Day 4 - to Key West

From Sanford Florida to Key West

After a restful night (at least for me) morning came right on time. For my riding com-padres it might have been early but they trooped on and had breakfast before I could  get myself downstairs to eat.

Then repacking the trailer,  but first unlocking it from the light pole and attaching in to the Goldwing. Driving around front to make it easier to get stuff to it. The luggage rack was loaded and brought downstairs. Luggage and other odds and ends packed and we are ready to go. Booting up the old GPS to guide us across from Sanford to US 95 was like easy. Enduring the ride with the directions were not as wonderful. GPS took us on GA 528 which is a toll road having stops every so often to pay tolls. I had to pay for three axles each of four times prior to getting off this very nicely paved but extremely slow road. WOW! Never again will I venture onto a toll road in Florida nor will my riding associates.

After hitting US 95 again the GPS wanted us to go down the Florida Turnpike. After our experience earlier in the day with GA 528 not one of us wanted anything to do with the Florida Turnpike. So down US 95 it was. We made good time and were really racking up the miles. Then US 95 stops and US 1 is the road to use from there on out. We were dumped into some city traffic and it was exceedingly slow. All the time on US 95 the GPS is continually recalculating a path for us back to the Florida Turnpike. Finally I just had to give in. We turned to go down the Florida Turnpike. It seems if you do not have an Easy Pass they take a picture of your plate (license plate that is) and bill you. Well I sure hope it works cause I really don't want to see a large fine in the mail next week. Anyway the turnpike allowed us to go quickly until it too ran out. Back to US 1. From Key Largo to Key West is about 115 miles or so. The road is two lanes and if someone slow gets in front of your you crawl along. If not you can at least go 60 mph safely. The drive took about two hours.

Finally in Key West and driving on Roosevelt Boulevard (which is all torn up and really difficult to navigate on a motorcycle) the GPS said to turn on Simonton Street and go to the hotel. I missed the entrance on the first pass by but found it when I went around the block. No signs out front to say this was the Best Western in Key West. Time was after 8:00 pm, we had been on the road 11 hours.

Once in the drive it was time to register, then time to park the bikes and have a beer before doing anything else. Afterwards portaging the luggage to our room was a hot and sweetie task. But the rewards are great. We could take off our shoes and sit in the air conditioning leisurely drinking a beer. All  the while taking turns showering and getting the sweet and road dust washed off. That felt great.

Out of the hotel and looking for someplace to eat. We headed down to Duval Street. Which was just one block down. Walking on this famous street in Key West was really neat. We would come to lean tomorrow that the most entertaining part of Duval Street is at the other end. It is only 1.2 miles long so that couldn't be too bad could  it? After a few blocks we stumble onto a Five Guys place. For those who do not know, this is a hamburger joint. I got a hamburger with all the trimmings and fries. I was not overly impressed with the food but it was clean and hot. I would much more enjoyed a Fudruckers or something like that. Don't get me wrong the place was OK but only OK.

Walking back to the hotel by myself because the guys were interested in staying out for a while seeing what kind of mischief they could see. I went to bed immediately and slept like  a stone from the very long intensive day.

TTFN

Day 3 - Daytona Beach Biketoberfest 2013

Daytona bike show

Woke up this morning with all of us in the room and waking up after  a long day yesterday.
My brother said that the floor by his bed was wet. Last night I noticed the ceiling in the shower had water dripping from above. I suggested the hotel had a plumbing issue. Brother said he would tell the front desk. He and nephew went downstairs. I was playing with my computer this morning and while sitting here I heard something like a plop in the bathroom. I went in to see a square of ceiling fell into the bath tube. I went  downstairs to tell the front desk of the new issue. They already had us lined up to move to another room.

After eating a  good breakfast (once again you have to have a full  stomach to ride well in the morning) we moved all our gear down the hall to a different room. Setup our stuff in the new room and made ready to head off to the Daytona International Race track. Turned  on the GPS and had the address entered in. Drove about 37 miles to the track. Low and behold there was a bike show venue there. Entered and parked. Man were there a lot of bikes there. Many more bikes than I have seen at a show before.

Sign Welcoming bikers

Some non-bikes on display

Pretty Yellow Goldwing

 We walked around the extensive area of bike items for sale. Pretty impressive was the only thing I can say. Of course we all  bought plenty of t-shirts so we could show off the fact we were to Daytona Biketoberfest in 2013. It is impressive because it is a long way to go for the show. Around 1000 miles from Carlisle and when you ride your favorite big bike the entire way, you are saying something about your dedication to the motorcycle.

Three intrepid riders 

The tunnel that all infield viewers had to go through under the track.

