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Published: September 23rd 2009
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This is the End.
Well of this blog. There will be more someday, as I hope to find the opportunity again to share my enjoyment with you, my loved ones, my family, my friends and a few strangers I meet along the way in another journey. I hope you found some enjoyment in the post and pictures.
Well the last part trip went off fine. I rode the last section of highway 1 in California, turning into the mountains at Leggett.
The last ocean view before I head into the trees was truly the color Sea-foam Green. I spot a father and son duo on bikes. The father is riding a Wing pulling a trailer, and the son on a Buell. They were on a trip from the east coast, to the west and back. I made it into their blog (http://longwayacross.blogspot.com/) and there is a picture of them here as well. After a half hour we were all itching to get on the way so we set off in opposite directions.
The road from Rockport to Leggett looks like Mr. Bill trying to write to Bear… very squally.. very.. very fun!
Soon after I found
myself in the Redwoods on the “Avenue of the Giants”.
Here reside 60 % of the world’s tallest trees where life spans are measured in hundreds of years, some 1500 years old or better.
The Avenue of the Giants is what I like to call a Hansel and Gretel road. It is a narrow, at time 10 feet or less between trunk and trunk. This is not a butt pucker ride like the wind kind of road, this is a hardly move along fast enough to keep your bike upright with your helmet fully open, panning side to side.
I have ridden the redwoods several times but I am still mesmerized by these 350+ ft tall giants. The tallest currently measures 379.1 foot. Mr. Bill wanted to climb some, but I declined.
I followed the Redwood highway north to Crescent City and then headed Northwest on 199. This has long been a favorite route, even though it cuts away from the majestic Pacific.
I was tired and longed to be home. I had one more important stop that I wanted to make. I plugged in and made a long 650 mile day to Northeast Portland.
The next morning I met Allie for coffee and conversation at Starbucks and then went over to her house to meet the newest addition to her family, Dominic. A cute and playful puppy.
Shortly I was waning and on my way home. I arrived at 5:30pm to a loving wife. Well at least she let me in the house before she made me strip off the bug infested riding suit and even helped me off with my boots!
OK, A tale of the trip. 33 days, 7092.6 miles.
Moving average speed 60.4 mph, max speed 125. ZERO Tickets!!!! YaHoo!
Zero spills or tip-overs.
Butt pucker moments, way to many to count or remember. I do remember a memorial one when I was scraping the outside edge of my boot and thinking PRESS HARDER!!!!!
Most memorable moment, seeing each member of my family for the first time, again. followed by the Sun setting in the Pacific.
Best riding, California coast (above Malibu)
Best pavement, Kentucky!
Nicest drivers, Texans.
Worst drivers, Illinois.
Best music, Beale street , Memphis.
Best Ribs… hum this still needs more investigating, but there were great
ribs in Memphis, New Orleans and Texas.
Some things I learned along the way:
I don’t really like camping by myself. I prefer to share that with Rob and The Reverend Bill .
The people all across the US are great and will help you out if you’re self willing to put yourself out there.
That I don’t want to live in the South East it is way to humid, but I did make a friend or two there that are wonderful people.
That it is important to have a constant traveling companion, and Mr. Bill could have not been better. He doesn't even snore!
In the end I will say that there is no home like the one in which your heart resides, there is no shower like your own, where soap isn’t wrapped in little cakes or in a travel bottle, and your own bathrobe is hanging on the back of the door. There is no bed like the one like your spouse is waiting for you in.
Thanks for tagging along, and I hope to chat with you all soon.
God Bless.
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