TravelStream™ news feed for member edward.tanguy on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/edward.tanguy en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:30:14 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1216413840/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1216413840/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1216413840/tpod.html Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:30:14 -0400 Alaska 08 ED and Alex ride to Alaska on an 05 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic. A trip to facilitate a boy's transition to a man and a man's transition back to his youth...

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Cottage Grove, Oregon, United States

Miles: 410Weather: Cloudy and Cool to start.  Sunny and Warm in Oregon!So after 3 days and four nights of eating, sleeping, drinking, readingand talking I was up early Friday the 18th and ready to get off theboat ASAP!  Alex too had an uncharacteristic early morning bounce inhis step.  All we had to do was unload, find I-5 and ride 410 miles. Piece of cake.  I-5 was easy to find and the ride was quickand pleasant although very cool to start.  I told Alex we would stillhave to pay attention and try to resist the 'horse back to the barn'urge.  410 miles is still 410 miles.  We did OK stopping every hour orso.  The ride through Seattle was swift since motorcycles are allowedto ride in the car pool lanes.  The clouds almost literallybroke at the Oregon border.  We crossed the Columbia River and the tempshot up 15 degrees.  It was like Oregon was welcoming us back with abig sunshine smile.  In another hour and half , we pulled in to Keizerand Alex's house.  He was off the bike in a flash.  I took a quickcouple of pictures a hug and he was inside and I was back on the road -alone.  Felt weird.  I guess I missed having him back there singing tohimself.  Oh well, I was looking forward to getting home and seeingTina.  I hadn't talked to her in a couple of days so I knew I mightcatch her off-guard.  I do this to her all of the time when I traveland it frustrates the heck out of her :)  She has, however, been verysupportive of this trip.  So I had better not press my luck too far...Irolled up our driveway, Tina's car was there but no Tina.  As I rolledup to the garage, I felt a bump on my left foot - it was Gunter (ourmini Schnauzer)!  I had been discovered.  My lovely wife came out withballoons and a welcome home sign.  Hugs, kisses and pictures - my tripwas over.  4,960 bike miles - Wow.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1216406460/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1216406460/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1216406460/tpod.html Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:50:25 -0400 Alaska 08 ED and Alex ride to Alaska on an 05 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic. A trip to facilitate a boy's transition to a man and a man's transition back to his youth...

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Cottage Grove, Oregon, United States

Miles: 0Weather: Cloudy and CoolWe hadn't really seen the sun since Tok Alaska.  As we pulled in to Bellingham, I was hoping to see and feel some Continental sunshine.   Nope, that would have to wait.After a slow and seemingly endless trip from Haines we finally arrived in Ketchikan on July 16th to change ferrys.  We would off-load, stage, wait three hours then board on to the M/V Columbia.  This time loading our bikes on the ferry was easier since we now were proficient at the 'battle drill'.  Alex and I were off of the car deck in minutes.  Our reservations were for the Columbia from Haines to Bellingham but the Columbia had maintenance issues so the M/V Kennicott was covering until the Columbia was ready.  The M/V Columbia is a bigger (408' vs 382') and better appointed ferry.  Our room on the Columbia had full-service (full bath) and a porthole.  The Columbia also has a full lounge and a formal dinning room.  The leg from Ketchikan was pleasant but still boring.  Alex and I went separate ways while on the ferry(s).  I gave him money and a room key.  He met someone his age and they pretty much kept themselves occupied.  I spent my time visiting and reading on the main observation deck.  I found myself a nice seat by the window on the starbored side (right side for you lubbers).  However my peace was frequently interrupted by a crowd of cotton-topped, bino and camera toting folk who rushed the side windows every time someone THOUGHT they saw a whale blow.  So there I would sit trying to read while a very older person was leaning over me inches away straining to see a whale.  I had to repeatedly remind myself of my Homer Spit RV epiphany.  You know the "they have earned this blah, blah,blah".   It still was quite the spectacle even when there weren't really any whales:) 
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1216079520/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1216079520/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1216079520/tpod.html Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:02:42 -0400 Alaska 08 ED and Alex ride to Alaska on an 05 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic. A trip to facilitate a boy's transition to a man and a man's transition back to his youth...

