3k' elevation and the high plains grassland then the land moved to crop hay and grazing. From the ND border to Miles City the temperature rose thru the 80s to 95 degrees and arrived at 3:00. Dinner at BBQ-Chops.  Passed 27K miles for the summer.

Day      : 3 Date      : 8. 28.15
Str Cty  : Miles City, MT Str Mls.  : 17483
End Cty  : West Yellowstone, MT End Mls  : 17848
Dly Mls  : 362 Tot Mls   : 1317 miles
Time    : 6:30        Notes : Beartooth & Yellowstone

Left in mid 60s temp on I 94 to 90.  Last nite and this morning the sun was blood red and when we started riding in a smoke haze and odor. Beyond Billings we turned SW on 212 to Red Lodge and took a break before the mountains. Then the reason we rode 1100 miles to get here...Beartooth Pass with many switchbacks, snow, elevations above 10.9K and 55 degrees cold. At elevation we did not see any smoke and lots of blue skies. After going back and forth between MT and WY we entered Yellowstone National Park where we rode to 9k', saw buffalo and elk, and tried to get thru the medium traffic. We rode thru the middle of the park to West Yellowstone HI. Saw many Class B RVs. Pleasure Way, Roadtrek, and domestic cars. Had a very nice ride and will have ribeye and Moose Drool downtown at Madison restaurant . We passed the Continental Divide (about the 6-7th time this year) in Yellowstone Park, but it was not marked as such.

Day      : 4 Date      : 8. 29.15 Saturday
Str Cty  : West Yellowstone Str Mls.  : 17848
End Cty  : Boise, ID End Mls  : 18333
Dly Mls  : 488 Tot Mls   : 1805 miles
Time    : 8:15 Notes     : mountains, canyons and valleys

Best ride of the year... Left West Yellowstone on Hwy 20 after breakfast at McD's. The temp was 46 but quickly increased into the comfortable 70s. After 50 miles we dropped 1400 feet and came out of the forest onto the plains. At 100 miles in Rexburg we turned west on 33 to catch 28 NW and up the huge valley in the Sawtooth range on Sacajawea Byway where we went over 7100'. At Salmon we started the fun on 93 (Salmon River Byway) riding along the River and thru the canyons. At Challis we switched to Hwy 75 to Stanley (near Sun Valley ski area) and 21 (Ponderosa Pine Byway) going over 6K' several times. One could see the road cut ahead high above or far below where we were on a turn on Hwy 21 we wound thru the Sawtooth Range on switchback over several passes above 4k'. We then drove to 3200', past the Boise River reservoir, and into hot (90s) Boise. We got to the Candlewood Suites, had salad at Applebee's, got gas, and came back to watch preseason football. Terrific mpg-over 50 mpg, even in the mountains... Two days now the milage has been great, +55 mpg.

Day      : 5 Date      : 8.30.15 Sunday
Str Cty  : Boise, ID Str Mls.  : 18333
End Cty  : Lewiston, ID End Mls  : 18602
Dly Mls  : 269 Tot Mls   : 2074 miles
Time    : 5 hrs Notes     : mountains and dry plains

Pacific time zone... Left at 7 mountain time and arrived at 12:30 PTz. Temperatures never got out of the 60s and lightly rained upon the last 20 miles. Went thru the most beautiful and severe mountains with dramatic vertical, narrow canyons, and flowing Salmon and Peyette rivers. The Salmon River takes an interesting and circuitous route thru the mountains, some 150 miles have no roads within miles thereof. We never viewed the Snake River, but we were close at White Deer. Nice resort city in McCall at the end of Peyette Lake .. Should revisit off season. We passed close to a fire (but could not see) and irritating smoke from the Riggins Fire, having passed several temporary fire camps and heliports.  Too cold and wet to take a jet boat ride on the Snake. The Salmon comes into the Snake at White Deer and the Clearwater River does as well at Clarkston, and 50 miles west the Snake empties into the Columbia coming from the north and turning west. 28500 miles so far this year.

Day      : 6 Date      : 8.31.15 Monday
Str Cty  : Clarkston, ID Str Mls.  : 18602
End Cty  : Republic, WA End Mls  : 19031
Dly Mls  : 469 Tot Mls   : 2534 miles
Time    : 9 hrs Notes      : rain last 5 hours in Canada.

Left at 7 rising 2k' to 2600' onto a wheat plain in 60 degree weather. Huge wheat fields all harvested and golden. Beautiful huge fields of over 600 acres. We went thru Moscow, to Coeur d'Alene, to Sandpoint, and over the border at Porthill. 15 miles north it began to rain, 40 miles further we caught the ferry at Kootenany Bay, and came back to land  30 minutes later near Nelson...still raining. Nelson was a very big and nice city/commericial center. The area surprised me with it's rugged beauty...A huge lake with small flat areas around the lake and mountains rising straight up, so the water to mountain transition was dramatic, particularly when on a boat in the middle of the lake. We then worked our way to Castlegar on hwy 3. We went over a 5k' pass in rain,  fog, and 43 degrees on Hwy 3. We then re entered the U.S. and rode back roads of Hwy 20/21 to stay overnite in Republic, Washington. A deer hit Paul .. A glancing blow. No picture needed as u know what drizzling, cold rain looks like.

