Summer on the Harley

Une aventure de 198 jours par Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar En savoir plus

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Début du voyage
20 mars 2021
Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
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Jour 1
samedi 20 mars 2021 à 13:48
☀️ 63 °F
Altitude: 446 p
États Unis Smyrna 32.85448, -95.8148332°51’16” N 95°48’53” W
Summer on the Harley...On the Road Again
20 mars 2021, États Unis ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F
“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.” -- Anthony Bourdain

The past 12 months of my life have been the worst of my life. Worse than high school. Worse than my first car crash. Even worse than Afghanistan. I'm retired and supposed to be living it up! Now I find myself wallowing in self-pity and loathing to get out of bed. I am absolutely sick of this. The loneliness of being separated from my friends😩. The frustration of canceling months of international travel plans🤬. The unexpected and devastating loss of my father💔. But that's it. Enough is enough. I refuse to continue this way.

Today, I throw off the past 12 months and forge ahead, just me and my 2018 Harley-Davidson FXBB Street Bob. I think I'll call him Willie. Just me and Willie on the road again.

Last year, he took me on my longest motorcycle trip yet, lasting 40 days across 14 states and covering 10,000 miles. This year, over the next 7 to 8 months, I plan on guiding him through all of the Lower 48 and rolling roughly 40,000 miles. 😱

Here are my trip goals:

- Ride all 10 of Harley's "10 Rides for 2021" [https://members.hog.com]

- Attend 12 of Harley's HOG rallies [https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/content/h…]

- Ride 48 of Harley's "50 Rides, 1 Nation" [https://members.hog.com]

- Complete all 50 stops on the 2021 Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas challenge [https://motorcyclegrandtouroftexas.com/]

- Take a photo in front of all 45 Texas Harley-Davidson dealerships because they're in Texas 🤘

- Take a photo in front of the 356 Harley dealerships plotted on the pictured map for the Harley Dealership Check-In Challenge [https://members.hog.com]

And most importantly, have fun, keep smiling, and don't crash!

Maybe these goals aren't realistic. Or maybe they are. What I know is that I have to go somewhere. I have to do something besides sit here. Sitting here isn't comfortable. Most of the time it hurts. It has even broken my heart. Tony, you did leave something good behind. Your spirit. And in that spirit, today I leave the bad behind. Today I'm taking ME back. Today my journey begins.

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

Starting mileage: 16,440 😁En savoir plus
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VoyageurGODSPEED. LOVE YOU.
22/03/2021Répondre
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
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Jour 2
dimanche 21 mars 2021 à 16:00
☀️ 70 °F
Altitude: 564 p
États Unis Bedford 32.83202, -97.1161332°49’55” N 97°6’58” W
My Brother's Birthday
21 mars 2021, États Unis ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
Yesterday, on my way to visit my mom before leaving Texas, I completed two stops on the Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas (see photo captions). Then to my mom's for a quiet evening.

Today, my little big brother has a birthday, so he and his wife have come to Mom's for a barbeque dinner and cake and ice cream. Yummy!

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

Day 1 mileage: I'll roll this into the next real riding day.
MCGTTX Stops: 2 (total 2)En savoir plus
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Jour 3
lundi 22 mars 2021 à 15:50
☁️ 63 °F
Altitude: 558 p
États Unis Bedford 32.83233, -97.1160132°49’56” N 97°6’58” W
New Phone
22 mars 2021, États Unis ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
Well, after too much birthday cake and ice cream last night, mom and I watched Matthew Mcconaughey's YouTube fundraiser for Texans devastated by the winter storm in February. Lots of great music and plenty of donations. I don't know what the final total came to, but Camping World ponied up half a million bucks. Awesome!

Today, I got a new phone. It always seems like something goes wrong with my phone right before I begin a long trip. So, that done, now I'm setting it up and repacking to hit the road tomorrow. I'll be in between two very wet storms (it's raining here now) and expect the second one to catch me. I hate wearing rain gear, but it's too cold to not. Anyway, wish me luck.

