Best laid plans.......

Remember the two days of camping at Watkins Glen? Ya, not happening....temperature at 9:30 tonight was 93...and that doesn't even include the humidity....not putting together my "Easy Bake Oven" just to get my muffin cooked. Uh uh...instead we found a great little B and B or "Manor" with an outdoor pool and fabulous view of Seneca Lake. It is also close to Yamaha dealer so it looks like we may get the oil changed here..we'll know tomorrow.

It has been extremely hot...several stops for rest and water. Today we covered less miles but they were the hardest miles!

Had supper at the Wildflower downtown and then off to the laundromat. Clothes were starting to get a little ripe!

Off to bed. Promise pics for tomorrow!

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Day 5 - We're in ROME!

I know...sounds crazy huh...lol. Rome, New York is our stop for the day! Another hot one but great roads and even nicer small towns. Stopped in Old Forge which was a quaint little spot in the Adirondack Mountains! Visited the Old Forge Hardware store...only thing I couldn't find was the soup....(you know the saying..everything from soup to nuts!). This place had EVERYTHING! Dad would have loved this store and so would Mom! Another stop for some "real" iced coffee (just like their iced tea) and we were off again. Tomorrow it is Watkins Glen for some camping, hiking the falls and if time and place permit, a wine tour....woot woot!

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Unplanned Vacation Part Deux

Already on Day 4 and haven't posted anything yet.....well...here it goes!

Day 1: late getting away but we had Bangor or beyond in our sights and we made it. Long day 457 kms. Nothing of special note as it really wasn't a full vacation day but did see some familiar sites along the way.

Day 2: nice hot ride...rode up Mount Washington again, this time no fog at the top...and you could see all the way....DOWN!....ride down was not as nervy as the ride up lol. Arrived at the Black Swan B & B - 478 kms. B &B was really cool. Our room was in the carriage house...lots of dark wood, house had tons of stained glass! Beautiful property!

 

Day 3: started with a 6 km run (yes we are doing our best to stay on track!), followed by a much needed shower given that it was already almost 30 at 7:30 am! Went to the main house for breakfast...wow...blueberry French Toast casserole with cream cheese...delicious! Packed up and headed out to New Hampshire Speedway for the 301 Sprint Race..first time to a NASCAR Race but won't be last. Holy frig those guys motor! And loud...I think that's where LOUDen got their name. It was so much easier to get in and out than I thought it would be! Got back to B and B...enjoyed a few Coors and off to bed! Long hot day!

Day 4. Another great breakfast before we leave...my fav eggs bennie! We head out across the Green Mountains heading to New York State. First part of the ride was a little rough with the heat (33 while riding but 39 when stopped). Once we got on the 30/11 it was MUCH nicer. Roads were great and it was a cooler 30 in the shade...and yes you could really feel the difference! Stopped in Manchester for the night and had a great supper at the Perfect Wife Restaurant/Other Woman Tavern..owners definitely have a sense of humour lol....meal was fabulous, lots of vegetarian options so we stuck to that with a crab cake app...yummmmmmm. We walked up and back which was also nice except no sidewalks on the back roads lol.

 

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Weekend at the Wharf Rat Rally

Early mornings never seem to be as bad when you are heading out for some fun...strangely we were up this morning same time as every weekday, and although we were heading out for the weekend it didn't take as nearly as long to get ready to leave at 8 as it does for us to get ready for work....maybe it is the promise of a different day...a different adventure.

I have to say I have become a travel addict....well actually I should clarify...a motorcycle travel addict. Having clocked over 40,000 kms since getting my motorcycle license in August of 2008, I think I can safely say I have found nothing about this kind of travel that doesn't appeal to me or deters me. I often find myself longing to keep going down the road or fantasizing about the next trip. I dream of the day when we hit the road knowing we will not be returning in 4 or 10 days or 2 weeks! I look forward to the day when we load up the bikes and head out only to return when we feel like we have seen what we want to see, travelled where we wanted to go and finally long for home. That day will come and will be a much longer version of the "planned, unplanned vacation".

This weekend we are heading out on one of our 4 day trips....a first time adventure for us to the Wharf Rat Rally! We have already run into many people who are headed to the same rally, all of us captive on the Saint John to Digby ferry...captive huh..ya, not too many captives have entertainment, bar, and wifi! Three hours will have us to our destination. We are looking forward to the B & B where we are booked to stay. It promises it's own kind of adventure.

So stand by, and I shall bring to you another short story of the Johnson Motorcycle Adventures as we continue to chronicle our travels.

 

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Summer 2012 - St. Martins and Fundy Parkway

July..the first of this month, including the long weekend, was either rain or work around the house.....mostly work. The second weekend we did manage a great day trip to St. Martin's and the new Fundy Parkway. It was more than a pleasant surprise.

I have been to St. Martin's before and it is always a special treat...the parkway however was breath-taking. Having seen an ariel documentary of the Fundy Coastline on the Oasis Channel, we had decided that a ride around the parkway was a definite must.

 

 

The roads, all 18 km, were spectacular. Smooth corners, and snippets of beaches, cliffs and water that draw you in for a closer look. This is just the beginning of a larger plan for the parkway. It is still in its infancy, waiting further development so that we can all share in this rare beauty.

Fundy you are indeed a natural wonder. The more you are discovered, the more people will come to know what treasures lie ahead on your coastal trail.

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Desert Cowboys - Siesta Fiesta

Today was rest day. As pointed out by our youngest cowpoke, it would be really sad to spend this much time in sunshine and go home without a tan. So a day poolside it was.

Patti and Bud went out to explore the "range" or University as it is known by some of the city slickers. The number 9 engine pulled out of Sheraton Station at noon. Apparently the University of Arizona (or University of Phoenix as Patti keeps calling it) houses a gifted and eclectic group of students.

Larry, Bailey and I opted for an afternoon at the Oasis. Sunshine and swimming made for a great day of relaxation.

This evening we are enjoying some munchies and margaritas...except for the cowpoke....she's on the prickly pear juice! As we sit around the campfire we are trying to decide on a fitting title for the blog.

One of the biggest things that has stood out for us during our time in southern Arizona is the presence of Border Patrol, whether it is stops on just about every road we passed or their horse trailers or ATVs parked on the side of the road, they are ever present. While the city of Tucson was not one of our favorite stops, the Sheraton has made the stop an enjoyable one. Love those Scarlett margaritas.

Tomorrow we are heading out to the mountains on our way back to Scottsdale. If we get the time it could mean another side trip to Tortilla Flats.

Until then....goodnight from the Beemer Gang!

 

Desert Cowboys - Frozen Cactus and Prickly Pear

Well true to the weatherman's forecast the wind from the day before was being pushed into Arizona by a cold front....a very cold front. I have heard the desert can be cold at night but I expected less chill for the day.......average temp ran about 56 and that is not Celsius my friend.

Despite this we soldiered on. Ajo, Why (that's not a question, it is a town that does invoke the question) and Organ Pipe Cactus National Park.

After that it was straight on to Tucson to get out of the cold. We hit the freaky freeway and found our way to our hotel. This at least was a pleasant end to a cold day. At check in we get treated to some Prickly Pear Lemonade. A wonderful concoction of prickly pear juice, vodka, and Midori. They also had the best margaritas and nachos ever! Can't complain much about that!

Today we may venture to Tombstone. It is still a bit cool but at least the wind won't contribute to the chill.

Stay tuned!