Day      : 7 Date      : 9.1.15 Tuesday
Str Cty  : Republic Str Mls.  : 19031
End Cty  : Burlington, WA End Mls  : 19276
Dly Mls  : 245 Tot Mls   : 2779 miles
Time    : 5 hrs Notes.            Mountains and rain..Burlington

Left at 7 in 45 degree temperature, rising to 55. We twice crested above 4100' and lost 13 degrees to 42 on Hwy 20.  We ran into burned areas around Tunk Mountain just before going south on 97 where there was burn in the Okanogan valley.  We returned to 20 with a lot of burn, including trees, on the way to Twisp and went over 4200' twice and lost 10 degrees. As we came down from the pass we saw forests where trees were the primary fire fuel, unlike most of the other fires being scrub and grass fires. We entered the Methow Valley, ate breakfast on Main Street Twisp, and moved on into the Cascade Mountains. In the Cascades we peaked at above 5400', followed by two passes above 4100'. At the tops it started to rain hard and continued all the way down to 100 feet in Burlington, and temperatures never got back to 55 for the remainder of the trip. Changed my reservation from Bellingham to Candlewood Burlington as we were soaked and cold, and saving 50 miles in riding. 29200 so far this year. Because of the terrible weather and our pain we did not go the extra 25 miles to Bellingham which would have increased our ride by 50 miles.... In the rv maybe.  We did laundry.


The return:



Day      : 8 Date      : 9.2.15 Wednesday
Str Cty  : Burlington, WA Str Mls.  : 19276
End Cty  : Sandpoint, ID End Mls  : 19664
Dly Mls  : 402 Tot Mls   : 3181 miles
Time    : 7:30 hrs Notes.            Mountains and rain..

We anticipated rain so dressed for it... Left in fog and 55 degrees but lost temperature as we crossed the Cascades at 4800 and 40 deg and 5600 and 36 degrees with our icing warning on the dash blinking. We went high above the beautiful copper colored lakes and below the snow covered mtn tops. Deep in the mountains a bear crossed the road and guard rail in front of us.  When arrived on the eastern slope the sun was out and temps got to mid 60s. We had brunch in Twisp and Marnie and I discussed the RV. After the stop we proceeded north in  the Ontanogan Valley on 97 and recaught 20 east all the way to 395 and 2 into Sandpoint, ID at the HIx. On the eastern tour we passed over 4200 feet and big temp drops..going up and down - elevation and temperature in reverse sequence. We called to make an offer on the Wells RV. Ate at a Louie's restaurant  next door. We kept dry but not always warm.

Day      : 9 Date       : 9.3.15 Thursday
Str Cty  : Sandpoint, ID Str Mls.  : 19664
End Cty  : Helena, MT End Mls  : 19962
Dly Mls  : 300 Tot Mls   : 3482 miles
Time    : 5 hrs Notes.            Mountains and rain..Burlington

Left at 7:30 in sun shine on Hwy Scenic 200 at 46 degrees - beautiful terrain, mountains, rivers and lakeside. I missed a great picture of the reflection of mountains in a perfectly calm Clark Fork River and never saw another opportunity all the way down 200. About 50 miles down the road it began to mist and spurt while the temperature never rose above 55 degrees until we got south of Missoula, and then it only went to 65.  At 93 we headed for Missoula and I 90. We were at 2500' for the first 200 miles, then we rode to 4500' south of Missoula, and finally went to 6300 feet over the Continental Divide on highway 12 into Helena. It was suppose to be 93 deg in Helena, but it was only 64 when we arrived and it was just starting to sprinkle. Applebee's for dinner. Rest from 4 days cold and rain.








Day          : 10 Date      : 9.4.15 Friday
Str Cty    : Helena Str Mls.  : 19962
End Cty  : Sheridan, WY End Mls  : 20462
Dly Mls    : 503 Tot Mls   : 3985 miles
Time     : 8:15hrs Notes.            Out of the cold and rain!

Left in drizzle and 48 degrees on Hwy 12 thru the hinterland hills and passes...went over 5700' before settling for 4k' ranching. Saw huge herds of antelope. We finally got into the sun at 200 miles but still in 60s. Turned on 3 toward Billings at 300 miles and got gas. Then south on I 90 to Little Big Horn. Drove the circuit and could not figure what Custer had in mind...7000 Indians against 600 pony soldiers..fool..if only they could have gotten back to the road to escape!!   We then rode South to Ranchester and 14 and over 14a. To ride over the BigHorn mountains like we did last year...dramatic climbs and descents. Climb on switchbacks, across the high flats above 8'k, then down thru switchbacks, pass everything on the hills, and then repeat.  Over 8400' and 9400'  passes with fast and tight switchbacks by the dozen losing and gaining 18 degrees in the passes, ending in the high seventies, thanks much. We passed a Pronghorn buck (or an antelope)  along the side of the road..right next to us.. Then 15 miles on 90 to the HI in Sheridan.. Looks like home in 2 days, maybe ...

Day      : 11 Date      : 9.5.15 Saturday
Str Cty  : Sheridan Str Mls.  : 20462
End Cty  : Watertown, SD End Mls  : 21047
Dly Mls  : 587 Tot Mls   : 4572 miles
Time    : 8:30 hrs Notes :    devils Tower/ animals / rain 75-80mph

Awake at 4:30, breakfast at 6, on the road at 6:30 on 14 to Gillette in 45 degs. In the first 70 miles we saw thousand of mule deer (some with huge racks), hundreds of Antelope/pronghorns and turkeys, and several grouse/partridges along the road. Gassed in Gillette and drove to view Devils Tower on 14. In Belle Fourche we caught 212 and rode it all the way to Watertown at between 75 and 80 mph. Gassed in Faith where grandma Beebe taught 100 yrs ago then thru Gettysburg where I think her family lived. At the Missouri River the sky turned grey and it sprinkled on and off for the next 200+ miles and rained for good in Watertown. We gassed and got to the HIx without getting soaked and will eat next door. Posted on Facebook for 4 month anniversary....and milage on trip.