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Haines, Alaska, United States

Miles: 0Weather: Cloudy and CoolAlex and I slept in because we were to report to the Alaska Ferry terminal at 1800 so we had time to kill.  I had done our laundry the day we arrived so we had clean clothes.  We checked out of the Fort Seward Lodge at about 1100 and headed down to the harbor.   The ride was comfortable and manageable - all 300 yards of it.   At the harbor we parked and locked the bike an headed out on foot to explore Haines.  I  could tell this would not take long since you can walk from one end of town to the other in about twenty minutes (or less).  Haines definitely has that quaint small Alaskan town feel.  You know, small shops mingled with 'cozy' bars..  The Fogcutter Bar seemed to be the main attraction on Main Street.  One of the gift shops had a sign outside proclaiming locally owned not like the cruise line owned shops over in Skagaway.  In fact, I think the sign said "we're (Haines) not like Skagaway".  So after buming around (literally) Haines for hours (library, beach, dock, shops, church lawn) 1800 finally rolled around and we headed to the ferry terminal.  We pulled in to lane 1 the 'motorcycle' lane.  We were  number three in line.  Several more motorcycles pulled in behind us shortly thereafter.  This was great,  the fellowship of the motorcycle began in earnest.  The time went by quickly as we swapped stories and admired each others bikes.  Soon the M/V Kennicott arrived.  We watched as cars and large RVs unloaded some having to back up the ramp.  I thought those 5th wheel RVs must have cost a fortune to ride the ferry up here.  I mean isn't the point of an RV to avoid paying for lodging?  Anyway, it soon was our turn and so we began what was to become our motorcycle 'battle drill'   (a battle drill is an action executed quickly on command).  As I pulled down in to the car deck, I was motioned where to park by a ferry worker.  The motorcycles were stacked in very tight.  We were told where to park, tie-down our rides, grab our stuff and get out - quickly.  What a circus!  Fortunately  I had a pair of tie-downs after a friend who had made the trip a couple of years ago suggested I bring them.  I quickly tied-down the Harley grabbed our bags and headed to the purser's desk.  There we grabbed our keys and headed to our 'cabin'.  It was more like a pantry with two bunks and sink.  I shouldn't complain many passengers were sleeping on deck chairs or pitching tents on the deck.We finally got underway at 2030.  It felt good to be moving again.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1216003860/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1216003860/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1216003860/tpod.html Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:24:39 -0400 Alaska 08 ED and Alex ride to Alaska on an 05 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic. A trip to facilitate a boy's transition to a man and a man's transition back to his youth...

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Haines, Alaska, United States

Miles: 170Weather: Mostly Cloudy and CoolThe ride from Haines junction to Haines was very memorable.  The weather, although cool, held and Alex and I were treated to one of the most scenic rides of our adventure.  At 170 miles the trip was almost like a commute.  Funny, our first leg was 280 miles from Cottage Grove to Olympia (Julia's & Mike's) and we suffered.Haines is a small town with a small town atmosphere.  One of the shops had a sign proclaiming Haines a non-cruise line sponsored town.   Skagaway, a half hour away by ferry is full of cruise line sponsored shops.  Anyway, I liked the Haines' self proclaimed independence.  Alex and I stayed at the Fort Seward Lodge.  I had made reservations prior to leaving Haines Junction.  Rates weren't bad.  I received a military discount thus the room costing me $78.   The room was neat and clean with few amenities but acceptable.  We were going to be in Hanies until 1800 the next day when we would load our ferry.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1215840000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1215840000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1215840000/tpod.html Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:29:56 -0400 Alaska 08 ED and Alex ride to Alaska on an 05 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic. A trip to facilitate a boy's transition to a man and a man's transition back to his youth...

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Haines Junction, Yukon, Canada

