Welcome to "The Roc"

After numerous delays on this, my final day of travel, I got into Rochester around 8 pm, greeted by Mom, Dad, and a hearty home-cooked meal. I exhausted all my energy, money, and patience today so I hope no one here expects me to have any of those items during this holiday season. Long story short, there are no appropriate entrances nor signs leading out of Philadelphia and I ended up outside of NYC before I found my way back to Scranton and the pre-determined "road home." Most of it was my fault for not simply turning around, but I choose to blame the signs. It was so cold during today's drive that I had to keep looking down at my hands to remind myself they were there, and foot warmers may work at 20 mph, but not at 90. It would be interesting to know exactly how the traveling speed affects wind chill and, therefore, temperature while on a motorcycle... But here I am, no worse for wear, Healthy, Happy, and ultimately Home!...for now... May Peace and Love find their way to your Home for the Holidays!

Day 15: This Is It!

California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Texas, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,...New York. 14 States in 15 Days (slightly less impressive), but still the same number of miles (otherwise I would have had to change the URL and no one would be reading this right now). I should have made an advent calendar, and eaten chocolate motorcycle tires and gasket covers each morning. If you're not doing anything today, send me some good vibes from wherever you are. I'm confident that once I get to the highway the roads will be clear, but I think they're relying on the "Sun'll Come Out Tomorrow" method of road-clearing in downtown Philly and getting to the interstate could potentially be treacherous. At least I'll only be going 2 mph. Last chance to wish me luck!

Drumroll Please

First of all, congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers for an unbelievable win! Wanna know who else won today? Both of the Geno's Philly Cheesesteaks I ate about three hours ago. One steak with provolone cheese and one "Whiz Wit'", the house specialty with Cheez Whiz and onions. The onions are diced and perfectly grilled to add moisture and flavor to the sliced (rather than shredded) beef. The cheese was melted, gooey, and delicious, unlike the unmelted slices of provolone on my hearty but slightly dry Pat's Original Cheesesteak. Pat's was what I would have expected had I gone to any of the street vendors throughout Philadelphia, but Geno's proved to be a step above. I guess in this case the teacher was outdone by the student!

Limbo

We went to see the new movie Up In the Air yesterday afternoon. A fitting movie title for my present travel situation. George Clooney plays a guy who flies from city to city firing people, lives out of his suitcase, and fears nothing but the idea of settling down. Having few possessions is certainly an exciting and liberating experience, but not a lifestyle I would want for the rest of my life. I have no idea how the upcoming year will affect future life decisions, but I do know that being a father is something I have always wanted followed closely by being a husband, and those are hard things to accomplish if one is constantly in transition. Up In the Air is food for thought for anyone who is unmarried and trying to figure out what comes next. Alisha and I made squash soup in the afternoon and ate that for dinner. Campbell's watch out, it was mmm, mmm, good! Today is football and cheesesteak day, and I should be able to leave for Rochester tomorrow. Two days delayed, but more relaxed for it. Philly has been fun, but Rochester is still the finish line. Time to break the tape!

Day 13 - 14

Rochester here I do not come. Unlucky Day #13 began with the shortest trip Bonnie and I have ever taken together...out of the parking garage, then right back in. With just a few inches of snow on the Philly streets, the back wheel was sliding all over the place, and I quickly deemed it unsafe to ride. Honestly, if I'd been able to make it to the highway I think I might have been alright, but with the snow only getting worse and no plows in sight, the outlook is grim. Mom...while I will still be home for Christmas itself, it does not look as though I'll be around for the trimming of the tree. More snow in the forecast through the morning, so I might not make it out until Monday. Those are the cons, these are the pros: time to watch movies, get a cheesesteak, watch football, and get another cheesesteak. Would anyone like to weigh in on the nearly century-old debate of Pat's v. Geno's? I'll let you know!

Day 12: The City of Brotherly Love

How fitting! Went to one of the world's greatest beer bars, Monk's, for dinner last night with my cousin Alisha and her friend Emily. Good times had by all. This was, of course, after I discovered one of the filaments on my taillight had burnt out, went to a New Jersey motorcycle shop to buy a new one, then returned to discover I had left my lights on. You have to be careful not to leave the jumper cables on for too long when jumping a motorcycle battery or you'll fry it from giving it too much voltage. Much like a man on steroids, too much juice will make your bike shoot blanks. Anyway, I did finally make it into Philadelphia after a delightful stay in Collingswood with Uncle Jeff and "The Girls" (Aunt Lisa, Amanda, and Callie). On my way out the door their youngest, a senior in high school, got her first college acceptance letter...Congratulatioins Callie! I have really enjoyed sharing stories, hugs, and food with everyone for the last two weeks. Friends, family, and complete strangers...all who have aided and abetted me on this long trek will be a part of my volunteer experience in the coming year. You all have certainly done your part, and now it's time for me to do mine! Rochester here I come!