Day : 12 Date      : 9.6.15 Sunday
Str Cty  : Watertown Str Mls.  : 21047
End Cty  : Home End Mls  : 21509
Dly Mls  : 463 Tot Mls   : 5035 miles
Time    : 7 hrs Notes.            Hot and home

Slept in til 7:30 by accident, but we needed the rest. Rode cross country to Clear Lake, Canby, north of Marshall, and into New Ulum where we caught Hwy 14. Gassed outside Rochester and raced on as we rode over 70 and 75 where possible to hustle home in 90+ degree heat. 31743 for the summer so far. Tired but a great trip...wishing we had stayed on the west coast and spent a day exploring northern Puget Sound area. 1553 miles in the last three days.


THE END ... For now !

East to the Gulf of St Lawerence

Riding the..
Route of the Baleines & the Gulf of St Lawrence
Trip Six  --- WI, MI, ON, QC, NB
Sault St Marie, Quebec City, Lac St. Jean, Gaspe', Pence
7.23 - 31.15
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BIKE MILES: 4325     GPS MILES: 4266   TOTAL YEAR: 26794
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day      : 1 Date      : 7.23 Thursday
Str Cty  : Home Str Mls.  : 12115 miles
End Cty  : Sault Ste Marie, ON End Mls  : 12598
Dly Mls  : 449 Tot Mls   : 449 miles
Time.     : 7:15 hrs Notes     : exhausted to bed but awake at 3:30 so up at 5:00 for coffee and packing. Left in great sunshine and rode to Mischlers to get my tire repair kits off my RT. I continued on north 151 to Fon du Lac / 41 north thru the Fox River Valley and Green Bay. Gassed in Marionette for $2.84 and went on to its twin sister, Menominee, where gas was $2.13  - got beat. 41 went north and I stayed on the lake on 2 to 117 north, then 28 (Parfait at McDs) to I 75 to Sault Ste Marie, ON.. Nice day all day, but my stomach did not do as well, having to stop at every other bathroom. No lunch and free oatmeal and an apple for dinner. Will not go out to eat and hope for recovery. Exhausted.!

Day     : 2 Date        : 7.24 Friday
Str Cty    : Sault Ste Marie Str Mls.  : 12598
End Cty  : Pembroke, ON End Mls  : 12998
Dly Mls   : 405 Tot Mls   : 854 miles
Time.      : 7 hours Notes      : butt and traffic
Left about 8:30 and was surprised how long it takes here to ride 400 miles..7+ hours. The speed is 90kph/57mph and most are two lane roads with 28 bypasses per 128 miles... Stop and go..fast and slow! The first hours were in the low 60s and mid 80s by post noon. Along the way I saw a built out Dodge ram 250 high top, long van..I finally got the French Canadians to stop, I got a tour of the interior which they built out themselves...nicely finished and very functional with good size interior. Arrived in Pembroke at 4:00, 1/2 hour ahead of the gps. The ride thru the forests with few communities between SSM and North Bay and then many more small towns along the road and border with Quebec. Had a salad at a local good restaurant, but poor Canadian salad. Rode the town of small houses that were built against the terrible weather here...nothing upscale I could see. The seat hurt all morning binding my clothes and irritating my crotch ..raised the front and it was more comfortable but immediately started to get the pain between my clavicles. Put front of seat back down and will try again in the am.

Day     : 3 Date        : 7.25  Saturday
Str Cty    : Pembroke, ON Str Mls.  : 12998
End Cty  : Metabetchouan, QB End Mls  : 13469
Dly Mls   : 471 Tot Mls   : 1325 miles
Time.      : 8 hours Notes      : seat much better
Much improved day... Left Pembroke at 8:30 and rode east to a bridge to cross the Ottawa River into Quebec. Rode the rural roads 128, passed next to the provincial park, until I hit I 50 north of Ottawa to avoid the city. 50 took me to north of Montreal, again avoiding the city. On the way I drove thru the Laurentian Mountains and near Tremblant where I skied in the 60s. There I could not resist Hortons and had early dinner of parfait and 2 donuts. Caught 640/40 to I 55 north at Trois Riveriers and rode 200 miles along the Saint Maurice River, stopping in La Tush (tooosch as pronounced by a local). This part of the trip is a ride worth searching for, thousands of Motos were going both ways. The forest is untouched, the river is beautiful and very usable for recreation and work for 100+ miles, and the road twists and dives for fun. The roads passed lakes, rivers and forest. Arrived at Lac Saint Jean at Metabetchouan, a beautiful huge lake about 30 by 45 miles. More people in France speak more and better English than in Quebec...I ran into several problems in speaking interactions. Salad for dinner. I started with treated butt and loose pants. I sat very far forward and had no pain.. No butt pain like yesterday, but only late in day mild clavicle ache and skin touchiness after 8 hours. Have been unable to get more than average 45 mpg regardless of how conservatively I drive, low shifting and below 65 mph.

Day     : 4 Date        : 7.26  - Sunday
Str Cty    : Metabetchouan, QB Str Mls.  : 13469
End Cty  : Baie-Comeau, QB End Mls  : 13705
Dly Mls   : 235 Tot Mls   : 1560 miles
Time.      : 4:30 Notes      : rain all day. Beautiful ride.
It was really great and worth modifying my trip and come to Lac St Jean.  Woke to rain and waited it out, still leaving about 8 in sunshine. The area looks like Acadia and is farming land.  30 miles down the road it started to sprinkle and I continued in the cold (starting in the low 70s but going down to mid 50s along the St Lawrence). Rode to Saguenay where I experienced a plethora of stop lites, only exceeded by the number of Hortons in Canada (whether measured by per capita or per square mile). Went thru great farm land to Saguenay and to the end of Lac St Jean and the start of the Saguenay River. Took 172 south down the forested valley and then into the mountains- dramatically beautiful and exceeding the conditions of the Icefield Road, even in the rain. At the bottom of Hwy 172 SE, I turned on Hwy 138 east and up the St. Lawerence Seaway/Gulf. I quit riding after 235 miles at 1:00 in Baie-Comeau at a nice Comfort Inn with temps in the mid 50s. I was freezing and wet on the periphery.
Tonite I have come to the best room I've had on this trip from last nite's worst room.

