The day before the trip to Seattle

When people found out I was taking another motorcycle trip, one of the first questions I was asked was: Are you going to blog it like your trip to Alaska?  Not where I'm going, but if I was going to blog.   I really did not expect to blog this trip but the more I thought about it, the more I thought I should.  My blog last year for my trip to, Zen and the Art of Riding your Motorcycle to Alaska was a last second idea I had and I thought it might be best to do this to stay in communication with my family because many of the areas were remote.  Turns out, many others read it and enjoyed it.  I've had complete strangers talk to me about my blog and how much they enjoyed it.  It made me feel good that in my small way I shared my trip with so many people.   

Some might remember for my ride last year, I was very worried about my dog Indy.  His health was not the best and he was sick while I was away.  It was touch and go.  I dedicated my ride to him.  The day I got home from my trip to Alaska, my best memory was how excited Indy was to see me.  It did my heart good to see him and it was emotional for me and him.

  Well here is a better picture of Indy.

Sadly, Indy recently passed away.  He was 17 years old and lived a great life and brought much joy to our family.  Saying goodbye to him was one of the hardest things I've had to do.  Below is the last picture I took of him.  He was in pain but in this picture he looked so content...

Okay, enough of the sappy stuff.  This is my first entry for this blog for a trip I am taking to ride my beloved BMW R1200 GSA motorcycle (Red Velvet) down the west coast of the US with my good friend Scott Hoy.  Scott left early Saturday 6/28 and drove to Seattle pulling a trailer with his motorcycle and mine.  He arrived very early this yesterday morning and is staying with his brother Jeff who has lived in Seattle for many years.  On Thursday 7/3, I fly out to Seattle on American Airlines.  I checked in and took a look at my assigned seating and it looks like I’ll be nice and cramped from Columbus to Dallas (2 hours) and then from Dallas to Seattle (4 hours).  This will be the worst part of the trip.  Folding up my 6’7 frame for a plane ride.  I hope the people I sit next to are patient with me and the opposite of me, small!

Last year Scott and I began to talk of taking a trip on our motorcycle together.  We started off when maybe a 4 or 5 day trip, talking about making a loop around the great lakes or perhaps out to the Dakota’s or Montana.  We talked about trailering our bikes for a day or two and then riding around somewhere and then back to our trailer.  A little over a month ago, Scott proposed the idea of him trailering our bikes to Seattle and then me flying out later.  I jumped on the offer because while I like riding across the plans of the US (I have done this several times), I even liked more the idea of skipping the ride through the middle of the US and just getting to the West Coast and ride!  So about a month ago, I had my travel agent (Cathy my wife) book me the flights out to Seattle and back.  Scott is equally excited and has done a lot of prep work to his Harley Davidson motorcycle, getting it ready for the long trip. 

Red Velvet (not happy being on a trailer) with Scott's HD.  I'm not sure what Scott calls his HD...yet!

So I have known Scott for many, many years as we both grew up on in the same neighborhood when we were young.  We lived on Devin Road and I remember hanging with Scott in early elementary school, attending Richard Avenue.  He is someone I can call as a friend for 45+ years.  He is one heck of a friend and I’m really looking forward to spending the next week or so riding, seeing the sights of the west coast, camping and raising a little hell along the way.  It will surely be an epic journey. 

Scott while hunting squirrels from a few years back. 

So a lot of people ask me about why I ride motorcycles.  Well the quick answer is because I wanted to be cool...like Evel Knievel, one of my my childhood hero's.  If you grew up in the late 60's/70's, everyone knew who Evel was.  The picture below is me trying to be like him in Milwaukee a few years back at the Harley Davidson museum.  If you get a chance, check it out.  It's an awesome display of Harlely's and their history.

A few thank you's before I leave for the trip:

1. The first is my wife Cathy.  She is quite simply the best!  She puts up with me in so many ways and supports me when I dream up trips/journeys like I'm am starting July 3.   Thanks Cathy!
2. My kids, Conor and Zach.  They both continue to amaze and inspire me in many ways.  Take care of the house and mom while I am away!
3. Thanks to all my friends!  Enjoy and get out and ride!