Almost forgot... I'm gonna need a map! Guess I've got too use to having Google maps on my iPhone, but I realized after a day trip this last weekend out near Enchanted Rock outside of Fredericksburg, that cell coverage isn't quite the norm most think it is. I'm gonna need an old school map just like I do in Mexico. Think I'll make that a priority today. ;-)
Got my fresh tires installed and it feels really strange to have both new tires at once. REALLY has a dramatic effect on the ride. Will have to be extra careful at first until I get used to it. Had my mechanic go over everything and she appears to check out. A little lube here and there, fresh oil, chain adjust, etc. I with a little luck, I may just get another nice trip out of this bike (2005 Suzuki DL650 with 58,000 miles).
I've been meaning to get my headlight adjusted too and now that's done. Can't believe how easy it was and that I've waited so long to take care of it. At night I get high-beams blasted at me regularly so maybe this will help. I sure hope so.
Starting to get nervous about what I should take, packing, etc. I don't know why, since one of the good things AND bad things about the U.S. is that there are Targets, Walgreens, Walmarts, etc everywhere you go. Actually, Mexico has been becoming that way to some extent I've noticed on my last few trips. Don't like to see it, but when you need a tube of zinc oxide for your sunburn prone nose, or you need some tylenol or a fresh pair of socks... it is kinda nice to know you can find it easily everywhere you go.
Why do I always get so nervous that I'm going to get it wrong and not pack right or something? I mean, you can only pack so much stuff on a bike and I've already done it hundreds of times now. And, if you forget something, it's rarely a big deal at all. That's part of the adventure... figuring out ways to make due or new ways to approach small problems. And, for the most part... just living to be FREE... if only for a few weeks or a day. :-)
Not sure how I'm going to update this blog when I don't have internet access. I used an app called Whrrl when I was in Galveston a couple weeks ago. Worked out nicely for short blurbs and easy story-telling. And, I can do that all from a regular Edge network without 3G or Wifi. I'll put the last one I did at the bottom of this post and let you see how it works. Folks really seemed to dig it to. I could make one of those and just drop the small banner link in the side bar for folks to get a quickie view of the latest.
I really don't know how much access I'll have for updates, but if it get's sketchy... I may only be able to update this trip blog from time to time, so make sure you email subscribe to the feed in the right side panel if you wanna get an update when I've added stuff. When I have good connectivity, I'll be updating my other networks as well. :-)
(BTW: Some of the snapshot style images to get along the way will be just quick digi photos from my phone to help keep the viewer "with me". Some images I'll take more time with and use my regular gear. That work I ultimately keep HERE.)
Here's that Whrrl thingy I mentioned:
Got my fresh tires installed and it feels really strange to have both new tires at once. REALLY has a dramatic effect on the ride. Will have to be extra careful at first until I get used to it. Had my mechanic go over everything and she appears to check out. A little lube here and there, fresh oil, chain adjust, etc. I with a little luck, I may just get another nice trip out of this bike (2005 Suzuki DL650 with 58,000 miles).
I've been meaning to get my headlight adjusted too and now that's done. Can't believe how easy it was and that I've waited so long to take care of it. At night I get high-beams blasted at me regularly so maybe this will help. I sure hope so.
Starting to get nervous about what I should take, packing, etc. I don't know why, since one of the good things AND bad things about the U.S. is that there are Targets, Walgreens, Walmarts, etc everywhere you go. Actually, Mexico has been becoming that way to some extent I've noticed on my last few trips. Don't like to see it, but when you need a tube of zinc oxide for your sunburn prone nose, or you need some tylenol or a fresh pair of socks... it is kinda nice to know you can find it easily everywhere you go.
Why do I always get so nervous that I'm going to get it wrong and not pack right or something? I mean, you can only pack so much stuff on a bike and I've already done it hundreds of times now. And, if you forget something, it's rarely a big deal at all. That's part of the adventure... figuring out ways to make due or new ways to approach small problems. And, for the most part... just living to be FREE... if only for a few weeks or a day. :-)
Not sure how I'm going to update this blog when I don't have internet access. I used an app called Whrrl when I was in Galveston a couple weeks ago. Worked out nicely for short blurbs and easy story-telling. And, I can do that all from a regular Edge network without 3G or Wifi. I'll put the last one I did at the bottom of this post and let you see how it works. Folks really seemed to dig it to. I could make one of those and just drop the small banner link in the side bar for folks to get a quickie view of the latest.
I really don't know how much access I'll have for updates, but if it get's sketchy... I may only be able to update this trip blog from time to time, so make sure you email subscribe to the feed in the right side panel if you wanna get an update when I've added stuff. When I have good connectivity, I'll be updating my other networks as well. :-)
(BTW: Some of the snapshot style images to get along the way will be just quick digi photos from my phone to help keep the viewer "with me". Some images I'll take more time with and use my regular gear. That work I ultimately keep HERE.)
Here's that Whrrl thingy I mentioned:
