A Few Pics

Preparing to do battle!

Brother Jerrys' Goldwing

This is getting to be an all too common chore!

Can't beat McDonalds for hot coffee and good Wi-Fi !!!

Day 6---Madawaska (Finally!!!)

We waited till 11am to wait out the cold rain. We can't imagine attempting this ride  or any long distance ride without the electronics of the modern day. The rain was mostly light for the day with a few heavier showers. No moose or deer spotted however 2 wild turkeys were near the roadside. The wind was a bit of a factor in the last half of the day. It was a cold ride and we had to keep forcing ourselves to move our hands and feet to keep the circulation going. We are evaluating our Canada leg and calculating the weather factor. We will take off from the 4 Corners Park and practice our French over the next day or two.

Stopped in for Dinner tonight at Dolly's. We had a very nice chat with  Sam and Kara!

Day 5 Rain Rain Go AWAY

Sturbridge to Augusta. This was a tough day in the weather. Post tropical storm Andrea has been pushing us through New England. We had a wonderful overnight at the 1771 Publick House and lobster for dinner and the best ever sticky buns for breakfast. We met a group of riders on their way home to Nova Scotia that had been touring in southern New England. We all swapped stories and looked over each others bikes and trailers. One of couples had converted a Goldwing to a trike. Their trailer was very creatively built by reusing the saddle bags off of the bike and built a box in the middle with a one wheel trailer. We left Sturbridge in light rain and hopped on the I-90 turnpike. It was like someone turned on the shower, added an industrial fan to check our balance, plus brrrr air conditioning, haha cold weather. We stopped 50 miles down the road to warm up with a coffee and a free doughnut. Dunkin Doughnut has made June 7 national doughnut day, so doughnuts for everyone. Next stop was lunch and a Walmart run for anything else that we could buy to extend our ride time in this weather. So off with the wet layer of shirts add  dry warm sweat shirts, dry heavy socks and dry rubber/mud boots. This stop was in Scarborough  ME and we were able to float into Augusta for the night. Only 220 miles for the day but what a day. Overnight at the Hampton Inn and were able to walk next door to Margaritas for dinner. Looking at the radar it appears we need to take our time tomorrow and let the major rain pass through before heading to Madawaska.

We didn't get a chance to try this place but the sign out front caught my eye!

The folks at Hampton Inn were nice enough to let us keep the bikes under cover!

Leaving Sturbridge...in RAIN...AGAIN!

Day 4 Sturbridge, MA

 Yesterday was just a killer day. Rain out of Huntersville, NC and having to take shelter at least 2 times waiting out the heavy stuff. We started out early and road 506  miles for the day. Considering traffic jams, weather and road construction not bad. The end of the day was a struggle when looking for our hotel we became lost with the detours in Harrisburg,PA. After untangling the mess and locating a new hotel down the road a bit it was 2 am before we settled in for the night. Up and on the road about 8:30 today tired from the first few weather days and giving our bodies time to learn muscle memory took it's toll. We road 392 miles with coffee and gas stops. Why is the traffic always congested in Hartford?

Day Three---Harrisburg, Pa.

Never leave home with a spare spark plug wrench. Plus this was Ken's  hobby job after retiring  while  waiting for me to finish up at the Police Dept.

Ken is refusing to believe that yes it is raining again.

2nd shower of the day just after leaving Huntersville, NC.

Frog togs still work well. My Mustang seat is leaking at the seams. The companys' fix  is to apply  a wax to the seams while the seat is dry. Don't see that happening on the ride till oh..California? So tog bottoms are not fully working when a frog sits in water all day.

Lunch and gas stop!

Mark of Scranton and his new Voyager 1700. Beautiful bike and found a  year end model 2012  in North Carolina.

Day Two---Huntersville, NC

Leaving Jacksonville from brother Jerry's house

A new fuse is order for the Goldwing

Wow! Just swam/blew in for a fuel stop on I26 just south of Columbia. Once we stopped, our phone  alerted us to take cover   for a tornado. As we pulled in,  lightning  was striking all around us and rain gusts were challenging us to keep the bikes upright. Ken & I had removed our rain gear 100 miles back as nothing showing up on the radar. 

We helped watch for this fellow's riding buddy. He was right behind  him  and just disappeared  in  the storm.  He was finally able to reach him by phone. He was at the next exit. We had said our prayers and glad to know he was fine. 

Part of the M for Mc Donald's

Ken keeping up his hula hoop skills while waiting for the power to come back on line.

Looking at the current radar status. On the road to I 77  and drying out.  Mileage today is 464, not bad considering a late start, electrical trouble with the Goldwing, rain and more rain, tornado and finally some clear weather. Tomorrow it looks to be clear of weather. It could just be our first day with out rain. Oh my!

Day One Leaving Key West

Our brother Jerry...riding a Goldwing

Putting on raingear...this will become a familiar sight!

Checking in at Key West

Duval Street!

My brother Jerry

Waiting out the rain!