Waiting for the tour around the Daytona Track. 

Grandstand

This is what spectators look like after 300 miles of a 400 mile race.

Most recent winner of Daytona 500

Once the tour was over we decided to gas up and find someplace to eat. There was a gas station across the street from the track. After filling up we went across the street to a place called "Lime". Seems it is something like Chipotle's. I have never been in Chipotle's so was not impressed with this place either.

Ran up I95 to the Harley Davidson place north of Daytona Beach. This place was huge.We walked around. At Kuryakyn's tent nephew ran into the rear view mirrors he was trying to keep himself from purchasing. He was weak and bought the mirrors anyway.

Now you know why he wanted these mirrors. Well I don't know why but he does and  that is all  that counts.

Walked through Harley Davidson show room and was impressed with how they have the market cornered for HD machines and apparel.

Thought it was time to return to  Sanford and the hotel. Had  enough for  one day I did.
Purchased some beer and a sandwich for myself again and that was my evening meal. That burrito at Lime was enough to last me all  day and  then some.

Ate, Blogged, drank beer and showered. It is time for bed and tomorrow we are off for Key West.

TTFN

Day 2 - Daytona/Key West

Columbia SC to Sanford Florida - 384 miles.

Got up after a good nights sleep. The guys were already up and downstairs for coffee. Met them downstairs for breakfast and ate lots of good stuff. Starting the day like this will be a good thing for riding. Can't ride on an empty stomach.

Rolling down the highway we needed to stop for our second or third time today. Found a gas station along the road and left the interstate. Pulled into a convenience store and pulled up to a  gas pumps. I got off and pumped my gas. I thought it was very quiet at the station and wondered what happen to the guys.

Just doing my thing.

They were nowhere to be found. I looked around the area, we were out in the country and nothing much around. Suddenly I found them. Please look at this picture.

See the bikes across the lot!

I rode over and entered the building to fine the guys. The clerk said they were in the back. I went back to find them in the viewing booths. I was going to say "Hey! you perverts come out of there" but I was scared I would see more then my two relatives. I said nothing and all of a sudden the guys appeared out front. They were laughing cause they had setup me up with the clerk telling me to go into the back room. Anyway I gave them a little lip and we left and  they gassed up like good boys.

At our next stop we gassed up and  I saw a restaurant across the street that featured good old southern food. I pointed to the restaurant and the guys said yes. Parking out front we noticed to Sheriffs cars and the lot was pretty full.  Went in to sit down. I noticed they had a buffet up front. I walked up and  saw two old  guys sitting there with rather full plates. I asked if they had the buffet and  they said yes. I was impressed. I walked closer  to look at the food. I was convinced I was having the buffet. Sandwiches were some $8.00 and the buffet was the same cost. It did take a little prodding to get the guys to have the buffet too. But we all did and had several plates full. I  had four pieces of fried chicken and it was finger  licking good. Driving down the highway with all that good chicken sitting in the old stomach was  just one of those "sell my clothes I have gone to heaven" moments. Love southern food.

Ran into a four mile back up just shy of the Florida boarder. Seems two cars mixed it up on the highway just over the border into Florida.  Being stuck in traffic today was painful since it was very hot and the sweat was running down inside my helmet. Also the container trailer in front of me had a nest of bees of some sort buzzing all around us. I closed my helmet visor to keep any wayward bees from getting inside my helmet. That would be awful.

Finally got to Sanford Florida but I misunderstood what the GPS was showing because I could not hear the voice announce the instructions and I did not have my tri-focal glasses on since it was sunny. I could not read the printing on the screen. After missing the turn off I stopped to tell the guys and would proceed to follow the GPS to our hotel. It was a very round about route but we did get to the hotel. Got to the hotel around 6:00 pm after some 10 hours on the road.

Checked in to the Sanford Best Western. A nice looking place. Carried all our stuff up to the room since we would be here two nights and  the lock on my trailer fell off again. We walked to a 7-eleven for beer and I got a sandwich cause I was still full from lunch. The guys went out to the Wing House for something to eat. They will have to describe that experience.

I showered and hit the hay! Man I was beat. I slept like a stone. I never heard them come in close to mid night.

It was  a good day for all of us.

TTFN

Off to Daytona/Key West

Today is the day.

Up early at 4:00 am. Start coffee and shower. Do some banking prior to leaving. Breakfast and pill taking.

Next pack the trailer. If you remember from last posting the trailer as well as the bike are outside since the drive is full of shingles from our new roof. It was misting and everything was wet. Fortunately the bike was covered with a tarp and the trailer was closed. Carrying out all the gear (I never thought I would be taking that amount but it added up quick). Packed trailer and bike with some room to spare for others luggage.

