It's Late and I'm Tired

Started in: Lyman, WY
Ended in: St. George, UT (less than 20 miles from Arizona)
Pandora’s Status: Purring like a kitten.

Wow, that was a push. To be honest, I tried to stop a long time ago (I just found a hotel a little before midnight). All of the hotels for many miles are no vacancy because of a big marathon that is going on tomorrow.

I cant wait to post all the pics I have, soon, I promise!

Side note: Utah gets frigid as soon as the sun goes down.

In Salt Lake - The Push

Started in: Lyman, WY
Ended in: ?
Pandora’s Status: Purring like a kitten.

Right now I am on the Southern edge of Salt Lake City, Utah. The weather is good, and Pandora is running great. She does get a little hot on some of these hills so I have to stop and let her cool off from time-to-time (like right now).

So far today, I have helped a stranded motorist remove a flat tire and put on their spare. I have also stopped to help 3 other people (that did not actually need help for various reasons).

Yesterday evening, I also stopped to help a man with an overheating car. He had put some sort of radiator stop leak in it and ended up clogging the whole system. I offered to give him a ride into the next sitting, but he was unsure of riding on Pandora's jump seat.

It feels good to be able to stop and help people -- I always felt like I did not have enough time before -- always rushing off to this thing or that thing.

Highway 80 has been very good, and it feels like I have been making very good time, all considered. Today I am making a push. I woke up at 7:00 and immediately packed up and started out. I am going to keep riding as long as I can and then stay in a hotel tonight. Maybe I will even get to do some partying!

Lyman

Started in: Lusk, WY
Ended in: Lyman, WY
Pandora’s Status: Purring like a kitten.

I was on the road for 14 hours today!

I was also lucky today to get to meet a lot of people.

I met 50% of the population of Shawnee (one person). We talked for a long while. She and her husband recently purchased a very small, rundown store and are slowly fixing it up (its in Shawnee, WY).

Of all the people I met (about 8) the best person was the archeologist. The whole thing was just like a scene out of a movie...

It was a sunny Wyoming afternoon, and I had just finished talking with this other biker at a rundown gas station, and was leaving when I noticed this even more rundown station wagon with its hood up. I went over to see if I could be any help. The car was overheating, and this confident, cute, and shy (all at the same time). The woman was waiting for her car to cool down. I was immediately smitten. We put some more water in her radiator, and then talked for a long time. She is an archeologist headed for Phoenix to work with an indian tribe there. She had almost entered the Peace Corps earlier! I think we could have talked for hours. Unfortunately, she had to go, so I gave her my email address with the hopes that she would write.

We were headed in the same direction for a little while, and even though I left before she did, she passed me, because even rundown station wagons can go faster than Pandora. I kept hoping that her car would break down (in a nice way) so that I could stop and help her again and then talk with her some more. Pandora started acting up at about that moment, and all I could imagine was Pandora breaking down, the archeologist's car breaking down, and then while I was fixing on Pandora some beefy, slow-talking, cowboy would drive up and help out the archeologist... I quickly told Pandora that if she broke down I would quit using synthetic oil in her, and she settled down -- to no avail, the archeologist motored on.

My route home will put my through Arizona, so maybe, if I hear from the archeologist, we'll get to meet up for some food and talk.

A weird side note: on average, I have been seeing less then 10 other bikers each day -- go figure, where are all the other bikers?

Leaving Lusk

Started in: Lusk, WY
Ended in: ?
Pandora’s Status: Warming up in the sun

Gage and I slept great! There was frost on the ground when we got up, but we did not notice in our cozy little tent.

I'm going to eat two hot dogs while I'm letting the dew dry off of all my gear, pack up, and then head out.

Stacy, I'm getting closer :-)

On to Lusk

Started in: Spearfish, SD
Ended in: Lusk, WY
Pandora’s Status: Running the best ever

The rest of the day was glorious!

