tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71762065109511799772010-04-30T02:36:29.260-07:00n8motoNathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-74108171724219923022010-01-18T23:21:00.001-08:002010-04-30T02:36:29.273-07:00Trip Wrapup & What's NextWell folks, the big summer trip is long over. It was easily the best thing I've ever done for myself. Since my return, I've gotten married, honeymooned with my new wife and road-tripped up to NorCal to see my brother get married. Even lined up a job when it was all over. It was, without a doubt, the best summer of my life. Since I've been 'back', it's been non-stop busy at my new job. I have been stalling on the wrap-up post...I think that was the last task in my summer of fun. That doesn't signal the end of this blog...rest assured, <span style="font-weight: bold;">I will be doing another adventure</span> soon enough. And smaller ones here and there as well. :-) Anyway, on to data.<br /><br />This is a map of the whole trip, as captured by my GPS. Put together with Google Earth. My computer struggled to draw this image, due to the sheer number of datapoints...one per second for the whole trip..duplicated multiple times, as my saved files generally had overlap.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3880057632/" title="Moto ADV 2009 Trip Route by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3480/3880057632_6f482d7e3c.jpg" alt="Moto ADV 2009 Trip Route" height="353" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Here it is again on EverLater, with dates, etc: <a href="http://www.everlater.com/n8foo/n8-moto-2009">http://www.everlater.com/n8foo/n8-moto-2009</a><br /><br />Some stats:<br /><blockquote style="font-family: courier new; font-weight: bold;">9723 miles<br />194.46 gallons of fuel<br />50MPG<br />49MPH avg speed<br />66 days traveling<br />198 hours on the bike (approx avg)<br />6 hours per day riding (approx avg)<br />23 US States<br />2 tires (front + back are done)<br />1 space shuttle launch, 5 scrubs, 10 days waiting on it</blockquote><br /><span style="font-family:monospace;"></span>Sleeping Arrangements:<br /><img style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 28.5px; width: 500px; height: 353px;" src="http://spreadsheets.google.com/oimg?key=0ArzDFlAHp7_SclNxazB4MHUwNmdyR3RJVERRaFlRbUE&oid=5&v=1263891771794" /><br /><br />I was out a <span style="font-weight: bold;">total of 66 days</span>. Of which, I stayed with family: 27 days, friends: 20 days, motel: 15 days and camped: 4 days. The weather made camping a bit harder, since I really had only packed for dry camping and there was quite a bit of bad weather in the mid-west and south-east. I'd like my next trip to have very little hotels, if possible. Camping & staying with people you meet is very rewarding, I want to do more of it.<br /><br />Planning my next trip is now picking back up. I've currently got it in my head that it'd be great fun to do Fairbanks to Key-West - The entirety of North America. Sounds doable in a month - 6 weeks at a pace that would allow some adventure. Also been reading about crossing the USA on dirt via the Trans America trail. I've got a good job for the moment so that stuff is on hold, but I expect to do a few long weekend trips this summer to tide me over until I can take a few months off once again. :)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fairbanks to Key West</span><br /><a href="http://www.mctourer.com/rides/2004UCC/UCC04.html">http://www.mctourer.com/rides/2004UCC/UCC04.html</a><br /><a href="http://roadtrip.apehangers.org/alaska/">http://roadtrip.apehangers.org/alaska/</a><br /><a href="http://www.ridermagazine.com/output.cfm?ID=2184769">http://www.ridermagazine.com/output.cfm?ID=2184769</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Trans Am Trail</span><br /><a href="http://www.transamtrail.com/">http://www.transamtrail.com/</a><br /><a href="http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153795">http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153795</a> (awesome read!)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-7410817172421992302?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-86747909732592945792009-09-25T14:24:00.000-07:002010-01-19T01:33:07.583-08:00Got some Press!<pre><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3945339922/" title="Article on my trip by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3441/3945339922_2fcfa0fa78.jpg" alt="Article on my trip" height="500" width="375" /></a><br /></pre><br />Check it out, I made the paper in my parent's hometown of Crossville, TN. I can't believe how long it is! Dad said I got more press than the governor, hah!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.crossville-chronicle.com/homepage/local_story_218172554.html">http://www.crossville-chronicle.com/homepage/local_story_218172554.html</a><br /><br />BTW, there are a few inaccuracies that you can probably spot. My severance didn't afford me a brand new bike, just the outfit, gear and the time to do it. I didn't drive to Cabo (entirely off road) as a test run. Didn't call northern Texas "un-interesting", but I did say the roads were (Texans will agree). Jason and I didn't actually meet Buzz Aldrin, he was just there. I did meet the creator of the Blackberry though.<br /><br />The article was great, and it makes a kick-ass addition to this whole experience. :)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-8674790973259294579?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-42841009755522294242009-08-07T23:09:00.000-07:002009-08-23T17:12:29.104-07:00Home to San DiegoWoke up early to head out towards San Diego. And meet Jay for breakfast. I told him my standard thing about trying to eat at a local establishment and he recommended a great cafe in El Segundo. It is a very nice part of the LA area, just south of LAX. We talked about old teachers & principals and how life had changed since we were young. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3818293076/" title="IMG_2903 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3441/3818293076_697de73d4a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2903" /></a><br /><br />As much as I liked hanging with my buddy, I was extremely anxious to do the remaining 150 miles to San Diego. So I parted ways with Jay and hit the road once again. There isn't a lot of good riding roads between LA and San Diego on the coast, so I just took the 405 to the 5 and on down. I did pull over at one rest area to get a pic of the bike and the coast.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3817487387/" title="IMG_2905 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2638/3817487387_e769316f2e.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2905" /></a><br /><br /><iframe width="500" height="250" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Winnetka,+CA&daddr=CA-1%2FPacific+Coast+Hwy+to:N+Sepulveda+Blvd+to:33.628056,-117.721252+to:92126&hl=en&geocode=%3BFXtoBwId96ju-A%3BFYCvBQIdOGrx-A%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=3&sz=12&via=1,2,3&sll=33.599465,-117.845879&sspn=0.264229,0.394478&ie=UTF8&ll=33.596319,-117.850342&spn=2.287699,5.493164&z=7&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Winnetka,+CA&daddr=CA-1%2FPacific+Coast+Hwy+to:N+Sepulveda+Blvd+to:33.628056,-117.721252+to:92126&hl=en&geocode=%3BFXtoBwId96ju-A%3BFYCvBQIdOGrx-A%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=3&sz=12&via=1,2,3&sll=33.599465,-117.845879&sspn=0.264229,0.394478&ie=UTF8&ll=33.596319,-117.850342&spn=2.287699,5.493164&z=7" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br />I started to get pretty excited after I hit Oceanside. I felt the perma-grin as I reached Encinitas. Getting off the Interstate I felt elated as I cruised down the local streets towards my house. Tracy had requested I let her know when I was close so I stopped to send a quick text. As I rounded the corner into the street, there she was waiting for me. What a great sight, my own home, my own bed and my future wife. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3849817185/" title="IMG_1787 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3543/3849817185_e9fb11da48.jpg" width="500" height="394" alt="IMG_1787" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3850611850/" title="IMG_1788 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3464/3850611850_d8bb44c94c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1788" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3849814893/" title="IMG_1789 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2471/3849814893_1148be0dbd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1789" /></a><br /><br />We celebrated my return with dinner that night at the Fish Market, downtown. The next day we did something I've wanted to do ever since I left...go to the beach. These pics were at Coronado, my favorite area beach.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3817505411/" title="IMG_2916 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2498/3817505411_a8de642444.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2916" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3817490681/" title="IMG_2909 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3427/3817490681_b9f6ac7b9f.jpg" width="500" height="176" alt="IMG_2909" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3818332682/" title="IMG_2926 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3453/3818332682_c057211ca0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2926" /></a><br /><br />What a great day to be home too, temps in the mid 70's, sunny and beautiful with a slight breeze. Aaah, San Diego, I missed you.<br /><br />Now that I'm home, I'll take a week or two to reflect on my thoughts and then post a moto-adv wrap-up that discusses my trip and what I would and wouldn't do next time. It's been 9723 miles so far. And hopefully this is just the first of many trips like this. :)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-4284100975552229424?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-28947337099241039582009-08-05T21:12:00.000-07:002009-08-23T17:09:05.000-07:00Los AngelesMike and I woke up early and got some breakfast. Not too early mind you, my ride today was real short, just from Oxnard to LA to visit my bro for a day or two. After a nice meal of bacon and eggs at a local cafe that Mike recommended, I hit the road. <br /><br /><iframe width="500" height="180" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Oxnard,+CA&daddr=CA-1%2FPacific+Coast+Hwy+to:Wilshire+Blvd+to:34.093326,-118.602905+to:Winnetka,+CA&hl=en&geocode=%3BFVhmBwIdYEbu-A%3BFZgnBwIdSvDv-A%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=3&sz=12&via=1,2,3&sll=34.113794,-118.57132&sspn=0.262643,0.394478&ie=UTF8&ll=34.152727,-118.778687&spn=0.409125,1.373291&z=9&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Oxnard,+CA&daddr=CA-1%2FPacific+Coast+Hwy+to:Wilshire+Blvd+to:34.093326,-118.602905+to:Winnetka,+CA&hl=en&geocode=%3BFVhmBwIdYEbu-A%3BFZgnBwIdSvDv-A%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=3&sz=12&via=1,2,3&sll=34.113794,-118.57132&sspn=0.262643,0.394478&ie=UTF8&ll=34.152727,-118.778687&spn=0.409125,1.373291&z=9" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br />I went into Santa Monica via the coast, which was beautiful. Lots of traffic tho, so I didn't get any pics, too busy trying not to get killed. Some sort of stinging insect flew inside my sleeve and started stinging me on the arm, which was painful until I could pull over and deal with it. I finally made it down to David's work and we got some lunch at a local taco shop. Man, it was great to get So-Cal mexican food again. Been missing that a *lot*. <br /><br />David lives up in the San Fernando Valley, just north of LA, famous for porn stars and hot weather. He recommended I take the coast back up and SR-27 (Topicanga Canyon Rd), which was nice and curvy. If it weren't for the danged traffic, I could have had some real fun. But it was nice and pretty. Stopped at a park for a shot of the valley.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3817455805/" title="IMG_2894 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2670/3817455805_9f41e42df2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2894" /></a><br /><br />Finally made it to his doorstep in the late afternoon. It was about 105F out and my bike had been doing fine. But as I stepped off, I noticed I had a coolant leak that had just started a few min ago. I let the bike cool off as I tried to figure out what to do, I couldn't really drive it anywhere. Luckily I had planned to stay with him the next day so I had a day to get it fixed. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3817459671/" title="IMG_2895 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3434/3817459671_2f77b78468.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2895" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3849795073/" title="IMG_2900 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3515/3849795073_b53d421d2b.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2900" /></a><br /><br />Had dinner that night with our mutual college buddy Chris, who we both hadn't seen in years. David knows some good places to eat, and we ate at the Peruvian place down the street, so good. <br /><br />Woke up the next day and called around a few places to see what I could do. I took off all the panels on the bike (and the crash bars) to get to the hose. Apparently the pipe only has a lip on one side, so it looks like it had just vibrated off over time. I stopped by a local auto-parts store for coolant and a local grocery for distilled water. Snugged that baby back up and re-filled the radiator and over-flow tank to the right levels. Done. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3817474203/" title="IMG_2899 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3466/3817474203_1bd60112c1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2899" /></a><br /><br />Normally I would explore the towns I stay in a bit more but I've been up here a few dozen times so I just went for a mid-afternoon walk. I didn't know LA County had a logo, cool.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3817463529/" title="IMG_2897 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3573/3817463529_b5bc9afc39.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2897" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3818278876/" title="IMG_2898 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3436/3818278876_76e79d836e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2898" /></a><br /><br />Had dinner that night with David, his fiance Kavitha and my friend Jason. Had some great Italian food while David and Jason discussed the virtues of Redondo Beach, where David just bought a house. Jason and I stayed up late that night talking about my trip and his new job in San Francisco. Good luck up there man! I had also tried to meet up with my elementary school buddy Jay while I was in the area but we were just too tired to make it out, so we decided to get breakfast the next day.<br /><br />Tomorrow, San Diego!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-2894733709924103958?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-10585298790018813462009-08-03T22:12:00.000-07:002009-09-02T10:35:55.905-07:00The Central California CoastWoke up early to a dreary San Francisco, cloudy and about 50 degrees. I said good by to my guest host Brian who had to head off to work and packed my bags.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3816756369/" title="IMG_2826 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2499/3816756369_8110a6563c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2826" /></a><br /><br />I knew parking in his garage would be tough but getting the bike out would be even tougher. I don't know if you can tell from this pic but it is an *extreme* angle. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3816763427/" title="IMG_2829 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2597/3816763427_efba9a6ac2.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2829" /></a><br /><br />I hadn't dropped the bike in the last 9000 miles, I sure wasn't going to drop it now. So I ended up turning the bike around in the garage, powering out of there up to a flat spot at the top of the hill and coming back down to shut the garage. Whew. I headed down to a breakfast spot that Brian's room-mate had recommended at Half-Moon bay. I can't remember the name of the place but it's at the intersection of Main and Miramontes. Something like "Main Street Cafe". It was an excellent 60's style diner and even the cooks were singing along to the hits on the juke-box. <br /><br />After a good breakfast, I hit the coast. And of course, more sight-seeing tourists clogging up the roads. But I just took it easy and enjoyed the view. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3817585500/" title="IMG_2835 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3817585500_479c9f0657.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2835" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3817587858/" title="IMG_2837 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3497/3817587858_c65cc3023f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2837" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3817598024/" title="IMG_2841 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3817598024_4cc6cefe2e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2841" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3817605330/" title="IMG_2845 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3472/3817605330_d5afec0ff4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2845" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3817600614/" title="IMG_2842 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3525/3817600614_c24ca5ea01.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2842" /></a><br /><br />I had decided earlier that I would stay the night in San Simeon. But after getting there quite a bit earlier than I expected, I decided to trek on down the coast. My new destination for the night was Oxnard, to visit my motorsports buddy Mike. I see him every year at the Monterey Historics and he's always invited me down to his house so it's high time I took him up on that invitation. Mostly uneventful, driving down the coast. Just nice and pretty. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3816808595/" title="IMG_2880 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2449/3816808595_48bd49c500.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2880" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3816810991/" title="IMG_2886 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2494/3816810991_e944433124.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2886" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3816806663/" title="IMG_2877 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2633/3816806663_1308e6f0f5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2877" /></a><br /><br />The sun set on a beautiful Pacific ocean as I got into Oxnard. Again, my GPS took me on a scenic tour of the wrong part of town. My fault actually, I wasn't paying attention. I finally rolled into Mike's garage about 8pm. The car you see behind us is Mike's Lotus 7 kit, with a Mazda rotary engine and a supercharger. I've been hearing about this rocketship for years, it was good to finally see it.