Back and Forth, Maine to Arizona...

Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2020 10:58 pm

Now in my second year of retirement, splitting the year between the Lake House in Maine (summer, of course), and winters in New Mexico (a very mild winter, compared to Maine, LOL). The drive across the country has become a bit of an event of it's own, pulling an RV with the truck, and carrying a bike in the back of the truck, as well.

We left the Lake on Wed, at about 11AM, after having the house winterized against freezing, and stopped in Worcester, Ma to see Tom K, who had some parts for me (freshly rebuilt 1100F forks, a beautiful powdercoated 1100F swingarm, and a set of 1100F wheels for a future project...). After leaving Tom (Margaret says Thanks for the beer, man!), we went over to Springfield Mass, and due to a missed communication, we were not able to Camp at Westover AFB. Instead, we stayed in a Walmart parking lot, listening to adolescents revving their engines, and doing burnouts in the parking lot. Sleep came late, and didn't last long...

Thursday dawned a beautiful day, so we left the slab, and did some sightseeing in western Mass/Northern Ct, then worked our way into NJ, and spent the afternoon and evening with Margarets Family friends in Pompton Lakes NJ.

Friday started with rain, and we left NJ, drove through PA, Md, WV, and into Virginia. No campground had space for us, so we pulled in at a rest area in Fairfield Va, and listened to the trucks blast by on the interstate. MVPs of the evening were the earplugs we had.

Saturday was a beautiful day, and we found a spot at a beautiful campground in Crossville Tennessee (https://www.deerrunrvresort.com). It's a 200 acre property well away from the highway, with a lake for fishing, and full amenities for Campers.

Almost exactly halfway, planning to stop in Little Rock tomorrow, then Dallas (visiting old friends), then Amarillo (ish), then back to Rio Rancho.

Hawk Joined: Oct 12, 2014 Posts: 399 Location: Virginia

Sounds like a fun journey Rick. On your way back up to Maine next time, you should make a little detour up my way and take me up on my offer from several years back. Stay Safe!

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2020 11:20 pm

If your route takes you through Tulsa, wave hello to the three houses I lived in as a youngster. And wear your masks as I hear it's infected by something.

At what point will you offload the bike and ride the rest of the way? I'm honestly not sure how Margaret would react if you did.

Good luck, man
Pedro

Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2020 12:49 am

Ryan, I promise we'll be there to see you someday, unless you PCS before we can get there, LOL!

Pedro, Margaret says your scenario ain't happening, since the bike is buried amongst other sundry items, it will be the last thing out of the truck, buddy! Got your PM, will reply shortly, but glad for your good news!

Made it to North Little Rock today, and headed to Dallas tomorrow to visit with an old flying buddy...

Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2020 1:53 am

even with some crappy times it still sounds like a good time. enjoy. safe travels.

Eric.

Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 1:22 am

Made it safely to the Dallas area, no problem. Saw some interesting scenery, and a great visit with old friends!

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2020 5:36 am

I guess you must have made it home by now.
sorry I missed you. Maybe next time.

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2020 3:50 pm

bobcat7 wrote:

I guess you must have made it home by now.
sorry I missed you. Maybe next time.

Bob, yes, we got home about 3 weeks ago, and are now in Tucson, delivering furniture to a daughter in Cali. I expect we will stop in Dallas again, next year, and I will keep you posted, my friend!

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2021 12:18 am

Headed back to the Lake later this week, either Thursday or Friday...

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2021 10:10 am

Holy Crap Rick, you put on the miles mate! Safe travels my friend, sure hope we can get together in September.
We had a freaking snowfall last night!! Snow brushes already put away...but what I hate, the city is out there salting down the roads again!!!

Take Care Rick!
Chris

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2021 3:50 pm

CDN1100F wrote:

Holy Crap Rick, you put on the miles mate! Safe travels my friend, sure hope we can get together in September.
We had a freaking snowfall last night!! Snow brushes already put away...but what I hate, the city is out there salting down the roads again!!!

Take Care Rick!
Chris

C, this will be our second drive across country this year, we drove over in early April to drop off my wifes car, so she'll have something to drive this summer. This will be the traditional drive, a much more leisurely pace, dragging the RV... Stay safe, man, and we'll see you in the Fall!

Rick

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2021 5:31 pm

Rick good to see your back east, I’m headed out west the 14 th of May can you give me some Must Sees as I cross NM. Staying in the North as we cross, don’t want to get caught up in any border action.
Rick

Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 9:20 am

Fster wrote:

Rick good to see your back east, I’m headed out west the 14 th of May can you give me some Must Sees as I cross NM. Staying in the North as we cross, don’t want to get caught up in any border action.
Rick

Rick, by "staying in the north" do you mean traveling on I-40? Safe travels, bud!

Departing in the morning, the truck is packed, and the RV is hooked up;

Visible here is the rusty F tank bound for SteveG's house, and the Saddlebags going to Porky. Not visible in a box are the 900 cams going to adk_finn.

Eastbound tomorrow, the goal is Amarillo (at least)...

Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 6:43 pm

Safe travels Rick and Margaret!
Planning on seeing you guys this summer up in ME!

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2021 12:41 am

Made it to Amarillo, no problem. Windy as hell here, kinda like Albuquerque...

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2021 6:07 am

CDN1100F wrote:

C, this will be our second drive across country this year, we drove over in early April to drop off my wifes car, so she'll have something to drive this summer. This will be the traditional drive, a much more leisurely pace, dragging the RV... Stay safe, man, and we'll see you in the Fall!

