Day 8

Rode to Crestview, Florida.

I-10 from Orange, Texas to I-12 in Louisiana (to avoid New Orleans) back to I-10 for the remainder of the day.

We departed at 6:20 a.m. At least after Texas I-10 has more scenery! Saw two single vehicle crashes.

The people in Louisiana ignored speed limit signs...even when it was 45 mph for construction they kept the pedal to the metal! Apparently they new when the law enforcement began their shifts!

Interstate riding is so boring!

Day 7

We got out of Del Rio at 6 a.m. The sun wasn't even up yet!

By leaving so early Highway 90 was virtually empty. Riding through San Antonio was a breeze. Riding through Houston was almost pleasant. Are they working on the interstate or is it always in a state of construction?

Fairly uneventful ride today. Highway 90 to Interstate 10. We are spending the night at the Super 8 in Orange, TX.

We will get away early tomorrow and hope to make it to Pensacola, Florida by early afternoon.

Day 6

We departed Alamogordo at 6 a.m. - the temperature was already over 70 degrees. We road to Artesia over the mountain via Cloudcroft. The temperature dropped to 52 degrees and didn't get above 70 until we arrived in Artesia.

Highway 82 is a nice mountain ride - the speed limit is 55 for most of the distance. This morning's ride was one of those perfect days that reminds us of WHY we ride motorcycles.

We stopped at the El Rodeo Restaurant in Pecos, Texas - the mention of this place is not a recommendation! There isn't much on the road we were on, so we opted to take the first available eatery. We ordered the taco plate - the daily special. It took quite a while to get the food and then the waitress proceeded to dump Larry's toward his lap. I tipped it back so only one item landed on the table. She apologized and said she'd get him another taco. We NEVER got it while we were in the facility. When we left she came out the car with 3 tacos. Fortunately we found the whole event amusing.

I think we'll wait to get back to Lakeport to have Mexican food.

We rode Hwy 285 to Del Rio, Texas. This is a very nice 2-lane highway with a speed limit of 75 mph. The maximum temperature was 95 with some high clouds. There was very little traffic. We got to experience some "Yee-Ha" curves....that is what we call an unmarked curve that takes you gently to the left with little sight distance and then drops down into a canyon.

The Pecos River bridge crossing was an awesome sight. Made us want to stick around and check it our some more.

Imagine - we rode 5 miles an hour faster than ANY interstate in California on 2-lane roads...in far better condition!

Lots of Border Patrol....and we found 2 that not only smiled, but waved. I'm thinking that the farther south one gets the nicer the border guards are.

By the way, at the checkpoints we are asked the question, "Are you a citizen?" Of course we simply answer, "Yes." Larry & I were talking last evening and we had both had the same thought, "Isn't EVERYONE a citizen of somewhere?" I know, I know, don't over think it!

For what it is worth we are staying at the America's Best Value and it REALLY is a value. Larry gets waffles for breakfast and I got the swimming pool AND all the other stuff I NEED to have!

Day 5

The ride from Tucson to Alamogordo, New Mexico was far more pleasant.

Only around 91 degrees and a little wind.

We are here because we wanted to check on our house....the house I REALLY want to live in, but haven't made it yet!

We are staying at the Satellite Inn...appropriate for this town so close to White Sands! If you ever get here and need an inexpensive, spartan place to stay this is the place. COMFY bed, free wi-fi, some breakfast and HOT water. Just none of the extra stuff - like a hair dryer or a big tv.

There are many other motorcyclists staying here.

Day 4

We scooted down the remainder of I-8 to San Ysidro and mailed off our paperwork.

By the way - anyone else doing this should take note that the lobby of the post office in San Ysidro is subject to crowding on the first of the month. Not sure if people were waiting to get their checks or sending checks.

It really is too bad the marine layer doesn't extend more than 40 miles east! Started to get hot right at the Cleveland National Forest sign and stayed that way throughout the day to the Tucson, AZ area.

Not a very interesting road. Larry saw a road runner....walking swiftly! He also saw some birds that looked like they were playing chicken with the cars and lost...feathers all over the place.

Temps hovered between 104 and 108. We stopped more frequently to refresh ourselves and re-wet our evaporative vests. While the vests are wet it is like air conditioning. We just need to figure our a drip system to keep them wet!

For the first time we both got a little sun burn THROUGH the mesh jackets.

We stayed at the Super 8 in Marana....it is being upgraded. It is NICE....except for the little towels, the uncomfortable bed and the roach on the bathroom floor.

We are headed to Alamogordo today....it's only going to be around 100 so it will be nicer riding.

Days 2 and 3

We rode from Roseburg, Oregon to Sacramento on June 1st. Very uneventful ride until we reached Williams.

Our friends Judy & Fred Middendorf drove from Lakeport just to visit with us at Granzella's in Williams. We had a lovely visit AND they lugged home all our luggage from our Alaska Cruise.

Last night we stayed in Freeport, CA and departed at 6 a.m. for the San Diego area.

Larry's plan worked well as we were able to avoid almost all bad traffic in southern California. A few slow downs, but for the most part above the speed limit all the way - going to speed limit would have been hazardous to our health!

I did wonder how many crashes occur because people are traveling with traffic and suddenly brake because they want to get in an inside lane and there is no room! I think in our area they would get clobbered!

We are staying in National City this evening....

Tomorrow we will "do" San Ysidro and head east....50% complete and still over 4,000 miles to go!

We're Off!

We departed Blaine, WA at 8:15 a.m. - made it as far as Roseburg, Oregon before stopping for the evening.

For some reason 440 miles at 55-60 mph seems so much longer than the same distance at a faster speed.

Uneventful ride...weather was great.