Day 19 - Dundee, FL to Key West (Finally)!!!!

We started off at 06:00 as planned. Stopped for gas after 100 miles. It was hot, but I kept a long sleeve shirt on.

Wish I had a lightwight mesh jacket. You can only pack so much on a bike for a 4-5 week trip.

Stopped after another 100 miles for gas and lunch. We ate at a subway!! Yeah, No McDonalds.

I bought some swim trunks at the shop next to the subway.

The ride into the Keys was long because of some construction. It was an overcast day but hot and muggy. We finally arrived in Key West at 4:30PM.

We tried to get photos at the buoy, but it was crowded and tour busses were dropping off people. We took some, but not good ones.

We then headed to the Post Office to fill out our paperwork for the final of the four corners and mail them off.

We finally made it. I figure about 8, 300 miles total and we still have at least 3,500 back. Probably more as I am going to stop in Alabama and Missouri to see relatives.

I bought a cell phone yesterdayy to replace the one I lost on Day 3. It isn't working very good, so I'll probably send it back or buy a new one.

By the way, the flag we are showing at each of the four corners is the Divine Services flag. It is the only flag authorized to be flown nhigher than the American Flag on a Naval vessel.

Russ

Day 18 - Down day in Winter Haven (Dundee, FL)

We slept in this morning. Dana left about 7:15 to get his oil changed.
Mike and Shawn left at about 10:30 to pick up their wives at the airport.

I stayed at he motel and relaxed. Later that evening, we went to Barb's mother's house for dinner. It was a great home cooked meal that we had not had for a long time.

We will leave for Key West in the morning.

Day 17 Tuesday Savannah, GA to Winter haven, FL

Short day today - The rain was gone and the weather good. I decided to not wear my riding jacket and opted for a short sleeve shirt. The worked well until we hit Florida. After about 90 miles of hot sun, I pulled over to the side and had to put on a longsleeve shirt. My arms were red!

We don't get this kind of heat in Western Washington.

We stopped neer Datona at the Harley shop. Dana wanted to get his oil change. Tey wern't impressed and said they couldn't get him in today. We saw J&P cycles just behing the Zharley shop. We stopped there for almost an hour. It was a really cool place. Dana and I got an Air Hawg cushion. Our gel pad cushions were not helping much. I sure hope these work better.

We finally got to Winter Haven and stopped at Shawn's mother in law's house. shawn stayed there and we all went to the Quality Inn to get rooms.

Barb and Kathy should be flying in on a redeye flight tonight. We will meet them in Orlando tomorrow, so tomorrow is another Down day. We will then head out for Key West and the final corner Thursday morning.

Day 16 - Monday - Roanoak, VA to Savannah, GA

It was raining when we left the motel in the morning. We put on all our rain gear and headed out. Was not too bad most of the morning. We managed to stay dry, but the layer's of clothing were making us hot and tired.

We pulled off to get gas, early afternoon and took off our rain gear. We made it about 30 miles and we had to stop to put it back on. This time, we had heavy rain, and it lasted all the way to Savannah.

Driving was hard and slow since at times we had to slow to 40 because you couldn't see the road. The cars and trucks were speeding past on the left. We had our flashers on. Mike almost got clipped by a semi, that pulled over to the shoulder to keep from hitting him.

We also had to sit in traffic as there were 3 cars involved in accidents.

We made it safely into Savannah, but were pretty wet.

It is morning now and the weather looks pretty good outside.

We are going to Winterhaven, FL (Just outside of Orlando) where Barb's mother lives.

Day 15 Drums, PA to Roanoak, VA

Left the motel early and headed towards Maryland and Delaware. Skirted Baltimore.

We then got on I-81 south and went thru West Virginia and then down into Virginia.
The drive thru Virginia an I-81 was beautiful. Also, the nicest roads we have been on so far. We really enjoyed b eing off busy I-95.

Were going to stay the night at a state park, but heard severe weather was approaching, so stopped at a motel in Roanoak, VA.

