Soozy's 50 First Dates Summer Tour

[Soozy]

I have about 2 weeks to put this together. SO here is the concept.

I will be traveling across West Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and into California above LA. Then I will go along the coast to Seattle. Return trip will be toward Colorado with as many stops along the way as I want. Moab for sure. I have about 2 months to enjoy life on the road. It looks like the trip will easily be 7000 miles or more. I want to do the ride in chunks and really get to see places in the way that locals see them. It takes locals to do that.

I know we have riders from everywhere who post on this forum and others. I am looking for hosts or hostesses along the route who will give me a corner, grassy patch, or futon for a night or two in return for sparkling conversation and the washing of your dishes or mowing of your lawn. If you have favorite rides in your location and want to take me on one or you have cool local 'weird or wonderful' (in the future referred to as WoW stuff) places or things you want me to see or do, then I would LOVE that!

My 'dates' are you folks who want to do this. You can be young to old, male or female, married or single. Married folks or folks with SO's should include their partner in the 'date.'

I will be taking to the road in about 2 weeks; most likely on June 20.

Soooo....be a part of what promises to be a great adventure. Epic even. I will immortalize you in the ride report!

Anyone who would like to do any stretch of the ride with me should post up.

This is about PEOPLE as much as it is about PLACES.

:rider:

You guys that know me need to chime in here with some references so my potential dates will know I am not dangerous. Unless I cook.

What do you say New Mexico?

Arizona?

California? Fittysom'n has already offered a futon in Stockton. :clap:

Oregon?

Seattle...My brother John and his family will host me there...but I will be looking up the Pike's Market Pasta man!

I will be learning to use my GPS while you all think about this.

[Moose]

Never pass on the road less traveled

Never, ever, pass a Volcano (or an ice cream shop)

Sounds like a blast - hope you have a most excellent trip!

[Soozy]

Thank you Moose. :mrgreen: You give good advice.

[wanabeguru]

I have about 2 weeks to put this together. SO here is the concept.

I will be traveling across West Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and into California above LA. Then I will go along the coast to Seattle. Return trip will be toward Colorado with as many stops along the way as I want. Moab for sure. I have about 2 months to enjoy life on the road. It looks like the trip will easily be 7000 miles or more. I want to do the ride in chunks and really get to see places in the way that locals see them. It takes locals to do that.

I know we have riders from everywhere who post on this forum and others. I am looking for hosts or hostesses along the route who will give me a corner, grassy patch, or futon for a night or two in return for sparkling conversation and the washing of your dishes or mowing of your lawn. If you have favorite rides in your location and want to take me on one or you have cool local 'weird or wonderful' (in the future referred to as WoW stuff) places or things you want me to see or do, then I would LOVE that!

My 'dates' are you folks who want to do this. You can be young to old, male or female, married or single. Married folks or folks with SO's should include their partner in the 'date.'

I will be taking to the road in about 2 weeks; most likely on June 20.

Soooo....be a part of what promises to be a great adventure. Epic even. I will immortalize you in the ride report!

Anyone who would like to do any stretch of the ride with me should post up.

This is about PEOPLE as much as it is about PLACES.

:rider:

You guys that know me need to chime in here with some references so my potential dates will know I am not dangerous. Unless I cook.

What do you say New Mexico?

Arizona?

California? Fittysom'n has already offered a futon in Stockton. :clap:

Oregon?

Seattle...My brother John and his family will host me there...but I will be looking up the Pike's Market Pasta man!

I will be learning to use my GPS while you all think about this.

Fitty's in Stockton, I'm in Rio Dell about 250 miles NORTH. E-mail me with a date and i'll check with my S.O. about couch/tent room. My e-mail is in my profile, i think. Or PM me.

[tamu08rider]

Very cool! That's exactly the ride I would do if I ever got the chance to go on a long ride. I will definitely be following along with the ride report. Best of luck!

[Soozy]

Fitty's in Stockton, I'm in Rio Dell about 250 miles NORTH. E-mail me with a date and i'll check with my S.O. about couch/tent room. My e-mail is in my profile, i think. Or PM me.