All of the necessary repairs were made to Pandora except for the ignition module dealio. The soonest the dealer could get a new ignition module would be a week, so I said see you on the flip side dady-o and I took of for Cali. Pandora runs great unless I wiggle the wires coming out of the module -- so guess what, I'm not going to wiggle them anymore...

The ride on Highway 14A from Spearfish to Wyoming was so beautiful. I took many pictures that I will upload when I get better connectivity. The ride through Wyoming was beautiful and free. South Dakota and Wyoming are gorgeous in the fall.

When I got to Lusk, I was instructed to go to the house behind the fast food place and ask for a tenting spot. I was a little apprehensive as I knocked on the door to the dimly lit house. A nice woman came to the door and gave me a great tenting spot (with electricity) for only $10! She said it was supposed to get very cold tonight...

Since both Gage and I got a little cold last night, I busted out more of our cold weather gear. I made a little nest for Gage out of a bunch of my clothes, and then put my winter jacket over him. I put on my down shirt and pants, and I will happily wear them in my sleeping bag.

Also, since I know to stay warm, you need to have a fire in your belly, I at four vegetarian hot dogs (I was just as surprised as you to find them in a Walmart in Spearfish) smothered in Caribbean Jerk sauce. I gave Gage an extra bit of dog food so he could have a fire in his belly too!

I have some dried papaya by my bed for when I wake up in the middle of the night -- seriously, you stay warmer when your body has the energy to produce heat.

Leeching Wireless

Started in: Spearfish, SD
Ended in: ?
Pandora’s Status: Getting adjusted...

Right now, I am sitting on the sidewalk against the side of a Howard Johnson's. I am leeching off of their wireless internet and also have my laptop plugged into one of their external outlets. I feel like a real biker/computer dude bum!

Pandora is in the shop right now having some maintenance done. She should be done in a couple of hours and then I will head out again. Last night there was a lot of rain (it rained for about 4 hours).

I have a bunch of good pictures I will post soon -- I can't now because my camera is on the bike.

There is a cute girl that has walked by a couple of times, and Gage is working on her. Maybe we can have lunch together...

On to Lusk

Started in: Spearfish, SD
Ended in: Lusk, WY
Pandora’s Status: Running the best ever

The rest of the day was glorious!

All of the necessary repairs were made to Pandora except for the ignition module dealio. The soonest the dealer could get a new ignition module would be a week, so I said see you on the flip side dady-o and I took of for Cali. Pandora runs great unless I wiggle the wires coming out of the module -- so guess what, I'm not going to wiggle them anymore...

The ride on Highway 14A from Spearfish to Wyoming was so beautiful. I took many pictures that I will upload when I get better connectivity. The ride through Wyoming was beautiful and free. South Dakota and Wyoming are gorgeous in the fall.

When I got to Lusk, I was instructed to go to the house behind the fast food place and ask for a tenting spot. I was a little apprehensive as I knocked on the door to the dimly lit house. A nice woman came to the door and gave me a great tenting spot (with electricity) for only $10! She said it was supposed to get very cold tonight...

Since both Gage and I got a little cold last night, I busted out more of our cold weather gear. I made a little nest for Gage out of a bunch of my clothes, and then put my winter jacket over him. I put on my down shirt and pants, and I will happily wear them in my sleeping bag.

Also, since I know to stay warm, you need to have a fire in your belly, I at four vegetarian hot dogs (I was just as surprised as you to find them in a Walmart in Spearfish) smothered in Caribbean Jerk sauce. I gave Gage an extra bit of dog food so he could have a fire in his belly too!

I have some dried papaya by my bed for when I wake up in the middle of the night -- seriously, you stay warmer when your body has the energy to produce heat.

A Deer Creek

Started in: Midland, SD
Ended in: Spearfish, SD
Pandora’s Status: Purring like a kitten - mostly

I am staying in this wonderful city park in Spearfish. My tent is about 10 feet from a bubbling brook. The park is busy and beautiful.
This morning, I checked Pandora's valves before taking off. There was one that had gotten tight through the previous day's driving. I think this is what was causing her to misfire late in the evening yesterday. I adjusted the valve, and she ran great.

