How awesome is this to wake up and see? :)

Click on the picture below to view the full image.

St Mary Lake

I have made it to Glacier National Park

This is Biscuit and Gravy. The owners dogs. They are English Labs

How cool is this B&B in Valier, MT called The Stone School Inn. I am staying on the second floor in the Pheasant Room. More pics to come

Montana is quite chilly! Had to double layer. Its beautiful here. Seems like the Marlboro man would live here haha

Aahhh the beginning of a new day :) Heading to Valier, MT 40 miles from Glacier NP

Livingston, MT is a hidden gem

Mermaid Red Ale and Thai Buffalo Burger...I'm almost back to normal :)

This might be a good start to recovery ;)

I need a rebound strategy. Text or email me your suggestions of what to do now?

I think this sums up the day. Busted headlight, rain, hail, 400miles, and park congestion.

And it gets worse...HAIL

This day is a total wash. Got to be the most disappointed I have ever felt. Also its been pouring rain for the last 40 miles.

Come to Yellowstone and see all the beautiful people...I am out of here. Heading north.

So frustrated! Yellowstone is a madhouse. Frankly I do not recommend this park to anyone. Its the Walmart of parks.

Once again the generosity from people comes through. Met JC at my campsite and he invited me over for beer and bbq. Awesome

Riding through my first lightning storm just outside Thermopolis, WY

In Cody, WY...10 miles from Yellowstone NP

Sunset at Boysen State Park, WY

There's nothing like looking up and seeing nothing but 1 billion stars and no sound but crickets and waves crashing

A care package from Kelly the Park Ranger.

I just mentioned people's good nature and i come back to my campsite and a care package was left by a park ranger :)

Mint Oreo Malt...perfect for this hot weather

I am continually reminded how good natured the majority of people are. Dont let the fear of 'crazy people' ruin your travels.

The road to Thermopolis WY. Wind River Canyon on HWY 20

Thermopolis WY Hot Springs State Park

Im shaking with chills. The ride to Thermopolis was the best i have ever experienced. Pics to come.

Off for a side trip to Thermopolis,WY to soak in the world largest Hot Springs

WEEK 1: Fav Track= Sweet Disposition by Temper Trap...you must download and listen as the sun is coming up in the AM

WEEK 1: States Crossed=Virginia,West Virginia,Pennsylvania,Ohio,Indiana,Illinois,Missouri,Kansas,Colorado,Wyoming

WEEK 1: Miles=2160, Fuel=$127.11, Driving=34hrs, Avg Speed=64MPH

Lesson learned: stake down your tent on ALL sides...mine just blew over the cliff and i had to go retrieve it hahaha

Improv: 1 inflatable pad +1 inflatable float (found) = 1 outdoor recliner with a view

I am so lucky to have seen a sight like this in my lifetime...and the camping spot couldnt be more perfect

I am in total shock about how beautiful the random Boysen State Park turned out to be

Eating at the "Ghost Town" Restaurant just outside Casper, WY...and this weird old guy wont stop staring at me haha

Heading into Wyoming

I take it all back. WY is the most desolate landscape..but the most breathtaking as well

Crossed into Wyoming

Back at it..next stop Boysen State Park, WY...the Rockies have been gorgeous so far

Kendall and I rock climbing

Riding with Logan on the ATV

Eating breakfast with my little buddies

Welcome to Colorado. It's like Kansas but with mountains in the middle. Haha

Current "trip mileage/report"

Crossed the state line into Colorado..couldnt ask for better riding weather than this :))

The utter desolation of western Kansas cannot even be described! It is truly a prairie desert

In Hays, KS..still cant get over how amazing the wind farm was in Ellsworth...just incredible

Windmill Farm in KS

On the road again...in Salina KS

Uncle Charley, Aunt Brenda, Me

Sunset at scenic overlook in Manhattan KS

Scenic overlook from Manhattan KS

The vast open terrain is hard to capture in a photo.

Had an amazing day visiting with family yesterday. One more day in Kansas then im off to Denver CO

Me, Heather, and Kyler

Lacey, Me, and Uncle Dallas

...Destroying the opposition....Priceless :)

1000 mile drive to KC. 2 plates Arthur Bryant Bbq....