Day     : 5 Date        : 7.27 -   Monday
Str Cty    : Baie-Comeau, QC Str Mls.  : 13705
End Cty  : Sept-iles, QC End Mls  : 14316
Dly Mls   : 1082 k/ 639 miles Tot Mls   : 2199 miles/ over 24K
Time.      : 10 hours Notes      : awoke to rain & fog
Will wait til mid morning to decide whether to stay or travel east. Things got wet in my right pannier.  Decided to go since the rain stopped and was only 40% pers in 55 degree temps. I left at 9 and rode to Sept-iles on Hwy 138 and reserved a room at the Comfort Inn there. Then I had a 240 mile ride to Pointe Parent- Natashquan and 240 miles back before sundown...made it!  Temps hovered around 61 degrees so I wore all my clothes all day. Rode thru forests and along the gulf to Sept-iles and continued in that terrain for 200 miles when the trees became smaller and very close together..the ground looked like Dolly Sods (WV)  tundra with moss and small plants. Finally, all the trees disappeared and only the mosey ground and ponds covered the terrain while side rivers rushed to the Gulf. I worried about gas and found what I needed 100 miles before and after the end point, so I was secure with that. The last town is a First Nation village of Pointe Parent and has 1200 inhabitants. It is at this place that 138 goes from Tarmac to gravel, so I turned around. I met some Indians who were digging a hole to hold a skinned pine tree with a little pine foliage on the top 2 feet.They explained this was the flag of the village. I passed a burn area 12miles long. Rode like hell the last 240 to get in before dark.  A fox was the only animal I saw. I remembered an excellent seafood meal here 14 yrs ago so I sought out Chez Omer's place and had the local garlic seafood platter on rice. Extra tired....

Day     : 6 Date        : 7.28. Tuesday
Str Cty    : Sept-iles Str Mls.  : 14316
End Cty  : Cap Chat, QC End Mls  : 14805
Dly Mls   : 189 Tot Mls   : 2388
Time.      : 3:30 riding Notes      : ferry to Matane
Awoke only to find rain and a clock which was 45 minutes slow....decided to try weather elsewhere so I hustled out of Comfort Inn and rode 150 miles to Baie-Comeau ferry terminal for the ferry trip to Matane and the Gaspe', arriving in time for the 11:00 crossing. I saw a cow and a bull moose along the road, both murdered in the nite as they were not here yesterday when I passed this way. Ran thru sunshine, rain, and wind, but always cold (61) on the way. Talked to other bikers about trips west. No tiedowns were necessary and the boat left on time and docked 2 hrs later. Right now Marnie is at the funeral for Bob Gibson who passed last Thursday - I sent my condolences, but could not ride that far to get to the funeral. I started to read The Pact by Picoult but discovered I had read it after reading two page..gave to seat mates.

I figured out the intermediate Death Star, some call purgatory, while riding today and in relation to Bob's death. A deceased person, and particularly his SPIRIT, stays in this interstage place while anyone in the world who knew the deceased remembers them. When the last person who remembers or knew the person dies, the deceased is free to move out of the intermediate state of death to a place they wish to permanently reside. Actually, the part of the deceased which goes thru this procedure is the Spirit... Of the person..

Off the boat I gassed and drove 50 miles on Hwy 132, finding the Motel NANOOK where Paul and I stayed in 07 with Jan and his brother. The lady vaguely remembered us. $6 for breakfast after 89$ for room. On the way I passed some beautiful saffron fields. Changed clothes today and cleaned my bike while planning Seafood again tonite for dinner. Fog is coming in but it passed and the sun set over the Gulf of St Lawerence....

Day     : 7 Date        : 7.29 Wednesday
Str Cty    : Cap Chat, QC Str Mls.  : 14508
End Cty  : Edmundston, NB End Mls  : 14984
Dly Mls   : 479 Tot Mls   : 2867 miles
Time.      : 9 hrs Notes      : hard ride..around Gaspe
Up at 5 and exercised, showered and dressed for 6:30 breakfast and 7 am start. The first 300 miles were extremely tedious and straining..because of all the lookouts, twisting roads and holiday traffic. The first 100 miles were on the north shore where every little indented bay has a harbor and a community along the road and beach backed by cliffs. Then the terrain turns to hills-bluffs and riding thru pine forests. As I turned to the end to Gaspe and Perce the sea scape had more definition and rocks like the famous one here. The boats go thru at high tide and people walk thru at low tide. Beyond that the coast was slow, boring and exhausting. Once I arrived in Campbellston I turned south driving very fast to pass thru forests and villages on my way to the  17 freeway which will get me to Ottawa and Pembrook tomorrow in 550 miles. Got a great rate at Comfort Inn in Edmondston. Ate my way thru the day: chocolate, Horton donuts, diet coke, a beer and salads... Gassed and ready for am.

Day     : 8 Date        : 7.30 Thursday
Str Cty    : Edmondston Str Mls.  : 14984
End Cty  : North Bay, ON End Mls  : 15663
Dly Mls   : 681 / 1097 km Tot Mls   : 3549 miles
Time.      : 10 hrs Notes      : fast in traffic and rain
Thought I left at 7:00 maritime time in the fog...In 20 miles my eastern time caught up with me and it was 6am going northwest on 85. In 100 miles I turned west toward Quebec, Montreal, and Ottawa on 20 expressway. Thru this area I rode 130 km or 80 mph. Before Montreal it sprinkled and in the city it downpoured with no place to get protection. Finally, after 50% soaked I geared up, but 45 minutes later the sun was out. I arrived at Pembrook at 2:30 and got great help from Emile to cancel-reedup for North Bay HIx, 2:30 and 250 k further. Passed everything on the road in both freeway and passing lanes and was passed less than 5 times. As I approached the city the wind had built to a strong headwind, throwing me all over. Ate oatmeal and apples in for dinner.

Day     : 9 Date        : 7.31 Friday
Str Cty    : North Bay Str Mls.  : 15663
End Cty  : Home / Madison End Mls  : 16440
Dly Mls   : 717 / 1154 km Tot Mls   : 4266 miles / 6865 km
Time.      : 11:30 Notes      : tired.. 1877 miles /3days
Planned for early leaving to get gas and drive...first lite I was at the gas station and left 6:15 eastern time. 11.5 hours home.. Nice morning with little traffic except around Sudbury, but a 75 mph blocker helped me make time. Rode as quickly as possible over the 56 mph speed limit (mostly 70 for me). Got to the border in 3.5 hours and an hour delay getting thru the border. I was so pissed I  forgot to cancel my Sault St. Marie, MI reservation and did not do it until I got to Romona's birthday party. They have a cancellation number. Rode quickly in mild traffic to north of Green Bay. There I ran fast and the traffic was crazy heavy thru the construction and all the way to Fond du Lac, and I drove 75-80 mph the rest of the way to Sun Prairie. No one passed me today..however, I overtook a few. Showed up at Romona and Jane's party unexpectedly. Tom fell and broke six ribs and hip..at UW and Paul is with him.  Seat was a problem everyday with the front going soft and sitting on the front of my crotch.. The last two days I lifted the front and got some relief, but by noon I was again fighting a lack of support in the front of the seat.. Sent a note and will follow up Monday.

Subject: Jay..hope all is well...still have problems here...
Rode another 3000 to Quebec.. When cold in the morning very comfortable ..but when the weather warms and sit for a hour the front collapses... And then I am painfully sitting on the front part of my crotch... We must raise the front and make it stiff so I can't compress it flat...if you notice in the picture, the front is flattened after my 500 miles today and at least one inch below where it was when I sent the last pictures with the seat...
I shall be home in 3 days 1500 miles and send you the seat next Monday.. Will call ahead to talk to you thanks..

Pictures are taken in the front lowered position









These pictures taken in the front up position:Difference - Front lower to upper:
and rode another 2500 miles home.


A least 1 1/2 inches higher in upper front position..
When I put the seat in the front upper position I got some relief for a half day (300 miles) before it collapsed and I was sitting on my junk...not as painful as after 1 hour in the lower position, but irritating of my upper leg and crotch. We need to raise the front at least 1 5/8 inches with stiff, non- compressing material so that I don't sink in the front and I slide forward to the front of my crotch. Then, I can keep the seat in the lower position and still have decent ground touch. Hope this explains my problems... Which I never had with my other seats.  Thanks Rick

To the Redwood and the NorthWest

---- REDWOODS TO THE NORTHWEST ----
Trip Four  --- WI, IA, NE, CO, UT, ID, CA, OR, WA, MT, SD, & MN
Redding, Boise, Corvallis, Salem, Walla Walla, (Bellingham & Kootnay)
6.22 - 7.4.15
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BIKE MILES: 5382   GPS MILES: 5218   TOTAL YEAR: 20910
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       First Week : 2801 miles
Day      : 1 Date       : 6.22.15 Monday
Str Cty  :  Home                       Str Mls.   : 6600
End Cty  :  Norfolk, NE End Mls   : 7112
Dly Mls   : 469   Tot Mls     : 469
Time.      : 7:21 hrs Notes       : x Iowa on 20
Left at 7:30 and rode till I discovered I forgot my riding belt, so backtracked home to start again. By Dodgeville it started sprinkling and the last 20 miles into Dubuque it was a torrential downpour. Luckily I had gotten my rain gear on so when cars stopped along side the road I kept going. The rain continued for 4 hours with only sporadic downpours. I took Hwy 151 to catch 20 in Dubuque for the ride across Iowa to Sioux City as the temperatures rose from the mid 60s to the mid 80s. There I caught Hwy 35 and rode into Norfolk, home to 25k people and the hometown of Johnny Carson. The new seat gave me fits; when the rear was up I slid forward and bound my pants with my knees on the tank and ache in my lumbar area, and when I lowered the back area my hips were not supported so I had to reach forward for the bars an developed an ache in my upper back and in my rib cage. I called Russell and made and appointment for next Monday. HIx was 10k pas +$70. The wind and sun aggregated my nose to itching and touchy. Tried using my MP3 to listen to music, but the wind noise drowned out the major part of the sound..
Day : 2 Date : 6.23.15 Tuesday
Str Cty : Norfolk Str Mls     : 7112
End Cty : Fort Collins, CO   End Mls   : 7633  
Dly Mls : 516   Tot Mls     : 985  
Time : 8:30 hrs   Notes     :  cold to hot 1 to 5 K'
Awake at 4... Left at 7:30 south down 81 from Norfolk in mid 60 temp and bright sun lite at 1k'.  Ran 40 miles Hwy 81 to I-80 and then cross country on Hwy 6 to McCook and onto Sterling for Hwy 14. The corn is calf high (I actually saw a farmer cultivating the corn rows, something not seen for years) potatoes in bloom, wheat is brown and about ready to harvest, and hay is cut and drying everywhere. This ride on back state roads and wandering around was the best crossing of Iowa and Nebraska I have had. Ended in Fort Collins at 5k' and high 80s heat. Kelzie left for Tanzania today. Same seat and back problems as yesterday. Bike is running well tho I have had low milage..Monday with head winds I got 39 mpg and today with heat and elevation I got 45 mpg. Tried to ride the speed limit all day and did an admirable job. Paid $83