Day 11: Toll Roads

After a late night at the bar, I vaguely remember waking my buddy Greg up this morning just in time to make it to his ten o-clock meeting. Greg is Chief of Staff for New York Representative Louise Slaughter on Capitol Hill, so while he was exhausted and taking the D.C. Metro to meet with official-types, I fell back asleep on the sofa. Went to Bethesda Bagel Co. later on for a bagel and some coffee and left my phone charging at Greg's apartment, so when a woman asked me what time I had, I laughed and said, "I actually don't." What freedom! To be unaware of the time of day. A brief respite from reality, from the ticking clock of worry. The moment was short-lived, for when I hopped back on the bike and took interstate 95 up toward the New Jersey Turnpike, I had to spend a total of $12 just to use the road. 3000 miles from California to Virginia without a single toll then twelve bucks in 100 miles. Unbelievable. And just as I payed Delaware the final four dollars...I hit a pothole!

Day 10: Brrrrrrrrr!

I began the day on the Chesapeake Bay, and when I went out in the morning to take a picture of my beautiful surroundings it was frigid. I realize now that these last couple days, even without snow, will be very cold. Once the sun went down in Bethesda, Maryland, it was all I could do to keep my feet and hands from literally freezing. I should be ok on tomorrow's journey to Collingswood, New Jersey, and the following day in Philadelphia, but Saturday's five-hour trip to Rochester will be the toughest one yet. I checked the weather and while it looks like I will avoid driving through a blizzard, the temperature is supposed to be around 15-20 degrees. I am staying the night with Greg, a good friend from high school, who showed me around Bethesda and introduced me to his close-knit group of friends. Ate delicious three-dollar burgers and drank two-dollar beers! Who could ask for anything more?! Home stretch here I come.

Day 9: Christmas/Music

Some of you might be wondering what goes on in this helmet of mine while I'm riding for ten hours at a time. The answer is music, mostly. In Arizona I turned Home on the Range into a reggae tune, then in Texas I came up with a song called Driving Through West Texas (original, I know) where lyrics about cities passed and surrounding landscapes were easily inserted into a simple country-western verse and chorus, and I came up with a second tune in which "I left my heart in Texas, and it moved to Tennessee, then I found it in Kentucky with the help of a bottle of whiskey." After taking in the New Orleans jazz I wrote an up-tempo song about living on the Mississippi River, and upon my entry to Virginia I found myself singing the story of a beautiful girl named Virginia loosely based on the song Melissa by the Allman Brothers Band. The lyrics are simple and usually there's only one mapped out verse, but I can sing the chorus, scat, and riff on each one of the songs for about an hour before I drive myself nuts and move on to something else. As I've gotten further north I've started singing Christmas songs to pass the time. Tonight I joined my Uncle Dick for a Christmas concert at the Mathews Library in which my Aunt Adele was one of eleven singers. For a choir of sixty and seventy-somethings they blended very well and brought back memories of attending and performing in many Holiday Chorales growing up in Rochester, NY. Truly, the Christmas spirit is best given with the gift of song. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for raising me with music in my soul!

Day 8: Purple Mountain Majesties

America the Beautiful! Sunny skies greeted me as I crossed the border from Tennessee to VIrginia, a welcome sight after so many wet days. With only a few hours of daylight left I realized making it all the way to Susan was a stretch and decided to travel off the beaten path. I rode about fifty miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a peaceful, winding road along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With the sun going down and fallen leaves blanketing the ground around me I could see the Shenandoah Valley for miles in either direction, a much better vantage point for viewing the countryside than from the interstate. I'm truly glad I high-tailed it yesterday and gave myself a chance today to joyride. Even with all my luggage strapped on the back, the bike took the tight turns like a champ and provided the necessary braking power to avoid the deer that darted across the road every few miles. No pictures considering how long it takes me to remove my gloves and pull out my phone, so I'll have to keep the visual memories of Virginia to myself. In January, my brother and I will be volunteering on a farm somewhere on the East Coast for a year. Virginia is one of the options, and the thought of taking weekend trips along the Parkway this summer is very enticing. If this is where we end up, I'll take pictures then!

Day 7: Decatur to Decatur

Began my Sunday with three beignets and a large coffee at Café du Monde on Decatur Street in NOLA. Four states, ten hours, and approximately 700 miles later I find myself at an EconoLodge in Decatur, Tennessee. The only bright side of my current location is that it marks the halfway point between where I was yesterday and where I plan to be tomorrow. My lodging in Nashville and Ashville fell through, so I called an audible and am going to try to push through to the home of my aunt and uncle in Susan, Virginia. If I'm successful it will put me a day ahead of schedule. Downside is it will require two straight days of more than ten hours of riding. I resorted to singing Bon Jovi's Dead or Alive today in different celebrity accents to keep me from going absolutely insane. I am nothing if not perseverant! Three states and a bunch of mountains on the docket tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Day 6: Beer and Bourbon on the Bayou