Today was another great day of weather on the road. The landscape felt open and pure. I was happy to be driving through South Dakota.

...Strange, Gage just came out of the tent, took his dog leash off the picnic table, and then he carried it into the tent with him... There is supposedly a storm coming through tonight...

As I got close to Spearfish, I started to fiddle with the set of wires coming out of the timing module. Sure enough the engine started to misfire. I was pretty sure there was a short there, and I did not want to mess with it until I was close to a dealer.

...I just saw three deer cross the stream about 40 yards from my tent...

I talked to the Ural dealer this afternoon in Spearfish. They are going to work on Pandora tomorrow and hopeful have her done in the afternoon. They will do some routine service, fix the shorting wire(s), and replace some of the fuel lines which are cracking.

KOA's Can Be AOK

Started in: Mitchell, SD
Ended in: Midland, SD
Pandora’s Status: Ran like a top

I am typing this by campfire :-)

I just finished some good pasta roma and am working on finishing a Corona (it still do some work).

I am at a KOA campground, and it is wonderful. It is far enough from the interstate so that I rarely hear the traffic. I can see the amber lights on the semi-trailers as they slowly work their way across the horizon. Its very pretty.

Today was warm, dry, and sunny.

This morning, I did laundry and spent a good deal of time working on Pandora. I tightened all her fasteners, changed her engine oil, transmission oil, and final drive oil. I put synthetic oil in her transmission for the first time, and boy what a difference! She sounds like a completely new motorcycle -- the transmission makes almost no sound now.

My old cues for when the transmission was slowed down enough to shift are gone -- I am going to have to learn some new cues.

Gage and I met some people at a gas station. They had passed us earlier on the interstate and they took a picture of us as they drove by. They took two more pictures of us (OK, the pics were mostly of Pandora) while we were at the gas station. They are going to email the pics to me!

Pandora ran great today, except just before we stopped for the evening. She started to misfire on her right side again. I wonder how she will run tomorrow... I will be at the dealer in Spearfish soon.

Gage wants to go to bed -- he keeps coming to me, licking my ear, and then walking back to the tent.

Plastic Socks Can Be Good

Started in: South Western MN
Ended in: Mitchell, SD
Pandora’s Status: A little erratic

Rain, rain, rain...

I put on my socks, then a plastic garbage bag over each sock, then a wet boot over each bag. Once I was properly attired, and the rain had stopped, I set out from Brittney's. It was about 2:30 pm. Five minutes after I left, the rain started again :-)

I decided to ride as far as I could and then stop at a hotel. My tent and other camping gear was wet from the morning before, and all of my travel clothes were soggisorous.

The rain accompanied me until 6:30 pm. Shortly after the rain stopped, Pandora started to act up. I was happy she had waited until after the rain. Her right side was beginning to misfire. I looked at the spark plugs and the right side's was pretty fouled. I put in the new, extra set of plugs I had brought with me. As I replaced the right side's spark pug cap, the spark plug wire connected to the cap fell out... :-0

I immediately thought, "That can't be good."

Pandora ran better after I reconnected the wire to the cap. I'm not sure if the wire is broken now, or if the wire and cap are of the removable type.

Tomorrow I'm planning to do most of the required 5,000 km maintenance. I will have a dealer do the rest when I get to Spearfish, SD.

On My Way

Started in: Minneapolis, MN
Ended in: South Western MN
Pandora’s Status: Purring like a kitten

The letter came at 2:15 pm today! I immediately left Ashley's place and headed for the drop zone. I dressed in my rain gear (complete with plastic bags on my feet) because it had been raining all day, and looked like there was more to come.

I dropped off the lien release to its rightful owner and continued on to my daughter's house. The rain got so bad that I had to stop at a rest area for about an hour. I talked with the rest area's caretaker for a long time. I was surprised to learn that he is required to clean the toilets every 3 hours!

I battled rain all the way to Brittney's. As I arrived the rain intensified, and right now we are in a flash flood warning. I plan to leave early tomorrow morning for the next leg of my trip.