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3817450845/" title="IMG_2891 by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3431/3817450845_3e37b4d4e1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2891" /></a><br /><br />Mike's is like me, been affected by the economy. But he's been looking for work a lot longer than I. We had dinner that night, talked about economics, politics, race cars and women. I was thankful he shared his home with me on one of the longer of my riding days, a little over 400 miles and 14 hours on the road.<br /><br /><iframe width="500" height="300" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=San+Francisco,+CA&daddr=CA-1+to:CA-1%2FCabrillo+Hwy+to:36.2786,-121.819839+to:Oxnard,+CA&hl=en&geocode=%3BFajYOwIdALiz-A%3BFYyHNwIdNFq0-A%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=3&sz=11&via=1,2,3&sll=36.440618,-121.767654&sspn=0.510405,0.788956&ie=UTF8&ll=36.137875,-120.541992&spn=5.322642,10.986328&z=6&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=San+Francisco,+CA&daddr=CA-1+to:CA-1%2FCabrillo+Hwy+to:36.2786,-121.819839+to:Oxnard,+CA&hl=en&geocode=%3BFajYOwIdALiz-A%3BFYyHNwIdNFq0-A%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=3&sz=11&via=1,2,3&sll=36.440618,-121.767654&sspn=0.510405,0.788956&ie=UTF8&ll=36.137875,-120.541992&spn=5.322642,10.986328&z=6" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small><br /> <br />Tomorrow, down to the Valley to see my brother!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-1058529879001881346?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-17093181718120120682009-08-02T23:27:00.000-07:002009-08-12T18:25:24.006-07:00Into California and San FranciscoI woke up early in Fallon with intentions of blasting out of Nevada and getting into California via Lake Tahoe, before traffic gets bad (Sunday vacationers returning home). But as I was packing up, I saw a tweet from another adventurer that had just started his trip, <a href="http://twitter.com/jryden">@jryden</a>. He said he was just leaving Carson City. I quickly hit him up on twitter to see if he wanted to get breakfast in Fernley, which is not too much out of the way for either of us. We met up at 9AM and had breakfast at a place called "Wigwam". His name is Joe, nice guy...his bike looked so clean to me, being used to mine with a zillion bugs, mud, salt and grime. But I guess he is only 2 days into his trip. Follow his adventure <a href="http://www.roundtripping.net/">on his blog</a> and on <a href="http://twitter.com/coast_2_coast">twitter</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783796643/" title="img_2777.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2434/3783796643_b2260ca5b7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2777.jpg" /></a><br /><br />After breakfast, I continued west, passing thru Carson City and on towards Cali. I passed the "Welcome to California" sign just as I got into South Lake Tahoe. And predictably, into a big mess of people. I've been used to some solidarity on this trip so the sudden infusion of people into my trip was a little much. I took a break from the traffic and went down to the waterfront to take a pic or two. It's beautiful there, may have to visit sometime.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783798747/" title="img_2779.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2453/3783798747_fc1cd86f66.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2779.jpg" /></a><br /><br />After sitting in traffic for a while, I started fiddling with my GPS to find a new route. I discovered there is a 'back road' thru South Lake Tahoe and quickly went for it. What a time saver. I took SR-89 to SR-88, which was a great road with lots of curves that takes you through the Eldorado National Forest. I passed Caples Lake and Silver Lake. It would have been a great drive if it hadn't been for the traffic...and a logging truck that wouldn't use turnouts for anyone to pass. So I tried to relax and take in the scenery. It was a bit smokey, I assume due to a fire.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784611170/" title="img_2781.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3565/3784611170_1373815e40.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2781.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784614012/" title="img_2784.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2448/3784614012_ff4ca7a2e5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2784.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I got into Jackson, stopped for a fill-up and and phoned into my contact in SF to get directions to his place. I took SR-16 into Sacramento from there. Lots of farmland out in Northern Cali that I'd never seen before. Pretty rolling hills and "Happy Cows". <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784615584/" title="img_2786.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3784615584_2f9bfa3ef5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2786.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I wanted to cross the Golden Gate bridge as part of the end of this trip, so I went north of San Pablo Bay thru Vallejo on SR-37 and stopped in Novato for gas. A pretty drive actually, with lots of potential for exploration...if you have a boat. Once I hit the 101, I started to think of how close I am to home and stopped to get a pic to send to Tracy. A fellow on a BMW 1150RT chatted me up at a gas station and actually offered to take the pic. Thanks man!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783808863/" title="img_2789.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2436/3783808863_fd6d7cd36c.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="img_2789.jpg" /></a><br /><br />A cool tunnel on the way to the GG Bridge.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784625172/" title="img_2792.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2578/3784625172_ab8ec00910.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2792.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I hit up Golden Gate Park, to drive up the hill and get a shot of the bridge. Beautiful, but foggy and cold. It was 55F up there! And it had been in the low 100's just a few hours earlier, nearly a 50 degree change. But the shots were awesome.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784630454/" title="img_2796.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3510/3784630454_e5ae2b2a56.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2796.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784632418/" title="img_2799.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2502/3784632418_6be535d9d9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2799.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783824607/" title="img_2802.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3580/3783824607_dbf15a32a7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2802.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784640154/" title="img_2808.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2630/3784640154_4fa2517ab7.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="img_2808.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Finally got down to the Golden Gate. Crossed the bridge in a little bit of traffic. I got honks when they saw me taking shots. People are so impatient, I just wanted to capture my $6 view! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783833217/" title="img_2811.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2669/3783833217_09ccdd8051.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2811.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783835359/" title="img_2814.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2653/3783835359_d64afc8091.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2814.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784649702/" title="img_2821.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2559/3784649702_38a5e2cfb0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2821.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Didn't realize it cost $6 to cross it or I'd have had my money ready. D-oh. <br /><br />I had programmed my GPS to take me right to my destination for the night...but it decided to take me on a scenic tour of downtown San Francisco that lasted 45 minutes. When I finally stopped to see what was up, I realized I had passed his home just at the south end of the bridge, doh! My friend Paul had hooked me up with his college buddy Brian, whom I'd never met. He was super nice and his house was awesome. One challenge was parking my bike on the 45 degree angle street he lived on...thankfully he had an open garage and I slipped the bike inside. Decided I'd worry about how to get it out tomorrow. We dined on thai food and hit the sack around 11PM. <br /><br />His view of the city at night.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783840883/" title="img_2824.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2469/3783840883_fd3a23a07f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2824.jpg" /></a><br /><br />My route for the day, 341 miles.<br /><br /><iframe width="500" height="275" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=fallon,+nv&daddr=E+Main+St%2FUS-40%2FUS-50+to:Fairview+Dr+to:Lake+Tahoe+Blvd%2FUS-50+to:Elks+Club+Dr+to:CA-88+to:38.349734,-120.769272+to:CA-37+W+to:san+francisco,+ca&hl=en&geocode=%3BFWxdXAIdSmXk-A%3BFaFuVQIdSvbc-A%3BFVTfUQIdsgjZ-A%3BFbYeUQIdzgXZ-A%3BFf_ZTQIdpejW-A%3B%3BFWQRRgIdjrC0-A%3B&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=6&sz=11&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7&sll=38.453051,-120.747299&sspn=0.317794,0.558929&ie=UTF8&ll=38.814031,-120.651855&spn=2.353904,5.493164&z=7&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=fallon,+nv&daddr=E+Main+St%2FUS-40%2FUS-50+to:Fairview+Dr+to:Lake+Tahoe+Blvd%2FUS-50+to:Elks+Club+Dr+to:CA-88+to:38.349734,-120.769272+to:CA-37+W+to:san+francisco,+ca&hl=en&geocode=%3BFWxdXAIdSmXk-A%3BFaFuVQIdSvbc-A%3BFVTfUQIdsgjZ-A%3BFbYeUQIdzgXZ-A%3BFf_ZTQIdpejW-A%3B%3BFWQRRgIdjrC0-A%3B&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=6&sz=11&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7&sll=38.453051,-120.747299&sspn=0.317794,0.558929&ie=UTF8&ll=38.814031,-120.651855&spn=2.353904,5.493164&z=7" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br /><br />Tomorrow, I do the Cali coast and on towards So-Cal!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-1709318171812012068?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-73445122050060543792009-08-01T23:38:00.000-07:002009-08-08T16:33:16.770-07:00Nevada and The Loneliest HighwayI always seem to get up early when I'm in a tent. Not sure if it's the restful sleep or the sunlight that does it...maybe both. Paul (on the Yellow Buell) and I were both up to help our fellow biker with his dead battery.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784563994/" title="img_2740.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2469/3784563994_89e4720d6c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2740.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784562478/" title="img_2739.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2428/3784562478_51fc2f7dc0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2739.jpg" /></a><br /><br />A jump didn't do it so we push started it, which also didn't work. And I tripped and fell on some huge rocks in the process...had I not been wearing my motorcycle gear, I would have been seriously hurt. Ouch. So I volunteered to go pick up a battery at the nearest auto parts store, Paul came with. Back a few min later, a new fully charged battery in hand, and we were on the road to get breakfast. I can't seem to recall his name at the moment, but he was really nice and bought us both breakfast for helping him out.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783756373/" title="img_2742.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3523/3783756373_17b0e0fcdc.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2742.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Highway 50 is similar to Hwy 93 that I had taken yesterday...straight and lonely. Except I think 50 has a better marketing department. It wasn't as lonely as 93, but the distance between towns (small ones!) and gas stations makes it a more lonely drive. <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783777759/" title="img_2761.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3267/3783777759_1a07066b7b.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="img_2761.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783779575/" title="img_2762.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3496/3783779575_26b9540208.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="img_2762.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />At the KOA the night before, one of the ladies at the desk had given me a Highway 50 survivors book...you go thru each town on the list and get a stamp and the Nevada Tourism Commission mails you a certificate. The first stop was Eureka, NV. I took a tour of the Eureka History Museum and got a shot of an old newspaper printing press. Even the modern versions of these are soon to be gone.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784579220/" title="img_2754.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3545/3784579220_f75d852157.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2754.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I didn't get much rain today, in fact, it was quite dry and hot. And boring. And when the antelope darted out in front of me as I passed a small hill, things got a lot more exciting. If I hadn't hit the brakes, I would have had antelope soup for lunch...or someone else would have had white boy soup with antelope on the side, or both. Catching my breath and needing a moment to calm down, I drove a little further and stopped for some pics.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784573412/" title="img_2749.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3472/3784573412_ee104186eb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2749.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784578222/" title="img_2753.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3462/3784578222_290f99f3c3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2753.jpg" /></a><br /><br />As I got closer to Fallon, NV and closer to the end of the lonely highway, I passed the <a href="http://www.roadsideamerica.com/set/shoetrees.html">Shoe Tree</a>. Legend has it that quarreling lovers stopped by the road and one threw the other's shoes up in the tree. After they made up, the other reciprocated by tossing the first one's shoes up in the tree. And <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoe_tree_%28roadside_attraction%29">people have been doing it ever since</a>. I grabbed a pair that had fallen and tossed them up. :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784590944/" title="img_2763.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2530/3784590944_52b88a97d3.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="img_2763.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784598622/" title="img_2767.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2540/3784598622_d3cc061380.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2767.jpg" /></a><br /><br />It was HOT at the end of the ride in the hills east of Fallon. I tried to snap a shot of the temp at 105 but by the time I got out my cam and focused it on the bike's temp gauge, I hit a pocket of cooler air that was 100.3. And of course as soon as I put it away, the temps go back up. Oh well.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783789683/" title="img_2768.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3567/3783789683_50bce304f1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2768.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I stopped for some lunch at a 50's diner. I had been noticing a vibration in the bike so I looked up bike shops I could take it to for a look. Actually, I had noticed the un-even tire back in Ohio, but it looked small enough to get back to SD for a repair. But I felt it was getting significantly worse after the trip thru the hot desert. It was a Saturday, and few shops were open. I called up <a href="http://www.tubruthers.com">Tu-Bruthers Motorsports</a> and even though they'd closed 5 min before I rang, they told me to come over anyway. The brothers looked at my bike and immediately found that my rear rim was bent. Over the thousands of miles on the trip, the bent rim wore the tire unevenly and it started to show after 8K miles. I hadn't hit any large potholes or anything that would have caused this on my trip so the brother's theory was that Cycle Gear bent it when they put on my current set of rubber. They deemed it not dangerous to my health to continue the rest of the way to San Diego, so after talking with them for a while about my trip and their shop, I got back to eating my lunch. The waitress at the diner had let me leave and come back an hour later, I tipped her well.<br /><br />These guys were awesome, I can't recommend them enough. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784600550/" title="img_2772.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2608/3784600550_8ea968a681.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2772.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Their 360 HP race bike.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783794539/" title="img_2775.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3455/3783794539_1f54bb1a3a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2775.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I stayed the night in Fallon, NV at a hotel recommended by the Tu-Bruthers guys. A baseball tournament was in town so the hotel was packed full of obnoxious boys and even more annoying and obnoxious parents. I would have tried to camp but the nearest campsite I could find was an hour away, it was too hot and I was tired.<br /><br />My route for the day, Highway 50.<br /><br /><iframe width="500" height="150" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=ely,+nv+to+fallon,+nv&sll=32.905026,-117.132748&sspn=0.012521,0.015664&ie=UTF8&ll=39.410733,-116.828613&spn=1.273221,5.493164&z=7&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=ely,+nv+to+fallon,+nv&sll=32.905026,-117.132748&sspn=0.012521,0.015664&ie=UTF8&ll=39.410733,-116.828613&spn=1.273221,5.493164&z=7" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br />Tomorrow, into California and West to the coast!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-7344512205006054379?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-6134067096259707912009-07-31T23:49:00.000-07:002009-09-02T10:47:42.926-07:00Utah and the Bonneville Salt FlatsI had a restful stay in Salt Lake City at my buddy Josh's house. He took me out for burritos and ice-cream the night before, and his wife Natalie made me chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, yummy. I slept in later than usual and then Josh and I went out for lunch. We stopped by his mom's house to see her awesome van, pictures describe it better than my words.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783694939/" title="img_2682.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/3783694939_d3a6853d99.jpg" alt="img_2682.jpg" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Jerry Garcia's handprint.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784508930/" title="img_2685.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2582/3784508930_0595c50897.jpg" alt="img_2685.jpg" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Josh and I just as I was about to head out.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784514774/" title="img_2690.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2515/3784514774_86977fe22f.jpg" alt="img_2690.jpg" height="500" width="375" /></a><br /><br />I hit the road on I-80 west. It was warm out, in the high 90's. After driving an hour or so, a rest stop provides a cool view of the famous Salt Lake. I had planned on going out for a swim, but I was told it stinks like hell, it's salty like brine and is HOT. I'm already hot, don't need more of that. So I got a nice pic. The reflection makes it look like the distant mountains are floating.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783706669/" title="img_2692.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3442/3783706669_05446180fa.jpg" alt="img_2692.jpg" height="309" width="500" /></a><br /><br />The roads in North Western Utah are long and straight and provide for some beautiful scenery. Looks like some train cars just sitting there with no locomotive.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784520608/" title="img_2695.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2573/3784520608_08eccbcbd5.jpg" alt="img_2695.jpg" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />As you come to the border of Utah and Nevada, just before <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&q=Wendover,+ut&ie=UTF8&split=0&gl=us&ei=x-V9Srf5C4PusQPOvrDvCg&t=h&z=13&iwloc=A">Wendover</a>, you encounter the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonneville_Salt_Flats">Bonneville Salt Flats</a>. Home to the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonneville_Speedway">Bonneville Speedway</a> and holy ground to land-speed racers, speed freaks and gear heads. And something I've been dreaming of seeing ever since I got into things that go fast.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784521906/" title="img_2696.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2649/3784521906_95d15c59f5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2696.jpg" /></a><br /><br />It's 5-6 miles just to drive out to the salt.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783716985/" title="img_2701.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3516/3783716985_2c3c3c670a.jpg" alt="img_2701.jpg" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />But when you get there, it's very worth seeing. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783720797/" title="img_2704.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3632/3783720797_8e2059d4ed.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2704.jpg" /></a><br /><br />There were signs posted all around that said "DO NOT DRIVE ON THE SALT, YOU MAY SINK"..or something like that. And cones that defined an area allowing you to get close-ish to the salt to take a pic. See when it rains, that place becomes a lake of muddy salt..in some spots up to 6 feet deep. So you can surely sink. <br /><br />There were 3-4 cars and about a half dozen cruiser motorcycles all parked taking shots from the end of the access road where the signs were posted. Not good enough. I got off the bike and walked out onto the salt...as everybody looked at me like I was going to sink up to my waist at any moment. It seemed to be OK, and partly dry...only sunk in about 3/4 of an inch or so. So, I got back on my bike, fired it up, yelled "You only live once!" out loud into my helmet and sped off the concrete onto the salt. I'm sure the cars and cruisers were telling stories about how I wouldn't make it back. But it was fine, decently dry I thought. Slippery tho...I tried to get up some speed but didn't really feel comfy over about 50 mph or so...too squirrely, it felt like I was driving in mud. Guess it wasn't that dry. After driving out far enough not to be able to see the access road anymore (1-2 miles, I would guess), I got off the bike for a picture. And boy, it was worth it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784541248/" title="img_2713.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2559/3784541248_b3c1bee413.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2713.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783723645/" title="img_2707.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2671/3783723645_9360bd5ce5.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="img_2707.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Think I'll have to get that first one framed. It's so flat you can actually see the curvature of the earth in the salt. Amazing. I tasted the salt...yep, super salty! Spent a few moments in awe, taking pictures and then headed out. <br /><br />Stopped for gas in Wendover...that's when I noticed the salt. Everywhere. I walked from the pump over to the side of the station to kick it off my boots and noticed I left big salt foot prints. Oops. It was all over the bike too...I'd have to wash that off real soon.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784556970/" title="img_2730.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3563/3784556970_4843591fd5.jpg" alt="img_2730.jpg" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />I headed back to the highway and on towards Nevada. The roads just go on forever, straight as an arrow. This is Hwy 93-A towards Hwy 93 towards Ely, NV. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783741923/" title="img_2725.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3484/3783741923_69f4e25573.jpg" alt="img_2725.jpg" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />I drove thru 3 rain showers, but only one of them was enough to totally wet me. It was too hot to wear my rain gear but the cool rain felt good and it evaporated back to 100% dry in about 15 minutes in the dry Nevada air. I saw a couple dust-devils. They are sure cool to watch, just spin beautifully. I kinda wished one was on the road so I could drive thru it but I figured it'd knock me off the bike.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783744929/" title="img_2728.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3563/3783744929_5cb7d673c3.jpg" alt="img_2728.jpg" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />I stayed at the KOA in Ely, NV that night. Very nice, they even let me wash the salt off my bike at the maintenance shed out back. I had to wash it twice!<br /><br />They put me in an area next to a bunch of other motorcyclists. A group of guys on cruisers headed to Sturgis, and a few other adventure riders headed to various areas of the country. Paul, on a Buell, was headed to Florida via a similar route that I'd taken, just in reverse. One guy had a BMW with a dead battery...we philosophized about how to get him started in the morning and then headed off to sleep. The cruiser guys gave Paul and I the last of their pizza and fried chicken, which was super cool of them. <br /><br />I slept pretty good that night, going to bed about 9PM. I woke up at 4AM to take this shot of Venus out the front of my tent.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784560160/" title="img_2736.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3547/3784560160_0b2c9d71aa.jpg" alt="img_2736.jpg" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />My route for the day, 247 miles.<br /><br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Bountiful,+UT+to+Ely,+NV&sll=40.651471,-113.779907&sspn=2.896303,4.01001&ie=UTF8&ll=40.254377,-113.565674&spn=2.515317,5.493164&z=7&output=embed" frameborder="0" height="300" scrolling="no" width="500"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=Bountiful,+UT+to+Ely,+NV&sll=40.651471,-113.779907&sspn=2.896303,4.01001&ie=UTF8&ll=40.254377,-113.565674&spn=2.515317,5.493164&z=7" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br />My destination for the day is Ely, NV...which you may know as the eastern starting point for HWY 50, the "Loneliest Highway in America".<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-613406709625970791?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-1434342104107674092009-07-30T22:31:00.000-07:002009-08-07T11:32:32.635-07:00YellowstoneI woke up after a restful night in the tent to the sound of horses being wrangled next to me. Some of the cowboys I'd seen the day before were rounding them up to be put in a trailer. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783573029/" title="img_2590.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2521/3783573029_041079fbdf.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2590.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Another motorcycle Adventurer named Mike stopped by to say hi as I was packing up. He is a photography student, traveling across the country taking pictures. Nice guy.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783581717/" title="img_2594.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2568/3783581717_3f553ef0d0.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="img_2594.jpg" /></a><br /><br />After a breakfast of pancakes and bacon served up by the campsite staff, I headed out from Cody into the mountains and on my way to Yellowstone. The roads were beautiful and even included a few tunnels. Not sure what it is about tunnels that make them so fascinating.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784391776/" title="img_2596.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2592/3784391776_b4570693d4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2596.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783585949/" title="img_2599.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2488/3783585949_73e64afe7c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2599.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The entrance to the park was blocked by dozens of RV's...but the single lane road splits into 10 entrance slots to pay your fee, and I found my way to the front of the line on the motorcycle. Hehe. Glad I bought the National Park Pass...that has more than paid for it's self. <br /><br />After you get into the park, the roads get even better. The concentration of people is a lot higher, and the RV and mini-van quotient goes thru the roof. It makes for some slow motorcycling but if you can relax and let them get ahead of you, the views are worth it. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784399008/" title="img_2604.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3528/3784399008_c10886b308.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2604.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783624189/" title="img_2627.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3448/3783624189_42d20d1c70.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2627.jpg" /></a><br /><br />These two shots were taken from the spot furthest from any other road in the lower 48 (30 miles). It's also further from civilization as well, Jackson being the closest at 100 miles. Pretty amazing. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783627527/" title="img_2630.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/3783627527_9e9157abe6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2630.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783638069/" title="img_2637.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2462/3783638069_99c30f6118.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2637.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Continuing into the park, traffic got backed up...apparently a buffalo was standing in the road. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783643605/" title="img_2640.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3566/3783643605_c892d02ed6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2640.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I was kind of just passing thru the park...no real plans to stop and see anything other than what might catch my eye and a stop at Old Faithful. But boiling water coming out of the earth made me park and take a look. The colors were amazing...as was the smell. Peww, sulfur!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784463204/" title="img_2648.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2473/3784463204_a552268643.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2648.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784469798/" title="img_2651.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2664/3784469798_991acfbb38.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2651.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784467690/" title="img_2650.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3499/3784467690_5698d4d54b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2650.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783666081/" title="img_2654.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3597/3783666081_0678f17488.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="img_2654.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Continuing thru the park, the drive is just amazing. Crossed the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_divide">Continental Divide</a> a few times...for those that forget their 3rd grade science lessons, this is the dividing point at which water flows towards different major bodies of water. In the case of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Divide_of_the_Americas">Great Divide</a> (pictured below), the Atlantic and Pacific. There are 4 major continental divides in North America, apparently I crossed 3 of them on this trip. Cool!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783673255/" title="img_2658.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2611/3783673255_90072e0bf1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2658.jpg" /></a><br /><br />As I got closer to Old Faithful, the traffic picked up. Lots of people...huge parking lots. Signs everywhere. Instead of following the flow of cars, I just jumped out of line and went right up to the closest rock-star parking possible. Which of course is all full...but all the motorcycles just park wherever so I parked mine in a sandy island within a stones throw of the main attraction. <br /><br />Apparently Old Faithful was going off every 93 minutes...and I got there with 45 min to go. So I lined up on the benches like everybody else to watch.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783675785/" title="img_2660.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/3783675785_d07f5562d2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2660.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Ate a snack, chatted up a few people. Finally the moment came...it takes a while to get going. In the pic below, Old Faithful is in the center and other geysers are on the right and left. As it's preparing the big show, all the other Geysers go off around it. Kinda neat.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783677503/" title="img_2664.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3554/3783677503_f129fa0a40.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2664.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Finally, right on time (take note NASA), thar she blows! I wish it wasn't so cloudy, it's hard to see the steam and water. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784495930/" title="img_2673.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2586/3784495930_372a8e562c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2673.jpg" /></a><br /><br />After seeing Old Faithful, I exited the park on the West Entrance. Stopped for some food in West Yellowstone and realized I was in Montana. Too far away to see my buddy Scott but cool to be in the very bottom of the state anyway. I had many miles to go this day to make it to Utah where I had planned to stay with a friend...so I split for the highway. I didn't really want to take the highway but not much choice if I wanted to make up the time. I did SR20 from West Yellowstone out of Montana into Idaho Falls, the I-15 (yes the same I-15 I live a mile from down in SoCal) down to SLC. Here was my route for the day.<br /><br /><iframe width="500" height="300" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Cody,+WY&daddr=44.472991,-110.852051+to:Bountiful,+Utah&hl=en&geocode=%3B%3BFdrYbwIdtcJU-Q&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=9&via=1&sll=44.453389,-110.665283&sspn=1.729217,2.982788&ie=UTF8&ll=42.924252,-110.742187&spn=4.82668,10.986328&z=6&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Cody,+WY&daddr=44.472991,-110.852051+to:Bountiful,+Utah&hl=en&geocode=%3B%3BFdrYbwIdtcJU-Q&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=9&via=1&sll=44.453389,-110.665283&sspn=1.729217,2.982788&ie=UTF8&ll=42.924252,-110.742187&spn=4.82668,10.986328&z=6" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br />The sun set on me as I drove thru south eastern Idaho. Very pretty. I thought of my friend Russ who lived a few hundred miles away in Boise. Sorry man, I'll have to visit you and Scott next trip. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784500696/" title="img_2678.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/3784500696_03f03e6d66.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2678.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />I arrived in SLC later than I wanted, around 9PM. My buddy Josh and his wife Natalie put me up in their house in Bountiful, UT in my own room, very nice.<br /><br />Tomorrow, Nevada!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-143434210410767409?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-66118635125125630572009-07-29T23:57:00.000-07:002009-08-09T11:20:16.656-07:00The Wild WestI left Buffalo, WY with some major wind and stormy weather on top of me. But I figured I had to get across the mountains somehow and there was no time like the present. It was 50 degrees at the base of the mountain, so I knew it'd be cold at the top. I put on all my winter gear and headed out. The ride up was beautiful. At one point I passed a sign that said something down the next road was 3 billion years old, so I took the road. Turns out I made a wrong turn and ended up on a muddy trail, but it was beautiful anyway. I kinda felt like a bear might get me.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3774923421/" title="img_2475.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2543/3774923421_c0d30ace33.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2475.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I think these might have been the super old rock outcroppings, not sure. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3775732158/" title="img_2476.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/3775732158_6a5e1f67a8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2476.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Continuing up and into the clouds it got colder and colder. I crossed Powder River Pass at 9666 feet at 38 degrees F. Woo-whee it was cold.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3774958057/" title="img_2485.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2484/3774958057_a83303414c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2485.jpg" /></a><br /><br />On the way down the west side of the pass, I was in the clouds for a while...just like riding in fog. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3774964273/" title="img_2487.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2541/3774964273_2655ff5f25.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2487.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Apparently a whole flock of sheep live up at that altitude. They must have some nice warm outfits to live up there all year.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3774968315/" title="img_2488.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2332/3774968315_5c93aee6be.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2488.jpg" /></a><br /><br />After hitting the 'basin' area on the west side on U.S. Highway 16, I came to Ten Sleep (population 317), named for its location 10 nights, or "sleeps," between major Indian camps. I stopped at Dirty Sally's Soda Shop. Ended up with a root-beer float, yum.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3775790266/" title="img_2493.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2669/3775790266_06b97a2ded.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="img_2493.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I had intended to hit up Yellowstone today but the storm had delayed my departure that morning, so I decided to call it a night in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cody,_Wyoming">Cody, WY</a> (Named after Buffalo Bill Cody) and set up camp at the KOA outside of town. I like KOA's because I get a hot shower and usually meet some really cool people. I ran into Larry, a fellow biker and generally all round good guy. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783575013/" title="img_2591.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3551/3783575013_e9d473cb30.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2591.jpg" /></a><br /><br />He was waiting for a buddy who's bike had broken down so we decided to go into town to see the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_Bill_Historical_Center">Buffalo Bill Historical Center</a>. They have the largest collection of American guns in the world, which Larry was really into, as a gun collector. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3774999059/" title="img_2498.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3532/3774999059_9a97220f30.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2498.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3775148383/" title="img_2545.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3538/3775148383_b6cbdd19d2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2545.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We found out from the staff at the museum that Cody has nightly gunfights in the summer, so we had to stay for that. Basically, some actors in cowboy dress wielding real guns with blanks perform a skit in which they end up shooting at each other. Pretty entertaining. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783559927/" title="img_2580.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3459/3783559927_dfc48864c3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2580.jpg" /></a><br /><br />After it was over, we got some food at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irma_Hotel">Irmas Hotel</a>, built by Buffalo Bill for his daughter. <br /><br />On the way home, I noticed my headlight was burnt out, dang. And it was getting dark. Larry had to split so I was on my own and not really sure what to do. The BMW bike uses regular H7-12W bulbs so I should be able to get those from any auto-parts store. I went to the fire station nearby and asked them if they knew of any local stores, they said that across from the Super Walmart was an Oreilly's. So I quickly rode over there to find that it was 8:02 and they closed at 8:00. Dammit. On a hunch, I tried the Walmart for parts. Low and behold, Walmart stocked the H7 bulbs, rad. And I was also able to pick up some toothpaste, which I'd run out of that morning. In the checkout line, I ran into a familiar cowpoke from the gunfights earlier.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3783567841/" title="img_2586.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/3783567841_d21aa392b5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2586.jpg" /></a><br /><br />His name is Marc and he owns a motorcycle rental business in Wyoming, <a href="http://www.ccridercycletours.com">CC Rider Cycle Tours</a>. We talked for a while about travel, why the layers of clothing the old cowboys used to wear kept you cool and life in general. What a cool guy.<br /><br />Bedded down that night to the sound of horses behind me, about 10 feet away from my tent. After seeing all the Buffalo Bill and cowboy stuff, a gunfight, eating at Irma's and sleeping next to horses, I felt like I got a pretty good dose of the wild west. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3784379424/" title="img_2588.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2604/3784379424_3cb84b3d4a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2588.jpg" /></a><br /><br />My route for the day.<br /><iframe width="500" height="150" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=buffalo,+wy&daddr=US-16+W+to:cody,+wy&hl=en&geocode=%3BFcwMogIdfqGg-Q%3B&mra=mr&mrcr=0&via=1&sll=44.178757,-107.789612&sspn=0.364897,0.773163&ie=UTF8&ll=44.315988,-107.86377&spn=1.179103,5.493164&z=7&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=buffalo,+wy&daddr=US-16+W+to:cody,+wy&hl=en&geocode=%3BFcwMogIdfqGg-Q%3B&mra=mr&mrcr=0&via=1&sll=44.178757,-107.789612&sspn=0.364897,0.773163&ie=UTF8&ll=44.315988,-107.86377&spn=1.179103,5.493164&z=7" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br />Tomorrow, on to Yellowstone!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-6611863512512563057?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-71417502205070940972009-07-28T23:42:00.000-07:002009-08-09T21:53:07.192-07:00Wyoming and Devils TowerThe drive from Spearfish towards Devils Tower is really pretty. Lots of rocky farmland.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3767871210/" title="img_2411.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3518/3767871210_37d74f4754.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2411.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I saw lots of deer in the fields, but luckily none of them ran in front of me. I finally came around a mountain pass and saw the tower. Man it's massive. This is from more than 20 minutes away.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3767084277/" title="img_2417.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3767084277_5e57a4a9d0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2417.jpg" /></a><br /><br />And right outside the gates.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3767096953/" title="img_2424.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3474/3767096953_d2cf4e6710.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2424.jpg" /></a><br /><br />There are many legends as to how it was created. My favorite is the one where magma from the earths crust started to come up to the top and was plugged. Then over hundreds of thousands of years, as the collision of the earths crust pushed the old sea-floor to the top, the soft limestone sediments around the magma plug were washed away by the weather, creating the tower. ;) <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3767941206/" title="img_2439.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3487/3767941206_82d42f7140.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2439.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The close up detail is really interesting. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3767923814/" title="img_2433.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2441/3767923814_d35cd5c4ef.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="img_2433.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I think this is the most camouflaged I've been in my moto gear. Where's Waldo?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3767134907/" title="img_2437.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2628/3767134907_cf32b455c4.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="img_2437.jpg" /></a><br /><br />There was a field next to the tower that is occupied by Prairie Dogs.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3767953980/" title="img_2446.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3514/3767953980_8d1387a981.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2446.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The terrain in this part of Wyoming sure is interesting.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3767185331/" title="img_2460.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2437/3767185331_4f4c5f35c0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2460.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I stopped in a "Whistle Stop" town named Moorcroft. Good food and friendly people. The town only had 500 residents and the Mayor even stopped in to say hi to my waitress. I really like the small towns. Check out this tiny bank.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3767989096/" title="img_2462.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3439/3767989096_0c0c026d4d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2462.jpg" /></a><br /><br />At a gas stop, I met a family of motorcycle travelers. So cool that they all ride, mom & dad, 2 brothers and sister. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3767993930/" title="img_2465.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3462/3767993930_23f5e8c036.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2465.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I stayed the night in Buffalo, WY and watched yet another big storm brew off to the East. I had originally planned on riding over the mountain pass but the storm and nightfall made that a bad idea. Plus it was below 30 up there. Yikes. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3775715108/" title="img_2469.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3503/3775715108_5a42aea921.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2469.jpg" /></a><br /><br />My route for the day.<br /><br /><iframe width="500" height="150" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=spearfish,+sd&daddr=44.642277,-103.932037+to:WY-24+to:Devils+Tower,+Wyoming+to:Buffalo,+WY&hl=en&geocode=%3B%3BFdo9qQIdaJ3J-Q%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=10&via=1,2&sll=44.548399,-104.072113&sspn=0.725201,1.546326&ie=UTF8&ll=44.472991,-105.194092&spn=1.175944,5.493164&z=7&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=spearfish,+sd&daddr=44.642277,-103.932037+to:WY-24+to:Devils+Tower,+Wyoming+to:Buffalo,+WY&hl=en&geocode=%3B%3BFdo9qQIdaJ3J-Q%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=10&via=1,2&sll=44.548399,-104.072113&sspn=0.725201,1.546326&ie=UTF8&ll=44.472991,-105.194092&spn=1.175944,5.493164&z=7" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-7141750220507094097?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-51858556356499625342009-07-27T23:03:00.000-07:002009-08-09T21:49:14.891-07:00Minuteman Missiles, Rushmore and Crazy HorseWoke up in Wall, SD with plans to see some rockets. There were lots of storms in the area so I decided to go see the Minuteman Missile Site just east of Wall. I drove 30 minutes east (the wrong way) to get there at 9AM, but the tour was full. Doh. So I went out to the sites myself to see what I could see. Pretty cool, even without a guide.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3765691004/" title="img_2294.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3479/3765691004_f3f374a788.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2294.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3765688490/" title="img_2292.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3437/3765688490_d67c9de664.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2292.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The hardened security vehicle they drove around in.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3765694254/" title="img_2296.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3497/3765694254_95f0f2deb3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2296.jpg" /></a><br /><br />And a bomb-proof UHF antenna. Made by Collins, for Boeing. Neat! There was a ranger at the site, answering questions and giving history lessons. He let me know that if I couldn't get on the tour today, that the Air Force base an hour or so west had a silo you could actually go down inside. Cool!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3764879711/" title="img_2284.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2479/3764879711_5fe2b32261.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2284.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I went to the launch control facility too, to get a cool pic.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3765706558/" title="img_2304.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2577/3765706558_07cb820dd2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2304.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Continuing west, I stopped by Ellsworth Air Force Base and took a tour of the base and the South Dakota Air and Space museum. The base tour included a trip down inside a Minuteman Missile silo built for training. So I got more missile shots and a few cool planes.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3765722206/" title="img_2313.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2667/3765722206_f28a87e502.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2313.jpg" /></a>t<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3764955977/" title="img_2328.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2433/3764955977_188f261540.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2328.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3765774592/" title="img_2341.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2566/3765774592_2543da5d38.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="img_2341.jpg" /></a><br /><br />At one point, while heading towards some cool roads, I passed this factory with a logo I had to grab a pic of. Hehe.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3765810018/" title="img_2360.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2648/3765810018_9df680264f.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="img_2360.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I headed towards Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse. A big storm had been brewing all day and I had the fortune of avoiding it thus far, but that luck ran out. I got hit hard by the storm. I had put in my waterproof liner so I was good. But the bike didn't like the rain. Same problem as Jamestown. It stalled out in the hard rain. It happened right after a deer had run out in front of me and I had slammed on the brakes...then it stalled out. So I sat on the side of the road getting rained on while huge trucks blasted me with water. After a while, it started fine and I continued on my way. Annoying.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3765827448/" title="img_2367.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/3765827448_5f1672251a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2367.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I stopped by the Crazy Horse Memorial first. I didn't realize how big it really is...they have been carving this since 1948 and it's not even near completion. When done, it will be the worlds largest statue. Amazing.<br /><br />Here it is today.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3765850560/" title="img_2377.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3458/3765850560_8da63bea99.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2377.jpg" /></a><br /><br />And this is the goal.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3765062691/" title="img_2380.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3454/3765062691_3d339241e2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2380.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Next, I hit up Mt. Rushmore. And got more rain on the way. The drive up there is really nice, you start to see large rock formations poking out of the terrain. Despite the rain, there were a lot of people there. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3765874382/" title="img_2388.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/3765874382_8531c9f6ce.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2388.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3765086507/" title="img_2392.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2570/3765086507_ab6eefbeb8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2392.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Mt. Rushmore is something Tracy and I always talked about doing, so I just snapped a few pics and left, didn't really stay for the hike, tour or any of the other stuff. Wasn't really wearing the right clothing anyway, and it was sprinkling rain still. Time to head out. I'll be back one day with Tracy and can do it right.<br /><br />My route for the day.<br /><iframe width="500" height="250" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Wall,+SD&daddr=I-90+E+to:Glenn+St+to:Ellsworth+Air+Force+Base,+SD+to:US-385+to:12151+Avenue+of+the+Chiefs,+Crazy+Horse,+SD+57730+(Crazy+Horse+Memorial)+to:Mount+Rushmore+National+Memorial+to:44.052557,-103.167801+to:Spearfish,+SD&hl=en&geocode=%3BFUwjnQIdTL7s-Q%3BFQpEnwIdLvXn-Q%3B%3BFVGsoAId88bU-Q%3BFWPlnAIdR9HS-SHZFDRgyuG0UA%3BFZSPnQIdBH3V-SEoondRpfhNpg%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=3&mrsp=7&sz=11&via=1,2,4,7&sll=43.997754,-103.082657&sspn=0.366015,0.773163&ie=UTF8&ll=44.158563,-103.084717&spn=0.985218,2.746582&z=8&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Wall,+SD&daddr=I-90+E+to:Glenn+St+to:Ellsworth+Air+Force+Base,+SD+to:US-385+to:12151+Avenue+of+the+Chiefs,+Crazy+Horse,+SD+57730+(Crazy+Horse+Memorial)+to:Mount+Rushmore+National+Memorial+to:44.052557,-103.167801+to:Spearfish,+SD&hl=en&geocode=%3BFUwjnQIdTL7s-Q%3BFQpEnwIdLvXn-Q%3B%3BFVGsoAId88bU-Q%3BFWPlnAIdR9HS-SHZFDRgyuG0UA%3BFZSPnQIdBH3V-SEoondRpfhNpg%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=3&mrsp=7&sz=11&via=1,2,4,7&sll=43.997754,-103.082657&sspn=0.366015,0.773163&ie=UTF8&ll=44.158563,-103.084717&spn=0.985218,2.746582&z=8" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br />Tomorrow, Devils tower and on towards Yellowstone!