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

Day 2 mileage: I'll roll this into the next real riding day.

[No pics today.]En savoir plus
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VoyageurBon voyage, Pat!
22/03/2021Répondre
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
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Jour 4
mardi 23 mars 2021 à 13:12
☀️ 72 °F
Altitude: 177 p
États Unis Honore 32.56011, -93.7303532°33’36” N 93°43’49” W
Heading East on I-20
23 mars 2021, États Unis ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
Willie and I have hit the real road this morning and we're heading East. I usually don't take the Interstates because of all the truckers (and drivers in general), but the weather is pushing me. So I-20 today. Only two close calls because of 1) a trucker changing lanes on top of me...shocking; and 2) a texting driver almost veering into a trucker in front of me...dumbass. [Did you hear Jeff Dunham say that in Walter's voice? 🤣🤣]

Now, I've stopped at the HD dealership in Bossier City to take an "official" picture for the HOG Dealership Challenge. You have to have one of the HOG publications in the pic, which I've never done before, so despite about 140 pics in front of dealerships, this one will be my first official pic 🤦. But with my luck, this dealership won't be participating 🤣😭 🤞.

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

Day 3 mileage: I'll roll this into Day 4. I keep forgetting to check 🤭. Oh, and BTW, since I post these at around noon, my mileage is (or will be 🤭) for the day before. Daily mileage tracking tomorrow. I swear.

HD Dealership Challenge: 1 (total 1)En savoir plus
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Jour 5
mercredi 24 mars 2021 à 12:13
⛅ 66 °F
Altitude: 335 p
États Unis Bonita Reservoir 32.365, -88.6732°21’54” N 88°40’12” W
On Through Mississippi
24 mars 2021, États Unis ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Yesterday, I hit a second dealership in Louisiana, then beelined to Mississippi. I spent the night at a dump of a Motel 6, but it was cheap and no one messed with the bike overnight.

Last night after cleaning the bike (don't freak, Dano, it was just the windshield🤣), I walked to the corner Circle K gas station to grab a salad for dinner. As I was walking, I saw through the trees what looked like a monument of some sort, like one you would see in a cemetery. Turns out, I was right next to the Vicksburg National Battlefield. So, this morning, I drove through the park.

The weather was a little gloomy, giving the dewy grass and rolling hills an appropriate aura for a place where almost 20,000 men bloodied themselves for their side of the Civil War. I was so thankful that nothing seemed to have fallen prey to the current trend of defacing or destroying Civil War history. It shouldn't celebrated, but it certainly should be remembered.

After that, I jumped on I-20 again and hit two Mississippi HDs in Jackson and Meridian. I've stopped at Chili's in Meridian to warm up (the wind chill is nasty today) and eat. Coffee is a welcome lunchmate today. The interstate is soooo boring.

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

Days 1-4 mileage: 673.9 (total 673.9)
HD Dealership Challenge: 3 (total 4)En savoir plus
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Jour 6
jeudi 25 mars 2021 à 12:01
⛅ 75 °F
Altitude: 249 p
États Unis Blakely 31.395, -84.9166731°23’42” N 84°55’0” W
Across Alabama
25 mars 2021, États Unis ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
After yesterday's long lunch to warm up, I walked outside to find the weather completely changed. The sun had come out and it was quite warm. Nice!

A little more of I-20, then I slowed down a bit to take US-80 across Alabama. I stopped briefly in Selma at the small Civil Rights Memorial Park at the base of the Pettus Bridge, a landmark in its own right. [More info: https://www.history.com/news/selma-bloody-sunda…]

After hitting the Montgomery HD, I crashed at a Days Inn. I walked across Eastern Boulevard (yikes!) to eat at what I thought was a steakhouse but what turned into a seafood/barbeque place. With very loud R&B karaoke. 🤣 I ate and left before the place really got going, but it was only 19:00 and filling up fast. The food was really good! Yay to fried green tomatoes!

