TravelStream™ news feed for member vulcanrider on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/vulcanrider en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Fri, 22 May 2009 11:58:10 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1243006740/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1243006740/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1243006740/tpod.html Fri, 22 May 2009 11:58:10 -0400 Crossing the Country

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Boston, Massachusetts, United States

It is with very mixed feelings that I say farewell to my wonderful 1997 Vulcan 1500 Classic. You were a great friend on the road - funny, stalwart and comforting. We went there and back again and I have 100s of photos of you in all those places. The place you will never leave is my memory.I can only wish that your next owner has as many good times with you as I had.The new Victory Vision is totally different, I think of him as the Cylon, although I am going to have to rethink him as a Transformer, a more welcoming entity.My next blog will start with my shorter trips on him.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1223310240/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1223310240/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1223310240/tpod.html Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:10:41 -0500 Crossing the Country

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Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Well, work is down to 3 days and it's with mixed feelings that I pack up the remains of my 10-year stint here. Who would think you could pack so much into a cube! I learned a lot and met some amazing people. It's not the best season to go on a cross-country motorcycle trip, even a few weeks earlier would have been more colorful, but what better way to clear your head and contemplate what you want to do next?The weather is looking good enough that Saturday is d-day. Pennsylvania here I come. It might even hit 70 degrees, so what more can you ask?Now, I'm going to take bets on what items I will forget to pack/wish I'd packed.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1227829500/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1227829500/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1227829500/tpod.html Thu, 27 Nov 2008 19:15:40 -0500 Crossing the Country

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Boston, Massachusetts, United States

It is Thanksgiving and I have to say I am very thankful for being back here with a wonderful family and great friends. It was a good adventure, something I needed to do on my own, as a woman living in America in 2008. So many people expressed amazement that a woman would ride on her own across the land, that my husband 'let' me. My husband was my biggest supporter, probably the biggest worrier too, but that didn't stop him from knowing that it was the right thing for me to do at this juncture in my life. And he knows me. I am not someone who pushes the limits in everything, not a profound risk taker. Just a dabbler.I celebrate freedom and self-expression. Living with limitations (physical, monetary, etc.) is a reality, but we should not impose artificial limitations on ourselves. Fear can keep us from expressing our desires and I made a vow a while back that if I had to make a change in jobs, I would take this trip to regain a fearless perspective on the future.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1227472020/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1227472020/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1227472020/tpod.html Mon, 24 Nov 2008 07:50:04 -0500 Crossing the Country

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Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Despite monsoon rains, desert heat, fog, snow and freezing temps, I am home. Just before 3 PM I pulled up the driveway to an open garage door & an electric cord (for trickle charger for the BB)). What joy to unload the gear & have my family greet & help with getting me inside. The bath is drawn, the soup and g&t are tubside. Couldn't be happier after the 4 coldest riding days I can ever remember. It is one thing to go for an hour jaunt in winter, another to commit to 4 or 6 hours in the saddle at highway cruising speed.I hope the weather warms up this week so I can get BB over for an oil change and check-up for winter.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1227393240/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1227393240/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1227393240/tpod.html Sun, 23 Nov 2008 09:40:04 -0500 Crossing the Country

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Old Greenwich, Connecticut, United States

A cold start to the day. I rolled the bike into a growing patch of sunshine when I saw it was only 25 this AM. Packed up most of my gear & waited. Around 10 I had about 4 tries until it caught. After a long warmup we headed down 70E to Baltimore and 95N.Before Philly a dull cloud tossed a few flakes our way but we drive out before any serious activity.The rest of the ride was just the business of keeping fingers active enough to maintain blood flow. The temp never really got above 35. And did I mention windy? Well, it was.Unlike the past few days I did see another bike. A wing with 2 well-bundled people.I just wanted to get beyond NYC so I took the GWash. Bridge & got up 95 to CT & was desperate to stop since it was almost 4 and getting colder.For my efforts I was rewarded with the prospect of the Hyatt. Not a bad thing, I settled in for their restaurant fare & look forward to a slightly warmer tomorrow. Please?
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1227284640/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1227284640/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1227284640/tpod.html Sat, 22 Nov 2008 08:18:57 -0500 Crossing the Country

