ully211 Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 We'll all keep you and your entire family in Tennessee in our thoughts .... Link to comment
drswift Posted July 24, 2009 Author Share Posted July 24, 2009 Catching up As promised, I’ve updated the website with journals for these three days, and posted a ton of photos on my Smugmug link. There were some amazing roads around Johnson City! I wish I’d had three more days there to explore them. Thanks to all for your prayers, kind words, and your patience. More soon! Link to comment
TN_R_Girl Posted July 24, 2009 Share Posted July 24, 2009 Dave, so very sorry to hear about your Dad. I hope you and your family are doing ok. Link to comment
drswift Posted July 25, 2009 Author Share Posted July 25, 2009 Hooked on the Smokies I left Johnson City, TN on Sunday morning and headed back to southern NC for more great riding. I picked the wrong day to ride the Blue Ridge, but I had a nice surprise when I got to Highway 64. Link to comment
drswift Posted July 27, 2009 Author Share Posted July 27, 2009 Over the Smokies, past the Dragon. I'm probably the only guy who has ridden in the Smoky Mountains who didn’t take the time to do the Tail of the Dragon. I think I found a more enjoyable alternative called the Cherohala Skyway. Link to comment
Vicious_Cycler Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 Over the Smokies, past the Dragon. I'm probably the only guy who has ridden in the Smoky Mountains who didn’t take the time to do the Tail of the Dragon. I think I found a more enjoyable alternative called the Cherohala Skyway. The Dragon is a must-do b/c everyone else says you must do it. Overall the Skyway is more breathtaking beautiful... and fun if you ride it to kick it's arse! DAMHIK Link to comment
drswift Posted July 28, 2009 Author Share Posted July 28, 2009 Beating back the funk My cousin and I took a two day trip down to Natchez, Mississippi. Although it looks like I’m backtracking, this was a special trip. For all the details and lots of photos please check out my website (link below). Link to comment
drswift Posted July 30, 2009 Author Share Posted July 30, 2009 Kicking back in Franklin This is a great little town just 20 miles south of Nashville. There’s lots of historical sites in the area, as well as an amazing amount of great old homes, and a nice downtown area. You’ll find my quickie home tour on my website . Link to comment
drswift Posted July 31, 2009 Author Share Posted July 31, 2009 Dodging the Dark Clouds Departing the Nashville area, Hwy 31E and the Cumberland Parkway took me across Kentucky to the Daniel Boone National Forrest. I did a big loop, ending up in Manchester just as the storm front finally caught up to me. Another seven hours of great roads included a quaint little college town. Link to comment
Twisties Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Just sort of reactions to a few things in order, as I'm catching up on this. Uh, yeah, but where are you gonna fit? Cheese, I'm thinkin' knife there big fellow! Wow, sorry to hear about your dad. That's really hard. Looking forward to seeing you in Lancaster! Link to comment
drswift Posted August 1, 2009 Author Share Posted August 1, 2009 Coal Country Winding through 300 miles of great Kentucky roads, I kept one step ahead of ugly rain clouds on the way to West Virginia. Along the way, I made a quick detour into Ohio just for fun. More details on my website. Link to comment
drswift Posted August 3, 2009 Author Share Posted August 3, 2009 West Virginia’s 200 mile motorcycle road. This trip through the Monongahela over to Shenandoah National Park is six hours of motorcycle nirvana. I wish I had real time video instead of a point-and-shoot camera. Link to comment
Kathy R Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Dave, I'm really enjoying your trip. I'm sorry to hear of your loss, but am grateful that he is at peace. Now he can travel with you wherever you go. See you at the UN Link to comment
drswift Posted August 4, 2009 Author Share Posted August 4, 2009 Monsoon Ride After ten hours of heavy rain, fog, truck spray, road construction and other pleasantries, I finally made it from Shenandoah National Park to New York State. The clouds only parted just as I crossed the border. Link to comment
TN_R_Girl Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Over the Smokies, past the Dragon. I'm probably the only guy who has ridden in the Smoky Mountains who didn’t take the time to do the Tail of the Dragon. I think I found a more enjoyable alternative called the Cherohala Skyway. The Dragon is a must-do b/c everyone else says you must do it. Overall the Skyway is more breathtaking beautiful... and fun if you ride it to kick it's arse! DAMHIK Yeah! What he said!! Link to comment
drswift Posted August 5, 2009 Author Share Posted August 5, 2009 Through Russia, with love. Today was all about the Adirondacks, and crossing Lake Champlain into Vermont. Clear skies, light traffic, and wonderful views. All the details and photos on my website. Link to comment
drswift Posted August 6, 2009 Author Share Posted August 6, 2009 One month down, one to go! This is start of month two of my “Long Ride For Life.” If you just joined the trip, it’s great to have you along. If you have been following my trip from the start, reading the blog on my website and have stuck with me this long, how about making a small donation or a pledge to the American Cancer Society? Details are on the right-hand column of my home page. The website linky is below. Link to comment
drswift Posted August 7, 2009 Author Share Posted August 7, 2009 Traveling Buddy Picked up Janet at the airport this morning. We’re running up to Stowe, then down along Hwy 100 to Waitsfield, home of American Flatbread. It’s all on the website. Link to comment
marcopolo Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Dave, can't believe you were in Waitsfield. We got married at an Inn (1824 House) just north of Waitsfield in 2006. Link to comment
drswift Posted August 8, 2009 Author Share Posted August 8, 2009 In the heart of Vermont By the time we got to Woodstock we were half a million strong - oops , wrong place, wrong generation! But our little journey was just as fun and a lot less crowded. Hwy 100 was made for touring on a motorcycle. More good stuff is on the website. Link to comment
drswift Posted August 9, 2009 Author Share Posted August 9, 2009 To New Hampshire and back Sometimes you come across a fantastic road that was not on your intended route. That’s one of the many wonderful things we got to enjoy today. Link to comment
drswift Posted August 10, 2009 Author Share Posted August 10, 2009 Chester and Weston We checked out more great little towns and hamlets, and enjoyed more great roads and wonderful old homes. We are even getting great weather. Follow along on the website. Link to comment
drswift Posted August 11, 2009 Author Share Posted August 11, 2009 Along the Connecticut River It was a great run down the river road to Southern Vermont. Slower and bumpier than the faster interstate, but much more satisfying. We visited the closest thing to the town of Stepford this side of Hollywood. Link to comment
drswift Posted August 13, 2009 Author Share Posted August 13, 2009 Back to New Hampshire We crisscrossed the Connecticut River on our way to Lancaster to attended the UnRally. Roger’s campground turned out to be the perfect venue for our get together. Read more on my website. Link to comment
drswift Posted August 15, 2009 Author Share Posted August 15, 2009 Unbeatable time at the UN Had three great days at the Unrally, seeing old friends and making new ones. The riding was a little damp at times, but the group meals were nothing but great. All the details on my website Link to comment
marcopolo Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 Dave and I arrived safely at my place in Ottawa just after 8:00 p.m. Friday (15 August). We had left the UnRally in New Hampshire at 10:00 a.m. and ridden via Burlington, VT so that Janet could catch her flight to NYC and on to California. It was great hooking up with both Dave and Janet at the UnRally. This was the second time in a few weeks I had the opportunity to spend some time with Dave (the other was at the MOA Rally in Tennessee). Here's Dave backing out of my garage Saturday morning: Here he is just a few minutes later stopped outside 24 Sussex Drive -- the residence of the Prime Minister: Here I am explaining to Dave how to count in litres. After fueling, he was headed west towards Blind River, Ontario. Link to comment
drswift Posted August 16, 2009 Author Share Posted August 16, 2009 Into Canada We left New Hampshire, and took a quick run across northern Vermont on the way to the airport. There I had to say goodbye to my traveling companion of the last ten days. Next, Mark led me across the border to his home town. Link to comment
EffBee Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 Dave, looks like your trip schedules you through Seattle. My home and work (Gerbings) is an hour south on I-5. If you can manage to call me when you're in the area, and swing by, I'll have a personal check to help with your fundraising. I've sent you my cell number and my work number in a PM. Your journey is a wonderful one. And your dad's passing has touched me as mine did the same not that long ago. I hope you feel yours ride with you. I do mine, sometimes just looking over my shoulder, sometimes his presence is almost overwhelming. But it's always a joy to share the road with him. Call. Link to comment
drswift Posted August 18, 2009 Author Share Posted August 18, 2009 Leaving Ottawa Heading out from Ottawa, I made a quick detour into Quebec. Then it was on to Lake Huron in search of my campsite. Link to comment
drswift Posted August 18, 2009 Author Share Posted August 18, 2009 Back in the USA Made it safely across the border into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Had a few interesting stops along the way. Pictures and story on the website. Link to comment
drswift Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 Quick spin thru Wisconsin More great roads and finally some decent weather, heading west to Duluth. Yah,yah. Link to comment
drswift Posted August 21, 2009 Author Share Posted August 21, 2009 Got Balls? If you have any you’ll go to my website and read about my trip through the Badlands. And while you’re there, how about making a donation to the American Cancer Society? Link to comment
drswift Posted August 24, 2009 Author Share Posted August 24, 2009 Zen Riding to Glacier I found 50 miles of wonderfulness on the way to Glacier National Park. It was one of those special roads that make you remember your first ride. Link to comment
drswift Posted August 25, 2009 Author Share Posted August 25, 2009 From St. Mary Lake to Long Lake I rode through Glacier Park with my daughter. From there, US 2 took me all the way to Washington. Photos and story on the website. Link to comment
Jacqueline Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 I'm glad the trip is going well! And... Thank you for sharing it with us! Link to comment
drswift Posted August 28, 2009 Author Share Posted August 28, 2009 On the West Coast Again After a ferry ride to Bremerton I spent two days riding the Olympic Peninsula. The weather was holding up and so was the bike. Link to comment
drswift Posted August 29, 2009 Author Share Posted August 29, 2009 Along Oregon’s Cascade Range Heading east again, I was back in one of my favorite parts of the country, with the roads all to myself. For more pics and stuff, visit the website. Link to comment
drswift Posted August 30, 2009 Author Share Posted August 30, 2009 From Bend to Bonneville It took me two short days of riding across eastern Oregon and down through lower Idaho to reach Nevada. From there I to I-80 to Wendover at the Utah line and settled into my hotel. This would be the last major stop on my long journey. More, as always, on my website. Link to comment
TN_R_Girl Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Wouldn't you know it?? I came through Glacier just about a week after you!! (Ride Tale coming soon!) Link to comment
drswift Posted September 3, 2009 Author Share Posted September 3, 2009 Bonneville Speed Trials: Days 1 - 3 Got my first taste of racing on the salt. What a rush! An amazing place to be even without motorcycle speed trials. More, and lots of pics on the website. Link to comment
marcopolo Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 Dave, loved the Bonneville photos and write-up. Link to comment
drswift Posted September 4, 2009 Author Share Posted September 4, 2009 Bub Speed Trials: Day 4-6 Lots of great racing with a number of new records set. Working on the International Course was really a blast. So was the scenery. Only one more day left on my trip! Make a pledge or a donation now on my website. Link to comment
Nice n Easy Rider Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Bub Speed Trials: Day 4-6 Lots of great racing with a number of new records set. Working on the International Course was really a blast. So was the scenery. Only one more day left on my trip! Make a pledge or a donation now on my website. Now Dave, there seems to be some sort of a gender bias in this photo. Link to comment
Green RT Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 10-Jul Tucumcari, NM 11-Jul Pauls Valley, OK 12-Jul Hot Springs Village, AK 13-Jul West Monroe, LA 14-Jul Birmingham, AL What an amazing trip. The only thing I couldn't understand was in your original itinerary. I couldn't understand how you were going to get from Oklahoma to Alaska in one day. And then back to Louisiana in another day. Link to comment
drswift Posted September 5, 2009 Author Share Posted September 5, 2009 Made it home After a long day in the saddle, I arrived home safely. All the cleaning, maintenance, and “after action report” can wait. For the next few days I’m going to just savor being home with my wife, family, dog, and fresh tomatoes! See the website for more. Link to comment
barryNmarin Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Welcome home Dave! Put your feet up and have a beer/scotch or what ever. You deserve it! Link to comment
johnlt Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Good job Dave, congrats, john Link to comment
SageRider Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Welcome home, Dave! Link to comment
marcopolo Posted September 6, 2009 Share Posted September 6, 2009 Yes, well done amigo. Link to comment
drswift Posted September 6, 2009 Author Share Posted September 6, 2009 Thanks to you all for your support and your encouragement. It was great being able to share the trip with everyone. Link to comment
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