TravelStream™ news feed for member sbefera on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/sbefera en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:20:29 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1218693960/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1218693960/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1218693960/tpod.html Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:20:29 -0400 Miami-Maroon Bells-Alaska. A trip across the continent via motorcycle with a stop in Colorado for a week of backpacking in the Maroon Bells/Snowmass area.

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Calgary, Alberta, Canada

The site just lost my entry. Too tired to re-type. Safe to say Glacier Park is awsome...but less people preferred. Serious ride tomorrow.

OK. Updating. The camp aat Flathead Lake provided some good views of the sunset.

Larry is building his new house in Bozeman. It is almost finished.

I'm now in Jasper, Alberta and heading north. Burning daylight. Got to go.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1218523380/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1218523380/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1218523380/tpod.html Tue, 12 Aug 2008 08:53:50 -0400 Miami-Maroon Bells-Alaska. A trip across the continent via motorcycle with a stop in Colorado for a week of backpacking in the Maroon Bells/Snowmass area.

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West Yellowstone, Montana, United States

This was a long day. 700+ miles and none of it on a freeway. Started in Edwards, CO and went north to Steamboat Springs, then west to Utah. Visited the Dinosaur National Monument, and then traveled northwest to Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. Beautiful ride.

While in Utah, got stopped by Moffat County Deputy Sheriff Jeremy Hinkle while doing 80 in a 65 zone. He took mercy on me and let me go with a warning. It was a desolate stretch of road. Even 80 seemed slow. I was distracted getting down to the sounds of Rambling Man on my i-pod.

Took all the back roads north and west, and then north again. At dusk, spotted two deer and then a moose all trying to get a piece of me as I motored around the curves. Then the sun went down and it got cold. Had to break out the electric vest and balaclava to keep toasty. That electric vest is worth its weight in gold when the temperature drops below 45. Heated hand grips on the Bimmer also aid in providing welcome warmth over the long, lonely miles.

My goal was to reach Bozeman, MT and hook up with Larry Rodgers at the new house he has built. Unfortunately, my sightseeing and tangle with Jeremy, etc., took longer than expected. Also, they are doing nite construction work on the road from here to Bozeman...and Larry advised via cell phone that he would not be welcoming me at my 1:30am arrival. After weighing all these factors, and suspecting their were more deer out to get me, I grabbed a hotel room (the last one in town) at a gift shop/histiric hotel...the Madison. This place is cool. Log construction, western style. I feel like a cowpoke just off the cattle drive. Only thing missing is the saloon downstairs and female entertainment.

Getting late. Will need to be up early later this morning. Adios for now.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1217474820/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1217474820/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1217474820/tpod.html Sat, 09 Aug 2008 12:22:48 -0400 Miami-Maroon Bells-Alaska. A trip across the continent via motorcycle with a stop in Colorado for a week of backpacking in the Maroon Bells/Snowmass area.

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Lamar, Colorado, United States

It is almost 500 miles across Kansas from east to west. Not much to see. The highlight was Dodge City...home of "Gunsmoke"...the second longest running network TV series. Can you name the longest running? The history of the town is rich and the museum does a nice job of relating how the Great Plains Buffalo was massacred to near extinction in an effort to root out the natives to make the way for western expansion and profit for the "white man."

Anyway, the Boot Hill museum and Old West stores/saloon is worth a visit if your in the area. The antique gun display is especially impressive and informative...even if you're not a member of the NRA.

Found a great burger joint in Wichita. Spangles. They had a real '59 Chevy in one of the dining rooms. Big place. Great burger with a shake and fries with friendly service for cheap. Highly recommended. Wish they had some of these in Florida. Puts Johnny Rockets to shame.

Started in rain and ended in a beating sun. Had to fashion a makeshift helmet visor out of duct tape and newspaper. Worked great. More later.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1218292800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1218292800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1218292800/tpod.html Sat, 09 Aug 2008 12:08:46 -0400 Miami-Maroon Bells-Alaska. A trip across the continent via motorcycle with a stop in Colorado for a week of backpacking in the Maroon Bells/Snowmass area.

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Aspen, Colorado, United States

Spent 4 days hiking through the Maroon Bells/Snowmass wilderness. True alpine hiking. Made 4 passes all over 12,000 ft. Traversed "the loop" counterclockwise. Buckskin Pass, Trail Rider Pass, Frigid Air Pass, and West Maroon Pass. Got caught in a hail storm approaching Frigid Air Pass. The entry point was Maroon Lake trail head. This was a fantastic hike. Great scenery and challenging climbs. I highly recommend the #2 campsite at Geneva Lake. One of the best I've stayed at in 20 years of backpacking and hiking around the globe.

From my journal: As I look out between and above the trees, I see Snowmass Mtn. It's gigantic peak studded with a dark brown rocky ledge. Below, centuries of erosion have etched ravines into the side of the mountain. The gathering of rocky scree is colored battleship grey, descending down the slopes like a lava flow. Pockets of yet unmelted snow fields dot its appearance with brilliant white.