Day : 3 Date     : 6.24.15 Wednesday
Str Cty : Fort Collins, CO     Str Mls     : 7633
End Cty : Heber City, UT   End Mls     : 8085  
Dly Mls : 453   Tot Mls     : 1438 miles  
Time : 7:45   Notes     : temperatures over 100...
Awake at 2:00 with fitful sleep thereafter worrying about Kelzie, having lack of good sleep and trying to decide if I should return home. Left at 7:30 in mid 60s but as I rose in Poudre Canyon and 10300 feet the temp dropped to the low 50s. As I moved on I came to the Continental Divide at 9426', third for the year. Very comfortable riding as I approached Walden at 6k'. By noon and beyond Steamboat Springs the temp went progressively up to 100.5 west of Craig. The temperature only came down to the mid 80s at 8k' in UT and the AC in HIx  - Heber City. Saw two moose grazing, several mule deer (some sleeping on the road) and a herd of antelope. Almost all the land today was used for grazing cattle and commercial hay. A shower  but I barely got the sweat and road grime off me without soap. Ate a salad at a local bbq joint... $83





Day : 4 Date : 6.25.15 Thursday
Str Cty : Heber City, UT Str Mls     : 8085
End Cty : Boise, ID   End Mls   : 8476  
Dly Mls : 387   Tot Mls     : 1825 miles  
Time : 5:20   Notes     :  interstate ..heat to 101.5
Rode the speed limit all day...very proud of myself ---of course, the limit was 80 mph.
Rode thru the Wasatch Mountains til 10am in 70-80 degrees - these mtns are austere but neat with prosperous farms and communities in the valley. Stopped at rest area and a truck driver who just bought a GSA came over to talk (for a 1/2 hour) and get info on touring. Above Ogden the terrain started flatter desert terrain and along the Great Salt Lake and the heat started to rise. I started to make more stops as the time and heat interfered with my feeling settled and comfortable. The temps since noon were averaging 96 degrees and peaked at 101.5. I stopped frequently to drink diet coke and Gatorade to stay alert and hydrated. Patience with stops worked out very well. At a Candlewood Suites for two nites for 5000 points/nite (usually HIx is 15-20000) and included breakfast with full kitchen, may stay a week.. Haven't heard from Kelzie in the last 36 hours. Checked temps and Redding where I'm going is 107 at 3pm. Some left side phantom pain the last two days. I misplaced my electronic bike key and had the retrace my activities since I got here and tear my room apart.. Sweaty I found it in my pants where it is not suppose to be! I took duct tape and to neck lanyard and made a way to carry on my neck or hooked into the pocket of my jacket.

Day : 5 Date     : 6.26.15 Friday
Str Cty : Boise, ID     Str Mls     : 8476
End Cty : Boise   End Mls     : 8530  
Dly Mls : 40   Tot Mls     :    
Time : 2 hrs   Notes     : 90 degrees by 11am
On being alone... I think of this abnormal state, that I've come to like, often as I ride. I have yet to find a definition or condition to assign it. Thinking alone and liking it makes me feel competent, but errors in life make my doubtful and obsessed, especially early in the morning hours as errors, omissions and fears come to lite. When I get on and get going I reverse the morning worry trend and conquer. Any intrusion takes effort.. Breaking thot and struggling to translate experience into words. I've learned to like the condition most people would think of as loneliness. No music like at home! Content to be silent and with only thots. I don't mind being alone tho I always miss Marn when I leave.

 Up at 6:30 and at BMW at 9 to have my bike washed and checked. Then rode to Boise State and the Capitol of Idaho. After riding some neighborhoods and the temp 90 at 11 I returned to my AC. Boise is 215K with a major university and the state Capitol. The housing is typical of a working class, teaching, and state workers with upscale mercantile areas. If I knew the place better I think it would not be significantly different from Madison, except for Madison's medical services and tech industry. Ate salad at Applebee's at 4:30 preparing for the World Cup soccer game and leaving at mid nite to beat the heat.

Day : 6 Date : 6.27.15 Saturday
Str Cty : Boise   Str Mls     : 8530
End Cty : Redding, CA   End Mls   : 9024  
Dly Mls : 546   Tot Mls     : 2371  
Time : 10 hrs riding time   Notes     : Lv @ midnite... arr. 11am...
To bed at 9, up at 11:30, and on the road at 12:00 to get to Redding without being in 107 degree heat. At start the temp was 80 and as I proceeded it randomly went down as low as 55 and as hi as 80, sometimes within a mile. I did not exceed 80 degrees until 40 miles out and below 3500'. 10 miles out it went to 90 and more in town. I had terrible breakfast in Burns about 150 miles in. At 5 I was so tired I stopped and laid on a brown bench 18" wide..slept about 20 minutes, I think, and awaking when my neck cramped 2ndary to my hand as a pillow. I was wide awake then for the next 5 hours, amazing recoup in such a short sleep and short bed sleep. Most of my ride was above 4k' and went as high as 5k'. The first 150 miles was on poor road and very dark so I was very slow. When I turned south on 395 and the sun rose I made better time, passing Paisley about 9am. Saw hundreds of jackrabbits on the road. The Goose Lake which is 25x10 miles was dry as far as I could tell. Then on ca299, Mt Shasta came into view...    Continually dropping altitude in the Cascade Mountains and increasing temps I got to Redding HI at 11:00 and in 11 hours with just over 1 hour of non-riding time. Ready for a rest and took a swim. Applebee's wedge salad and tea-lemonade.