First tornado, then flash flood, what is next? ;-)

2 Blocks

Started in: Minneapolis, MN
Ended in: Minneapolis, MN
Pandora’s Status: Purring like a kitten

Today, I found out that a tornado had in fact touched down at a distance of about 2 blocks from where I was camping. The tornado damaged or destroyed 14 houses in the vicinity.

No letter today -- go figure.

I had a wonderful campfire, practiced harmonica, and finished the book "Wicked". Here is my review of the book:

• The first part of the book describing the Witch's childhood is very good and well thought out. The last part of the book where the author tries to tie his story into the original story feels extremely contrived and unwell thought out

NFL

Started in: Minneapolis, MN
Ended in: Minneapolis, MN
Pandora’s Status: Purring like a kitten

No F'ing Letter...

I am feeling really pissed off right now. I called GMAC again and they said the letter went out on Tuesday.

Right now, I am almost three weeks behind schedule -- this really sucks.

Storm Tenting

Started in: Wisconsin, by the Dells
Ended in: Minneapolis, MN
Pandora’s Status: Purring like a kitten

I made it back to the Cities about 4:00 pm. The letter had not arrived, so I bee-lined to the campground -- I could feel a storm in the air. As I drove to the campground, I could feel the cold front moving through -- one of the neat aspects about ridding in the open air.

I had just gotten my tent setup and my supper made when it started to rain. For a little while, it was raining nicely, and I was excited to read more of the book Wicked (it's about the wicked witch of the west in Oz) in the rain in a tent.

Soon it started raining in sheets, and with each sheet of rain, the tent wavered. Just about when I thought it was pretty bad, it started to hail. After about 5 minutes, the hail stopped -- to my delight; and was replaced by strong wind that was making a howling, almost train-like sound. I started to get scared.

I was finely able to get through on my cell phone to Ashley, and she said a tornado had been spotted very near where I was. I quickly got a couple of things together and dragged Gage out into the rain so that we could run for shelter in the large central campground restrooms.

We stayed in the restrooms for about two hours. During our stay in the rest rooms, the tornado sirens were going off.

The rain stopped, and everything settled down, so Gage and I went back to the tent we had to go around the tree that had fallen across the road to our tent. About ten minutes after we got back to the tent, the rain and wind started again. I was just working out what to do next when car headlights beamed through the tent. A ranger had come be to evacuate Gage and I to the camp headquarters.

Gage and I finally made it back to the tent around 10:30 pm. The were numerous trees downed in the park and I am told a couple of houses were destroyed just a little North of where I was tenting.

Click on the link to see my video diary of the event: Video Diary

O

Started in: Wisconsin, by the Dells
Ended in: Wisconsin, by the Dells
Pandora’s Status: Purring like a kitten

My Mom and I got up at 6:00 am today and headed out for Chicago -- our mission -- get into the afternoon taping of The Oprah Show.

We waited in line for about 2 hours, and were unable to get in. In all honesty to Oprah, her website very clearly states there are no standby seats. We just decided to take a chance on it since this might be are only opportunity for a long time.

Tonight we are going to watch Big Fish, and then tomorrow I will head back to the Cities in anticipation of receiving my release!

Stand in the Place Where U R

Started in: Wisconsin, by the Dells
Ended in: Wisconsin, by the Dells
Pandora’s Status: Purring like a kitten

This morning I called GMAC, and they said "No, we can not overnight the lien release -- we are sorry that another one of our representatives told you that..." The said the release would be mailed today from Kansas via normal mail. I guess that means I will get it on Wednesday.

Dad and I worked out my route to Cali -- I am going to go via Salt Lake City!

I changed oil in Pandora and washed her in preparation for the next beginning of my trip to California.

My Mom and I went out to eat for supper and then rented the movie Hotel Rwanda. It is a very interesting movie about the genocide that occurred in Rwanda and how one man worked to save people.