Yippee!! I am excited. I am going to have to do a map and start marking it up. I think I will be in Stockton by the 28th of June. I think I will head your way around the 30th.

Nice...Rio Dell...right on the coast. I will send a PM.

[Soozy]

Very cool! That's exactly the ride I would do if I ever got the chance to go on a long ride. I will definitely be following along with the ride report. Best of luck!

Hey TAMU! I am Class of '75. :mrgreen:

[DFW_Warrior]

I have a spot in Arlington!!! Oh wait.... that wouldn't be much of a trip now would it....

Soozy, let Rachel and I know when you might be in Colorado. We'd love to join you for awhile.

[drfood]

Soozy, I am so jealous of you I can hardly stand myself. You're doing something I have wanted to do since I got my bike a couple of years ago. I thought being off work, i.e. unemployed, would allow me more time to ride....but it did not. Now I've got 1 week before I start my job (hopefully if all goes well in preemployment screening) and I'm soooooo jealous.

Enjoy the ride, sorry we're in the wrong direction....Houston.

Have fun, be safe, keep the ride reports coming once you start....so I can live vicariously through the ride.

:rider: :eat: :rider:

[Kit_McConnico]

I too am jealous. This sounds like an awesome trip and is exactly what I would do if I had the time/money. Good on ya Soozy!

Oh, and congratulations Dr. Food!

[RASZ]

Soozy, I will be in Colorado around the first two weeks in July. I'll be leaving Richardson July 3 and have to be back for work on the 20th.

Here us part of my route
http://www.mapquest.com/mq/10-sPY6j28UrGpk

the next part is http://www.mapquest.com/mq/2-N4pGIwLWIL2zzT8lLDf*

and
http://www.mapquest.com/mq/3-vw1bX_2T
and then I guess I have to head for home.

I don't think I will camp in TX-but I will in Colorado. I do have places to stay at in Colorado Springs and Pueblo

I will also be going solo

[FJR Bandit]

Soozy, If this was only a month earlier, you would of had a room and some :scott: in Carlsbad. But I'm back in Texas now.:deal:

I'll be looking forward to your ride report.

[Soozy]

DFWWarrior and Butte...thanks! I would love to get you guys on the river. I will keep you posted. Plan for late July/early August.

DrFood...Congrats on the new job. That is a gift these days. You can count on me posting almost daily.

Thank you KitMcConnico!

Rasz, you have my number. You need to come about 75 miles further west. I may be there towards the end of your stay. I hope to see you up there.

FJRBandit...I wondered if I would hear from you...too bad I am too late! And welcome back to Texas.

[sharkey]

I can vouch for Soozy (somewhat), she did after all buy my scooter so how bad can she be. :mrgreen:

I can't verify her mowing skills, my yard is free this Sat.????:rofl:

What about AdvRider? You might have trouble finding people in AZ, NM, WA here on this forum. I read a guy's story on sport-touring.net and many members gave him a couch for the night. Great way to save moolah.

[achesley]

You are going to be covering lots of miles and territory . At least you will have time to explore the areas and smell the roses. I kinda sorta did a trip similar to this in the Summer of '04 on my R1150GSA. From Louisiana up to Wyoming and across to Oregon up to the top of Washington and down to Mount Lassen, then Utah and back across to Louisiana. Right close to 7000 miles in like 12 days. Talk about just sniff the roses in select places.
The things I would not miss in the California/Oregon/Washington regions are The Coast Highway, Yosemite, Valley of the Giants, Crater Lake, Views of the Columbia River Valley, Mount St. Hellens, Cascade Nat'l Park. That is just a few.

Have a lot of fun , take lots of time to smell the roses and (most important ) be safe and keep us informed. ;-)

[ItchyBob]

I'm stoked for you Soozy. I hope this is the respite you need to continue guiding/inspiring those young criminals.

For the possible "dates" that would like to understand her character, Soozy is a public school teacher that teaches high school children that are at their last chance at education versus going to prison. I have heard, via phone, first hand the incredulously disrespectful things they say to her and their classmates. She handles them all with calm aplomb.

[Soozy]

Sharkey, I never let my weeds get longer than 12 inches. The scooter has 41469 miles now. 23469 miles I have put on it since July 07 when I started riding.

