And I'm Off!

On Friday, May 16th and with 3,667 miles on the DR's odometer, my journey to the bottom of the world finally began!  The weather on the first day was far from what I had envisioned it to be.  With temperatures in the low-50's, and with a blinding downpour that accompanied me for most of the day, it quickly became apparent that this journey was not going to be easy.  While the weather was less than ideal, the excitement of finally being on the road kept my spirits up; even when the shivering caused my knees to uncontrollably slap against the fuel tank.  

 

The first day brought me to Hummelstown, PA, where I stayed with friends of the family.  I want to thank the Foxx family for their warm hospitality.  The following day I continued to Washington, DC, where I stayed with my friend Rob.  His hospitality wasn't as good so I'm not as grateful. Just joking Rob.  My trip in and out of DC went startlingly smooth.  Anyone who has ever driven with me in a city (or to any new place), knows that a fit of rage, followed by a quiet reflection on my navigational incompetence, is almost always guaranteed.  The next several days took me down Skyline Drive in Virginia, to the Blue Ridge Parkway.  I continued on the Parkway until I reached Great Smokey Mountain National Park in North Carolina.  Along the way I camped in a very picturesque backyard in Charlottesville, VA and I had my first Couchsurfing.com experience in Blacksburg, VA.  While in Blacksburg, one of my couchsurfing hosts brought me to the preschool that she teaches at for a show and tell, which was alot of fun once the kids got used to the weird looking guy in the space suit.

 

 From Great Smokey Mountains, I headed North to Knoxsville, Tennessee, via US Rt. 129, also known as "Deals Gap" and "The Dragon".  That road is what motorcycling is all about!  There's over 300 turns in a 10 mile stretch of road!  I was finally able to scrub my tires to the very edge: well there's about a quarter of an inch on each side that's untouched, but it was my first time through.  I arrived in Knoxville on a Wednesday afternoon and had planned to leave the following morning, but my host from couchsurfing.com suggested I at least stay until Friday, so that I could enjoy the Thursday night concert.  Every Thursday throughout the summer the city has a free concert that attracts 12,000 people.  The Presidents of the United States (known for "Lump" and "Peaches") performed while I was there and the atmosphere of the whole thing was awesome.  I'm now in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and will be checking out Mammoth Caves National Park tomorrow, and the Corvette factory on Sunday.  More to come soon....

Comments

[Jerry Wingen]

Hi Jeff:
I hope you watch the weather channel once in awhile. Tornados tend to haunt that area of Tenn. Jerry Wingen

[Don and Barb Dunne]

Jeff: Don and I are following you on your trip. Wishing you well and
keeping you in our prayers. It's interesting and exciting for us too! Barb and Don Dunne

[Robby]

I hope your hospitality is better than mine when I come down to Ushuaia next April. Ride safe, brother.

[Kim Lawlor]

Thanks for sharing. We look forward to following your journey. You are always in our thoughts. Love and miss you.
Love,
Auntie Kim, Uncle Tim and girls

[Lynn & Paul Roy]

We miss you so much. This website gives us a wonderful connection to you while you are on this great adventure. It's the next best thing to being there. You are always in our thoughts and prayers. We love you. Ride safely and stay healthy.
Love,
Mom & Dad

[Larry & Burnley]

Jeff,

We're telling everybody about you showing up and asking to sleep in the fields. Great pictures of our backyard. Hope you remember the history lesson.

Larry & Burnley

[brooke]

hi jeff,
i love this site.i love looking at the new updates. i hope your trip contines to be amazing.
p.s i hope you dont hit to many more storms!

love,
brooke

[Carmen Roy]

HI JEFF,
I'VE BEEN ENJOYING READING ABOUT YOUR TRAVELS AND SEEING WHERE YOU ARE. I'VE GIVEN YOUR WEBSITE TO MY SISTER RACHEL AND BILL HATHAWAY CAME OVER TONIGHT AND GAVE HIM THE SITE ALSO.
STAY SAFE. WE LOVE YOU.
GRAMPS AND GRAM ROY

[Kevin Boudreau]

Good Afternoon Jeff, I'm very impressed how far you have made it so quickly!!! Must be all that fine tuning I did when you weren't around... Thanks for all the great pictures and the updates, I'll be keeping an eye on you!
p.s. If you need HELP call!!!
Kevin

[Phil]

Hey Jeff,

Hope the trips going well. It was real nice to meet ya. You got a quite a story to tell and even more on the way. You should write a book when your done. I'll read it. Even though you spoiled a few chapters for me. Anyway, I envy the fact that you can just pick up and go on your little motorcycle adventure. Well I guess its not little, but you get the point. Be safe man. If theres any bit of advice I can give you its goes for the balls. Self defense advice from a 130 lbs man, but I'm sure you can take care of yourself quite alright.

God speed Brother