Do the Dells

Started in: Wisconsin, by the Dells
Ended in: Wisconsin, by the Dells
Pandora’s Status: Purring like a kitten

Last night, Mom, Dad, and I did not get home till around 2:00 am. :-)

We were busy partying with their neighbors at a local bar. I got to tear up the dance floor with this very fun, much, much older woman. An extremely danceable song was playing, and she had just given up on trying to get her husband on the dance floor. Somehow she decided to grab my hand and pull me out. We had a blast -- it was wonderful clean fun. Multiple times she told me "don't worry, nobody here knows you".

After a couple of sets of dancing I went and said thank you to her husband. He said, "No, thank you for taking her out there!" He happened to be wearing a t-shirt that said: "The liver is evil and must be punished".

I took both of my parents out on long Ural rides through the Dells. We had a great time. Later that evening my Mom and I put on a concert for my Dad. My Mom played her flute and I played my harmonica. It was hideously fun!

Add in one nice outdoor fire, an outdoor hot tub, some map route setting, and the day was done.

Here is a picture of my Mom and Dad and I:

Not Yet

Started in: Twin Cites, MN
Ended in: Wisconsin, by the Dells
Pandora’s Status: Purring like a kitten (but not all day)

The release papers did not arrive. The story goes: GMAC has outsourced its lien release processing to a second company. That company has gotten behind in their processing. The soonest they will send out my papers is Monday -- ouch!

It gets even worse, the woman that bought my car had to pass up a trip to help Katrina victims because she does not have all the paperwork on my car :-(

GMAC said there is a chance their outsourcer could overnight the papers to me. They will call me on Monday if it works out. I am also go to check if the DMV will take a faxed lien release with a wet signature. Previously I asked them if they would take a faxed version of a signed copy, and they had said no. GMAC said they could fax me a copy as soon as the papers have been put in the mail to me by their outsourcer...

Since I can't leave for a few days, I decided to take a quick trip to Wisconsin to visit my parents -- now I am even further away from Cali! Even so, it is good to see my Mom and Dad.

Strange Math

OK, I have never gotten the cat's claw before. Not even from any of my previous girl friends -- what's up with that anyway!

Girls, tonight you have to give your husband or boyfriend or girlfriend the cat's claw. For those of you that don't know what I am talking about, the cat's claw is when a girl makes her hand into a claw and then goes "raaarow" in a seductive way.

Well, today, while I was at a stop light, a girl gave me the cat's caw. All I can figure is the following strange math:

• Ural motorcycle = +1 on the 10 point scale
• Biker dude look = +1 on the 10 point scale (for girls that like the biker look)

With a +2 going for me, I must have just eaked into the "cat claw range" for some women. Yay!

Sleep good.

There is Always Saturday

Started in: Twin Cites, MN
Ended in: Twin Cites, MN
Pandora’s Status: Purring like a kitten

The lien release did not come today...now I am hoping for a Saturday delivery. It seems like a 50/50 chance of it coming on Saturday. I think the odds for a Monday delivery are 60/40 and a Tuesday delivery are 70/30.

I spent the day waiting, relaxing, and meditating (and reconciling my checkbook). At night, I went back to the Bunker campground and played harmonica by a nice fire. The moon was full and there were no clouds. It was a very beautiful night. Just before falling asleep I came to a whole set of very important and enlightening realizations (I hope they come to me again, and that I decide to write them down this time...).

My cell phone was dead most of the day -- I have to find a good place to charge it -- maybe at a restaurant tomorrow.

Release Me

Started in: West Southern MN
Ended in: Twin Cites, MN
Pandora’s Status: Purring like a kitten

I left Brittney's around 10:00 am and arrived in the Cities around 4:00 pm. That seems to be really good time when one is driving a Ural.

The trip was nice, I did have to stop once and adjust Pandora's valves -- two of them seemed to tighten up a little bit after I adjusted them the day before. I switched from setting them at .004" to .005". She seems to be running fine right now.

I stopped in and saw Ashley for a little bit, picked up my mail and then went to my old house to pick up some more mail that had ended up there. No lien release yet...the mail comes at 4:00 tomorrow (Friday). I well let out a primal scream if the release arrives.

