Wow ! What a Ride
Trip Start
Oct 20, 2008
1
40
41
Trip End
Feb 28, 2009
Ushuaia,
Patagonia,
Argentina
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The final day of riding to the Fin del Monde, everything I do today is deliberately intentional. My senses tuned and appreciative off all the familiarities of my machine and gear.The familiar click of the panniers as I latch and lock them to the motorcycle. The careful preride inspection, oiling the chain listening to the familiar tick, tick, tick as it rounds its sprocket. The zip of my jacket zipper. The opening of the choke and the gentle push of the start button. The cold engine coming to life underneath me, the vibrations dropping as I slowly close the choke. A quick blip of the throttle to confirm the engine is warm enough to ride. With the clutch in a couple of snow flakes drift pass my nose, I push the shifter down to first from neutral. I stop for a second and look across the ocean, the waves slap against the coastline, birds glide just above the ocean surface, dark grey clouds threaten rain or snow. The engine revs as we pull away. We travel 213 kilometers to Ushuaia, the grasslands change to pine forests barely hanging onto life as the bright green moss chokes the trees on every limb. The moss frozen in time as the constant prevailing wind forces them to hang sideways off the branches. The pine forest gives way to deep black mountains and the flat road begins to curve its way around the mountainside as we approach the city. A big grin on my face as we leave the last corner and see the sign for Ushuaia. I let out a holler and we stop for pictures. I am emotional as we head into the most Southern City in the world. We find a hostel and book ourselves in... and then head to Bahia Lapatia park. The absolute most Southern point in the world anyone can drive too by road.
Our goal.
We stop at the park entrance sign and as the tour buses pull in we become instant stars. People asking us question after question, wanting to take our picture or sit on the bikes for a photo. Asking us if we really drove from Canada. Big hand shakes, pats on the backs, thumbs up and smiles. We take our pictures and finally escape the masses. Mike and I knuckle tap as we ride away from the sign. The gravel road twists and the dust causes my eyes to water. As we leave the park we cross an old wooden clad bridge the loose boards rattle under our moving tires and I swear the bridge is applauding................................
.
Comments
It's official...
HI Moe; Your blog brought tears to my eyes. I am so happy for you both and proud of you. You made lots of sacrifices along the way, and I trust they have been worth it.
Cheers,
Kirsten
Mission Accomplished
Mike & Moe,
Way to go!! I know that your friends, family, and everyone you met along the way are extremely proud of you guys. We're going to miss your adventures and photographs here in Mandeville, LA. We've enjoyed them so much.
I do hope you will stay in touch and remember that you and yours are always welcome here at our house.
Skip & Karen Harrison
Congrats!!!!
Congrats guys, amazing journey and thank you very much for this blog. Can't wait to see you Moe so you can tell me a few more stories.
Cheers Mark
Where to next?
If Elske or Kirsten are reading this they should
close their eyes.
I can just imagine the discussions
about your next crazy adventure.
Congratulations on reaching your goal, although
we were confident that you would. We are very thankful that you arrived safely.
Thanks for letting us ride along.
Chris & Bonnie
Way to Go!!!!!
Congratulations on making your dream come true. It was great being able to read about your trip as you were going. I am thankful that you arrived to your destination safely and looking forward to seeing you soon.
Way to Go - Now Get the Hell Home!!!
Moe - We are so proud of you - you accomplished more than some could ever dream! We have held our breath reading all you triumphs, trials and tribulations, and are ecstatic you have reached your destination safely - now get your ass home!! congrats and see you soon my friend!
bravo! felicitations! congratulations!
you dun it...an inspiration and a standard...wow...geweldig!
YOU DID IT!!
Oh my dearest of friends,
you did it! I never doubted it for a minute!! You are our Indiana Jones (better lookin') and I so thank you for taking us on your journey.
Breathe, feel, smell, drink, taste.
This is your moment.
Love
Menelope
Congratulations!
What an amazing ride and accomplishment! You could write a book about your adventures. This journey may
have come to an end but you have inspired all that have followed your blog!
Bob
Congrats & thanks
Way to go Moe! I'm sure the next time you get numbum that it will remind you of your fabulous adventure. Thanks for letting us tag along.
Thumpedtwice
Congratulations on completion!
Congratulations on finishing your journey. Hope the travels back to Canada go smoothly. It was great meeting and talking with you in Lima and your information will be incredibly useful for planning our similar ride from Alaska. Your posts were really enjoyable to read. Thanks for sharing and good luck on your next adventure.
take care, chad
Thanks for the ride!!!!!
Congratulations to both of you~~~Thanks for the wonderful way you described your journey!! You write beautifully!! Clyde was with you the whole way wishing he were riding along side of you!!! Please keep in touch!
Blessings,
Colleen & Clyde
Congratulations
WOW, congratulations, you guys are definitely an inspiration for me...
That was such a trip, I've been talking about the two of you and your trip since we came back from Peru.
Now, Welcome back to the COLD Canadian winter ! :)
Hope to see you guys again someday,
here is my e-mail address if you ever visit Ottawa let us know... mc_lehoux@hotmail.com
Marie & Christian