I sit in a nest of an ancient boulder hewn by the elements.The wind, rain, snow, ice, and the roots of its many neigbors has made for me a comfortable chair from which to take this all in. From my right, the alpine breeze whistles through the conifers carrying their fragrant and unique scent. The lake below is revealed from this ideal vantage point. Pure and clear, it glistens emerald-like, its hue altered ever so slightly toward blue where the sun hits the glittering ripples.

Quiet. Only the wind and trees speak. This is truly a mountain paradise.

Now in Vail for a little R&R. Will continue trek North tomorrow....unless something else interesting pops up. Now, need to get going to the Wine and Food Festival in Beaver Creek.

Later....
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1217568780/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1217568780/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1217568780/tpod.html Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:41:50 -0400 Miami-Maroon Bells-Alaska. A trip across the continent via motorcycle with a stop in Colorado for a week of backpacking in the Maroon Bells/Snowmass area.

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Denver, Colorado, United States

Still hot here on the High Plains. Took a trip up to Boulder for a bite to eat. Late now.

These mountains are magical. Tomorrow I will be out of contact for several days as the hike into Maroon Bells will commence. This will be a true test of back country skills and stamina.I hope my training has been sufficient.

I'm dropping off the bike at Foothills BMW for new tires and fluids. Will pick it up next week.

Gonna sleep good tonight.

See you on the other side.
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Joplin, Missouri, United States

It was another hot one yesterday with a heat index over 105. Laptop was not working efficiently enough for access.

From MS, went through Memphis and crossed the Mighty Mississippi there. Then north and west to the Ozarks. Some good roads for bikes up that way. Branson, MO is an interesting spot. Vegas style shows.

Raining now here in Joplin. Got to hit the road. Dodge City, here I come...it may be the only interesting place on this leg of the trip across the plains through Kansas.

More later.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1217302380/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1217302380/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1217302380/tpod.html Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:57:46 -0400 Miami-Maroon Bells-Alaska. A trip across the continent via motorcycle with a stop in Colorado for a week of backpacking in the Maroon Bells/Snowmass area.

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Tupelo, Mississippi, United States

The bugs are attracted to my computer screen. I sit with legs akimbo in my tent. AT&T even reaches here, a remote Mississippi sate campground outside of Tupelo.

Temperature was near 100 today. Still now over 85 as sweat drips down my nose.

Today was a ride through the Alabama and Mississippi back country. Not a freeway ridden. I didn't realize how big timber was as an industry in these parts.

Met some good folks along the road. Everyone is amazed to see a BMW bike. They thought there never was such a thing!! These states are poor. Rural southern living is still tough.

People are scared out here. Worried about the economy and their futures. These times hit the poor the hardest. They don't have a cushion.

Took some photos but the camera is in my bike outside the tent...in the insect realm.Photo uploads will have to wait for another entry. Until tomorrow...
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1217212020/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1217212020/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1217212020/tpod.html Sun, 27 Jul 2008 22:48:44 -0400 Miami-Maroon Bells-Alaska. A trip across the continent via motorcycle with a stop in Colorado for a week of backpacking in the Maroon Bells/Snowmass area.

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Dothan, Alabama, United States

Departed Miami (actually Coral Gables) @ 6:54 am EDT. Arrived Dothan, Alabama 7:18 pm EDT. The route proved interesting.

The ramp up to I-95 (it starts in Miami) brought about a view worth recalling. The new glass and mirror skyscrapers reflected the early morning light in hues of aqua, green, and blue. Framed by towering cumulus clouds, the Miami "skyscape" never looked better.

Soon, I was in the vast flatlands of the state, water, trees, grass. A few hills finally, mid-state. After the Ronald Reagan Turnpike ended, I hit a heavy thundershower. No worries. Had the needed gear. Up I-75, exited at Ocala (I can't resist backroads). had'nt taken this stretch of 27 before. It's Florida's Route 66. Up through Bronson and beyond, you see the delapidated remnants of roadside motels and attractions...once popular when this was the main route to the state capitol (Tallahassee). A good road.

Cutting across the panhandle on 98 and 20 gives some great views of fast growing Florida timber. Don't mind the logging trucks just behind the first stand next to the road.

Some great river venues. Would have maybe camped had it been in the plan. Maybe another time.

Snall towns, counties. Very important for the coming election. Check out the attractions in the panhandle town of Hosford. More in the journal. Be back again tomorrow.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1217124420/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1217124420/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sbefera/1/1217124420/tpod.html Sat, 26 Jul 2008 22:14:26 -0400 Miami-Maroon Bells-Alaska. A trip across the continent via motorcycle with a stop in Colorado for a week of backpacking in the Maroon Bells/Snowmass area.

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Miami, Florida, United States

Delay caused by busy work schedule last week. Couldn't get everything I needed and on the bike in time to leave this morning. Just as well, it was a wet morning with coastal showers. Plan now is to leave tomorrow by 6:30am EDT and hit the superslab to get across Florida as fast as possible (I've beeen up and down the state so much, I've taken every back road available, so now the intent is to make time). Mississippi here I come! I will take a departing photo and upload tomorrow.
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