Need help with our big travel plan!...

[Guest tx2sturgis]

The reality forces us to wait a bit. And plan... And sometimes the planning and anticipating could be fun, too...

 

You know that Apollo moon missions took less planning than four years...right?

 

Well, maybe a couple of shorter trips in the intervening summers...to kinda get ready for the 'big one'...

 

 

Either way...have fun..

 

 

 

[Tisunac]

Since you have your fantastic RSV, you don't need another bike. Save that money on spoiling your wife every chance you can one that trip. That's what I would do. And , there is someone on VR in every state to help out if need be, which I doubt...

 

 

Ha, that's a neat idea! I bet my wife would love that! I'm really re-evaluating the decision to find a new(er) bike... I do have a very good, reliable machine capable of the trip. On the other hand, I did like the Voyager on that short ride we took (before buying my Venture), I was just put away with all the "experts opinions"... Glad to hear it's reliable cause you can get them nowadays dirt cheap (well, affordable at least).

There's a great dealership close by that have a 2011 used one for sale. And they would actually let me test ride it (what's up with all the dealerships NOT letting you test ride? How can you buy something without riding? I know, insurance and all... but c'mon!). I might take it for a 20-30 miles ride and see...

 

Thanks for the suggestion, it is really making me think...

[Dragonslayer]

You know that Apollo moon missions took less planning than four years...right?

 

Well, maybe a couple of shorter trips in the intervening summers...to kinda get ready for the 'big one'...

 

 

Either way...have fun..

 

 

 

Life is what happens while we are planning to do other things

[Cowboy]

Check out this blog on our trip west in 2008

 

http://www.brianshoemakersironhorse.blogspot.com/

 

Never put off what you can do today for tomorrow! Tomorrow may never come! Life changes like the weather you just never know.

 

Thoughts!

1. Camping, Hotel, Motel, Bed & Breakfast?

2. Eating habits?

3. Sleeping habits?

4. Riding style?

5. Interest items you want to see or do?

6. Realistic time you can be away from home.

a. As Dennis / Midrsv mentioned that it is very hard to get it all in on one trip.

7. Weather Predictions for El Nino year versus La Nina can determine if you travel in the north states. Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana

8. Pulling a trailer or not pulling a trailer.

a. 2008 we did not pull a trailer and bike was overloaded, had to always think about how things where packed.

b. Every trip since we pull a Roadstar Bushtec trailer. Camping or not camping makes things easier.

9. Time of year that you want to make trip will also affect the places you want to ride and can ride.

a. Glacier National Park average opening for the Road to the Sun June 23rd

b. Independence Pass in Colorado

c. Death Valley

d. Yosemite National Park

SO MANY THINGS COME IN TO PLAY. BOTTOM LINE IS

 

RIDE WITH THE WIND AND LET THAT RSV TAKE YOU AND YOUR WIFE/BEST FRIEND ON THE ADVENTURES THAT WE ARE ALL SO BLESSED WITH.

 

Brian & Sherrie

[1joeranger]

Haven't used this but it may be helpful!!

 

http://www.tripit.com/destinations/11-excellent-motorcycle-trip-planning-websites/

[Trader]

Saw an awesome documentary called "Chasing Ice"

 

it shows some pretty amazing pictures of the glaciers receeding.

 

I would suggest you don't put off visiting Glacier National Park too long. The suggestion is in not too many years people may wonder how it ever got it's name because there won't be a glacier anywhere around there!

[Phoneman1981]

Interesting read. Nothing wrong with dreaming and planning. You can always depend on Brian to NOT Sugar coat anything . Everyone's ideas are great. I have changed my way of thinking over the years. My parents looked years down the road at retirement, dreaming of traveling, then when the time came they were too tired to travel only wanted to sleep in their own bed each night. Since then I only look down the road to about 5:00 each night. Enjoy each day for what it is.

 

Cancer scare with my 52 year old wife this summer. Last day of her radiation we left for Sturgis. She insisted on going!! I made sure she had a great time.

 

We do not have vast experience with long distance bike travel. usually do not venture farther than 500 miles away. But I have done enough traveling to appreciate the 300 mile days. Glad a few others feel the same way. Good luck with you planning and trip. Be sure to look us up if you ever decide to venture out west.

[Gray Ghost]

We are scheduling out big trip to start this spring. We plan on running our wheels through all the lower 48 in one trip. Natchez Trace, Rt 66, Pacific Coast Hwy, etc. What I have been doing is laying out the places we really want to see in Garmin's Base Camp program, then figuring out how we want to get there. One of the books we have used for ideas is Road Trips USA. It has a lot of information about interesting places along the way. We are also fans of Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives and there are places you can find all the places they have featured. Enjoy the planning.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Rt 66, ....... We are also fans of Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives

 

 

If that trip takes you thru Amarillo, be sure to divert down Historic Sixth Street in Amarillo if you have the time. Very biker friendly and several bar-n-grills and diners there. Live music on Thursday-Saturday nites too. Passing thru on I-40 you would never know it was there.

 

Have fun!

 

Edited November 21, 2013 by tx2sturgis

[Tisunac]

YOU GUYS ARE GREAT! So many suggestions, so many interesting comments, warnings, observations,... I can certainly use all of that in future planning of our trip(s) and I hope others can, too. Cause I'm sure we are not the only ones planning their trips, big or not so much.... Everybody can use an advice or suggestion where to go, where to stop, what to see...

Thanks again everybody, you are helping a fellow rider a lot! I greatly appreciate your time! When the time comes, I hope I'll be able to contact some of you and meet you on the road for a lunch....

Please keep those ideas coming!... We can all use them....

 

And yes - my wife is my fellow rider and my best friend!...