Another storm rolled through last night, but I was able to park the bike in a slightly sheltered area and keep it covered, so I didn't have any issues rolling out this morning at 07:45. It was a bit chilly and the roads were still wet, so on went the rain gear...until 09:00 when I couldn't take it anymore. But by then, the roads had cleared and the sun was coming out.

Now I'm East of Dothan after hitting that HD and making my way to Georgia.

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

Day 5 mileage: 337.9 (total 1011.8)
HD Dealership Challenge: 2 (total 6)En savoir plus
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Jour 7
vendredi 26 mars 2021 à 12:00
⛅ 81 °F
Altitude: 223 p
États Unis Fish Pond Bay 30.97833, -83.1016730°58’42” N 83°6’6” W
Back in Georgia
26 mars 2021, États Unis ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F
Yesterday afternoon I made my way to Naylor, Georgia, stopping at the Tifton HD. Along the way, I crossed the Ichawaynotchaway Creek. What a name 🤣!

I'm with my BFF now. We met in 1995 when the military stationed me at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, GA. So awesome to see her and her son, who just graduated college with an Electrical Engineering degree. Smart kiddo!

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

Day 6 mileage: 299.2 (total 1311.0)
HD Dealership Challenge: 1 (total 7)En savoir plus
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Jour 8
samedi 27 mars 2021 à 12:05
⛅ 75 °F
Altitude: 30 p
États Unis Castillo de San Marcos National Monument 29.89667, -81.3116729°53’48” N 81°18’42” W
Finally Florida
27 mars 2021, États Unis ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
I had a wonderful time with my friend in Georgia, but I had to keep moving. I left at 08:30 and cut through the bottom of Georgia to hit I-10 towards Jacksonville. I hit two HDs there, then turned south for St. Augustine. There I hit another HD and took a photo in front of a very important sign...for my trip. Castillo de San Marcos and down the A1A is one of HOG's 10 Rides for 2021, so only 9 to go! 😉🤣 [I've ridden every inch of and seen the majority of the sights on the Florida A1A while I lived in Georgia, so I'm just riding point a to point b right now.]

Riding through Georgia in the Spring is very special because of the way it feels. And not just because of the slight gagging of parfúm de roadkill either. I don't know if the high humidity contributes to more intense sensations, but regardless of why, it's pretty cool.

The stomach rumbling past a peanut processing plant. The subtle wafting of giant azaleas ablaze in all their glory. The nose crinkling at a roadside swamp giving up its little delicacies to the wading herons. The runny eyes because of the pollen drifting like sifted flour over a rolled out pie crust. The dusty flavor of freshly harvested pine trees.

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

Day 7 mileage: 0 (total 1311.0)
HD Dealership Challenge: 3 (total 10)
10 Rides for 2021: 1 (total 1 of 10)En savoir plus
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Jour 9
dimanche 28 mars 2021 à 11:45
⛅ 82 °F
Altitude: 52 p
États Unis David Park 26.0112, -80.1728326°0’40” N 80°10’22” W
Down the East Coast
28 mars 2021, États Unis ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
After 11.5 hours on the bike yesterday, I stopped for the night in Satellite Beach. It was Saturday and all the hotels were full, but I found a little no name place that had a room.

I left at 07:00 this morning to get a jump on the traffic, which worked out. Since then, I've been hitting more HDs. One really cool coincidence happened. When I entered Seminole County, the song playing on my iPod was "Blow, Blow, You Seminole Wind."

Now I've stopped for a quick bite at McDonald's 🤢. This one only had a very basic menu, so no salads or grilled chicken. I got one of those new crispy chicken sandwiches. The best thing about it was the mayonnaise. Yuck.

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

Day 8 mileage: 404.5 (total 1715.5)
HD Dealership Challenge: 9 (total 19)En savoir plus
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Jour 10
lundi 29 mars 2021 à 11:43
⛅ 84 °F
Altitude: 39 p
États Unis Tamiami Canal Number C-4 25.78833, -80.85525°47’18” N 80°51’18” W
1
Back to the Buoy
29 mars 2021, États Unis ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
After a gross McDonald's lunch yesterday, I was on my way to Key West. Very. Very. Slowly. Because of traffic, my GPS said it would take me 8 hours to go 120 miles 😱. It was bumper to bumper dead stop for 16 miles 😱. This is my third time to ride/drive to Key West. I am taking the ferry from now on.

