2024 VROOM VROOM

This year's goals are:
- To complete the Grand Tour of Texas, PNW Grand Tour & H-D's 10 Rides for 2024;
- To win the H-D Dealership Challenge!
- Do well on Tour of Honor and Ride To Eat; and
- To finish H-D's 50 Rides, 1 Nation.
Wish me luck! ✌️ Læs mere

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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Day 49: The Pain Is Real 😭
14. april 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ 🌬 77 °F
There are many ailments that can affect you but not keep you off the bike, unless you let them. A sprained ankle. Tennis elbow. Sinus congestion. The list goes on. But one of the worst for me is an ear infection.

At 02:00 this morning, while I was all snugged down on a brand new mattress, my head exploded with Technicolor pain. Apparently, the sinus pressure I was ignoring the past few days is actually an ear infection.

What adult gets an ear infection?! I asked myself this same question in 2019 when exactly the same thing happened to me while I was traveling in New Zealand. So apparently am that adult 🤦.

The pain is real. A cough sends me to my knees. A sneeze blows my eyeball out of its socket. Just swallowing is difficult. Eating? I ate some grapes this morning, but couldn't force the cheese down. The. Pain. Is. Real.

After riding about 200 miles despite almost no hearing in my left ear, I am now at an urgent care clinic in Corpus Christi to get as many meds as they will give me. This is horrible.

So long [for now]...

P.S.: It's not whining when the pain is real 🤣. Have I told you the pain is real? 😉Læs mere
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RejsendeI hope you feel better soon
15.04.2024SvarOversætte
Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarThanks!! Already a bit better with the drops.
15.04.2024SvarOversætte
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Day 51: Screaming or Horny Peacock?
16. april 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F
The ear infection is still here, but not as raging as it was. I'm focusing now on how to make the truckers see me.

I had a couple of close calls these past few days with semis pulling into me or just in front of me. Long, sordid, exaggerated story cut to the solution: For two days I've been daytime driving with my brights on, which I think is making a difference. Now I need a horn that is as many decibels as legally possible and sounds like a crowd of people screaming for their lives. Or like a male peacock with a hard-on. If you know where I can buy that, please post 🤣. Seriously though.

Rewind a bit. After I saw the doc and got the drops for my ear and immediately applied, I made it down to South Padre Island and the third stop on my Lap of the 48. Everyone stops at the sign just after the bridge, sort of like the Las Vegas sign, but if you want a great pic, hang a left, go to the water tower and take your time.

I pushed through Brownsville over to McAllen and decided to stay at one of my favorite places, the Casa de Palmas. Bike friendly, beautiful grounds, luxurious rooms...all for a medium-priced hotel. Breakfast included. It's only close to anywhere if you're at the bottom of Texas, but if you are, stay there! https://maps.app.goo.gl/NtwgVzdwGgKmMgXW7

I left there well rested by the plush mattress and calmly soothed by the sound of the fountain by the pool. Then I had to deal with the trucks again, the trucks coming north from Mexico through the Laredo port where I-35 begins in the US. By the time I got to Pecos, I could've stopped in the middle of the highway, walked up to the truck behind me, and slit the throat of the driver.

Huh. That's a bit harsh. Let me rephrase. Thinking....

Thinking....

Nope. That sums it up just right. They would rather kill someone than take their foot off the gas for half a second. Ok. Got it.

Sorry. Back to the story...

I spent the night in Pecos, made it to Hobbs, NM, for a pic, and am now in Seagraves, TX, at another of my favorite hotels, The Hotel Texan (https://maps.app.goo.gl/XN1bypb9kNRHMU4u7).

Begun in 1917, this historic hotel has so much character, and I just love it. The wood floor boards squeak. The antique furniture doesn't match. The owner/operator Gareth plays black and white movies in the sitting room (aka lobby). The cat waits to be let in. And I have just discovered a wonderful covered patio garden area with a fountain, BBQ grills, tables with umbrellas, and corn hole. Wait, there's more! To top it all off, the local bakery provides fresh banana bread for breakfast. Definitely make this a stop on your travels!!