Miles: ~300Weather: Showers all day.  Cool, mid 50sThe trip back down the 'the hell road' was everything we had anticipated.We departed Tok around 0830 after having breakfast with Bob at fast Eddy's.   Alex was a bit pissy.  I assumed he was thinking about the seven hours of tough riding ahead of us.  We had traversed this portion of the ALCAN on our way up so we had an idea what was in store.  The trip down, however, would be significantly cooler and probably wetter.  I would also have to resist that 'horse heading back to the barn' urge and keep the speeds safe.  The leg from Tok to the US/Canadian border was relatively quick.  We stopped for about 15 minutes for construction and had to deal with frequent pavement breaks.  Although the pavement breaks didn't seem as bad this time.  We made it through Canadian customs easily.  Shortly after crossing the border the frost heaves began.  Uprisings and depressions caused by the melting and freezing of the road bed.  The Canadians do a good job marking the damaged areas with florescent orange flags but there are so many it looks like a football field. Additionally there are frequent  areas of broken pavement with pot-holes.  OK, we have done this before but now it began to rain. The sky was a mosaic of enormous rain clouds.  In an area like the Yukon,  thevistas are so great you can see many many miles.  We knew when we were going to get wet because we would ride in to most of the down-pours and see the next one or two episodes of rain to come.  Southern Alaska drizzle is easy to manage but this Yukon rain was frequent and heavy.  So coupled with the bad roads and the limited visibility afforded by the rain, the ride to Haines Junction was serious.Imagine riding along thinking you had a couple of hundred miles of nasty road ahead so you are impatient. But now you are getting rained on - hard.  After the first or second deluge your windshield is obscured, your glasses or goggles are fogged-up and you are cold.   So what do you do? What you should do and we did weren't synonymous (big surprise), we kept riding.  Unfortunately we paid the price.  Now don't freak out.  We didn't crash but we had a couple of near-death experiences.  When Alex and I left our seats looking like astronauts on a space walk and Alex screams "Oh my god, Oh my god" probably time to slow down.Today's ride was one f the most demanding motorcycling experiences I have had in 30 years of riding.  Fortunately I had made reservations at the Cozy Corner (stayed there on the way up) in Haines Junction.  So the thought of a warm room and showers carried us through.  We were spent when we rolled in to Haines Junction and the Cozy Corner.  The bike was dirty but I'll have to say it faired very well.  Any doubts I may have had about a Harley making an Alaska trip are gone.Tomorrow we head to Haines Alaska (different than Haines Junction YT) to catch the ferry on the 14th.  Tomorrow's ride would only be 150 miles or so.  The ride promised one of the best yet.  We shall see!       
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1215754500/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1215754500/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1215754500/tpod.html Sun, 13 Jul 2008 01:22:56 -0400 Alaska 08 ED and Alex ride to Alaska on an 05 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic. A trip to facilitate a boy's transition to a man and a man's transition back to his youth...

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Tok, Alaska, United States

Miles: 145Weather: Cool, partly cloudy w/thundershowersThe ride to Tok and Thompson's Eagle Claw was straight forward (no pun intended).  We departed the (overpriced) Caribou Hotel in Glenallen at ~1130.  The road was smooth and relatively fast.  Just like every other Alaskan road, the scenery was great.  By now, fourteen days into our trip, the glorious views are beginning to run together.  After yesterday's spectacular views of the Chugach Mountains todays trip seemed routine.  However, it really wasn't in a big picture sense.  We arrived at Thompson's around 1500 and immediately secured 'our' cabin.  A nice surprise was the addition of a  sun umbrella with chairs.  This would come in handy later in the day when the rains would come.  When we rode in, I noticed another Harley Electra Glide parked by the 'shop'.  Later the owner came over and introduced himself - Bob Ruddle from Minnesota.  Bob and I hit it off and after a quick run to the store, we settle down to knock down a half rack of Bush.  The rains came and we sat under the umbrella solving the Nation's problems (we need to drill).  Now Bob is an accomplished motorcycle tourer.  He has tens of thousands of miles under his belt.  In fact he has a '95 Road King with over 100k miles on it.  Anyway the point is, Bob had many touring tid-bits he shared with me. But the one tid-bit that really got my attention was that even though he preferred a tent he used a queen-sized air mattress to sleep on.  That's right boys and girls, a QUEEN size complete with fitted sheets.  In fact he blew the thing up with a DC powered inflater.  I did have to show him DC power outlet on in E-Glide.  Well, I'm getting rid of my back-packer air mattress' for sure.  I do ride a Harley Electra Glide for Pete sake!  I can probably sell my 'mini' mattress' to some BMW Adventure rider:)  It was a great evening.  Bob is just one example of the many great people I have met from all over the world while on this trip.  This trip has been great.    
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1215706680/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1215706680/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1215706680/tpod.html Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:05:00 -0400 Alaska 08 ED and Alex ride to Alaska on an 05 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic. A trip to facilitate a boy's transition to a man and a man's transition back to his youth...