Anyway, I was able to ride down the shoulder to cut through much of the back up, so I made it in just 3 hours.

I arrived at my friends' home at 17:00, but they weren't there yet, so I walked to the corner place for some dinner. Yummy mac & cheese with broccoli and grilled shrimp 😋.

I took my leftovers back to their place and dumped my stuff in their guestroom. By that time another friend had showed up to drive us over to their sailboat race award ceremony. But this is Key West, people. Although all the sailing teams were at the restaurant (bar), and they had a video of highlights from the "race," no one ever made any announcements, so we left around 21:00.

After a little of my friend's birthday cake, I said so good to see you, thanks, and see you later to everyone...because I would leave before anyone else got up 🤣. I was passed out by 22:00.

I wanted to get an early start to miss traffic (HA!), so I was up at 06:00 and rolling at 07:00. I figured I would be the only one at the buoy that early (it was still dark!), but I was second in line with a couple of bikers behind me 🤣.

I didn't miss traffic, but it wasn't dead stop either, so I made pretty good time for that stretch of road. I hit a little rain that slowed things down, but nothing like yesterday's nightmare.

Now, I'm crossing through the Florida Everglades. There is so much wildlife to be seen just from the road! Here are some images I wish I got on film:
- A cormorant perched on a log drying his wings in the sun
- A great egret slowly wading through the shallows hunting for the next meal
- A massive turtle sunning himself in the middle of the road (I really hope he didn't get squished.)
- A great blue heron tossing a fish around on the bank so he could swallow it head first
- A partially submerged alligator floating in his territory oblivious of a motorcycle idling nearby (my selfie buddy)

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

Day 9 mileage: 409.3 (total 2124.8)
HD Dealership Challenge: 3 (total 22)
50 Rides, 1 Nation: 1 (total 1)

P.S.: Did you know there are only two everglades in the world? The other is in Noosa, Australia.

More info:
1) https://fcit.usf.edu/florida/lessons/everglades…

2) https://www.kanukapersaustralia.com/what-is-the…En savoir plus
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Voyageur YAY 😁
31/03/2021Répondre
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
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Jour 11
mardi 30 mars 2021 à 11:41
☀️ 81 °F
Altitude: 36 p
États Unis Elfers 28.21667, -82.7183328°13’0” N 82°43’6” W
Another Friend (I'm so lucky!)
30 mars 2021, États Unis ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
After the Everglades, I turned North through the HDs in Fort Meyers, Port Charlotte, and Sarasota on my way to my friend's house outside of Tampa. I haven't seen her in a couple of years, so what a treat. We ordered in dinner and she introduced me to the Netflix show Schitt$ Creek. OMG, Catherine O'Hara (the mom from Home Alone) is absolutely hysterical!

Because of traffic around Tampa, I didn't leave her place until 10:00. Now, I've hit my third HD this morning with a few to go before I stop tonight.

I saw two signs today that made me giggle. The first said, " FREE BELLY RUBS! (Sorry, pets only)." 🤣 The second was at an Arby's, which said "We hoped you enjoyed your stay at the top of the food chain." Too funny 🤭.

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

Day 10 mileage: 428.7 (total 2553.5)
HD Dealership Challenge: 6 (total 28)En savoir plus
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Jour 12
mercredi 31 mars 2021 à 11:42
⛅ 75 °F
Altitude: 62 p
États Unis Zion Hill 30.47667, -84.3633330°28’36” N 84°21’48” W
Why did I bring rain gear?
31 mars 2021, États Unis ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
Yesterday may have only been 315 miles, but it took 9 hours and a heck of a lot of clutch. I never got out of traffic, even on I-75. About 1/4 of a mile before I reached my hotel in Ocala, the sky opened up and I got absolutely soaked.

