Anyone seen a bag?

A day from hell.  Stopped to take some photos, took off my clip on sunglasses, left them on my backpack and drove off "bugger".  Then down the road stopped to take some more photos and it was hot so took off my shoulder bag and drove off.  In my bag was my wallet with credit card,  iPad, maps, all the trip information etc.  After stopping for lunch 1 hour later realised I was missing 1 bag.  

I will not repeat the language but "bother" "a goodness me" were mentioned, so to police station filled out report rang and cancelled cards. But the good news is, rung work and a Mr Donnie Williamson had emailed he had found my bag.  So have rung him and he is forwarding it on to me. Am lucky I had some spare cash and extra travel credits cards in my backpack.

We rode 355 miles today so bum a bit tender but a very happy camper will post pics when I get my iPad back.

Location:Colorado springs

San Alamos, Atom Bomb and friendly locals

Yep we are in the town where they developed the Atom bomb during WW2.

We are changing our plans as we go along.  Did plan to go to Dodge City but by coming here we have an extra day up our sleeve.  Rode about 250 miles today.  The first 2 hours were nothing, just flat plains and nothing to look at.   But coming off the motorway to San Alamos the drive was like going around the devils staircase by Queenstown (no lake though) and when you got to the top what a view.  I must say the people here are great.  We were going around in circles looking for a motel and we had pulled over to the side of the road.  This lady pulled up in her car, she had been watching us and knew we were lost.  Came up to us, asked if we spoke English and where we were from.  We said NZ and she still asked if we spoke English.  Anyway after a bit of a yarn about bikes and advising us of some of the good rides to take on our travels, gave us directions.  We exchanged email addresses, said if we had any problems while here to give her a call.  

Loved the museum here, all about the development of the Atom bomb and the fact and fables of the war. Not too sure where we are going tomorrow.

Location:San Alamos

Pic update

Atom bomb.


Looking back down the road while waiting for Mark and Dave, who missed the turn off to Los Alamos.  Absolutely stunning scenery.

Friends at Roswell

Roswell - another tick on the bucket list!

Today had the best ride of the trip.  About 260 miles from San Lunis to Roswell.  The ride had everything - long straights where you could wind up to 80/100 mph then nice corners all the way through the mountains, then the long straights again.  The scenery was forever changing.  One minute you had the big deserts then green valleys with small towns then open spaces,.  We got up into the mountains again and then down into dark black lava rock formations followed by green open spaces - absolutely stunning!

Roswell is much bigger than I thought, about the size of Invercargill.  Staying at Days Inn $90.00 a night for the 3 of us.  After unpacking (we have this down pat now same as leaving in the morning) we went to the UFO museum.  This is something I have wanted to do since I was a teenager (can now cross of my list).  After walking around seeing all the pictures/interviews etc there has been a cover up.  The proof is there and you also have to be a bit thick to think that we are the only planet in the universe to be inhabited.

Interesting fact in Roswell you cannot buy beer to take away on Sunday but on the city limits you can (so a 2 mile drive sorted that problem out) and every one has to produce ID even an old bugger like me.

Hope you enjoy these pics. The first one shows that you can give kids camel rides, this was just down the road from motel.  Temp today 28 and tomorrow should be 34.

Forgot to mention after Amboy as you are driving, there is a bank about 3 meters high on the left hand side of the road.  It goes for miles and miles, anyway people stop pick up rocks write their name with these small rocks and leave messages.  I can see it now "Randy stop the car I want to write something on the bank". " Ferk off its 100 degrees out there".  “But Randy it would be so romantic”. "Who the hell can read it, we are traveling at 90 mph, the rocks all look the same, it's a blur and you are a hitchhiker I picked up 20 minutes ago”. 

Another question, why would you call your son Randy?  In NZ if some one calls you Randy you go and take a cold shower.

Location:Roswell

Bad boy Dave

Been here 4 days and we had to bail him out!

It's question time???