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Glennallen, Alaska, United States

Miles: 485Weather: Cool, Mostly CloudyWe didn't start out intending to travel 485 miles.  Our plan was to depart Homer, stop at Portage Glacier and spend the night in Palmer just north of Anchorage.  We started out as planned - we departed Homer at 0845.  The ride back up the Kenai was great.  Alex spotted a cow moose with two calves running along side the rode.  They were really moving out.  Moose count so far: 5.   We stopped for a break at the Seward/Homer intersection on the Seward Hwy and then headed to Portage Glacier.  We arrived at the Glacier Cruise dock just in time to jump on the tour boat.  The tour boat took us up Portage Lake around the 'corner' to the glacier.  The Portage Glacier has receded back to where it is not visible from the visitor center or road.  Apparently this is normal and the glacier's recession is actually below average.  Anyhow, Portage Glacier is cool literally and figuratively.  As we approached, I was impressed with it's size.   Not only is the face of the glacier large but it extends up and back I would assume for miles.  Portage glacier certainly doesn't look static.  It's shape lends itself to movement - 50' a year I think.  There are thousands of glaciers in Alaska most un-named.  Later in the day, Alex and I would see another even larger glacier the Matanuska Glacier.After we disembarked, it was time to eat so I decided to head to Whitter ten miles down the road and through the mountain.  Actually, I wanted to ride through the Anton-Anderson Memorial Tunnel.  Not an easy feat since the tunnel is a 2.5 mile long railroad tunnel that is always cold and wet.   But if you want to visit Whitter you either go through the tunnel or fly or take the ferry.  So we staged with two other motorcyclists we had previously met a week earlier at Dawson Creek BC mile 0 ALCAN.  We got the green light headed through.  No problem but I could see why bikes going down in the tunnel is common.  The ride requires concentration in order to stay between the railroad tracks.  If a rider veers off-center and drops the front tire into one of the slots with a track its over, they  are going down.  As if the tracks weren't enough to worry about, there are the other distractions (dripping water, dark, narrow, giant fans).  Motorcycles are the last vehicles to enter the tunnel - 1.5 min. behind other traffic.   As I said the tunnel was no problem either way for Alex and I.  Whitter is a neat little town.  It's slow=paced, isolated with plenty to do (great fishing, hiking, and especially kayaking).  We had a quick lunch by the water and headed back towards Anchorage/Palmer.  The ride to Anchorage was quick until we got in to Anchorage - traffic.The traffic in Anchorage is bad.  It was stop and go for almost an hour.  When we finally emerged I cranked on the throttle and headed to Palmer ultimately for no reason.Palmer ain't much. We didn't even stop.  We pressed on after turning on to AK 1 the Glenn Hwy.  It felt good to hit the Glenn because we had made our turn back towards the east and we were on our way home.  Our 'new' plan was to keep riding looking for a place to spend the night.  What we didn't anticipate was the absolute beauty afforded by the Glenn Hwy.  We climbed to about 3500' where were provided mile after mile of spectacular views of the Chugach Mountains, the Matanuska Glacier and Mat-su River.  We thought the Portage Glacier was big but from our vantage point on the Glenn Hwy, we could see the Matanuska Glacier extending back through the Chugach Mountains seemingly forever.  the Matanuska Glacier is huge!  In addition to the scenery,  the Chugach area seems to be game rich.  Every home/cabin we passed usually had several moose and caribou racks (antlers) mounted above doorways etc.  The whole ride was unbelievable.  It was easy for us 'to keep going' and rack up 485 miles.We rolled in to Glennallen at 2100 tired but satisfied.  We just completed a very rewarding day of riding.  We pulled in to the Caribou Hotel got a room (pricey but what do you do).  I got a 10% military discount which helped ease the pain AND  they let me park the Harley next to the front door under the cabana.Tomorrow is an easy 142 miles to Tok and back to Thompson's Eagle Claw for the night.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1215637200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1215637200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1215637200/tpod.html Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:38:44 -0400 Alaska 08 ED and Alex ride to Alaska on an 05 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic. A trip to facilitate a boy's transition to a man and a man's transition back to his youth...