Unfortunately, the Motel 6 didn't have laundry, so this morning I had to put on my wet boots. At least they weren't still squishy 🤣. And wet socks, too, because what would be the point of putting dry socks in wet boots? 😉

I rolled at 08:00 and have now stopped at the Tallahassee HD for a bathroom break. [Note to self: Never ever eat another gas station egg salad sandwich 🤢.]

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

Day 11 mileage: 315.1 (total 2868.6)
HD Dealership Challenge: 8 (total 36)En savoir plus
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Voyageurgas station sushi is a better choice
31/03/2021Répondre
Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar🤣🤣
01/04/2021Répondre
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Jour 13
jeudi 1 avril 2021 à 12:40
☀️ 57 °F
Altitude: 26 p
États Unis Harris 30.41226, -86.7264130°24’44” N 86°43’35” W
It's Cold in Florida!
1 avril 2021, États Unis ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F
After my Tallahassee stop, I continued West, eventually picking up US-98, on to Panama City Beach and then the Fort Walton Beach area. I got to see a couple of friends from my time in Georgia that I haven't seen since 2010. Too long, but great to catch up in person versus Facebook. (But I forgot to take a picture ☹️.)

I treated myself to a hotel across the highway from the beach on Okaloosa Island. Luckily, I was off the bike and in the beachfront restaurant before the rain came. Wow! What a storm!

I woke up this morning really cold. Yesterday was 90°F, but this morning it was 50! So I put on just about all of my clothes and left the hotel at 10:00. Brrr! the wind chill was crazy cold!

Now I'm having lunch with a retired military buddy who I knew in Germany. Small world!

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

Day 12 mileage: 384.1 (total 3252.7)
HD Dealership Challenge: 2 (total 38)En savoir plus
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Jour 14
vendredi 2 avril 2021 à 09:21
☀️ 45 °F
Altitude: 108 p
États Unis Brent 30.47948, -87.2538730°28’46” N 87°15’14” W
How Can It Be Colder?!
2 avril 2021, États Unis ⋅ ☀️ 45 °F
Yesterday after lunch was a very short ride to Pensacola to spend the night with another friend, this one from my time in Okinawa and Germany. So wonderful to see her again!

I hit the local HD at 09:00 this morning. It was only 40°F! What is happening to Florida?! Anyway, after a cold half hour on the bike, I made it to the dealership and waited an hour for them to open. First come, first serve service here, so I wanted to be the first in line. But it was so cold that there was only one other person waiting, so I'm just about done now. Luckily, it has warmed up to almost 55, so I shouldn't freeze running on I-10.

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

Day 13 mileage: 85.1 (total 3337.8)
HD Dealership Challenge: 1 (total 39)

P.S.: Hurricane Sally in September 2020 caused quite a bit of damage to Pensacola. The dealership hasn't yet replaced their bar-and-shields.En savoir plus
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Jour 15
samedi 3 avril 2021 à 11:53
☀️ 64 °F
Altitude: 26 p
États Unis Katherine Benson Health Clinic 29.97302, -90.0564629°58’23” N 90°3’23” W
Lunch in New Orleans
3 avril 2021, États Unis ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F
By the time I finished service in Pensacola, the temperature came up to about 55°F, so I wasn't too cold on I-10.

Outside of Biloxi near Kessler Air Force Base, I met up with another retired Air Force friend from Germany. He and his family were driving to Florida, so we met for a bite along the way. Awesome!

The rest of the day was uneventful, but short. Driving into the setting sun is terrible, so I stopped in Hammond, LA, around 18:00.

I was woken again by very cold weather. It was only 44 at 07:00 🥶. So I had breakfast at IHOP and didn't hit the road until just after 09:00. The sunshine was nice, but the wind chill was not.

After a couple of dealerships, I've stopped at semi-famous Melba's for a shrimp po-boy. It should be amazing!