Day : 7 Date     : 6.28.15 Sunday
Str Cty : Redding     Str Mls     : 9024
End Cty : Redding   End Mls     : 9060  
Dly Mls : 25 miles around town   Tot Mls     : 2400  
Time :   Notes     : rest and laundry day
Laundry done and gassed up by 8am. After nap I had parfait breakfast and I took a ride to Shasta Lake to see how low it was, forgetting my camera. It is low and they have already lost 20 feet this year to make power and it shows more than 60 feet down. Back to read and shave- my razor broke so I must use poor handout from desk. These cheap razors are hazardous to my scalp and I have several skin problems in addition to no hair. Took a swim, it is very hot outside - 100 today.  I recommend the book Plain Truth by Picoult - re Amish and a murder trial. Ate wedge salad and shrimp at Applebee's again.. Been reading all late afternoon.



Day : 8 Date     :  6.29.15 Monday
Str Cty : Redding     Str Mls     : 9060
End Cty : Mckinleyville, CA   End Mls     : 9344  
Dly Mls : 284 Tot Mls     : 2655  
Time : 7:30   Notes     : difficult drive,  seat worked on..
To the coast and relief from heat....  After a review of my seat problems at Russell Day Long... I hoped they would rectify the problem ... Awake much after 2 and up at 5:30 cuz of too much thinking and trying not to worry. I pray they rectify the problem with my seat today, but I feel at their mercy. I arrived after McD parfaits at 8:00. Immediately my seat maker started working with me cuz his appointment was late. By 9:30 we had what felt like a change in the back part of the seat which felt good. I was off on a back highway (Plantina Road) of twists and turns, ups and downs at 30 miles per hour on the western slopes of the Coastal Range. The vegetation on this side of the range was fried and every plant, bush and tree had some dried damage, I met Hwy 36 at Plantina in the Trinity Mountains and then had a much improved road where one could ride 30-50 mph at about 88 degrees. Once over the top at over 4200 feet (which I exceeded twice) the vegetation looks okay. At 101 near Fortuna (150 miles) (at mid 70 degrees) I turned south to get on the Avenue of the Giants, the Humboldt Redwood State Park, and the Rockefeller Grove. After a tour of the redwoods I went out the back of the Rockefeller Forest on a very damaged, pot holed Mattole Road (in the Mattolie valley by the Mattole River) for 50 miles and over 2400 feet several times in heavy coniferous forests to Petrolia in the hinterland of CA over the Salmon Mountains and the Coast Range. I stopped at a store and snacked as I kibitzed. The community of 300-500 persons, with a total school of 30 students in all grades, is very isolated and I am sure was established as a homesteading, hippie location (with attendant pot plantations). Leaving Petrolia (with temps in the low 60s and hi 50s) I went over the mountain along the ocean to 45 feet then rose straight up the mountain to 945 and back down to 45. It then rose thru the first to 1800' before coming down to the beautiful community of Ferndale and Hwy 101. After 60 miles from Petrolia I got to my HIx for the nite... Hard ride with millions of turns, bad roads and overheating to freezing temperatures coming up the coast. Ate at Mexican place..salad and tortilla-cheese.





Week Two :1072 miles.

Day : 9 Date : 6.30.15 Tuesday
Str Cty : Mckinleyville, CA   Str Mls     : 9344
End Cty : Corvallis, OR   End Mls     : 9678
Dly Mls : 334   Tot Mls     : 3000 miles   Time : 6:15, arrive at 4:00  
Notes : 45 minutes on FaceTime with Nook...HIx with a view onto the Willemette River... Great time talking to and seeing Kelzie this morning in breakfast area...allayed alot of anxiety. Left in overcast cold about 9 after our FaceTime. The first 250 miles up Hwy 101 was slow and cold, averaging about 65 degrees, but it was great undulating alone the ocean and passing thru the port towns and cities. At Florence I turned inland toward Eugene and went thru the hinterland with temperatures averaging 95 degrees for the last 100 miles. Having taken sleep meds during the nite screwed me up until late afternoon. Passed thru a lot of timberland coming over the Coast Ranges until I got to the inner valley which supports wheat, grass fescue, oats, berries (raspberries and boysenberries), and fields of mint. Stopped to talk to a farm hand and saw four combines working in one huge field where they lay the grasses down in windrows to dry before combining..they combine wheat standing up. The seat for my bike is still screwed up.. Sliding forward on low and producing an excruciating ache. Corvallis has 56000 citizens and Oregon State University. Rode around town, to the HP facility here, and ate at the Spagetti Factory next door...what a waste, poorly done calamari and terrible fat chicken Caesar salad. Biggest food bill I've had as I wanted to eat well tonite and I wasted the $$ and opportunity. Corvallis reminds me of Burlington VT or Bloomington --  university towns with a lot of older well maintained small homes, nice eating places and commercial districts, well organized, and clean! Do not see anything special tho.