Rick

Rick ! My friend, have you ever considered chartering a C-130 ? That's a LOT of driving !
Careful in the wind with that RV. People have been blown over just climbing the steps to
their ride before. I'll bet you have the scenery memorized by now !

Safe travels !

Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 1:52 am

bobcat7 wrote:

CDN1100F wrote:

C, this will be our second drive across country this year, we drove over in early April to drop off my wifes car, so she'll have something to drive this summer. This will be the traditional drive, a much more leisurely pace, dragging the RV... Stay safe, man, and we'll see you in the Fall!

Rick

Rick ! My friend, have you ever considered chartering a C-130 ? That's a LOT of driving !
Careful in the wind with that RV. People have been blown over just climbing the steps to
their ride before. I'll bet you have the scenery memorized by now !

Safe travels !

Bob, yes, the idea of using a Herc was proposed a long time ago, to bring bikes from the NE to the SW for a ride similar to those we have up there... I expect I could put together a crew to do the mission (with the promise of enough beer, LOL), but the fuel and rent of the aircraft would be a bit much, man.

We are being careful, and taking our time, unlike the trip last month, where the goal was "Get there ASAP", it took only 4 days (long days...). Stopped for the night in Sallisaw Ok, and will get into Tennesee tomorrow night. We'll be taking a break for a day in Crossville at a campground, and then, who knows where the wind will blow us?

Saw an 18 wheeler off the highway, down a 150-200 ft hill, wife says he probably fell asleep, can't argue her logic on that one... Lost about 2 hours when I-40 was closed, due to another 18 wheeler mishap, this one where the entire top half of the tractor caught fire and burned, never seen anything like it.

Continuing on safely, tomorrow.

Rick

Twinstar Joined: Oct 03, 2012 Posts: 97 Location: texas

C-130, friends for a flight crew, promise of beer ? That sounds like far more
of an adventure than the long road trip with 18 wheeler mishaps ! Room for the RV ?

Safe traveling (y'all)

Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 1:28 am

Tonight in Parkers Crossroads, Tn, site of a famous Civil War battle. This marks approximately halfway to Maine, and we'll be taking a day off on Tuesday, in Crossville Tn.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Parker%27s_Cross_Roads

Construction in Jackson, Tn on I-40 cost us about an hour, today, but no mishaps, thankfully.

Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 10:52 am

Safe travels Rick, any trouble in PA give me a call. As far as my trip, staying away from cities and interstates. Really don’t have many plans just two weeks of riding and site seeing. Only thing set in stone is stashing the bike in a storage unit in Utah and the flight home from Vegas.

Posted: Wed May 05, 2021 8:46 am

Made it to Maine yesterday, with a new RV (traded the old one in Virginia, LOL), and have been busy getting the house back in shape for the summer.

Left Crossville, Tn, and went to see friends in Snellville, Georgia.

Spent a night in a campground in North Carolina.

Got to Virginia, and met our buddy Ryan (Alt1) and his beautiful Family. He suggested that we meet at the Gander Dealer, and my wife suggested we look at RVs (since we're here, LOL). Spent the next day switching our belongings into the new unit, then left, and camped in a Truck Stop outside Gettysburg, Pa.

Spent the next night in Sturbridge, Ma,

Pics of the new camper, and the money shot of the Lake...

Posted: Wed May 05, 2021 11:55 am

Back to the lake.... and a new RV too boot!

Posted: Thu May 06, 2021 12:25 am

Nice new trailer Rick! Good to hear you made it up there safely. Do you have a boat up there?

Enjoy!
Chris

Posted: Thu May 06, 2021 12:39 am

Ahhhhh. A nice view to sit and relax with after a great day riding the F Bike!

Steve

Posted: Fri May 07, 2021 10:49 pm

DrOlds wrote:

Back to the lake.... and a new RV too boot!

Your Class C is nicer, man, hope to see you at the Lake this summer!

CDN1100F wrote:

Nice new trailer Rick! Good to hear you made it up there safely. Do you have a boat up there?

Enjoy!
Chris

Yes, Chris, we have a 24 foot pontoon boat:

SteveG wrote:

Ahhhhh. A nice view to sit and relax with after a great day riding the F Bike!

That's my plan for the summer, once we get the place set up!

Posted: Sat May 08, 2021 12:02 pm

Nice new trailer, how much does it weigh?

If I had know I was going to need a new truck I would have bought a smaller trailer 😜

Toddk

Posted: Sun May 09, 2021 1:01 am

toddk wrote:

Nice new trailer, how much does it weigh?

If I had know I was going to need a new truck I would have bought a smaller trailer 😜

Toddk

Todd, it weighs about 4700 lbs, dry. Tows very nicely behind the truck.

Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 11:59 pm

Boat is in storage, Trailer is loaded, and we left Maine, headed west today. First night in Gorham NH (close to the site of the Mt Washington ride), and plan to be upstate in NY tomorrow, first sightseeing destination is Niagara Falls, probably Monday, then press on westbound...all TBD.

Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2021 12:17 pm

Safe travels Rick!

Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2021 11:31 pm

1980CB750F wrote:

Safe travels Rick!

Thanks Mark!

Tonight in Schenectady, headed to Niagara Falls tomorrow, and trying to spend a day as a tourist...