Achesley, thank you for that list. I will try to get to every one of those places.

ItchyBob, I haven't been called a ******* ***** or a %$#*$## or even a ***** *** *** in 2 days. One thoughtful child left a note with every curse word they knew on it. Even better, about half were spelled correctly! I can read it if I ever feel a lack of abuse in my life. :mrgreen:

[Indy Bandit]

Soozy,

If you swing through Tucson, think about taking the ride to the top of Mt. Lemmon on the northside of town. It's a great mountain road with lots of beautiful views. I guarantee you'll be glad you did. They also have a lot roadside parks to camp in all along the road up the mountain.

Enjoy your ride and be safe. I'm so jealous.

[Soozy]

Wow, I want to do that, but I think I will be on a more northern route. So I have filed it For the Future!

[pacman]

Add me to the envious list. I would take a trip like this at a moments notice if the chance popped. For now I ride along with you in spirit. Be safe and have fun!!

[Texas T]

Wow, I want to do that, but I think I will be on a more northern route. So I have filed it For the Future!

What is your intended route though NM and AZ?

[Soozy]

Hey Texas T! I was just looking at that today. I am leaning toward this path loosely using no Interstate highways:

June 22 Day 1...Roswell
June 23 Day 2...Taos
June 24 Day 3...Shiprock
June 25 Day 4...Tuba City and the South rim
June 26 Day 5...North rim and a city I haven't picked
June 27 Day 6...Bakersfield Ca
June 28 Day 7...Hwy 1
June 29 Day 8...Stockton Ca for a few days maybe
June 30 Day 11..Rio Dell Ca
July 1 Day 12..Klamath Falls/Crater Lake
July 2 Day 13..Falls City Or/Valley of the Giants
July 3 Day 14..Seems like I will Seattle about this day


Where is the Valley of the Sun? I will google it.

[PrairieParson]

If you are going first toward Southern Calif a few stops I might recommend.

Carlsbad Caverns. The area is not great, but the cave is a great side trip. One of the top 10 National Parks.

Grand Canyon. Not much needs be said.
Vegas baby???? No. But Hoover Dam is probably worth the stop to see and take the dam tour, ask lots of dam questions.
Sedona area is good too if you are into rocks.
Durango Colorado and a trip up to Silverton and Ouray is not to be missed if you like mountains.

Unless you have friends there, or are into UFO's Roswell isn't much. Taos is good skiing. Some good roads and scenery. That could be done on the way to Durango, Co.

Just thought I'd give you a few options to consider.

Nothing much to see in Lubbock, so don't even bother to come this way. Flat, windy, hot, pumpjacks, cotton. That's all folks.

PrairieParson

[Txstomper67]

looking forward to the ride report. Safe travels and enjoy it to the fullest

[Texas T]

Where is the Valley of the Sun? I will google it. Phoenix

If your route is not set in stone and you've got the time to spend, come in the SE corner of Arizona and then take 191 all the way north to Ganado. If you want to split off to Tuba City at that point you can, or you can continue north and see Canyon de Chelly and then up to Monument Valley. From there you can swing west / southwest to do the Grand Canyon. I highly recommend Monument Valley.

If Tourmeister sees this he will probably chime in and tell you to go a little further north into Utah as well.

191 from Clifton to Springerville is the western version of Tail Of The Dragon. It is also known as the Devil's Highway due to it's previous route designation as 666. Here's some more info...
http://www.azride.com/DevilsHighwayRun.html

[twist]

Salt Lake City (metro area).

I've "hosted" other TWTEX folks in my home, spare room, etc., etc.

Let me know.

[ctoons]

June 22 Day 1...Roswell
June 23 Day 2...Taos
June 24 Day 3...Shiprock
June 25 Day 4...Tuba City and the South rim
June 26 Day 5...North rim and a city I haven't picked
June 27 Day 6...Bakersfield Ca
June 28 Day 7...Hwy 1
June 29 Day 8...Stockton Ca for a few days maybe
June 30 Day 11..Rio Dell Ca
July 1 Day 12..Klamath Falls/Crater Lake
July 2 Day 13..Falls City Or/Valley of the Giants
July 3 Day 14..Seems like I will Seattle about this day


You'll be covering a lot of the same places we hit on the first 2 weeks of our 12,000 mile trip last summer. Blog (http://ctoons124.blogspot.com/)

Carlsbad Caverns. The area is not great, but the cave is a great side trip.