I saw an eagle on the way to the Cities, in St. Peter. See the pic below.

I stayed the night in a campground that was only 15 minutes from my old house -- I never knew it was there. It is a great campground that completely feels like it is NOT in the middle of the Cities. Here is a link to info on it: Bunker Hill Campground

You've Got Your Foot in My Laptop

Started in: West Southern MN
Ended in: West Southern MN
Pandora’s Status: Purring like a kitten (with a new valve job)

Today I did chores: cleaned the motorcycle, washed clothes, adjusted valves, charged my solar collector...

When Brittney got home from college, we ran some errands, took down my tent (I was sleeping in her backyard), and then went on a picnic by a lake. After the picnic, we watched two movies we had rented from McDonalds. Afterwards, I wanted a burger and fries real bad...

During the movies, we discovered that last night, when I had clammered into Brittney's house to give her a good night kiss, the crunching noise we heard was in fact caused by my foot as it broke the screen of her laptop :-(

Brittney has a special college warranty on the laptop that might cover the repairs. If it's not covered, I will have to divert some flow her way to get it fixed.

Tonight Gage and I are sleeping inside, but he better not get too used to it.

Tomorrow I head back to the Cities to wait for the arrival of my lien release. The lien release will signify two things:

• my final release from the Aztek
• my final release from the Twin Cities :-)

Here is a picture of Brittney and I just after our picnic:

I'm not Too Tents Anymore... :-)

Started in: Northern Iowa
Ended in: West Southern MN
Pandora’s Status: Purring like a kitten

This is the first day I am ending in a tent! Score; I luv sleeping in tents.

Today I performed maintenance on Pandora, figured out my packing scheme so that both my gear and Gage would have adequate room, attended Logan's first football game of the season, and drove back to Brittney's place.

I am making my way back to the Cities to finish up the last of the official business regarding the sale of my car.

Some unofficial observations:

• Stopping every 40 kilometers has many interesting side-effects. One side-effect is a very strong feeling of "having been there". When I am in a car driving through a state, it never quite feels like I was actually in the State. Stopping every so often lets me hear, smell, and physically be in the place I am driving through.
• People on the road are extremely friendly -- way more than I expected. My sister said she was less worried about me on my trip because she has seen how friendly and helpful the other bikers are.
• You get to hear a lot of stories while you are on the road. For example, tonight I was waiting for Pandora to cool down at a closed gas station. A couple in a truck pulled into the station to use the after-hours pumps. They talked with me for about 30 minutes. Their son had just been in a car accident and they were driving to the Cities from Sturgis, where they live, to visit their son in the hospital.

Some official thank yous:

• Steph, Alan, Levi, Logan, and Paula: thank you for the wonderful hospitality! I thoroughly enjoyed my time staying with you. Steph, be aware that the next time we take a road trip, we will have to drive further than the first time -- that's a road trip tradition!

Take'in It Easy

Started in: Mankato, MN
Ended in: Northern Iowa
Pandora’s Status: Purring like a kittenToday was a relaxing day.

I was not able to give Levi and Logan rides to school today because it was raining. I did pick Logan up from his football practice. Tomorrow I will give Levi a ride on Pandora to Logan's first football game.

While doing some errands, in the two neighboring towns, I met a man who had worked 15 years for a company that made sidecar attachments for motorcycles. We talked about motorcycles for a good while. He told me to be safe and always talk to other bikers.

I had lunch with my sister and then slept the afternoon away with Gage in a park (see the pic below).

This evening a few of us sat outside by a fire, talking about adventures and ex'es and jobs and crickets. We topped off the evening with front row seats to a wonderful lightning storm that filled the night sky.

On a strange, unsurprising note; it looks like I will have to come back to the Cities one more time to pick up some paperwork. I did not realize I would have to sign a lien release for the woman that bought my car. The release should be ready for me to sign by Thursday or Friday. This trip is really getting off to a slooow start. I hope I can make it to Colorado before it snows...