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

Day 14 mileage: 240.3 (total 3578.1)
HD Dealership Challenge: 6 (total 45)

P.S.: The grilled shrimp was über delicious! Tender, not chewy, and lots of seasoning that didn't overpower the shrimp flavor. I could've eaten a whole plate of just the shrimp. Otherwise, the po-boy was just another sandwich.En savoir plus
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Voyageurhow's the new windshield working out?
04/04/2021Répondre
Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarI hate it, but it does its job of keeping the wind off of me on the Interstates.
04/04/2021Répondre
Voyageurcompromise...
05/04/2021Répondre
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Jour 16
dimanche 4 avril 2021 à 11:48
⛅ 66 °F
Altitude: 26 p
États Unis Cameron Airstrip 29.80427, -93.3450829°48’15” N 93°20’42” W
Waiting for the Ferry
4 avril 2021, États Unis ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
The remainder of yesterday was warming weather then scattered rain, so I stopped before I got completely wet and before the temperature could begin to drop.

I've gone south this morning to pick up the Creole Nature Trail, which is Louisiana's portion of the 50 Rides 1 Nation challenge.

This part of Louisiana seems to have a significant role in the crawfish economy as there are hundreds of ponds in the area. Also, there is significant damage to man-made structures, mainly homes, from what I assume was a recent hurricane. Perhaps it was Sally, the storm that hit Pensacola.

Now, I'm about to board the ferry. It's warm enough today that two long-sleeve shirts and my fingerless gloves are plenty. Yay!

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

Day 15 mileage: 297.0 (total 3875.1)
HD Dealership Challenge: 2 (total 47)
50 Rides, 1 Nation: 1 (total 2)En savoir plus
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Jour 17
lundi 5 avril 2021 à 11:55
☀️ 75 °F
Altitude: 144 p
États Unis Gin Branch 31.49156, -93.1934931°29’30” N 93°11’37” W
Kisatchie National Forest (Wow!)
5 avril 2021, États Unis ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
After the ferry crossing, I came back into Texas at Port Arthur, wiggled up to Beaumont to hit Cowboy HD, then went back to Louisiana for two more dealerships before stopping for the night in Alexandria.

The entire gulf coast of LA is just oil. I could see 8 off-shore rigs at one point. Port Arthur, Texas, is just one huge refinery. And in Lake Charles, more evidence of devastating storm damage.

The drive to Alexandria was nice and uneventful except for one thing. At one point a hawk flew over me, low enough that if I had been in a cage [aka car] I wouldn't have been able to see him. He was fighting to stay airborne, loaded down with a black bird clutched in his talons. Beautiful.

I left the hotel--another dive of a Motel 6 but cheap--around 10:15 this morning. I've taken nothing but back roads, letting my GPS decide how to get me back to Texas. I'm so glad I did because I've just ridden through the Kisatchie National Forest along the Longleaf Trail Byway. Just amazing...and massive! The forest is 600,000 acres! It smelled intensive, the oily pine seeping into my nostrils. But I didn't leave my helmet up because the dragonflies were more like dragons! So huge I could see them coming and either dodged or ducked under the windscreen. What a beautiful road!

(More info: https://www.louisianatravel.com/)

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

Day 16 mileage: 357.5 (total 4232.6)
HD Dealership Challenge: 3 (total 50)En savoir plus
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
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Jour 18
mardi 6 avril 2021 à 12:04
⛅ 72 °F
Altitude: 344 p
États Unis Gladewater 32.535, -94.94532°32’6” N 94°56’42” W
1
Back to the [former] Republic of Texas
6 avril 2021, États Unis ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
Did you know Texas was its own country? As such, it had borders with the Continental United States. One of these markers still stands. I LOVE BACK ROADS!!!
France: 1684–1689
Spain: 1690–1821
Mexico: 1821–1836
**Republic of Texas: 1836–1845**
USA: 1845–1860
Confederate States of America: 1861–1865
USA again: 1865-present
[Six flags have flown over Texas, hence the theme park name Six Flags Over Texas 😁.]

After stumbling across this amazing historical marker, I made my way to Marshall where I stayed the night. I called it an early day because the skies were looking like rain.