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-5185855635649962534?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-91278082376261247172009-07-26T23:20:00.000-07:002009-07-28T09:07:40.642-07:00South Dakota and the Badlands!Headed out of my motel in Vermillion, I made tracks into South Dakota. First neat thing I came across was Fort Randall Dam. It's 2 miles long and one of the biggest in the world. Cost $200M for the Army Core of Engineers to build and generates $30M in electrical power revenue. They had a cool museum that I stopped at for a few moments for a bathroom/stretch break. They had some cool fossils in there...apparently the largest Sea Turtle fossil in the world was found here (but located in Souix City). <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3759768039/" title="img_2192.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2515/3759768039_d108b5ab4a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2192.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3759788535/" title="img_2196.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2483/3759788535_ca258ef3ab.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2196.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Eastern South Dakota is pretty..lots of rolling small hills interspersed between open flat areas. Lots of cows and crops.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3760604498/" title="img_2202.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2479/3760604498_277d4674c9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2202.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3760609472/" title="img_2203.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3536/3760609472_c51162ef2e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2203.jpg" /></a><br /><br />My bike rolled over 10K too. Cool!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3760594438/" title="img_2199.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2492/3760594438_5a2d59cc32.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2199.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I stopped for lunch in Winner, SD and ate at the <a href="http://www.barsandpubsusa.com/holiday-house-sports-bar/4618/">Holiday House</a>. Everyone was real friendly, including the owner, Tony, who let me park my bike up next to the restaurant, out of the sun.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3760620758/" title="img_2206.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3430/3760620758_60f654210c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2206.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I continued West on SR44, towards the Badlands. This took me thru some large Indian Reservations. The road was lonely, flat and straight. And HOT. I was seeing mid 90's the whole way. I also had a hard time getting high octane fuel, so I did the boost and mid-grade mix.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3760624226/" title="img_2207.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2587/3760624226_d2ebb10658.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2207.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3759903477/" title="img_2222.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2668/3759903477_b121afcb0f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2222.jpg" /></a><br /><br />As I started getting near the Badlands, the scenery changed. Lots of weather-worn ruts created some neat looking landscape.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3760637562/" title="img_2210.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3508/3760637562_55ebc6908f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2210.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3759882999/" title="img_2218.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2657/3759882999_7312f03ff6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2218.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Finally made it into <a href="http://www.nps.gov/badl/">Badlands National Park</a>. Since I had purchased a national parks pass, I didn't have to pay again to get in. I did the Badlands loop 240, which was stunning. I'll let the pics speak for themselves.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3759928993/" title="img_2228.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3518/3759928993_ca37ccc76f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2228.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3759939003/" title="img_2230.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2497/3759939003_f653f7cc91.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2230.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3760012619/" title="img_2242.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/3760012619_f8c6b21383.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2242.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3760028465/" title="img_2245.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2609/3760028465_30ff34ea48.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2245.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3760869052/" title="img_2253.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2633/3760869052_790df57d89.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2253.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3760080525/" title="img_2255.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2637/3760080525_0eae7df72f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2255.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3760884430/" title="img_2256.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3516/3760884430_6d0a65fea9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2256.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I stopped at a turn-out at one point and ended up using the timer to take a pretty rad shot. Makes it look like I'm an astronaut exploring another planet.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3760862992/" title="img_2252.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3533/3760862992_6dee064c38.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2252.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The colors in the dirt here trump the Painted Desert handily.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3760917544/" title="img_2263.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2634/3760917544_e9f16238f0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2263.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3760160929/" title="img_2270.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3514/3760160929_f44ce42103.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2270.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3760967030/" title="img_2272.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2459/3760967030_f951aef760.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2272.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Saw some road-side wildlife. I believe this was a ram. Some newbie in a RV slowly crept up on them and moved directly in my shot, so all I got was the rear-end. And of course, he scared them off as well. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3760179409/" title="img_2275.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2620/3760179409_6f1f8b972a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2275.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I ended up staying in a neat cabin in Wall, SD. I had been itching to camp but the weather forecast shows more severe thunderstorms, so I chose a cheap cabin just south of the I-90 in Wall, SD. It was really nice and comfy. Had some great local food in town too. Lots of bikers are around now...the closer I get to Sturgis and bike week, the higher the Harley rider concentration. Here is my route from today:<br /><br /><br /><iframe width="500" height="200" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=vermillion,+sd&daddr=SD-50%2FSD+Hwy+50+to:US-18%2FUS-281+to:E+2nd+St%2FSD-44%2FUS-18%2FUS-183+to:US-18+to:43.779027,-102.006683+to:wall,+sd&hl=en&geocode=%3BFUwIkAIdcEgq-g%3BFWQwkQIdGnYg-g%3BFbrflQIdJmUM-g%3BFVZpkwIdKJ_z-Q%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=5&sz=10&via=1,2,3,4,5&sll=43.825611,-101.972351&sspn=0.338841,0.883026&ie=UTF8&ll=43.325178,-99.558105&spn=3.196849,10.986328&z=6&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=vermillion,+sd&daddr=SD-50%2FSD+Hwy+50+to:US-18%2FUS-281+to:E+2nd+St%2FSD-44%2FUS-18%2FUS-183+to:US-18+to:43.779027,-102.006683+to:wall,+sd&hl=en&geocode=%3BFUwIkAIdcEgq-g%3BFWQwkQIdGnYg-g%3BFbrflQIdJmUM-g%3BFVZpkwIdKJ_z-Q%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=5&sz=10&via=1,2,3,4,5&sll=43.825611,-101.972351&sspn=0.338841,0.883026&ie=UTF8&ll=43.325178,-99.558105&spn=3.196849,10.986328&z=6" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br />Tomorrow, the Black Hills and Western South Dakota.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-9127808237626124717?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-75518447365300209862009-07-25T23:50:00.000-07:002009-07-28T08:24:24.317-07:00IowaAfter sleeping thru the stormy weather in Galena, I got up early to head west. Passed thru Dubuque, Iowa...a pretty little town. I really liked the bridge that crosses the river as you come into town.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3756504641/" title="img_2156.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2543/3756504641_bb2ea59212.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="img_2156.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3756506473/" title="img_2157.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2504/3756506473_d1d2dd9aaf.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2157.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Stopped to take a picture of a neato gothic looking church as well...the sunlight made for an interesting pic.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3756511819/" title="img_2161.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2438/3756511819_3f40d87eab.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="img_2161.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Iowa is flat and the roads are straight. The redeeming factor is that it's pretty and the people are really nice. Everywhere I stopped people wanted to talk and were real friendly. <br /><br /><iframe width="500" height="200" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Galena,+IL&daddr=42.873951,-97.397919+to:Vermillion,+SD&hl=en&geocode=&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=10&via=1&sll=42.814544,-96.998291&sspn=0.344527,0.883026&ie=UTF8&ll=42.55308,-93.735352&spn=3.237169,10.986328&z=6&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Galena,+IL&daddr=42.873951,-97.397919+to:Vermillion,+SD&hl=en&geocode=&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=10&via=1&sll=42.814544,-96.998291&sspn=0.344527,0.883026&ie=UTF8&ll=42.55308,-93.735352&spn=3.237169,10.986328&z=6" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3757314450/" title="img_2163.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2497/3757314450_b8b44c51f9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2163.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3756849391/" title="img_2167.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3499/3756849391_f32e36d567.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2167.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I ate lunch at an A&W, they give you a cold mug and the root-beer comes from a tap. Passed a town with my last name, had to stop and get a pic of the sign. I was tempted to go visit but I was short on time, trying to make up time from the storm delay from yesterday.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3756845933/" title="img_2165.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3487/3756845933_21eaeefb3e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2165.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The wind had been blowing pretty hard all day. I hate riding in the wind...it reminded me of Texas, bleck. And just like Texas, about the time I noticed a really strong crosswind, I found more wind farms. But this time, I was out in the middle of no-where, alone. So I took the bike on the dirt road across a farm to get up close to one.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3757652678/" title="img_2174.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2437/3757652678_4691d2eaa1.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="img_2174.jpg" /></a><br /><br />They really are massive. The sound of the blades spinning was crazy, it made me nervous that I'd some how get chopped up. It's very evident that there are very large forces at play listening to that thing. The substation is humming and gives the air a very electric quality. I even made video, will have to figure out how to post it. <br /><br />Shortly afterwards, I crossed the state line into South Dakota. At one point, I realized I had passed a lot of Lewis & Clark signs trying to tell me something. So I pulled over at the next one, in Elk Point. Apparently they had camped here back in the day, on the side of the Missouri River. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3757658156/" title="img_2179.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2421/3757658156_a1a7532a50.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2179.jpg" /></a><br /><br />My destination was Yankton..but upon arrival all lodging was booked up. And camping. Apparently there was a high school reunion and a local state park that did it. So after looking at my options, I traveled back east to Vermillion, home of the University of South Dakota. I stopped at a motel with a mini-golf, a pool and a bar. Drank beer with the owner that night, Dave. <br /><br />Here are some more pics of the midwest that I liked.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3756861631/" title="img_2180.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2557/3756861631_297467d735.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2180.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3757663124/" title="img_2182.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2427/3757663124_ba1f0e6fcb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2182.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3757664844/" title="img_2183.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3499/3757664844_8c25839f9f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2183.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3757661394/" title="img_2181.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2552/3757661394_52a1cabe29.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2181.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Tomorrow, further into South Dakota and heading for the Badlands.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-7551844736530020986?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-48949896674041428442009-07-24T23:29:00.000-07:002009-07-28T07:50:11.732-07:00Indiana & IllinoisAfter a restful night in Plymouth, Indiana, I hit the road to get into Illinois. First on the list was Indiana Dunes State Beach. I had to see what a mid-west beach looks like. Yep, it's a beach on lake Michigan. It was really sandy, sunny and warm. Lots of people out, made me want to go swim.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3753705757/" title="img_2004.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2499/3753705757_5dd82abb37.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2004.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I continued towards Chicago, passing some of the steel mills.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3754508034/" title="img_2006.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2528/3754508034_769f3cb6d6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2006.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Had I realized Chicago would be nothing but traffic all day (instead of clear from 10am-2pm like some locals advised me), I would have gone around it.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3754521972/" title="img_2017.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3263/3754521972_558085a131.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2017.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I stopped to assist some overheating Harleys and one of them offered to take a pic for me with the City. This is about as close as I got, because the traffic was so bad I tried to split out of town ASAP.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3753724973/" title="img_2018.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3510/3753724973_c4acd991a7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2018.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I sat in traffic for hours attempting to leave Chicago. It was pretty lame...I-90 is a toll road and the only free routes are state routes. If you get off the highway it's hard to get back on. Construction everywhere. I'd like to go back to Chicago someday when I've got time to explore the city instead of trying to battle the traffic.<br /><br />I finally got out of the city and back on the lonely state routes. It's beautiful countryside, lots of crops.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3754527542/" title="img_2020.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2475/3754527542_6dc4eb0baf.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2020.jpg" /></a><br /><br />After a while I noticed a weather system developing off to the north west. I stopped to take a pic and met 2 bikers headed west too. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3753740753/" title="img_2030.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3462/3753740753_5782e48fdf.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2030.jpg" /></a><br /><br />As we talked, we noticed that storm was coming our way, quick. I quickly headed west, trying to out-run the storm. No luck. Huge gusts of wind came from nowhere, it got cold quick and started to sprinkle. I stopped in Galena, Illinois just as the Civil Defense sirens went off. Tornado time. I quickly unpacked the bike and parked it under a tree to keep the hail from damaging it. The hotel management asked us to go to the basement while the winds were at their worst. They said it registered 85mph. I watched it blow around trash cans like leaves, I can't believe my bike didn't get blown over. Check out these shots...especially the green sky (hail).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3754550534/" title="img_2074.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2455/3754550534_7fd3625672.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2074.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3753747379/" title="img_2064.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2671/3753747379_833b4b319a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_2064.jpg" /></a><br /><br />After the storm passed and we returned to our rooms, the weather channel said that a tractor trailer was blown over onto a car just a few miles east of town on the same road I was on (SR20). Yikes!