So long [for now]... ✌️Læs mere
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Day 53: Slowing Down For A Few Days
18. april 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F
I successfully squiggled through Northwest Texas without issue and arrived in Wichita Falls yesterday evening around 20:00. I took a chance on a $50 a night Motel 6 and am very pleased that it's bedbug-free and quite clean.

Today I need to work on uploading my photos, plus I have a list of other things I'd like to accomplish, including washing the bike.

So long [for now]... ✌️Læs mere
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Day 54: Service in Oklahoma
19. april 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ 🌩️ 66 °F
I left Wichita Falls this morning ahead of a storm and made it to Lawton two hours later. I hung out in the hotel lobby until I could check in, then came over the Diamondback HD for my 40,000-mile service.

They figured out that my heated grips are on the fritz and can be replaced under warranty, saving me about $800 ($350 for grips, $150 x 3 hours of labor) 😳. And they installed mid-frame heat deflectors that should keep the extremely hot engine air off the inside of my thighs 😌. I also grabbed a new set of rain gear, which I hope works 🤞.

Really good but expensive day 💲🤑💰.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️Læs mere
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Day 55: Annual Taco Run!
20. april 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F
Today was the 6th Annual Taco Run at Small Mountain Street Tacos in Medicine Park. It was really great to see some familiar faces from my 2022 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. Plus, my friend Susan successfully completed her SaddleSore 1000-mile ride in under 24 hours! Way to go!

After the delicious tacos and good conversation, we headed back to the hotel, and while Susan caught up on her sleep, I got a pedicure 😁. Now, we're both halfway napping and getting ready to hit the road tomorrow morning. So glad I came up for this event!

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

I finally had a chance to catch up on my counts:

HD Dealership Challenge: 1 (total 110)
RTE-X-USA: 2 points (total 67)
MCGTTX 2024 Stops: 0 (total 26 of 50)
10 Rides for 2024: 0 (total 1 of 10)
IBA Lap Around the 48 Stops: 0 (total 3 of 9)
PNW GT Stops: 0 (total 0 of 30)

Tour of Honor Stops:
- State Memorials: 0 (22 of 310)
- 9/11 Memorials: 0 (total 22 of 50)
- K9 Memorials: 0 (total 11 of 50)
- Doughboy Memorials: 0 (total 12 of 50)
- Gold Star Family Memorials: 0 (total 7 of 50)
- Hueys: 0 (total 20 of 50)
- Madonna of the Trail Stops : 0 (total 1 of 12)
- Veteran Cemeteries: 1 (10 of 50)Læs mere
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Day 56: Back On The Road
21. april 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ 🌙 52 °F
I left the hotel in Lawton this morning before 07:00, but Susan left a bit before me. I waited for breakfast 🤣.

Today began another run to collect as many Tour of Honor, Dealerships, etc. stops as I can between Lawton to Key West to Valdosta to Cincinnati over the next two weeks.

Tonight finds me just south of Memphis, where I really don't feel anywhere near safe enough to freecamp. So, a cheap hotel will do the trick.

Good day today, except I discovered my auxiliary lights no longer flash with my horn 😭. Oh well. There are worse things that could happen, knock on wood 🤞.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

I'm not going to update my counts until I upload my pics at the end of this run.Læs mere
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Day 57: Bring On The Heat!
22. april 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ 🌙 61 °F
It was 41°F when I left the hotel this morning. I thought it was Spring! I've been plugged into the bike all day, and my jacket has been on most of the day. I'm ready for some warmth now!

I made it over 700 miles today, squiggling between the Mississippi / Alabama border and winding up in Biloxi for the night. Even here, the low is supposed to be only 45°, so I've opted for another hotel. Hopefully Florida tomorrow will be warm and sunny 🤞!

Lots of stops again today, but most notably, I got my second 10 Rides for 2024! 8 to go! Yay!

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️Læs mere
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Day 61: Key West!
26. april 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ 🌬 75 °F
After days of fighting Florida traffic, I finally arrived in Key West last night and collected the fourth stop on my Lap of the 48! I freecamped last night behind the VFW and, as I crawled out of my shelter, I was greeted at 0500 by a guy drinking Bud Light 🤣. He helped me fold my tarp 🤣.