Grand Canyon. Not much needs be said.
Vegas baby????
But Hoover Dam is probably worth the stop to see and take the dam tour, ask lots of dam questions.

Unless you have friends there, or are into UFO's Roswell isn't much.
PrairieParson

+1 on all (Make sure you are there to see the bats at dusk in Carlsbad.)

Hoover Dam was impressive but I thought the tour was overpriced and the temperature in late June was outrageously HOT! (We spent 3 days in Vegas Baby!)


The things I would not miss in the California/Oregon/Washington regions are The Coast Highway, Yosemite, Crater Lake, Views of the Columbia River Valley

I LOVED Yosemite AND Crater Lake!

I highly recommend Monument Valley.


If you are going to Monument Valley, hit Natural Bridges National Monument also.

I wish I was going with you!:-(

[Soozy]

PrairieParson, thank you for the ideas. I was lucky enough as a kid to see Carlsbad Caverns and the Bat Flight(AMAZING!) and I had a week in Vegas and won't share that because...well you know...What happens in Vegas....:mrgreen:
But I did get to Hoover Dam and I am catching the Colorado spots on the flip side of this trip.

TxStomper...You will have a nice long ride report. Thanks for being a fan!

CToons...I will be reading your blog.

[Soozy]

Salt Lake City (metro area).

I've "hosted" other TWTEX folks in my home, spare room, etc., etc.

Let me know.

I would like to stop in to Salt Lake City on the way out of Washington, so welcome to the 50 Dates!

[Soozy]

Wannabeguru and and his lovely wife are in! Thank you guys!

[Texas T]

More info on 191...
http://www.motorcycleroads.us/roads/az_us191.html

191 on Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=17563596568180101437,33.848427,-109.146500%3B7517588976944406330,33.493518,-109.336127&time=&date=&ttype=&saddr=US-191+%4033.848427,+-109.146500&daddr=US-191+%4033.493518,+-109.336127+to:33.041047,-109.294996&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=2&sz=14&via=1&sll=33.042918,-109.29328&sspn=0.032809,0.060596&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=33.468108,-109.335937&spn=1.603796,3.02124&z=8&source=embed)

[Soozy]

Thanks TexasT!! I have that bookmarked now.

[Gilk51]

I will be taking to the road in about 2 weeks; most likely on June 20.

I have a spot in Arlington!!! Oh wait.... that wouldn't be much of a trip now would it....

Make sure that you make it to Friday Night Ice Cream on the Friday before for a proper send-off! :rider:

[Soozy]

Oh, I'll be there. 8)

I got some help with a few things on the bike yesterday. I have a gas door, working headlights, and a working throttle lock. All I have to do now is fresh fluids, radiator flush, and spark plugs. And maybe order that missing back piece. And learn how to run the GPS.

[ctoons]

I will be taking to the road in about 2 weeks; most likely on June 20.


We are leaving out tomorrow to go to Arkansas for a couple of weeks. (My ride report won't be nearly as exciting as yours! :yawn:) We should be returning home about the time you are leaving. Hope you have a great trip! Take lots of pictures and be safe!

[Soozy]

And Arkansas is one of your white states....good! Have a blast!

[DaveC]

Tent Space on ADVrider (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149585)

[jollyroger75243]

We are leaving out tomorrow to go to Arkansas for a couple of weeks. (My ride report won't be nearly as exciting as yours! :yawn:) We should be returning home about the time you are leaving. Hope you have a great trip! Take lots of pictures and be safe!

Not to sound contrary....to date, AR is one of the best riding states, IMO. If I can help make it interesting, I can send some routing.