<br /><br />Tomorrow, Iowa and beyond.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-4894989667404142844?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-28325446090919966822009-07-23T22:34:00.000-07:002009-07-24T23:29:44.921-07:00Ohio & AMA Superbikes!Woke up the next morning and hit the road. This is the hotel I stayed the night at, with the bike out front all ready to go (not next to the window like it was at night). I think the Harley dude's safety issues were unfounded, that town was small and safe.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3751408564/" title="img_1869.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3510/3751408564_206a712d3c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1869.jpg" /></a><br /><br />From Aberdeen, I headed north on SR41 into Ohio. A beautiful stretch of road. <br /><br />Two words: "What Barn?"<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3751413668/" title="img_1872.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2637/3751413668_24844981c5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1872.jpg" /></a><br /><br />There were 2 things I wanted to see in Ohio: The Serpent Mounds and a covered bridge. After an hour or two, I took a 5 mile detour to the Serpent Mounds. The hilly area where it lies is the rim of a meteor crater, formed millions of years ago. It's supposedly a very cosmic spot, having all kinds of meaning in astrological circles. I broke the rules and stood in the middle of the serpent's head. No ill affects or special powers granted that I am aware of. I didn't stand in the cosmic vortex a.k.a. the serpent's tail, for fear of getting my karma sucked out of my head :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3750647859/" title="img_1889.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2464/3750647859_521aa0c596.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1889.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3751460896/" title="img_1905.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2434/3751460896_ccd95e012f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1905.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3751452422/" title="img_1900.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2615/3751452422_852fdb2b51.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1900.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3751454846/" title="img_1901.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3485/3751454846_fcbce70e2f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1901.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I have to admit, I was a little bit fascinated with the simplicity of the men's toilet. Yes, that's a wall to piss on with a drain hole. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3750624473/" title="img_1873.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3443/3750624473_a037ba90ed.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1873.jpg" /></a><br /><br />As I continued north, it started to rain again. Beautiful countryside tho. I decided to skip the covered bridge tour, since it was raining and I was really looking forward to seeing Tracy again.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3751462166/" title="img_1906.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3443/3751462166_d5ce491d64.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1906.jpg" /></a><br /><br />As I got into Lexington, I finally started seeing familiar roads again. I rounded the corner to my destination, there was Tracy and her brother Andy waiting for me in the front yard. They took this shot.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3750674795/" title="img_1744.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2672/3750674795_d2c9fbebcd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1744.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Reunited!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3751466092/" title="img_1746.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3751466092_4d4d5a495d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1746.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Look at those smiles!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3751467082/" title="img_1749.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2600/3751467082_bc143c7d30.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="img_1749.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3751466404/" title="img_1747.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3523/3751466404_49fbcf20f7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1747.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Later that night, we went to a bonfire at Grant's house. He lives way out in the country so we were able to have a huge bonfire and drive around on motorcycles and act rowdy...the way it should be. The fire was about 40' high at one point. That's Grant doing a wheelie on the 3 wheeler. :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3750686155/" title="img_1768.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2514/3750686155_194746e09b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1768.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Next day was Superbikes! We went with a bunch of Grant's buddies, Andy & Karen and their neighbors Jeremy & Jess. Tracy and I rode over, which gets you some pretty rad parking with the rest of the bikes. Jeremy & Jess rented a golf cart and they picked up Andy and Karen from their car.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3751478278/" title="img_1913.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3428/3751478278_81ffd12551.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1913.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3750739095/" title="img_1953.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3534/3750739095_dc72ef12ce.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1953.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3750698153/" title="img_1920.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2556/3750698153_e280fdf454.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1920.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3750733499/" title="img_1943.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3491/3750733499_12622a0750.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1943.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Stopped by the Ducati owners tent to rest and grab some schwag and snacks.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3751521408/" title="img_1941.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3434/3751521408_4e3260e814.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1941.jpg" /></a><br /><br />One of Grant's buddies playin around on a Honda 50. I need to get one of those.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3751479448/" title="img_1914.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2535/3751479448_ffb7f6df6e.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="img_1914.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Monday, Grant, Tracy and I went for a scenic bike ride around Richland county, thru the Amish country and Mohican State Park. Beautiful place, it reminds me of Fall Creek Falls State Park in East TN. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3751534684/" title="img_1774.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3457/3751534684_5496872855.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1774.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3751551582/" title="img_1966-1.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2616/3751551582_fe24e3c776.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1966-1.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I got to see a covered bridge anyway, and take a cool shot. Ohio is a beautiful state.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3751541244/" title="img_1961-1.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2546/3751541244_becd20465e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1961-1.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3751576442/" title="img_1981-1.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/3751576442_9c4aa0ee0e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1981-1.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3751579816/" title="img_1984-1.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3488/3751579816_36321e0f6b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1984-1.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3751585782/" title="img_1989-1.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3526/3751585782_5504c786e5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1989-1.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3750795739/" title="img_1991-1.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2642/3750795739_83057d7576.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1991-1.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3751578446/" title="img_1983-1.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2491/3751578446_ca86616893.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1983-1.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Also traded up rides...Grant's 1998 SuperHawk is FAST! It has the big 48mm carbs and you can feel it!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3751558042/" title="img_1970-1.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3525/3751558042_b61cf0df93.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1970-1.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Visited with family the next 2 days and put Tracy on a plane back home to San Diego. I stayed over the night, to leave the next morn. Woke up the next morn to a bunch of rain waited around for a while for it to clear...and had lunch with Andy and Grant before heading out. I made it to Plymouth, Indiana that night, and got rained on a bit on the way as well. Rain seems to like me lately.<br /><br /><iframe width="500" height="200" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=lexington,+oh&daddr=OH-61%2FSandusky+St+to:OH-15%2FState+Route+15+to:41.366503,-84.473877+to:Elm+Grove+Grange+Rd%2FMorrison+St%2FUS-6+to:plymouth,+in&hl=en&geocode=%3BFciRcQIddJwS-w%3BFdgFdQIdjhn5-g%3B%3BFR5YeAId4FP0-g%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=3&sz=9&via=1,2,3,4&sll=41.207589,-84.020691&sspn=0.706684,1.766052&ie=UTF8&ll=41.211722,-84.440918&spn=1.652946,5.493164&z=7&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=lexington,+oh&daddr=OH-61%2FSandusky+St+to:OH-15%2FState+Route+15+to:41.366503,-84.473877+to:Elm+Grove+Grange+Rd%2FMorrison+St%2FUS-6+to:plymouth,+in&hl=en&geocode=%3BFciRcQIddJwS-w%3BFdgFdQIdjhn5-g%3B%3BFR5YeAId4FP0-g%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=3&sz=9&via=1,2,3,4&sll=41.207589,-84.020691&sspn=0.706684,1.766052&ie=UTF8&ll=41.211722,-84.440918&spn=1.652946,5.493164&z=7" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3750802955/" title="img_1998-1.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3451/3750802955_371352e5ff.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1998-1.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3751600718/" title="img_2002-1.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2525/3751600718_38423fe1f7.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="img_2002-1.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Tomorrow, finish up Indiana, then head past Chicago and on thru Illinois.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-2832544609091996682?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-19513710662053171912009-07-17T23:46:00.000-07:002009-07-24T22:34:28.162-07:00Crossville and on North to KentuckyAfter a restful night at my Dad's place in Crossville, we woke up and had some breakfast at a local restaurant. Had some good food and planned my route for the day, including a stop in Jamestown, TN, where I lived until 5 yrs old. My destination is the Honda AMA Superbike Race at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. It just so happens, that is where Tracy grew up, so it's also a chance to meet her there and visit with family. <br /><br /><iframe width="500" height="320" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=jamestown,+tn+to+maysville,+ky&sll=39.508279,-83.287354&sspn=0.724723,1.766052&ie=UTF8&saddr=jamestown,+tn&daddr=maysville,+ky&ll=37.675125,-84.462891&spn=2.782468,5.493164&z=7&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&q=jamestown,+tn+to+maysville,+ky&sll=39.508279,-83.287354&sspn=0.724723,1.766052&ie=UTF8&saddr=jamestown,+tn&daddr=maysville,+ky&ll=37.675125,-84.462891&spn=2.782468,5.493164&z=7" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br />As Dad and I wrapped up breakfast, he came back from a phone call to tell me I had an interview at the local paper, the <a href="http://www.crossville-chronicle.com">Chrossville Chronicle</a>. So I packed up the bike and headed over. I spent a little more than an hour telling my story about traveling across the US to see the space shuttle launch and all the neat things I've seen. Not sure if it'll make the paper, but I hope it does. The pic below is me in front of the paper, with Missy, who interviewed me.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3731007499/" title="img_1833.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3449/3731007499_21172d9d5b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1833.jpg" /></a><br /><br />And me all packed up, ready to head out.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3731807530/" title="img_1834.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2430/3731807530_f2e3ef49be.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1834.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The sky was stormy as I left East TN headed north. On the south side of Jamestown, the sky turned black and the wind started blowing. I pulled over to put on my rain gear. About 30 seconds after I got back on the bike, the clouds opened up and it poured. Wasn't so bad, my gear protected me. But my shield was fogging up in the humidity and it was hard to see thru the rain. Then things got worse....the bike started acting funny, misfiring and stumbling. After a mile or so of confusion, it stalled out...right in the center of town. I struggled to push the heavy bike up an incline to get it off the road and onto the sidewalk, under an awning. Cars honked at me as the rain came down. I could tell at the end it was only running on one cylinder. The bike is dead, the trip is over. I pulled out the cell, to start calling friends and family...no signal. Got out the backup cell...no signal on that network either. Dammit. The business I pulled over in front of...closed. No available phone within sight. I was thinking about how I wouldn't get to see Tracy or make it to the race. I couldn't imagine what was wrong. My heart sank.<br /><br />But then I collected my thoughts and put my brain to work. After some process of elimination, I deduced it was an ECU issue. The F800 has a feedback loop on the ECU that constantly re-evaluates the fuel map to get better fuel economy. I figured that it may have gotten confused with the rapid change in the environment. So I completely shut off the bike, let it cool. Then fired it up and slowly revved it across the entire RPM range. It seemed to clear up. I am still not sure if it was a slightly fouled plug or just a confused ECU...last time the bike stalled on me was in the high humidity of a rainy night in Baja. So, I jumped back on and continued. <br /><br />I drove past the old house where I lived as a child. With all the rain, I didn't stop to make pictures, I felt it was best to leave all the electronics sealed up. It was the same as I remembered it. Continuing on, the rain eventually let up and the sun came out to dry me up. After crossing the KY line, I came across a cool steel truss bridge over the dam that creates Lake Cumberland. Looked fun down there. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3731812852/" title="img_1837.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2583/3731812852_aecd59e73e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1837.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3731814820/" title="img_1838.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2533/3731814820_e97c7f1cbb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1838.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I continued up SR68 the rest of the day. It's a beautiful road with horse farms and hay fields all around.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3731030315/" title="img_1846.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3526/3731030315_67e6f45f5e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1846.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3731821438/" title="img_1842.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2637/3731821438_9f69a34335.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1842.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Stopping for gas, I ran into a fellow biker named James. He was on a Ducati monster, similar to my old one. he exchanged info, he took a few pics of my getup and then we rode together for a few miles thru Kentucky. A cool guy. I tried a few over-the-shoulder shots but they didn't really turn out...the dang camera bag blew *right* in front of him. D-oh. But I did catch a fuzzy shot of him in my mirror.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3731831288/" title="img_1848.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2426/3731831288_399a3f7c60.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1848.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I passed thru a little town with some really cool structures that had been 'preserved'. At least they looked kinda preserved.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3731834002/" title="img_1850.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3427/3731834002_f852817d6f.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="img_1850.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3731038593/" title="img_1851.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2507/3731038593_cb236a065f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1851.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3731046593/" title="img_1855.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3436/3731046593_52345cfea9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1855.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The moss growing on the side of that building was really neat.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3731848522/" title="img_1857.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/3731848522_1f2bac8367.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="img_1857.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Took a few shots of the road...I seem to have a different definition of level while on the bike. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3731056229/" title="img_1860.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2676/3731056229_934d110a63.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1860.