Day : 10 Date     : 7.1.15 Wednesday
Str Cty : Corvallis, Or     Str Mls     : 9678
End Cty : Walla Walla, WA   End Mls     : 10037  
Dly Mls : 346   Tot Mls     :  3335 miles
Time : 6:30   Notes     : to Salem and Walla Walla ...
Left Corvallis in mid 60s and very comfortable... Rode the 35 miles to Salem and toured the Capitol area and to the visitors center with long sleeves on. Very nice downtown and residential area thereby, upscale compared to Corvallis. This country is very agricultural with grasses, grain crops, berries, and truck farming. So far I would choose Salem as a place to abide. Gassed and opted for country and state roads rather then interstate, thus wondering from town and turn to town and turn. I then headed toward the mountains and into the coniferous forests. Finally, Mount Hood came into view and I drove up to and around it. I found a forest service road which was hard in mid 80 temps and took it across the base area and above 3-4000 feet. As I came down and onto Hwy 197 the temp began to rise in the 90s. Here the area was ranching and huge wheat fields, with no crop rotation and fallowing the land between crops. When I got across to Hwy 14 and along the Columbia River to the north side the temperature went into the 100s, averaging over a 100 for the last 150 miles and peaking at 106 just outside Walla Walla.  This area is hot, dry plains of rocky, burned terrain. It would be beautiful if it were not so hot. I got a fantastic room in the HIx, but it is too hot now to explore the city...later and in am. I spend a break at every stop to rehydrate with a coke and Gatorade and am now blotted. My 52 day old bike turned 10000 miles today in 106 degree heat. A day to change into clean riding clothes. WW has 31k folks and three colleges - one is Seven Day Adventist, Walla Walla univ ..Whitman liberal arts college ...Then & Now - City of Walla Walla.... www.wallawallawa.gov/visitors/history... Walla Walla is an Indian name meaning "many waters." In 1805, when Lewis and Clark traveled by the mouth of a small river flowing into the Columbia River, ... The Indians were there..so named by L&C... Explored the city..spread out, all services here, 3 colleges, penitentiary, VA facility, hospital, and nice downtown.

The basic route home... Not from Great Falls, but Walla Walla to Helena MT and on...
Day : 11 Date     :  7.2.15. Thursday
Str Cty : Walla Walla, WA     Str Mls     : 10037
End Cty : Helena, MT   End Mls     : 10632
Dly Mls : 586   Tot Mls     : 3921 miles  
Time : 9:30   Notes     : extra 140 miles. And hot..
Up at 4:30am and decided to head home and made reservation in Helena and cancelled Bellingham since tires look bad and the heat...rode 30 miles to Waitsburg and decided I should go to Bellingham...when I got to Pasco, I cancelled Helena and reinstated Bellingham. After 70 miles at 7am the temperature exceed 90, so I turned around and rode back to the spot where I changed reservations and changed them back. Now I felt terrible for wasting 2 hours and 140 added miles of 60-70 temperatures. Gased at Lewiston and the temperature rose to hi 90 and peaked at 102.5 in the valley alongside the Clearwater River and going over 4800' at Lolo Pass. Drank a coke and Gatorade three times going to and over Lolo pass. Came out of Missoula on interstate for 80 miles before getting on Hwy12 and crossing the Continental Divide (4th time) at 6300'. Remembered the back way to the HIx. Cancelled the over-the-top, Twisp, Glacier, and Kootenany portions of the planned ride...too hot and exhaustingly dangerous.

Day : 12 Date     :  7.3.15 Friday
Str Cty : Helena     Str Mls     : 10632
End Cty : Watertown, SD   End Mls     : 11468  
Dly Mls : 840   Tot Mls     : 4761 miles
Time : 12:15   Notes     : never above 85 degrees
Up and away by 7:00 on a lovely day in the mid 60s with haze. Figured I'd ride on Hwy12 to Miles City where I had a reservation..got there at noon and thot I'd rather not sit around all afternoon, particularly since the temperature was in the low 80s and very comfortable.. Thus, I set out for Mobridge crossing Mt, ND and into SD. Got to Mobridge by 4:45 so I made a reservation for 200 miles hence. I rode to Ipswich on 12 and then dropped down to Hwy 20 where Paul and I rode several weeks ago on our trip to the Missouri River. I lucked out with the haze and temp not rising above 85 degrees - so comfortable I could keep riding with just a few diet cokes. Arrived with little gas and twilight at 8:45pm at the Watertown HIx. Ordered pizza. A one day-ride record..840 miles. Saw a badger crossing the road...why was the badger crossing the road??

Day : 13 Date     :  7.4.15 Saturday
Str Cty : Watertown, SD     Str Mls     : 11468
End Cty : Home   End Mls     : 11982  
Dly Mls : 457   Tot Mls     : 5218 miles  
Time : 7 hours   Notes     : Home......
Left Watertown and headed cross country to Mankato where I caught Hwy 14 and stuck to it until home. I did not stop for 250 miles until Byron, MN to test the limits of the comfort of the seat and I was amazed how comfortable it was. Then I rode 190 more miles in great discomfort, having clothing binding like I was sliding forward. Had 100 home in LaCrosse and I finally stopped in Richland Center to unbind. Temperatures were in the mid 60sto start and mid 80s to finish. I still have cuts on my head where I shaved with HIx cheap razors after mine broke in transit.

---Not ridden due to heat---

Week Three: 1834 miles






Jay... Seat problems: I rode 840 one day and 250 without a stop the next day with little discomfort..
---Left feeling good about the seat and it felt right
By the end of the day to Eureka... I started to slide forward clothes rolled in the crotch...painful and bottom irritated. I experimented with raising the front and lowering it..when lowered it was painful, when up in front it was more comfortable...
I finally left the front in the up position and the back in the down position... And finished the next 3000 miles in the up position.
---Now the repair needed... I think the front collapsed or we built the back too high (tho it did not feel like then we finished), or I just plain screwed up...

---So cut the back and sits area down some and raise the front
- I shall measured and take these pictures.  The difference is 1 3/8 inches....
front 1/4 should gradually  come up 1 3/8 inch with very stiff material -- rear 1/2 should be dropped 1/2- 1 inch
- hopefully this adjustment will lead to a leveling seat that does not make me slide forward or lean back from the handle bars ...

these seats were from my 12 1200 GS..





---the left 2 pictures are the high front position..see the upper mark...
---right 2 pics  is lower front position and lines up just under the stitching on the black piece ..
---The difference is 1 3/8 inches in front. I want to ride with seat in lowered position for ground reach.. Thus the front 1/4 needs to gradually come up 1 3/8 inches with stiff material... the back 1/2 of the seat possibly needs to drop 1/2 to 1 3/8 inches (what do you think) ...hollow out the sitz area some