Am writing this by the pool.  We are staying at Western Skies Motel in San Linus New Mexico.  Will give it a 9/10 as most of the other hotels are a bit run down even though the service was great at all these other motels they were only a 7/10. 

Like to say hi to all Jan's checker friends who are following me around especially those that live in the USA.  You have a beautiful country.  Back home we are not used to these big open spaces and it was amazing this morning after we set off.  We had clear blue sky's but you could see all these vapor trails of the Jets all crossing each other.  Looked like a giant checker board LOL.

So far on the trip we have done 1100 miles so my bum is starting to get a bit sore. We are a bit disappointed with Route 66 as most of it seems to be on the I 40 but what we have seen is great.  They must have been hardy buggers back in the 30’s and I can't imagine what it must have been like for the early settlers crossing this country.

Now I have a few questions:-

1. Where the hell does all the freight go?  I have never seen so many trucks, they just keep coming and coming and the bleeding freight trains!  Train after train.  Mark tried to count how many containers to a train but nearly went off the road.  He gave a rough count and came up with 250 containers / wagons.

2. How do people survive in the middle of nowhere?  You see houses with the latest ute beside it, do they have jobs?  Where do they get their water from? And the towns in the middle of the desert where it is 40 degrees, where does every one work?  If anyone has the answers email them to Jan.

Had brunch in Gallup at the casino and went and visited the miners museum in Grants. 3 hours to Roswell tomorrow hope to get there by lunchtime so we can get a good look around.

Bike is going well. And have sorted out the gas problem.  My fuel gauge is broken as its showing a full tank all the time so now when I fill up I reset my mileage recorder back to 00 and when I get to about 150 miles I know its time to refill. I can get 180 miles on $14.00.

9.00pm and we are all going to bed as a bit buggered and Mark has a head cold.

Location:San Linus

Gas - did someone say they needed gas?

Did a long ride today and we were informed it was going to be hot but was a nice 26 degrees with the odd very hot period.  Struck some rain just leaving Flagstaff but nothing to worry about and OMG no one got lost today.  Ok I did for 10 minutes but we a have back up plan to find each other.  I missed a turn off but went down next one and backtracked and they were at a gas station.  Mental note when at gas station check tank for fuel.

We visited the meteor crater by Winslow.  Awesome, well worth the look and I can cross that one off my list. 15 minutes down the road I ran out of gas.  Well bugger me its in the middle of nowhere but away in the distance could see a building so coaxed the lovely lady down the road stopping to shake her side to side to get that extra bit of mileage out of her.

The building was a run down Indian trading post and they didn't have any spare gas but I spotted a hose lying on the ground grabbed that and siphoned some out of Dave's tank.  I can still taste it and that was 3 hours ago.

Staying at another Super 8 tonight as laundry night and I have run out of jocks and I am not going to be like Mark and turn them inside out.  I am pleased there is only the 3 of us on the trip (thinking of you Nathan) as anymore would have been hard going.  We have found that most motels will throw in a fold away bed for an extra $10.00 so we are averaging about $20.00 to $25.00 each for the night.

Quite happy, been here 5 days and things going along ok.  Right time for the pool as all sweaty and smelly, shower first as don't want to leave a ring around the pool. We are getting some good accommodation so far as haven't booked anywhere, just rock up ask price for 3 in a room have you got WiFi, have you got a pool,  have you got a fridge in the room - all the important questions!

Location:Holbrook

Early start - warm again!

7.30 in the morning and we are ready to leave.  About 28 degrees at the moment but have been told should reach record high today.  Holiday Inn where we stayed last nigh.  Please excuse the thumb.

Now I can post some pics - I'm catching up!

This blog a bit out of sync with photos as still getting used to blogging and inserting photos.  On this page we have Mark and Craig from Kiwi Shipping checking over Mark's bike - a Honda VTX 1300   he purchased online $5000.00 US.

Breakfast in diner at Ludlow.


Had a few brews here in Barstow as had to get out of sun and we were starting to dehydrate.  Needed fluids!



Cold drinks at Roys Cafe, Amboy.

Arizona

Somewhere in Arizona.  Loving the roads and the desert.

Frescos Pic

Vanessa from Frescos in LA.

GPS is next on the shopping list!!! Destination Kingman.

Awake this morning at 6.30 am and on the road at 8.   Only trouble was we went the wrong way but we were on Route 66.  Discovered this about 30 minutes into the trip so jumped on the I 40 back to Barstow then we where on our way.   (Ging to buy a GPS tomorrow).

Discovered that I can get 195 miles on a tank of gas.  As close to running out going into Needles - Mark was the same, both of us a bit worried getting into Needles.

We were going to camp tonight but too bloody hot to pitch a tent so staying at Days Inn only $26.00 each and it has pool. On the drive we stopped at Amboy a small diner in the middle of nowhere went to order one of their famous milk shakes but out of ice cream, some days you can't just win.

No injuries yet except Mark has a burn on his leg from the bike and I feel like I have pulled a hamstring ( just a wee niggle).

Thank God we went and purchased the 100+ sunscreen as no sunburn yet but have noticed its a different type of heat here.  Back home would be sun burnt by now due to the holes in the ozone layer over NZ but sun not so intense here.

Still having trouble with my iPhone and iPad.  Can get online with iPad (hence these blogs) but can't connect phone to pad so can't send pictures.  Also can't connect phone to net so can't send them that way either so may have to use iPad to take pictures.

Am getting very comfortable on bike now and getting used to the big miles we are doing each day. 

That's it - went out to a steak house big feed few beers so am a happy camper so away to bed now as an early start!

Trying a pic

Coxy finding a man size can

Destination Barstow

Left LA about 9.30 and what a mission trying to get out of the city.  Within the first 5 minutes had lost Mark so it was every man for himself.  After 45 minutes of going round in circles stopped and asked this 15 year old kid where to go.  So he pulls out his smart phone gets what highway numbers we should be on and what direction to take. 

Think I found the secret, I wrote down the numbers on a card got on the I 605 and kept going till it said I 10 San Bernardino then finally the I 15 Barstow.  Have never been happier to see a sign. Dave and myself stopped for a drink at a gas station and to fill up and 5 minutes later Mark pulled up.  So the 3 Amigos were back together again.

Oh forgot to mention a great bar in LA called Friscos near the roundabout on the Pacific Highway Street.  $2.50 for a pint of Stella and great service from a lovely bar maid Vanessa.  We tried one of the bar snack platters but we could feel our arteries around the heart start to clog so gave it a miss.

Finally arrived in Barstow and by this stage it was 39.5 degrees heat so first thing we did was get out of our riding gear and chilled out. We were a bit disappointed as we went to visit a Route 66 museum but was closed Mon to Fri so found a nice bar instead.   $2.00 Buds you can't go wrong.  Also went to Walmart got some 100 plus sunscreen, lip balm and other bits and pieces then in the pool. Have worked out that we can buy a doz Buds for $10.00 and this is the right amount for a nightcap. Hotel didn't have WiFi so don't panic if you don't here from me for a couple of days am also having trouble with my iPhone.

Bike collection and first ride

Today went quite well.  Got up, did all the business and went and picked bike up from Kiwi Shipping.  Got ripped off by the Indian cab driver as he went past his house to pick up his lunch but we got there.

Service was great at Kiwi Shipping - Craig and the guys had everything ready for us.  After giving my bike a hug and introducing myself to her then had to ask where does the key go and how do you start the bike up we were on the way. At the first intersection we lost mark so Dave and myself carried on not a clue where to go,.  All I knew was we had to hit the Santa Fe road then turn on to Pacific Highway.  Luckily found Santa Fe then got some gas.

Bloody hell what a mission, pump wouldn’t work till some one told us pay first so I did that.  Paid $25.00 and started to fill.  Back in NZ that would fill the tank so wasn't watching the fuel tank was watching the pump next thing the guy knocking on the window pointing at the bike so looked down, gas everywhere. Tank was full, found some towels and had a clean up and got my change $11.90 and got out of there.  Mental note "gas cheap here watch the fuel tank.  Anyway came to Pacific Highway turned left and away we went.  BIG MISTAKE!!!  When we saw the ocean knew we went wrong way so turned around and 45 minutes later back at motel.

Meanwhile Mark was back at depot had run out of gas then bike wouldn't start so Kiwi Shipping took him to a shop to get new battery.  3 hours later he was back at motel.

Have now given the bike another hug just let her know she is appreciated and a bit of a pep talk just letting her know she will have to carry me about 8500 km over the next few weeks.  Mark wanted to go and have a look at Walmart so away we went and got lost again.  Still haven't seen it but managed to get back to hotel. 

Anyway its  hot and sticky so time for a swim and a few buds. To all Jan's friends I will post tomorrow where we are going and anyone else reading this apologies now most of these blogs will be done after a few beers at the end of the day so might be a load of rubbish.

One thing I will say is the people here are great.

Landed in the States

Have arrived.  Had good flight but still a bit jaded as was a long day especially on the Auckland to LA plane.  No trouble with customs but took an hour to get to motel which is a Super 8 so just an average motel but only $100.00 for the night so only $33.00 each.

Can't get bikes tonight so will go get camping gear no, have something to eat, a swim then crash. Getting bikes about 8 am tomorrow then back to motel check them over and do a bit of sight seeing.

Departure

It's that time to get out of here so here is my first picture of me getting ready to leav.  As you can see no ordinary means of travel but it will do.  Actually I am doing a promo at work and its all to do with the TARDIS so will be sending photos of me in the States back to work so my customers can keep up to date with what I am up to.

Squash Knock-out

Just to keep everyone up to date - the team played at 10 am against Riverton North and we won that round 5 games to 0.  We then played at 3 pm against Riverton South and won that by 5 games to 0. We now go on to represent Southland in the nationals in Invercargill in September so well done ladies I am very proud of you all as are the other coaches Colin, Janeane, Rod and Lawerence.  Members of the club will be pleased to know that all the ladies are giving up drinking and socializing till the nationals.  Val even said that she would be on her best behavior (yea right).  Hopefully I will get a better sleep tonight now that I don't have to worry about the team.

1 night to go didn't get time to finish packing today so will finish off tomorrow morning.

OMG - My Passport has Expired!!!

OMG my passport has expired. No it hasn't actually but this was going through my mind at 1.30 am this morning when I was trying to sleep.

Have now officially finished work but have a meeting Monday at 9.30 with the boss to make sure everything ok then going to meet the new CEO of Liquorland at 1.30 at the airport before I fly out at 2 pm. 

Busy day tomorrow as the squash team I have been coaching have to play off at 10 am and 3 pm and if they win they will represent Southland in the National F grade competition being held in Invercargill in September.   So go Val, Jo, Karly, Sue, Anita, Jayne and Carol.

Back to the trip -  I leave on Monday from Invercargill to Auckland and fly out from there at 9.30pm.  Interesting enough I get to LA at 2.30 pm the same day so going back in time, mmmmm just like the Doctor!

Sick Grandkids

Looking after 3 sick grandkids today.  So if I get sick before I leave look out heads will roll parents!  This is Ella, Maddy and Noah.

A week to go!

Down to 7 days to departure but everyone around me has the flu or a cold or some sort of sickness.   So staying low as don't want to catch anything.

Got some tough decisions tonight with a squash team I have been coaching as have 10 in the squad but am only allowed 7 in squad so have to cut 3 out. Started out with 15 lady f grade but now have to pick final squad for play off this weekend.

8 Days to go

Now only 8 days to go and as punishment all I can talk about is the trip.  Jan is making me watch Coronation Street and I keep telling her "It's not real you know".  So now I am in the bad books.

As you can see I can now download pictures so it looks like I am all set for the trip. This is my dad Jim Snr with Ella. 