States traveled - PA, Deleware, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia.

Total miles today 485 - No problems on the road. Good roads thru West VA, and VA.

Day 14 Littleton, Mass to Drums, PA

Left the minuteman Campground in Littleton, Mass at 6:00. I froze during the night. Woke up at 1:30 and put on sweatshirt and jeans. I was still too cold to sleep. We headed North to get the state of Vermont. We are ahead of schedule, so we are trying to ride thru as many states as we can on our way to Key West. Stopped about 15 miles before Vermont and ate breakfast at a Friedley's restaurant. We asked the waitress if she wanted to join us for prayer and she did. So when bike blessing's get scarce, we improvise. It was a good start to the day. We got to Vermont, then turned around at the first exit. We rode thhru Rhode Island, around Providence and into Connecticut. We headed West and South to Pennsylvania and stopped for the night at an America's Best Inn.

We stopped earlier and got a bolt at honda for my Gas tank. The upper bolt holding the tank on must have vibrated loose. They didn't have the part so we got a bolt and waqsher and made it work.

Bike is running good. Just wish I could keep all the parts on.

It warmed up thruout the day and we were all pretty hot and tired and were in the mountains of PA, so we just got a motel. We need to plan our campgrounds better as this is getting expensive and we have only camped 3 days so far. A lot of camp gear to carry around for such little use.

Day 13 Madawaska, Maine to Littleton, Mass

Left Madawaska at 6:00. We were warned about all the moose, so were being very careful, at least I was. Lots of warning signs on the roads too, but we didn't see any.

The 2 lane road out of Madawaska was slow and lasted about 100 miles before we got to the interstate. Finally got to 95S and made good time. We had lots of turnpike stops in Maine and New Hampshire.

Had lots of traffic outside Boston area, even though we were about 60 miles outwside Boston. We stopped for the night at a campground in Littletown, Mass. Nice campground and they had a laundry so we got some clothes washed.

Day 12 - Brockville, ON to Madawaska, Maine

Left brockville, Ontario and headed East towards Montreal and Quebec. We got thru Montreal with no problem even though traffic was heavy. Quebec was a little worse.

I was still having my ears hurting from my bhelmet. This was making the trip miserable for me.

We crossed the Canada/US border about 4:30 and headed into Madawaska, Maine. We all were pulled over at the border, but we got out pretty fast.

We were all tired but excited about finally getting the third corner. We got gas anf the required receipt, and picy=tures in front of the post office. Then mailed our envelopes. We valso went to the Madawaska 4 corners memorial and got some more pictures.

The post office was on the main road in town and everyone kept stopping to let us take pictures. There was a lot of traffic for such a small town.

Stayed at the gateway motel in Madawaska and had a great dinner at the restaurant there. Finally a sit down meal!! Maybe my stomach will survive.

Day 11 Sandusky Ohio to Brockville, Ontario - Canada

It was cold when we left and we were in fog or dew aqll morning. Not much visability. The cold made me and Dana keep asking for a baqthroom break. (coffee and damp air)!!

Drove thru New York state. Turnpikes made you stop all the time and the few service areas were crowded. My stomach had been bothering me for days and today I was miserable. Too many fastfood stops and coffee. I needed some Peto Bismol and no Wal-Mart anywhere.

It finally warmed up in the afternoon as we headed Noth thru New York towards the border. Stopped at 1000 Lakes and looked for a motel but couldn't find any. Everytone in the town aq=was out fishing. The motels had signs on the doors saying to call a number, but no one answered. We wasted about an hour there. Then crossed the border into Canada (No problems) and stopped at the first exit with services and checked into a travellodge. (Brockville, Ontario)

Ate at burger king. I found a grocery store and got some medicine for my stomach.

Day 10 - Clarksville, TN to Sandusky Ohio

Left Clarksville about 6:30. Drove north thru Kentucky. After the first gas stop, I took the right and left side padding out of my helmet. I can stand to wear it now, and Mike and I both have CB again.

We skirted rain showers all day. We were pretty lucky to stay dry.We made good time today, getting 600 miles and in early for the night even after losing an hour (Eastern time zone).

We were almost to Toledo when we finally hit rain. We went thru Toledo and into Michigan to get the state for Mike. We turned around and headed back to Ohio. Now it was raining pretty hard. We headed east on the I-80 turnpike and got off at Sandusky. We just pulled into a motel and the sky opened up (downpour). As soon as we registered, a siren sounded in the town. We asked and it was a tornado alert. We had 1 more alert sound, and then they stopped.

We ate at Friendly's restaurant and then to sleep.

All in all, a Graet Day - No problems, other than a little rain.

Day 9 - Down Day in Clarksville, TN

Spent most of day resting. It was raining on and off all day. Not hard, but still wet. We stopped by the honda dealer. I got some new boot covers for the rain. Made a trip to WalMart and ate at the golden corral. Best meal in a long time.

Mike, Shawn and me went to Shawn's brother Pat's house that evening. We stayed about 2 hours, had great conversation and some chocolate desert. Major Pat Seibert and family seem to be really nice. I enjoyed our visit.

Dana stayed at the motel and did laundry. hee rested most of the day. Jeff, left in the morning for South Carolina (He didn't even stop by to say bye). I hope we meet up with him for the trip home. He is going to his Mom's in Pennsylvania after South Carolina.

Went back to the motel and slept.

Camping at Iron Mountain

Some pics of our tents

The CROSS

Picyures

More Pics Iorn Mountain

Iorn Mountain

More Pics

Some more pics throughout the trip

Day 7 Amarillo to Mena Arkansas

Left Shawn's moms house at 6:30. Met up with Dana and Jeff. We had more wind on I-40 today and another long day.
We stopped off near Amarillo at the cross. (One sign said the largest cross in the western hemisphere). We really enjoyed tis stop. Besides the large cross, there were 13 stations, all depicting a statue/scene of christ leading up to being sentenced to being crucified.

Drove I-40 thru Oklahoma City and towards littlerock and then headed south towards Mena. Saw some pretty country in Arkansas and a lot of roadkill. We were getting pretty tired in the afternoon and turned off to get gas, but ended up on a turnpike. We did an illegal U-turn on te turnpike and got back on the highway. We were low on gas, so turned around again and got gas. Russ and Jeff had only about .3 gallons left.

Got some food, cooled off some (We were tired and cranky) and later made it into Mena and the CMA campgroung at Iron Mountain. The campgrounds were really nice.

Su and his dog were there waiting for us. We all went out for dinner and off to bed.

There were too many candidates for todays Wally award - We all had a few mishaps. Just tired, but safe.

DAY 8

Iorn Mountain - Woke to thunderstorms and rain. Moved our tents to under some shelter and waited for the rain to lighten up. Left at 08:00.

Had light rain and cooler weather thru most of Arkansas. It got warmer when we got to Hotsprings, where we picked up I-40. Stopped for gas finally and I was miserable. My new Nolan helmet had been rubbing on my ears for days and they were hurting. I had been putting lotion on my ears, but I could stand it no longer. I put my helmet away and said I would ride without one. They aren't required in Arkansas. Poet, gave me his helmet, so we swapped for the rest of the day. The rest of the day was tolerable.

Weather was warm and sunny to Memphis. About 30 miles east of Memphis the interstates came to a stop. We sat in traffic about 30 minutes (making about 2 miles), then got off at an exit. (Big wreck in interstate most of day we heard).

We took a detour around and got about 40 miles west of Nashville, turned off I-40 and headed to Clarksville. First motel we stopped at was closed. (They were taking wet mattresses out of the rooms) - I guess the river overflowed here.

Stayed at an America Inn, and met Shawn's brother Pat. We will stay here today and tonight to rest and recuperate.

Day 6

Left Santa Rosa at 7:00. Drove east on I40 in strong winds. Our new friend Su was at the motel 6 ready to follow us again today. We stoppped for gas outside Amarillo, TX and said a prayer before we left. Su missed the prayer, so we asked him to say another. He said his English was not that good. We said, so give it in Korean and he did. It was a unique experience we all enjoyed. Su then left on his way to Mena, AR and we headed into Amarillo and Shawn's mother's house. On the way, We had another part flying off a bike. This time it was Jeff's right passenger footpeg. We recovered it and made it to Shawn's mother's house.

The Wally award goes to Jeff today.

Dana and Jeff left to get a room at the quality Inn. We are planning to go to the Big Texan tonight (Home of the 72 oz steak).

Pictures

C

Here are some pics

Day 5

Left Kingman, AZ at o6:00. Drove to Flagstaff and met Shawn's childhood friend John. We ate at Coco's restaurant and had a great visit. Left Flagstaff and drove East on I-40. We had a lot of high winds all day. We passed a white toyota car and the guy pulled over to the sholder and then got back on the freeway and almost hit Mike. This car followed us for over 100 miles, drove up and tried to speak to Mike, again almost hitting him. We finally pulled over for Gas and the white car followed. At the station, this little old guy rulls down his window and said he was a CMA member too, but no loger rode. He then pulled a CMA vest out of his car. He followed us all the way to Sante Rosa where he checked into a Motel 6. Did not camp tonight or last night because of high winds. Te old man, an oriental, his name is Su. He wants to follow us again tomorrow.

We have done several bike blessings everyday so far.

All in all a good day with no mechanical problems.

Day 4

Left San Diego at 9:00 binsted af our planned 7:00. mike's son Chris had a garage where we kept the bikes overnight. The opener would not open the door. We had to wait for a maintenance man to come and open it. We were going to get our 2nd corner in San Ysidro. We had to go to a Honda dealer to see if I could find a new bag and also look at the tapping noise coming from my Bike (Russ). Dana and Jeff were off to the Harley dealer. Jeff's ehaust almost completely fell off. Jeff got his exhaust fixed and Dana got his oil changed.

We got the 2nd corner in San Ysidro, then off to Honda. The noise on my bike turned out to be a loose nut on the exhaust. Honda in San Diego fixed it for free and also gave all 5 vus us a free T-Shirt. We left San Diego about 12:30, and rove all the way to Kingman, AZ.

Day 3

Left Redding at 06:30

Was really hot in California. Long day getting to San Diego. Took a bypass around Los Angeles. (long pass). About 80 miles from San Diego, Mike said "Russ's bag just fell off". We were on I15 doing about 70. We pulled over and I didn't see my bagd missing. Mike said, "Look at your right saddlebag. It was gone. This is a hard bag mounted to the bike, no bungee cords. We went back on the sholder and a car was pulled over. It had hit the bag and it was crushed. (The bad that is). I was able to recover most of the items, but not my cell phone.

Russ wins the "Wally Prize" for the Day.

After we got back on the road (it was now dark), Jeff's trailer lights went out. We couldn't fix so we folled close behind him in to San Diego.

We vstayed the night at Mike's sons apartment.

Day 2

Left Mullinex Park and Ride at 6:00 as scheduled. Got almost to Oregon and stopped for gas. Shawn had forgotten his Wallet and drove back to get it. Met up with his wife at exit 111. He met up with us in Rosburg Oregon. We drove all the way to Redding California and pitched a tent.

Shawn earns today's Wally prize.

Day 2 and 3 - California

Stayed in Redding, CA last night and San Diego tonight. We got in pretty late, will try to post more tomorrow.

USA 4 Corners Tour Day 1

Left Bremerton at 5:30, Took the Kingston/Edmunds Ferry and arrived in Blaine, WA about 10:00. It was in the 40 to 50 degree range and we hit a few showers. Nothing too bad. Tomorrow morning, we will head south for San Ysidro, CA.