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Summer on the Harley
  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
mars – okt. 2021

Summer on the Harley

En 198-dags äventyr från Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar Läs mer
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    20 mars 2021
    Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    Starting mileage

    Summer on the Harley...On the Road Again

    20 mars 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ☀️ 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 😁    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    MCGTTX #20, Southwest Dairy Museum, Sulphur Springs
    MCGTTX #34, Paris HD, ParisMe, my mom, my brother, and my sister-in-law

    My Brother's Birthday

    21 mars 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ☀️ 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)    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    New Phone

    22 mars 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ☁️ 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.]    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    3 State Harley-Davidson, Bossier City, LA

    Heading East on I-20

    23 mars 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ☀️ 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)    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    Monroe, LA
    Vicksburg National BattlefieldVicksburg National BattlefieldVicksburg National BattlefieldVicksburg National BattlefieldCentral Mississippi Harley-Davidson, Jackson, MSChunky River Harley-Davidson, Meridian, MS

    On Through Mississippi

    24 mars 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ⛅ 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)    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    Montgomery HD, ALSelma, ALSelma, ALFirst Baptist Church, Selma, ALDothan HD, AL

    Across Alabama

    25 mars 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ⛅ 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)    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    Tifton Harley-Davidson, GA

    Back in Georgia

    26 mars 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ⛅ 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)    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    Tinsley, the Golden doodle, who is trained.to ring her doorbell when she needs to go outside 🤣St. Augustine, FLAdamec Harley-Davidson Orange Park, FLAdamec Harley-Davidson Jacksonville, FLAdamec Harley-Davidson St. Augustine I95, FL

    Finally Florida

    27 mars 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ⛅ 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)    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    Daytona, FL
    New Smyrna, FLSeminole Harley-Davidson, Sanford, FLSpace Coast Harley-Davidson, Cocoa Beach, FLThe real Space Coast Harley-Davidson, Palm Bay, FLTreasure Coast Harley-Davidson, Stuart, FLAlligator Alley Harley-Davidson, Sunrise, FL

    Down the East Coast

    28 mars 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ⛅ 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)    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    Cutler Bay, FLPeterson's Key West Harley-Davidson, FL150 Rides, 1 Nation: Florida

    Back to the Buoy

    29 mars 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ⛅ 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…    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    Harley-Davidson of New Port Richey, FL
    Rockstar Harley-Davidson, Fort Meyers, FLBert's Black Widow Harley-Davidson, Port Charlotte, FLRossiter's Harley-Davidson, Sarasota, FLHarley-Davidson of Brandon, FLHarley-Davidson of Tampa, FL

    Another Friend (I'm so lucky!)

    30 mars 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ☀️ 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)    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    Tallahassee Harley-Davidson, FL
    Lakeland Harley-Davidson, FLOrlando Harley-Davidson South, Kissimmee, FLThis guy took my pic, then his own selfie 🤣Orlando Harley-Davidson, FLGator Harley-Davidson, Leesburg, FLCrystal Harley-Davidson, Homosassa, FLWarHorse Harley-Davidson, Ocala, FLGainesville Harley-Davidson, FLWho needs rain gear!? 😱😭🤣The only dry spot 🤣😭. But my boots are clean now 🤣.

    Why did I bring rain gear?

    31 mars 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ⛅ 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)    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    Harley-Davidson of Panama City Beach, FLEmerald Coast Harley-Davidson, Fort Walton Beach, FLOkaloosa Island, FLOkaloosa Island, FLHere comes the rain again!Live music 😱

    It's Cold in Florida!

    1 april 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ☀️ 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)    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    Pensacola Harley-Davidson, FL

    How Can It Be Colder?!

    2 april 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ☀️ 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.    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    Melba's Po-boys
    Mobile Bay Harley-Davidson, Mobile, ALMississippi Coast Harley-Davidson, Biloxi, MSMike Bruno's Northshore Harley-Davidson, Slidell, LAHammond Harley-Davidson, LABaton Rouge Harley-Davidson, LANew Orleans Harley-Davidson, LA

    Lunch in New Orleans

    3 april 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ☀️ 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.    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    50 Rides 1 Nation--LouisiannaMike Bruno's Bayou Country Harley-Davidson, Houma, LACajun Harley-Davidson, Scott, LAMy breakfast buddy. He has a leg band.

    Waiting for the Ferry

    4 april 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ⛅ 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)    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    Kisatchie National Forest, LA
    Cowboy Harley-Davidson, Beaumont, TXLake Charles Harley-Davidson, LATaboo Harley-Davidson, Alexandria, LA

    Kisatchie National Forest (Wow!)

    5 april 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ☀️ 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)    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    Roughneck Harley-Davidson, Longview, TXMCGTTX Stop #17, Oil Derrick, GladewaterMCGTTX Stop #16, Elvis Cutout Mural, Gladewater1MCGTTX Stop #16, Elvis Cutout Mural, GladewaterMCGTTX Stop #16, Elvis Cutout Mural, GladewaterMCGTTX Stop #18, Gladewater Museum, Gladewater

    Back to the [former] Republic of Texas

    6 april 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ⛅ 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)    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    MCGTTX Stop #35, South Main Iron, ParisMCGTTX Stop #36, Cowboy Eifel Tower, ParisParis HD, TX

    Laundry Day

    7 april 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ⛅ 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)    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Mostly Nothing

    8 april 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ☀️ 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)    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Back in Emory

    9 april 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ☁️ 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)    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    Black Gold HD, Allen, TXMaverick HD, Carrolton, TXAmerican Eagle HD, Corinth, TXTexas HD, Bedford, TX. Supposedly has the largest Bar & Shield in the world on the side of the buildingFort Worth HD, Fort Worth, TXStampede HD, Burleson, TX

    DFW Dealerships & BBQ

    10 april 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ☀️ 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)    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    Longhorn HD, Grand Prairie, TX

    Last Day at Mom's

    11 april 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ☀️ 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.]    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    Garland, TX

    Heading South

    12 april 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ⛅ 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)    Läs mer

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarSummer on the HarleyNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    Lone Star HD, Tyler, TXIt got worse over the next 3 miles before I popped out lon TX Hwy 7.https://texasforesttrail.com/The Texas state large mammal is the longhorn. These youngsters already have horn nubs 😁

    Secession, Dynamite & Longhorns

    13 april 2021, Förenta staterna ⋅ ⛅ 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)    Läs mer

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