There and Back Again

Started in: Mankato, MN
Ended in: Northern Iowa
Pandora’s Status: Purring like a kitten

Well, Steph and I made it back to her house in time. I got her home about an hour before she had to leave on an errand. It was very windy on the way back to her house, and often we were not able to go faster than 40 mph because of the headwind.

As soon as we arrived, we unpacked and I took a nice nap.

This evening I helped Alan, Levi, and Logan load hogs from one of their barns into a couple of semi trailers. It was an interesting experience.

About 30 minutes ago, I took Gage on his first bike ride. He seemed to like it. He alternated between sitting up and looking out the side to laying down and looking out.

Here is a pic of Steph, my sister, and I on our way back to her house.

Tomorrow I am going to give Levi and Logan rides to school in Pandora.

The Marathon

Started in: Northern Iowa

Ended in: Mankato, MN

Pandora's Status: Purring like a kitten

This morning I changed Pandora's engine oil. I managed to drop 4 tools and my large waterproof clothing bag into the used oil pan. I also ended up spraying my clothes with an exceptionally large amount of used oil -- I didn't want to waste the good, clean new oil on my clothes...

At the beginning of our marathon road trip, my sister, Steph, asked: "How can anyone sleep in this [sidecar]?" At the end of our 14 hour road trip, she had figured it out.

We travelled back to the the Ural dealer to pick up my daughter's stranded pickup (and the solar charger I forget on the hood of the truck). We stopped every 30 - 40 kilometers to let Pandora cool off. It was a blast! We would sit on the side of the road, on a comfy blanket, listening to Country music as we watched other people zoom by.

Along the way we met a couple of older women traveling from the west coast to the east coast. They were taking pictures of the sunsets that occurred each evening of their trip.

Motorcycling hint of the day:

• If a bug hits you in the ear, don't yell out "Bastard". Yelling bastard causes one's mouth to open widely, providing a large target for the next incoming bug.

Making the Rounds

Started in: West Southern MN

Ended in: Northern Iowa

Pandora’s Status: Purring like a kitten

I had a blast with my daughter. She was a wonderful host. There was hot tea and warm blankets waiting for me when I arrived!

We celebrated her birthday a day early -- Happy 20th Brittney!

At night, I rode to my sister's house. I arrived around midnight. We are planning on going on a road trip together tomorrow. We will drive to southern Minnesota and pick up the white pickup and then convoy it back to the Cities...

We will return to Iowa on Sunday.

On the Road Again

Started in: Southern MN
Ended in: West Southern MN
Pandora's Status: Purring like a kitten

Pandora is running better then ever, literally. She sounds and operates like a completely different bike, a completely better bike. I am treating her like a cute little baby as I restart the break-in process.

Dave and Mary invited me to their house for supper. It was a nice, unexpected gift. After Supper, Dave and I went back and did some last minute tweaks on Pandora. When all was ready, I stored my gear in the sidecar and took off for my daughter's house. I arrived at my daughters around 11:30 pm.

On the way I met a nice couple that had been motorcycling for the last week-and-a-half. They were on their way back to Colorado via Rapid City, SD. They did not want to go back to their jobs...

Some official thank you's:

• Dave: thanks for you tireless work on Pandora. I learned a lot watching you.
• Mary: thanks for your tender spirit and calm support.
• Jason: thanks for the great philosophy talks!

A New Heart

Started in: Minneapolis, MN
Ended in: Southern MN
Pandora's Status: Not running

Here I am, sitting in an old Airstream trailer, in an old shed. Dave is letting my sleep in his trailer while my bike is being repaired. My Internet connectivity is through my cell phone (which is only at one bar of reception -- must be this all metal trailer).

Today I went to New Richmond, Wisconsin and picked up two new head gaskets. The gaskets are in Pandora and all she needs now is a new air filter and some engine adjustments! She will probably be running Thursday afternoon. I had some after market coolers attached to her mufflers to help with engine heat management.

It feels like the trip has really begun, now that I am out of the Twin Cities.