Tonight I'll be part of the Great Bloody Sea Battle on a boat with friends, then crashing at their place.

But right now, I'm watching the sun rise in Key West. #LOVEMYLIFE!!!!

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️Læs mere
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Florida, Georgia, Kentucky! Oh my!
3. maj 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☁️ 88 °F
As much as I hate driving/riding to Key West because of the traffic, once I get there I never want to leave. But I did.

From Saturday the 27th to Monday the 29th, I squiggled my way up the eastern side of Florida, finally reaching my friend's house in southern Georgia on Monday evening. She promptly put me to work LOL.

Tuesday we began laying a paving stone sidewalk between her carport and back porch. Unfortunately, a torrential downpour made us call it quits earlier than we had planned, but we finished up on Wednesday. She seems pretty happy with it, and I'm pleased that I could help.

I left her place yesterday, squiggling to my stops around Atlanta (ugh) and finding a cheap hotel in Cookeville for the night.

Well, it would have been cheap if they hadn't stolen my $50 cash deposit. Don't ever stay at Suburban Studios Cookeville, 1814 Salem Rd, Cookeville, TN 38506. It may be a Choice Brand hotel, but it is not choice. When I checked in at just before midnight, the cash deposit requirement made an alarm go off in my head, but I was so tired that I didn't pay it any attention. When I went to check out at 0530, I found a note on the window saying they didn't open until 0730, but to call if you needed help. I called. No one could give me my deposit until someone came to work at 0800. I couldn't sit around for almost 3 hours (because you know they wouldn't be on time), so I videoed the state of the room and left. I filed a complaint with Choice about the practice. We'll see what happens. Fuckers (grr).

Anyway, I was in torrential rain all day long today and completely soaked and chilled to the bone by the time I arrived in Wilder, KY about 1400. But, I have checked in early at my normal hotel, have unloaded the bike, and have taken a hot bath. Now for a beer and a kick back on the sofa as I let the rest of today wash over me and out of my life. Zen ohm.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Here are my stats through 30 April:

HD Dealership Challenge: - (total 153)
RTE-X-USA: - points (April: 42 pts; 2QTD: 42 pts; YTD: 79 pts)
MCGTTX 2024 Stops: - (total 28 of 50)
10 Rides for 2024: - (total 2 of 10)
IBA Lap Around the 48 Stops: - (total 4 of 9)
PNW GT Stops: 0 (total 0 of 30)

Tour of Honor Stops:
- State Memorials: 0 (total 39; completed LA, MS, FL)
- 9/11 Memorials: 0 (total 67 of 50) COMPLETE
- K9 Memorials: 0 (total 38 of 50)
- Doughboy Memorials: 0 (total 23 of 50)
- Gold Star Family Memorials: 0 (total 22 of 50)
- Hueys: 0 (total 34 of 50)
- Madonna of the Trail Stops : 0 (total 1 of 12)
- Veteran Cemeteries: 0 (total 18 of 50)Læs mere
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Day 79: Back to Florida
14. maj 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ 🌙 68 °F
After a wonderful time with friends and a terrific rest since last Friday, I left Wilder, KY, at about 07:30 this morning headed south to Pensacola for the Tour of Valor HOG Touring Rally.

It's a good thing I chose to put on my reindeer before leaving the hotel. It started raining not 5 minutes after I left, and the road spray from the rain last night was terrible. Plus, I hit pockets of heavy thunderstorms all day. The worst one was east of Huntsville, AL. The lightning was right on top of me; pretty scary.

But I got through it and I'm surprisingly not soaking wet. I got new rain gear somewhere in Florida a couple of weeks ago. Harley's rain gear is never all that great, but this time it held up for me. Everything's a little damp, but I think that's from the little bit of sunshine which caused me to sweat. So I'm very pleased.