[jollyroger75243]

More info on 191...
http://www.motorcycleroads.us/roads/az_us191.html

191 on Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=17563596568180101437,33.848427,-109.146500%3B7517588976944406330,33.493518,-109.336127&time=&date=&ttype=&saddr=US-191+%4033.848427,+-109.146500&daddr=US-191+%4033.493518,+-109.336127+to:33.041047,-109.294996&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=2&sz=14&via=1&sll=33.042918,-109.29328&sspn=0.032809,0.060596&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=33.468108,-109.335937&spn=1.603796,3.02124&z=8&source=embed)

Coronado Trail! I'll be there around noon (w/3-5 others) on 19JUN09 to 21JUN09. Don't forget 78? part of the Trail. Taking Geronimo Skyway to the "wrong way" on180 to get to Alpine Friday afternoon. I'll have an extra rack in Alpine available.We shall make revolutions of the Coronado Trail/loop until Sunday morning.

915 443 7088 Blackberry

[Soozy]

That looks like great fun! I may plan it in to my trek, but I don't think I will be there at the same time as you and your friends.

[ctoons]

Not to sound contrary....to date, AR is one of the best riding states, IMO. If I can help make it interesting, I can send some routing.

We had one great day of riding on the Talimena Byway, over Mount Magazine, and the Pig Trail Byway. Then, my bike broke down, probably the stator. We are trying to decide how I'm getting back home now. This is the second summer in a row my VN 750 has left me short of my intended destination.
:giveup:
I'm test riding some newer bikes tomorrow. If I decide to buy a new bike, I may get another good day of riding in before we have to go back home.

[Soozy]

Well, at least Arkansas is colored in on your avatar now! I am so sorry your bike broke.

[RASZ]

What are you taking with you? How many clothes? You've seen how I pack and I am trying to cut down. I need your advise or come pack my stuff for me.:giveup:

[ctoons]

I figured out how I'm getting home...

See this Thread (http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?p=624785#post624785)

[wanabeguru]

Be sure and call wanabeguru from Fitty's to verify available camping dates!

[TexasShadow]

Soozy, if you go inland at all in Oregon (Willamette Valley, west over the Coastal Range - not the Cascades), let me know. My daughter lives in Albany -in between Corvallis and Eugene- and she would love to visit with you. She's also the bike mechanic.
Also, if you need anything to be shipped (clothes, etc), let me know. I can have a box shipped to her and you can pick it up at her place.

I can give you her cell phone number.

E

[ctoons]

What are you taking with you? How many clothes? You've seen how I pack and I am trying to cut down. I need your advise or come pack my stuff for me.:giveup:

Take about half as many clothes as you think you'll need! We ended up shipping clothes back home after our first week on the road last summer because we had packed too much. You can always find a laundrymat.

[Soozy]

What are you taking with you? How many clothes? You've seen how I pack and I am trying to cut down. I need your advise or come pack my stuff for me.:giveup:

One skirt, pair of sandals, two light weight shirts, two pairs of shorts, one pair long pants, two long johns, 3 undies, one sweater, one sweat shirt.

I wash things out when I shower so I don't have to carry many things.

Full gear.

One person tent.
Electric glow stick. I like it better than a flash light.
bed roll (thermorest, blue foam pad, two blankets wrapped around the tent)

Comb and stuff to stay lovely like I am. *blinks innocently*

Camera and batteries
Computer
Cell phone
Camel back
GPS
Ipod
Tools

All the electronics are in the trunk. Dri bag holds the rest on the back of the bike, and the bedroll is strapped to the seat where it acts as a back rest.

I also carry canyon dancers in case I should need towing.

[Soozy]

Soozy, if you go inland at all in Oregon (Willamette Valley, west over the Coastal Range - not the Cascades), let me know. My daughter lives in Albany -in between Corvallis and Eugene- and she would love to visit with you. She's also the bike mechanic.
Also, if you need anything to be shipped (clothes, etc), let me know. I can have a box shipped to her and you can pick it up at her place.

I can give you her cell phone number.

E

Thank you Elzi! I will know my route soon. I would love to meet your daughter. Thanks for the logistics offer, too. I think I will have what I need with me.

[Soozy]

Take about half as many clothes as you think you'll need! We ended up shipping clothes back home after our first week on the road last summer because we had packed too much. You can always find a laundrymat.