Athur Bryants BBQ in Kansas City

In Kansas City waiting for Arthur Bryants to open...so excited!

80 miles from Kansas City...next stop Arthur Bryants BBQ..sweet!!

Universal Rule: All motorcyclists wave at other passing motorcyclists.

Why is it that in every hotel there are always pubic hairs on or near the ceilings in the shower?

Warrenton MO at least has nice sunsets

Cop needs to take profiling class again..its East for Mecca and i was obviously watching the sunset, last i heard was West

Just got questioned by a cop who thought i was "a muslim" ...was laying on ground facing West taking a pic..hahah hilarious

It's only noon but after 6hrs riding and the heat I am done for the day. Stopping in Warrenton, MO..about 150miles from KC

And here comes the rain..thus the rainsuit

Up and at 'em early again. 1hr on the road in Indiana feels like an eternity. Plus my back is really sore...hope the rain holds off

My reward for 12hrs riding/600miles...HOT TUB!! :)

Exactly 600 miles and I've just landed in an amazing hotel in Plainfield Indiana. Hot tub time :)

Already past Columbus. Gonna keep pushing to avoid the rain for tomorrow.

100 miles down. Just think, I only have to do this 70 more times and I'll be back home haha

And the journey begins.

The Night Before

 

 

 

Well its that time! Packed my North Face duffle bag with all the items located on my checklist below. Here I have given you before and after pictures of the bags contents. The army pot and mosquito repellent fan are items I am going to "sleep on" tonight and see if I really need them in the morning. I would rather pack less and have room to pick up small little items along the way. I also included a picture with all my riding gear. Thought it would be kind of deceiving not to include that stuff, eventhough I will be wearing it all day.
I am definitely feeling last minute butterflies about the trip. I think mostly because I will be traveling on my own. But then again that adds to my excitement and freedom of doing whatever I want for the next 30 days. Plus my friend Cole has already booked a plane ticket to meet me in Salt Lake City, UT and is going to follow me for approximately 3 days (Salt Lake City -> Arches NP -> Mesa Verde NP -> Denver). Pretty stoked about that news and will definitely break up trip nicely.
Well the next time you see me post something here my journey will have started and I will have lost approximately 10lbs from sweating ;) Wish me luck.

Shenandoah National Park

*UPDATE* - New Route

View Cross-Country Trip : New Route in a larger map

With the recent "heat wave" sweeping across the country and temperatures soaring into the 100's I have had to modify my route. My previous route had me passing across Nevada twice and with temperatures averaging 115 degrees I made the call it wasn't worth the misery to see one National Park on the west coast when I could alter my trip and see three more. So I am heading north to cooler climates and Glacier National Park near the Canadian border.

Day. Destination
1. Arrive Columbus, OH - July 26
2. St Louis - July 27
3. Dwight, KS - July 28
4. Dwight, KS - July 29th
5. Aurora, CO - July 30
6. Aurora, CO - July 31
7. Boysen State Park, WY - Aug 1
8. Boysen State Park, WY - Aug 2
9. Yellowstone National Park, WY - Aug 3
10. Grand Teton National Park, WY - Aug 4
11. Yellowstone National Park, WY - Aug 5
12. Valier, MT - Aug 6
13. Glacier National Park, MT - Aug 7
14. Glacier National Park, MT - Aug 8
15. Spokane, WA - Aug 9
16. Mt Idaho, ID - Aug 10
17. Lowman, ID - Aug 11
18. Ketchum, ID - Aug 12
19. Salt Lake City, UT - Aug 13
20. Moab, UT - Aug 14
21. Durango, CO - Aug 15
22. Aurora, CO - Aug 16
23. Aurora, CO - Aug 17
24. Aurora, CO - Aug 18
25. Dwight, KS - Aug 19
26. Dwight, KS - Aug 20
27. St Louis, - Aug 21
28. Columbus, OH - Aug 22
29. Washington, D.C. - Aug 23
30. !!Extra Day!!

Reflective Black Tape

 

 

 

 

Added reflective black tape to my bike. Still trying to eliminate the excuse that someone could say they didnt see me coming. Took about 1 hour to do all the measuring and cutting but I think it turned out real nice. Plus with it being black you dont even notice the tape until it is hit with a bright light. All for only $19 off of amazon.com