Now it's time to heat up a Dinty Moore Stew and hit the sack 🤣.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

P.S.: Stats will be updated later. I only got 1 dealership while I was in Wilder 🤣.Læs mere
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U carry a reindeer on that harley too! [Nate]
15.05.2024SvarOversætte
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Day 80: National Naval Aviation Museum
16. maj 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F
Yesterday, I left Oxford, AL, around 0700 because I forgot that I would have to go through Birmingham during rush hour [forehead palm]. I made it through and continued to make my way south. Just as I was leaving my last photo stop, I saw my friend Freddie ride by! I managed to catch up to him, and we rode together the rest of the way into Pensacola (about 35 miles).

After checking in for the Tour of Valor HOG Touring Rally, we hit Cycle Gear to pick up my new waterproof bag, then made it to the hotel...all before 1500 [lol]!

Dinner was a very nice Sheppard's Pie and salad at the dealership, followed by some great catching up with friends at the hotel bar.

Today, about 40 of us met at the dealership and rode the 15 miles or so to the National Naval Aviation Museum on Naval Air Station Pensacola. What an incredible museum! Definitely put this on your must-see list! There's a lighthouse you can visit as well, and you do not need a military I.D. to get on that part of the base.

We had a nice lunch followed by a group photo, then it was back to the hotel. I've been uploading my photos from the past few days, and very shortly, Freddie and I are heading to dinner.

Unfortunately, there's a horrible storm heading right for us, so it looks like I'll be back in the rain tomorrow. Hopefully it's moving faster than I do so it won't be on top of me the whole rally [fingers crossed].

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️Læs mere
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Day Ugh: Rain and More Rain
20. maj 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
After three days of riding in thunderstorms, torrential rain, and very scary lightning, the rally arrived in Summerville, SC, yesterday afternoon.

Riding in the rain really stresses me out, and I bypassed a lot of my planned photo stops, so I'm very happy to have gotten here unscathed. Even better, today is a free day to just hang out. So this morning I ran into town.

When I was stationed at Charleston Air Force Base in late 2003 to early 2007, I lived in Summerville, so I visited my old house. It looks exactly the same and even has the same fence we put in. 🤣

I grabbed some Tour of Honor photos in Charleston and Mount Pleasant and hit the two Harley dealerships before sitting down for some Low Country grub in downtown Summerville. It's nice to be back, but everything has really changed. And I absolutely don't miss the traffic that floods towards the harbor every morning, then reverses course back inland every evening.

After lunch I'm going to work on uploading my pics and tweaking my routes. And take a nap 😁.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

P.S.: Another Tour of Honor rider is on the rally, and he told me I was "winning" this year's event. Here's the link that I didn't know existed until last night:
https://www.tourofhonor.com/pages/totalvisits20…Læs mere
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Day "The End" (For Now)
24. maj 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
The rest of the Tour of Valor rally went fine. And by fine, I mean this:

I rolled 50,000 miles on the bike 😁.

I got my 5th Lap of the 48 stops in the Outer Banks 💪.

I got my 2nd Madonna of the Trail pictures 📷.

I dropped the bike and the curb scratched up the saddlebag 😭.

I almost got killed in the DC area traffic, but that's normal 🤬.

But best of all, I had a great time catching up with old friends and making new ones, which is what it's all about 🫶.

This morning about 50 bikes met up at the Marine Corps Museum and had a police escort to the Iwo Jima Memorial. I had never been up close to it and man, did it blow me away. Just awesome.

I took off right after our group photo to grab the DC Tour of Honor stops and get the hell out of there. I made it up into Pennsylvania when something came apart in the primary 😭. I thought I stripped the belt, but then something very heavy started banging around. I managed to limp her 1.5 miles to a Harley dealership. They couldn't get me in their schedule, but they did help me rent a U-Haul and load the bike in the back.

So now I'm driving a U-Haul with Luci in the back headed for Kentucky. 😳

So much for riding for a while. I'll let you know what happens with her. Fingers crossed it's under warranty 🤞🤞🤞.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️Læs mere
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Oh my sorry to hear about your issues with Luci. Hopefully, they can get you back on the road soon! [Bob Cooney]
26.05.2024SvarOversætte
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Luci Is Back!
12. juni 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
Yay! I got my Luci back yesterday! She had a stripped belt, and although I thought there was quite a bit more wrong, the belt was the only problem. Bonus: all repairs were under warranty!