*High fives Toons*

Too much stuff becomes a hassel. And we don't care if we stink. :mrgreen:

[Soozy]

Be sure and call wanabeguru from Fitty's to verify available camping dates!

I will! I will also have definite dates in a day or two. I PMed Fitty today. I am wondering if he ended up having surgery.

[Gilk51]

Sure would be nice if you had a SPOT so we could follow you along .


(and also know where to send the emergency crew :eek2: ) ;-)

[RASZ]

Sure would be nice if you had a SPOT so we could follow you along .


(and also know where to send the emergency crew :eek2: ) ;-)

If anyone would like to contribute to two SPOT's. One for me and one for Soozy- (I would gladly accept) I looked into it and I could not justify the cost.

[Janet]

I will donate one for the trip

[Soozy]

I'll be posting every day that I have access to electricity. That will have to serve as my Spot.

I am with Rasz...I gotta do this on the cheap or not do it at all. It is great being a teacher and having the time to do this...and no money to do it.:mrgreen:

[Soozy]

I will donate one for the trip

Wow! Janet, you are the best!

[Janet]

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=02TJbKzBeeMHMckrBbi2pVsq8Kyv8oO 1b

[Soozy]

AND you work FAST!

See the SPOT link in my signature? :clap:

[Gilk51]

See what great ideas I have? :lol2:





Well, it's a great idea when you have friends like Janet! :thumb:

[RASZ]

AND you work FAST!

See the SPOT link in my signature? :clap:


**** Sooz, you have great peeps!! You are one lucky girl.;-)

[hardybaker]

I'm leaving for Lake Tahoe, CA. Sat. morning. (or Sunday) Going to a sidecar rally. If you see a maroon 1800 wing pulling a trailer the same color, "hollar." ps yesterday morning it got down to 42 degrees. The high yesterday was 72 degrees. Enjoy yourself Soozy.

[Soozy]

I hope I see you out there! 42 degrees sounds like heaven.

[Soozy]

**** Sooz, you have great peeps!! You are one lucky girl.;-)

Wow Rasz, and it was YOUR idea! I know you will have a blast. Colorado Springs is about 70 miles from Buena Vista where my brother lives. If you need help up there call me and I will get him.

[RASZ]

Wow Rasz, and it was YOUR idea! I know you will have a blast. Colorado Springs is about 70 miles from Buena Vista where my brother lives. If you need help up there call me and I will get him.

Thanks for the offer. It would be great if we could hook up in Colorado.:rider:

[RASZ]

One skirt, pair of sandals, two light weight shirts, two pairs of shorts, one pair long pants, two long johns, 3 undies, one sweater, one sweat shirt.

I wash things out when I shower so I don't have to carry many things.

Full gear.

One person tent.
Electric glow stick. I like it better than a flash light.
bed roll (thermorest, blue foam pad, two blankets wrapped around the tent)

Comb and stuff to stay lovely like I am. *blinks innocently*

Camera and batteries
Computer
Cell phone
Camel back
GPS
Ipod
Tools

All the electronics are in the trunk. Dri bag holds the rest on the back of the bike, and the bedroll is strapped to the seat where it acts as a back rest.

I also carry canyon dancers in case I should need towing.


Ok. So I have been thinking. What about a towel or do ya'll shake off:rofl:

[Tracker]

Ok. So I have been thinking. What about a towel or do ya'll shake off:rofl:
Ride nekkid & faster. :lol2:

[DaveC]

Ride nekkid & faster. :lol2:



Ride Naked! (http://s100.photobucket.com/albums/m18/dcarter001/?action=view&current=ridenaked.jpg)

:eek2:

[ctoons]

It is great being a teacher and having the time to do this...and no money to do it.:mrgreen:

:clap:

I'm completely with you there!

[Soozy]

oops!!

A towel....a really big towel. I learned this last year when I ran out of quarters in the public shower. Big...BIG towel.

[Squeaky]

oops!!

A towel....a really big towel. I learned this last year when I ran out of quarters in the public shower. Big...BIG towel.

Camp towels.

They don't feel like a soft, comfy towel against the skin, but it's as big as a "real" towel, it packs as small as a large wash cloth, and it dries very quickly if you hang it up to air it out.

