Minnesota and Beyond



Well, still no name has come to me yet.
But the test run went smashingly well...heh heh, cough.

A shout out to Claire, Angie, Jake, Jess, Pete & Amanda! As well as my old Profs at MSU.
All of whom I was ever so happy to see.
I got some insight as to how my new motorcycle performs, learned a few tidbits on load distribution and re-engaged my cold weather endurance.



Highway Bars













Luggage Rack, in progress.



All geared up



Gov. Dodge State Park, WI



It's a Girl!

Hey! After much gnashing of teeth, and searching or craigslist, a fantastic opportunity fell into my lap. A beautiful 1980 Kawasaki 440 Ltd owned by one of my mom's co-workers.

A test ride and $400 dollars later it's mine! Great shape and only 15,000 Miles on the clock. I think I might have myself a new adventure motorcycle.

Photos of my luggage rack and crash gear to come soon.
Oh, yeah- and my new motorcycle (and I suppose blog) needs a name.
I think it's a girl.

Miss you, Hermes.

The cookie crumbles.

Well, Hermes has coughed one more time and left me on the side of the road again.
Battery dead again. After a jump and a ride the maximum speed has dropped to 40/45 Mph. I've decided that my old Honda just isn't up for the run back to Wisconsin, and thus not going to make it to Argentina.

I'm frustrated and sad. I like my dear motorcycle, but I after the time and money I spent trying to update the charging system and keep the motorcycle healthy, it's time to move on. I'm short on time, so I'll have to find a new motorcycle, reliable, inexpensive and I have to do it quickly.
Hmmf.

The best laid tires of mice and men, or TIRES!

Change of plans.
Instead of Emily and I riding the motorcycle out to Milwaukee and then flying back so I can drive the car. I will be leaving Hermes here in Connecticut for the next week, while we road trip west on four wheels.

So here Hermes will sit, in Madison. Complete with brand new tires, new rectifier and new brake reservoir. Just roaring to go. I'm disappointed to not be rolling into Big Top on the familiar ride of the motorcycle...but I suppose I do have a history of coming back to BTC on a different vehicle each year.

Gaelic Storm will be fun either way.

Look at me! I made a blog!

It's an awkward situation.

I've been dreaming of this trip for four years now. And almost the whole time, it has been a matter of "Don't think about it now, don't make preperations now, it'll just have to wait." Now all of a sudden. CRUMBS! I need to plan! I'm behind schedule!

It's time to finish upgrading the bike [Charging system is not happy right now. :-( ] It's time to get my spare parts and tools and luggage together. AND it's time to stop taking on as work so I have time to do my research and learns some passable Spanish.

This is real and it's time I get it in gear.

Vaccinations and medicine taken care of while I still had health coverage.

New Engine installed in Hermes. (compatable??)

New Tires on their way.

Now I must bid adieu to the East Coast and make my way back to the Midwest to be with family and commit to final preparations...oh and be in a couple weddings.