Just making sure the ADV Monster didn't get ya!! No rush on the RR and thanks for the wellness report
Right on, thanks!
I owe some ride report indeed-
So I get near the ADV forum sanctioned "Roll the Bones" Rally in TX. Things start getting "ranch-ish" TX style everywhere
I get to the rally. GEEZ I was too busy conversing and riding to take pics. Although not nearly as extreme as Death Valley, the riding was GREAT. My bike got this color
Unfortunately the depth of mud was deceiving and this guy got in this deep with a new Yamaha Tenere, flipped him over the front and the front parts of the bike were destroyed
This temp front-end fix got him back to camp
Over 150 folks registered at this event, but I suspect there were more ADV bikes.
D*mn the folks to me to some fine eating establishments. Nothing smoked in oak or palm tree such as FL bbq.
Every year of this rally they said it has been customary to burn a recliner. This year we did two of 'em
This guy beat my mileage coming to to the rally, he was over 8,000 to get there. He came from PA.....via Canada! I invited him to a COG event when he reaches FL. I'll have to square up with Al.
His bike was loaded too.
My KLR played many street and dirt bike roles during the trip. Also served as an emergency mirror. Braun makes the BEST tiny travel razor.
Let's do this shave right
So I leave the rally with unforgettable memories. I ride my colleague Chris's house outside of Dallas. Whenever I go there I take his son toy, I want him to remember the crazy guy that shows up on a motorcycle always has a toy on it for him (same way I do my nephews and baby grandson). There is a motorcycle and man in this Target bag.
After a GREAT visit with he and his family, 1st home cooked meal in forever and slept in a real bed, I was off to Louisiana. An LA friend strongly suggested while in Lake Charles eat cajun at Steamboat Bill's. Wow indeed I suggest do that!
I had gumbo then these deleesh fried crawdad tails
I had clean clothes but decided to "get ahead" on laundry.
Got a room that night and remembered I needed to dry my tent. Instead of a king bed I got a room with 2 queens and dried it.
Fast forward to FL and the bike took the scenic HWY across the panhandle. It got late leaving Panama City Beach but I wasn't done riding. Bye bye beach.
I'm on my way to Tampa and my dear friend thats been a huge long distance/sport-touring "influence" says he and his lovely wife will be in Carabella. OK I detour to Carrabella Beach. I checked into the hotel they were coming to a day ahead of them. Yet again it was a b*tch unloading all the camping gear into the hotel. But the room was rustic and epic, I really enjoyed the stay.
Gear on the old footlocker in room, I guess its how they used to pack for camping
They had interesting books all over the room, wasn't sure if i was supposed to read them or if they were decoration.
Then I saw a pic on the shelf looked sorta' like SteveJ....wth
OK enough of the room, after exhausting myself unloading all that camping stuff I got hungry. "Upstate" FL they smoke with real hickory wood.
Had a great time with SteveJ and Marge. Then we said our good-byes at the breakfast place
Now this was no ordinary breakfast place. Full of antiques and old guns/pics/knives/etc
Upon a closer look, what was this boy reaching for?
Perhaps my plate because i ordered with a "double-order" of pancakes. No Atkins for me while vacationing! I'll lose weight with Atkins after vacation, and in no time
Now in Tampa-
OFF THE BUCKET LIST - ride a 1 cylinder bike across the country and back. The Kawasaki was amazing 7648 miles on highways, desert sand, rock climbing/rock beds, gravel roads, and water crossings. Needed no ADV "support vehicle", repairs or special maintenance, only tires and oil changes on the fly. The spare fuel i took deep into death valley was very much appreciated by a rider on a GS with a smaller tank. I didn't do as well and fell a few times. Only thing i couldn't figure out how to get this bike to do is sail, but i tried! Home in Tampa, what a long strange epic trip
Here is when I tried to sail it
And here are a few the marks/rips as a result of Death Valley get-offs in the rocks