Some choices:
http://www.rei.com/search?query=towel&button.x=0&button.y=0

Go to a camp store and "feel" them before you pick one. Open them up and check for size, etc. You really want to buy the right one for you - then it will last for a long, long time.

[Desert Skies]

I'm thinking she may be thinking of a few more square inches. :eek2:

[Squeaky]

The XL is 54 x 25 - plenty to cover up. Heck, I'm not exactly skinny and I can get mine wrapped all the way around me and it's long enough to cover the "important parts".

[DaveC]

must resist.....

[Soozy]

oOO(BIG towel...)

[ed29]

My sleeping bag liner does double duty as a camp towel. It is micro fiber something or other, stuffs into a 5"X2" sack, dries very fast, and was less than ten bucks at Academy.

I don't use it much as a liner for the bag though.

[DFW_Warrior]

As this trip nears, I can only add one thing. For those of you that are going to be sharing time with Soozy throughout this trip, you are all in for a treat. She is absolutely one of the most incredible motorcycle riders I've had the privilege to share a camp with. You will never be bored, and I promise you that you will have some kick butt stories to tell after she is on her way.

Soozy, you go girl!!!!! Rachel and I will be thinking about you while you are out and about.:rider:

[pacman]

And she makes great pancakes! :eat:

[Soozy]

Thanks to Bill and Rachel for filling up my Ipod for the ride.

I suddenly crave pancakes... :trust:

Tomorrow I pack.

Here is the itinerary for the first 2 weeks. As I am researching camp grounds and motels, I am realizing I am not being realistic on having time to see everything. 8) So I will have to do it again next year!!

June 20 Ruidosa NM 515

June 21 Alpine 404 TaiWiWi Lodge

June 22 South Rim Grand Canyon 350

June 23 North Rim and end in Hurricane 341

June 24 Bakersfield CA 447

June 25 Stockton CA 436 Fittysom'n is my host!

June 28 Day ride in Mill Valley CA

June 29 Rio Dell CA 315 Wannabeguru and Ms. host me!

June 30 Klamath Falls Or 286

July 1 Albany Or 214 Elzi's daughter hosts maybe

July 2 Seattle 223 My brother hosts

Total 3531....the first leg of the trip.

This thread will start in the Storytelling forum Saturday night!!

Thanks to everyone for help in so many ways. Including thanks to my son Seth who is changing all fluids and popping in new spark plugs for me.

[Gilk51]

Including thanks to my son Seth who is changing all fluids and popping in new spark plugs for me.

Uh, I hate to ask at the last minute, but when was the last time the variator belt was changed on your Bergie? I don't know what the life is on those or how tough they are to change but I thought I would ask... :doh:

[Soozy]

Uh...what's a variator belt?

Is that a cvt belt? Those are rated lifetime on a Burg, BUT there are some folks who have had theirs go out close to 50000 miles. I will hit that mark on the trip. My break down plan is to trade the bike in on a new one. :mrgreen:

[wanabeguru]

way-ta-go, girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gilk51]

Uh...what's a variator belt?

Is that a cvt belt? Those are rated lifetime on a Burg, BUT there are some folks who have had theirs go out close to 50000 miles. I will hit that mark on the trip. My break down plan is to trade the bike in on a new one. :mrgreen:

Yes, it's the CVT belt. That's good that they last that long - I think Susan's Atlantic had them changed at every 10000 miles. Not sure what the MP3 replacement schedule is.

Sounds like you are good on that one. :thumb:

[mikeofcontex]

I thought you said you had time and NOT money...

Your trip has made me quite the Walter Mitty... I wish you much fun and safety!

[wanabeguru]

Soozy: good news, I will be able to have the 29th as VACATION. WOO-HOO!! So, let me know your new arrival time so I can plan some sight-seeing. Just PM, or e-mail, or call my cell.

[Soozy]

I thought you said you had time and NOT money...

Your trip has made me quite the Walter Mitty... I wish you much fun and safety!

