Looking for America - A Listening Tour

  Natchez, MS - Riverboat Sometimes I get lucky.  I had a choice: drive straight home via I-10, stop at Baton Rouge, LA, and plop on my bed through mere exhaustion; or, I could find a town along back roads and take one final stab at a unique experience.  I just did not want to go too far out of the way.  Thus, Natchez, MS. Most people, either they never heard of Natchez, or if they had, never thought of visiting.  But, I have to tell you, for me it was the best real ending of the tour that I could have imagined.  This is not a place for everyone.  You have to like a "down home" "river town" with tons of history - families have been there for centuries.  The only town unfazed by the Civil War, with antebellum homes, dating back to the early 1800's, and still owned by direct descendants of the original owners.  Cotton plantations, attached to the owners of these homes, still in operation.  I stayed at one of these homes: Choctaw Hall B...

A long slog from Marfa, TX to Fredericksburg, TX - but the desert is fascinating.  Open space and you can see forever in the distance.  When I got close to Fredericksburg, I entered the famous "Hill Country".  There is nothing like it in the world.  Luckenbach, TX, nestled in the Hill Country, is only 15 minutes outside Fredericksburg.  A town that has signs saying Population 3, but the women in the Post Office said no one lives in Luckenbach these days.  Here are some photos that better describe the area: Luckenbach is famous because it simply is the best forum for intimate concerts - Willie Nelson used to play on that stage.  The setting is perfect for just hanging out on a nice day with a cold beer.  Meeting new friends: Graham & Robin Cier - From Ft. Myers, FL  Back in Fredericksburg, I found myself at a Crossroads Saloon. - a locals hangout.  Every Sunday night a band plays your favorite songs.  The crowd was getting bigger...

  Outside Valentine, TX 33 Miles from Marfa I explored White Sands National Park and ran across a BBQ party in the middle of the Sands: It was getting late (around 11:30 am), so I hightailed it out or White Sands and headed to Marfa.  I took the long route over the mountains to the east so that I could take a look at a resort called Cloudcroft, NM.  Here is a video of what I saw on the way to the mountains: I stopped in Cloudcroft for lunch, and I met a fellow biker, Scotty Gordy, a City Commissioner from Lovington, TX.  We talked about economic development and what could be done in his fair city.  We then road together to Artesia, NM, where I headed south on my way to Marfa. The ride through the Guadalupe Mountains, in Texas, was thrilling.  I never knew these mountains existed: As I got near Marfa, TX I noticed a group of people standing next to a building - as it turns out this was the famous Prada store in the middle of the Texas desert: The two in the ...

  White Sands National Park, NM Yogananda was right!  In his Autobiography of a Yogi (read once a year by Steve Jobs), Yogananda decides to travel to the South India without any money, only to encounter one miracle after another.  He ends up at a mansion eating with a prince.  Along the way, he meets a number of people; each changing the trajectory of his trip.  Have you ever worried about where you are going to stay for the night?  Do you plan each stop along the way of your travels? All of a sudden, my arms and legs were starting to hurt.  Something was pounding on my helmet.  I looked down at my arms - HAIL!  Ice was bounding off my gas tank, arms and legs.  It was 50 degrees.  I was cold, my rain gear was drenched, and I was headed into unknown territory in the middle of nowhere with no cell reception.Today's journey took me from Santa Fe, NM to Alamogordo, NM, where I was to visit White Sands National Park the next day.  T...

  The ride was beautiful from Taos to Santa Fe, NM. But, I have to say, I was somewhat disappointed when I arrived in Santa Fe.  I suppose it was because I remember it how it used to be (I know things have changed everywhere over the last 30 years).  The Square used to be airy with merchants selling turquoise and Indian artifacts.  Today, it is all high-priced spread; capitalizing on the wealthy shopper with homeless folks, buskers, trying to make a buck, in the background.  Of course I only saw the superficial side of it all - a front meticulously sculpted for the private jet set. I did benefit from the great restaurants.  I had lunch and dinner at The Apothecary - great healthy food - mostly vegan.  On the shelves were scented oils and crystals.  Oxygen chairs lined the other wall.  I did partake, but felt no different after the treatment. Downstairs, next to the restaurant, was a crystals healing spa.  I had a chance to talk with Mitc...

  Hotel Luna Mystica - Taos, NM Well, I am on my way back home to Florida.  However, not before I explore Taos, Santa Fe, and White Sands National Park - all in New Mexico.  I will then head west to Marfa, TX (look it up - very funky with a Prada store in the desert).  From Marfa, comes Fredericksburg, then Austin, TX.  Will hightail it to Florida after Austin.  BBQ here I come! The colors of the turning Aspens peaked and I am chasing the Fall and warmth.   Left Breckenridge, CO & Headed to Taos, NM Beautiful ride with no little traffic, I was happy to get on the road again.  Once I crossed the Rio Grande Gorge ... I was only 3 miles from my to be lodging at the Hotel Luna Mystica; an RV Park with vintage digs out of yesteryear.  Very mystical. The stars were bright and plentiful as I sat at a campfire and talked with new friends Colin & Julie - and their two dogs.  What a great couple from Western Colorado.  The only r...

Trip from Evergreen, CO to Breckenridge on Hwy 285  Intermission is a time between events, like the space of time between seconds, or as time flies. Thoughts rush in to fill the void.  Either you are comfortable in a void, or you are not.  Either you are immersed in the Now, or you are aware of time itself.   Motorcycle touring teaches you how to feel comfortable in the void.  Some call it Freedom while some call it Meditative - same thing.   The earth, before humans, was a vast empty canvas, living outside of time, with its simple laws of nature.  No concept of history.  Life and death - that's it.  And all the dangers in living.  That is when the thoughts come in to fill the void.  What we perceive as dangerous, or hard, tells us a lot about ourselves and each other.  Can we become comfortable in the perceived danger we face ?  A confident "Mountain Man" with one noble objective: physical survival in nature....