Tonight we rode to The Lagoon Saloon in Covington, Kentucky, for my first Bike Night of the year. It's nice to be out and about again.

More posts will follow. Until then...

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️Læs mere
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
1
Back On The Circuit!
13. juni 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F
Today, Luci and I took a 325-mile ride around southern Ohio to pick up 7 HD dealerships and 21 Tour of Honor stops 😁.

Best of all, assuming all of my photos are approved, I have made at least 50 stops at 9/11 memorials, K9 War Dog memorials, and Huey helicopter static displays 💪!

My up-to-date stats are below. Good day of riding in great weather!! I'm so very happy to be back on the road!

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

P.S.: I hope you noticed my Band-Aid!

HD Dealership Challenge: 7 (total 220)

Tour of Honor Stops:
- State Memorials: 1 (total 72; completed AL, LA, MS, FL)
- 9/11 Memorials: 1 (total 69 of 50) COMPLETE
- K9 Memorials: 3 (total 50 of 50) COMPLETE
- Hueys: 4 (total 50 of 50) COMPLETE
- Doughboy Memorials: 5 (total 35 of 50)
- Gold Star Family Memorials: 4 (total 39 of 50)
- Madonna of the Trail Stops : 2 (total 4 of 12)
- Veteran Cemeteries: 1 (total 40 of 50)Læs mere
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Rejsende Yay 😁
14.06.2024Svar
RejsendeGlad to see you back on the road.
14.06.2024SvarOversætte
RejsendeWoo hooo! Welcome back. You Rock sister. Safe travels.
15.06.2024SvarOversætte
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Land of the Midnight Sun
19. juni 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☁️ 45 °F
This week's adventure is without the motorcycle, but with amazing scenery! Monday night we landed in Anchorage, Alaska! We're here for the Last Frontier HOG Rally.

We arrived at midnight, but at this time of year this far north there was still plenty of sunlight. After a quick shuttle to the hotel, we crashed hard and woke up early.

Reindeer sausage was a must for breakfast at the White Spot Cafe, a delicious local's place, then we picked up the rental car at 08:00, drove back to the hotel to grab our gear, and headed out of town.

We took Highway 1 northeast through Palmer, then turned eastward to follow the Matanuska River. We stopped several times to enjoy the stunning views, most notably of Matanuska Glacier.

At Glennallen, around 13:00, we topped off the tank and had lunch. 87 octane gas was $4.59 a gallon and two burgers and fries at the only place to eat were $57 😳.

We turned south on Highway 4 and 85 miles later I was getting my picture taken in Thompson Pass. Harley has a challenge called "50 Rides, 1 Nation." Each state has a particular place where you take your photo with the HD magazine or guide. This was my 50th photo!!!! Mission accomplished!!!!

The scenery on Highway 4 is unlike any I've seen before. Although the highest elevation is only 2,678 and the temperature was around 55°F, there was snow on mountains cradling glaciers. Yet everything was so very green. The river was a living turbulence with its silty runoff racing down from the peaks. The waterfalls ranged from trickles to torrents, and those were the ones visible from the road. Just gorgeous!

We settled into our hotel in Valdez on the coast, then walked a very short ways down the marina, mainly filled with fishing and sight-seeing vessels. We had a delicious dinner at a Thai food truck, then walked across the street back to the marina where they were cleaning fish under the watchful gaze of bald eagles, seagulls, and crows. Bald eagles win 🤣.

This morning, we're driving north to Fairbanks. It's only just after 05:00 now, but the sun is already up 😭. I wonder what sights today will bring....Læs mere
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RejsendeI'm so jealous. Enjoy!
22.06.2024SvarOversætte
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
We Saw Moose!!
19. juni 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
😱😱😱 We saw a cow moose with two calves this morning 😱😱😱!!!! Luckily they were on the side of the road and didn't try to cross in front of us or the oncoming trike. They were what I really wanted to see in the wild, and they were just gorgeous 🥰.

We left Valdez about 07:00 and forced ourselves to drive past all the beautiful waterfalls we saw coming into town. We filled up the gas tank at Glennallen where we stopped yesterday, then continued northwards on Highway 4.

Just north of Paxson, we grabbed a quick photo of the Richardson Monument, erected 1932 in honor of US Army Brig Gen Wilds Preston Richardson, Alaska's pioneer road builder. The sign nearby detailed several women from the Gold Rush days.

No long after, we stopped again to see the Alaskan Pipeline up close. We'd seen it numerous times paralleling the road, particularly heading south to Valdez where it terminates, but touching it was pretty cool.

Around noon we stopped at a gas station for a quick bite in Denali Junction and grabbed a photo with the Alaskan state bird 😉 at the visitor center. The mosquitoes are monsters and are everywhere 🤣. Denali Junction is also where the End of the Alaska Highway Monument usually sits, but it's being rebuilt and not available for photos. The sign had to suffice.

From there it was straight to the North Pole, where we visited Santa Claus House and had Santa send some.letters to our loved ones. I sent my brother and sister-in-law each one square-inch of property in North Pole, Alaska, but at least their one inches are right next to each other 🤣.

After a stop at Far North Harley-Davidson, we've made it to 75°F Fairbanks and are chilling in our hotel room with air conditioning 👍. Great day!!!Læs mere
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RejsendeI got to see moose in Newfoundland. There are alot bigger seeing them in person.
22.06.2024SvarOversætte
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Last Frontier HOG Rally
21. juni 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☀️ 50 °F
Yesterday was another great day. We stopped at the Mount McKinley Harley t-shirt shop in Denali Park, grabbed my third photo for the 10 Rides for 2024 challenge at Igloo City, and saw another moose. The only disappointment was that we couldn't see Mt. Denali because of the clouds.

Arriving in Wasilla, AK, we stopped at Denali HD to pick up our Last Frontier HOG Rally registration packets, then checked into the hotel. After a little rest, we went back to HD for the open ceremony and dinner. I saw perhaps a dozen or so people I know from other events, most of which rode their bikes up from the lower 48. So cool.

We both crashed early last night; we're still on Eastern time. By the time we get acclimated, we'll go back to Kentucky 🤣😞. But we're looking forward to meeting up with two specific friends today and trying to see the mountain again tonight 🤞🤞🤞.Læs mere
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Flattop Mountain
21. juni 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F
Friday the 21st was an amazing day. We spent most of it walking, climbing, sliding, and scrambling our way up and down Flattop Mountain in Chugach State Park to the East of Anchorage. It's not very high--only 3,510 feet and you don't start from the bottom--but it's a superb and challenging trek that rewards you with stunning panoramic views of the city, Turnagain Arm, and the neighboring Chugach Mountains.

We didn't get back to the hotel until about 1530, so we had a late lunch, took a nap, then cleaned up for the evening.

We met up with some of the rally attendees at the Tug Bar, where we had an all you can eat taco bar dinner and hung out with one of the friends I was looking for. Other than seeing her, we were really there to follow a group ride to a Mt. Denali viewpoint. Unfortunately, strike 2 happened. Our second attempt to spot the highest mountain in North America was thwarted by heavy rain. The ride coordinator called it off for safety, and I don't blame him. Just a couple miles down the road, a pickup had hit and killed a moose 😳. So we just came back to the hotel. At 2230 at night. In daylight 🤦.Læs mere
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
We Saw Mt. Denali!
22. juni 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
This morning was looking pretty clear, so we decided to try a third time to see the mountain. Success!! We finally got a glimpse of it from the overlook of Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. Yay!!

On our way back to Palmer, we stopped for Ice cream at THE place to stop. Luckily there weren't any tour buses there at the time. I got a waffle cone with half a scoop of blackberry on top of half a scoop of huckleberry. OMG 😋😋😋!! I also got my picture taken 🤣.