Kissed the wife good bye several times and started off. Drove to Carlisle to meet the others.

Once luggage secured and all are ready we quickly drive to Walmart for lunch items for today.

Finally off to the wilds of Florida and the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Via US 81 and US 77 today.

Did a total of 589 miles the first day. About four stops for gas and one or two butt breaks. All things were going fine until US 77 somewhere in North Carolina a ten mile back up due to an accident. It was hot and very uncomfortable in the stop and crawl on the freeway. But eventually the incident was cleared and we were back to our usual speed and formation. Just cruising down the highway. After a 12 hour day on the highway a nice stop for the night was something all of us were looking forward to. Good old Best Western to the rescue. I had made all our reservation several months ago.

The hotel staff are always ready to offer suggestions for a meal and where the closest place is to buy beer. so off we went for a nice diner at Outback Steak House. The "bloomin onion" and a nice fettuccine with shrimp was something that caught my eye. Then off to the convenience store for a six pack for me and one for nephew. Brother doesn't drink so a gator aid was his choice.

Well at the motel we were talking about what we wanted to do in the morning as far as what time to get up and head out. Remembering that the last time we rode together it took forever for the guys to get their respective shit together and ready to travel. I mentioned this. Well it must have inspired them because the next morning they were up before me and in pretty good shape for doing breakfast and hitting the road.

Tomorrow is another day.

TTFN

Tomorrow morning we leave!

Well finally the day is just about upon us intrepid travelers. The three musketeers, three amigos or just something like and old fart and two soon to be old farts out living their collective boyhoods all over again but on a grander scale.

My bike is cleaned, gassed up, spare gas tank is in the saddle bag just in case. Need to check tire air pressure yet this evening. There is a slight problem. I had a new roof put on yesterday and all the old shingles and trash are sitting in two very large bags waiting on Waste Management to come and pick it up. Problem is the bags are in my drive in front of garage door. Parking the bike outside early yesterday was a wise idea but not putting the trailer out was not good. When the roofers were finished and I gave them the last installment for the job I insisted they help carry my motorcycle cargo trailer out of the garage just in case Waste Management was not here before Wednesday morning. So the trailer is sitting outside with the bike.

Men at work on roof

more men at work

Sitting outside, see trash in driveway.

I plan on packing up tonight and connecting the trailer to the bike. So in the morning I just will need to place the last few items in the truck on the bike and just take off for Carlisle to met my riding buddies( the not yet old farts).

I sure hope I can get some sleep tonight. I am really excited about hitting the road again. Can't wait.

TTFN

Two Days to wait!!!!

Well it is Monday of the week we are leaving for Daytona and Key West!. I had some issues sleeping last night cause of this trip being so close. Wife says the three of us are just like kids. I think she is right we are just a little older than some.

Anyway, plans are about to be executed and miles driven. Great!!!

Had been working on a picture frame for my United States map. The map is 40" X 60" and was hung on the wall in front of my computer. I just had to make a frame for it so it would have some protection from falling off the wall. It also allows me to sit back and imagine being on another ride or reminiscing about the previous one/ones.

Wall map in picture frame I made.

Got to do a little shopping for items for this trip. Wife suggests I purchase some air freshener for our Motel room since there will be three big boys sharing the john. I wonder what she thinks?

TTFN

Ride to West Virginia - 10/5/2013

Saturday ride to West Virginia started out at 8:00 am. Beautiful day today with no rain in sight.

Started down US 15 South from Dillsburg. Entered into Maryland. Just past Thurmont got off on MD 77. This road has a sign that says not trailers allowed on this road. That is due to being a mountain road with lots of twists and turns. That is why motorcyclists love this road. It goes to Catoctin Mountain Park (which is closed due to US Government shutdown). After the park you continue on winding and twisting roads. Then some straight away's which you can go faster. Eventually you end up at the bottom of the other side of the mountain. MD 66 takes you to US 70.

Getting off US 70 at Hancock MD and going towards Berkley Springs on US 522 in West Virginia. Past the US Silica sand mine you enter Berkley Springs and at the first red light take WV 9 towards Paw Paw WV. It is a winding twisting road over two mountains and in between some really nice strait away's that allow for fun riding. But at the top of the first mountain you see a pull off with a spectacular view. I will show you a few pictures. BTW there is a restaurant there for anyone who might want to linger over a meal and watch the view for a while to relax and enjoy life.

Sign at top telling you about the view. You can see three states from here. Pa, WV, MD

View to the right

View to the left

View of trusty bike waiting for me.