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Homer, Alaska, United States

Miles: 0Weather: Partly Sunny and CoolI'm finally making an entry on the actual day!  I've been two days behind on my entries the entire trip.  The weather finally improved today.  Warmer and the sun has come out for a while.  Alex and I slept in until 0800.  I got ant-cy and hopped on the bike and headed for the Spit.  Alex wanted to veg for a while longer - fine.Let me tell ya, the Homer Spit is a happing place.  If the Kenai is Alaska's playground then the Homer Spit is it's merry-go-round.  RVs, boats, tents, bikes, people and pets.  It's a gold-rush version of Atlantic City.  The Spit seems to be a mecca for the retired.   There are plenty of 'younger folk'  but the real spenders are people in the golden years of retirement.  The years soon after retiring but not yet too old to manage getting out.  It's like they have this drive to spend their money before they can't.  I was pondering this whole affair (can you tell) as I plodded along behind huge RVs with indecisive drivers at the helm.  My initial instinct was to become impatient and irritated but I didn't.  It dawned on me that these folks had earned their big RVs.  I could tell that most had worked hard all of their lives raised families sacrificing personal ambition.  So who was I to get 'irritated'.  I didn't.   The Homer Spit is like a great spiritual funnel.  Retired folks come from everywhere, and I mean everywhere, driving great distances at great expense collecting in Alaska coming together on the Kenai Peninsula. They then head out on to the Spit.  Wow.   Pretty cool they have the freedom to do it even if its only once.  I'd like to think I had something to with this too. Anyhow, pull in the clutch, shift down and smile.  Ain't America great!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1215560820/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1215560820/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1215560820/tpod.html Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:53:54 -0400 Alaska 08 ED and Alex ride to Alaska on an 05 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic. A trip to facilitate a boy's transition to a man and a man's transition back to his youth...

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Homer, Alaska, United States

Miles: 245Weather: Very Cool and RainAlex and I got out of Anchorage at 0930 and headed south on AK 1.  Our destination was Homer 226 miles away.  Right out of the gate, the vistas began to unfold in front of us.  In spite of the rain and cold, the ride to Homer would be one of the most scenic of the entire trip.I opted to roll past Portage Glacier with the intent of stopping on the way back hoping for better weather.  Regardless, there was plenty to look at.  AK 1 is a driveway to Alaska's play ground, the Kenai Peninsula.  There were endless signs of outdoor recreation.  Fishing boats, rafts, hiking trails, boat ramps, lodges, guide outfits were seemingly shoulder to shoulder.   Even with the concentration of services, the area still had a wild and rugged ambiance.  The Kenai Peninsula, especially around the river itself, is lush green and smells good. About halfway to Homer is a little enclave of humanity - Soldotna.  A regular town but with a fishing problem.  Boats everywhere especially big aluminum guide boats.  Oh, there is a Harley shop too (I stopped and got 'the' Tshirt). I laid on the big twin and we rumbled in to our last 80 miles to Homer.  The weather began to get worse as we left Soldotna.  Still great views but we getting cold.  An hour and half later  we turned slightly SE and Kacheniak Bay came in to view.  We had arrived.  The night before I had made reservations with the Driftwood Inn in Homer.  It was easy to find and we were pleasantly surprised when we pulled up.  The Driftwood Inn was a welcomed departure from the Best Western.  The Driftwood has that Alaskan character about it and for only $80.  Tomorrow we hit the famous Homer Spit for rubber necking and shopping. 
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1215410700/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1215410700/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/edward.tanguy/1/1215410700/tpod.html Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:41:11 -0400 Alaska 08 ED and Alex ride to Alaska on an 05 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic. A trip to facilitate a boy's transition to a man and a man's transition back to his youth...

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Miles: 405Weather: Crappy!They say all things come to an end - especially the goods ones.  Well, our string of good weather came to an abrupt, in our faces (literally) end.The plan was to travel to Healy just north of the Denali park entrance and spend the night and possibly go in to the park the next day.  Nope.  As we headed out from Fairbanks on a typically nice warm Fairbanks morning our spirits were high.  The Park Hwy was smooth and fast.  As we continued south, we rode in to dropping temps and cloud cover.  40 miles or so north of Denali it began to rain and it didn't stop.   We kept stopping and adding gear to where we were at full snivel level.  To make things worse, we picked up a nasty headwind.  It was going to be a long day.  As we got to Denali it was 50 degrees, blowing and raining.  I could almost touch the clouds; we kept going.  The scenery was still awesome in a brutal sort of way.  I managed a couple of photos.We rolled in to Anchorage and were reintroduced to a typical city at rush hour.  Multi-lane, traffic congestion, horns etc.  I was already beginning to miss the isolation of the ALCAN.  Alex and I were wet and cold so we stopped at a Best  Western at the south end of town.  Not a prime choice.  It reminded me of the traffic and it was expensive but...
]]>