Blogs from Arlington, Virginia, United States, North America

The ride is over. I have now completed the daily entries, and am sending the completed blog of the trip out to friends who might be interested. To start at the beginning, go to the following link. One can then scroll through the days and the pictures. You may have to copy and paste it into your browser. https://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/West-Virginia/Parkersburg/blog-1062394.html The overall tour took a month, from Sept 7, 2021 when I left for Parkersburg WV, through Oct 7, 2021 when I flew back to Arlington VA. The first leg of the journey, across the country to Boise ID following US 50 for most of the way, took me 8 days and 2,700 miles (4,300 km). I then rested and returned to Durham NC for a family wedding celebration. Back in Idaho for the second leg I ... read more

It took me half a days' ride to get home again. The Mid Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route is 1,058 miles long. It was designed perfectly for access by residents of the Washington Metro Area. From Arlington to the Start at Damascus VA is some 355 mi and 5 1/2 hours. From the Finish in Lawrenceville PA back to Arlington VA is about 268 mi and 4 1/2 hours. If one were to just drive via interstate from Damascus to Lawrenceville, it would take about 9 hours and cover 555 miles. By riding the mountains and forests, it takes 9 days, and over 1,050 miles. Campsites are available. Hotels are plentiful (I always stayed at hotels) and very Covid-19 aware. Shields and cleaning emphasized everywhere. Food and gas are easy to find -- but don't pass them ... read more

At 11:00 pm last night, I finally fit my motley collection of motorcycle impedimenta into two duffle bags and a carryon. It was never clear it would fit. I had to throw out all my underwear to get it all in (no I am kidding, but I came close). I am renting a bike in Osorno for the trip. I have never done this before, and packing my helmet and boots away is a little traumatic. The joy of the journey is slowly percolating into my body. It has been a tough two weeks for Beth as she battled a giant stone in her kidney. Luckily, all is now well and the green light is shining brightly for the 5th trip of a lifetime... With my little local commitments mostly completed, I can look forward to ... read more

Geo: 38.8905, -77.0863Week two, I have started to find my feet and I have gotten used to driving on the right side of the road. I am almost a person in the USA as I have an American bank account, now for my social security number and my drivers license and I will be a full person here!Last Sunday was the opening of the season here, Lucie and I went off to National Harbor to see some fireworks and go on the gigantic Ferris Wheel but it was unsuccessful to say the least. We decided it was way too cold to take the ferry across the river, little did we know that it was heated inside, we took an Uber to National Harbor and got stuck in crazy traffic, so we ended up seeing the beautiful ... read more

My flight wasn't leaving from the airport in Baltimore until the early evening, meaning that I had the morning to do some more sightseeing. I had been looking online for more free tours, I've become a bit addicted to them, and found one for Arlington National Cemetery. The cemetery is a short subway ride out of the city and it didn't take me too long to get there. I met the tour group at the office at the entrance to the cemetery and from there we headed inside. Arlington National Cemetery is a 624 acres military cemetery, which was established in 1864. The dead of the nation's conflicts have been buried here since the Civil War, and the dead from earlier battles have been re-interred in the cemetery. Private William Henry Christman of Pennsylvania was the ... read more

Bonjour à tous Cette Charlottesville est vraiment très agréable. Hier au soir comme prévu je suis allé dans le centre sur Main Street, qui est la rue piétonne la plus longue des États-Unis. peut-être 1 km. Énormément de monde dans cette rue, les terrasses sont bondées, et la température de 28°est très plaisante. Ceci explique cela. Je mange chez un Italien, en terrasse, et je vais craqué, pour un jambon cru au melon. Le jambon est un Prociuto Américain, sans beaucoup de goût, et le melon c'est un melon d'eau, pas plus de goût. Faute de cochonaille à Yzeron j'ai fait avec. Les gens que je vois passé respirent, d'ailleurs comme toute la ville la "zénitude" (merci Ségolène), on se sent en paix ici, chose que l'on est en train de perdre en France. Charlotteville, 45 ... read more