I have good credit. :mrgreen:

[Soozy]

Soozy: good news, I will be able to have the 29th as VACATION. WOO-HOO!! So, let me know your new arrival time so I can plan some sight-seeing. Just PM, or e-mail, or call my cell.

That IS good news! Fitty told me he wants to ride with you some day. I wonder if he might be able to ride to Rio Dell so we can all go together?

[wanabeguru]

That IS good news! Fitty told me he wants to ride with you some day. I wonder if he might be able to ride to Rio Dell so we can all go together?

If you and Fitty want to come up on the 28th so he can stay over for some ride time the 29th before heading home we can figger out a place[s] for folks to lay their heads. Either way, we await TWT folks for visits and rides.

[Soozy]

This just gets better by the day. :mrgreen:

[M38A1]

Ride safe and I look forward to your trip report!

[TexasShadow]

Soozy, I pm'd you with Tanaya's phone # and address. Please take pics. I haven't seen my daughter in four years. :(
I'm envious!

[Gilk51]

If all went well, our Gal should have been on her way about 6 this morning. I think she was getting a Burgman 400 escort until the first gas stop...

[TexasShadow]

If all went well, our Gal should have been on her way about 6 this morning. I think she was getting a Burgman 400 escort until the first gas stop...Poo... my pm was too late, then. Do you know if she will be checking the forum somehow along the way? If not, anyone have a contact number so I can relay Tanaya's contact info?

I didn't realize she was leaving today. I'm still trying to catch up on life at home. :shock:

[Gilk51]

Poo... my pm was too late, then. Do you know if she will be checking the forum somehow along the way? If not, anyone have a contact number so I can relay Tanaya's contact info?

I didn't realize she was leaving today. I'm still trying to catch up on life at home. :shock:

vacation withdrawal? :-P

She is supposed to check in wherever possible - there is a computer in her packing list and this:

This thread will start in the Storytelling forum Saturday night!!


So, I am pretty sure she will get it!
:rider:

[TexasShadow]

vacation withdrawal? :-P Yes, and post-storm repairs.

So, I am pretty sure she will get it!
:rider: Phew! Good. I wish I was going, too.
Oh well, today is ADCR (Another Day Closer To Retirement).

[Gilk51]

Soozy just called and was trying to see whether the SPOT was working correctly (see the link in Soozy's signature), There was a mark in Breckenridge from an hour ago when she pressed OK. She and Slowpoke are in Albany right now. She forgot how to turn the auto-tracking on and will try to call Janet later on - I don't have one so I couldn't give her any advice. I assume that is not hard to do.

I told her to puch OK at every stop until the tracking was turned on.

Elz - she will check her PMs tonight when she stops for the day.

[Tracker]

<snip> My break down plan is to trade the bike in on a new one. :mrgreen:

I like your plan! I've plotted some about flying to Portland or Seattle, hang out a day or two and peruse Craigslist for a bike, then ride back.

[Gilk51]

Janet's instructions for turing tracking on:

After the unit has been on for 15-20 seconds, press and hold the OK button for about 10 seconds (until the light goes out) and that should enable the tracking feature.

She has 2 points on her map! :rider:

[Gilk51]

Called Soozy and caught her stopped at a hardware store to get a couple of screws to hold her GPS. Hopefully, the tracking is going now. We'll see... :ponder:

[DFW Dano]

Professor Gilk..... Mission Coodinator.....

Soozy's Big Blast.......... :rofl:

[Slowpoke]

Hup. Hup. Slowpoke is home again.

That was FUN. :rider:

Thanks, Soozy!

[Soozy]

I made Alamogorda. This room has no 3 prong outlets, so I guess I will start the ride report tomorrow as the computer will go dead before I can get it done.

I got your PM Elzi....thanks!

And...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

[Texas T]

I made Alamogorda. This room has no 3 prong outlets, so I guess I will start the ride report tomorrow as the computer will go dead before I can get it done. Sounds like a trip to Home Depot is now in order.

Be safe.

[ItchyBob]

Well I hope your day went well. Hwy 191 looks like fun.

[Soozy]

Thank you ItchyBob!

I just posted in the Story Telling forum the start of this report. With pictures.

Click here for a good time (http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?p=626910#post626910)