We took a well deserved break the rest of the day since there was nothing going on with the rally. Hanging at the hotel with a comfortable companion is a reward unto itself 🥰.Læs mere
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Last Day of Last Frontier
23. juni 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F
Today was the rally wrap-up, which meant we had to leave Palmer. It started this morning at Denali HD for a hotcake, egg, and sausage breakfast. Around 1130 we followed a group of bikes to the Tug Bar, where our hosts gave away some door prizes and pulled the winning 50/50 ticket for over $600...which wasn't us. We didn't win the rally knife or a banner either 😭. Oh well.

We had a great BBQ meal--there's an awful lot of BBQ up here--but took the pineapple upside down cake to the hotel in Anchorage. Even though it's our last night in Alaska, I'm going to sleep because I'm exhausted.Læs mere
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Back Down to the Lower 48
24. juni 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F
We got up this morning and walked a block over to the White Spot Cafe, which we found our first morning here in Anchorage. I had a huge and delicious reindeer sausage hash covered with sausage gravy and top with two eggs, plus two slices of toast with apple butter on the side 😋.

After we rolled out of that great little place, we took a drive down Turnagain Arm to try to catch a glimpse of the Beluga whales. No sightings, but it was a glorious day to spend in the sun on the coast.

Back in the city, a short walk took us around Earthquake Park. To summarize, on Good Friday, 27 March 1964, a 9.2 earthquake began 80 miles east of Anchorage and lasted over 4 minutes displacing over 100,000 square miles of land and seabed.

One of the signs in the park said the Lake Hood Seaplane Base had the most float plane take offs and landings in the nation. Since it was literally across the street, we took a short self-guided tour of the lake and watched several planes come and go in a matter of just a few minutes. Cool.

After that we had to turn in the rental car. We walked the couple of blocks back to the hotel where we had left our bags, then caught the shuttle to the airport.

We just finished a late dinner and ate getting ready to board our flight back down to the Lower 48.

Alaska is truly the Last Frontier, and despite not having a motorcycle for the rally, I'm very glad we came up here. Maybe next time I'll ride up 🤣🤔.

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I’ll hold you to that comment about next time riding your H/D up to the Circle! If my health continues to improve and surgery on my hips is successful…I might just ride with you!🛴. I’ve got Canuck friends all over east and west B.C. Vancouver City, and Victoria on Vancouver Island. And a damn good friend in Bellingham WA. who you need to meet. He’s a local and was my Muse when I moved up to the Pacific NW in 2011 [Traveler]
26.06.2024SvarOversætte
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
And She's Off!
27. juni 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ 🌙 61 °F
Luci and I are rolling again today heading for the Pacific Northwest...the squiggly way 🤣. Wish me luck!
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Day 1, Round 2: KY to MI
27. juni 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F
Today was very successful! I left the house in foggy but otherwise great weather at 0600 and rode until 2200 making 771.8 miles today. There were so many dealerships and Tour of Honor stops that I lost count, but all were where the GPS said they were, which doesn't always happen.

My only frustration was that seemingly every road in Indiana and Michigan is either under construction or completely closed. I had one detour that even took me down a very loose gravel road with a 90° turn onto even worse gravel. Luckily it wasn't more than a mile. Luci got the job done though.

Now I'm camped behind my last dealership stop. I'm tired but my internal clock is still on Alaska time, so I'm also awake 🤦.

I'm planning for 750+ again tomorrow, but I have a lot of Detroit traffic to contend with in the morning. Wish me luck 🤞!

Today's mileage: 771.8Læs mere
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2024 VROOM VROOM Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Day 2: Rain and More Rain
28. juni 2024, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
Welcome to the Great Lakes where it either rains or snows. I'll take the rain, but man, did I get soaked today. Rain all day long 😞. Still am soaked, actually, and will still be in the morning because another wave (almost literally) will hit me just when I'm packing up camp 🤬.

Anyway, another successful day. Lots of pics despite lots of traffic, construction, and rain.

Beautiful sunrise bouncing off the clouds when I left at 0600.

Better yet, I had a beautiful view of the morning sun over the St Clair River with Canada in the background and a passing cargo ship 😁.

But best of all was that I got my sixth stop of the nine for Lap of the 48! Only Minnesota, Washington, and Maine to go!

I'm beat. Out.

Miles: 841.3

[1 minute later] Umph. Not enough signal to upload.Læs mere
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