September 1, 2015
Throughout last winter, Kim and I had been talking about taking a 'longer than a weekend’ bike trip in 2015. We talked about doing it last year, too, but let other things get in the way and just didn't get around to it. Our goal is to ride in all 50 states before our riding career is over…to date, we’ve ridden in 36. There are four states west of the Mississippi River that are just hanging out there, waiting for us to come travel their roads: Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. So, 2015 has become the year of The Final Four. (After this trip, we'll have just 9 northeastern states and Hawaii left.) Also, I've been wanting to check out Arkansas Highway 23, a.k.a. the Pig Trail Scenic Byway, so we’re tacking that on for good measure. Oh, and when we're in Oklahoma, we hope to meet up with Gwen....she and Kim played World of Warcraft together for several years. Oh, yeah....this is gonna be a great adventure!
Early on, we didn’t set a definite time but experience has taught us that we don’t want to head to that part of the country in July. So, we had this vague idea of leaving sometime late August, early September to avoid the hottest part of summer; but we hadn't set anything in stone...meaning we didn't put it on the calendar. Spring turned into summer and I started overbooking alterations for summer weddings, etc. It became evident that we needed to intentionally block out the time soon; otherwise I would just keep taking on work and then it would get pushed so far out that the riding season would be over, we'd be kicking ourselves and blah, blah, blah. So, it was time to take a serious look at the calendar. We had a commitment at church on Aug. 30….figured we could be packed and ready, then just head out after that. Oh, yes!....we have a plan..it's on the calendar..it's set in stone..we are going to do this! THEN I got a call from Marshal saying that the TN Bakkers were going to be visiting the KY Bakkers over the Labor Day Weekend and did we want to join them? Well, it didn't take much time to think that over...get going on our trip as planned or delay it 4 days and change our route to be able to get some time with 5 of the 7 WonderKids? Yeah, I knew what I wanted to do before I hung up the phone... and fortunately, Kim was in agreement. So much for having a firm plan.J
Our camping trailer is packed...won't know if the weight distribution is right until Kim starts pulling it down the road. The plan is to camp on this trip, but experience also tells us that weather will be a factor in that. We think we can handle the heat (even packed a small fan for the tent); but rain, cold, and hurricanes will be cause to seek sturdier shelter or an evacuation route.
In case anyone thinks I just let the whole internet world know that our house will be unoccupied for a couple of weeks, relax about that. We have someone staying at the house, getting the mail, feeding the cats, etc. Plus we always let the neighbors know when we're gone, so they, too, can keep an eye on what's happening up on the hill.
First destination will be Kentucky, where we'll spend a couple of days with family and friends. Then we'll be on our merry way to do some exploring. At this point, mere words do not do justice to the excitement we feel about riding to parts unknown and seeing what there is to see. I am so looking forward to this!! (That being said, I have an upcoming sewing project that has me geeked as well. A November bride has a vision about 'personalizing' her dress and oh, yeah, I'm gonna have fun helping her out...when I get back.J )
So, the Betsy Ross part of me is taking a much needed break in a couple of days....and the closer that gets, the more the Easy Rider in me is itching to get on Pegasus and ride!! Moxie, my faithful sidekick, will be riding shotgun. And, of course, Kim and Louie will be leading the way on Bernie. And I think I overheard Moxie and Louie scheming about how to include Douglas, their new friend. J
September 1, 2015
Throughout last winter, Kim and I had been talking about taking a 'longer than a weekend’ bike trip in 2015. We talked about doing it last year, too, but let other things get in the way and just didn't get around to it. Our goal is to ride in all 50 states before our riding career is over…to date, we’ve ridden in 36. There are four states west of the Mississippi River that are just hanging out there, waiting for us to come travel their roads: Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. So, 2015 has become the year of The Final Four. (After this trip, we'll have just 9 northeastern states and Hawaii left.) Also, I've been wanting to check out Arkansas Highway 23, a.k.a. the Pig Trail Scenic Byway, so we’re tacking that on for good measure. Oh, and when we're in Oklahoma, we hope to meet up with Gwen....she and Kim played World of Warcraft together for several years. Oh, yeah....this is gonna be a great adventure!
Early on, we didn’t set a definite time but experience has taught us that we don’t want to head to that part of the country in July. So, we had this vague idea of leaving sometime late August, early September to avoid the hottest part of summer; but we hadn't set anything in stone...meaning we didn't put it on the calendar. Spring turned into summer and I started overbooking alterations for summer weddings, etc. It became evident that we needed to intentionally block out the time soon; otherwise I would just keep taking on work and then it would get pushed so far out that the riding season would be over, we'd be kicking ourselves and blah, blah, blah. So, it was time to take a serious look at the calendar. We had a commitment at church on Aug. 30….figured we could be packed and ready, then just head out after that. Oh, yes!....we have a plan..it's on the calendar..it's set in stone..we are going to do this! THEN I got a call from Marshal saying that the TN Bakkers were going to be visiting the KY Bakkers over the Labor Day Weekend and did we want to join them? Well, it didn't take much time to think that over...get going on our trip as planned or delay it 4 days and change our route to be able to get some time with 5 of the 7 WonderKids? Yeah, I knew what I wanted to do before I hung up the phone... and fortunately, Kim was in agreement. So much for having a firm plan.J
Our camping trailer is packed...won't know if the weight distribution is right until Kim starts pulling it down the road. The plan is to camp on this trip, but experience also tells us that weather will be a factor in that. We think we can handle the heat (even packed a small fan for the tent); but rain, cold, and hurricanes will be cause to seek sturdier shelter or an evacuation route.
In case anyone thinks I just let the whole internet world know that our house will be unoccupied for a couple of weeks, relax about that. We have someone staying at the house, getting the mail, feeding the cats, etc. Plus we always let the neighbors know when we're gone, so they, too, can keep an eye on what's happening up on the hill.
First destination will be Kentucky, where we'll spend a couple of days with family and friends. Then we'll be on our merry way to do some exploring. At this point, mere words do not do justice to the excitement we feel about riding to parts unknown and seeing what there is to see. I am so looking forward to this!! (That being said, I have an upcoming sewing project that has me geeked as well. A November bride has a vision about 'personalizing' her dress and oh, yeah, I'm gonna have fun helping her out...when I get back.J )
First destination will be Kentucky, where we'll spend a couple of days with family and friends. Then we'll be on our merry way to do some exploring. At this point, mere words do not do justice to the excitement we feel about riding to parts unknown and seeing what there is to see. I am so looking forward to this!! (That being said, I have an upcoming sewing project that has me geeked as well. A November bride has a vision about 'personalizing' her dress and oh, yeah, I'm gonna have fun helping her out...when I get back.J )
So, the Betsy Ross part of me is taking a much needed break in a couple of days....and the closer that gets, the more the Easy Rider in me is itching to get on Pegasus and ride!! Moxie, my faithful sidekick, will be riding shotgun. And, of course, Kim and Louie will be leading the way on Bernie. And I think I overheard Moxie and Louie scheming about how to include Douglas, their new friend. J
Tracking our travels on a vest patch
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| Tracking our travels on a vest patch |
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