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3731057593/" title="img_1861.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2573/3731057593_380164fc64.jpg" width="500" height="309" alt="img_1861.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I ended the day on the Kentucky/Ohio border. It's Maysville, KY to the south and then you cross a beautiful suspension bridge and it's Aberdeen, OH. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3731861136/" title="img_1866.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2670/3731861136_b9c7290bd3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1866.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I actually went a few miles north on 41 into Ohio but saw deer everywhere and decided to turn around. Stayed in Aberdeen at a motel on the side of the road. Part of it had burned down so I was staying in the part next door. Got a weird vibe from a Harley dude about the safety issue so I parked the bike sideways right up in front of my window. "Hell I'd pull it in my room if it was me." Hehe. Had a 10" pizza at a local joint down the street, it was good. <br /><br />Tomorrow, into Ohio!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-1951371066205317191?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-19497033983482989102009-07-16T23:50:00.000-07:002009-07-17T22:45:24.982-07:00We have liftoff!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3729036356/" title="IMG_0248.JPG by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2607/3729036356_8933d0074d.jpg" alt="IMG_0248.JPG" width="500" height="333" /></a><br /><br />After 4500 miles on the bike, 11 days of waiting, 6 launch attempts, 3 trips out to the pad and two 13 hour truck drives, I finally got to see the shuttle go up. Man it was awesome. Jason shot video, I hope to post it soon. <br /><br />The story is, NASA claimed to solve the hydrogen leak issue, and ran a test to prove it. The launch was re-scheduled for July 11th, so after extending my break in TN a few days longer, Jason and I decided to make the trip back down to see it. But I didn't take the bike, time was of the essence for both of us and I really didn't want to slab the 13 hour drive from Nashville to Titusville on a motorcycle, in the rain. So we left at 7AM Friday and arrived that night in FL about 9PM. Saturday, the launch was scrubbed because of lightning strike issues from a storm on Friday. Sunday, we went down to the VIP section at Banana Creek (3.3 miles) to see the launch, but it was scrubbed just before T-9:00 due to a weather violation at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Return_To_Launch_Site">RTLS</a> (Return to Launch Site). <br /><br />Monday, due to awesome things I can't reveal (A.T.I.C.R.), we went to view the launch from OSB, which is a bit closer and the REAL VIP spot. All the head honcho's were there from NASA, JAXA (Japanese NASA), CSA (Canadian Space Agency), congressmen, senators, etc. We had lobster tail, tiger prawn, fruits, drinks and even a special STS-127 edition Jones Cola. It was truly special and a once-in-a-lifetime event. Unfortunately, as on Sunday, the RTLS had a weather violation and it was scrubbed again. <br /><br />They did a 48 hour scrub this time. Jason and I had already sworn up and down we'd leave after the last launch, but we both pushed our schedules to the max and decided to stay for the Wednesday attempt. Good thing we did because after a few email exchanges, I managed to get promoted to "Escort". I had a badge and was able to help out a bit during the mission. How badass is that? And the more you ask how all this happened, the less I'll tell you so don't ask. :) <br /><br />Tuesday, while we waited, we hit up the store and took Jason's cousin Corey to the gun range. Highlight of the day was when I got a "nice tracheotomy" from the gristly instructor when he saw my target. We also went out to a causeway near the pad to get a night shot or two with the big Xenon lights turned on.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3722720622/" title="Shuttle at Night by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2485/3722720622_fdaba7d345.jpg" alt="Shuttle at Night" width="500" height="333" /></a><br /><br />Wednesday, we were back again at Banana Creek (along with everyone, even the real VIP's) and it was hot out. Lots of people walking around in suits in the hot weather, yuck. I was actually pretty nervous, knowing this was my last try to see the shuttle. We had been getting rain on the way to the pad, but once we got there, it was nice and clear. Hearing all the "OK" statements during the 40 minute hold prior to T-9:00, (including weather!!) made my pulse race. The moment the clock started moving again (at T-8:59), the crowd went nuts and so did I. Basically, if you imagine that the Shuttle is a car, it takes 9 minutes to start before it can move. So unless there is a technical issue, resuming the countdown after T-9:00 means it's going up. <br /><br />That 9 minutes went by like seconds. At 3 minutes, they have an announcement about safety and where to go in case flaming rocket fuel is raining from the sky or a cloud of hydrochloric acid is floating your way. Really brings the danger close to home when you hear that stuff. At T-0:06 you start to see the puffy clouds and flames and at T-0 it slowly lifts off the pad. I say slowly because from 3 miles, it looks slow. It's actually going hundreds of miles an hour within a few seconds. It actually takes about 10 seconds for the sound to arrive too...it's clear of the pad before you start to hear it. And it is LOUD. Shakes your chest from the sound. It's not a roar like a jet, but more of a crackling rumble. It arc'd thru the sky for about 2 minutes before the SRB's dropped off and it sped out of sight. <br /><br />Man it was so worth it. Now the major destination for this trip was validated and one of my life goals can be crossed off the list. <strike>See a Space Shuttle Launch</strike>.<br /><br />Here are a few more shots from the launch:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3731456352/" title="Go Endeavour! by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2472/3731456352_85e967e87f.jpg" alt="Go Endeavour!" width="500" height="309" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3731428142/" title="Liftoff! by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/3731428142_f45cb032f3.jpg" alt="Liftoff!" width="500" height="309" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3729052068/" title="IMG_0268.JPG by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2502/3729052068_8f835c6100.jpg" alt="IMG_0268.JPG" width="333" height="500" /></a><br /><br /><br />After the launch, we left immediately for Nashville, drove the 13 hours through the night and got in at 7:30am. After crashing for a few hours, I headed up to Hendersonville to pack up the bike and then blasted up to Crossville to stay the night with my dad. <br /><br />Tomorrow, I drive thru Jamestown, TN (where I lived until I was 5) and then up into Kentucky, on my way to Ohio for the superbike race and to meet up with Tracy again.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-1949703398348298910?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-17828436193645297462009-07-08T11:57:00.000-07:002009-07-13T08:15:32.508-07:00Breaktime in NashvilleSome of you have noticed I have been mostly stationary for a bit. I planned into my trip a 2 week break in the Nashville area, to accommodate a few events. My b-day, Tracy's visit, 4th of July and hanging with old friends are all on the agenda. Anyway...<br /><br />After leaving the Cumberland Plateau, I headed towards Nashville. I did the rest of the TN 70 and then met up with TN 25 after Cookeville.<br /><br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=crossville,tn&daddr=36.044102,-85.170135+to:Hwy-70+E%2FTN-24%2FUS-70+to:W+Broad+St%2FTN-24%2FUS-70+N+to:Hwy-25+E%2FTN-10%2FTN-25+to:hendersonville,tn&hl=en&geocode=%3B%3BFRT1JgId3Oro-g%3BFaj2JwId6pPm-g%3BFZIxKwIdMsjd-g%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=11&via=1,2,3,4&sll=36.057981,-85.179062&sspn=0.189844,0.441513&ie=UTF8&ll=36.208823,-85.874634&spn=0.886449,2.746582&z=8&output=embed" scrolling="no" width="500" frameborder="0" height="200"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=crossville,tn&daddr=36.044102,-85.170135+to:Hwy-70+E%2FTN-24%2FUS-70+to:W+Broad+St%2FTN-24%2FUS-70+N+to:Hwy-25+E%2FTN-10%2FTN-25+to:hendersonville,tn&hl=en&geocode=%3B%3BFRT1JgId3Oro-g%3BFaj2JwId6pPm-g%3BFZIxKwIdMsjd-g%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=11&via=1,2,3,4&sll=36.057981,-85.179062&sspn=0.189844,0.441513&ie=UTF8&ll=36.208823,-85.874634&spn=0.886449,2.746582&z=8" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br />This route took me thru some beautiful country, including a stop at the Hartsville Nuclear Complex. I had to stop and get a pic.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3670865366/" title="Hartsville Cooling Tower by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3579/3670865366_a16b70234a.jpg" alt="Hartsville Cooling Tower" width="375" height="500" /></a><br /><br />I also passed a road named "BMW Lane". I figured my bike buddies would appreciate this pic.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3670053967/" title="BMW Ln by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2464/3670053967_f41eb321db.jpg" alt="BMW Ln" width="375" height="500" /></a><br />I arrived in Hendersonville (at my mom's house) just in time to unpack, grab a quick shower and head down to the airport to pick up Tracy. She had flown out from San Diego for a few days for her wedding shower, to take in the sights of the Music City, and spend some time with me. Here we are, happily re-united.<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3693661688/" title="img_1715.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3599/3693661688_6b588c684d.jpg" alt="img_1715.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br />We did a few cool things while in town together, including touring the Parthenon, Hermitage and checking out the Country Music Hall of Fame.<br /><br />Blue Suede Shoes. These were not actually Elvis's, but still worth a pic.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3692850807/" title="img_1699.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2432/3692850807_a0bd969995.jpg" alt="img_1699.jpg" width="375" height="500" /></a><br /><br />Andrew Jackson's grave (+family) at the Hermitage. That place is neat. *Very* old, if you like antiques, make sure to see it.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3692891587/" title="img_1751.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3656/3692891587_af6b66020f.jpg" alt="img_1751.jpg" width="375" height="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3693693778/" title="img_1748.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3626/3693693778_c49e40a1f7.jpg" alt="img_1748.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br />My pictures of the Parthenon are on Tracy's camera, I'll have to come back and add them to this post later.<br /><br />I visited Jason again down in Spring Hill, hooked up with my friends Geoff and Karen in Brentwood, and saw a few historic sights with Don. Check out this cannon.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3680449943/" title="img_0750.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2430/3680449943_6f4d3e10e7.jpg" alt="img_0750.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br />And this is a confederate graveyard.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3681266546/" title="img_0758.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2562/3681266546_b07eba2484.jpg" alt="img_0758.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br />Tennessee is so beautiful, I really love that state. Check out this road-side hay field.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3680451687/" title="img_0757.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/3680451687_a5c8953997.jpg" alt="img_0757.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br />Met up with Tim and Freddie, co-workers from the Telalink days.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3693736622/" title="Tim and Freddie by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/3693736622_08c2675635.jpg" alt="Tim and Freddie" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br />And hung out with David at Vanderbilt for a few hours. We worked together at Vol State back in the day. I was going to help him unbox a few new computers, for old time's sake, but he beat me to it while I was talking.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3712596411/" title="img_1787.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2568/3712596411_e634ce475f.jpg" alt="img_1787.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br />I met a guy named Mike at the BMW dealer in Nashville...he asked me to speak about my trip at the Nashville BMW Owners Club the next Tuesday. I talked to a group of about 45 or so, for a few moments about where I've been and my experiences. They are a bunch of nice people, I look forward to meeting them again one day.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3713531670/" title="img_1790.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3448/3713531670_7f2859f692_m.jpg" alt="img_1790.jpg" width="240" height="180" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3713525534/" title="img_1789.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3446/3713525534_3544dbfa3e_m.jpg" alt="img_1789.jpg" width="240" height="180" /></a><br /><br />I also visited my friend Andrew's distillery, <a href="http://www.corsairartisan.com/">Corsair Artisan</a>. I have a gallery of great pics, but will have to post them later, having issues getting them up to flickr. Dang RAW format. ;-)<br /><br />The 4th of July was awesome. I sat in my old bedroom and looked out the window at the fireworks over Moss Wright Park, Rivergate and Downtown Nashville. They were supposed to go off at 9PM but went up at around 7:30 instead, due to looming thunderclouds. It was pretty great because I saw fireworks, fireflies and lightning all in the same view. No pics, sorry, don't have the gear for capturing that with me on the bike. You'll have to use your imagination. :)<br /><br />This weekend I head to FL to try to catch another launch attempt. Then up to Ohio to see the superbike race. Then West. I expect to be home around the 1st week of August.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-1782843619364529746?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-55208580685550940032009-06-24T20:08:00.000-07:002009-07-12T10:01:20.985-07:00Visiting East TNAfter Jason and I split up in the smokies, I traveled on to Knoxville, to visit my little bro. Parked the bike in the garage and took a day or two off the seat. Had some local food & beer, drove thru a lot of rain and visited with friends.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3670666646/" title="img_1533.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2432/3670666646_9afc82ecf3_m.jpg" alt="img_1533.jpg" width="180" height="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3647628350/" title="img_1496.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3323/3647628350_55a187c332_m.jpg" alt="img_1496.jpg" width="180" height="240" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3646827211/" title="img_1498.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3302/3646827211_421a3dc517_m.jpg" alt="img_1498.jpg" width="240" height="180" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3670651450/" title="img_1512.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3562/3670651450_ee1da15bb6_m.jpg" alt="img_1512.jpg" width="240" height="180" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3669872301/" title="img_1547.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3658/3669872301_500e1c9bef_m.jpg" alt="img_1547.jpg" width="180" height="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3669856629/" title="img_1530.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3629/3669856629_f4eb4eecde_m.jpg" alt="img_1530.jpg" width="240" height="180" /></a><br /><br />L->R: Joseph, Me, Matt and his wife Hannah, her sister and her bf. I'm wearing one of Joseph's shirts, because I packed nothing resembling a button up.<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3669867943/" title="img_1536.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3355/3669867943_33ef282931.jpg" alt="img_1536.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br /></span>My buddy <a href="http://www.tallpaul.com/">Tall Paul</a> playing at the Smoky Mountain Brewery. I dropped in on him just before one of his shows, he was quite surprised. He even worked me into one of the songs he sang, pretty damn cool.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3681267828/" title="img_0735.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2612/3681267828_51f805e554.jpg" alt="img_0735.jpg" width="375" height="500" /></a><br /><br />After staying in K-Town a few days, I headed down to see my Dad in Crossville. I tried to stay off the I-40, so I headed down Kingston Pike, which is TN 70. It's a really nice, twisty road that takes the same basic path of I-40 and was the original route used to get across TN before the interstate system.<br /><br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Knoxville,+Tennessee&daddr=Kingston+Pike%2FTN-1%2FUS-11%2FUS-70+to:Kingston+Pike%2FTN-1%2FUS-11%2FUS-70+to:Kingston+Pike%2FTN-1%2FUS-70+to:35.871247,-84.624939+to:crossville,+tn&hl=en&geocode=FWzOJAIdZ2r_-g%3BFWJyJAIdJq7--g%3BFUS0IwIdNh78-g%3BFXjCIgIdUBb5-g%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=4&sz=10&via=1,2,3,4&sll=35.887937,-84.668884&sspn=0.380506,0.883026&ie=UTF8&ll=35.887937,-84.668884&spn=0.380506,0.883026&output=embed" scrolling="no" width="500" frameborder="0" height="200"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Knoxville,+Tennessee&daddr=Kingston+Pike%2FTN-1%2FUS-11%2FUS-70+to:Kingston+Pike%2FTN-1%2FUS-11%2FUS-70+to:Kingston+Pike%2FTN-1%2FUS-70+to:35.871247,-84.624939+to:crossville,+tn&hl=en&geocode=FWzOJAIdZ2r_-g%3BFWJyJAIdJq7--g%3BFUS0IwIdNh78-g%3BFXjCIgIdUBb5-g%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=4&sz=10&via=1,2,3,4&sll=35.887937,-84.668884&sspn=0.380506,0.883026&ie=UTF8&ll=35.887937,-84.668884&spn=0.380506,0.883026" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br />This is a typical shot of the roads in the area.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3669961181/" title="img_1611.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2473/3669961181_ba3c623b90.jpg" alt="img_1611.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br />I packed up the bike and headed out.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3669882465/" title="img_1558.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3627/3669882465_88f15f0d1a.jpg" alt="img_1558.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br />The drive was great, lonely roads with lots of trees, curves and beautiful countryside. On the way west, I passed Roosevelt Mountain in Rockwood, and decided to go up. The view was stunning.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3670691474/" title="img_1563.