Packing & planning

Planning & packing

It’s Wednesday & I leave NW Fl on Friday.  Gulf Coast Kid’s House is planning a kick off event for 10AM, so I’m locked in – can’t bump the schedule back for trivia, like the fact that I haven’t packed yet.  But I’m planning on doing that tonight 😉 Then tomorrow Grace goes to the vet & then the kennel.  I need to load the bike & take a short run to insure I can pick it up off the kickstand once everything is on-board.  I’d hate to figure that out Friday morning.  I’ve had fleeting thoughts of going north to cool, twisty roads, but based on the weather in the Midwest, I may take the Low Road (aka I-10) ALL the way across Texas, an idea only slightly more intriguing than getting tornado’d from Oklahoma to Kansas.  I know this is an incredible adventure; I also know crossing Texas on I-10 in June means I get to work with my attitude coming out of the chute rather than enjoying serial, idyllic days before the going gets rough.  I will be just as content – or miserable – as I choose to be; OK, but I’ll also note that at 9pm last night, it was 105 degrees at several places along I-10 in Texas.  I keep telling myself at least it’s dry heat.  Myself responds, so is oven heat.   I’ll drink plenty of water, pace myself, & perhaps be on the road by 5AM, & after two days, I’ll be out of Texas and into the deserts of southern NM, where it is just as hot, dry, & windy.  Why NM?  Well, my bike doesn’t know how to draw straight lines.  I’m going up to Ghost Ranch (north of Santa Fe) for a few days to attend a Quaker gathering; then I’ll head to San Ysidro, Ca.

Several friends have asked what I’ll pack on the motorcycle for a six-week trip over a wide range of temperatures.  The short answer is – not very much.  Much of what I’m taking could be found in a backpack – lightweight, compressible, multi-functional.  I know better than to whine in the presence of backpackers — at least I don’t have to carry everything on my back. There are some great web sites designed for the motorcyclist with finite tips of what to leave in & what to leave out, so I won’t bore you non-bikers with too much detail.  The general rule is – take nothing made of cotton; I’ll generally follow that rule.   I’ll wear my riding pants every day and take one pair of jeans, for dress up – then 2 short sleeve & 2 long sleeve wicking T-shirts, a pair of travel pants that zip off at the knee to become shorts, camp shoes, electric vest & gloves, helmet, gloves, riding jacket, rain gear, a significant amount of electronic gadgetry (GPS, cell phone, lap top, Kindle, 2 cameras, etc) & as much miscellaneous as I can fit in around the minimalistic toiletries & camping gear.  The camping gear includes a Jet Boil but I don’t know how much I’ll actually cook.  Within easy reach will be the water bottle, fruit, & an omnipresent jar of peanut butter.

I’m getting excited & look forward to actually being on the road.  I carry an air card so Internet reception won’t be a problem.

Stay tuned!