Day 1 (odometer 726 to 1029)

And I am off!!!! Landed in Denver this morning and my friend Laurie Lee picked me up and took me to Rocky Mountain Harley Davidson. Roger and Rand set me up with last minute advise and best wishes and off I went. 60 miles later I stopped for lunch with Shari Lobben from High School (how cool is that?) and then off into the Rocky Mountains. Tonight I am in Montrose, CO right next to Black Canyons National Park. This dream is actually happening!
A huge thank you to Mark S for arranging a great send off dinner last night and to everyone who came.
One last embarrassing honesty - I was turning my bike around when I cut the wheel a little to sharply while going too slow (walking the bike) and it ended up on its side (more like 45 degree angle). It didn't hurt the bike as I was barely moving but in my panic I yanked the 900 pound beast back upright. The good news is that I got back on and drove away. The bad news is that I pulled the crap out of my bicep so now my right arm is wounded. Day 1 and wounded already! Great lesson in humility though.

First 1000 miles for breaking in

So i now officially own a Harley Davidson motorcycle! I am in the Brick Store in Atlanta with my daughter Amalia (heyyyyyy) talking about my first 1000 mile break in period and how excited about my trip I am. Here are some pics from the first 1000 miles! Ready or not, here I come!!!

All systems go - T minus 16 days!

My schedule is back to the original dates - June 30 departure with a tentative return on August 12, 2012. Two trips back during this break means it will be chopped up into 3 two week vacations in a row but that is fine. I am very excited and ready to go! I am collecting everything I need for the trip and buying a few things I don't have (tank bag, Bluetooth helmet, tent, etc). I continue to get great hints from people on places I need to visit (Columbia River Gorge, Seven River Falls, etc) which I really appreciate. I completed a Skilled Driver's course this past weekend which really helped my confidence in handling situations on the bike. Risk mitigation, escape planning, recognizing / reacting / braking calculations and a host of other skills were the focus of the class. Good move in taking the class! I am working hard to make this trip as fun and as safe as I can!