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3670691474_1c85b04dc7.jpg" alt="img_1563.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br />The Rockwood Firetower was located up there, build in 1932. Pretty neat, I wanted to climb it since a hole had been cut in the fence, but it seemed kinda dangerous with all the rotting wood.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3670707642/" title="img_1574.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2471/3670707642_e7b232567e.jpg" alt="img_1574.jpg" width="375" height="500" /></a><br />Made it to Dad's house late that night. The next day, my friend Matt took me on a tour of Oak Ridge National Laboratories supercomputing facilities. Some pretty amazing stuff. In this pic, Matt is showing all the politicians that had put their signatures on that particular Cray.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3669922365/" title="img_1586.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2468/3669922365_4f968a02e1.jpg" alt="img_1586.jpg" width="375" height="500" /></a><br />This is the #2 fastest supercomputer in the world, Jaguar. It's a Cray, hella loud, and yes you may notice the liquid cooling. It's 8 rows deep like what you see here.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3669945037/" title="Jaguar, one faaaast computer by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2554/3669945037_0cab2c7d2c.jpg" alt="Jaguar, one faaaast computer" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3669946923/" title="img_1604.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3595/3669946923_b1cd28a08b.jpg" alt="img_1604.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br />Here, I am standing next to the #6 supercomputer in the world, Kraken. (Also a Cray)<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3669938631/" title="img_1598.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2551/3669938631_32fb1c3a34.jpg" alt="img_1598.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br />You can see the rest of the album <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/sets/72157620705765624/">here</a>.<br /><br />Dad and I checked out some more of the history in Crossville, including the Palace Theater and the really neat looking county Courthouse, build in 1921. We also checked out the first/oldest steam engine to arrive in the county.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3670017385/" title="img_1645.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2612/3670017385_bef7a89e7f.jpg" alt="img_1645.jpg" width="375" height="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3670026277/" title="Crossville Courthouse by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3395/3670026277_561af1f116.jpg" alt="Crossville Courthouse" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3670856408/" title="Palace Theatre in Crossville by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/3670856408_7425fab99a.jpg" alt="Palace Theatre in Crossville" width="375" height="500" /></a><br /><br />Cumberland County is a really beautiful area. They filmed the Jungle Book near here, in Fall Creek Falls State park. This shot was taken behind an old barn on my dad's property.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3669995739/" title="img_1633.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3608/3669995739_59b29d3260.jpg" alt="img_1633.jpg" width="375" height="500" /></a><br />Tomorrow is my b-day, I leave for Nashville area and meet up with Tracy, who is flying out from San Diego to see me.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-5520858068555094003?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-47325866562693753112009-06-19T22:17:00.000-07:002009-07-12T09:15:34.117-07:00Cherohala Skyway & The SmokiesA good night's rest can make a big difference in your travels, as can a comfortable place to 'explode' when you get in for the night. This is some of my 'exploding' that I do when I land.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3646677983/" title="img_1418.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3309/3646677983_51805b7a64.jpg" alt="img_1418.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br />We quickly packed up and bolted out of Anderson, headed north. First part of the trip thru the mountains was the 28, which was a lot more technical than I thought it'd be.<br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Anderson,+S+Carolina&daddr=34.983878,-83.18573+to:Franklin,+NC&hl=en&geocode=FUbADgId7O8S-w%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=10&via=1&sll=34.85038,-83.022315&sspn=0.791147,1.234589&ie=UTF8&ll=34.966999,-83.122559&spn=1.350449,2.746582&z=8&output=embed" scrolling="no" width="500" frameborder="0" height="300"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Anderson,+S+Carolina&daddr=34.983878,-83.18573+to:Franklin,+NC&hl=en&geocode=FUbADgId7O8S-w%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=10&via=1&sll=34.85038,-83.022315&sspn=0.791147,1.234589&ie=UTF8&ll=34.966999,-83.122559&spn=1.350449,2.746582&z=8" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br />Pretty tight curves, and the loaded up bike wasn't the best machine for that bit of tarmac. But it was amazingly fun and totally beautiful. I had a close call when a loaded up dump truck crossed into my lane in a downhill chicane with both sets of rear tires locked up smoking. That gets the blood moving. <br /><br />We stopped at a visitors center to grab a map or two. Jason noticed that he had a warning light on, indicating his brake light was out. He quickly located a local auto store, headed over there and got a new bulb. Despite the dummy behind the desk telling us it wasn't in stock (while we stared at it on the shelf). Jason quickly replaced it in the parking lot. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3646697289/" title="img_1426.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3578/3646697289_f72596e479.jpg" alt="img_1426.jpg" width="375" height="500" /></a><br />We headed out from there and did the rest of the 28 to get to Robbinsville, SC. That town is connected to Telico Plains, TN by the Cherohala Skyway, our destination for the day and an absolutely amazing bit of road.<br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=robbinsville,+NC&daddr=35.317366,-83.980179+to:tellico+plains,+TN&hl=en&geocode=&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=11&via=1&sll=35.369455,-84.048843&sspn=0.393061,0.617294&ie=UTF8&ll=35.368895,-84.048157&spn=0.335952,0.686646&z=10&output=embed" scrolling="no" width="500" frameborder="0" height="300"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=robbinsville,+NC&daddr=35.317366,-83.980179+to:tellico+plains,+TN&hl=en&geocode=&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=11&via=1&sll=35.369455,-84.048843&sspn=0.393061,0.617294&ie=UTF8&ll=35.368895,-84.048157&spn=0.335952,0.686646&z=10" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br />That road was completed in 1996, it took 35 years and cost 100 million to complete. I checked it out at the opening, it's more grown up and the road isn't a perfect blacktop anymore, but it's still a really awesome road. This was near the first portions of the road.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3646712795/" title="img_1435.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3346/3646712795_9e03859efe.jpg" alt="img_1435.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br />We stopped at the highest point off the Cherohala Skyway, at 5300 feet. There was a path into the woods up to the top so we parked the bikes for a bit to take a walk up.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3647574000/" title="img_1463.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3583/3647574000_568d9eb1b9.jpg" alt="img_1463.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br />This area is so alive, creatures everywhere.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3647556840/" title="img_1456.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3376/3647556840_f87052c1b9_m.jpg" alt="img_1456.jpg" width="240" height="180" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3647583392/" title="img_1470.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3662/3647583392_c2c59614cd_m.jpg" alt="img_1470.jpg" width="240" height="180" /></a><br />I think this picture sums up the ride on the Cherohala Skyway pretty well.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3646795273/" title="img_1479.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3389/3646795273_b4eb2c6ea9.jpg" alt="img_1479.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br />I had donned the helmet cam, here are a few neat action shots from the road. Make sure to click on them and zoom in.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3650945321/" title="pict0114.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2471/3650945321_4d54a3809a.jpg" alt="pict0114.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3651762954/" title="pict0225.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3631/3651762954_04c1938865.jpg" alt="pict0225.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3650992881/" title="pict0285.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2164/3650992881_c0b766f748.jpg" alt="pict0285.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br />Check the other bikers waving. Florida motorcyclists, take note how you're *supposed* to act. ;-)<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3651028691/" title="pict0394.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3572/3651028691_1b1098f0d7.jpg" alt="pict0394.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br />Look at the view off the road to the right.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3651042551/" title="pict0490.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3353/3651042551_e19cba44f7.jpg" alt="pict0490.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br />And look at this off to the left.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3651847390/" title="pict0544.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3621/3651847390_53c3fc8ab1.jpg" alt="pict0544.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br /><br />After we made it off the skyway and down into Telico Plains, Jason had to split for Nashville to travel home to his family. My path was heading to Knoxville to see my brother. Jason spent his entire 2 week vacation this year on this trip and 10 days of it with me. I was sad to see him go, it was nice to have someone to ride with.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3698476012/" title="Me and Jason by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3551/3698476012_c125169844.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Me and Jason" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3650422015/" title="img_1489.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3537/3650422015_f46ef4e241.jpg" alt="img_1489.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br />It was getting dark on the way into Knoxivllle. I took all the backroads I could, through Lenore City and a few other small towns. The sunset was so awesome, I had to stop and take a pic.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3647622098/" title="img_1491.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2471/3647622098_cbb25ede55.jpg" alt="img_1491.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br />I made it to my little brother's house about 9:30PM or so.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-4732586656269375311?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-68619174654156070382009-06-18T22:22:00.000-07:002009-06-27T22:51:31.223-07:00Georgia and South CarolinaJason and I arose early after a crappy night's sleep at a Super 8 motel. I will never stay at one of those again, sheesh. The water smelled like sulfur or something horrible. Anyway, we hit the road, did a little bit of the I-95 highway. We grabbed lunch in Hardeville, SC. Fried chicken, collard greens, baked beans, cornbread and sweet tea. Mmmm.<br /><br />South Carolina had swamp on both sides of the road. I kept wondering if I was to somehow go off the road, would I drown or be eaten by crocs first. This shot was taken off the 125 in SC, near the SC/GA border. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3640490658/" title="img_1391.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3390/3640490658_3611f082df.jpg" alt="img_1391.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br />After a bit of the swamp, it opened up into some nice forest. This was Sumter National Forest, just north of Augusta.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3640507310/" title="img_1397.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3610/3640507310_8d04c8c1be.jpg" alt="img_1397.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br />I really enjoyed the small towns we were passing thru. This one was particularly neat, with a stop light or two, train tracks and a state route crossroads.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3640520698/" title="img_1403.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3303/3640520698_bb8b37fec6.jpg" alt="img_1403.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br />Alternating small towns and farmland continued thru SC. This farm was beautiful.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3639723855/" title="img_1409.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3571/3639723855_5d37caf128.jpg" alt="img_1409.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br />Our destination that night was Anderson, SC. As we got into the area, we saw a big storm approaching. We put on our rain gear but after looking at a wall of water moving our way that resembled a tornado, I bailed out and we drove around the storm. We ended up staying in a decent hotel that night and went to bed early so we could get good sleep for our ride thru the smokies.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-6861917465415607038?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-18833589681033744162009-06-17T19:59:00.000-07:002009-06-17T20:30:47.602-07:00On the Road Again...After the disappointing scrub of the shuttle launch early this morning, it was time to hit the road. Jason's Aunt took great care of us in Titusville, and I hated to leave. However, 5 days of waiting on NASA to push the big red launch button had us both jonesin to ride. We hit the road in the late afternoon, headed north. Had dinner in Jacksonville, FL and when it started raining on us later in the night, stopped in Brunswick at a motel. Unfortunately I chose a crappy motel (with smelly water), but it will get us thru the night and we can hopefully make great tracks tomorrow towards the east side of the Smokies. <br /><br />On the topic of the shuttle: NASA postponed the launch till July 11th, maybe I'll come back down for it then, who knows. I bought the t-shirt and the commemorative pin so I am committed to see it now. hehe. I also had to skip the FL Keys due to time constraints, hopefully I can do them another time.<br /><br />And hopefully tomorrow I'll remember to take some pictures. :)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-1883358968103374416?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-40199963483607702882009-06-16T19:45:00.000-07:002009-06-16T19:51:35.794-07:00Dang Weather!Jason and I are both in here on our laptops checking out live weather and NASA TV, anxious for the launch to happen. The weather at the cape is turning this into a nail biter. Come on NASA, I know you guys can squeeze more time out of the launch schedule. Just don't botch the fueling!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3634649236/" title="WUNIDS_map by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3597/3634649236_d5b76cb45f_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="WUNIDS_map" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-4019996348360770288?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176206510951179977.post-59151604918978543882009-06-15T20:30:00.000-07:002009-06-16T19:43:37.257-07:00Day 15 & 16: Waiting to launchMonday, we didn't do much. I worked on my gracious host's pool, took Jason to the doc for a prescription refill and installed Linux on the hard drive of my laptop (vs running off an SD card, which was slow).<br /><br />Tuesday, we decided to get up early and go back to the Kennedy Space Center to do the bus tour and pick up a few things from the gift shop. The bus tour is pretty cool. We got to see the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), which is the 3rd largest building in the world. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3633546875/" title="img_1352.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3633546875_7f58e8fb5f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1352.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Visited the Saturn V rocket display, which was pretty neat.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3634108252/" title="img_1321.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3646/3634108252_a47ac18e51.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="img_1321.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We did a 'simulated Apollo launch' in simulated NASA control room. The windows actually shook when it launched. With some creativity I could imagined the launch I hope to see tomorrow morning. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3633251019/" title="img_1310.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3330/3633251019_2db8b265b5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1310.jpg" /></a><br />We also checked out the Astronaut Hall of Fame. It's basically a museum about the astronauts and their history.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3634460580/" title="img_1376.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2483/3634460580_8991fdc358.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1376.jpg" /></a><br />This helmet lineup was particularly cool.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3633660181/" title="img_1379.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3551/3633660181_e27eb55696.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1379.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We saw a manatee, some large birds and a bald eagle's nest on the NASA property, which is right in the middle of the Merrit Island Wildlife Preserve. Even with the alligators, signs like this make me want to climb over the fence.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8foo/3634377400/" title="img_1356.jpg by n8foo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3626/3634377400_19bd44aa55.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="img_1356.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Wrapped up the day with a steak and an early bedtime (in prep for the launch). It goes up at 5:40AM EST tonight/tomorrow morn. I need to be at the VIP pickup at 3:00AM which means I get up at 1:45AM. No sleep for me. :)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7176206510951179977-5915160491897854388?l=www.n8moto.com' alt='' /></div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0