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Mount Airy, Maryland, United States

Unscheduled stop. OK, I knew it was a roll of the dice today since there were scattered snow flurries predicted over a wide swath of MD, PA & VA. So the bike startd on 2nd try and off we went. Got to Frederick on backroads & Rte 340, crossing the Potomac twice by Harpers Ferry. The sky by Frederick was still bright but heading East on 70 looked grim. Baltimore is less than an hour, so I decided to try for it.Started out fine but 15 min later, the snow started with a few flakes. Ten minutes later I was off the highway trying to follow signs for the Budget Inn. Not great visibility, but rolling on slowly, we settled into their lot.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1227221520/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1227221520/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1227221520/tpod.html Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:15:05 -0500 Crossing the Country

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Winchester, Virginia, United States

Wow, it was 41 this AM. The bike started right up and we were on the road by 9:30. Sunshine and mountains are a great combo and the day went pretty well until we got closer to Winchester when the dark clouds rolled in from the north. You know they dropped something nasty in the mts.The temp dropped below 40 and the sunny breaks ended. Got into the motel and put the bike to bed while pondering what the weather channel had to say now. I hadn't planned to get this far north, now may have to think about cutting east to I-95. Should be able to do this even if there are some intermittent flurries tomorrow.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1227100080/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1227100080/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1227100080/tpod.html Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:55:04 -0500 Crossing the Country

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Wytheville, Virginia, United States

Going out to breakfast in the Super 8 lobby this morning I had a look at the bike and its cover and thought, "Hmm, couldn't have rained... what's that spotty stuff?" Dang, upon closer inspection I saw what I didn't want to see. Little crystals. Yes, it is cold. I can't wait for the sun to melt the things and get on the road again. The last 1000 miles will be the longest, I guess.It was about 10:30 when I packed up & was successful at coaxing BB into waking up. He was not that happy. Once on the highway he was fine, I was the one who now had to deal with wind chill. Funny no bikers out today. Saw 2 yesterday with a lot of gear.Around Bristol I went into a VA welcome center and got coupon books and advice. Decided I had enough stamina to get to Wytheville and just 30 miles outside, I noticed the snow. Wonderful. Temp dropped as the cloud cover became pronounced. May be a later start tomorrow too since the high here will be 39. But at least I am 188 miles closer today.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1227043080/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1227043080/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1227043080/tpod.html Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:50:05 -0500 Crossing the Country

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Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Wooeee, what a chilly ride in! Left Nashville at about 35 degrees and it was downhill temp-wise from there. The ride was pretty - climbing elevation and still orange, gold leaves on the trees. Then the wind picked up a bit and it was heated grips time with more frequent stops than for gas. At one point I think the temp dipped to 32 or so. Then around 20 miles out of Knoxville, it began to warm. It's now in the 40s and I took a mile walk after signing in at the motel. Positively balmy.Tomorrow looks like low 40s.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1226932800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1226932800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/vulcanrider/2/1226932800/tpod.html Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:05:06 -0500 Crossing the Country

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Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Yes, it's time to move on. Two days in any place and I feel antsy as November crawls on towards the impenetrable cold of winter. I considered a more southerly route to head over to the coast for an ascent up 95, but any time spent at the weather channel shows that Hotlanta and the other mid Atlantic/southerly states are not warm. They are chilling with that persistent Canadian front to the point that they are as cold as what I'll see in the next 2 days, so why not keep going northeast? That's my reasoning and I'm sticking to it (and hoping I won't be sitting in Podunk waiting for a weather break). Um, wait, that's a town in Michigan, and I sure as heck won't be there in the snow.
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