  Eisenhower Tunnel - I-70 Colorado The trip from the Badlands to Boulder, CO encapsulates all that is good, and challenging, in a cross-country motorcycle tour.  High plains, open spaces with no signs of humanity, fast speeds, and relentlessly long.  From the Badlands to Rapid City, SD, to Hot Springs, SD, and Hwy 79 South to Scottsbluff, NE. Along Hwy 79, in much need of gas, I came across one of the very few towns with a gas station - Crawford, NE.  Ok, one may ask: what the hay is out here of any real interest?  Gas up and just drive man!  Wrong!  Next door to the gas station was this place: The best BBQ sandwiches ever - with good ole fashion chocolate shake.  According to Chris (seated), this place has been here for decades.  Chris is an employee of the State of Nebraska - Weights & Measures - "just so everyone gets a fair deal", he said. Chris told me of a place nearby that I should visit - only 3 miles to the right of the main Hwy...

  Badlands, SD Over the past few days, I have traveled from Iowa City, IA to Sioux City, IA, then on to Kadoka, SD - just east of the northern entrance to the Badlands.  The last post ended at Iowa City, IA where I visited my daughter - where we prepared for her upcoming wedding.  I then traveled to my old stomping grounds of Sioux City where I stayed with an old friend, Jackie.  We went to dinner with a good friend Pat - and discussed local politics.  Never a dull moment in Sioux City and Iowa politics.  I then left for the Badlands.  Along the way I met a new friend (in O'Neill, NE) Daniel, who just retired and is pursuing the same motorcycle dream.  He started his ride in New York and headed for the West Coast. I arrived at Kadoka, SD, where a major storm hit as I will pulling into the Lakota Lodge.  A very small town in the middle of the plains - very exposed to the elements. In the morning, I headed out early for the Badlands National Pa...

  Country roads through Indiana and Illinois.  Overcast most of the day.  Temperatures down to a  chilly 71 degrees.  My daughter, and soon to be son-in-law, live in Iowa city and are getting married on August 7th.  So, time to visit for a few days to make sure that all the wedding plans are on track; including, going to Costco and buying much needed booze in bulk. Once you get west of Illinois the US changes dramatically.  Wide open plains and serenity - at least on the surface.  Iowa was my home for 20 years - working with Gateway Computer Co., the Waitt Foundation, and, most interestingly, working for Woodbury County in promoting organic agriculture.  A land of little ethnic diversity (except in towns devoted to meat packing), almost entirely dependent on the Federal Government for farm subsidies (ironically, most hate big government and strongly disapprove of other industries that get subsidies),    Iowa, having a small populati...

  Pops, Larry, Kurt, & Nick were my pack today on I-40 outside of MaggieValley, NC.  They were headed to their home in Ohio and I tagged alone for a few miles: Last night had a great dinner at the bar of Lemones and talked with a very nice couple, Bruce & JT, from north of Naples.  Great conversation and sharing of food.  Never fails when eating at the bar.  Thank you Bruce & JT! But, tonight's dinner took 1st place: A Tibetan restaurant in Bloomington, Indiana.  Recommended by an old friend from Santa Barbara.  France Komoroske, who went to school at IU and recommended the place.  Was out of this world.  We had a mutual friend, Walter Ordway, who was a direct descendent of John Ordway, third in command on the Lewis & Clark Expedition back in 1803.  Walter died while trying to save his dog from a semi-frozen pond in Iowa.  Walter is the subject of a new book by John Chao called: 50-Year Vision Quest.  They don't...

  Creme Brulee is his name.  I should have named this blog The Dog Tour 2021.  Creme bid me a farewell from The Brice.  The route to Asheville, NC started out going over the bridge that connects Georgia to South Carolina: I am trying to get better with the GoPro.  I hope over the next few days I figure it out - but the software has a lot to be desired. Traveling from US 17 to I-95 to I-26.  It was a very nice and leisurely drive.  I was amused by all the "Heaven or Hell?" billboards.  One such sign just had one word: REPENT!  Right next to it was a billboard advertising SMOKEN PIG BBQ.  I just know I would have repented if I had eaten there.  I'll have a side order of Heaven please.- there are only two choices on the menu. The public spaces in our country, including billboards, news, and social media, have me wondering what the heck our culture is about.  Do we really have to communicate every thought that passes through our br...

The Brice Hotel - Savannah, GA - July 5,2021 5:50 am:  I head out of the garage.  Lightening in the black sky to the south - one step ahead of Hurricane Elsa.  I am driving north away from the storm.  Phew - dodged a bullet on this trip.  It will be an 8 hour ride (counting stops) to Savannah, one of my favorite places in the world.  The Brice Hotel is a Kimpton Hotel. Dog friendly in the extreme (they are everywhere): Easy ride up I-95.  Until I crossed over the border to Georgia.  Heavy rain.  Saw it coming so I pulled over and put my rain gear on.  Slipped my bike into rain mode, crossed the bridge into Georgia, and bam!  Heavy rain.  No Biggie!  Cooled things up a bit. Going out to eat with a guy, Ron, I met at the Ducati dealership in Pompano, FL.  He chose Corleone's.  Glad to get out of Florida.