I left a little after 10:00 this morning and squiggled my way northwest to the HD in Longview. On the way I had a run in with a big white dog. Man, was he fast! He tore down the fence line like a blur, but he was behind the fence, so I just kept putting along at about 30 mph. What he knew, and I didn't, was that the fence just stopped. Out he came on my left flank, full speed, tail straight out, teeth bared, and I hit the gas to stay in front of him. Close one.

After Longview, I took more little farm roads to Gladewater. Now, I've stopped at three locations on the Texas Tour: the Elvis mural, the old derrick, and the museum. This is a pretty cool little town with a decent old downtown. If you're into antiques, this is apparently the place to shop.

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

Day 17 mileage: 202.2 (total 4434.8)
HD Dealership Challenge: 1 (total 51)
MCGTTX Stops: 3 (total 5)En savoir plus
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Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar Thinking of you, Dano 😉
06/04/2021Répondre
Voyageurwish I were watching your six... thanks for the cool history lesson regarding 6 flags
07/04/2021Répondre
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
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Jour 19
mercredi 7 avril 2021 à 12:04
⛅ 70 °F
Altitude: 551 p
États Unis Givens 33.67333, -95.5166733°40’24” N 95°31’0” W
Laundry Day
7 avril 2021, États Unis ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
Yesterday I had lunch in Gladewater at Booshay's Central Station Cafe, which had a better shrimp po-boy than that "famous" place in New Orleans. Then I made my way up to Paris to hit two more Texas Tour stops and the HD. The Cowboy hat topped Eifel Tower was very odd.

I spent the night in Paris and since I'm staying tonight as well, right now I'm doing laundry.

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

Day 18 mileage: 156.4 (total 4591.2)
HD Dealership Challenge: 1 (total 52)
MCGTTX Stops: 2 (total 7)En savoir plus
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Jour 20
jeudi 8 avril 2021 à 12:12
☀️ 72 °F
Altitude: 551 p
États Unis Givens 33.67333, -95.5166733°40’24” N 95°31’0” W
Mostly Nothing
8 avril 2021, États Unis ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
I had a wonderful day of doing mostly nothing yesterday 😁. It's good to take a break and sleep in a comfy bed.

Now I'm packing up the bike to head only a little further south while picking up some shopping, like toothpaste, etc.

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

Day 19 mileage: 0 (total still 4591.2)En savoir plus
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Jour 21
vendredi 9 avril 2021 à 12:02
☁️ 73 °F
Altitude: 456 p
États Unis Smyrna 32.85333, -95.8133332°51’12” N 95°48’48” W
Back in Emory
9 avril 2021, États Unis ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F
I made it to Sulphur Springs yesterday and, because I had to use the restroom when I arrived, I enjoyed a moment in the Glass Bathrooms in the town center. I've had to pee in public before, but, you know, you find a tree or car door to hide behind. No hiding necessary here. The park also has chess tables, war memorials, and large chess and checkers boards. Pretty cool place. The courthouse is a Texas historical landmark (more info: https://www.thc.texas.gov/preserve/projects-and…).

After my morning appointment, I went back to The Barn in Emory to adjust my pack a bit, like offload my big camera that I haven't been using and scoop up my swimsuit that I forgot.

Right now, I'm at my uncle's house across the pasture waiting for the rain to pass before heading out again. The adorable tiny Yorkshire Terrier is Dixie Rose "Rosy," who must be about 4 or 5 months old now.

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

Day 20 mileage: 47.0 (total 4638.2)En savoir plus
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Jour 22
samedi 10 avril 2021 à 09:27
☀️ 55 °F
Altitude: 571 p
États Unis Bedford 32.83193, -97.1162632°49’55” N 97°6’59” W
DFW Dealerships & BBQ
10 avril 2021, États Unis ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
Since I was so close, when I left my uncle's house I headed into the middle of the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex to see my mom. On the way, I hit three HDs in the north Dallas area. I actually went inside Black Gold because the pin on my front brake lever was coming out and the kickstand seems to be going too far forward. They didn't see anything wrong with the kickstand, but fixed the pin pretty quickly and didn't charge me anything. Nice.

The next morning I decided to hit the rest of the HDs in the area. There are only 8 🤣. My mouth started watering when I pulled into the third one, Stampede in Burleson, so I had to get me some grub at Hard Eight BBQ. Actually I've ordered a 8-ounce ribeye, baked potato, and blackberry cobbler. Heaven.

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

Day 21 mileage: 197.3 (total 4935.5)
HD Dealership Challenge: 6 (total 58)En savoir plus
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Jour 23
dimanche 11 avril 2021 à 09:45
☀️ 61 °F
Altitude: 581 p
États Unis Bedford 32.85312, -97.1334432°51’11” N 97°8’0” W
Last Day at Mom's
11 avril 2021, États Unis ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F
I hit one more HD yesterday, then did some shopping for mom. She's had her first COVID shot, but my brother and I keep her home as much as possible.

When I got back to the house after shopping, I again noticed the kickstand went too far forward and wasn't springing back up as well as it used to, so I headed 1.6 miles away to Texas HD. ~~~ I grew up seeing the bar & shield highway sign and always wanted a bike. But I'm a girl. Motorcycling wasn't something girls were supposed to do. ~~~ The dealership is in a fairly new building, and the city built a road just for it, Texas Way, but the original building is still there as a used bike shop. Anyway, Service said the kickstand stop is worn, but they have to replace the entire assembly and didn't have the parts. In fact, only one HD in Texas has the part in stock...in Round Rock near Austin. So, I didn't get it fixed. I'll just be careful until I get to Austin. 🤞🤞🤞

This morning I ran for a few groceries and got my cheapest premium gas so far (except when I was forced to use low-grade a few times): $2.96 a gallon for 93 octane. AND I got 3 cents off of that for using my Kroger membership. Wow! The highest I've paid was $3.99 in the Everglades at the only gas station, but all of Florida was more than what I've seen in Texas.

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

Day 22 mileage: something's wrong with my daily math, but the running total is correct (total 4938.2)
HD Dealership Challenge: 1 (total 59)

[No selfie today.]En savoir plus
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Jour 24
lundi 12 avril 2021 à 12:01
⛅ 73 °F
Altitude: 456 p
États Unis Smith Field 32.73775, -96.447832°44’16” N 96°26’52” W
Heading South
12 avril 2021, États Unis ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
I left mom's this morning heading east to Tyler to see my uncle in the hospital and stopping at the last DFW dealership.

Now, I've turned south, hoping to miss the storm coming up from Del Rio.

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

Day 23 mileage: 4.7 (total 4938.2)
HD Dealership Challenge: 1 (total 60)En savoir plus
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Jour 25
mardi 13 avril 2021 à 12:02
⛅ 77 °F
Altitude: 384 p
États Unis Berea 31.3303, -95.329931°19’49” N 95°19’48” W
Secession, Dynamite & Longhorns
13 avril 2021, États Unis ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
On my way southeast towards Houston, I trusted my TomTom NOT to take me on unpaved roads. It let me down. 😱😭🤣

The most interesting thing I saw on my way was a big billboard with a picture of an old-timey soldier brandishing a sword while standing next to a cannon with the huge word SECEDE underneath. Well, at least they spelled it correctly.

Here's another piece of Texas history for you: Texas has the unique ability to split into five separate and equal states. Chew on that for a minute.
More info: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/more-150…

I spent the night in Lufkin intending to call Central Texas HD in Round Rock (north Austin) about repairing my kickstand today. Then I did a facepalm and rerouted the GPS to just take me there. So, this morning I'm riding through Davey Crockett National Forest on part of the Texas Forest Trail route. I'm stopping at the many state historical markers along the route, most about towns. The one pictured had me laughing. "It was dynamited several times"? Texas doesn't seem to do well with boundaries 😅😂🤣.

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

Day 24 mileage: 229.7 (total 5167.9)
HD Dealership Challenge: 1 (total 61)En savoir plus
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