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Ella and Makala

Uploading Pics

Ella, granddaughter.   Finally figured out how to download pictures of iPhone and iPad.

12 days to go

As you can see only 12 days till we fly out.  Got the hang of this blog thing but still haven't figured out how to get pictures on it so might have to go and see Steph who set this up for me (still owe her some wine).

Day off work today so got the hair cut (hot over there especially when you are wearing a helmet) then got a massage which was badly needed as have been playing a lot of squash lately and have been told I should go back next week as the old body ain't what it used to be. Then put some money on the master card so am in credit (first time ever) and then sorted out my gear.  Was worried but all sorted now.

Gear - am only taking basics - 4 pr jocks, 4 pr socks, 2 pr jeans, 4 tee shirts, toilet gear, helmet, bike jacket, bike boots,.  If I need anything else will buy there.  Walmart here I come!  From what I understand they are the states version of The Warehouse.

2nd blog

Still haven't figured out how to down load pictures yet but working on it. Have started to sort my gear out but running out of bag space.  Might have to wear my bike jacket and helmet on to the plane.

Not long to go  - 16 days.  Think everything is sorted.   Got a meeting with Dave and Coxy tomorrow.  The bike pictured on the start of the blog I purchased through eBay as I found that hiring a bike a bit expensive - about $200.00 a day so was going to work out roughly $6500.00 and sending my bike over and back about $3500.00. 

I have always wanted a Harley so have been looking at eBay for the last 6 months driving Jan up the wall, so found this online.  They had it priced at $11000.00 US in their show room but was on eBay for $9400.00 US as they had new stock coming in and need more room.  As the NZ dollar was high at the time this worked out at NZ $12000.00 so with freight back pay GST re vin landed on the road $16000.00 all up.  Anyone want to buy a Suzuki Boulevard 800 cc bike as will sell this when I get back.

Have been dealing with Kiwi Shipping in LA.  They are holding on to our bikes till we get there on the 23rd. First thing to do when we get to the US is buy some tents, sleeping bags etc as we are staying in both motels and camping grounds so just playing by ear where we are going to sleep. One of the things I am looking forward to doing is visiting Roswell; as I am a SF fan.  Love Dr Who, Star Wars, anything to do with aliens and time travel. This trip also about crossing off things on my bucket list.

Complaint

Well had one complaint with my blogging already.  Tracy from Head Office, "don't you know how to use capitals do you want me to edit for you"?  So that's it, she is now off my Xmas card list but I will try to do better.

One of the reasons I decided to do the American trip was I read the book TWISTING THROTTLE by Mike Hyde about his adventures riding around America, 50 states in 60 days I thought if he can do it so can I.  I am not that old. Jan and myself had been to the USA before back in 2000 spending a month down south, New Orleans, Atlanta, Nashville, Little Rock and enjoyed the hospitality.

With my job I am lucky I get to meet some great people one of them is Joe the CEO of a liquor company who has given me lots of advice as he has done this trip a few times he also put me on to a great web site Harley Davidson route planner.  This site allows you to plan your route, gives you mileage & time and you can down load to your GPS.  He also gave me a spreadsheet, which will be my bible. It has day/date/destination/miles/time/comments/ accommodation so I will know day by day where I am going but at the same time it is flexible. So with this spread sheet and iPhone and iPad hooked up to GPS I should be ok to find my way around. Now all I need to know is how to get some pictures on this site.

Testing

Well second time lucky.  I spent 30 minutes on Saturday writing my first blog.   Went to post and lost it in cyber space somewhere so here we go again. This trip has been 2 years in the planning and saving now got 21 days to go.

Call it mid life crises or whatever life is too short and you never know what is around the corner so do it now, why wait, any way that's my theory. Any way saw Henry Cole on travel channel then read some books by kiwi people that have done Route 66 and Sturgis so thought why not.

Ok going to try and publish this now as am going to need to know how to do all this stuff before I leave so over the next few weeks you will be getting blogs about how I planed the trip prices etc and also the odd picture if I can download.