I'll make this short and sweet, because I have to get back on the road...New Orleans was a blast! Walked around a bit during the day to get the lay of the land. Breakfast at Mother's where they serve coffee with milk already mixed in, a cajun take on Cafe con Leche I suppose. Went to Harrah's Casino in the afternoon where I turned 20 bucks into 80, then promptly lost everything except the initial 20. Amazing jumbalaya, gumbo, and local beer at Coop's Place on Decatur, where I met two guys on their way to the strip club and Jill and Ryan from Baltimore. They do a good deal of traveling, so we swapped stories and I think I might have convinced Ryan to go to Burning Man, to Jill's dismay. Then I parked myself at the Maison de Musique on Frenchman and listened to the muffled moan of the trumpet as it sang it's songs of joy and sorrow, the tuba plodding steadily behind. I rounded out the night by meeting a traveling painter named Conan who painted a picture of me as a skeleton riding my Triumph across the States (see picture). My favorite part is the arrow from my name to the skeleton...Yes, those are my bones!

Day 5: Cajun Country

And God looked down upon the weary traveler and said, "Let there be Wind and Rain!" Water seemed to be coming at him from all directions, but this time the man was prepared. He shouted defiantly up to the sky, "I am not afraid! You may control the heavens, but I live here on Earth." As lightning lit the black sky the man began to laugh uncontrollably, claps of thunder mocking him from above. The enduring traveler, smiling a wry smile, exclaimed, "I would rather die laughing than live another day in fear!" -The Book of Ian 12:11

Day 4: Stayin' Put

My friend in Houston is stuck at an airport so I decided to stay in Austin for another day. Changed the oil on my bike, topped off the brake fluid, and cleaned her up a bit so when I roll in to New Orleans tomorrow Bonnie will surely turn some heads! Austin is a fun city, with lots of creative people, great restaurants, and is well known for it's live music scene. If you're in town, check out the 24 Diner on Lamar Street...a great take on classic comfort foods. I had the Chili with cornbread and a Cheddar Burger with Mac and Cheese. We went shopping and I got my first ever pair of cowboy boots! The only thing I will buy on this trip, but well worth it considering these things should last forever (see picture). It's really nice to have a brief respite from the road. I'm actually surprised at how few aches and pains I have considering I rode for eleven hours yesterday. It seems the cold is my true nemesis, so I got another pair of gloves at REI, and a pair of gators (sp?) to keep my feet dry and warm. Back on the road tomorrow for the long drive to Cajun country. Wish me luck!

Day 3: Road to Nowhere

Funny thing about Texas is it's Really Big! Feels like I've been driving all day...indeed I have. Didn't take the multiple time zones into consideration so despite getting a pretty early start this morning I will be getting into Austin just in time to eat a ridiculously late dinner and pass out. Can't wait for a short drive to Houston tomorrow. Might stop at the Alamo on the way if I don't sleep through the entire day. Twenty miles to go! Then comfort food. Oh so comfortable food.

I'm in Texas, Y'all

Beautiful drive yesterday...but still cold. If you look closely at this picture you'll see my new best friend, a 2-gallon gas tank I named Matt, in honor of the 400-pound man who saved me from my earlier fuel faux pas. Think I saw the Rockies as I was leaving Arizona, then saw more mountains in New Mexico and a watercolor sunset that you just don't see anywhere but in the desert. It's true what they say about people being friendly here. After checking into the La Quinta Inn on the outskirts of El Paso and finding two different places closed for dinner at 8 pm (bizarre) I ended up at a Famous Dave's Barbecue for pulled pork and a beer. My bartender, Eddie, told me he is moving in a week to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams as a cinematographer! Love it! I played the seasoned LA veteran and told him to make a reel. Folks in Los Angeles, if you meet Eddie...show him the way! Next stop, Austin (Texas, that is).

Day 2: Pheonix

Yesterday was harrowing. Left LA just after 2 pm and didn't get to my cousin's place til 11:30. That's ten hours of riding through big ass rain drops that fell in sheets and made it almost impossible to see at times. Got off to a fantastic start by realizing right when I got on the 10 that I hadn't properly attached my safety strap on the helmet. When I pulled over to fix it my boot slipped as I kicked down the kickstand and the bike very gently fell over on it's side. Too heavy to pick up with all the luggage strapped on I had to flag down a guy to help me get it back up. Hope I never write that sentence again! Later on I misjudged the distance to the next gas station and had to buy gas from a fat guy named Matt who owned the one diner in town for twelve dollars a gallon! Also, REI, these boots are not waterproof. But here I am starting Day 2 with sunny Arizona skies! Bring it.

Day 1: Rain

What a way to start! It hasn't rained in LA in months, and I'll be rolling east on the 10 with my full rain-suit on. Haven't actually worn it to ride, so this should be fun!